“Oh yeah? Are you interested in someone, Chlo?” I ask her past the lump in my throat.
“I am, actually.”
“Umm, okay. I get it. You didn’t promise me anything. Just forget about the package that Owen brought you. I’ll log off now. I-I love you, Chloe.” My heart just shattered in my chest. I knew that keeping her was a long shot. She told me she thought that we’d be better apart, but still gave me a chance. A chance I apparently blew. I should have flown out to London to surprise her. I wanted to, but I was trying to delegate some work and ease off on different projects so that I could spend more than just a couple of days with her in London after the ball.
Actually, what I should do is get off this Skype and fly out to London now. I’m not going to just sit here crying and let some guy have my woman without a fight. I can call and have one of the pilots get the jet ready. Work will just have to wait. Nothing’s more important than Chloe.
“Don’t go yet. I mean, don’t you want me to tell you about him at least?”
“Not really. No” Is she serious right now?
“Well, I’m going to anyway. He’s 6 foot 2 with an incredible body that’s totally hot and ripped. He has jet black hair that falls into his amazing green eyes. I love to run my fingers through it when he makes love to me. Oh, and he has a beautiful cock that I miss so much. I almost come just thinking about it sometimes.”
Wait. What? Did she just describe me? “I think you just described me, Chloe.”
“I did, Ry. You’re the only guy I’m interested in.”
“Thank God. I was getting ready to hop on one of the jets to London to kick some ass and reclaim my woman.”
“If I was with another guy, do you really think I would go for you kicking his ass and the whole “claiming” thing?”
“The ass kicking, no. You love it when I’m alpha, so yes to the claiming.”
“How would you claim me?” She asks as she pulls my shirt over her head. She has only a small thong on, and I’m instantly harder than a steel beam.
“Lie back on your bed, sweetheart.”
“Only if you do it, too. I want to see you.”
I pick up the laptop and move it into my room. I put it at the bottom of the bed as I lean back against the headboard. “Put your fingers inside of your pantiesand touch yourself for me.”
She slides her fingers down her stomach, but stops at the edge of her thong. “Take your cock out and stroke it for me, Ry. Pretend it’s my hand.”
“I do that every night, Chlo,” I tell her as I push my shorts and boxers down.
“I don’t get to see it. I want to see it so I can think about it when I’m touching myself every night, too.”
I fist my cock and start pumping slowly as she moves her fingers down to push aside the thong so I can see her pleasure herself. I almost come undone at the sight of her.
“I would claim you by fucking you so good and hard that you couldn’t even think of another man.”
“You’ve already done that.” Her breath is getting ragged as she slips two fingers inside of herself. I start pumping harder.
“Then, I would mark you all over as mine—your neck, shoulders, breasts, hips, clit, ass, thighs, calves…everywhere.” I’m getting close.
“Can I mark you, too? Claim you as mine?” She reaches her other hand over to play with one of her nipples.
“You claimed me when I was 17. I‘ve belonged to you every day since then. Now, imagine that those are my hands on you, fucking you with my fingers and playing with your breasts. Wet your fingers so you can pretend I’m licking your nipple.”
She does as I ask, and her back arches. “Are you imagining my hand fisted on your cock, pumping you hard before I take you in my mouth?”
“Yes, sweetheart. Now come for me, because I’m ready to blow.”
I watch through half closed eyes as she circles her clit faster with her thumb while pumping her fingers hard. She’s pinching her nipple hard now, too. I can tell when she’s close, and I start tugging and pumping harder. She cries out my name as she comes, and I’m right behind her, blowing my load all over my hands.
“Fuck, Chloe.”
“That would’ve been the only thing better than this.”
I need to get to her somehow. This is good, but I want to be touching and licking. And fucking her. Hard and then slow. Damn. I’m getting hard again just thinking about it. “Let me clean up, and then you need to open your gift.”
“Okay. I’ll just lie her for a second.” She looks so hot and beautiful I almost can’t take it. I go into the bathroom and clean up quickly. When I get back into my room, she’s put my shirt back on and has her gift in front of her.
“Can I open it now?” She looks excited.
“Yes, please do.”
She opens the envelope first and takes out my note, which reads:
Reason #156 that you are AWESOME and I LOVE YOU: You’re giving me a second chance to prove how much we belong together.
“Oh, Ry. I know that we belong together. I’m sorry that I doubted it at all, and in our treehouse, no less. I was just so freaked out when you thought that I could be with Adam after what we’ve shared. I shouldn’t have taken this job. I love it, but I miss you so much.”
“I miss you, too, Chlo. We’ll make a good memory in the treehouse when you get back into the U.S. I’m so proud of you for going and doing this job. Yeah, I wish you weren’t so far away and that I could get away to see you, but you needed to do this.”
“Thanks, Ry. I know we can make it two more months. It’ll be hard, but think of all of the reunion sex we can have.”
“Oh, I am. I have a surprise planned for you. Now, speaking of surprises, please open the one you have.”
She laughs and then opens the package. Her eyes go wide as she lifts out the papers. “Is this…is this…our house?”
“If you want it to be. Those are just the preliminary drawings. I wanted to see if you liked them.”
“I love them, Ry. It looks kind of like the von Trapp house inside.”
“I know you love that house, so I incorporated the way you would walk in and have staircases up and down. I made the entry floor a useable space, though, too.”
“It’s perfect. I love my dressing room, too.”
“Really? I was hoping that when you get back, we can go look at some land.”
“Yes, really. Did you think that I wouldn’t love it? Because I do. And I would love to go look at land.”
“I was just worried that you wouldn’t want to build the house anymore.”
“I do, Ry. I really do. Thank you for this.”
“I’m glad. You don’t have to thank me, Chlo. My dreams are all coming true.”
We talk for another hour about the house, London, work, and everything and anything that we can think of. She tells me that she needs to get ready for work, so we log off after reminding each other once again of our love.
Chapter 24
Chloe
It’s been a month since Ryan and I had our first “sexy” Skype. We have them a few times a week now. I’ve been working on interior plans for our house whenever I get a chance. I’ve also been fending off the advances of one of my co-workers, Liam. He’s doing all of the outdoor designs, like landscaping and the pool. I’ve turned him down several times, but he won’t take no for an answer. He doesn’t believe that I have a boyfriend. It’s getting a little intense, which is why I’m glad that I was able to get a four day weekend. Owen should be down in the office any minute.
“Come on, love. You don’t have a ring on your finger, and if I was your bloke, I would’ve come to see you at least once.” Liam is invading my personal space as he leers at me.
“You’re not her ‘bloke’ asshole, and you better step back if you want to be anyone’s in the future.” Owen looks like he might kill him, and I’m honestly glad to see that he’s here.
“What, are you with this arse?” Liam looks at Owen in disgust.
&
nbsp; “No, she’s with my brother. My big brother who looks like a tank and could take you down in less than a minute.”
“So. You like big bruisers, huh, Chloe?”
“Ryan is not a bruiser. He is, as you Brits would say, ‘fit as fuck.’”
“Well, he’s not here fucking you, now is he?”
“No, but I’m going home to fuck him for a few days. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have a jet waiting.”
Owen is smirking as we walk out the door and head for the elevator. “That guy is an ass-hat. Does he always hit on you like that?”
“Yeah. He does. I can handle it, though.”
“You shouldn’t have to. I’ll be around more the next month, so I’ll make sure he stays in line.”
“Thanks, Owe.”
“Anything for you, Chlo. You know that.” He leans over and kisses the top of my head as we head outside to the cab.
Our flight is uneventful, and I take a long nap. I know that I’m going to need my energy for the next two days. We land in Vegas and then head to the Griffin building. Since it’s still morning there with the time difference, I plan to surprise Ryan at the office.
I get sidetracked on my way upstairs as I greet my co-workers. Everyone wants to know about London. I finally make it upstairs to see no one at my old desk. I figure maybe the girl from the secretary pool is on break and head into Ryan’s office. What I see stops me in my tracks.
Ryan is back in his chair and a girl is on his lap with her tongue down his throat. I quietly close the door and leave as my heart breaks. What the fuck? I just talked to him yesterday, and he told me he couldn’t wait to see me. I guess he decided to keep busy while he waited to see me for another month. I was so stupid to think that he’d actually wait for me.
I rush out of the office, ignoring the calls from everyone asking if I’m okay. I see Owen just leaving. “Owen. Can you give me a ride?”
“Chloe? What’s wrong? Where’s Ryan?”
“Please. I can’t talk about it. I just need a ride back to the airport. No, not the airport. It would be a waste to fly right back. I-I need to go somewhere, though. Not here.”
“Calm down, Chlo. We’ll leave. Do you want to go to my place?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. Can you get me out of here as soon as possible?”
“Of course. Will you tell me later what happened?”
“Maybe. I just need to get away from here.”
“Let’s go.”
We get in Owen’s car, and he takes me to his apartment. I see him giving me worried glances every so often. I want to tell him what happened, but I’m so ashamed and embarrassed. He pulls into his garage, and we ride the elevator in silence.
“Do you want to rest, Chloe? You can use the guest room.”
“Thanks, I think I’ll take you up on the offer.”
“I’m going to be next door, working, if you need me.” Owen bought the apartment next door and took out the walls, making a giant studio for himself.
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” Someday. Maybe. But I can’t tell him that, or he’ll worry and not get his work done.
He gives me a nervous smile and walks out the door. I go into the guest room and collapse on the bed, crying myself to sleep.
* * *
Ryan
I don’t know what the fuck just happened. I was sitting in here going over some reports when the chick from the secretarial pool came into the office. I asked her what she needed, and she jumped me. I was in shock for a few seconds as she stuck her tongue down my throat, but then I pushed her off and told her she was fired. I called Ellen up to let her know and am waiting for her to come to my office now.
“Hi Ryan. That must have been awkward.”
“Umm, yeah. I wasn’t expecting to be attacked in my office today.”
“Well, except by Chloe.”
“Chloe?”
“Oh, was her visit a surprise?”
What is she talking about? “I don’t know anything about Chloe coming here, so I guess it’d be a surprise if she did.”
“You haven’t seen her yet? She was mobbed by everyone when she walked in the building, but I thought she got away and came up here.”
“She’s here? Chloe’s here? She didn’t come up here—oh fuck!”
“What’s the matter, Ryan?” Ellen asks, and then gets it. “She probably saw that girl on your lap, kissing you, didn’t she?”
“I think so. Why else wouldn’t she be up here right now? Can you handle the paperwork, and I’ll sign it once I figure out where Chloe is?”
“Of course. Go find your girl. We all love the two of you together, you know.”
“Thanks Ellen. I love us together, too.”
I grab my keys and take off. I take the stairs down because I don’t want to wait for the elevator. I try to think of where to look, and then it comes to me. Owen will know. He was coming home today, and Chloe must have come with him. I head to his place.
I knock on the door at Owen’s apartment but no one answers. I have a key, but I want to try the studio first. He doesn’t answer, but I can hear music, so I know that he’s in there working. I let myself in and walk up behind him, but don’t want to startle him as he has his brush on the canvas. He puts it down, and I let my presence be known.
“Owe.”
I don’t expect him to wheel on me and push me backwards with his hands. “I don’t know what the fuck went down in your office, but I told you not to hurt Chloe.”
“I didn’t plan to. The chick they sent to be my assistant for the day threw herself on top of me and stuck her tongue down my throat. I’m guessing Chloe walked in during the few seconds when I was too in shock to react. I didn’t see her. When Ellen came up to fill out the separation paperwork, she told me that she was here.”
“That’s fucked up, man. She just jumped on you?”
“Yep. They need to screen these girls better.”
“Seriously. Chloe’s next door in the guestroom, by the way. But I don’t think you should go over there yet. She was really upset.”
“That’s why I need to see her, to explain.”
He sighs and looks away. “What is it, Owe?”
“It’s just…well, this is kind of like Chicago. You thought she was with Adam and accused her without asking. Now, she sees you with some girl on top of you and runs off without asking. Maybe she was right, and you two just hurt each other too much.”
“You told me ‘bullshit’ in Chicago, and I’m telling you the same now. I was an ass in Chicago, especially because I didn’t see anything happen. Chloe saw some girl on top of me. If I saw her like that with a guy, I would’ve run, too.”
“Like hell you would. You’d have torn him limb from limb.”
“Well, yeah. But then I would’ve run.”
“I guess you’re right. Go get your woman, Ry.”
“Thanks, Owe. The painting looks great.”
I run out the door and use my key on Owen’s apartment. I walk inside and head for the guest room. Chloe’s on her side, sleeping. I can see the tear stains on her cheeks. Motherfucker. My girl came to surprise me and instead of jumping me in my chair—which I totally would have welcomed—she thinks she saw me doing someone else.
I lay down behind her and put my arm over her stomach. She tenses a few seconds later, and I know that she‘s awake. She tries to pull away, but I hold her tight. “It’s not what it looked like, sweetheart. That crazy chick jumped me, and she’s already been fired. You can call Ellen and she’ll back me up. I was in shock and didn’t push her away for a few seconds. I’m guessing that is when you walked in.”
“You aren’t with her?” Her voice sounds so small and sad.
“No. I’m only with you. Until you get tired of me, I’ll always only be with you.”
“I should’ve known that. It just freaked me out to see you in there with her. Since, you know, I used to climb on top of you in that chair. I realize now that I never saw your hands on her.
I should’ve spoken up or stuck around to talk to you.”
“I honestly wish you would’ve stayed, but I understand why you left. You flew across the world to see me, and then it looks like I’m cheating. Just know that I wouldn’t do that. Ever. You know I bought a new bed so you’d be the only one ever in it. My chair belongs to you, too. I’ll get a new one of those ASAP. Now, tell me about you being here, which is fucking amazing by the way.”
She turns in my arms to look at me. “Surprise. I got a couple of extra days off so I could come see you.”
“Best thing ever.”
“I think I can top it.”
“Yeah, Chloe? I’m not sure. I mean, having you fly here to see me is pretty hard to top.”
“Really? Because you are definitely hard, and I want to be on top.”
“Definitely hard, huh? How do you know that since you aren’t touching me there?”
“We’re in a bed together, Ry. There’s no way that you’re not hard, and I’m not wet.”
“True.” I kiss her, and she climbs on top of me.
Chloe spends the next few hours showing me just how much she missed me. I reciprocate as well, of course. Luckily, Owen stays clear of the apartment, because we would never live it down if he heard her screaming. She always screams for me, and I love it.
We reluctantly get up to leave since I want to have us in my bed when we wake up tomorrow. We go next door to say goodbye to Owen, and he has some news for us. “Mom called. She knows that the two of you probably want to be alone tonight, but she hopes you can make an appearance at the barbeque.”
“Are you okaywith it, Chlo? I know that you’re still on London time.”
“Of course I’m okay with it. I wouldn’t miss Friday barbeque. I napped on the plane and a little bit here before you found me, so I’m good.”
“We should probably go to the guesthouse first, then, instead of my condo.”
“You don’t have to go back to work at all?”
“I probably should, but I don’t want to miss any time with you.”
“I’ll go with you. You lost your assistant for today, so I can fill in.”
“I don’t want you working on your days off.”
Building Our Love (Griffin Brothers #2) Page 20