by Claire Adams
"Yeah, buddy. She's already asked. It's part of the stipulation to hire her. She's your travel partner and you're her trainer, but I expect nothing but the best from both of you."
"And that's what you'll get. Thanks, boss." My cheeks hurt from the smile on my face. I was glad that no one was around to see me cheesing it.
"No, thank you. Great job. You saved the company a huge headache with Kevin, and you've helped me possibly replace him with a great writer, who's quite capable of stealing the readers’ hearts like it seems she stolen yours."
"She has. I'll check in tomorrow. Night, Jon."
"Night, buddy."
I hung up the phone and pulled a mint out of my pocket as a million emotions rolled through me. I wanted to call my mom and scream into the phone that everything was most likely going to work out, but I didn't want Vivian to walk in to me losing my shit with my parents. She would know soon enough just how important they both were to me. The only person that would take a place above them would most likely be her.
"Right this way ma'am." The door behind me opened, and I turned to greet my guest.
"Thank you." She stopped short by the door, her eyes widening a little. "Easton."
"Hi, baby. I'm sorry for not calling. Jon made me promise not to until he worked out everything with you. He's all about appearing objective. Forgive me?" I took a few steps toward her as she moved toward me and slid into my arms, pressing her lips tightly to mine.
I moved my hand into her long silky hair and brushed my tongue over the crease of her lips, pushing a little as she opened up to me. Tightening my hands in her hair, I rubbed softly as my tongue rolled by hers, licking at her flavor and drinking her in deeply.
"Damn, I've missed you so much." I pressed my forehead to hers and smiled. "But, right now is about your interview. Let's get on with it and then we'll enjoy the rest of the night, just the two of us. That sound okay?"
"Sounds like bliss." She kissed me once more and moved to the table, sitting down and pulling her phone from her purse. "Mind if I record this and then I can type it up?"
"Not at all." I sat down across from her and took her in. "You're so fucking beautiful."
"That's not professional in the slightest, Mr. Parks." She lifted her eyebrow playfully.
"Yeah, neither is my raging desire to crawl beneath this table and lick every inch of you." I licked at my lips as her face grew flush.
"Get on with the interview. I have plans to make this handsome guy I know scream my name." She shrugged as if we were talking about the weather.
"Oh yeah? I'm almost jealous of him. I usually like my women pressed to something, crying out for more. A man screaming seems a little much, no?" I motioned for the server to come and save us from ourselves.
"Tease," she whispered and picked up the menu. "Do I get to choose what dishes I'm critiquing?"
"Yes, but the house favorites and new additions to the menu will always be at the top of the list. Choose those and two additional dishes. If you like the restaurant or are keen on helping support them, then you choose items that they wish they were selling more of but aren't currently." I picked up the bottle of red wine between us and poured us each a glass. "Order for us."
"How do you know what the house favorites are or the items that they're trying to sell?" She glanced up at me, her playful sex-kitten expression all but gone.
"You ask your friendly, neighborhood server." I sat back as she had a quick but pleasant conversation with the server.
She finished up, ordered a handful of items and turned her attention back to me. "That all sound good to you?"
"Delightful. I haven't had anything here that I didn't like." I licked at my lips absently. Her eyes shifted down to watch me, and my body hardened farther than it already was. "How was the interview with Jon?"
"Great. He seemed like a good guy. I can see why you like working for him." She took a tentative sip of her wine. "What happened to the other food critic that worked alongside you? Kevin, I think you said his name was, right?"
"He was fired. Piss poor judgment in lying about testing out a few dishes while we were in Florida. That and a sense of entitlement. Never bodes well for people like us." I slid my hand toward her, leaving it palm up in hopes that she would press hers to the top of mine.
"I'm not worried about acting rich and famous." She slid her hand on top of mine, the softness of her skin leaving my body to ache for more of her.
"What are you worried about, Viv? Be open with me."
"Is this still the interview?" She smiled and glanced around.
"No. The critique is the interview. You've won me over completely. I don't even need this additional part, but Jon does for the company records. The job is yours if you want it."
"I'm worried about falling so far in love with you that I can't find my way out." She smiled playfully.
"I plan on making that happen." I licked at my lips. "Are you excited about the job opportunity? Do you want the position?"
"Do you want me to have it?" She wrapped her fingers around my palm as she searched my face. "I applied for the job to be closer to you, but then I almost felt silly having done it. It seemed like a stalker-like thing to do."
I smiled. "I mentioned you to Jon the minute I got back into town. I was ready to throw my weight around with him if I had to just to get you an interview, but then I felt silly. You're an independent woman and wouldn't want a man messing around with your future." I wrapped my fingers around hers and squeezed softly. "I would have hated for you to see me as a controlling ass."
"Do you want me to work beside you?"
"More than anything else." I paused and tilted my head. "Wait. I want that second to one thing."
"Which is?" Her eyes misted and I got up, pulling her from her seat and brushing my fingers down the silky skin of her cheek as a tear rolled down slowly.
"Which is to have you with me. We can work together, but if it ever interferes with us being a couple, I'll leave or you can. I want us first, and then this partnership with Wilmington and Branch a distant second."
"Good." She turned her face and kissed my palm softly, captivating me with her soft feminine movements. "I was so hurt that you didn't wake me up on Monday morning, but I understand it a little better now."
"I'll not do that again, then. You only have to tell me when I do something wrong, and I'll correct it." I brushed my thumb over her full bottom lip. "Can we talk about you moving in with me soon?"
She laughed and pulled from me as the first dish arrived and was placed on the table. "Not this soon. I'm graduating in a few months, so even if I do take this job with you and Jon, I can't start until late May."
"That's okay. Stay with me at the penthouse apartment on the weekends when I'm home." I moved to the table and motioned for her to do the same. "We can work it all out. Do you want the job?"
"Hell yes." She awarded me a sexy smile. "It gives me the chance to say that I've tasted the finest foods, slept in the most expensive rooms, and made love to the most handsome man in every country."
"You're not sleeping around while we travel." I picked up my fork and gave her a playful warning look.
"No? Shame. I was hoping to have you explore me in every room we stayed in." She shrugged and sighed. "Too bad really. I'm just starting to get curious about the various ways my body might feel pleasure."
"Tease," I grumbled under my breath and picked up my fork. "Describe the salad and record yourself while you do. I'll hush for a few minutes while you work through this dish, then we can talk a little more."
"Alright." She looked down at the dish and back up at me. "Thank you, Easton."
"For what?" I pressed my fork into a thick slice of tomato, but paused.
"For believing enough in me when you barely knew me. For putting up with my drama in Miami and for giving me a chance at a new life. A life with you." She glanced down and started to recite the various ingredients in the salad.
I sat in stony silence, wanting t
o say a million things, but knowing better. She was recording, and the cheeky thing timed her sweet words perfectly. I had no choice but to remain silent. I'd get her later for it and offer up my own thank you. She'd opened me up in ways I'd almost forgotten existed. We could spend the night wrapped around each other, but in the morning, I was taking her to meet my parents. If she thought Jon was a great guy, she had a huge surprise coming. My mom and dad would blow her off her feet as they welcomed her into our family.
I love you sat on the tip of my tongue, but it wasn't time just yet. I used the rest of my wine to wash it down and savor it deep inside of me instead.
She would hear it soon enough from me, no doubt. Baby steps would take us all the way to the end of our lives, and we would take each one together.
Epilogue
One Year Later
Vivian
"This is beautiful, Easton." I glanced behind me to give him a smile for his great choice of resorts. Maui was filled with beachgoers that time of the year, and there was little question as to why. The fruits were hanging heavy from the trees, the water cool, and the sun deliciously warm.
"I had hoped that you would like this one." He moved into the room behind me, sliding his hands around my waist and down to cup my sex as he pressed his lips to the soft skin below my ear. "I want to try out the bed, and the shower, and the balcony. Remember that night in Jamaica a while back? I want that all over again."
"Mmmm," I pressed against him and let my eyes take in the sensual feast of the King's Palace room. The floor plan was vast and exquisite. It was a good thing that the company was doing well, and both Easton and I were to thank for that.
"I'm so proud of you, Viv. You've done so much over this last year." He licked at my ear and ground into me again. "Do you like this dress?"
I glanced down at the simple yellow cotton gown and shrugged. "It's nice and comfy, but I'd not spend money on another one."
"Good." He walked forward, pushing me with him until we reached the bar. His grip on my shoulder forced me to turn, and I knew the look in his eyes before he could say anything. We'd been so busy with visiting various resorts and hotels on the island that we hadn't had much time for each other. With the next two days off, he was ready to spend most of the time naked and working to outdo each other in the sheets.
He tugged my dress up to my hips and bent over, pressing his lips to my upper thighs and mixing a variety of wet kisses with the firm press of his teeth on me.
"Fuck," I groaned.
"Yeah. Let's." He moved back up and pulled his shirt over his head, leaving his firm, tanned chest on display for me. I'd never get tired of seeing any bit of his skin that he gave me access to. He pushed at my shoulder and moved back down, licking around the edge of my panties as he barked his commands at me. "Lay back. I need to taste you."
I lowered myself to the bar and lifted my legs before dropping my knees to either side and giving him full access to me. I'd learned to not only trust him with my heart but with every inch of my body.
He jerked the panties to the side and ran his tongue up my center as I bucked beneath him. The dark chuckle that left him moved across my flesh and pressed against my pleasure points. His fingers sunk deep into me as he worked my clit into his mouth, sucking softly and then harder.
"How do you do that?" I arched my back and reveled in the intensity of his hold on me. My fingers gripped the edge of the bar as my first orgasm hit and I bent at the waist, a long scream leaving me. It only seemed to fuel him on farther as he brought me to cum again before glancing up at me.
"I love to hear you cum. It's my favorite part of the day." He smirked and I sat up, pressing my lips to his as I worked on his zipper.
"Then don't stop. Your tongue's magic, but you know what I want." I kissed him a few more times as I pushed his jeans over his hips and reached for his cock.
"I know what you want, Viv, and it's all yours, baby. Forever." He picked me up and scooted me to the front of the bar before pressing into me. "Like this?"
I ignored his taunting and shifted to take more of him into me as he let himself go. It was a beautiful thing to witness him completely lost to his need for intimacy. He gripped my thighs tightly and shifted from watching our bodies meet to looking at me in the face.
His hand slid into my hair and he tightened his hand on the back of my neck as his lips hovered just above mine.
"Cum for me again, Viv. Several more times." He licked at my lips before nipping.
I couldn't help but follow his command as he shifted his hips and worked me with longer strokes, his body glimmering with sweat as I pulled him flush against me.
"Hold me tightly," I breathed out.
"Anything you want." He wrapped his strong arms around me and pressed his mouth to the top of my chest before licking his way up the column of my neck. His deep grunts combined with the firm press of him deep inside of me caused the igniting of passion to drive me over the edge again, and I gripped him with all my might as I cried out against his chest.
"That's it. So beautiful, baby." He brushed my hair back and worked us both through our orgasm, his body filling mine without concern. I'd gotten on the pill right after we decided to work toward a future together. It was the best decision we'd made. The need to be skin to skin when we made love drove us toward the intensity of intimacy that belonged in each and every day we had together.
"I love you." He kissed me softly. "Come take a shower with me. I have a nice dinner planned for us on the beach if you're up for it."
"I love you, too." I pressed my cheek to his shoulder and rested against him, not wanting to go anywhere but the bed. We'd run ourselves ragged over the last few days in Maui, but his idea of vacation was quite different than mine. Where I wanted to lay around and do absolutely nothing, he wanted to explore the island and try everything they had to offer.
There was no way I would have labeled myself as a risk taker before. Now, with him, I very much had shifted into being one.
"A shower sounds great." I moved back and groaned as he pulled out of me and squeezed my thighs.
"No time for sex in the shower though. I have reservations for seven for us." He helped me down and kissed my nose. "Wear something pretty like this dress."
I glanced down at it and rolled my eyes before pulling it off and letting it drop where it wanted to. "Then we should take a shower separately. You know how much you like touching me in the spray of the water."
He bit his lip as his eyes moved across me. "Right. Let's make it quick."
"There's the man I love." I chuckled and moved toward the bathroom in anticipation of more of him. I didn't think I could ever get enough.
*****
The warm breeze picked up and pulled at the messy bun I had my hair in, but I forced myself to enjoy it. The view of the water was breathtaking, and the intimate grass hut that Easton rented us bobbed up and down in the water just off the shoreline.
"There are so many great things on this menu," I muttered and glanced up at him as the flames from the candles between us danced as if they were part of the entertainment.
"Let's get everything then." He reached for my hand, and I gave it to him. "You realize that we've been together almost a year today, right?"
I smiled shyly. "I do, but I wasn't going to bring it up though."
"What? Why not?" His dark eyebrows pulled together. "Are you too cool to celebrate anniversaries?'
"No. Not at all, but it seemed silly. And honestly with all of the uncertainty around the actual day that we both decided to stop being stupid and just get together, I didn't know the date." I chuckled and tugged my hand from his.
"This is true. That's why I said that it's almost been a year. We have more like a week-long anniversary whereas most normal people have a day." He picked up his beer and took a long drink as I watched him.
"I love you. You're so handsome to me." I sat the menu down and leaned back, wanting a moment to take in all that we'd been through. The last yea
r had been bliss and nothing more. Our concerns over me wrapping up school or us traveling together were all worked out without any major bumps. Casey would be graduating from NYU with her Master’s soon, and life was good.
"I love you too, baby. Order anything on that menu you want, and then you and I are going to dance on the beach. I have a small band coming out here to play for us." He wagged his eyebrows.
"You do? How fun." I glanced down as a server in a canoe paddled up to the front of the hut and smiled up at us.
"What can I get for the two of you tonight?" He glanced at me and then back at Easton.
"Whatever the lady wants, she gets." He gave me a cheeky grin and sat his menu down.
"We'll take one of everything, please." I shrugged and handed the guy the menus as his eyes went wide. "We'll need a few doggie bags, and no worries. This guy says he's going to dance the calories off of me when we're all done."
The server chuckled. "We will get started on all of it then."
"Good choice, baby." Easton got up and walked to my side of the table, pulling me up. "Let's go dance now. It's going to take them a while to get all of that prepared."
"I'd love that." I took his hand and slid mine into his as we walked back down the narrow planks to the shore. “Watch your step. This thing isn’t anchored to much more than a few cords.”
“You’ll save me. I have no doubt.” I smiled up at him. “You’re my superhero, remember?”
“And Casey’s, it would seem.” He chuckled and wagged his eyebrows. I’d gotten over my fear of losing him to other women, which was much more freeing than I imagined possible. I still struggled a little from time to time, but he was so good about reminding me that he belonged to me, and me alone.
“Don’t make me take out my best friend. Then you’ll have to go on those long shopping trips to the mall with me that you hate. Do you want to do that?”
"Hell no. Tell me something though… are you glad you decided to take the job with me and Jon? Was it a decision that you would make the same if you could redo it?" He stepped off onto the sand and reached for me. He wrapped his strong hands around my waist and pulled me against him as I slid down until my feet touched the sand.