Control Games (Game for Cookies Book 2)
Page 19
He stripped it off and carefully set it aside. “It’ll wash out, and it was in the way.”
“You can’t go home tonight.” Her voice held more pleading than command.
Christopher shook his head. “Amen to that. No arguments or awkward interruptions?”
“I promise on the first.” Dante held up his hand.
“I can’t guarantee the second,” Julie said. “But if it happens, it’s only a delay, and we get more cuddles and sleep after.”
Cuddles. The simple, innocent word made Christopher’s smile grow. He kissed Julie’s forehead. Her nose. Her lips. “I’m so glad you’re a part of our lives.” His voice came out rougher than he expected.
“Me too.” She rested her cheek against his shoulder.
“Me three.” Dante shifted to a sitting position and leaned his head so he rested against the other two.
A short while later, after all three were cleaned up but still naked, they lay together in Julie’s bed. Conversation was sparse, punctuating an exchange of caresses and feather-light kisses.
“Can I ask what your plans are now?” Julie said. “Or is that a mood killer?”
Dante sighed. “You can ask, and no it’s not, but I don’t have a conclusive answer. Focus on my investment properties for now.”
“I had an idea.” Christopher had been pondering it for a few days, and wasn’t sure how to bring it up or how well it would be received. This seemed like a suitable time to find out. “You’d have to both be interested, because it doesn’t work otherwise.”
“Is it porn? Because I’m not sure I’m up for that.” Julie’s voice was playful.
“I was up for it a few hours ago, but Julie took care of that problem,” Dante said. “Besides, if you’re mentioning it, it’s on your mind.”
Julie laughed. “You think? Smutty, intense, amazing sex might be occupying my thoughts?”
“That’s not what you said. You said porn,” Dante pointed out.
Julie shook her head. “Touché.”
“Did you just concede?” Dante’s shock sounded exaggerated. “I’m making a note.”
Christopher listened to the exchange with amusement. A week ago, he would have feared it’d lead to something bitter. He didn’t think the arguments were completely over, but tonight, the teasing was right.
“Your idea?” Julie sat up to look at Christopher. The blankets fell away, leaving her on display, and she made no effort to cover up.
“This,” Christopher said.
“So... she’s right about the porn?”
“No. Though, after hours...” Christopher let himself fall into the fantasy for a moment of filming them fucking. “Anyway. The leaked video of you two from the conference room? It’s got over a million hits. Ninety-five percent likes. Thousands of positive comments.”
Julie bent in to kiss him. “You’re sexy when you talk numbers.”
“Isn’t he?” Dante said.
Christopher grabbed Julie and pulled her down next to him. He kissed along the back of her neck. “We can talk about this later, if you’d prefer.”
“I am a bit distracted.” She sighed and arched her back to get closer. “But I’m curious. What are you thinking?”
“A web series, starring the internet’s hottest chefs.” Christopher snaked his palms up Julie’s stomach. He settled one hand on her sternum and tangled the fingers of his other with Dante’s.
Dante squeezed. “There’s no money in that.”
“Not directly.” Christopher had been pondering this enough he had a decent rough plan. He’d hesitated to bring it up with Dante, because it wasn’t a big grand proposal. There wasn’t a lot of fanfare around the idea. Not to start. If Christopher didn’t suggest it now, he might lose his chance. “But it’s based on visits to investor sites. Nothing as formal as what the network required, but it means advertising for them. And then there’s sponsorship from supply companies.”
Dante kissed his fingers. “She’s right; it’s sexy when you talk numbers. Have you considered the most crucial factor?”
“Which is...?” Christopher asked.
“The part of the plan that keeps Julie close.”
“I hate to be the stubborn one here”—Julie rolled onto her back and looked up at Christopher—“but I just set up shop here.”
“I did think about that.” Christopher smiled. “And we’re not uprooting you.” He glanced at Dante. “When was the last time we spent even a week at the house in L.A.?”
Dante shook his head. “I don’t remember. But I have a lot more free time on my hands.”
“You could stay here.” Julie sounded hopeful.
Which was what Christopher hoped for. He loved the city, and making it their home base made sense to him. “Final say is yours, Dante.”
Dante shrugged. “There are still a lot of details we have to figure out.”
“But we will,” Julie said. “Won’t we?”
“I can’t imagine walking away, and Chicago’s not such a bad place. Besides, you do look good on camera.” Dante’s grin returned. “I’m in.”
Christopher wrapped Julie up and pulled Dante close. So many stumbles over the years. Missteps. Miscalculations. But this was right. Every bit of it. After he met Dante, he thought he’d found his one and only, but having Julie with them was better than Christopher could have dreamed of.
* * * *
One Year Later
Julie leaned back in her office chair, pulled one leg to her chest, and rested her chin on her knee. As she watched the recently edited web show footage from Christopher, her smile grew. It took a while to get used to seeing herself on film, but having Dante as a co-host made it easier. He was the distraction she turned to when she needed to tune out herself.
“What do you think?” Christopher rested his hands on her shoulders. They were in the second bedroom of the over-the-bakery apartment. It had been converted into an office. Space was a little tight with the three of them here, but it was mostly for sleeping and unwinding. They kept saying they’d find something more appropriate, but being here felt right.
She shifted her head, to settle it against his arm. “It’s golden, like always. I don’t know how you do it.”
“I’m working with good stars.” He traced a thumb along her cheek. The simple contact raced over her, leaving comfort behind. Then again, his touch had the effect on her.
The last several months had been amazing. With the bakery. With Dante and Christopher. Even game nights with Andi and her guys, which as a compromise, they only did half as often as Andi wanted. As a team, Andi, Kane, and Isaiah were competition level, and it only took about half an hour for Julie and Dante to realize they were hopelessly outclassed.
Christopher could hold his own, so Andi took pity on them and offered to switch teams with Dante. The nights the six got together and didn’t play, they watched movies instead. Julie preferred those evenings, but all of it was fun.
She turned her attention back to the video. Though she hadn’t seen this clip, they were nearing her favorite part. She and Dante finished every episode with a kiss. He was on the road for a few more days, so watching helped ease her missing him. The three of them didn’t make it a point to discuss their relationship, but they also didn’t hide it. There was certainly some vocal backlash because of it, but they had a huge following, so it wasn’t a detriment.
She, Dante, and Christopher had discussed it, and even if it hurt their online presence, they wouldn’t keep it secret.
Julie watched the rest of the clip play out, focused on how happy Dante looked. The arrangement was more perfect than Julie would have dared hope for. More than she thought she deserved, after Luke. A year and a half ago, she thought going into business with Andi was the best decision she could make. It was still near the top of the list, but this love, deciding to give this relationship a chance, beat it out without question.
THE END
Also by Allyson Lindt
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Watch for more at Allyson Lindt’s site.
About the Author
Allyson Lindt is a full-time geek and a fuller-time contemporary romance author. She likes her stories with sweet geekiness and heavy spice, because cubicle dwellers need love too. She loves a sexy happily-ever-after and helping deserving cubicle dwellers find their futures together.
Read more at Allyson Lindt’s site.