How did I not hear the running water? Maybe that was the noise I heard when I was trying to get off?
“Oh God, I’m so sorry,” Tiffany flipped the curtain back.
“Top o’ the mornin’ to you.” She could hear the amusement in his voice. “Care to join me?”
“When are you going home?” Tiffany complained as she sat on the toilet.
“I’m not—at least not until you come with me.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Well, after I come home from the office, we’re going out.”
“You know you’re not my boss anymore, right?”
He laughed. “Good point, but I’m your husband.” Colin began to sing.
“Whatever.” Tiffany was not in the mood to begin with the whole marriage battle.
She finished peeing and flushed. When Colin let out a yelp, an evil smile played across her lips.
Serves him right.
* * * *
“Tiffany.”
She fluttered opened her eyes. She could have sworn she’d heard her name. Something heavy was pinning her legs down and she began to panic.
“Tiffany.” It was Colin. He was standing over her. She looked at her legs and saw that Pauly had decided they would make a good place to nap.
She was a little disoriented. Tiffany had tried to occupy herself. She’d gone for a walk with the new love of her life, which would explain why he was now in a coma. She’d searched online for work and had even put a few feelers out there. Tiffany had cleaned every room until it sparkled, washed her linens then sat on the couch completely bored. Her eyes had grown heavy. The snores coming from her little chunky man had lulled her to sleep. “What time is it?”
“A little after seven. I just got home.” Colin kissed her on the top of her head. “I’m sorry I’m late. I tried texting you.”
“No, your home is across town. This is my home,” Tiffany argued as she yawned and tried to stretch. The bulldog huffed when she removed her legs from under him.
“Tiffany, let’s not do this, okay? We’re going out,” Colin ordered as he began to turn on a light in the living room then he started to undress. Did this man have any modesty?
“Do you mind?” Tiffany asked.
“Mind what?”
“Not undressing here.”
“Babe, you’re in my room. You’re even on my bed,” he pointed out.
“It’s my couch.”
“Hey, we made a deal. I offered to sleep in your bed.” Colin winked at her as he delivered that sexy grin that always made her melt into a big puddle of no self-control.
“Ugh, I can’t stand you.” Tiffany got off the couch and stomped off to her bedroom.
“No, I think you are starting to like me. But not nearly as much as I like you,” he called after her.
She smiled as leaned up against her closed bedroom door. Tiffany was starting to like him a lot, but she wasn’t quite ready to admit that.
* * * *
Tiffany found herself laughing, not pretty, little lady giggles. No, this was side-hurting, snorting and hard laughing. She was having a really good time with Colin, so much that she was starting to question why she was even fighting this whole marriage thing. This guy was funny, smart and sexy. What the hell is my problem?
“So, I spoke with Owen and he invited us over to their place for dinner tomorrow,” Colin said as he took another slice of pizza.
She never would have guessed that he loved pizza. When he’d said they were going out, she’d expected some ridiculous place, annoyingly fancy, but no. Instead, he took her to this little hole-in-the-wall pizzeria. It was the best pizza she had ever eaten.
Tiffany put her slice down. Molly hadn’t mentioned anything about getting together, but then again, Owen and Colin were buddies and probably had come up with this plan on their own. It dawned on Tiffany that tomorrow was Friendship Friday. They had missed the last one and she needed some serious girl time.
“Tomorrow is Friday, right?”
Colin nodded. “Owen was thinking we could maybe play cards or some board games. He got some steaks and thought it would be fun to double date.”
“That’s lovely of him to offer, but tomorrow is Friday. We girls have plans. Sorry.”
“But your friend will be there. I’m sure she’s aware you have plans.”
“Yes, we get together every Friday and it’s like this grown-up sleepover. It’s the best, and since I missed last week, for obvious reasons. I’m not missing this one,” Tiffany carefully explained.
“Well, you might want to tell Molly that. I spoke with her this afternoon and she said we could bring dessert.”
“What about Mac? I need to call Molly and straighten this out.”
“I thought you guys had spoken already. I’m sorry.” Colin looked down at his pizza.
Tiffany hadn’t meant to make him feel rejected. They had just been laughing and getting along so well only moments ago. She extended the olive branch and reached for his hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to act like that. I will call her later and get it all sorted.”
“I thought it was quite lovely of her to invite us. I’m so grateful that your friends have been so kind to me.”
“It’s funny. You are nothing that I expected you to be.”
“And what did you expect?”
“I’m not sure.”
When Tiffany had first kissed this Irishman, she hadn’t known what she was doing. When she’d woken up in his bed—not once, but twice—Tiffany’d had no clue what she was doing. And now, as Tiffany rose from her side of the booth to reach across the table to kiss him, she didn’t know what she was doing. When am I going to finally figure this out?
* * * *
Colin had already left for work and Tiffany needed to talk to Molly. After taking Pauly out for a little walk to do his business, she’d made her coffee and called Molly. They’d been chatting when she’d decided to bring up the topic of going over there.
“Molly, I was just surprised that we weren’t going to do Friendship Friday?” Tiffany asked.
“I know, but I invited Mac over here, too. Owen has another buddy he wants to introduce to her.”
“Gosh, he’s just the little matchmaker, isn’t he?” Tiffany laughed and took another sip of her coffee. “Can we bring Pauly?” The bulldog perked up at the sound of his name. “Yes, I’m talking about you,” Tiffany cooed to Pauly.
“Huh?” Molly said.
“Not you, sorry. I was talking to Pauly. Do you mind if we bring him? I don’t trust him and Mr. Sprinkles together.”
“Look who’s the maternal one. Of course you can bring that furry ball of meaty cuteness.”
“Well, he’s grown on me.” Tiffany looked over at him and she sighed.
“What about Colin? He growing on you yet?” Molly teased.
“Last night was great. We laughed so much. But it’s like I’m in this weird limbo. I’m fighting a war that I have a feeling I won’t win. Then, when I really think about it, I wonder why I’m even fighting it?”
“Because you’re stubborn and because this didn’t go your way,” Molly answered.
“I guess.” Tiffany sipped her coffee, relishing the dark flavor—it was rich and almost spicy. “I like Colin. Do I love him? I don’t know.”
“You kind of need to figure that out, especially if you’re going to stay married to him.”
Molly had a valid point. How much longer could they keep this up? They’d been married now for a week.
“So how are you feeling, Ms. Mama-to-be?” Tiffany didn’t want to think any more about herself. It made her brain hurt.
“Like there’s a raging sea in my belly half the time. I always feel like I’m going to be sick.”
“I’m sorry. Hopefully that will get better soon.” Tiffany felt awful for her and had heard that eventually morning sickness did subside. “So anymore thoughts on the wedding?”
Molly laughed. “Owen teased that we should just g
o to Vegas.”
“God, no. Please have it in Hawaii or somewhere wonderful. No fat Elvis,” Tiffany begged.
“I’m almost wanting to wait until after I have this baby.”
“What? No way!”
“I mean, why rush it?” Molly said.
“Are you having doubts or is this about shopping for a dress?” Tiffany joked.
“Both. Just kidding, it’s more about the dress, the ceremony—the whole thing, really.”
“That’s why you should just have a simple ceremony with your closest friends—so, me and Mac, then we just vacation in Hawaii.”
“I’m not completely ruling out that idea. But now with me being pregnant, I feel like I can’t do anything. No bachelorette party or anything fun.”
“Why, because you can’t drink? We don’t need drinks to enjoy strippers,” Tiffany joked.
“Yeah, we kind of do. Otherwise, it’s just plain sad. It helps being drunk when they are grinding on you,” Molly explained.
“Who says we have to have strippers?”
“True. Oh, Tiff, it’s like everything is moving too fast. I didn’t think we’d be pregnant for a couple years, if at all,” Molly admitted as she broke down.
“At least you’re having sex. I’m the only married one, and I haven’t even slept with my husband yet.” Husband. She hadn’t even said it out loud until then. The word felt foreign, but it had a nice ring to it.
“Well, Mrs. Murphy, maybe instead of coming over here, you should stay home and show your husband a good time,” Molly suggested.
Tiffany thought about that for a minute. How shocked would Colin be? Maybe it is time.
“Hey, I gotta go,” Molly said.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, just gotta go puke. Bye.” Molly hung up.
Being a wife, that was something that Tiffany could probably do. Motherhood? Now that could wait a while.
Chapter Sixteen
What am I doing? Tiffany stared at the candles that were lit. The shadows from the flames danced on the walls. She had taken the rest of the day to primp and prepare. That meant shaving, plucking—lots and lots of hair removal. Tiffany went as far as painting her nails a fire-engine red. She’d wanted something sexy. What’s more sexy than red? Tiffany had gone shopping earlier, buying wine, fruit and lingerie. She’d gone all out for tonight and now she was having second thoughts.
Pauly was watching her carefully.
“It’s stupid, isn’t it?” she asked him.
He lifted his eyes.
“This feels dumb. Am I right?”
She looked at his squishy face and plopped on the floor next to him. He moved close to her, raised his paw and patted her thigh. It was as though Pauly understood and was comforting her. She rubbed his ears. They were like little fat pads of velvet.
“Do I love your dad? I’m not sure. I really like him, though.” Tiffany continued to explain and Pauly leaned against her. It was as though he couldn’t get close enough to her. “Don’t worry. I love you more.”
“Really?”
Tiffany looked up and saw Colin standing in front of them. It was dark. The only light was from the candles she’d lit. How did she not hear him enter the apartment? Should she add ninja skills to his growing list of qualities?
“Colin, I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Why’s it so dark in here? What’s with all the candles? Planning a séance?” Colin joked.
Tiffany laughed. “No. This is my crummy attempt at trying to be romantic. Even Pauly agrees I’m awful at it.”
“Well, he’s wrong then.” Colin joined her on the floor. He held a flower, just a single red rose. “Happy one-week anniversary.”
“It’s been a week already?” she said, even though she knew it.
He nodded. Feeling nervous and embarrassed, Tiffany suggested, “We should probably get ready to go to Molly’s.”
“No need. Owen already called and canceled. Molly isn’t feeling too great, poor girl.”
No, Molly may have had a bout a morning sickness, but Tiffany knew exactly why her friend had canceled. She wanted Tiffany to get her groove on. Bless her heart.
“Pauly been a good boy for you?” Colin asked as he gave some attention to the bulldog. He was trying to crawl on Colin but stayed close to Tiffany.
“He’s always good. We even went for a walk again, didn’t we?”
“Please be careful. It makes me nervous with you and him going out there alone.”
“Oh, Colin, it’s fine. He protects me.”
Colin gave her smirk.
“Okay, so I’m protecting him while I drag him along for some exercise.”
“He’s worth a great deal of money, you know.”
“Trust me. I’m super careful with him.”
“No. I know you aren’t putting him in harm’s way. I meant, someone might try to steal him from you. I don’t want either of you to get hurt. I don’t want any harm to come your way, ever.”
“Oh.” The way Colin had said it, the protectiveness behind his words, it was all male.
Colin traced Tiffany’s exposed collarbone with the soft rose, then quickly replaced it with his lips. “You are too precious to me.”
Tiffany moaned as Colin started to kiss her neck, while he began to slowly maneuver his hands over her body. It had been her intent to seduce him, not the other way around.
He moved a hand up her bare thigh and he nipped at her ear. “Please tell me you want this as much as I do,” Colin whispered.
Tiffany responded in the only way her body would allow. She grabbed him hard and brought him to her mouth. Tiffany needed Colin now. She was tired of playing games and she wanted this man. Tiffany was intent on having him, all of him. Colin wasn’t the only one that went after something that he wanted. Tiffany planned to prove to him just how much she wanted this—hell, needed this.
“Bedroom, now,” Tiffany ordered. She popped up from the floor and raced into her room. Colin was up in an instant. The confusion on his face was priceless, but the lust in his eyes told Tiffany that he was willing to push any questions aside for now.
Tiffany shoved Colin onto the bed but the plump bulldog tried to climb up. “Down, Pauly,” Tiffany scolded him. Usually he ignored her and did what he wanted, but there must have been something animalistic in her voice because he quickly left the room.
She already knew what Colin looked like naked, thanks to the sneak peek she’d gotten when he was in the shower, but Tiffany had never touched him. All the days of teasing, the pent-up need…it was begging to be released.
Tiffany tugged his shirt out of his pants and wrestled with the stubborn belt. Colin cupped her hands and quickly undid his pants. His semi-hard cock sprang out. Tiffany moaned. She’d been imagining it for quite some time now and there it was. Without hesitating, Tiffany took the velvety head past her lips. She swirled her tongue over the tip and could taste a sweet and salty blend as fluid beaded out from Colin. She opened her mouth wider to take more of him and Colin groaned at the pleasure-filled torture she was inflicting on him.
“Baby,” Colin said in ragged breaths.
Tiffany stared up at him and watched him smile as she sucked gently. She savored the feel of his rigid member inside her mouth. Colin weaved his fingers through her hair as he urged her head farther down on him.
She gripped his erection and worked her mouth up and down in a beautiful rhythm that had Colin moaning and whispering naughty curses. She almost came just from hearing the words in his accent. Tiffany had sought her wet cunt with her fingers but they were providing little relief.
Suddenly Colin removed Tiffany from him and, in a single motion, put her on her back. With one hand he reached up to her wrists and pinned them to the mattress.
“You sexy little minx,” Colin breathed into Tiffany’s ear. He flicked his tongue against her skin.
Colin looked down at her and ran his hand down and across her pussy. He dove his fingers into her and Tiffany let o
ut a gasp. She wiggled under his touch then wrapped her legs around his waist to try to pull him closer to her. The sensation of being lightly restrained with his hands holding her wrists was turning her on far more than she’d realized.
“I need you,” Tiffany pleaded as she rode his hand.
In a frantic whirlwind, he released her and they both shed whatever clothes remained. Then they became a tangled net of limbs. Colin greedily kissed, licked and sucked every inch of skin he could reach. Tiffany was breathless as a raging heat grew in her center. A frenzy of passion exploded between them as they wrestled for control. Tiffany was determined to win the battle. She rolled Colin over onto his back.
Tiffany splayed her hands across his chest as she straddled him. He looked up at her with lust in his eyes. It was surreal seeing him under her. His skin was warm to the touch and she didn’t need to imagine what he tasted like anymore. She’d sampled him. She’d had his cock deep in her throat. Tiffany had taken her time, brought him close to the edge then pulled him back. He had begged for mercy. And, with the combined effort of her hand and mouth, she’d brought him to an orgasm. Tiffany had swallowed every sweet ‘n’ salty bit of it. Now it was her turn.
Their hasty lust was turning into gentle caresses and deep exploration. Then Tiffany could wait no longer. She raised up, gripped Colin’s stiff cock and lowered herself onto it. She was filled in a way she’d never experienced before and her need to come took her breath away. Tiffany gripped the headboard of the bed and Colin anchored her to him, holding her hips. She began to rock, finding the angle that worked her most sensitive areas. They moved in rhythm, as though they’d had years of practice. It was as though Colin knew what she needed, arching his hips and meeting her with a growing intensity when she began to lift off him then plunge back down.
Tiffany had known that when they finally did make love, it was going to be incredible and it was. Earth-shattering and soul-melting was not what she’d expected, but that is exactly what this was turning out to be. It was more than screwing. She knew the difference. There had been plenty of that in her past. This was what it felt like to fuse yourself to someone else—someone you loved.
Puppy Love Page 14