by Sadie Grubor
Victoria and the kids walked around with the puppy as they continued to play games and get balloon animals created.
"Grace, I wish you would have asked me about a puppy before getting her one." Collin spoke firmly.
"Oh Collin, she wanted a dog, big deal." Grace waved him off. "Besides it's your favorite type of dog."
Collin cleared his throat. I stiffened. The fact that she knew this and I didn't was not lost on me.
"I remember the nights we would lay together and talk about getting a dog for the house." She smiled slyly and batted her eyes at him. I had to walk away before I blew up.
Making my way around the different attractions, a presence appeared next to me. Turning my head I was met with the warm smile of Larissa.
"Don't let her shake you," she wrapped her arm in mine. "She is doing it on purpose."
"I don't know what –" she cut me off.
"Please, I saw the look on your face. She is trying to make you jealous and its working. Don't deny it, I would be pissed too." She winked at me. "In fact, I probably would've slapped the shit out of her, not walk away." Soon I realized she was redirecting us back toward Collin.
"I was trying to check on everything that –"We were almost back to Collin.
"Don't leave her alone with him." She discarded my arm and left me next to him.
His arm immediately wrapped around my waist and pulled me to him. Grace's face shifted from flirty whore to irritation.
"As I was saying, I couldn't help but think about the time we spent three days holed up in that hotel room," she giggled with over exaggerated movements, "You remember don't you? That was the night I introduced you to your favorite move where I –"
"Grace that's enough," Collin barked out.
"What?" She feigned innocence. My irritation with her and my jealousy increased significantly.
"So, Grace, how is it you know Dr. Erickson?" I blurted.
"Oh, um," she stammered.
"You know Dominic?" Collin questioned curiously.
"Oh, yes, well," she rubbed her swollen stomach, "with the pregnancy I needed to go to the hospital –" I cut her off.
"Dominic handles obstetrics?" I looked toward Collin with feigned curiosity, knowing damn well Dominic didn't deal with obstetrics. It was horrible of me, but the satisfaction I felt at her discomfort was immeasurable.
"Not that I am aware of," Collin's eyes narrowed on Grace.
"Oh, no, he didn't handle any of my pregnancy things." She quickly added and then went silent.
"So, you know him how?" I pressed. She glared at me.
"We’re acquaintances," there was no mistaking the snarky tone in her voice.
"Really?" Collin raised a brow at her. "Would he happen to be a close acquaintance?"
"No, not really," she answered a little too quickly.
"Uh huh," I fed into the conversation with a look of pure glee.
"Sophia," Ilene pulled me from the staring match going down between Grace and me. I turned to her. "I want you to meet Stephanie," she grabbed my arm and pulled me along with her. "She says there’s an opening in May for the reception. I want you to come see the space and talk to her about your ideas for the wedding."
I rolled my eyes and groaned internally. This isn't what I wanted to do right now.
Thankfully Collin stayed away from Grace the rest of the party and stayed close to Victoria and me. It was reassuring that he didn't want to be around Grace.
Two days after Victoria's party we were shopping for puppy food, toys, puppy pads, and I was looking for carpet cleaner for the little presents Flounder left around the house. My phone rang while I was grabbing some items. When I answered it I was taken back, it was Random House finalizing my trip to visit their office in New York. It turned out I would be leaving this Friday and not returning until next Tuesday. That night arrangements had to be made with Collin, who wasn't thrilled about my three day absence.
"I will be back before you know it. It's just like you being away for a few days." I cupped his face with my hand.
"No, it's not." He grumbled.
"How is it different?" I dropped my hand.
"Because I know you are here at home when I return. Now I'll be reminded every day that you aren't here." He pulled me into his lap on the small couch in his room.
"I'll call you every day and will be back before you miss me." I kissed his lips quickly.
"Too late, I already miss you."
I laughed. "I haven't even left yet."
He shrugged. "Doesn't matter." His lips captured mine, but this wasn't quick. This was deep and passionate. His tongue danced with mine and his hand palmed my breast.
"Mommy," Victoria announced as she walked in.
Collin growled at the interruption. I pulled his hand from my chest and looked over his shoulder.
"Hey baby," I smiled at her. She skipped over toward me.
"I've been reading this and I have a question." She held up the copy of my book I gave her.
"What's your question?" I tried to shift from Collin's lap, but he wouldn't allow it.
"Is she really a mermaid or is she a girl?" Her face wrinkled in confusion. I smiled at her.
"You have to figure it out. I can't tell you the end already." I ruffled her hair.
She groaned. "I want to know now." She plopped down on the couch next to us.
"Keep reading." She huffed at my remark, but pulled the book back to her face.
Collin realized there would be no action on the couch, so he finally let me slide to sit on the other side of him. Victoria read while we watched TV.
Two days passed by and Collin was driving me to the airport. A scowl had been his permanent mask since he woke up. No matter what I did to clear it from his beautiful face. Nothing worked, not even going down on him in the shower.
Tears spilled over Victoria and my faces as we said our goodbyes and I stepped through security. Before my final, no return step, Collin grabbed me and kissed me feverishly.
"I love you," he whispered against my lips.
"And I love you," I whispered back.
He released me and I took the most difficult steps of my life so far, leaving the two people I loved the most behind.
Once in New York, I had a hard time adjusting to the time difference. I called Collin once and he called me twice on the first day. Since I was in meetings with the publisher and agent, I was only able to answer one of his calls. When I finally was able to talk to him, he was irritated. An idea emerged that would hopefully satisfy his need of me.
"You know what?" I tried to sound as seductive as possible.
"What?" he pouted.
"I'm only in a towel right now," I disclosed my current undressed state.
He groaned. "Are you trying to make it worse?"
"Can I try to make it better?"
"How?" His interest was piqued.
"What if I let the towel fall to the floor?"
"Making it worse," he growled.
"I'm standing in front of the wall mirror naked."
"Worse."
"My free hand is cupping my breast, imagining it's your hand. Can you feel my hardened nipples?"
"Oh shit," he panted, "I can baby. What else are you doing?"
"What do you want me to do?" I teased.
"Do everything I tell you to do." His tone was authoritative and it made my knees weak. "Pinch your gorgeous pink nipples."
I moaned, doing as he asked.
"Don't close your eyes. Look at yourself in the mirror." Damn that tone was going to make me cum without touching between my thighs. "Are you doing it?"
"Yes, god yes," I panted.
"Mmm, you look so lovely when your nipples harden under my hand." He growled out seductively. "Slide your hand over your stomach, between your legs," he paused and my hand began to roam, "but don't touch yourself yet."
I groaned in frustration as my fingers hovered above my lips. His breathing was labored.
"Are you grasp
ing your cock for me Collin? Is your hand sliding up and down, squeezing tightly like my hand does?"
"Oh fuck, baby, keep going," he grunted out.
"Rub your palm over your head for me. I want to hear the moan you make when I do it to you."
He moaned and I felt empowered.
"Lick your palm and grab the top of your cock Collin. Now, slowly slide your hand down, I'm straddling your body and taking all of you into me."
"Oh Christ Sophia, slip your fingers between your lips, I want you to feel my cock entering you." He grunted. "Rubbing your thumb against your clit, slip one finger inside your tight pussy." He panted and grunted.
"Oh god, Collin, you feel so good." I gasped and let my finger slip inside of me.
"Baby, I want two fingers inside you."
I inserted a second digit. "Oh god!" I began to pump my fingers.
"Don't close your eyes Sophia! Open them into the mirror." I shivered at his demand, but did as I was told. "Fuck baby, watch them move in and out of you," his breaths increased and my fingers moved faster.
"Collin, I'm so close. You have me so close." I moaned and watched my body flush, my fingers drove me closer to release. "Stroke your dick faster, I need you faster, harder."
Before I could finish my orders he growled my name. It took a moment for him to calm down, but he was back with me momentarily after he came.
"Sophia, look into the mirror, look at where I am entering you. Take your wet fingers out and circle your clit." I did as instructed. Now, dive back into your wetness for me." The coil tightened in my belly.
"I want to hear you cum for me Sophia, scream my name while you cum on your fingers." And just like that, the coil snapped. Leaning forward against the mirror, I shivered, shook, and shouted out his name.
"Keep your eyes on the mirror baby. I want you to see how amazing you look when you cum." My body shuddered again with the waves of my orgasm. "That's it baby." Satisfaction was evident in his voice.
The silence lingered as I tried to calm myself down from our phone rendezvous.
"Sophia?" Worry filled his tone.
"I'm here," I panted, still trying to calm down.
"Baby, that was amazing. Please tell me you enjoyed it and we can do it again…soon." He sounded like a sex craved teenage boy. I couldn't fight the giggle that left my lips.
"Of course we can."
"Good."
We said good night and I went to bed. Only to be woke up three hours later with a dirty talking Collin in my ear.
Chapter Thirty Four
After all of the meetings with the publisher and agents were complete, we had come to a final agreement, a compromise. They wanted me to come back in May to do three book launch readings in a couple of New York City bookstores. However, when I informed them about my wedding plans, they were very accommodating. We decided June would be better.
I also learned that the book tour was a part of the contract as a future possibility. They would want to see how the book did before arranging a large scale tour. Relief washed over me. Leaving Victoria behind was not a pleasing thought, nor was what I feared Collin's reaction would be.
The flight back to Seattle was long, but not uncomfortable. I couldn't wait to get back to them, to get home. A smile spread across my face when I realized how true it was. It was my home. They were my home.
The moment we taxied to the gate I turned my phone on. I had two text messages and a voicemail, all from Collin. First, I scrolled through the texts.
'Let me know when you have landed.'
'Where are you?'
A heavy feeling sat in my stomach. Fearing something was wrong, I quickly hit the button for voicemail.
"Please let me know the moment you arrive." His voice was tired and worried.
Millions of scenarios played through my mind and I quickly typed up a text. I just finished typing when the people in front of me stood to collect their things. Shoving my phone in my pocket I began collecting my carryon items.
On my way to get my luggage, I pulled out my phone to call him. That's when I realized I hadn't sent the text. Groaning I pressed send and then saw my bag start around the carousel. My phone began to vibrate and chime in my hand.
"Hello?"
"Where are you?" He sounded almost panicked.
"Getting my luggage, what's wrong?" Fear rippled throughout my body.
"Nothing," he breathed.
"Collin, what is going on?" Silence, "Collin?" More silence, "Col –?"
Strong arms wrapped around me and held me tightly to his chest. I leaned back into him allowing his scent to surround us. His chest rose heavily against my back. Turning in his arms I cupped his face with one hand.
"What happened?" I searched his face.
"I miss you." He grinned.
"You freaked me out because you missed me?" I spat with irritation.
"I didn't mean to worry you," his brow furrowed. "I hate you being gone and couldn't take it any longer. If you hadn't come back today I would have been on a flight to New York."
My irritation melted.
"Come here," I pulled him tightly against me. His face snuggled into my hair and inhaled deeply.
"I've miss you so much," he whispered and pressed his wet lips to my neck.
"I missed you too." My words were becoming breathy.
Our lips and tongues met. The kiss grew heated and soon his hands were trailing down my body. The cry of a toddler snapped me out of the lusty haze. I pulled back and inhaled through my large smile.
"We need to get your bag before I take you right here in the baggage claim," he half grinned. I quickly collected my suitcase and he practically drug me cave man style to his car.
Making it home was not an option. The moment the close confines of the car surrounded us, lust rose to potent levels. His arm stretched out and pulled my face to his.
"I want you," he growled against my lips. The familiar tingle formed between my thighs.
Our mouths crashed together with a clink of our front teeth. Neither of us stopped to register the pain, the need was too great.
Collin pulled my body closer and closer, as if he could mesh our bodies together. His hand slid into the back of my yoga pants. With a little coaxing, he moved me to straddle his lap. Lowering the driver's seat back, his tongue plunged into my mouth passionately.
Long fingers trailed over the flesh of my backside until he had wrapped his forearm around my thigh and his fingertips found my swollen lips. I moaned and pushed back on his hand. He slid one digit inside, pulling his face from mine to look at my face.
Collin's other hand slid from my hip to my chest. He pushed me to sit up over him. I rose and fell on his finger. He slipped in a second one and growled.
My fingers went to work on his pants. Loosening a belt, unbuttoning, and lowering his zipper, I could feel him hard, long and thick under the material. The moment he was free from his pants I grasped him with my hand and stroked.
It took only seconds for him to strip me out of my pants and bring me back to his lap. My body welcomed sheathing him. His hands grasped my hips tightly and held me in place.
"You've been gone too long." His voice was stressed through his clenched jaw. I wiggled my hips and he growled.
Leaning forward I kissed him gently before running my tongue over his lips. Another growl left his mouth and I swallowed it. Our mouths moved just as I began to roll my hips.
"Oh shit," he mumbled. Hands wrapped around my head and pulled my lips closer to his.
There was so much need in our actions. He wanted me, I needed him, and we both had to have it now.
Sitting up, I began to rise and fall faster. His head tossed back, grabbing my hips again. Closing my eyes, I gripped the door and the side of his seat for balance. I could feel the familiar heat building where we were joined. The feel of his length dragging against the most delicious spot inside of me was bringing me to the edge of Shangri-La.
I was just getting a glimpse of the ho
ly land when he pushed me into an upright position, my head tilted forward and to the side, just a little. He pushed my shirt and bra over my breasts in one swift motion of his hands. Cupping them he pushed his hips up harder.
"Ride me baby," he moaned and squeezed my tightened nipples.
"Oh god," I gasped.
My hips reacted instantly to his words. I lifted and slammed down onto him. He groaned out in pleasure before bringing his hands to my hips and meeting me with forceful thrusts upward. My hands flew to the ceiling of the car as are bodies sought the ultimate high. I was just on the verge when his smooth thumb slipped between my swollen lips and rubbed. A shiver ran through my body and I jerked against him erratically as the high of my orgasm reached new heights.
"That's it baby," he growled.
Grabbing my hips he thrust harder, his muscles tensed. It wasn't long before he was experiencing his own high. I collapsed to his chest, heavily breathing against him.
"Welcome home Sophia." His long fingers ran over the exposed skin of my lower back. I shivered.
Clothes were adjusted, seats moved to their upright position, and our bodies resituated in our own seats. Collin had to turn on the defroster to clear the fogged up windows before we could travel home.
Upon arrival, Victoria ran to my arms and then pulled me to the kitchen to see how she and Mrs. Baker had made me lunch. She had also drawn welcome home pictures. I couldn't help but smile and hold her close to me for the rest of the afternoon.
It only took Ilene two days to arrive to the house with news of a wedding planner. Everything in me wanted to scream, shove her out of the front door, and change the locks and alarm code. However, I plastered on a smile and tried to explain, once again, that I didn't need a large wedding so a wedding planner would not be necessary. She scoffed and told me to just meet with her. She was coming in two days. I wanted to scream.
The day Felicity Dane stepped into the house I was in awe of her. There was an air of confidence and beauty around her. Her tan skin and exotic looks would have been intimidating if she wasn't so friendly and professional. With refreshments on the coffee table between us, we got straight down to business.
"So, we have six months, correct?" I nodded. "Okay, did you have the date set?"
"No, there is no date –" Ilene cut me off.