by Ali Parker
“Take it slow,” he whispered, his hands resting on my thighs.
I nodded and slowly lowered my body, taking him one inch at a time until I was seated on his thighs. I moaned and threw my head back, really liking the new position and the sense of power it brought me. I moved slowly up and down his body, getting familiar with the movement before I looked down at him and smiled.
“Ready?” I asked with a cheeky grin.
He groaned. “Probably not. Be gentle with me.”
I put my hands on his chest and braced myself for a wild ride. I gave it my all, my body moving over him, pulling lovely grunts and groans from him as I pushed back and forth, rotating my hips to take him deeper.
His face was twisted in what looked like pain, but I knew it was intense pleasure.
“Hailey,” he moaned my name, and I thought it was the sweetest sound I’d ever heard.
“Go, baby,” I whispered giving him permission to take his release himself.
He reached between our bodies, the pad of his thumb rubbing over my clit. “Oh!”
My body exploded over him with that one simple touch. His own shouts of release joined mine as I rocked over him, sucking every last drop from his body before collapsing against his chest. I felt a tear escape my eyes and quickly moved to wipe my face.
“Are you okay?” he asked rubbing my back.
“I’m fine. That was so intense. I never knew my body could do that.”
He chuckled. “You’re a passionate woman. You’ve taken me to new heights.”
He rolled me to the side, got off the bed and disappeared into the bathroom, returning with a wet cloth, silently handing it to me. I cleaned up and watched as he pulled the covers back before ordering me into bed. I climbed in naked and waited for him to get in beside me before cuddling against his side. His strong arm wrapped around me, pulling me close to his body.
“I’m happy,” I said the words out of nowhere.
“Me too,” he mumbled.
I knew he was tired. I was too, but I had a feeling I wasn’t going to be able to sleep for a while. I was riding the high of being engaged to the man of my dreams. I held up my hand, looking at the ring and smiling.
“Did you have this custom made?” I asked.
I heard him yawn. “Kind of. I had the sapphires added. I thought the blue matched your eyes.”
I blinked back fresh tears of joy at the sentiment. “That is so sweet and thoughtful. I’m going to treasure it forever.”
“Do you like it?”
I twisted my head up to look at him. “Of course! It is the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. I can’t wait to show Mandy. She’s going to be so jealous.”
He made a sound that was a cross between a snort and a laugh. “Is that good?”
“Yes.”
I admired the ring a little longer before dropping my hand down. I imagined my life with him. Being able to share a bed every night, waking up with him every morning and all the good stuff in between.
“Are you tired?” I asked.
He made a sound I took to be a yes.
“Good night,” I whispered.
His arm tightened around me. “Night.”
I smiled thinking about how lucky I was. I had been waiting all my adult life to find a man like him. There were certainly days I thought it would never happen. I imagined having to settle for something that was just okay or living the rest of my days alone. He said he had fallen in love with me the moment I walked through his office door. I couldn’t say I felt the same way about him right away, but I knew by the end of our first date together on the beach, which reminded me of our cake that had been left behind.
I laughed, hoping whoever had set up the candles and blanket picked it up. If not, the strays that meandered along the beach at night were going to find themselves a sweet treat.
I closed my eyes, a smile on my face as I willed myself to go to sleep. Tomorrow was the first day of being engaged to be married. I wanted to remember every moment of it.
Chapter 34
Terran
Her warm body against mine, her head on my chest. Her soft, warm breaths washed over my skin. I looked down at the mop of blond hair spread across my chest again and smiled. I could really get used to seeing her like this every morning. If only that was a real option. I knew all of this was a glorious bubble and couldn’t last forever. Either she found out about the clause in my dad’s will and dumped me, or I dumped her for being with me because of the money. There was no way this ended well.
I gently stroked the hair away from the side of her face and caressed her arm. Her body was smooth and soft in all the right places. I smiled as I felt the little bump in her biceps, a testament to the great shape she was in.
Her hair was tickling my chin, the fine strands getting snagged in the beard stubble growing on my face. I gently blew it away.
“You’re up,” she mumbled.
“I am.”
“Have you been awake long?” she asked around a yawn.
“No, only a few minutes.”
She moved her head away from my chest, leaned up and gave me a quick kiss before settling on the pillow next to me, her face turned to look at me.
“What are your plans for the day?” she asked.
I shrugged. “I’m supposed to meet Zach for lunch. You?”
I saw the look of disappointment on her face and knew she had hoped to spend the day together. I wanted that as well but was afraid I was getting too close. I had to pull back. The things I had said last night—they weren’t lies. I didn’t want to suffer a broken heart. I had seen it in other people and knew I didn’t want the same affliction.
“I think I’ll see what Mandy is up to.”
I nodded my head. “I’ll call you tonight?”
“Ya. Um, speaking of Mandy, she’s got a new boyfriend.”
“Good for her,” I said, not sure what I was supposed to say.
She laughed. “She wants to know if we’d be interested in doing a double date with her sometime.”
I shrugged a shoulder. “Sure. When?”
“I don’t know. I’ll see what works for her. I really want you two to meet and get to know each other, especially now that you’re my fiancé and all.”
I laughed again. “I’m excited to meet this woman you talk so much about.”
We laid in bed a bit longer before she got up and declared she’d better get going. I didn’t stop her. I felt a bit like an ass for letting her slink away without offering her breakfast, but I felt myself getting sucked in too deep. How would I ever get out?
“I’ll call you later,” I said after arranging for a ride for her.
She gave me a quick kiss and left, wearing the dress she had on the night before. I knew the right thing to do was give her a drawer or something for her to store a change of clothes to avoid these walk of shame moments. Later. I’d deal with all that later.
I got dressed and headed out to meet Zach for lunch. I already knew what he would say.
“Hey,” he said, waving to me from the bar where he was already drinking a beer.
I purposely looked at my Rolex and then the beer. “Hair of the dog?”
He chuckled. “Pretty much. I’ve already been out surfing with a killer hangover. The only thing that is going to make it better is beer and protein.”
“You guys ready for a booth?” a pretty server asked.
“Yes, please. And I’ll take a beer as well, please,” I said, earning a look from Zach.
“What’s your excuse?” he asked.
“I’ll explain,” I mumbled, following the waitress to a table.
She let us be, and Zach questioned me with his eyes. “Well? And don’t you dare tell me you fucked everything up.”
I shook my head. “Nope. I did it. I did the whole shebang. Rented out a nice restaurant, got a limo and got down on one knee.”
“And?” he practically shouted.
“And she said yes.”
He grinned. “Now that’s cause to celebrate.”
The waitress delivered my beer, and Zach ordered another.
“Yep, I suppose it is,” I said, feeling very unenthusiastic.
“So, what’s the deal? Did you call that stickler lawyer and tell him to sign the damn check?”
I chuckled. “No. It only happened last night. I’ll give him a call on Monday, as well as my own attorney so he can run interference if he tries to pull any more bullshit.”
“I can’t believe you did it,” Zach said shaking his head.
I shrugged. “I had to. I can’t lose my company.”
“Or that inheritance.”
“That wasn’t really my biggest concern. I mean, yes, I wanted it, but that wasn’t going to kill me like losing my company. I don’t know if my dad didn’t think about the employees or what, but it wasn’t cool. He put me in a horrible position.”
“It’s over now, or at least it’s almost over. What are you going to do once you get the money?” he asked, taking the beer from the waitress.
“Nothing.”
He shook his head. “No—about her. Are you going to cut her loose?”
“I don’t know.”
“You fell for her. I knew it. Keep her if that’s what makes you happy. She isn’t going to mind a sugar daddy,” he said with a grin.
“I will. I don’t want to be a sugar daddy.”
“Too late.”
The waitress came back, and we both gave very ambitious orders. I was making up for my busy night, and he for a busy morning preceded by a wild night.
“I’m not her sugar daddy. I think we have something real, and I don’t want to ruin it,” I explained—again.
“You said you figured out she was only with you because you were wealthy. I mean, I’m cool with that kind of woman, but you have way higher standards than I do. You’re the one who seemed to be put off by it. A woman who wants you and your money is not a big deal. They’re all like that.”
I shook my head. “But is it just the money?”
He shrugged a shoulder. “Does it matter? You guys have great sex. You said you like her. And if she’s all that, why not just ride it out and see how things go?”
“Because I’m going to be right back in court with a bunch of lawyers telling me who gets my money.”
“Have a prenup put in place. One that is solid. Trust me, I’ve seen a lot of guys get a flimsy prenup and end up losing half their fortune. If she balks at signing the prenup, cut her loose. Then you’ll know for damn sure she is faking all this love for you,” he said, nodding his head.
I sucked in a deep breath. I hated having to ask her to sign a prenup, but with everything at stake, I would if the marriage went forward. I would not put the company at risk again, and I’d be damned if I shared it with anybody. It was mine.
Our food was delivered, and for a short time, I was able to forget about the black cloud looming over me. Once I got the inheritance and the company, I could relax a little. I’d see how things went with Hailey and try to get a better feel for what she wanted from me. I’d ask about her hopes for the future and see what they entailed. That would help me decide if she was with me for the money or because she genuinely loved me. I really hoped it was the latter. I wanted the happy ever after.
“So, should I throw you an engagement party? I mean, I know I’m the best man and all that,” he teased.
“I don’t know. Hmm…that actually might be a good idea. That way it looks real for the lawyer and anyone else who wants to contest the estate,” I said, buying into the idea.
“You’re sure all you have to do is get engaged? Is he going to demand a marriage certificate?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t think so. Shit, I hope not. That doesn’t give me a lot of time.”
He laughed. “No, it doesn’t. If that’s the case, then we need to be booking our stay in Vegas like now.”
“I hope that isn’t the case. I’ll find out Monday. I’ll have Jim draw up a prenup just in case this has to happen fast. There is no way I’m going into a marriage without protecting my assets.” I nodded.
I finished eating the burger I had ordered, my mind drifting back to last night. She had cried after we had sex. I knew it was an emotional experience for her. As much as I wanted to pretend it hadn’t moved me in the same way, it had. It had been a true blending of souls. I had never experienced anything so all-consuming.
“You fell hard,” he said, shaking his head with disgust.
“I’ll be fine.”
“I don’t know that you will. You’re into her. I’m worried she’s going to take advantage of that. She knows she has you wrapped around her little finger. Be careful, don’t let her play you. Don’t run off to Vegas without a prenup signed. I know exactly where your mind is going with this.”
I wiped my hands on my napkin and tossed it on the plate. He was right.
“I’ll be careful, and I promise you right now, I will not jump on any planes without running it by you. I’m counting on you to pull me back from the edge. Don’t let me fuck this up, Zach,” I told him with complete sincerity.
“I won’t. I’ve got your back. Want another beer?”
I shook my head. “No thanks. I’m going to get some work done. I’m planning on Monday being a busy day for me.”
He nodded his head. “Got it. Good luck. I’ll be in touch. I want to know what’s going down. I feel like I have a vested interest in all this.”
I laughed. “I don’t know that you really have a dog in this show, but I’ll keep you apprised of anything happening.”
We got up and parted ways. I had a lot on my mind. I kept feeling like I was stuck in a tug of war. I was being pulled in two very different directions. I trust Zach in most things, but in this matter, I wasn’t so sure he could really understand. He’d never been in love. He didn’t know what it was like to want to spend every waking moment with a woman. He couldn’t understand the bond. I felt like Hailey and I had shared so much it gave us a connection that no other two people could ever have.
I couldn’t see myself walking away from her. She was special. I could ignore the money thing—couldn’t I? I mean, if I had my dad’s inheritance, I could afford to keep her in the lap of luxury. So, what if she liked nice things. Who was I to point fingers? I liked nice things. I liked my yacht and my luxury condo. I was condemning her for something I was guilty of myself.
Walking into my bedroom, I picked up her torn panties and grinned, remembering how desperate she had been last night. I often felt like that with her. I tossed the panties in the trash and thought about the new ones I would replace the torn ones with. I was thinking sexy lace with very little coverage and of course, very flimsy for the next time I need to rip them from her body.
Chapter 35
Hailey
I was bummed when Terran announced he had plans for the day. I had thought he said he was free for the weekend, but maybe I had been wrong. I wasn’t going to dwell on it. I wasn’t going to panic and worry he was pulling away from me. He had asked me to marry him. I needed to give him his space and be comfortable with it. He wasn’t out galivanting around. The man was used to being single, and if I crowded him, I would only push him away.
I couldn’t be upset with Terran for not wanting to spend the afternoon with me. I mean, I too was pretty excited to meet up with Mandy and tell her all the details. The picture I had sent her of the ring last night had been blurry and not very flattering. I wanted to show her the ring in all its splendor. I still couldn’t stop looking at it. Every time I moved my hand a certain way, it caught my eye. I wanted to sit and stare at it all day and dream about my man.
I called Mandy after leaving Terran’s to see if she wanted to hang out. We didn’t actually have plans, but I didn’t want Terran to think I was going to be sitting around all day by myself. She was off today, which was good because I was fully prepared to spend the entire day at the orphanage until I got a few minutes of her t
ime.
“Hi!” I squealed when I saw her standing outside the door of the restaurant we were meeting at.
I had picked the place, wanting to celebrate my good fortune. It was a little classier than our average burger joint choice, but the occasion warranted something extra special. The engagement was a dream come true. I felt like Cinderella or somewhere along those lines. I had found my Prince Charming.
She ran for me and gave me a big hug. “Let me see.”
I held up my hand and watched her mouth drop open. The sunlight glinted off the huge diamond. “Oh my god. That is stunning. I am so jealous. It’s huge! How many carats do you think?”
“I have no idea,” I giggled.
She twisted my hand left and right, looking at the ring from all angles. “I’m no expert, but I’m going to say it’s at least two carats, probably more.”
I laughed, happy to be the fortunate one. “Isn’t it gorgeous. I don’t care how big it is. He could have put a cubic zirconia on my finger and I would have been just as happy.”
She wrinkled her nose. “No way. You deserve the real thing. What about the blue stones?”
I smiled and held my hand up to look at the ring again. “He had the sapphires added. He said they matched my eyes.”
“Oh. My. God. Is that not the sweetest thing ever? How did you get so lucky? And you’re sure he doesn’t have a brother?”
I laughed. “Nope. Just him. Sorry.”
She shook her head. “I’m jealous, but I am so happy for you. It is absolutely amazing that you found a man like him without even looking.”
I grinned. “It is amazing. Good things come to those who wait,” I said with a wink.
She groaned. “I’ve waited long enough.”
“Let’s go in. I want champagne. I get to celebrate one of the happiest moments of my life with my best friend. This day has to be special.”