“She didn’t bring it up so she could pout and play the martyr,” Jesse countered. “Don’t you see what she’s doing to you? She’s trying to domesticate you.”
“I am domesticated,” James said, his tone clipped. “I’m happy to be domesticated. I’m happy to be married. I love my wife more than anything.”
“Oh, sure, whatever,” Jesse said, rolling his eyes. “So … where did we land on the bar? I really need a drink.”
This time when James spoke, his tone was deadly. “Get out of my house, Jesse,” he said. “I’m not going anywhere with you. You can keep your job at the security company, but we’re not hanging out any longer.”
Jesse was dumbfounded. “What? We’ve been friends for years. You’ve known me a lot longer than you’ve known her.”
“That’s not even remotely true,” James shot back. “I’ve known her since I was a kid. She’s been a part of my family that entire time. Even if it was true, though, it doesn’t matter. I love her more than anything and you’ve purposely gone out of your way to belittle and undermine her.”
“I have not,” Jesse protested. “I’ve been nothing but nice to her despite all the whining she does.”
James pressed his lips together for a moment. “Baby, can you go upstairs? I’ll find you in a few minutes.”
Mandy shook her head. “No. Don’t do anything. Just … let him go. It’s our anniversary. Just … let him go.”
“I’m not going to do anything to risk the anniversary,” James promised. “I don’t want you to hear what I have to say to Jesse. It’s not going to be … pleasant.”
“Yeah, because then he’s going to tell the truth,” Jesse intoned.
“Just … come to me,” Mandy pleaded, holding her hand out.
Her expression reached through the angry cloud in James’ brain and cleared the smoky ire out. He took a step away from Jesse, exhaling heavily, and gestured for Mandy to join him. She wordlessly did, slipping her arms around his waist as he pulled her in for a hug.
“You should’ve told me what he said, wife,” he murmured into her hair.
“I didn’t believe him.”
“It still hurt, though, didn’t it?”
Mandy mutely nodded as James kissed her forehead before turning to Jesse.
“You’re not my friend,” James said, fixing a dark look on Jesse. “You’ve hurt my wife and tried to upset her at every turn. You’re my employee, because I can’t fault your work ethic. Get out of this house, though.”
Jesse frowned. “I’ll talk to you Monday and we’ll figure this out,” he said. “You’ll be less dramatic when she’s not around.”
“Don’t come back to this house, Jesse,” James ordered. “I’m not kidding. If you do, you’ll be out of a friendship and a job. I’m not messing around.”
JAMES spent the rest of the day cuddling with Mandy on the couch, kissing her every chance he got and otherwise basking in the love they shared. He apologized profusely for Jesse’s attitude and actions, but he knew it wouldn’t be enough.
By the time Ally showed up with their dinner, James convinced Mandy to hide upstairs until he could set things up. Ally was petulant and pouty with her brother, but she made sure the candles were lit and the dinner perfect before leaving.
“Fix this,” Ally said, pausing at the open door. “Don’t break her heart. If you do, I’ll break your head.”
“I’ll fix it,” James said. “I didn’t realize everything that was happening. You have no idea how sorry I am.”
“I know you’re sorry,” Ally said. “I can see it. You’d better have gotten her a good gift.”
“I did.”
“You’d better get me one this week for doing all of this for you, too,” Ally added.
James cracked a smile as love for his sister bubbled up. “I’m buying Mandy a car tomorrow. Do you want a new one, too?”
“I’ll settle for jewelry,” Ally replied, squeezing her brother’s hand. “Let Mandy pick it out. She knows my taste.”
“Thank you for doing this, Ally,” James said, offering her a quick hug. “I desperately needed help and you came through … like you always do.”
“That’s because I’m a goddess amongst men.”
“You’re definitely that.”
James waited at the bottom of the stairs once Ally left. He knew Mandy’s curiosity wouldn’t allow her to wait too long before checking out what he’d done. He was rewarded less than a minute later when she appeared at the top of the stairs.
“Can I come down now?”
“Yes,” James said, extending his hand and waiting for her to take it when she got to the bottom of the stairs. He leaned over and kissed Mandy’s cheek before leading her toward the kitchen. “I know you had bigger plans, but I hope you like this.”
“I’m sure it will be fine,” Mandy said, biting the inside of her cheek. “I … .” She broke off when she saw the kitchen, smiling at the myriad of candles and feast laid out on the table. It was as if romance exploded straight from James’ heart and landed in their kitchen. “Ally cooked the dinner I planned.”
“She did,” James confirmed, searching her face for a clue. “I can’t tell if you’re happy or not.”
“I’m happy with you,” Mandy said. “Are you happy with me?”
“I’m eternally happy with you, baby,” James said, pulling Mandy flush against his chest so he could kiss her. “Now, come on. Let’s eat dinner. Then I believe I have a gift for you. Then I’m hoping we can make up the old-fashioned way.”
Mandy smirked. “Nudity and the hot tub?”
“And the bedroom.”
“I’m sure we can work something out.”
“And the guesthouse,” James added.
“You have a charming streak a mile wide and no matter how much I want to stay angry with you, I can never manage it,” Mandy said, briefly resting her head against the spot above his heart. “I love you.”
“Happy anniversary, baby.”
JAMES fought his tingling nerves as he watched Mandy strip out of her robe and join him in the hot tub a few hours later. He wanted to take her right there, but he also wanted to make sure everything was perfect before it happened.
“Come sit with me, wife,” James instructed, patting the bench in front of him and fighting his excitement as she sluiced through the water. “I’m going to rub your back again so we can talk for a few minutes.”
“I thought you wanted to do something else?” Mandy teased.
“I do. I want to make sure we’re okay before that.”
“We’re fine, James,” Mandy said. “I didn’t realize Jesse never told you I called. I … it’s not your fault.”
“That’s not true,” James argued, adjusting himself to make sure he didn’t prod Mandy before she was ready and then reached for her shoulders. “I knew I shouldn’t have left that night. Jesse trapped you in the kitchen and twisted it so you would be okay with me going out, didn’t he?”
“Kind of.”
“I knew it,” James muttered, digging his fingers in and causing Mandy to groan. “Baby, I won’t be going out with him again. You have my word.”
“I don’t want that,” Mandy said. “He’s your friend. You shouldn’t cut him out of your life because of me.”
“A friend would respect my wife because she’s the most important thing in the world to me,” James countered. “A friend wouldn’t prey on you and try to make you insecure. I … can I ask you a question and get an honest answer?”
Mandy nodded.
“Did part of you wonder if he was telling the truth about the woman at the bar?”
“No,” Mandy answered immediately. “I know you would never cheat on me. I was never worried about that.”
“That’s good,” James said, rubbing his cheek against hers. “Baby, it’s not just that I wouldn’t cheat on you because I made vows and love you. The thought of touching anyone else makes me sick to my stomach. You’re all I want.”
“I know, but thank you for saying it.”
“You said you weren’t worried about me cheating on you, and I’m grateful for that. Does that mean you were only worried about me somehow regretting giving up my carousing days?”
“Oh, you’re so full of questions,” Mandy complained, leaning her head back so it touched his shoulder as he continued to massage her. “You sound like me.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” James said. “Answer the question, though.”
“I just thought maybe you wanted to spend less time with me and more time hanging out with Jesse because you realized you missed it.”
“That’s not true,” James said, kissing her cheek. “Never. This is what I want. You’re what I want. This marriage is what I want. I don’t want anything else. Please, don’t ever think I do.”
“Okay.”
James ran his hands over Mandy’s flat stomach and then lifted her so he could shift her on his lap. He wanted to see her face. “I love you more than anything. I need you to know that.”
Mandy ran her finger down James’ cheek. “I do know that. You were right about me being passive aggressive, though. I should’ve stormed down to the bar and made a scene.”
James chuckled. “You definitely should’ve done that,” he said. “Then we could’ve fought and made up and I wouldn’t have felt like an outsider on one of the biggest nights of your life.”
“Hopefully there will be other gallery events,” Mandy said, opting to look at the bright side. “I didn’t tell you last night, but … three of my paintings sold. Two of them were for five hundred dollars, which surprised me. The last one sold for ten grand, though, and I don’t even know what to think about that.”
James bit the inside of his cheek and tilted his head to the side, worry washing over him. He’d forgotten to inform her about his purchase. It was due to be delivered Monday. Now wasn’t the time to lie. “I bought it.”
Mandy’s mouth dropped open. “What?”
“There was another guy who wanted it for his bathroom and he bid eight grand and I needed that painting,” James said, refusing to back down. “That should’ve been mine from the beginning. I saw what it was called. It’s … about us.”
“I know,” Mandy said. “That’s why I wanted to show it to you.”
“And I’m sorry I didn’t see it right away,” James said. “It’s mine now, though. I’m putting it in my office.”
“You could’ve had it for free,” Mandy pointed out. “You didn’t have to pay me for it. The gallery gets a cut of that sale.”
“I don’t care,” James said. “It was worth every penny. It’s mine … just like you’re mine, wife.” James kissed the corner of her mouth. “Please don’t be angry about me buying the painting. I can’t take it.”
“I’m not angry,” Mandy said. “I’m … so in love with you it hurts.”
“Oh, I don’t want it to hurt, baby,” James said, shifting her again so she could straddle him. “At least not that way.” James tightened his arms around Mandy’s waist and rested his head on her chest. “I love you so much it overwhelms me. I couldn’t let someone else have that painting.”
“We’re going to have to add on an entire house if you keep taking all of my art.”
“I can live with that,” James said, tilting his chin up and accepting a smoldering kiss from his wife. “Are we officially done fighting? I’m not sure I can take another moment without being inside of you.”
“We’re done fighting,” Mandy said, rubbing her fingers through his hair. “Let’s celebrate our anniversary the right way.”
James didn’t need to be told twice. He slammed his mouth against Mandy’s, grinding his pelvis against her sensitive core as he gripped her rounded rear end. Fervent need drove both of them as Mandy ignored any attempts at foreplay and slid her velvety warmth over his waiting erection.
“Oh, baby,” James gasped, the speed of her movement taking him by surprise. “I wanted to make it special.”
“We’ve got all night, James. It will be special.”
James let Mandy pick the rhythm, pressing his thumb against her sensitive nerve bundle as he drew a nipple into his mouth. Mandy groaned, tossing her head back as she rode him. “James!”
It didn’t take long for her to tumble over the edge. Emotional upheaval and desire built throughout the afternoon, and both of them needed the release before they could relax and truly enjoy the night.
James waited until he was sure she was finished before following her over the edge, gripping her close as she came down from her high and their hearts beat in tandem.
“I love you, Mandy,” James whispered. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too,” Mandy said, resting her head against James’ shoulder as he hugged her. “Take a few minutes to regroup. Then we need to do that again.”
“Well, it is our anniversary and you are the love of my life,” James said. “Your wish is my command tonight … and forever.”
19
Nineteen
James woke to something warm and wonderful and knew immediately it was Mandy’s mouth. He groaned as he felt her engulf him, resting his hand on her head beneath the covers as the early morning light filtered through their bedroom window.
“You’re going to kill me, wife,” he murmured, shifting his hips to give her better access.
They made love all night, only stopping for brief respites before going again. James had a feeling they both needed the tactile contact after so many days apart. Even though he was sensitive and sore – in a wonderful way – he had no inclination to stop her.
After so much time together, Mandy knew everything James loved and she ran her tongue over the underside of his throbbing erection and cupped him as she moved her head. James bucked his hips up, exploding after a few minutes.
When Mandy emerged from beneath the covers, she had a self-satisfied smirk on her face as she rested her head against his shoulder. “I love waking up before you,” she said. “It rarely happens, but when it does I always take advantage.”
“Yes, wife,” James agreed, petting the back of her head. “You always take advantage and drive me wild.”
Mandy’s eyes fluttered shut as she enjoyed the morning cuddle. It had only been a few days since they woke up together in their bed, but it felt like a lifetime. “I missed you so much.”
James tightened his arm around Mandy’s waist as he pulled her close. “I won’t let you miss me again. I had no idea how much I missed you. I’m sorry.”
“Stop apologizing,” Mandy admonished him. “It’s over. I don’t want to keep thinking about it.”
“Fine,” James said. “What do you want to think about?”
“Well, we still have no food,” Mandy said. “I thought we could shower and go to breakfast. Then I need a new car.”
“Yeah, we’re going to talk about that accident,” James said. “You crushed my spirit when you called Grady instead of me.”
“I was angry.”
“I know,” James said. “You still should’ve called me. Grady thinks the accident was deliberate. I’m going to see if I can get a gander at those security cameras tomorrow. I refuse to ruin the rest of our weekend, though, so instead I’m going to keep you close and give you whatever you want.”
Mandy cocked a challenging eyebrow. “Whatever I want?”
James grinned as he flipped her over to her back and smoothly rolled on top of her. Her hair was a mess from the hot tub and rampant sex, and he had a feeling his wasn’t much better. She was still the most beautiful thing he’d ever laid eyes on. “I’m going to give you things you didn’t even know you wanted,” he said, kissing the side of her exposed breast.
“Like what?”
James flattened his tongue and licked the soft skin between her breasts. She tasted vaguely like salt from their shared perspiration and chlorine from the hot tub. “Prepare yourself, wife. Here it comes.”
James disappeared under the covers, ca
using Mandy to giggle as he stopped at her belly button long enough to give it a good lick. He delighted in the sound, love washing over him. He would be forever happy if she laughed like that for the rest of their lives. He rubbed his thumbs against her thighs, exhaling a warm breath on her open center before burying his face in the cleft and licking her entire length.
Mandy squealed at the sudden invasion, and then groaned as he enthusiastically licked her. James knew Mandy’s body as well as she knew his and he had her panting within minutes, and then crying out his name as orgasm claimed her.
He crawled back up her body and slammed his mouth into hers as he nudged his recovered member between her thighs.
“Prepare to be wowed, baby,” James said. “It’s going to be a long day for you.”
“Bring it on.”
“AGAIN?” James made a face as he regarded his wife’s annoyed expression.
“It’s what I want,” Mandy said, crossing her arms over her chest.
“But, baby, it’s the exact same thing,” James argued. “Don’t you want to spice it up?”
“I guess I like it boring.”
James pinched the bridge of his nose and glared at the black Ford Focus Mandy lovingly petted in the lot of the car dealership. “Baby, have you considered that the car is bad luck?” he asked, trying a different tactic. “The first one blew up and the second one was slammed into a brick wall. Why don’t we consider something a little … bigger?”
“Well, I do like big things,” Mandy said, winking as James grinned. “I like this car, though. I like how it handles and it gets great gas mileage. I don’t want something bigger.”
James groaned. “If you got an SUV I would be less likely to worry about you,” he said. “No one would be able to force you off the road in that. We’re still going to talk about that, by the way. I need to know if you’ve ticked anyone off.”
“Just Jesse.”
James stilled. “You don’t think it was him, do you?”
“Of course not,” Mandy said, hurriedly shaking her head. “I was just being mean. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize,” James said, rubbing his hand over the back of her head as he considered the possibility. He discarded it almost immediately. Jesse was immature and manipulative. He would never purposely hurt Mandy, though. Well, at least not physically, he silently acknowledged. “I don’t like it. Even if we do buy this car today – and I’m not saying we are because seeing this thing in the driveway is going to bug the crap out of me – I’m driving you to work until we figure out exactly what happened.”
Deadly Adventure (Hardy Brothers Security Book 19) Page 15