“Really?” she asks.
“Really,” I assure her. “Listen, I have to go, but I’ll text him right now and let him know. I’m telling you, it’s going to totally make his day. I’ll see you at six, OK?”
“OK, see you at six,” she says.
“Oh, and Kate,” I call.
“Yeah,” she replies.
“Thank you for the camera.”
“Joel! That dirty rat. You’re very welcome,” she replies and hangs up.
I quickly text Stephen, put my phone back in my purse, toss it behind my seat, then get out of my van.
River just left my office after having a really nice conversation with him over the lunch Maddy made, and our time together wasn’t just about work. I honestly enjoyed our lunch together. I pack the empty containers back inside Maddy’s catering bag and place it on the floor next to my chair, so I don’t forget to bring it home. Maddy’s been teaching me how to cook different dishes every night, but tonight I’m going to show her some of my wicked grilling skills and cook her dinner. I sit down in my chair, then grab a few files I’ll need for my next meeting, but the new addition to my desk catches my eye, and I smile. Maddy left me a gift. I pick up the photo of Maddy, and I can’t help but run my finger over her beautiful, freckled face. I swear, even in a photograph, her eyes still morph and dance twenty different shades of green.
My cell phone vibrates on my desk next to my hand, indicating an incoming text. I place the photo back where I can see it, then glance at the display. I smile again when I see it’s a text from Maddy. I slide my finger across the screen and swallow hard when I read that Kate will be joining us for dinner tonight.
I’ve waited so many years for my sister to come back home. Deep down, I honestly thought she’d never step foot in that house ever again. I have so many questions running through my head. Will seeing the home she grew up in again hurt her recovery? Will it bring back memories best left unseen? Will now knowing the truth about being adopted make her see everything in that house as a lie? Is this a mistake?
I glance back at Maddy’s smiling face, then Caleigh’s voice comes through the intercom.
“They’re all ready for you in the conference room, Mr. Mason,” she says.
I grab my suit jacket from the back of my chair, button the center button, pull out the ends of my monogrammed cuffs, then give them a confident jerk as I exit my office. I grip the thick leather studded bracelet under my jacket and smile as I head to my meeting with confidence.
I walk into the conference room full of powerful men and women sitting around a long, dark wooden, oval table. The smell of leather briefcases, expensive cologne and perfume, and business papers excite me. I briefly rest my hand on River’s shoulder as I pass him, then I stand at the head of the table and take charge of the meeting. I no longer sit in the shadows fearful to speak my mind. I always had so much to contribute, but I did most of it in the shadows or behind the scenes and never took any credit for it. Now that my mind is free of the garbage I let consume my life, I thrive on being equal business partners with my brother.
My life has changed so much in such a short amount of time. I’ve never been so damn scared in my life than the day I told my family the truth. My secrets ate me alive from the inside out. Falling in love with Maddy was never anything I ever planned for, but the thought of losing her was scarier than setting my inner demons free. I did not want to hurt my family, but I was only hurting myself by pushing everyone away. In the end, what I pushed away is what finally set me free. My family and the ones I love. Life is nothing without family and your loved ones by your side.
After a very successful two hour meeting, I’m on my way home to make sure everything is perfect for Maddy and Kate tonight at dinner. As I drive up the long driveway, I see Maddy’s catering van parked just outside the front door. I pull my car into the garage next to my father’s canvas covered Mustang. I run my finger over the thick, heavy material, then grab it with my hand and pull it off the car. The end of the canvas slips off the grill and softly lands on the garage floor, displaying the car’s full beauty. My mind, my secrets, my voice, and my heart are now free, and dad’s car should be too. I smile at it, then enter through the door into the hallway.
“Maddy,” I call into the house, as I set my briefcase down.
“In the kitchen,” she sings. I have to pause for a second when I realize that sounded just like my mom and dad. I continue into the kitchen and see her back turned to me as she stands in front of the sink. She’s still dressed in her chef uniform, and her hair is still up in a bun. I smile at her camera backpack sitting on the bar top hoping I’m not in too much trouble. Maddy isn’t alone in this world anymore. She has me at her side and an entire family standing next to her now. I touch the tip of her shoulder with my finger as I press my body to hers. I run my finger down her arm as her profile turns toward me with her smile. “You’re home early,” she whispers in a sexy, breathy voice.
“Mm-hmm,” I hum on her shoulder.
I wrap my arm around the front of her waist as she shuts off the water and sighs as I continue to kiss up her neck.
“I’m not going to be able to finish making the salad if you keep doing that,” she says, gripping the edge of the counter.
I reach up to her hair and remove the pins holding it in place. Her lush, red hair unravels, and its sweet scent wafts past my nose as it cascades down her back.
“That’s kind of the point, Sweetness,” I whisper as I turn her around to face me.
The smile on her face is instant, but true to my word of never being good for her, I steal it on my own lips. Her wet hand goes into my hair as her other hand pulls my hips into her body. I slide my lips down her chin and push her jaw up with my nose as I unbutton her chef coat and slip it off her shoulders, then lay it on the counter behind her. I gently but firmly take her jaw in my hand and turn her head to the side while I rain feather light kisses down her neck. Firmly, I slide my hand down her neck, then I palm her breasts and lift up her shirt. She starts to breathe heavy as I grab her ass with both hands, then I pick her up, turn her around and place her on the kitchen island. Her hands go to my face, her ankles wrap around the back of my legs, then her lips are back on mine. She removes my glasses and sets them down on the marble as her tongue slips over my teeth. I unbutton my suit jacket, then she rips it off my shoulders and lets it fall to the floor by my feet.
“I want you,” she breathes on my lips.
Without removing her lips from mine, she rips my dress shirt out of my pants, then she starts to unbutton it. I reach for her thighs, wrap them around my waist, and pick her up off the counter.
Her lips stay glued to mine as I carry her out of the kitchen, through the front room, and up the stairs. At the top of the stairs, she removes her legs from my waist and slides her body down my chest. A wicked smile graces her lips, then she takes my hand and leads me into the bedroom. She pulls me through the room, then whirls me around next to the bed. She raises her hands to my chest and with a firm shove of her fingertips, she pushes me down on the mattress. She climbs on top of me and straddles my thighs, then her fingers quickly undo my belt and work the zipper on my dress pants. She backs off the bed and yanks my pants off by the cuffs, then flings them over her shoulder with a smile. She climbs back on my thighs, then her long hair fans out on either side of my face as she shoves her tongue in my mouth. Her hair tickles my chest, as she drags her lips down my chest, then with her hand, she reaches under my boxer briefs and firmly runs her hand down my length.
I hiss out a breath between my teeth as she cups my balls and gently rolls them in her palm. I sit up, taking her with me, grip her at the base of her neck and sink my tongue deep in her mouth. Her hand grabs the waistband of my boxers, and she tries to pull them down, then I help her to remove them.
I quickly unbutton her pants, then her hands take over as she unzips her pants. She gets off the bed and removes her pants, then she removes her white cotton undershirt, r
evealing a lacy white bra trimmed in yellow. Before she gets back on the bed, she opens the nightstand drawer, removes a condom and tucks it into the front of her bra.
Her thumbs hook into her panties, then her eyes slowly come to mine. The whirlpool of green has me in a trance as she slowly slips her panties down her legs. Her hands come to my chest, then the heat of her slick core rests on my throbbing dick as she climbs into my lap. She rocks several times in my lap sliding her wetness up and down the outside of my cock. God, she feels so damn good.
“Sweetness, you need to give me that condom,” I beg, as her lips connect with my neck.
She backs away with that cocky grin, then removes the condom from her bra. She rips it open with her teeth, slides herself against me one last time, then reaches down and rolls it on. Her lip quirks up on the left side of her face, then she turns around in my lap giving me a full view of her perfect ass, and her breathtaking tattoo. She places her knees on either side of my thighs, then she reaches between her legs, takes me in her hand, and I watch totally spellbound as I slowly disappear inside her. She rocks several times into me, then I reach for the clasp on her bra and unhook it. It quickly snaps open, revealing a sexy spray of golden freckles. I reach around the front of her and finger her clit as she pounds against my thighs. Her gasps and sweet moans fill the room. The straps of her bra fall down her arms as she continues to moan with pleasure. With my other hand, I place it on her hipbone to help steady her rhythm as she explodes on my fingers.
Her mews and gasps of pleasure echo against the walls as her insides grip around my dick. She continues up and down as she slowly comes down from her high, then she moves from her knees and crouches on her feet. She turns her head to look at me, then she slams down on top of me.
“Oh, God!” I moan as her ass cheeks crack against my thighs.
She slams down a few more times, and with that, I jerk inside of her and come hard. I sit up and wrap my arm around her waist, seating her firmly in my lap. Her chest heaves in my hold with each breath she takes. She slightly turns her body around and looks at me, then she glances at the clock on the nightstand.
She squirms her ass in my lap, then says, “We should get back downstairs.”
Stephen dresses in a black t-shirt and a faded pair of soft blue jeans. He runs his hand through his sexy, disheveled hair, then he picks up the condom wrapper from the floor and shoves it in his pocket. The bag I brought over the other day with some extra clothes in it is now sitting on the overstuffed chair in the corner of his room. Stephen sits down on the bed, rests his foot on the edge of the mattress, and laces up his black chucks as he watches me walk to the chair in my underwear. I pull out a V-neck t-shirt and slip it on over my head. I pull my long hair out from underneath the shirt, then I remove my jeans, and slip them on one leg at a time. I hop up and down a few times until they’re up over my hips, then I button and zip them up. I decide to go barefoot since we’ll be outside at the grill.
I love Stephen’s backyard. It’s like a little slice of paradise. I thought the first time I saw River’s backyard that it was the most beautiful retreat I’ve ever seen, but Stephen’s backyard is magnificent. River’s house butts up to the ocean. Therefore, he doesn’t have any grass in his backyard only sand. Stephen’s backyard was designed by his mother and looks like it was ripped right out of the backyard of an Italian villa. Immediately off the back door is a patio with large slate tile and a large rectangular pool. Lining one whole side of the pool are heavy, dark wooden chez lounge chairs with thick cream colored padded cushions. Tall pots with topiaries are speckled amongst the lush greenery. A heavy wooden table that seats twelve sits under a terraced pergola lined with sweet smelling lilacs. A heavy grapevine chandelier hangs from the center of the pergola and large gas powered torches are strategically placed all over the grounds. Beyond the pool is a lush green area surrounded by different themed gardens. Off the back entrance of the house sits a small cottage type building that is now vacant but was once a beautiful guesthouse.
“I love when you do that,” Stephen says, breaking me out of thought.
“You love when I do what?” I ask confused.
“Get lost in thought. I love to watch your thoughts race around in your eyes,” he says.
I smile at him embarrassed, then I walk toward the door, but he stops me when he says, “You forgot something.”
I pat my chest. Nope, bra strap under my shirt . . . check. I pat my hips. Nope, pants check, I look down at my bare feet . . . nope, they’re good, then I look at Stephen confused.
“I think I’ve got everything,” I tell him.
“Nope, you forgot something under your bag.
I look at my bag, then back at Stephen, and I immediately know he’s up to something. Every couple of days or so Stephen does something nice for me. Last week he bought me a new yoga mat because my other one was worn and on the thin side. He took a pair of scissors and cut the tiniest slit in one of the corners and said I couldn’t say a word about accepting it because it was broken. Yesterday he got me a digital pocket thermometer for work because my other one was cracked, and I couldn’t read the temperature accurately. He ripped off the doohickey thing that makes it hang on the pocket.
“Stephen, we’ve yet to discuss the camera sitting on your counter,” I warn, jokingly.
His face quickly morphs into a goofy grin like he doesn’t know what I’m talking about. I walk over to my bag and lift it up. Sitting side by side is my very own pair of black chucks. I toss my bag on the floor, grab the shoes, and give a little squeal. And just like my camera bag, the yoga mat, and the pocket thermometer, I bring the shoes to my nose and smell them. I run to Stephen and fling myself into his arms.
“Thank you! They’re beautiful!” I say, squeezing him tight.
I release Stephen, then turn around and quickly analyze them looking for his “they’re broken, therefore you can accept them” mark. I flip them over and look everywhere, but I don’t see anything. The camera was one thing, and that seems like forever ago, but now it’s sort of our little thing he does. I don’t need for things to be broken to accept a gift from Stephen, but I have to say that I love that he does it. It’s our special little thing between the two of us.
“Shoelace,” he says, standing over my shoulder.
I look at the shoelace, but still don’t see anything. Then at the end of one, I see that the little plastic covering, so they don’t unravel is missing.
“Thank you,” I say, turning back around to face him.
I grab my bag from the floor and dig out a pair of ankle socks, then sit on the floor and put the chucks on my feet. They feel absolutely amazing. Stephen extends his hand down to me, and he helps me off the floor. He laces his fingers through mine, then we go downstairs together.
In the kitchen, I give Stephen an approving nod as he removes the bacon wrapped filets from the refrigerator and sets them down on the counter, so they come to room temp before he grills them.
I go back to the sink to finish washing the vegetables so I can make the salad.
“Do you need help with anything?” Nelly asks, walking into the kitchen.
I turn around and smile at her as Stephen answers her, “No, thank you, but we’d love it if you can join us for dinner tonight.”
“I’d like that,” she answers. “Are we dining inside or outside?” she asks.
Stephen gestures his hand and his eyes toward me, and I answer, “Out. Most definitely outside.”
“I’ll set the table outside, then,” Nelly says, then gathers everything up and heads outside to set the table.
Stephen pops a slice of cucumber into his mouth as there’s a soft knock on the front door. His mouth stops chewing, and he looks at me.
I dry my hands on a dishtowel, then I place my hand over his heart. Stephen has such a big heart and so much love to give. He places his hand over mine, then he threads his fingers through them, and we walk to the front door hand in hand. He opens the door to a confiden
t yet scared looking Kate. In one hand she holds a bottle of red wine and in the other, Sadie’s leash is loosely wrapped around her wrist. Sadie is sitting on her hind legs and ever so slightly leaning the entire side of her body against Kate, letting her know she’s there. Sadie’s beautiful eyes connect with Stephen and without a word, he takes a step forward and protectively wraps his arms around his little sister. I remove the bottle of wine from her hand as Stephen ushers Kate inside with his arm wrapped around her shoulder being the protective big brother. Kate takes a step forward. Stephen moves his hands to the top of her shoulders, then he lets go. Her wide eyes take in the familiar surroundings from her childhood.
I stand next to Kate’s side, as she firmly laces her fingers through mine and looks wide-eyed around the entryway. Much like I can read Maddy’s thoughts, I watch as Kate’s revert and travel deep into her past. If I close my eyes and listen in the silence, I can still hear Kate’s little girl laughter echoing through the hallways. I can see her long brown hair tied up in an oversized bow, flowing behind her, wearing a white dress running down the hallway, giggling as my father chases after her in a game of tag. I want Kate to hear that little girl laughter and feel that free once again in my house. I want her laughter to fill these walls again.
Kate’s eyes travel over the surface of every wall, every decoration, and every photo hanging on the walls. Her eyes fill heavy with tears, then I glance at Maddy really quick. I hear the door open from the backyard as Nelly comes back into the kitchen. Sadie reaches up and rests her nose inside Kate’s other hand, as Nelly walks into the entryway. Kate’s eyes immediately connect with hers, then with instant recognition, her unshed tears spill down her cheeks.
“Nelly?” Kate whispers.
Nelly has changed so much over the years. Her once dark hair is now peppered with white streaks, and her slender frame has shrunk a few inches, but her kind eyes laced with motherly love are unmistakable.
I Speak...Love (A Different Road #3) Page 15