Designing the Love

  “Yum. Tasting you, along with a little bit of me, is super-hot.”

  “I don’t know about that, but I do know that you taste delicious.”

  “You didn’t have to do that, you know. I was fine.”

  “That, right there, is the problem, my lovely fiancé. ‘Fine’ is nowhere near good enough of a word to be associated with my cock in your pussy.”

  “I meant that I had already come once.”

  “So had I, but that didn’t stop you from fucking me into another mind-blowing orgasm.”

  “I’m not keeping score.”

  “Well, I am. And while I plan to be ahead most days, I won’t be happy with anything less than a tie.”

  “Challenge accepted,” I tell him as I get off the bed and saunter into the bathroom, turning my head and licking my lips as I go.

  “Oh, fuck,” is all the warning I get before he’s behind me, pushing me against the wall.

  We spend the rest of the night, and early morning, trying to best each other. We finally call a draw at four in the morning. And only because we might actually die if we keep going. I don’t even know how many times we both came, but I do know I may have some trouble walking into work. Totally worth it, though.

  Chapter 8

  Zane

  I have a surprise for Quinn when she gets off work. I’ve been drawing and painting at her shop all day, but I’ll show her that later. This is something I worked out with Scott. I go to her office, but she’s not there.

  I walk over to Chloe’s desk to see if she knows where my girl is. “Hi, Zane,” she says when she sees me.

  “Hey. I didn’t see Quinn in her office. Do you know where she is?”

  “Oh. She finished her work, so I let her go early. I know that if fast sewing was an Olympic sport, she’d win, but I figured she could use some extra time.”

  I laugh at her comment, but agree with her before heading to the elevator. I’ll have to adjust my plans a little. I call Scott, then her. She answers on the second ring. “Hi Z.”

  “Hi, Q. Can you come to the elevator, please?”

  “The elevator?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “Umm, okay. I’ll be right there.”

  I stand in the elevator doorway, watching her as she exits her apartment. She’s in a sleeveless black shirt and very short jean shorts. Her short blonde bob is parted on the side, and curled under a little, with a little bit of her darker roots showing at the top. I whip off my t-shirt as she approaches and then pull her inside. I slam my hand into the stop button and push her against the wall.

  “Zane. There’s cameras, and people will come if the elevator’s stopped.”

  “Scott shut off the cameras and took care of the stop button, too. I want you in this elevator. Please.”

  “You went to all that trouble just to fuck me against an elevator wall?” she asks me as I pull her leg up, and attack her neck.

  “Yes. And it was no trouble.”

  “You deserve a good reward, though.”

  She shakes her leg loose from my grip, and takes off her shorts. I can’t wait to unbutton her shirt, so I tear it open, exposing her perfect breasts which are encased in a sheer coral bra that match her thong. Her, and that damn color of hers, are going to kill me. I pull off my jeans and briefs in one motion. Then I’m on her, tearing her thong off, but leaving the bra on.

  She moans as I slam into her, while slamming her into the wall. Her legs are around my waist and I’m pumping hard. I can’t go slow this time, and I can tell she wants it hard and fast, too. It’s not too long before we’re both shuddering and coming hard, together.

  We stay together for a minute while I whisper in her ear and kiss her all over her face and neck. She runs her hands up and down my back, while whispering sweet and sexy things back to me. When we’ve gotten ourselves worked up again, I put her down so we can get our clothes, release the elevator, and call Scott to put the cameras back on. We go into her apartment, re-christening every room and surface in there. All night.

  * * *

  Quinn

  We’re on our way to Tucson for the opening of the new building. I’m excited to share this with Zane. We had a great rest of the week. He finished painting my store and got all my fixtures and lights put in. With help from the Griffin brothers, and their friends, Sean and Danny, of course. It looks so cool in there. I was able to get most of the dresses I wanted done, too. I can’t believe I’ll be opening in a couple of weeks. It’s my dream coming true, especially with Zane and me together again.

  I only had time to make my ball gown for the formal party, since I did gowns for Chloe, Yasmin, Candi, Olivia, and Alex. For everything else, I’m wearing store bought clothes that fit my style. Today’s “meet the press” dress is sleeveless with a black and white wavy pattern, and splashes of bright green and blue. I’m wearing high black heels, with a bunch of straps that made Zane’s eyes go dark when he saw them. I promised him I’d leave them on tonight.

  Ryan, Chloe, Owen, Candi, and I answer questions from the reporters waiting on the tarmac when we get off the Griffin jet. I’ve been prepped already on how to answer, although everyone told me to be myself and not worry about the PR department. I think I do okay. After about fifteen minutes, Ryan tells them no more questions, and we all get in the oversized limo. Zane pulls me onto his lap and kisses me hard.

  “You did great, babe.”

  “How do you know? You were in here.”

  “I had the window cracked so I could hear you.”

  “He’s right. You really did do great. Especially, for it being your first time.”

  “Thanks, Ryan.”

  It doesn’t take us long to get from the airport to the new building on Broadway. I can’t wait for Zane to see it. I want him to like my work. I hope he does.

  “I’m going to love whatever you did, Q.”

  “Huh?”

  “I can tell that you’re worried about what I’m going to think. So I’m telling you to stop worrying. I. Will. Love. Whatever. You. Do. Always.” He punctuates each word with a little kiss.

  “I love you.” I reach up and kiss him harder.

  “I love you, too.”

  We get out of the limo and pose for pictures for the press that’s gathered there. They used to have a full day of press interviews, but after one really bad day where reporters attacked Candi a couple years ago, they only talk to the press at the scheduled press party. We allow them a few minutes of pictures. Zane comes up behind me and grabs my hand, before we all walk inside.

  “Show me your magic, beautiful lady,” Zane whispers in my ear as he squeezes my hand.

  I bite my lip and then decide, what the hell. He’ll love me no matter what. So I pull him around, showing him all the little things I contributed on. He kisses me every time I stop and point something out, telling me over and over again how talented I am. A girl could get used to this.

  We spend the afternoon making sure everything looks good. Zane hangs out on the steps, answering emails and playing games on his phone. I love that he stayed behind, when everyone else not connected to the building went to check into the hotel. I walk over to him, and he looks up as I approach. I get that special smile he saves just for me.

  “Thanks for hanging out. You could’ve gone back to the hotel with everyone else.”

  “I didn’t want to miss a minute with you. You really did an awesome job.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You guys ready to head to dinner?” Chloe asks us.

  “Yeah. We’re going to that Mexican place again, right?”

  “We are.”

  “You’ll love it, Z. It’s called Mi Nidito. Their food is super yummy.”

  “Better than mine?” he teases me.

  “You don’t make me Mexican food.”

  “True,” he says with a laugh.

  The six of us pile into a smaller limo and go to the restaurant, where everyone else is already waiting for us. The night is fun as we a
ll joke around and drink way too many margaritas. I fall asleep on Zane’s shoulder, and he carries me into our room at the Westward Look Resort. Luckily, Scott had checked us in earlier. That’s one of the perks of being a billionaire, I guess.

  In the morning, I wake up naked, with Zane wrapped around me. He’s sound asleep and holding me tight. I want to wake him up, but I know I should let him sleep, so I just lie there and place my hand over his. A few minutes later, he kisses the back of my neck.

  “Good morning, baby.”

  “It is a good morning, Z.”

  “We’re going to that street you like today, right?”

  “Fourth Avenue? Yeah. I mean I’d like to if you’re still okay with it.”

  “I’m down with whatever you want to do.”

  “Well, I would like to go down,” I tell him as I turn around in his arms. He gives me a wicked smile that tells me we’re going to have a very fun morning.

  The morning, and Zane, don’t disappoint. We use the car service to stop at a breakfast place down the road that had been recommended to us, The Good Egg. It’s fun and really good. I love that they give the little kids around us Cheerios and apple slices. After breakfast, the car drops us off on Fourth Avenue, which is near the University of Arizona and downtown Tucson. I came here with everyone else when we were in Tucson a couple of months ago and fell in love with the funky stores and laid back vibe.

  We browse the shops. Zane insists on buying me candles, funky jewelry, and anything else I want. I try to pay, but he’s having none of it, saying that both the shop and his freelancing are bringing in good money. I do insist on buying us lunch at a cool deli called Bison Witches. We call the car to pick us up, and I have the guy stop at an Eegee’s so Zane can experience the awesomeness of their frozen drinks.

  After a couple hours of napping, we get dressed for the employee preview of the building tonight. This isn’t an official Griffin building, but they did pay for it to be built, so we’re having the same parties they throw for their own buildings. This party is everyone’s favorite, they tell me, because it’s for the people who will be using the building. To all of us, it’s the most important. Gary, Maggie and Olivia flew out this afternoon to attend. Alex couldn’t miss school, neither could Luke, but they both sent me flowers.

  Since tonight is a casual evening, I’m in a simple black capped sleeve dress with some cool black bands crossing over it in different directions. I have some black heels with sheer panels and pieces of leather tied all over them. I top it off with a pair of earrings my man bought for me, and I’m ready to go. Zane comes up behind me and grabs my waist.

  “You’re smokin’, as usual, babe.”

  I turn and take him in. He’s in dark jeans, a dark grey button down, and combat boots. Hot doesn’t even come close to describing him. “Right back at you.”

  “Stop looking at me like that, or we’re not going to leave this room.”

  “Fine, but I’m looking at you like this again when we get back to the room later.”

  “I’m counting on it.”

  We meet everyone downstairs and get into two limos. The night goes really well. The employees loved the building and thanked us all. The wonderful night didn’t end at the party. Zane blew my mind quite a few times before we fell asleep. Just like I knew he would.

  Chapter 9

  Zane

  Last night’s party was fun. What we did when we got back to the hotel was even better. Whoever said, or thought, that being with only one woman was boring has definitely not found the right one yet. My woman gets hotter every day. And night.

  Everyone’s hanging out together today, before the cocktail party with the press tonight. We’re going to a mission, San Xavier. It’s supposed to be absolutely beautiful; I’m pretty excited. My family’s all Catholic. Although I’ve lapsed, I still pray every night and love God and all, though. Quinn’s excited, too, since it’s pretty much the same for her.

  Hours later, we’re back at the hotel. The mission was just as beautiful as promised. We had lunch at a restaurant we happened upon on the South side of town. The food was amazing, and as I’m told, authentically Mexican. Quinn and I are a little tired, but we don’t really want to go to sleep. We cuddle on the couch in our room, just talking and kissing. It’s more than enough. I mean, I’ll never turn down the chance to make love to her, but we were friends first, and I love that we still are.

  Before we know it, it’s time to get dressed. The time passes by too quickly. Tonight is dressier since it’s a cocktail party for the press. I have a surprise for Quinn that I think she’ll like. I’m wearing a coral shirt under my black suit. I tease her about her favorite color all the time, but I think it’s pretty hot that she likes a girly color when she’s normally not so girly. I haven’t seen her dress for tonight, but she told me it was coral. I wanted to match her. Yeah, the nerd police are coming for me any minute now, but I don’t give a fuck.

  I hear the bathroom door open and turn to see Quinn in her dress. The sight of her nearly brings me to my knees, especially when she turns around. Her dress is indeed coral. It goes to mid-thigh with cutouts all over it, especially in the back, and sheer material at the bottom that goes to the floor. She has sexy coral shoes that look like, well coral, on her feet. Damn, I’m a lucky man.

  I’m so far gone that I don’t even notice her walk up to me. She fingers the collar of my shirt and leans in to kiss me, breaking me from my stupor. “Love the shirt, Z.”

  “Thought you would. And I fucking love your dress and heels.”

  “Thanks.”

  This party goes well, too. It’s definitely fancy, and Quinn keeps getting pulled away for interviews, but it’s all good. We’re cool, so I don’t mind hanging with Scott and Yasmin for most of the night. We continue our cuddling theme when we get back to the hotel, just holding each other and making out a little, before falling asleep in each other’s arms.

  * * *

  Quinn

  I’m so excited for tonight. I’ll be wearing the gown I designed. The fabric is black with a pattern of pink, purple, and white. It has a sweetheart neckline and I gathered the fabric in interesting ways all over the dress. It has a small train, too. I’m pairing it with white and silver heels, then bringing it together with diamond studs that my parents bought me years ago.

  The other women and I spent the day getting pampered in the hotel spa. I’ve never done that before, but it was really soothing. They even made my hair look sleeker than normal. I’m totally relaxed as I get dressed. Until I see Zane in his tux, that is. Oh holy hell, I knew it would be hot. We’ve had to dress up with the Griffins a couple times, but seeing him like this never gets old.

  “Since your mouth is hanging open, I’m guessing you like what you see just as much as I do.”

  “Yes. I do,” I tell him truthfully.

  “Your dress is so awesome, babe. You’re going to be a big fashion star and forget all about me.”

  “How could I forget you when you give me so many mind-blowing orgasms every day?”

  “So, you do only want me for my body?”

  Oh my God. I did say that. “No, I mean, I don’t. Really, Zane.”

  “Relax, babe. I was just teasing. I know you want all of me. And you have all of me.”

  “Same here.”

  “Good. Now that we’re on the same page, let’s go to this fancy party where I’m going to have to glare at all the guys again. Just like the last two nights.”

  “I’ve been doing plenty of glaring too, you know.”

  “Those people should stop wasting their time and focus on single people.”

  “Agreed.”

  When we get to the lobby, everyone compliments me on my dress, as well as the other girls’. For Chloe, I did a navy blue mermaid style gown. It has a sweetheart neckline and where it flares out at her knees, the ruffles go higher in front. The back has a short train. Yasmin’s dress is a vibrant purple satin. It’s off the shoulder with ruching going asymm
etrically to mid-thigh and then the fabric falling straight to the floor. The back has a little peekaboo of skin, too. Candi’s was the hardest, but also the most fun. I made her a Grecian goddess with a one shouldered dress comprised of chiffon layers over satin. The material is draped on the bottom and goes all the way up to the top of her right thigh, with a big slit. When it came to Olivia, I made her look very old Hollywood. Her dress is a pink sequined fabric that looks very sleek in front, covering her from clavicle to toes. But it has a cutout in the back to make it sexier. Alex flew in this afternoon and is wearing the turquoise satin dress I made her. It has a sweetheart neckline with pieces of fabric looping over one another. The empire waistline leads to a straight fall of satin to her feet.

  We get to the building and take a ton of photos for the press. They ask about the dresses, and Chloe tells everyone I designed them. She also mentions that my store is opening soon. After the photos, we head to the receiving line where the directors of the foundation for this building are. This party is different than the other ones, not only in that it’s formal, but also because it’s a fundraiser for the building’s organization. For Griffin buildings, they collect donations for Habitat for Humanity. When it’s a non-profit like this one, the money goes to that organization. Not just anyone can come. Only an architect or interior designer can buy individual tickets, or a table, so if you’re not one or the other, you have to be invited by one.

  I’m in line with Zane hanging out behind me when I see Chloe freeze with a smile on her face. I look where she’s looking and see them. It’s Whitney, her parents, and Landon, along with another couple. “I had no clue, Quinn. They must have gotten tickets from someone. I wouldn’t have let them in.”

  “I believe you, Chloe.”

  I turn and motion Zane over to us. “What’s up, Q?”

  “Dad. There you are,” Landon says as he passes everyone and runs towards us.