“Are you ready for me, love?”
“I’ve been ready for months.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear.” He nips my ear and sucks on my neck as he works the head of his cock inside me. When he’s finally in, I gasp.
“You okay? Should I stop?”
“Don’t you fucking dare.”
Wrapping my legs around him, I try pulling him closer, but he resists. “Trust me, Holls, I’ll get us there. Let’s take it slow.”
With his fingers through mine, he rocks in inch by inch until he’s fully seated inside of me. This time, it’s him who sucks in a breath. “Feel good?” I ask while he remains unmoving.
“It’s the best feeling in the world.”
Declan moves with slow, calculated thrusts, lighting up every nerve ending I have. Moving our arms above my head, he keeps our fingers laced together as he drops his mouth to mine. Our tongues meet to the pacing of his hips. With our bodies pressed together, he’s deeper inside of me and my body is climbing toward another orgasm.
In a surprising move, he sits up on his knees and pulls me with him, holding me up as I ride him. He wraps his arms around my body as I throw mine around his neck. The base of his palm presses against my lower back, bringing us closer. Sweat trickles down his hairline, the muscles in his jaw are tense, and it’s the most beautiful sight.
“Declan,” my lips press against his as my body unfurls, “I love you. Come with me, baby.”
“Yes,” he grunts, thrusting into me and exploding with fervor. When his body stops trembling from his release, he holds my back and lays us down carefully. “I love you, Holls.”
We stay together for a long while before he stands up and uses the restroom. He returns with a towel and another blanket. After cleaning me up, we wrap up with each other in the blanket.
“Are you okay?” I ask, wondering if it’s all truly sunk in yet for him.
“I think I’m still in a bit of shock, but I’ll be fine.”
“What is bothering you most?”
“Well, it’s either the part where your mom tried to kill you and your sister, or that you lost our baby. They’re both a bit of a mind fuck, wouldn’t you say? Plus, knowing what you were going through when we broke up … I’ve always hated what happened, but now it’s a thousand times worse.”
It’s about what I thought he’d feel. At least there are no surprises, other than him not being angry with me. “Can I help somehow?”
“You want to help make me feel better?”
“Well, sure, if I can. It’s the least I can do.”
“If you really want to do something for us, that will make me feel better, move with me.”
“Move in with you?”
“Yes, but also move with me. Let’s get a house. I’ll buy out both of our leases because the last thing I want to do is lose another second with you.”
I have no reason to say no to him, but something is still holding me back. “Can I think about it for a few days?”
“As long as your answer is yes when you’re done thinking, sure.”
“It’s strange how much things have changed,” I say as I draw circles on his chest through the light smattering of hair.
“Funny, I was thinking how even though time has passed, we’re still us, but better in a way.”
“How so?”
“It’s going to sound strange, but I feel like we’re more stable. Grounded. Looking back, splitting up wasn’t the best choice but we did grow from it. Now I know there’s no one else for me but you. You’re my girl, love. Always have been and always will be.”
“That doesn’t sound strange at all. I feel the exact same way.”
“Now that we’re letting secrets out of the bag, there’s something you should know.”
“What’s that?”
“Sage is the one who told me about the apartment.”
“That doesn’t surprise me at all. I have something to tell you as well. This one probably will make you mad, but not at me. About five months after we broke up, did you and Baxter have a falling out?”
He tips my head up so I’m looking at him. “We did. He was angry with me for sleeping around and we had a huge fight. He was in your corner way more than he was ever in mine.”
“What happened for you two to make amends?”
“He came to me and apologized. It was strange but not. You know how Baxter is, he’s super sensitive. What do you know?”
There’s nothing but love in Dec’s heart for Bax, but this one is still going to sting. I’m a bitch for even telling him, but we really can’t go forward with secrets anymore; they don’t bode well for our relationship.
“I ran into him and Bobby one night and Bobby knew a lot about your extra-curricular activities.”
“What the hell?”
“It was about a month before you came to the apartment, and it’s what pushed me to start dating again. I didn’t believe Bobby, so I asked Baxter, and he refused to tell me. So, I um … told him if he didn’t confirm or deny it, I’d tell you about him and Bobby. He was angry, sad even, but he ultimately confirmed it.”
“I can’t believe he backslid with that asshole again, but I almost don’t blame him, either. I was a real jerk to him, to everyone. This explains why he was so apologetic. He wasn’t apologizing for our fight, he was apologizing for ratting me out. I just didn’t know it.”
“We’re lucky to have such good friends. They cover our asses and save them when we don’t even realize we need saving.”
I’m yawning as Declan kisses the top of my head. “You’re right, love. Maybe we should send them on that trip after all.”
“That would be nice.”
twenty
Declan
Baxter: I can’t believe she told you.
Whatever, all kinds of stuff happened this weekend. You backsliding with Bobby a year ago isn’t that big of a surprise, but after I kissed you, you owe me this favor.
Baxter: Don’t be a dick. I’d do the favor anyway and you know it. Besides, that was the best kiss of your life, even if you won’t admit it.
You’re right, Bax, out of all the men I’ve kissed in my life, that was the best one.
Baxter: Straight up. Now get this. The location you wanted was actually vacant, so tonight is a piece of cake. It will all be ready. You just have to show up and not blow it.
Thanks, you’re the best.
Baxter: Don’t I know it. But seriously, I’m glad things worked out. And wait until I fill you in on my dates.
I’m waiting with baited breath.
Baxter: You better be. I need my wingman for this ride.
As long as it’s not Bobby.
Baxter: IT WILL NEVER BE BOBBY
Praying hands.
Baxter: WTF? You don’t know how to send emojis?
Not those.
Baxter: *rolls eyes* I have so much to teach you. FYI there’s an emoji for those eyes, too.
“The two of you are worse than Sage and me.”
Holly looks edible in a pair of tight jeans and a sweater. If we had time, I’d take her again up against this counter. But if we’re going to make it to my surprise on time, we have to get moving.
“What can I say? Baxter is high maintenance.”
“All right, I’ll give you that one. Why are you leering at me?”
“Hey now.” I pull her in close and kiss her. “There’s a definite difference between leering and admiring. For the record, I’m admiring the hell out of you.”
“Is that so?”
Lowering her hand to my cock, I let her feel for herself. “Yes, it is very much so.”
She licks her lips. “I can fix that. Make it nice and comfortable in your pants again for you.”
Groaning, I shake my head. “Unfortunately, we have an appointment that can’t be missed. With the weekend traffic, we’ll barely make it as it is.”
“Since when do we have an appointment on a Sunday night? Or appointments together, for that m
atter? Did you sync our calendars when I wasn’t looking? I’m not sure if I’m willing to take on that much commitment. Your calendar is like my worst nightmare, Declan …”
My lips cover hers in an attempt to get her to stop. She mumbles against them for a few seconds and then laughs before giving into my charms.
“I’m going to be sure we have joint appointments from now on. Syncing our calendars is a great idea.”
“Remember that when my period app syncs up, too. I’m sure you’ll be real excited then.”
Her smile has not left her face since she woke up Saturday morning. I love seeing her so fucking happy. “You’re wrong. I’ll get an alert to tell me when to watch out for torrential mood swings, the potential crimson floods, and when to bring home chocolate and wine. Sounds like the greatest invention ever.”
“You’re such a jerk.”
“Never claimed otherwise. Come on, hot stuff, let’s hit the road.”
As we walk through the entryway, she grasps my arm. “Declan, the floor!”
Unfortunately, the wood warped from our rain-soaked clothes during our heated reunion the other night. It will be some of the best money I’ve ever spent, though. The image of stripping her naked right here after such a long time has me seriously considering making the owner an offer on the house.
“It’s okay, I talked to Baxter’s mom and told her we got caught in a storm. The owner called me this morning. He’s going to get an estimate and I’m going to pay to fix it.”
“I’ll split it with you.”
“I’d rather you didn’t, but if it’s going to be sexist or misogynistic of me, or some shit along those lines, I’ll happily split the price.”
Before I know it, she’s thrown herself into my arms. “Sometimes, I forget how much your financial and work situations have changed since we were together. The old you would have appreciated me offering to help, but the new you is offended for some reason. Why is that?”
“The old me would have been offended but wouldn’t have voiced it because the money wasn’t exactly rolling in. The new me is finally able to put that quiet voice to use because I want to take care of us. Not you, not me, but us. We’re a we, Holls, so get used to it.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Damn, I like the way that sounds rolling off your tongue. Do it again in the bedroom tonight and see what happens.”
“Yes, sir,” she repeats, this time in a sultry tone that does nothing to ease the ache in my dick.
“I’m ignoring you.”
“I’d like to see you try,” she says when we reach the car.
“Seatbelt on?” I ask when I get in.
“Yes, sir.”
“Dammit, Holly.”
“I love you, Declan. Thank you for this weekend. Sorry about your, uh … situation, but my offer still stands.”
“Tonight, Holls. Your mouth, my cock, and a whole lot of nakedness.”
“Shit, Dec. Remind me again, can girls get blue balls?”
“Not if their man treats them right.”
“Amen.”
After I park at the old apartment complex, I text Baxter to let him know we’re here and then I wake Holly. She fell asleep about an hour ago and I didn’t have the heart to wake her sooner.
“Wake up, sleepyhead. We’re here.”
Covering her mouth, she yawns and looks around. “Did we go back in time?”
“No, love. I need to see Baxter about a thing. Come on.”
Stopping in front of our old apartment, I reach out to check the door. “Declan, you can’t just walk in to someone’s apartment. They’ll think we’re crazy.”
“It’s a good thing I called ahead. Come on, Holls, where’s your sense of adventure?”
“I think I left it in a rainstorm Friday night.”
“Haha, come on.”
“Oh my God, Declan, what is this?”
Baxter did an amazing job. The floor is littered with red, pink, and white rose petals. White candles are lit and flickering throughout the living room and kitchen. It’s simple but beautiful, and with short notice, not bad at all.
“This is the last memory we were supposed to have in this apartment. We had a lot of great times here, didn’t we?”
“We absolutely did.”
“It didn’t sit right with me that the last two memories we had here were not good ones.” I walk into the kitchen and open the drawer where Baxter put the ring.
“You see, you kind of kept messing up my plans. Hawaii was part of the bigger picture, but I figured okay, maybe we’ll honeymoon there instead.”
When I turn around, she sees the box and covers her mouth with her hands as I walk toward her.
“When everything went awry, I kept the ring because, like you, it was one of a kind, and I thought I’d be able to put it on your finger someday. With a little bit of luck, of course.”
Those beautiful green eyes of hers are shimmering with unshed tears as I drop to one knee.
“Holly, I love you with everything I am. You’re the chocolate chip to my cookie. The beautiful girl with braces who stole my heart and swapped it with half of hers. I’m not complete without you, and I don’t want to be. We’ve had some hiccups and made some mistakes, and we aren’t perfect, but our love is. I want to grow old with you by my side. Dust off our kids’ skinned knees and yell at our daughter for hanging out of her bedroom window and talking to the boy next door all night. Wipe away your tears when they go to college and hold you close when they bring the first grandchild home. I want to yell at you to turn up your hearing aid, and I’m going to need you to always help me find my glasses. Grow old with me, Holly, spend your life with me, and I promise you’ll never regret it.”
“Oh my God, yes, Declan, yes!”
Her hands are trembling when I slide the ring on her finger. “Do you like it?”
Holding it up to her face, it glimmers against all the candlelight. “It’s beautiful.”
“That ring is the first thing I bought when I got my first advertising payment from my site.”
“Are you serious? You’ve really had it this whole time?”
“Of course, you’re my girl, right?”
“Absolutely,” she whispers against my lips. When she deepens our kiss and her tongue meets mine for the first time with my ring on her finger, it sparks something primal in me.
And just when it starts getting good, Sage and Baxter make their presence known.
“It’s about fucking time you two got engaged. We were seriously starting to wonder if we were going to have to propose for you,” Sage says as she slides open the screen door and pops open a bottle of champagne as they enter.
“Holy hotness. The way Holly was screaming when she said yes, I thought you were working her over with your one-eyed monster. I’ve missed that, by the way. No one screams the walls down like you, Holls. It’s a compliment of the highest order,” Baxter jokes, and Holly is beyond red.
“Enough, Baxter, we all know I’m anatomically gifted. You don’t have to keep teasing Holly about it.”
“Hmm,” Sage murmurs. “This is true, she’s lassoed him in for life, Bax. Maybe Holly’s pussy has been the one deserving the props all along and not Declan’s wang.”
“Enough, both of you. My … pussy and Declan’s monster cock are off limits from now on. We’re all adults, we’re getting married, and we’re going to have some kids someday. Those kids don’t need to know the mystical ways of their parents’ genitalia, okay?”
“Look at her, Sage, our little girl is all grown up.” Baxter is beaming at us, but Holly is over it.
“Both of you shut up already and pour me some champagne. We’ve got a wedding to plan!”
“Does this mean we’re getting married sooner rather than later?”
As I slip my arm around her waist, she nods. “No more wasted moments, remember?”
“That’s exactly the answer I was looking for. How would you feel about going live on The Funhouse right now and telling
everyone the news?”
Bax and Sage both pause mid-drink and wait for the fallout.
“Okay, if that’s what you want.”
“Holly, you don’t have to. I was just kidding.”
“Do I get to show off my ring?”
“If you want to.”
“So … I get to officially claim you as mine?”
“This is kind of sexy,” Baxter whispers to Sage.
“Mmhm,” she replies.
“If that would make you happy,” I tell her truthfully.
“Would it make you happy?”
“It would make me fucking ecstatic.”
Smiling, she nods. “Then that’s what we’ll do. If I’m going to be your wife, things will have to change, right?”
“Not if you don’t want them to.”
“I do want them to. We’ll be stronger for it. I’m proud of you, Declan, and I want you to succeed.”
“Let’s do it. You two want to have some fun? Maybe find Sage a date while we’re at it?”
“Hell yeah,” Sage and Baxter echo each other.
“Baxter, text my dad and Sally, please. Tell them to turn on Declan’s show.”
Baxter’s fingers fly across his phone, and with a satisfied smirk when the phone pings back at him, he puts it away. “Done.”
Pulling Holly to my side, I turn on the live feature. “Hey, everyone, welcome to The Funhouse. I’m Declan James, and you’re in for a special treat tonight.”
Epilogue
Declan
“Jesus, Holly, what are you doing?” This damn wife of mine is going to give me a heart attack.
“I’m trying to straighten the name, it’s crooked.”
“Let me help you, please.”
Taking her hand in mine, I hold onto her as she steps down off the ladder. This crazy woman is eight months pregnant and thinks she can still do it all.
“You’re overreacting.”
“And you’re being needlessly careless. You’ve got precious cargo in there for four more weeks. Just stop with the mountain climbing until then, okay?”
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