by Keke Renée
“I’m a work in progress, baby. Give me room to grow.” Shannon shrugged, taking a sip of water.
We all laughed at her comment. After discussing my work and Elina’s studio opening, Elina’s parents left. I wrapped her in my arms, and we cuddled for the rest of the night in bed, watching TV.
“Oh, hold up. That’s you,” Elina said and sat up against the headboard. A commercial for my campaign appeared during the break of the news we were watching. “Baby, you’re on TV!” She clapped excitedly.
“I see. Come back down here.” I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her on top of me.
“You have my vote.”
“Why?”
“Because you eat some good pussy and have a nice big, long, dick,” she said with her hand down in my boxers.
“You’re trying to start something, Turtle.”
“Hmm... maybe.” She trailed kisses over my chin.
I shifted her onto her back, and she opened her legs wide for me to fit. I captured her mouth and wrapped an arm around her waist as we ignored the rest of the movie and made out instead.
Chapter Eight: Elina
I waved goodbye to my last client as she left the studio I rented for personal sessions during the day. The decorator Anne hooked me up with was doing a great job and would have the place ready for the party in a few days.
I checked the time and saw that it was going on twelve thirty. Feeling exhausted and hungry, I decided to surprise Julian at the office for lunch. I rushed over, taking the shortcuts he’d told me about the other night.
Ten minutes later, I finally shut off the car, removed the key from the ignition, and checked my appearance before I got out. I saw multiple news vans out front, and it appeared that he was possibly slammed.
I opened the door and saw lights and cameras on Julian, as he talked with a reporter.
“Mr. Easton, we know the platform you’re running on. Can you tell us if you’re seeing anyone?” the reporter asked.
I stood off to the side, and we made eye contact. I smiled as he smirked.
“I don’t discuss my personal life, but I will say that I’m very happy.”
“Are their wedding bells in the future?” Reporter questioned.
“Unless you have a question about the issues, I’ll have to end it here, guys,” Julian said, and I watched as they all groaned in frustration.
“Mr. Easton, a few photos, sir,” another news station yelled out. The clicks of the camera went off as Julian stood and crossed his arms. He slid his hand in his pockets as the photographers got as many shots as they could. Finally having enough, he looked off to Jenna.
“Okay, everyone, that’s enough for the day,” Jenna said and escorted everyone out. I stepped in front of him, looking over my shoulder to make sure no one was watching.
“This is a surprise.” Julian pulled me to his chest, not waiting, and kissed me on the lips.
“What if someone sees us?” I asked.
“So, let them.”
“You’re being bad, Mr. Easton.” I giggled as he grasped the back of my neck.
“Did you come out of the house like this?” he asked, finally letting me go. He checked over my sports bra and shorts. My flat stomach was showing off the belly piercing I’d gotten a week ago, next to a little tattoo of his initials.
“What? You don’t like it?” I modeled in front of him.
He grunted.
“You look good, baby.”
“Thank you, baby, but I wanted to take you to lunch if you’re not busy.”
“I have back-to-back interviews. We can have lunch here. The next one is in a half hour.” He checked his watch.
“That’s fine. You want to have it delivered?”
“We can share my lunch. We ordered seafood from around the corner,” Julian said and walked me to his office. I removed my jacket and sat on the couch. He brought the food over to me and passed a fork.
“I’m starving,” I said.
“You’ve been hungry a lot lately. You got something to tell me?”
“No, I’m on the pill, and we’ve been using condoms. I’m not ready for kids just yet.”
“Okay, just checking.” He pecked my cheek.
I shuffled the boiled shrimp and rice around on my plate.
“If I were pregnant, what would you say?”
“I couldn’t say anything, but you’re moving in with me,” he said, and I looked at him in thought.
“You want a baby with me?”
“I’m not in this for just dating, Elina. I want a future with you.”
“Even knowing about the past?”
“I don’t see why we can’t bring Honey around every blue moon in the bedroom.” He leaned over and sucked on my neck.
I giggled, trying to push him off.
“Is that the only reason you want me?”
“Yep,” he said.
I gasped in shock and jumped up. He burst into laughter.
“You’re still the same asshole from high school.”
“Don’t be mad, baby. Come sit back down.” Julian tapped the cushion next to him.
“Fine, but you have to rub my feet for me later.”
“Anything for you.”
“Glad you see it my way.”
“When were you going to tell me about Bobby threatening you?” Julian poured sauce on top of his baked fish.
“It wasn’t important.”
“Any man who threatens you is my business.” Julian glared at me.
“I hear you, but he can’t do anything—unless he wants to ruin his own business.”
“Too late.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“I made some phone calls, and that place won’t be there for a long time,” Julian replied.
“Ruthless, Mr. Easton.”
“Only for you, soon-to-be Mrs. Easton.”
We kissed for the next five minutes until a knock came at the door.
“Come in,” Julian said.
“Mr. Easton, your next interview is here,” his assistant said.
“Thanks. Baby, you don’t mind waiting, do you?” Julian asked. I motioned that it was fine and continued eating while he went out to do another interview. Two hours later, Julian woke me after I fell asleep on his couch.
“What time is it?” I asked.
“Almost four. You ate and went straight to sleep.”
I stretched my arms out, reaching for my jacket and purse to leave.
“I better get going.”
“I’m leaving with you,” Julian said.
“What about your interviews?”
“I finished most of them, and the rest can wait.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I need to run by my parents, and I’ll meet you at home.” Julian pressed a kiss on my forehead.
“Okay.”
“HAS HE COME HOME YET?” Missy asked me.
As soon as I pulled away from Julian’s office, I came straight to his house and started a hot bath. I turned on some music and lit some candles to relax after the long day. He still hadn’t called, and I was getting worried that something had happened, so I called EJ, but he hadn’t heard from him either.
“No, we had lunch at his office, and I fell asleep and came right to his place.”
“He’s probably fine. You know men like to go out and hoop or talk with their friends,” Missy responded.
“I understand that, but he normally answers my calls.”
“It’s not too late. Just stop worrying and tell me about your building.”
“Things are coming along great, and I can’t wait for everyone to see the place.”
“I’m glad you got everything you wanted.”
“I can say the same for you too. Any word from Bobby?”
“No, and I had him blocked. Most of the girls are pissed, of course, but it happens,” Missy replied.
“Wait. I think I hear something.”
“Elina! I’m home,�
� Julian shouted from the living room.
I held my hand over the receiver.
“In the bathroom!” I yelled back.
“Missy, he’s home. I have to go.”
“See? I told you he wouldn’t be long,” Missy said, and I ended the call, reminding her we would meet up.
“Julian, what are you doing!” I chortled, seeing him walk in the bathroom with a bouquet of flowers.
“Sorry for being late. I wanted to surprise you for all your hard work.” Julian bent down and placed a kiss on my lips and showed me the dozen roses.
“These are beautiful, baby. Thank you,” I said.
Julian removed his coat after setting the flowers down on the counter. He came to sit on the edge of the tub, picked up the towel, and washed my arms and back.
“Did you see your parents?”
“Just my mom. Dad’s working at the office,” Julian said.
“Those flowers are beautiful. Is this something I can expect from you going forward?”
“Your man’s charming, sweetheart.”
“Well, let me properly thank you. Get in the tub with me.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Julian said. He stripped of his clothes, then slid in behind me, wrapping his arm around my waist.
While we bathed together, he told me that he wanted to take me on vacation as a gift for opening my business before his campaign got too busy.
Chapter Nine: Elina
I was driving all over town, preparing last-minute details for the opening, while my decorator was setting up the balloons and food. My mom even turned in some favors to get the local news station to come down and film the grand opening and interview me. Julian was meeting me at the studio after he finished at the office and grabbed his suit from the cleaners.
I turned the car into the mall, parked, and picked up my purse, heading into Nordstrom’s to find something to wear.
My cell phone rang with Missy’s name popping up. She should have been getting ready while I was here.
“Hello.”
“How much longer are you going to be?” Missy asked.
I entered the clothing rack section and noticed a few dresses hanging in different colors that weren’t too revealing. I picked up a black leather dress and held it to my body as I continued talking to Missy.
“Not long. I’m in Nordstrom’s now.”
“Okay. Your brother said he’s picking me up. Is that cool?”
I was still getting used to my brother and Missy dating, but I couldn’t say anything. I was officially seeing his best friend. At first, our parents gave us a hard time, but they came around.
“I thought you wanted to ride with me. I mean I was there before him.” I tried to play the guilt trip, and she laughed on the other end of the call.
“You’re so spoiled. I promise we’ll go out for drinks one day this week to celebrate.”
“What are you doing for work now?” I turned toward another rack of dresses and shoes.
“I enrolled in school this time. I’m probably the oldest person in class,” she chortled.
“What are you learning?”
I scanned the rack and found a long, yellow, cut-out dress with buckles that would look great against my skin tone, with my hair up in a high ponytail, or soft curls.
“I’m studying to be a social worker. I think that, after what I went through as a kid, it would be good for me to help someone else avoid the same mistakes,” Missy responded.
I tugged the dress under my arms.
“I think that’s a great idea, Missy. Let me pay for this dress, and I’ll see you soon.”
“Sure. See you soon.”
We hung up, and I took the dress to the counter, taking out my wallet to pay.
“That will be seventy-five dollars,” the cashier said.
“Here you go.”
“Wait! Aren’t you Julian Easton’s girlfriend?” she asked.
“I get that a lot but no,” I answered.
She passed my credit card back to me and bagged up my dress. It was fun to see the shocked look on everyone’s face whenever I answered no. Being in the public eye was his thing, and we’d made a pact that I would only be seen with him when I wanted to be and felt comfortable doing so. The pressure on him from being the governor’s son was bad enough; I couldn’t imagine what would have happened if I pushed the issue of being his girlfriend.
Finally back in my car, I drove home to shower and get dressed for the night.
JULIAN LIFTED MY HAND and kissed the back of it as he drove up to the front of the building. The valet came around to open our doors. We stepped out, and I clenched my purse and waited for him to finish tipping the valet. He put his palm on my lower back, and we walked into the building together, as the flashes went off from the photographers I’d hired.
I saw the decorator talking with the waitstaff, and my parents were talking with my brother and Missy. They both looked happy. I waved to some of my clients. Even some of the girls from the club had shown up.
“What do you think?” Cori asked.
I looked around the room, feeling even more inspired. At first, the place had been just an empty building with walls, but she’d transformed it into a beautiful, sensual mosaic. There was pink trim on the curtains and lilac bouquets on the tables with the studio information on them. Waiters wore shirts with my logo on them, and Cori had even put the studio’s name in neon lights displayed on the wall.
“You outdid yourself, Cori. Thank you.” I reached out to give her a hug.
“That’s my job.”
“The local news is here, and they filmed a little of the decorations. If you want to take a few minutes and interview with them, I already said to keep it in the studio,” Cori said. I was grateful for her patience and support throughout these past few weeks with trying to plan a last-minute party.
“Let me check in with my parents quick.”
I grabbed Julian’s hand, and we walked over to my parents.
“Here she is!” Dad said, bending down to kiss me on the cheek. I smiled and hugged him with one arm since Julian held my other hand.
“What do you think?” I asked.
“You did good, sis,” EJ replied.
“Thank you, old man,” I teased, rubbing his bald head. He waved me off.
“Leave my man alone, Elina.”
I gasped, my hand on my chest.
“You’re supposed to be my best friend. Now you’re teaming up with him,” I jested, pinching her in the arm.
“Same way Julian has your back, I have EJ’s back.” Missy stuck her tongue out at me.
“She’s right about that, baby,” Julian said, kissing the side of my neck.
I shivered, thinking about the sex we had the other night with his face between my thighs. We didn’t go to sleep until around three in the morning.
“Elina, I’m proud of you, baby. I want to apologize to you. I know we butt heads a lot, but you’re doing great work,” Mom explained.
I felt a load taken off my chest after getting her approval. She didn’t fully agree with my past, but she understood that I could make my own decisions and learn from them.
“Thanks, Mom. Where are your parents, Julian?”
“They’re on their way. I spoke with my dad before we came here,” Julian replied.
“I need to do this quick interview. I’ll be right back.” I pecked Julian on the lips and went over to the camera guy and reporter, who were talking with a few of my clients.
“Elina, so nice to finally meet you. I’m Carolyn from Channel Seven News,” the reporter said, extending her hand for a shake.
“Thanks for coming.”
“When your mother told us about this place, we had to come.”
“Thank you. It’s my dream coming to life.”
The camera guy turned the light on the camera and started recording.
“We love stories like that. We actually had a story running tonight about this guy who proposes to h
is girlfriend after being friends as little kids.”
“Wow! That’s amazing. I wish them nothing but happiness.”
“We do, too. The only thing is, she hasn’t answered the question yet.”
“Really? Well, she needs to hurry up before someone else snatches him up.” I chuckled, thinking of my own situation with Julian.
“Everyone agrees. You might want to turn around. Someone is waving for your attention,” Carolyn said.
I looked over my shoulder and almost fainted in surprise when I saw Julian down on his knee, holding a ring in his hand. I covered my mouth as tears welled in my eyes.
“Ju—Ju—Julian!”
“Turtle, you know I don’t express myself very well in these types of situations, but I needed to say, in front of our family and friends, that I’ve loved you for a long time and want to take the next step on our journey. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” he asked, lifting the heart-shaped, sapphire-and-diamond engagement ring for me to take.
I wiped my cheeks as the tears fell and nodded.
Everyone laughed at me because I was stunned and couldn’t move from the shock of this huge proposal.
“Is that a yes, baby?” Julian questioned.
“Yes. I love you so much.” I let him slide the ring onto my finger.
He pressed his mouth to mine, and we attacked each other with kisses. I was ready to leave and head back home to consummate the engagement.
The entire room erupted in cheers and applause as we continued kissing, never even thinking about finishing the interview.
I had everything I needed right in front of me.
Epilogue: Julian
Two Years Later
EVEN THOUGH THE MEDIA tried to bring up Elina’s past and tarnish our reputation, we rose above it and stuck together as a family. The election had recently finished, and I was officially the mayor of Seattle, working hard for the people. At the same time, I navigated life as a husband and father. Elina carried our one-year-old son in her arms, and he was the spitting image of me. He only had her nose and lips; everything else was all me.
EJ was having a party at his house with family and friends, and we had come. EJ released his hold around Missy’s pregnant belly and came to greet us as we walked into their home.