“Lead the way. Maybe I should get a disco ball to hang from the ceiling for all the dance lessons I’m going to give my little niece.”
Giving a little shimmy with my hips, Allison gave me the don’t-you-dare look, and Damien paled slightly.
I touched her tummy again, speaking to the baby and trying to aggravate the shit out her daddy. “I’m going to teach you so much about boys. You’ll have them eating out of your hand.”
That was the trick. Damien was practically choking on his water as I looped my arm through Allison’s. I turned, gave a big wink at the daddy-to-be, and marched us out of there. Mark was watching me, grinning. When we made eye contact, something intimate passed between us as I imagined us having a family. I blinked and focused my attention back on the baby bump as we walked out the room.
“You’re going to give Damien a heart attack.” Allison could barely get it out because she was so tickled.
“He deserved it. Payback is a bitch.”
We both started laughing as we made our way to the nursery. We walked into a room that wasn’t far from their master bedroom. The room was a mess with fabrics and paint swatches. In the middle were a bunch of green ones, to the right were pink, and to the left were blue.
“My foot, you’re not going to find out. You’re tormenting the poor guy.”
She gave me a little wink. “We just started talking about it, and I wanted to think it through before I answered since he was leaving it up to me.”
I rolled my eyes at her with her never-ending need to think and lay things out as I made my way over to the love seat. It had been pulled to the middle of the room, surrounded by all the decorating stuff. She pulled a stack of pictures off the floor and handed it to me.
“Here’s the furniture we’re getting.”
It was Southern-styled furniture, warm and inviting.
“It’s perfect for this room. Love, love, love it,” I said.
Allison was beyond excited, and my heart soared, knowing I was here for her and sharing this moment like a true friend should.
She laid the picture back down as she nonchalantly said, “Your mom called not too long before you arrived.”
Oh shit. The last thing she needs to deal with is my drama.
Hesitantly, I asked, “About Mark and I moving in together?”
“Yes, they wanted to know if I knew and what I thought about the whole thing.”
“And?”
It seemed as if she was taking a millennium to respond as I prepared myself for their bad reaction.
She leaned back, patting her stomach. “I told them I thought it was wonderful that you had found someone you were willing to share your life with even if it wasn’t in the order they preferred. I also told them that Damien and I had practically been living together after one week of being together. I had been stubborn about giving my place up, and I’d tried to protect my heart in case he didn’t love me. Regardless though, we had technically been living together. Then, I reiterated that you don’t do anything you don’t want to do and aren’t sure of in your heart.”
“What did they say?” I held my breath.
She continued to touch her baby. “They asked me to tell you that they still wanted to meet you guys for dinner to talk. They wanted to know if tomorrow worked. It was a shock to them with how fast everything has moved. They didn’t want to call you right before you got here and cause a scene or upset anyone.”
I practically tackled my best friend on the couch, giving her the biggest bear hug ever. “You are the absolute best friend—ever!” I pulled back.
She returned my hug. “What were they going to do? I’m married and knocked up. Everyone is much nicer to a pregnant woman.” She gave the most innocent smile and a shrug that had me smiling.
Hell, she knew exactly what she had done.
“You’re getting the biggest kick-ass baby shower this world has known.”
“You hear that, baby? Auntie Sam is already throwing you parties.”
She picked up a binder and handed it to me. It was full of all sorts of pictures for the baby’s room.
Thumbing through them, I sensed Allison thought it was a girl, too, with how much girlie stuff she had set aside.
“Damn straight, lil’ baby Wales. You’re going to be the most spoiled niece.”
Allison continued showing me ideas she had pulled together for the nursery, and it was honestly going to be a fairy-tale room, regardless if they had a boy or a girl.
We were looking at drawings of a play castle she’d had done with the different colors, depending on gender, as she remembered something. “Oh, by the way, I changed the schedule. Tomorrow is only going to be the players, and then the next day, I’ll incorporate the cheerleaders. I figured with Missy trying to stir the pot that it’d be easier to deal with the touching only one day versus two. I don’t foresee her being a big problem though. Damien runs a pretty tight ship in regard to the team, and she knows if she screws around while working, she’ll be gone.”
“You didn’t have to do that. I’ll be fine.”
Knowing Mark hadn’t had sex with Missy made all the difference in the world.
“Oh, I know you’d be fine. I’m more worried about Missy.” She laughed. “Plus, I think I’ll be able to get the new guys to focus more without the female distractions.”
“Thanks, girl.”
We continued looking at different things she had laid out. Getting some girl time felt good and helped balance out all the chaos I’d been feeling.
“Hey, Sam, I’m going to move these boxes in here to make room for some of my gear. Okay?”
Mark had brought a few bags of extra gear, clothes, and toiletries to stock our place here. My drawers were already half-empty with my move to North Carolina, so his move in was fairly seamless.
We had the initial photo shoot with Allison and only the players to go to this afternoon at a warehouse.
I yelled back from the bedroom as I was putting his boxers in the drawer, “Yeah, that’s fine.”
As I was pushing the drawer in with my knee, Mark came up behind me.
His voice was low and seductive as he said, “I’m thinking this is a definite must for later on or even now.”
He put a shoulder-length, bob-styled, fiery red wig in front of my face.
Fucking fantastic. I wanted all this to be in the past. This was part of the costume that I’d used when I went to the club. My stomach instantly knotted, but my brain forced my posture to remain calm and loose. If he sensed any unease, I would have to give him an explanation. There was no way in hell I was putting that on for him and making love to him. No way. And I was going to try my damnedest not to talk about it. I wouldn’t lie if he asked about it though. Instead, I needed to take the offensive.
Plucking the wig from his hands, I turned in his grasp and threw it behind my head. “Hmm…I was thinking maybe you could tie me up and have your wicked way with me.”
Mark flexed his groin into me, showing me how ready he was.
That damn wig turned him on. Shitastic.
Allowing him some control over me was the only thing that had come to mind that would distract him from the collision course I felt we were on. My heart was racing at the thought of being tied up, helpless. I refused to let my nerves surface. This was better than the alternative of explaining the wig.
Mark ran his nose along my jawline. “I like your thought a lot better. Are you sure?”
“Yes, I want this.” My pulse hammered in my chest.
He took off toward the closet.
Shit, what else is he going to find in there? That closet was about to get an overhaul even if I had to have Allison throw my sex-toy paraphernalia away for me.
He emerged, completely naked, with two scarves in his hands and a devilish grin on his face. I wanted to run my tongue along that V-muscle near his abdomen. He grabbed his phone, scrolling to what he wanted, and then put it on my docking station. Within seconds, “Sexual Healing” by M
arvin Gaye sounded through my room. Without him even asking, I started to strip slowly with the music, swaying my body as the music took over. I focused on the moment to calm myself.
His eyes became hooded as he watched me. Making his way to the bed, he tied the scarves on each side of the wrought-iron headboard. Before he was finished, I started sexily crawling toward him from the bottom of the bed, making sure my breasts bounced. I began kissing up his lean muscular thighs. I moved over to his dick that was jutting out hard as a rock, and I gave it one long lick up his shaft, which earned me a moan of appreciation.
His hands automatically went to my hair, but I continued on and nibbled and kissed all the way up that blessedly delicious V-muscle. His hands came up under my arms and pulled me up to him. He smashed his mouth to mine, trying to alleviate some of the sexual tension that had accumulated between us.
“Sam, lie back, babe, or I’m not going to last or be able to pleasure you like I want to.”
“Mark, I want you. I can’t wait. I don’t want to wait.” I pressed myself harder against him, feeling the desire between my thighs intensify.
“Lie back, and I’ll ease that ache for you. I won’t make you wait, Sam.”
I fell back, and my hair fanned out around my face onto my pillow.
“The moment you want to be untied, all you have to do is ask. Understood? I understand how big this gesture is.”
I nodded. “I want to be tied up for you. Please.”
He tied the scarves around my wrists. It was loose enough that if I needed to, I would be able to free my hands myself, which took care of any anxiety I was feeling. He next positioned himself between my legs and took my clit in his mouth. His tongue drew a figure eight, hitting all the angles, stimulating me beyond belief over and over again. His hands automatically went to my hips, keeping them on the bed, as my hands fought against the restraints. I wanted to feel him and push him harder against my core. He sucked hard, and I was screaming as the orgasm hit me fast.
Sweet relief.
He moved up my body, positioning himself right at my entrance. He began to nuzzle my neck, and I raised my body to him in order to feel as much of his body against mine as possible.
“I’m not keeping you tied up for long. We’ll build from this. I never want you to be nervous when we’re together.” And with that, he pushed in.
One hand went to the side of my body to support his weight, and the other went behind my neck as his mouth took mine. We found our rhythm, and he continued hitting that place that had me tumbling off the edge of desire. My mind was in a euphoric fog as my hands were swiftly untied, and I was pulled to his side. I leaned up and kissed him long and slow, thanking him for what he had just done, strengthening the bond of trust between us. Relinquishing control like that, even if it was for only a few minutes, was a huge step for me.
After, I laid my head on his shoulder and traced a pattern on his chest absentmindedly as I said, “I wish we could stay like this all day long.”
“Me, too. We’ll have to make sure and get away every chance we get during our downtime. The season will get a little crazy, so it’ll be important that we do.”
Strangely enough, the season didn’t make me nervous since I had traveled some with them last year.
“Mmm…sounds good. We’re going to have to start getting ready soon for the shoot.”
He pulled me on top of him. “I wish we could call in sick.”
I giggled, picturing Allison coming over here in all her fury before dragging us there regardless. He chuckled, too, probably thinking the same thing.
“Are we heading to meet your parents straight after the photo shoot?”
Dread entered my mind again. I had texted my parents on the way back from Allison and Damien’s to let them know we would like to see them for dinner.
“Yeah, we’re meeting in Macon at Natalia’s. It’ll take us around an hour and a half to get there. I offered for them to stay here, but they declined. They’re going to stay in Macon tonight at a hotel.”
This was going to be awkward as my dad was still upset, even after talking with Allison. Although, Mom had told Allison he had calmed down significantly.
Mark pulled me closer to him. “I’m going to give you my credit card during the shoot. Call and prepay for their room. Have them upgraded to a suite. Also, book the private dining room at Natalia’s, so you don’t have to worry if it gets tough tonight for anyone.”
His hand had started tracing something on my elbow. Every time we were together, our bodies naturally migrated to having to touch each other.
I rose and kissed him. “I love you so much. Thank you.”
“Your happiness is the most important thing to me. I’ll always take care of you.”
For some reason, I believed him, and I knew he would put me first. I would do the same for him, too.
The photo shoot had gone well. The seasoned players had known exactly what to do and listened to Allison’s instructions well. Mark and I were almost to Macon, and my phone buzzed with a text. It was from my mom.
Mama: We are at the restaurant. They seated us in a private dining area.
Me: Great. We’ll be there shortly.
My nerves were shattered, standing on edge, as I thought about how the first meeting with my parents would go since they had learned about Mark and me cohabitating. My mind imagined all sorts of scenarios from my dad punching Mark to them bringing a pastor there to marry us on the spot. It was completely unfounded. I knew that I had exaggerated everything in my mind, but my dad now officially knew that I wasn’t a virgin, and I was mortified.
Practically bouncing in my seat, there wasn’t a muscle that wasn’t moving or tensed up in some way or another. Fidgeting with my phone, checking my email for the millionth time, I never realized Mark had pulled off the highway and onto a side road. He put the truck in park, got out, and came over to my side. He opened my door and the back door simultaneously.
“What are you—”
He pulled me from the vehicle, and his hand wrapped around my back. His cologne was clean and refreshing. His hand moved down my thigh, bunching up my baby doll dress. Whatever he had in mind, I was right there with him, craving it. He gave me a kiss as his fingers pushed aside my panties, and he began fingering me. My insides shook, reveling in the feeling.
“I can’t get you too messed-up, Sam, but you need this. It will have to be hard and fast.”
I whimpered at his words. He pulled his fingers out and spun me around. I leaned over and heard the zipper of his pants, and the dampness between my legs increased. My thong was then snapped from my body before my dress was lifted, and he pushed in. It was fast, raw, and sensual, and he pushed to the base each and every time. One hand moved to my front and began vigorously rubbing me, which had me flying high in no time. Mark stilled as he emptied himself in me. It had been hard, quick, and dirty. He pulled out, and I lay boneless on the seat. At this point, I felt so good that even if we arrived late, it wouldn’t matter. Mark picked me up and put me back in the truck after resituating my dress. Then, he went back to his side.
We smiled dopily at each other as I languidly said, “You knew exactly what I needed.”
“What we both needed, Sam. Every time you get nervous at dinner tonight, think back on this and remember what we have. That’s all that matters. We support each other, and that’s what counts at the end of the day. It’s you and me.”
We were pulling into the restaurant parking lot less than twenty minutes later. There was only a slight nervousness evading my brain, but as we held hands, I was able to sit still, thinking of how good it had felt having him inside me.
“You seem less edgy,” he said.
Leaning my head back, letting the images permeate my thoughts, I responded, “Someone pounded some sense into me.”
He choked as he put the truck into park. “You have a way with words sometimes.”
I gave a little smirk as we both got out of the vehicle. At the front of
the truck, we met and joined hands before we walked in. We were at one of the nicest restaurants in town, Natalia’s. It had a semiformal setting, and Mark had reserved one of the private dining rooms. It was done in old world décor.
The waitress, of course, had all eyes for Mark, which he didn’t seem to notice, as she escorted us to the back while adding a little extra sway to her hips. My mom and dad were already seated as we entered. They looked as if they hadn’t been sleeping well. My heart hurt that my news had probably caused that. They stiffly rose from their chairs. I tried to act as normal as possible, focusing on every part of Mark that was touching me.
He is worth this. We are worth this.
“Hey, Mama. Hey, Dad.”
I gave both of them a hug, which they warmly returned. My mom and Mark hugged, and my dad’s handshake was on the verge of being semi-unfriendly. Mark remained calm and unaffected.
My mom was the first to break the ice. “Let’s order, and then we can talk.”
No one really answered as we made our way to the table and took our seats. I grabbed my napkin, so I had something to fiddle with that was out of sight.
My dad decided to cut right to the chase before we could even open our menus. “Have you decided when you two plan on getting married?” His voice sounded like it used to when I had gotten into trouble as a kid.
It felt archaic, how my dad was acting as if Mark had taken my virtue. My temper flared slightly since I was an adult, but I reeled it in, wanting us to come to some kind of understanding, so we could move forward.
“Dad, I get that you’re upset and that you disagree with our decision. However, I am an adult and capable of making my own decisions. We love each other and—”
Dad swiped his hand in front of me, instantly causing me to be quiet. “Answer me this then. If you love each other that much, then what’s keeping you from getting married? If you’re willing to consolidate living spaces and everything else, then why not marry each other? Do you not care what people are going to think or what they will say to your mother when they find out? Have you no respect for how we raised you?”
Promise Me Page 24