“I was just inviting Ainsley to a party my friends and I are throwing. You can come, too.”
“Aww that’s sweet of you to ask, but we’re busy.”
“You don’t even know what day it is.”
“No. But I know all of you were assholes to my woman before I walked in here today. What would possibly make you think we’d hang out with you after you treated her badly?”
“We didn’t know she was hot.”
“Hello. I’m right here.”
I smile at her before glaring back at him. “Your eyes aren’t working? Maybe you need glasses. She’s about to set this place on fire with how hot she is, and if you can’t see that without me telling you, I don’t know how you got a job here. Because you’re obviously not the brightest bulb in the box.”
“You’ll be a has-been in a few years. Sooner if you hurt yourself. What will you do then?”
“He’ll use his degree, asshole.”
“Walk away, dude. This conversation is going downhill fast.”
“Scared of me, Taylor?”
“Seriously? Why would I be scared of you?”
“I know karate.”
He moves into a martial arts position, and I can’t stop myself from laughing. I could snap him like a twig. Knowing what I know now, Ainsley probably could, too. We’re saved from it all when Tegan and Stella walk over.
“Overcompensating again, huh?”
“I have nothing to overcompensate for, Stella.”
“We both know better.”
“You weren’t complaining while we were fucking, Tegan.”
“I think I fell asleep.”
“Bitches.”
“Yep. We are. Sadly we’re not too discerning about who we sleep with. Case in point—you.” God, I love Stella.
“You going for him next?” the asshole asks motioning to me.
“Never. He wouldn’t have us anyway. He’s all about our girl here. Which is exactly how it should be. Now run along before he kicks your ass.”
He tries to look smug as he walks off, but he can’t pull it off. I hug the two girls and thank them for their support. Tegan makes sure I know that when she said they’d never go for me, it was because I’m with Ains, not because she was trying to insult me. I assure her that we’re all good.
I walk Ainsley back to her office, and kiss her thoroughly, before heading back to the house. I have everything unpacked when she gets home, and she shows me just how much she appreciates me. While she’s wearing her glasses.
Chapter 18
Ainsley
I’m in my dressing room, getting ready for the ball tonight. Zack’s in the bedroom and I told him not to come in because I want to wow him. My dress is crazy. Stella and I both knew it was the one when we saw it on the runway a few months ago. It’s mostly white with a cool, square strapless neckline. At the waist it starts to deconstruct. It looks like a painting that’s in pieces with a big pink flower, and leaves, in pieces and layers to the floor. There’s a small train in the back, too.
I’m doing something different tonight by leaving most of my hair down. I have it pulled back with a pink rhinestone headband so it’s sleek in front with curls rumbling over my back. I couldn’t find any jewelry I liked, but I think the dress is enough without jewelry. I walk out of the room and stop when I see Zack standing by the window. I steady myself against the door so I don’t swoon down to the floor.
I must make a sound because he looks over and his mouth drops open. “Babe, you look…I don’t even know if there’s a word for how good you look.”
“You look very nice, too.”
“I have something for you. Stella helped me find it.”
“Of course she did. I think you two are closer than her and I are. And we’re really close.”
“You’re not upset about that, are you? We both just love you, and she likes to help me spoil you.”
“No, I’m not mad. I love you both, too. Although you know how I feel about too much spoiling.”
“You can go buy me whatever you want to balance it out.”
“Deal. Now show me what you’ve got.”
He pulls a jewelry box out of his pocket. Inside are beautiful diamond rose earrings. They’re perfect for my dress. Of course they are—Stella found them.
“They’re beautiful.”
“I picked them. Stella found me a few pairs, and I picked these.”
I know I look like a maniac with the smile lighting up my face, but I love that he picked them. “They’re perfect. You’re the best boyfriend a girl could ever have.”
“Hold that thought for a couple of hours.”
“Cryptic much?”
“Well, I am in love with a secret agent.”
“True.”
It’s a quick ride to the Lou Ruvo building. We walk into the ballroom holding hands, and it takes me a moment to believe what I’m seeing. At one of the tables ringing the dance floor are my parents, my four brothers, my sister-in-law, Sierra, and a couple who I assume to be Zack’s parents.
“Zack, what are they doing here?”
“Helping me surprise you.”
“I can’t believe you did this.”
“Believe it. I know you miss your family, and I wanted you to meet my parents. We should probably go over there before they think we’re ignoring them.”
“You’re right. I look okay, don’t I? I mean, I want to make a good impression on your parents.”
“You already have, babe. Both Si and I have told them how awesome you are. They can’t wait to meet you.”
We walk over and are immediately engulfed in hugs from everyone. During dinner, we all talk and get to know one another. My parents and brothers are in love with Zack within minutes, and I think his parents like me, too. Sierra and I chat in between the kisses Zack keeps giving me. Everyone thinks it’s cute that we eat from the same plate, and we both blush at that. It’s one thing for our friends to comment, but when it’s your family, well that’s a whole different ball game.
My friends come over to say hi to my parents and meet Zack’s. We all get quiet as Jane takes the stage to give her speech. I’m in awe of her and so proud to be working for her.
“Thank you for all coming here tonight. It means so much to me, my friends on the board, and the women who work for us that you would choose to support us tonight. As you know, one hundred percent of your donations tonight will go towards helping us help women in need. I’m not going to give a big speech, as I’ll be stopping by every table to thank you all personally.
“I’d like to invite Las Vegas Legions running back Zachary Taylor up here now. He has something he’d like to say.”
Zack smiles at me as he gets up and walks to the stage. Jane hugs him tight before handing him the microphone. She whispers something to him, and he nods. When he turns around, he looks straight at me.
“Good evening everyone. I’m really thankful that you’re all here supporting this great foundation. The woman I love works for Jane, so it’s good to know that thanks to your generous donations she’ll be able to support me when my football career is over.”
Everyone laughs, and he waits for them to quiet down again before continuing.
“Jane was kind enough to let me do this at her ball because she loves Ainsley as much as I do. Some of you know my girl, know that she’s brilliant, beautiful, and the best friend anyone could ever have. We started out as just friends. I wanted more than that from the moment we met, but she insisted that being friends was all she would offer me. I can be patient when I want something, or someone, badly enough, so I decided to waited for her to realize that we should be more. That was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.
“Our friendship turned into so much more, but we both made some mistakes that led to bumps in our road to forever. We’ve paved over those bumps, and now forever’s back on the table. Before I do something stupid again, I need to ask her an important question. So please join me over her, Ains.”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t ask my question yet,” he says with the smile that belongs only to me on his face.
“Oh sorry. Go ahead.”
He drops to one knee as I start to shake. I’m going to cry. There’s no way I’m not going to cry. He sees it and kisses my hand as he takes it, rubbing his fingers over my palm to try and calm me down.
“Ainsley Martin, I love you more than anything or anyone in the world. You really are every minute of my every day. Will you please marry me?”
“Yes. I can say that now, right?”
“Yes, babe. You can say that now.”
The ballroom erupts in applause as he opens up the jewelry box in his hand to get out the ring he picked. As he slips the glittering diamond on my finger, I notice that it’s shaped like a football. I beam at him as he stands up. Then we’re kissing, and he’s picking me up to twirl me around as our family and friends surround us.
Epilogue
Faith
I’m happy for Ainsley. Zack’s a great guy, and she deserves the fairytale. Just because I realize that, doesn’t mean I want to see it. I don’t want to settle down, but a boyfriend would be nice. I’ve been doing so many missions and pretend caterings lately that it’s made finding one impossible. I can’t even remember the last time I had sex, and I really need that release.
“Not over there celebrating with the happy couple?”
I look next to me and see a gorgeous guy with short black hair and dark brown eyes looking at me with a cocky smile on his face. He looks a little familiar, but honestly so does everyone lately. Between the missions and fake catering, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen the whole city in the last few months.
“I congratulated them.”
“So you can get out of here then.”
“With you?”
“Yes, with me. I’ve been watching you all night.”
“Stalker much?”
I should be freaked out, but I’m a little turned on. He’s hot and he wants me. I’ve never been a one night stand girl, like some of my friends, but I want to leave with him. I want to do something wild and fun, just for me. Besides, it’s not like I couldn’t take him down if it came to that.
“Interested is a more appropriate word. I want to get you out of that tight blue dress and wrap that sexy long hair of yours around my hand while I fuck you hard.”
Oh. He’s one of them. Dammit. I’m not cutting my hair just because the weirdoes like it. “I’m not into guys with a hair fetish. So thanks but no thanks.”
I start to move, but he places his hand on my arm. “I don’t have a hair fetish. I normally could care less what a woman’s hair looks like. Your hair is just part of what intrigues me about you. I do want to pull it, though. I won’t lie.”
“What do I get to pull in return?”
“Anything you want. I’m happy to be your plaything.”
“Let’s get out of here before I change my mind.”
* * *
Gavin
I don’t even know her name, but I heard someone say she was in charge of the menu tonight. She thinks her hair turns me on? I wonder how she’d feel if she knew her food is even sexier to me. I’d noticed her before I ate. Who wouldn’t? She’s got on one of those sexy bandage style dresses in a bright blue. It goes all the way to the floor, but it’s sexy as hell. It’s got a deep v neck with a couple of the straps crossing over the top. I’ve been itching to get my hands inside that v to caress her small but perfect looking breasts.
Then there’s the hair. I mean what I said about not having a fetish, but damn if I couldn’t be persuaded to take up one after seeing hers. It’s brown with a few red and blonde highlights that falls in layers to her waist. I don’t just want it wrapped around my hands, I also want to feel it whipping my chest as she rides me.
When you get past her body and hair, her face is no less remarkable. Brown almond-shaped eyes, a cute little nose, high cheekbones, and lush lips combine to make her one of the most stunning women I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen my fair share.
But it’s her food that made me bold enough to approach her. Her menu for tonight was decadent, but simple. Everything she used was organic, but she hid it well enough that the snobs wouldn’t turn up their nose. I was in heaven from the first bite I took. I knew I had to have her.
I’m being reckless tonight, and I know it. I may have seen quite a few women in my life, but I haven’t bedded as many as I could have. I have to be selective about who I choose, and for dating, I don’t normally have a choice. My mother, or someone from her staff, chooses for me. She would kill me if she knew I was following someone home without even knowing her name. I don’t care. I want this woman, and for once I’m going to do something for myself.
* * *
Faith
I shouldn’t be bringing him back to my place, but I know I’ll be safe here, so this is where I’m taking him. I stop at the guard gate to let him catch up and tell them to let him in. I park in my spot and wait for him at the elevator. He reaches for my hand, and I let him take it. We walk across the lobby like that, holding hands. The guys in the lobby raise their eyebrows, but I smile at them and they relax.
We take the interior elevator to my floor. I start getting nervous the second we step out. My apartment’s not exactly normal, so I hope he doesn’t freak out and run. I open my door and pull him inside after me.
“Whoa.” I stiffen. “This is amazing.”
I spin to face him. “You like it?”
“What’s not to love about this kitchen? I wish my place had a kitchen taking up two-thirds of the living space.”
“You like to cook?”
“I love to cook.”
I reach for him and crush my lips to his. We stumble a little, but he steadies us. He starts pulling me towards the giant island in the middle of the room, and I let him. He’s kissing and biting my neck as I pull his jacket off and start working on his tie.
“We don’t need our clothes off this time. I just need to be inside of you.”
“Yes.” Oh God, yes. I want it here in my kitchen.
He turns me around and pushes my dress up to my hips. He runs his hands over my ass before tearing my thong off. I bend over the island and brace myself as I hear his pants drop to the floor and then that unmistakable sound of foil being ripped open.
“Are you ready, chef?”
“Yes.”
He enters me in one thrust and I cry out from how good it feels. “You like it.”
“I do.”
I feel him twist my hair around his hand and it stings a little when he tugs on it. He doesn’t pull so hard that it hurts me, just enough to increase the pleasure I’m feeling.
“Touch yourself. I don’t know how long I can wait for you.”
I do as what he commands me to, rubbing circles around my clit. He starts sucking and biting my neck again, and I arch back into him as I come. He follows pretty quickly after me. We stand there for a moment as we both try to catch our breath.
“I hope you have more condoms, because I obviously didn’t do a good job that time.”
“It was great. I promise.”
“You didn’t scream.”
“Oh. I don’t do that. Scream, I mean.”
“You will for me.”
“You can try to make me, but I promise you, I’m not a woman who loses control.”
“Wanna bet?”
“Sure.”
He turns me around and has me lean back as he puts his hands inside the top of my dress. I gasp as he pinches my nipples. “Loser cooks breakfast in the morning.”
I nod because if I open my mouth, I’m screaming. Good thing I love to cook breakfast.
* * *
Gavin
She screamed last night. More than once. It was hands down the best night of
my life, and even though I won, I’m cooking breakfast. When I woke up with her in my arms, I knew I was in trouble. I couldn’t just walk out on her.
“I was supposed to cook since I lost the bet.”
“I know, but I wanted to cook for you.”
“No one ever cooks for me, so thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.”
“I’m Faith, by the way.”
“Gavin,” I tell her, wishing that I told her sooner so she would’ve screamed my name as she came. Too late for that now.
“I don’t normally do…this…so I’m not sure how this works.”
“We have a nice breakfast together, fuck again if you want, and then I go on my way.”
“Do you want to see me again?”
“Yes. But I can’t.”
“Oh…? Oh! You’re not married are you? Please tell me you’re not married.”
“I’m not married, Faith. And I don’t have a girlfriend. I’m not the type of guy who would sleep with another woman while I was with someone else. My life’s just complicated, and as much as I like you, this has to just be a one-time thing.”
“Okay. Well, thanks for breakfast.”
We eat in silence and I hate it. We had so much fun last night, and now it’s just awkward. There’s nothing I can do about it, though. A chef wouldn’t be up to my mother’s standards and until I can untangle myself from her, I’m stuck. Once we finish eating, I get dressed and kiss her softly at the door before leaving.
* * *
Faith
I’m with my mentor, Cyndi, waiting for the woman I need to impress for my next mission. She’s a senator who likes to spend her off time here in Vegas. Winter recess was just announced, so she’s getting her house ready. We paid her normal chef to quit so I can take over and work undercover in her house.
Either she, or someone who works for her, is passing along state secrets to the highest bidder. This was a last minute thing, so I wasn’t able to go over her file. I only know that she’s very conservative, and runs her house—and her family—with an iron fist. Fun times ahead for me.
She’s been after Evan’s support for years. She’ll never get it, but Cyndi is using it to bait her into hiring her favorite chef. Me. I’ve prepared one of my favorite dishes, and I hope she likes it well enough to hire me.
Fielding Her SECRET (Corrigan & Co. Book 1) Page 17