The Thing About Love... (The Thing About... #1)

by J. M. Raphaelle

  She glares at him, like he's lost his mind, but does as he asks.

  Jack grabs me by the hips and pulls me, until I'm sitting at the edge of the bed.

  He takes my hand, gets on one knee, and says…

  "Be mine forever after, Ellie. Marry me!"

  I'm stunned. I try to answer him, but my mouth is stuck open. I stare at him, astonished!

  "Answer me, baby, please!"

  I manage to nod yes, and he asks Marie to wrap the ribbon around our hands.

  She moves quickly toward us and wraps it around our hands twice. It's loose and long, the excess falling to the floor.

  I can't stop staring at him, but I sense Marie's jubilant smile for us.

  "I'm yours, Ellie. I've been yours from the first time our lips touched. With this ribbon, I seal a promise I make to you right now to love you the rest of our lives. Nothing will ever keep us apart, ever. I choose you."

  I squeal gleefully, throw myself at him, and knock him on his back to the floor. I'm on top of him kissing him, like a mad woman.

  He's laughing, fully enjoying my assault.

  "You're adorable," I say between kisses. "My Jack, my love, my everything," I kiss him again and again, until I see something move from the corner of my eye.

  I look up for a second and see Marie is still here.

  "Mhm, cray-cray," she giggles and walks out of the bedroom quietly clapping, thrilled for us.

  Jack stands up and takes me with him. His arms are wrapped around my waist. My hands are around his back, my fingers digging into his muscles.

  "I have to take care of this Mike thing right now," he squeezes me tighter. "I'll text you when it's done."

  "Your iPhone's dead," I remind him.

  "My work cell is in my car. It's an 818 number," he informs me. "But first, I need to love you one more time, because I think I missed a spot," he kisses my neck and pushes his erection into me.

  "Yes you did, baby," I quickly unbutton his jeans.

  ●●●

  Jack left an hour ago, and I'm worried, very worried. I texted Sam as soon as Jack left and asked him to join him at Mike's place. He assured me he would, but I haven't heard from him either.

  I'm anxiously pacing in the kitchen. I brought Marie up to speed, and she's trying to calm me down. Nothing she says makes me feel better.

  I won't feel better until I hear from Jack.

  One hour later, and I still haven't heard from Jack or Sam. I've taken a shower, put on my makeup, and styled my hair — I'm not sure why because I'm not going anywhere.

  Still no news…

  Marie is making lunch for me. I couldn't handle breakfast, and the four cups of coffee I've had are making me jittery.

  She's sharing the latest news on Sam to distract me. It seems she's decided they're better off as friends.

  I had been wondering what was going on with them, because as close as they are, the relationship didn't seem to be moving forward.

  She has her sights set on a guy at work and thinks it can go somewhere. She had a conversation with Sam, and they agreed friendship is the best option.

  I'm not entirely sure Sam feels the same way, but if Marie isn't into him, it's best they cut romantic ties now, when the friendship is intact and strong.

  My iPhone pings, and I quickly check it.

  818: It's done!

  Ellie: Everything ok?

  818: Yep

  Ellie: Seriously?

  818: Nothing that can't be fixed eventually

  Ellie: Are YOU ok?

  818: More than ok cause I have YOU!

  Ellie: You're mine!

  818: Always! I'll be there in an hour or so. I'm taking you somewhere

  Ellie: Where?

  818: You'll see. Sam is joining us

  Ellie: Of course he is

  818: LOL! He's texting Marie

  Ellie: Where are we going? What should I wear?

  818: Whatever you want

  Ellie: My PJs?

  818: Perfect

  Ellie: Jack!

  818: Ellie!

  Ellie: What will YOU be wearing?

  818: Black pants and a white shirt

  Ellie: Tie?

  818: No

  Ellie: You're driving me nuts

  818: I hope so!

  Ellie: Yes please…Mmm over and over

  818: You're fucking sexy!

  Ellie: I want to eat you! Licking my lips

  818: You're going to make me come

  Ellie: Inside me

  Why isn't he answering?

  818: Sorry baby I'm running errands and people are eyeing me funny. You're fucking turning me on!

  Ellie: Sorry!

  818: LOL! Be ready in 1 hr

  Ellie: Ok I love you!

  Jack: I love you too my love!

  CHAPTER 43

  WHATEVER WE'RE doing, wherever we're going, I want to look hot for Jack. I'm searching through my closet for something to wear, when I hear Marie behind me.

  "Sam asked me to dress up."

  "Dress up? Where are we going? Jack wouldn't tell me. Crap, I should dress up too."

  I get back to the frantic hunt through my closet for something stunning to wear, when she chimes in with the perfect suggestion.

  "Wear that fab hot-pink, short, strapless dress with the tulip skirt your mom sent you for Christmas. You still haven't worn it, and that color looks fantastic on you. I'll find it for you, but I need a favor. Remember those amazing strappy, black high heel shoes I wore last year? I need them, and I think they're in one of those boxes packed away in the garage. Will you go get them for me? Only because I can't reach those boxes, and you're taller," she begs, with an exaggerated batting of her eyelashes.

  "But you have three other similar pairs in your closet. Can't you just wear one of those? You can wear my strappy, black ones." I'm hoping she'll let me off the hook.

  Why is she sending me to the garage, when Jack will be here soon?

  "One, your shoes are too big on me, and two, I want those strappy shoes, please." She gives me a playful, funny pout, and I can't refuse. She did bring Jack running over here with her little tricks. I owe her!

  Fifteen minutes later, I have found the black shoes she wants and hand them to her. I head back to my room and find my hot-pink dress laid out on my bed, together with my brand new, ivory Vera Wang high heels, which I splurged on when my parents were still helping me pay my bills.

  Marie has been rummaging through my closet, I can tell. This dress was in the spare room's closet, where we keep all our dressy outfits. I wonder what she was looking for. She must've borrowed something.

  I get dressed and admire myself in the mirror, feeling content now that Jack is on his way home to me.

  Hmm, hot-pink does look great on me!

  "They're here," Marie comes running into my room. She's got a wicked smile on her face, like she's hiding something.

  Did she go out to greet them already?

  I don't give it a second thought, because I'm too excited to see Jack.

  I run outside.

  Jack is standing next to a beautiful, brand new, silver metallic Mercedes Benz AMG S63 Cabriolet with red seats.

  As stunning as the car is, all my attention is on him — mmm, black pants and a white shirt never looked so hot on anyone!

  And the gratified grin on his face is the perfect accessory.

  The top two buttons of his shirt are open. I'm aching to put my hands inside and touch him. His hair is naturally perfect, like always, and his bluish-gray eyes are checking me out from head to toe.

  I'm going to explode!

  "Hi, baby," he takes me by the hand and pulls me in for a kiss.

  He smells fantastic. I don't know what cologne it is, but mixed with his own enticing scent — the biggest aphrodisiac of all — it's beyond mouthwatering!

  Heaven help me!

  I have to control my impu
re thoughts, because we won't be going anywhere if I don't.

  "Whose car is this?" I ask.

  "Rental, come," he replies confidently. He opens the convertible's door and guides me to the back seat, while Sam is grinning at us like he's got a huge secret.

  "Why is Sam smiling like that? What are you guys up to?" I stare at each one of them.

  Marie shrugs, like she's innocent of all charges. If she had any idea, she would tell me.

  "No idea, baby," replies Jack and sits next to me. He puts the seat belt around me, fastens his, and then takes my hand and kisses it.

  Damn, I could take him right now!

  ●●●

  Marie is clearly in charge of the music on our ride to who-knows-where. We're listening to an assortment of songs, from Justin Timberlake's "Mirrors" to Rihanna's "Diamonds" and Maroon 5's "Sugar." She's keeping us entertained during this surprise adventure.

  Sam's driving and trying, in vain, to pick music he likes. Marie quickly slaps his hand away from touching her iPhone.

  Ariana Grande is up with "Into You." Marie and I are loudly singing, very much off-key, while we dance to the beat in our seats.

  I turn to Jack, point at him, and trace his lips with my fingers while I sing. He's grinning, enjoying my display and my fingers on his lips. He catches one of them and bites down.

  "Ouch," I mouth but keep singing.

  The beat of Sentidos Opuestos' "Eternamente" is starting to blare, when Jack taps Marie on the shoulder and asks her to turn the volume down.

  She ruefully complies.

  He leers at me, and I have the urge to jump him, but first I need to know where we're going.

  "Vegas," he says, with a clever smile.

  "Vegas, for the weekend?" I ask excited.

  "So I can marry you," his tone is cool and serene.

  "Marry me!" I practically shout back.

  "You don't want to marry me?" he pouts playfully.

  Sam and Marie are chuckling listening to us.

  "Did you know about this?" I stare straight at Marie.

  "Nope," she giggles, from the front seat.

  I narrow my eyes at Sam, because he knew, for sure he was in on this entire scheme.

  "Mrs. Milian, answer me," he prods.

  Geez, I love the sound of that!

  "Do you or don't you want to marry me, as soon as we get to Vegas?" He's grinning splendidly.

  I stare at him for a second. I unbuckle my seat belt and straddle him. I wrap my arms around his neck, lean in, and whisper in his ear, "It will be my pleasure and a privilege to love you and wake up next to you the rest of my life, baby." I look at him in love and kiss him softly.

  "No, baby, the pleasure and privilege are all mine," he immediately answers and kisses me back.

  "I need that answer so everyone here can hear you, Mrs. Milian," he's examining me, overjoyed that I said yes. His hands are on my behind, his fingers digging into me.

  I stare at him for a second, smiling blissfully, and say, "Mrs. Valencia hyphen Milian would love to marry you, as soon as we get to Vegas."

  "Oh, baby, as long as you're mine, I'll call you whatever you want, Mrs. Valencia hyphen Milian," he teases.

  Marie jumps up and down in her seat, "Yay, love wins!"

  I look up at the beautiful sky, the warm air playing with my hair, and throw my arms up.

  Jack's face is pressed against my chest, and his arms are wrapped tightly around me.

  How did this happen?

  How did we find each other?

  Thank you, universe, for working your magic!

  Thank you!

  I look down at him, and we stare at each other.

  I kiss him and mouth on his lips, "My Jack."

  "Forever after, baby," he responds.

  CHAPTER 44

  WE ARRIVE AT the Aria hotel and leave the car with the valet. I'm blissfully in my own personal piece of heaven with Jack.

  He's going to be my husband soon!

  We're holding hands, as we walk through the lobby to the front desk and check in.

  "What time did you book the chapel, and where is it?" Jack asks Sam.

  "We have an hour, and it's in the hotel," replies Sam, after checking the time on his cell. "You're going to love it, I promise."

  "We have forty-five minutes to freshen up, and we'll meet back here at a quarter to," says Jack.

  We all head to the elevators.

  Our suite is fantastic. It's huge and overlooks the strip. There are ten or twelve enormous bouquets of white roses and calla lilies all over the rooms, and there's a bottle of Champaign chilling on the center table in the sitting room, with a tray of chocolate covered strawberries next to it. The bathroom is also incredible, with a massive tub.

  Mmm, we're sure going to enjoy that amenity!

  My baby went all out.

  This suite must have cost him a pretty penny. I have no idea how much or if he can afford it. I hope he's not overspending on me. I'm happy with just that immense bed, as long as he's in it with me.

  "Well, Mrs. Valencia-Milian, we have about thirty minutes. What should we do?"

  "What do you want to do, Mr. Milian?" I give him a libidinous look.

  "Hmm, well I think we both want to christen that bed," he pulls my hips into his erection.

  "I think I want to wait on the bed," I reply mischievously.

  He narrows his eyes, wondering where I'm going with this.

  I eye the huge desk, lick my lower lip, and grin.

  "The desk?" he asks amused.

  "The desk, the sofa, the chair," I giggle.

  He's my husband — well, legally he will be in half an hour. I shouldn't be coy around him.

  "Your wish is my command, baby. Dress on or off?"

  "On, as long as you handle it carefully. I'm going to marry a very handsome man in thirty minutes, and it has to be pristine," I wink at him.

  "Lucky him," he walks me to the desk, while kissing me.

  When he's got me pinned against it, he reaches under my dress and pulls down my panties.

  "Up," he orders, referring to my feet, so he can remove my lacy undies. "Beautiful," he observes and places them on the bed.

  He walks to the bathroom and comes back with a few towels. "I don't want you to get a rash on your beautiful bum," he spreads a towel on the desk.

  I gaze at him, smiling, lusting for him, my gorgeous, endearing, hot husband. I want to take him now, but I let him finish what he's doing, because he's intent on taking care of me, and I love him for it.

  He helps me up on the desk, making sure I'm not sitting on any part of the dress, and stands between my legs. Then he begins to unzip it.

  "Dress on," I remind him

  "I know, baby, but I'm just undoing it a bit, because I need skin-to-skin access to these," he grabs my breasts.

  My hot boob man!

  "Done?" I giggle, looking at his adorable face.

  He nods yes.

  "My turn," I bite my lip in anticipation. I unbutton his shirt and pants, pull down the zipper, and open them. But I don't push them down to remove them.

  "I'm keeping these on?" he asks with mirth.

  I nod yes, kiss him, and grab his erection.

  He's ready, very ready.

  He pulls the top of my dress down, so he can stroke my breasts. "I love your soft skin, baby," he says, as he's caressing me.

  I pull him closer to me by his shirt, and he smiles. "I need you inside me," I mumble on his lips.

  "Mmm, yes, baby," he answers and enters me slowly. I moan, enjoying the feel of him inside me. He stays there not moving.

  "This is where I want you, like this, inside me, always," I whisper in his ear.

  "Mmm, my favorite place to be," he replies.

  I'm enthralled by the feel of him, the exquisite, satisfying, ecstasy inside me. His hands are pulling me into him firmly. My arms are laced around his neck, my legs a
round his hips. His lips are on mine, his tongue claiming me.

  "Fast and hard, please, Jack," I beg on his lips.

  "Okay, hold on tight, baby," he warns and complies. He starts to move, fast, rough, hard, pounding.

  "Ahh, don't stop, baby. I love you!" I moan, savoring his every move.

  My head is nestled in the apex of his neck, and I'm sucking and biting it. But I quickly move to a spot near his shoulder. I don't want him walking down the aisle with a hickey on his neck.

  His hands pull at my hips, and he's thrusting harder and deeper inside me, again and again. He's working me hard, and it's delicious, exhilarating, and powerful.

  He's mine, all mine. I can take him any time I want. I can love him as often as I want. I'm lost in the pleasure gushing through my body. I bite down on him, and he groans.

  He thrusts into me again harder and deeper.

  "My Ellie. My love. My wife," he grunts against my neck, as he's thrusting harder, and his hands are digging into my hips through my dress.

  "Yes, baby. I love you!" I moan, biting down on him with every hard and deep thrust.

  "Ahh, Jack!" I cry out.

  "Ellie!" he moans, and we both come, exhausted and sated.

  "That was quite satisfying, baby, thank you," he grins wickedly at me and kisses my forehead. "I like the way you think," he slowly pulls out of me.

  "I like the way you fuck," I sass with a shameless grin. "There will be plenty of times when quickies will be on the menu, dear husband. I hope you can comply," I kiss him. I take his lower lip and pull at it with my lips and tongue.

  "Mmm," he moans and then opens his eyes. "Oh, I can comply, Mrs. Valencia-Milian," he's staring me down suggestively.

  "Hmm, I think I prefer just Mrs. Milian," I assert happily, zip up his pants, and button his shirt.

  He doesn't reply.

  He takes the panties from the bed, puts them over my shoes, and pulls them up to my knees. He helps me down from the desk and pulls the lacy undies all the way up. He zips up my dress, hugs me, and kisses my hair.

  "You are my everything, Ellie. I love you."

  "I love you too, Jack," I reply adoringly.

  He walks me to the sofa. I sit on his lap with my arms around his neck, my hands playing with his hair, and my head resting on his shoulder.