by Riley, Alexa
“You know her. It’s Genevieve.”
“My Ginny?”
Janet’s smile grows even bigger. “Oh, I didn't know she was yours.” Janet raises an eyebrow at me.
I know she’s wondering what I left out of my story. Maybe a little, but I didn't think the new thing between Barrett and me would matter. I also didn't know what to call whatever it is we’ve got going on, so I left it out.
“She sure is. And I can promise you I wouldn't let her stay anywhere that wasn't safe.”
“I appreciate that. We all love Ginny here and wouldn't want anything to happen to her.”
“She’s easy to love.”
My heart skips a beat when he says that. He couldn't mean love, love. Right? It’s a normal response when someone says that. I’ve known the man five minutes. He can’t actually love me.
“That she is. I’ll talk to you later,” Janet says before she ends the call. I sit there replaying his comment. “So you snagged Barrett Copper. I’d say you’re one lucky girl.” She sits back down in the chair next to mine.
“Do you know him well?” I hedge.
“Yeah. He’s done a few pro bono projects for me on some of the community centers and helped build a food pantry for us. He’s always ready to help when we need it.”
Wow. How does he keeping getting better and better by the second? I swear he doesn't have one fault. One is going to pop out of nowhere and I bet it will be a doozy.
“Did you two date?” I ask, glancing away from her, unable to look her in the eyes.
She lets out a laugh like my question is a joke. “No, we’ve never dated.”
I don’t get what’s so funny, but we’re interrupted before I can ask.
“Your noon appointment is here,” June chirps from the doorway.
We both stand, and Janet grabs my elbow. “I’ll take care of the Mark situation. It isn't something you need to worry about. That’s my job.” She gives my elbow a small squeeze before letting it go.
I feel better now that the Mark thing is off my chest. When I leave work, I call ahead to my favorite deli and order a bunch of different sandwiches. I’m going to bring all of Barrett’s crew lunch to show my thanks for the hard work they’re putting in at my house.
Chapter 12
Barrett
“What did you do?” she squeals when she walks out onto the back porch. She bounces on her toes as she looks around the outdoor space, excitement running through her. It’s adorable how excited she gets about this house.
“Is this what you had in mind?” I ask, pointing to the swing that’s the size of a bed.
“Yes! That’s exactly what I wanted.” She goes over to it and slips off her shoes then climbs on it. “Did you hack into my Pinterest?”
“A magician never reveals his secrets,” I say, going over to the swinging bed and lying down next to her.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but can this swing hold the two of us?” she says as she pokes my stomach.
“Hey, you’re the one that brought me a meatball sandwich for lunch.” I grab her finger and bring her hand to my mouth, kissing her wrist. “And just for your information, yes. This could hold me and you, and about five kids.”
Her laughter stills as she looks into my eyes. I lean in close so I can whisper.
“Don’t swallow your tongue, lady. All in good time.”
When I lean back I pull her with me so we’re lying on our sides facing one another on the bed. There’s a warm breeze as the sun sets, but we’re in the shade so it’s perfect. This really would be a great place to take a nap if I wasn’t so busy looking at her.
“So, how was your day?” she asks, changing the subject.
“Not too bad. I had the most beautiful woman in the world bring me lunch this afternoon, then I got to work on her house until she came home from work.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere.”
“That’s what I’m hoping.” I lean forward, kissing her again, but this time I don’t know if I can stop. She’s too sweet, too soft, and all I want to do is sink deeper and deeper into her.
Her lips part and I pull her body flush against mine as I taste her. I pull her leg over the top of mine and my hand goes to her waist. We’re on our sides as close as we can be, but it’s not enough. I want every inch of her body on mine, with nothing between us.
I growl as I roll her over and pin her to the bed. The kiss deepens and I’m becoming aggressive as her legs spread and allow me to nestle in between them. My cock aches, but so does my body when I move my hands to her ass.
“Hey, Ginny, you out—”
Ginny and I break apart to see her sister Gabi standing there stunned.
“Whoa, my bad,” she says in apology.
“Is she out here?” Neal says as he comes out the back door and sees the two of us on the bed tangled up. “Oh, hey, Barrett.”
“I think we should go,” Gabi says pushing on her husband.
Ginny starts laughing and covers her face, and I shake my head.
“Do you guys want to stay for dinner?” I ask, knowing I ordered enough food for ten people.
“Yeah,” Ginny says, sitting up and straightening her shirt. “Um, we’ll meet you in the kitchen.”
As Gabi and Neal go back inside we break into laughter. I pull her onto my lap and kiss her once more.
“I want to keep doing that,” she says with a pout in her voice.
“I do, too,” I say, rubbing my nose against hers. “But I don’t want to do that too fast either.”
“Trying to save your innocence?” she teases, but I take her hand and kiss her wrist again.
“Something like that,” I say, and she looks surprised. “I just know that you’re important to me, and I don’t want to rush things. I’ve waited a long time for you to walk in my life. I don’t want to hurry through the fun stuff.”
“Oh,” she says looking shy. “Sorry, I wasn’t trying to rush.”
“I know.” I kiss her again and then stand up. “But don’t worry, I’m going to do that again the second your sister and brother-in-law leave.”
“So should we just go ahead and ask them to go now, or…?” She trails off, and I laugh.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Chapter 13
Genevieve
“So now I’m just waiting for Ginny to find a man so we can get knocked up together.” My sister stares at Barrett, making sure he’s picking up what she’s putting down.
“I can’t believe you just said that,” I groan as I bury my face in my hands. Luckily Barrett laughs beside me, so maybe he thinks it’s a joke.
“I’m not joking.” My sister’s face is a serious as can be.
I should have seen this coming when I knew they were staying for dinner. Leave it to my sister to cut right to the chase. It’s probably how she ended up married so fast. Once her mind is set on something, there’s no stopping it. God, I love her, but right now I want to choke her. Or shove a slice of pizza in her mouth. I’m going to murder her when we’re all alone. I know Barrett made the offhand comment when we were on the swing, but holy cow, my sister is going to scare him off.
“I’ve always wanted a big family.” Barrett leans back, putting his arm on the back of my chair. I feel his thumb stroke my shoulder.
“Us too. What if we both had twins, Ginny!” Gabi wiggles in her seat excitedly.
I try and keep my mind from roaming to the things Barrett would have to do to me to get me pregnant. His gentle touch against my back isn't helping. And how can such a simple touch feel so erotic? Now I’m trying not to wiggle in my seat.
Neal sits there staring at his wife like he always does. I watch him lean over and kiss her neck before whispering something in her ear.
“I’m not embarrassing them,” Gabi blurts out, looking at Neal like he’s the crazy one.
I showed Gabi and Neal around the house, letting them see the things Barrett had done. Barrett stayed in the kitchen and set the t
able, so Gabi immediately started peppering me with questions about him. Then when we all sat down for dinner she asked him a million questions about his life and background. I enjoyed learning about him until somehow everything shifted to babies. I really shouldn't be surprised because my sister has baby fever, so naturally everything goes back to that.
“Not at all,” Barrett says, and I peek over at him to see he's smiling.
“Careful or she’ll start planning our wedding,” I joke, but Barrett shrugs as if to say, Have at it.
I lick my lips, unable to pull my eyes away from him. He winks at me as my sister goes back to all her questions.
I try to listen, but my thoughts drift to his lips on mine and his heavy body pressed against me. I’d never been so turned on in my whole life, and I shift in my chair when my arousal becomes too much.
“We’ll all go together. Right, Ginny?” At the sound of my name, I pull my eyes from Barrett's to Gabi, and I notice everyone is staring at me.
“What?” I’ve completely missed whatever it was she was saying.
“That we can all go to the fair together this weekend.”
“We’d love to,” Barrett answers for me.
“Yay. It’s like a double date. We haven't done that since…” She stops talking when she realizes Neal and Barrett are in the room with us then rolls her eyes. “It was a disaster. No need to get jealous. Ginny almost killed the poor boy.”
“Gabi,” I warn her to keep her mouth shut.
I didn’t almost kill him. The car, that I accidentally tripped him in front of, almost killed him. Luckily, he only ended up with a broken arm and some scratches on his face. He never did call me back even though I said I was sorry five million times. How was I supposed to know he was allergic to peanuts when I sent the apology cookies that put him back in the hospital a few days later?
“Maybe we should warn Barrett about all the accidents that happen to the men around you. So he can be on the lookout,” she deadpans before she bursts into laughter.
“I have to say, I’ve enjoyed all the accidents so far,” Barrett teases back. Yeah, because they all end with me half naked. He leans over and nibbles my neck. “You don’t agree?”
All thoughts leave my head when his lips touch my neck.
“We should go.” Gabi jumps up from her chair. Maybe she’s already pregnant and her hormones are making her crazy, because she’s acting like a nut.
I don’t try and stop her because I want to be alone with Barrett and possibly go back out to the swing. I stand up as Gabi and Neal come around and we all says our goodbyes. “I’ll call you tomorrow about the fair,” Gabi says before she and Neal head off.
“She thinks if she leaves we might make a baby,” I say, trying to poke fun at all the things my sister was saying tonight over dinner.
“Is that so?” he says slowly as he leans against the counter and looks me up and down. “And what is it you want to do?”
I’m not sure if he’s talking about babies or what we should do right now. I really don’t want him to leave, and as much as the idea of having a cute squishy baby with Barrett gets all my hormones going, I’m not ready to scare him off.
“We could go back to the swing.”
He reaches for me and I slide my hand into his. Our fingers lock together, and the feel of his rough hands against mine is igniting something inside me.
“Or I could show you what I did in your bedroom.” He pulls me closer to him so that our bodies are pressed together.
“You did something in my room?” I have to look up to see in his eyes. I keep forgetting just how big he is. And not just tall but wide, too. His body was made to build houses.
“Yeah, the bedroom.” His words are low and inviting.
I’m not sure if this is a play to end up in bed or to really show me what he’s done in my bedroom. Either way, I’m in.
“Okay,” I breathe.
He leans down, and his mouth brushes against mine for a soft kiss. I close my eyes to deepen it, but then let out a squeal of laughter when I’m scooped up in his arms. I hear his own laughter as he takes the stairs two at a time, carrying me like I weigh nothing more than a feather.
Chapter 14
Barrett
When we get to the top of the stairs, I stop and tell her to close her eyes, but she hesitates and looks at me suspiciously.
“Do you trust me?”
She bites her lip and nods then does as I ask.
The lights are off upstairs and the sun is long set, so it’s perfect for what I want to show her.
“Now, no matter what, I want you to keep those eyes closed. Promise me,” I say as I carry her into the master bedroom.
“I’m nervous, but I promise.”
I lean down and brush my lips across hers. “Cross your heart?”
She nods, and I kiss her once again as I walk over to the bed and place her in the middle of it. I climb on with her and move over her body, laying my weight on her. I put my elbows down on either side of her so that I don’t crush her, then brush the hair out of her face.
“Remember, no peeking,” I say, then I kiss her lips and move down her jaw and neck. I kiss a trail down between her breasts and she gasps. “You can talk all you want, lady.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
My hands go to her waist and push her shirt up to reveal her silk bra. “You can tell me to stop,” I say, kissing each breast over the top of the material. “Or to keep going.”
“Keep going,” she says quickly, stretching her hands above her head.
I smile against the warmth of her skin, and I pull the material down to reveal a tight nipple. My tongue flicks over the tip and her back arches into me. When I cover it with my mouth and suckle her, she moans my name.
Pushing her shirt completely off, I pull down the other cup of her bra so I can see her other breast. My hands move to both of them, pushing them together so that I can rub my face between them, feeling their soft skin against my unshaven face.
“And what about this?” I ask as I kiss one nipple then the other. “Stop or keep going?”
“Don’t stop. Whatever you’re doing, just keep doing it.”
I laugh and bury my face in her breasts and allow the lower half of my body to nestle between her legs. Her knees fall open wide as I rub my legs against hers.
Her hands tug at my shirt, and I get the message and pull it off. When I do, I put my hand over her eyes and whisper in her ear, “Remember, no peeking.”
“Just promise me I’ll get to see all of this at some point,” she says, running her hands through my chest hair.
“Soon, lady. Just let me enjoy you a little longer.”
She relaxes once she knows she’s going to get what she wants. As if I would ever deny her anything she desired, especially seeing me without a shirt on.
I kiss my way down to her breasts again and between them, but this time I move lower. I kiss the flat tender space between them, then move to the soft skin of her stomach. My hands go to either side, raising her up off the bed a little as I kiss my way down to her belly button. When I get there, she giggles and tries to cover it with her hands.
“Put them above your head,” I order, kissing the fingers that are blocking what I want.
“I can’t see and now I can’t touch? This is a terrible surprise.” She’s smiling when she says it, and I love how playful she’s being right now.
“You can touch, but you can’t keep me from getting what I want,” I say as my lips move to the edge of her jeans.
Unbuttoning them, I slide them off her hips, leaving her silk panties on. I place kisses along the edge of her panties and then move my lips to her pussy. I leave the material in place, nuzzling against it, inhaling her warm scent and tasting her through the silk. There’s already a damp spot on them from her sweet pussy being turned on. So I open my mouth over it and tongue her clit through the silk.
“Barrett.” She gasps my name and it sends a shiver of need
down my spine.
Kissing her pussy with her panties still on is teasing the both of us. It’s dirty and makes me want her even more as I try to keep her innocence for as long as possible.
“Take them off,” she whines as her hips move, but I shake my head.
“Not tonight,” I say, flicking my tongue across her wet silk. “Give me your hands.”
She reaches down, and I entwine her fingers with mine as I continue to love her pussy. I use my tongue to show her all that I feel and how I can’t wait to do more. Looking over her body, I see she’s got her bra pushed down with her breasts out, and her panties are soaked with need and my mouth. It’s almost too much for me to take, but I have to try and stay strong. I don’t want to do too much too fast and scare her off.
When I feel her fingers clench mine and her legs become restless, I know she’s closer. I bury my face between her thighs and suck on her little nub. Her body responds in kind, and she cries out as her climax echoes through the room.
“Open your eyes,” I whisper against her pussy, and I kiss her one more time.
She gasps, and I smile as I kiss my way back up her body.
“I see stars,” she says, blinking a few times.
I move beside her and wrap my body around her. I look up at the glass window I put above her bed. “I wanted you to see the stars every night,” I say, and she looks over at me with the brightest smile I’ve ever seen.
“It’s so beautiful.”
“Almost as beautiful as you.” I tuck her hair behind her ear and she reaches for me. I reach behind her and unclasp her bra before tossing it onto the floor beside the bed. Then I wrap her in my arms and she puts her head on my chest, looking up at the sky.
“Thank you,” she says then laughs. “I meant for the skylight, but for everything, too, I guess.”
“It was all for my pleasure,” I say, kissing the top of her head. “I wanted you to sleep under a blanket of stars, but selfishly I wanted it to be with me.”