The Upside of Love

by Sandi Lynn

  “Right.” She laughed with me.

  She didn’t say anything at first. She just kept staring at the half-naked pictures of herself. Finally, she looked at me with a tear in her eye.

  “These pictures are amazing. You have captured my heart and soul and Ian is going to love them. In fact, he may have a heart attack.” She smiled.

  “Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.” I laughed.

  “Can you put all of the photos of me in a hard-bound photo album? And, if possible, I would like Ian’s name engraved on it. No, actually, I want it to say: To the love of my life, my husband, best friend, and lover.”

  “Of course I can. Don’t worry, Rory. I’ll take care of it.”

  She reached over and grabbed my hand. You are an amazing photographer and I’m so happy Giselle introduced me to you.”

  “Thank you. I’m thrilled that you had the confidence in me to hire me to photograph you and your beautiful girls.”

  We placed our order with the waitress and we continued to talk while sipping on margaritas. “Have you thought about opening up a studio?” she asked.

  “I have. I’ve been thinking about it for the past couple of months, but I wouldn’t know where to start looking.”

  She picked up her glass and took a sip of her drink. “My husband, Ian, is in real estate development and he owns a small strip mall right down the road from here. I happen to know that there’s a shop for rent because it’s right next door to the hair salon where I get my hair done. It’s the perfect location and it gets a lot of traffic. I think it would make a great photography studio. If you want, I can call Ian and tell him to meet us there after lunch.”

  I sat there, blown away at this amazing opportunity that Rory was giving me. “That would be great, Rory. Thank you.” I smiled.

  She reached into her purse and pulled out her phone. She called her husband and he said that he could meet us there in about a half hour.

  “If he asks how we met, we’ll just tell him we met through Giselle at Prim and we got to talking. I don’t want him to know that you photographed me and the girls.”

  “No worries. Your secret is safe with me.”

  Rory took care of the bill, even though I tried to fight her on it, and I followed her to the strip mall. Ian was waiting for us inside the shop. As we walked in, he turned around, and I couldn’t help but notice how extremely handsome he was.

  “Ian, this is my new friend, Lily Gilmore. She’s the one who is looking to open up a photography studio.”

  “It’s very nice to meet you, Lily. I’m Ian Braxton.” He smiled as he held out his hand.

  “Thank you for coming out here on such short notice, Mr. Braxton.”

  “Please, call me Ian, and it’s no problem at all.”

  I smiled as he showed me around the shop. Instantly, I could envision me opening up a studio here. It was the perfect size and perfect location. “I love it, Ian. I can totally see me working out of this space.”

  “Great. Why don’t you have dinner with Rory and me at our house tonight, and I’ll draw up the contract and go over the specifics with you? Bring your husband along.”

  “I’m not married, but I do have a boyfriend,” I said.

  “Perfect. Bring him along and the four of us can have a nice dinner and talk. I better get going. “Bye, sweetheart,” he said as he kissed his wife. “I’ll call Charles and tell him about dinner. It was great to meet you, Lily, and I look forward to seeing you and—”

  “Luke.”

  “You and Luke tonight.” He smiled as he shook my hand.

  We walked out of the store and he climbed in his limo and pulled away. I looked over at Rory, who was smiling from ear to ear.

  “I told you this would be perfect,” she said.

  “Thank you, Rory. You have no idea how much this means to me,” I said as I hugged her.

  “No problem. You’re an incredible photographer and you should have your own studio. I’ll see you tonight. Around seven?”

  “Seven is great. Bye, Rory.”

  I got into my Explorer and called Luke.

  “Hey, babe. What’s up?” he answered.

  “Please tell me you can get off early tonight.”

  “Why? What’s going on?”

  I was so excited to tell him the news. “We are having dinner tonight with the Braxton’s at their home.”

  “Okay. Why?”

  “Because I found the perfect place to open up a studio and it just so happens that Mr. Ian Braxton owns it.”

  “Ah, perfect. Okay. Are you at the place now?”

  “Yeah. I was just leaving.”

  “Give me the address, stay put, and I’ll be there quick. I want to see it.”

  “Okay, baby. I’ll wait for you.”

  I texted him the address and sat in the truck and waited for him. About ten minutes later, he rode up on his motorcycle. I got out of my truck and wrapped my arms around him.

  “Thank you for coming.”

  “Anything for you, babe. Show me the shop.”

  “It’s this one right here,” I said as I pointed to the empty shop that sat in the middle of the strip mall.

  He looked through the window and then looked around at the area. “I think this would be a great place for you to start. Great space, great location, great shops around. “Good choice, babe.” He smiled as he kissed me. He looked at his watch and then at me. “I think I’ll come home for the day. I need to make sweet love to you and then take a shower.” He smiled.

  “Really?” I asked with excitement.

  “Yep. I’ve been thinking about you all day long and how bad I want to take you to bed.”

  “We just did it this morning.” I giggled.

  “Exactly, and it was so magical that I want more. You know I can never get enough of you, babe.”

  “I can never get enough of you either. Let’s go.”

  Luke hopped on his bike and took off and I followed behind. As soon as we pulled into the parking lot of the apartments, Luke got off his bike and opened my driver’s side door. He reached in and smashed his mouth against mine. I turned my body around and wrapped my legs tightly around his waist as he picked me up and carried me to the building. His kiss was forceful and loving. I ran my fingers through his hair as he put me up against the wall, right outside the building. As he was devouring my mouth and then my neck, I reached in his pants pocket and took out his keys. He held me up against the wall with one hand as the other inserted the key to the building and he unlocked the door. I started to giggle because he couldn’t open it.

  “For God’s sake. Can’t the two of you wait until you get inside your apartment?” Sam said as he opened the door and held it for us.

  “No time, bro. I’ve been thinking about this all day,” Luke said as he kissed me.

  “Here, let me open your door for you,” Sam said as he rolled his eyes.

  He took the keys and opened my apartment door. “There you go. Have fun, you two.”

  Luke carried me straight to the bedroom and we both fell on the bed. He broke our kiss, stood up, and lifted his shirt over his head. While he unbuttoned his jeans and took them down, I sat up and got undressed, throwing my clothes on the floor.

  “Don’t take your bra off yet, babe. I want to do it.” He smiled.

  I sat there as he stood in front of me, naked, looking like a god. He leaned over and unhooked my bra from the back while he took down each strap slowly.

  “God, I’ll never get tired of looking at you. You are more and more beautiful every day,” he said as his lips hovered over mine.

  He lifted my hips and took down my thong. His mouth consumed every inch of my body before he plunged two fingers inside me, making sure I was ready for him.

  “Babe, you’re so wet. God, I need you now.”

  I spread my legs wide open for him as he hovered over me and began to thrust in and out of me. I was so aroused by him, it felt like I was already going to come. His moans were deep and sens
ual as he moved fluidly inside me. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he kneaded my breast. My moans were growing louder by the minute as I felt him swell inside me. His finger reached my clit and began making small circles around it, sending me over the edge.

  “That’s it, babe. I know you’re about to come. Fucking come for me because I can’t hold back anymore.”

  My legs tightened as the orgasm overtook my body. Luke moaned as he pushed himself deeper inside me, filling me with every last drop of pleasure he had inside him. As he collapsed on top of me, we tried to catch our breath.

  “I love you, Lily.”

  I smiled as I pressed my lips against his neck. “I love you too.”

  Once our breathing returned to normal, Luke sat up and smiled at me. “Are you ready for round two in the shower?”

  “I am if you are.”

  He looked down between his legs. “What do you think that means?” He winked.

  ****

  “Come in. It’s good to see you again, Lily.” Ian smiled as he kissed my cheek.

  “Ian, this is my boyfriend, Luke Matthews,” I said as they shook hands.

  “Rory will be down in a minute. Please, come sit down. Luke, you look like a beer kind of guy.”

  Luke chuckled. “I am.”

  “I have some imported beer I’d like you to try.”

  “I would love to,” he said.

  Ian looked at me and smiled. “Lily, you’re a red wine type of girl.”

  “That’s right, Ian. I am.”

  Rory walked into the room and we lightly hugged. I introduced her to Luke and the four of us went and sat down on the patio for dinner. We talked, laughed, and ate the wonderful food that Charles prepared for us. Ian kept staring at me from across the table. To be honest, it was making me really uncomfortable and I thought he could tell.

  “I apologize for staring at you, Lily. But you seem very familiar to me and I can’t put my finger on it.”

  Luke looked at me and smiled. Then he turned his attention to Ian. “You probably know her as the daughter of Johnny Gilmore.”

  Ian immediately snapped his fingers. “That’s it! I knew your name was familiar. Your father was a brilliant musician. I’m so sorry about his death.”

  “Thank you, Ian.”

  “You know, his picture is hanging on the wall at the Piano Bar. Rory’s father is the owner.”

  “Wait,” Luke interrupted. “Jimmy O’Rourke is your dad?” he asked as he looked at Rory.

  “Yes, he is.” Rory smiled. “Do you know him?”

  “Yeah. I’ve known him for years. He and Bernie go way back. He used to come into Bernie’s bar all the time. I didn’t know he had a daughter.”

  My head was going back and forth, listening to their conversation.

  “It’s a long story,” Ian said.

  “Wow, what a small world.”

  After we finished our dinner, Ian and I got up and went into his office to go over and sign the rental contract. As he was going over the contract, Ariel and Ashley came running in. They stopped when they saw me.

  “That’s the lady who took our picture,” Ashley said.

  Ariel walked up to me and placed her hand on my cheek. “Hi again.” She smiled.

  Ian looked at me strangely. “Girls, it’s way past your bedtime. Now give Daddy kisses and head to your rooms. I’ll be up in a few minutes to tuck you in.”

  “Okay, Daddy.” They giggled as they kissed his cheeks.

  Ariel turned to me. “Will you take our picture again?”

  “I’d be happy to.” I smiled.

  They ran out the door, shutting it behind them, and Ian cocked his head. Before he could say anything, I spoke first.

  “Listen, Rory wanted this to be a huge surprise for you, so please don’t let her know that you know. It will really upset her.”

  “It’s for my birthday, isn’t it?” he asked.

  I nodded my head.

  “I won’t say a word about it. I promise.”

  “Your girls are beautiful.” I smiled.

  “They are the loves of my life. All three of them.”

  I sat there thinking what an incredible man Ian Braxton was and how much he loved Rory. I could see it in his eyes every time she walked in the room. I signed the last piece of paper and Ian smiled at me as he held out his hand.

  “Congratulations, Lily.”

  “Thanks, Ian. Thank you for everything.”

  “You’re quite welcome. Once you get your studio set up, I’d love to come see it.”

  I smiled and we walked back to the patio where Luke and Rory were. We drank a couple more glasses of wine and then headed home.

  4

  Luke

  I threw my keys on the counter as soon as we walked into the apartment. Lily headed straight for the bathroom and I went into the bedroom. As soon as I climbed in bed, I checked my email and was surprised when I saw I had over twenty responses to my help wanted ad.

  “Lily, hurry up, babe.”

  She walked into the bedroom in nothing but her bra and panties with her hair piled on top of her head.

  “Damn, woman. You’re killing me.” I smiled as I watched her take off her bra and slip on the nightshirt she pulled from the drawer.

  “Behave yourself, Mr. Matthews,” she said as she climbed in beside me.

  “Look, babe. Look at all these responses to my ad.”

  “That’s great. Are you going to start interviewing soon?”

  “Yep. I’ll start setting them up tomorrow morning.”

  I set down my phone and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close to me and inhaling her scent as she snuggled against my chest.

  “I loved you taking a half of day off from the bar and spending it with me. When I open up the studio, I’m afraid things are going to get so busy that we won’t have time for each other anymore.”

  “Aw, babe. Don’t say that. We will always have time for each other. We’ll make time. Don’t worry about that. Remember, no matter how crazy life gets, there’s always time for Love In Between.”

  She smiled as she looked up at me. “That’s how you came up with the name for your band.”

  “Yeah. That’s right,” I said as I kissed her head.

  “I love you, Luke. Good night.”

  “I love you more, Lily. Good night, babe.”

  ****

  I awoke to the aroma of coffee going up my nose. I opened one eye and saw Lily sitting over me, holding a cup of coffee in my face.

  “Morning,” I said as I rubbed my eyes.

  “Good morning. Time to get up, sleepy head. You have interviews to schedule and I have a shop to put together.”

  I took the mug from her and sat up. “Okay. Okay. I’m up. But I refuse to get out of this bed until my beautiful girlfriend gives me a kiss.”

  “I think that can be arranged.” She smiled as she leaned in and kissed me.

  She jumped up from the bed and pulled a sundress out of the closet. “I’m so excited. I sent Gretchen and Giselle a text and told them that I’m taking them somewhere today. I’m going to surprise them and take them to the shop. They’re going to flip!” she squealed.

  Seeing the excitement pour out from Lily was amazing. I was so happy that she was finally going to live her life as a photographer with her own studio. I wanted nothing more than for her to be happy. My phone buzzed and there was a text message from Lucky.

  “Dude, fuck me, man. Giselle is so hormonal she’s driving me nuts. One minute we’re laughing together and the next she’s screaming at me.”

  I chuckled. “Pamper her and just take it. She’s the mother of your child. Remember that.”

  “Somehow I knew you’d say something like that.”

  “It seems Giselle is being overly hormonal with Lucky.” I laughed.

  “She’s overly hormonal when she’s not pregnant.” Lily smiled.

  I got out of bed and jumped into the shower. When I finished, Lily was standing in the door
way of the bathroom, staring at me.

  “You want some of this?” I smiled.

  “Yes, but later. I need to lay down some rules for you when interviewing these women who applied to be your assistant.”

  “Oh, really? And what rules would that be?” I asked with a smirk as I dried off.

  “They must not be attractive. They must be fully clothed and they must have the personality of a doormat. Actually, a lesbian would be perfect.”

  I walked over to her and placed my hands on her hips. “Are you really worried, babe?”

  “I’m a woman and sometimes a woman can be insecure when it comes to other women working with the man she loves.”

  “Please, Lily, you know me better than that,” I said as I kissed her forehead.

  “It’s not you I don’t trust, it’s the other women. I mean, look at you. You are an incredibly sexy man and any woman would be stupid not to try and get her hooks into you. I deal with it every time we go out.”

  “I love you and only you, babe. You know that. Now stop with the nonsense. But I will keep your rules in mind.” I winked.

  “Thank you, baby. Okay, I’m off to the studio! I love you.” She smiled as she kissed me goodbye.

  “I love you too, Lil. Have fun and I’ll see you later.”

  ****

  When I arrived at the bar, Lucky was there, doing some wiring on the stage.

  “Dude, when are the chicks coming? I think I need to sit in on the interviews with you so you can make the right choice.”

  “You are not sitting in on the interviews and you’re going to be a father.”

  “So. What’s your point?”

  “Focus on your kid.”

  “Man, Giselle is busting my balls. You know, I love her, but then I hate her. Do you know what I mean?”

  “Actually, I don’t,” I said as I walked to my office.

  “What’s going on with you?” Lucky asked.

  “Nothing. It’s just Lily is worried about who I’ll hire for my assistant.”

  “Why would she be worried? You’re…you.” He laughed.

  “Exactly, and I told her that.”

  “Chicks are weird. It’s probably just a hormone thing like Giselle.”