by E. L. Todd
Forever Is Not Enough
Book Thirty of The Forever and Ever Series
E. L. Todd
Chapter One
Sean
“Mr. Preston, there’s someone here to see you.” My secretary’s voice came over the intercom.
I hit the button and spoke. “Gerald, it’s Sean.”
“My apologies, sir.”
I released an irritated sigh. “It’s Sean.”
“Oh, my bad,” he said quickly. “Sorry, Sean. Someone is here to see you.”
“Who is it?”
“He says his name is Slade.”
My nephew? “Send him in immediately.” Why would Slade come down to see me? Was it important? Was everything okay?
The door opened and Slade walked inside. He carried a notebook under his arm, and he wore a t-shirt that showed his sleeves of tattoos. “Hey, Uncle Sean.”
“Hey, kid.” I stood up then gave him a hug. “What brings you here?” I pulled away and examined his face, hoping he didn’t bring bad news.
“I wanted to talk to you about something.” He moved into the chair facing my desk. He opened his notebook to a blank page and pulled a pen out of his pocket. It looked like he was about to interview me.
“Okay…” I returned to my seat behind the desk. “What’s up?”
He gave me a serious look. “All my life all I’ve heard is you’re the best husband in the world and blah blah.” He rolled his eyes. “Apparently, you treat Scarlet like a queen and you’re super sweet to her. Some crap like that.”
Where was this going? “I love my wife more than anything on this planet—besides my kids.”
“Yeah, I know.” He clicked his pen and prepared to write something. “I need you to take me under your wing and teach me.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Teach you what?”
“How to be the best husband in the world.”
Was this a joke? “You want me to teach you?”
“Yes. Trinity and I have had some problems and I want to make sure we never have any problems again.”
Slade was odd—extremely odd. But he had a heart of gold and was selfless. “Slade, you’re doing a great job. I heard you saved her from an elevator shaft. That’s Mission Impossible type of stuff.”
He shrugged. “I want to be more than that. I want everyone to know I’m good enough for Trinity every day. So you need to teach me.”
“It’s not really something you can teach…”
“Just try.”
This was going to be weird. “I don’t know how to teach someone to be like me.”
“Just tell me what you do for her. Tell me how you treat her.”
“Well…” I searched my brain as I tried to think of something to say. “There’s a few things that come before that.”
“Like what?”
“First of all, I was never this sweet to any other girl I’ve been with. Scarlet is the only woman I’ve ever been so…devoted to. And the reason why is because I know she’s my soul mate. I know she’s the one.”
Slade nodded in understanding.
“Is Trinity your soul mate? Is she the one to you?”
“Yes.” There was no hesitation in his eyes. “I’ve never been this way with any other woman. She changed me—for the better. I never want anyone else for the rest of my life.”
“Good,” I said. “At least we have that down.”
Slade continued to hold his pen.
“It’s really difficult to explain, but the basic thing I do is…she’s the number one thing in my life at all times. I have to make sure she’s safe and happy before I can walk away from her.”
“Okay,” Slade said. “That’s good.”
“And I’m extremely protective of her. I’m that way because I love her but…it annoys her most of the time. You should take care of Trinity but understand the boundaries.”
“I am protective of her.”
“And make sure she knows you love her every single day. Not once a week, not on a fluke, but every single day.”
“How?”
I tried to think of something more specific. “I tell my wife I love her every day, but I don’t say it when we get off the phone. I say it at random times and for no reason at all. I look her in the eye as I say it.”
He jotted down a few notes.
“And I tell her how beautiful she is, and especially at times when I know she feels insecure.”
Slade continued to scribble.
“And…” The next part was kind of awkward. “I always make love to her several times a day. I want her to know how attracted I am to her, that I want her all the time and don’t look for something physical elsewhere. I make sure she understands she’s my fantasy—no one else.”
“I think I’ve got that down.”
“Slade, I think you’ve got all of this down.”
He shook his head. “I almost lost her and I don’t want to go through that again.”
“You didn’t almost lose her,” I reminded him. “You’re just too hard on yourself.”
“Or not hard enough,” he said quietly.
I wasn’t sure why Slade had such a low opinion of himself. I admit he was hotheaded and irrational sometimes but he was a great person. Why didn’t he see that? “You’re one of the best guys I know, Slade. And I’m not just saying that because you’re my nephew.”
He didn’t react at all. “I wish I hadn’t been such a manwhore. I wish I did things differently. I used to make fun of Cayson all the time, but now I wish I were like him.”
“Why?”
He shrugged. “I have a terrible reputation and it follows me everywhere I go.”
“You think I wasn’t the same way?” I asked. “I’ve been with more women than I can count. I had a lot of fun and didn’t have any regrets. But when I met the right woman everything changed. The same thing happened to you and that doesn’t make you a bad person.”
“It doesn’t?” he asked.
“No. You need to be more confident. Trinity fell in love with you for a reason. She’s a beautiful girl and can have whomever she wants. She picked you for a reason.”
“I guess…” He spun the pen in his fingers.
“Trust yourself, man.”
He returned the pen to the paper. “So, anything else?”
I sighed because I knew he still didn’t feel assured. “Yeah. Are you ready?”
Chapter Two
Trinity
We were preparing to move to the new building very soon. Things were being packed into boxes, and professional movers were transferring items every day. I wasn’t looking forward to moving because it was always a pain in the ass. But I was excited to enter the new building. The company would occupy every floor, and I realized my company was now a top contender in the business world.
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” I said without asking whom it was.
A man in a suit walked inside. He looked my age, and he had dark brown hair and green eyes. He was attractive in an obvious way, and I wondered if he was a model about to ask for a job.
“I don’t take care of the models. That’s Regina, and she’s down the hall.”
“Uh…” He put his hands in his pockets and seemed embarrassed. “Actually, I’m Cory from accounting.”
“Oh…” Now I felt embarrassed. “I apologize.”
“Don’t. I’m very flattered.” He came closer to my desk then shook my hand. “Sorry, we’ve never formally met. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Preston.”
“Actually, it’s Mrs. Sisco.”
“Oh, I apologize…”
“It’s okay. I recently changed my name when I got married.”
“Congratulatio
ns.”
“Thank you. So, how can I help you?”
“I just had a few things I wanted to share with you regarding payroll and retirement plans. I thought it would be easier if we spoke in person.”
“Sure, of course.” I checked the time. “But it’s pretty late right now and I’m trying to get out of here. Can we talk in the morning?”
“Of course.”
Another knock sounded on the door before it opened. Slade walked inside wearing dark jeans that hung low on his hips. A gray t-shirt fit his body snugly, especially his thick arms.
Slade took us in, and his eyes narrowed on Cory. A jolt of jealousy flashed in his eyes but it quickly disappeared like he was trying to hide it. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I can wait outside.” He headed toward the door.
“No, it’s okay,” I said. “We’re finished here.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Trinity.” Cory nodded to me then headed to the door.
Slade watched him.
Cory extended his hand to shake his. “Cory. I work in accounting. What department are you in?”
Slade took his hand even though it was clear he didn’t want to. “I don’t work here. I’m Trinity’s husband.”
“Oh.” Surprise came over his face. “Oh…my apologies. I just…I guess you aren’t what I pictured.”
I cringed internally because I knew Slade would take that personally.
Slade forced a smiled to be polite. “Perhaps it’s the tattoos.”
“Yeah, maybe.” Cory left and shut the door behind him.
Slade put his hands in his pockets then approached my desk.
I expected him to yell at me, to demand me to fire Cory on the spot. But he didn’t. He came around the desk and gave me a gentle kiss. “Hey, baby. How’s it going?”
I tried to hide my surprise. “Good. The move has been exhausting.”
“Do you need help?”
“Well, I’m not doing any of the moving so I have nothing to complain about.”
“You better not do any moving.” His hands moved around my waist and he pulled me close to him. “My wife doesn’t carry anything.”
How did he make me melt over and over?
He stared into my face with a dark look in his eyes. There was love and devotion deep within, but there was also want and desire. He gave me that look that told me I was his whole world—even more than that. “Are you ready to go home?”
“I think so.” My hands moved up his chest and to his neck.
“There’s somewhere I want to take you.”
“Where?” I asked.
“It’s a surprise.”
“I like surprises.”
He rubbed his nose against mine then placed a gentle kiss on my lips. He sucked my bottom lip like he never wanted to pull away. Then his tongue slipped into my mouth. He touched mine before he pulled away.
All thought and logic fell out of my head. I saw stars and felt a little dizzy.
Slade watched my expression, a slight smirk on his lips. “I still make your toes curl?”
“You always make my toes curl.”
He cupped my face then kissed the corner of my mouth. Slowly he guided me to the desk.
Whenever my husband kissed me and touched me this way, the area between my legs became soaked. All I wanted was to feel him inside me while his lips kissed me everywhere.
While he kissed me, he undid his jeans and pulled them down with his boxers. Then he sat in my desk chair as he pulled me onto his lap. His fingers moved under my dress and he pulled my thong over and then inserted his thick head inside me.
“Oh…god.” My hands moved to his shoulders and I dug my fingers through the fabric of his shirt.
His hands gripped my ass under my dress and guided me down his length. He took a deep breath as he felt me. He stretched me every inch of the way. When he was completely sheathed, his lips found my neck and he kissed me slowly. Every touch was gentle and full of love, not lust. His hands guided me up and down his shaft. “Baby, you feel amazing.” He groaned into my ear.
I rode him harder because he felt so good.
He gripped my hips and forced me to slow down. “Take it slow. I want to make you come as many times as possible.”
My spine shivered at his words.
One arm moved around my waist as he guided me up and down. Then he placed his fingers against the nub between my legs. He rubbed it aggressively as his lips found my ear. “I love you, Wife.”
My fingers cut into his skin as I felt the explosion down below. “I love you, Husband.” I bit my bottom lip as I rode the intense high between my legs. My arms broke out in goose bumps because the pleasure was so delectable.
“One down,” he said into my ear. “Two more to go.”
***
“What are we doing?” I asked when we reached the apartment over the shop.
“You’ll see.” Slade kept going until he reached the rear of the hallway. Then he turned to a window where the fire escape was.
“Now I’m even more confused…”
Slade climbed onto the landing then got onto the ladder. “Follow me.”
“Okay.”
He reached out his hand and helped me onto the landing. Then he guided me on the ladder and gave me a push up. He climbed the ladder underneath me until we reached the roof.
Two strips of white lights went across the roof, and there was a single chair that faced over the city. “What’s this?” I asked.
Slade scooped me into his arms with no effort whatsoever then carried me toward the chair. “I thought we could sit together and watch the lights of the city grow brighter.”
It was the most unexpected thing.
He sat in the picnic chair then positioned me on his lap. I lay across his thighs with my arms around his neck. The view of the city was breathtaking. Other buildings were taller than ours, but the sight was astounding. It made me feel smaller than I already was.
Instead of watching the city his gaze bore into the side of my face. “I come up here and think sometimes.”
I turned to him. “What do you think about?”
“Mainly you.”
“And what exactly does that entail?”
His hand massaged my hips through the fabric of my dress. “Our house…our kids…our dog.”
“Our dog?” I asked with a smile.
“A golden retriever.” His eyes lit up like he was excited.
I didn’t realize Slade thought about our future so much. I knew he understood that we would be together forever but I hadn’t realized it was something he actually spent time thinking about. “I like golden retrievers.”
“Good. He’ll look after you when I’m not around.”
“And why would you not be around?”
“Good point,” he said. “I never will be.” He kissed the skin just below my ear. The kiss lasted for almost a full minute before he pulled away. He already pleased me so thoroughly, and I was amazed a simple touch could ignite me so easily.
My head moved to his shoulder and I clung to him as I relaxed. His body felt warm and strong underneath me. I had a lot of work to do at home but it left my mind. Just lying there with Slade was enough to distract me from everything else.
“You know, we don’t have to wait to have kids until Cayson and Skye are ready…”
His words caught my attention, and I looked at him in interest. “You want to have a baby?”
He held my gaze without flinching. “If you’re ready.”
The last time we discussed this topic it didn’t seem like he was ready himself. “I always had the impression it was too soon for that.”
He shrugged. “It’s never too soon to make our love grow.”
It was a sweet thing to say but I was suspicious. “Slade, are you just saying this to make me happy?”
He held my gaze and didn’t look away. “Yes and no.”
“It can’t be both.”
“I want to make you happy, and of course I want o
ur love to grow. What would be a better way of accomplishing that than making something beautiful together.”
My heart melted at his words. “But you want that right now?”
“If you do. Whenever you’re ready, I’m here.”
I wanted to have children, and I knew I wanted them ever since I was young. But right now wasn’t the best time. “I have too much going on to devote my time to another living person. I hardly give you enough attention.”
“You give me plenty of attention, baby.”
“I need more time.”
He didn’t seem angry or relieved. “I understand.”
My fingers glided through his hair while I stared at his beautiful blue eyes. “You seem different.”
He didn’t flinch. “I’m not.”
“Are you sure?”
He nodded in response.
While the city lights were beautiful to watch, I wanted to do something else. I cupped his cheek and kissed his lips. Our embrace was slow and gentle, but then it became sensual and passionate. Slade fisted my hair while he breathed into my mouth, and his other hand moved across my thigh.
Slade was an amazing kisser, the best I’ve ever had. He made me hot in foreign places, and my heart raced painfully in my chest. But it was a good kind of pain.
The kind of pain I wanted to feel all my life.
***
We lay in bed together after a rendezvous, and Slade kissed the skin over my spine as he rubbed his hand down my thigh. He was always touching me in some way, like he wanted to be reminded that I was real.
I loved feeling his lips on me. He was always so good at it. He could relax me and arouse me at the same time.
His lips moved up my back until he reached my ear. “You’re a sexy little thing.” Then he kissed my shoulder and caused a ripple of goose bumps to ignite my skin.
“You’re sexy.”
“Not as sexy as you.” He pressed his bare chest to my back, and I could feel his heartbeat slam against me.
Just lying there with him was heavenly. We didn’t always need to say something. Sometimes the heavy silence was better.
Slade rested his face in the crook of my neck and released a sigh.
I closed my eyes and listened to his breathing.
“So…who’s Cory?” There was no accusation in his tone or anger. Just curiosity.