Until Merri: Happily Ever Alpha World

by Suzanne Halliday

  He had a lot to learn about being a couple.

  When it was time to leave, he said a quick prayer for luck, picked up the bouquet he had delivered, and headed out for the evening.

  Because Merri was driving his truck, he’d rented a sports car for tonight. The rental place hooked him up with a gunmetal gray Jaguar that he liked so much he had to consider whether dropping a hundred grand on a car might be doable.

  Backing out of the warehouse garage, he waited to be sure the electronically controlled door closed and the garage alarm activated.

  As he maneuvered the beast of a car, he let the excitement growing inside him have a long leash. Taking their relationship to the next level filled him with exhilaration. His heart raced, and he surrendered to the excitement that always came with spending time with Merri.

  Her heart felt like it was going to burst as she studied her reflection.

  Everything was perfect. Her hair, makeup, and jewelry complemented the sexy dress. She had her toenails painted to match her red lips. The high ankle strap sandals made her legs look awesome and helped her wiggle when she walked.

  She wet her lips and grinned. Cyndi, June, and JJ were right. This outfit was going to melt Tom’s brain.

  “Well,” she spoke to the mirror, “if I’m not ready now, I’ll never be.”

  Hurrying around her bedroom, she checked and double-checked her overnight bag to make absolutely certain she had everything she needed. The kind of planning that went into a field trip summed up her approach to this night.

  Plan A was the wickedly sexy lingerie.

  Plan B was something slightly less risqué.

  She had both in her bag. Which one she ultimately chose had a lot to do with how the earlier part of the night went.

  Was she a bundle of nerves? Totally.

  Was she also experiencing an issue in her panties? Yes, and it was slightly embarrassing too. Every time she thought about later, she would be overcome by tingles. The kind of tingles that triggered arousal. What you ended up with was a situation. A wet situation.

  Knowing how much Tom liked playing the man card, her bag would stay on the bed. She’d ask him to use his muscles and handle it for her. This was a ploy she’d seen her mother use a zillion times. The manly man thing was more than bag wrangling. It included loads of stuff like slicing the turkey and being in charge of navigation.

  Cyndi called while she was getting dressed. Thank god for FaceTime. She helped Merri climb off the ledge and left her with a sage piece of advice.

  “The runway walk you will use,” she quipped in a Yoda-like voice. “Feel the power of your shoes.”

  With her fingers through the handle of her candy apple red handbag, she put a hand on her waist and took one last look.

  No shit, she thought with a satisfied smile on her red lips. She looked like a million bucks.

  Feeling the power of her heels, she runway strutted into the living room. Sitting was out of the question, so she put her handbag down and started pacing.

  She heard a low rumble and dashed to the front window.

  “Oh lordy,” she said out loud when a sexy sports car slowed in front of her house and pulled into the driveway. “The man arranged for a Jaguar.”

  Stepping back from the window so it didn’t look like she’d had her nose pressed to the glass, she did what women have done through the ages. She struck a pose and waited.

  In a few minutes, Tom knocked three times and entered like he normally would, but he was carrying an enormous flower arrangement. When his eyes found her, she felt his shock when he checked her out head to toe. Twice.

  Her heart turned over when his gaze locked on her face. Something tingled in the pit of her stomach, and her pulse pounded as she read the unrepentant lust burning in his eyes.

  “Holy fuck,” he grunted. His gaze traveled over her face and then moved over her body for a third time.

  As she let him drink her in, Merri tried to throttle down the excitement running wildly through her body and fight her overwhelming need to be close to him.

  Remembering one of the clever lines she rehearsed, Merri smiled, and nonchalantly said, “I thought the Wisteria Room called for something special. Is this all right?”

  Her hand swept up and down in a bold bid for compliments.

  Tom didn’t seem capable of replying. All he did was gawk.

  She was ready for this dumbfounded response and broke out a pouty face and an annoyed foot stomp.

  “Don’t you like it?”

  “It’s, I, you,” he mumbled. “But, uh. These are for you,” he barked. His voice cracked like a pubescent boy as he walk-stumbled forward and shoved the flowers at her.

  “Aw, thank you,” she gushed.

  Flowers were the bomb under any circumstances, but this bouquet was special. She buried her nose in the flowers and inhaled with an eyes closed smile.

  Knowing how much getting tonight meant to Tom, she said the first thing that came to mind.

  “Years from now when I smell roses and lilies, I’ll remember tonight and this lush bouquet.”

  She reached for his tie and pulled him in for a gentle glancing kiss.

  “And I’ll remember how handsome you looked and how wicked you are.”

  Her words seemed to bring him back from caveman land. He slowly smiled.

  “I’m going to take these in the kitchen,” she cooed. “And you have permission to watch my ass as I go.”

  “Runway walk,” she whispered for courage as she swung around. Stepping off with her right foot, she took small steps because of the dress and gave her hips a slightly exaggerated rock and roll.

  Merri didn’t need to turn around to know he was enjoying her caboose.

  “Oh, Tom? Would you mind getting my overnight bag from the bedroom? It’s too much for me.”

  When she disappeared from his view, she heard him move down the hallway.

  So far, things were going according to plan.

  She filled a tall vase and arranged the flowers. He stalked her in the kitchen and waved her off before she had a chance to pick the vase up.

  “I’ve got it,” he assured her. “If you’d be so kind as to lead the way, I’d appreciate another chance to marvel at your ass in that dress.”

  He needed to start paying attention to women’s fashion because whatever the hell she had on needed a warning label. The sexy as fuck dress didn’t just inspire a hard-on. The damn thing nearly triggered a heart attack.

  She looked like a fashion model—and she was his. And not only that, she packed a bag to spend the night with him. Part of him couldn’t believe any of this was happening.

  He placed the flowers on the coffee table and stepped back to admire the colorful arrangement.

  Merri wasn’t looking at the flowers. She was eyeing him up with a sly smile.

  “Love the suit.” Her gaze swept up and down. “Oh, wait.” She laughed. “Almost forgot. I have a pocket square for you.”

  From the table by the front door, she picked up a red handkerchief.

  “Look,” she murmured. “Matches my purse and lipstick.”

  She came to him, chewed her lip while stuffing the square into his suit coat breast pocket, and fussed until it was just right.

  He liked how this couples thing felt.

  Delaying wasn’t an option. It wasn’t like they could get into a heavy make-out session or anything. The red lipstick and clingy dress stopped that option dead in the water.

  “It’s chilly out. Do you need a wrap or anything?”

  “I didn’t have anything that wouldn’t spoil the dress, so I hope that fancy car has heat.”

  For no reason, his eyes dipped to her boobs. With her bare shoulders and serious curves, she was going to stop traffic. He sure did hope the radio club wives had some chill because Merri was bringing the heat.

  He helped her lock up for the night. There were lights on timers in almost every room because she hated a totally dark house. Knowing tonight she woul
d be sleeping in his bed made the mundane task feel odd.

  When it was time, she picked up her red handbag, checked her appearance in the mirror by the front door one last time, and slipped her hand through his arm.

  Tom was momentarily undone by the enormity of his feelings. He touched her fingers where they rested on his arm. “No matter what else happens, you save the first and last dance for me.”

  “It will be my pleasure,” she replied in a soft murmur.

  Out on the front porch, he double-checked the lock and patted her hand reassuringly.

  “Here we go,” he said with a heart full of happiness. “Let’s get our future started.”

  Chapter Eight

  The cocktail reception focused on Tom’s father. Henry Franklin was as friendly and engaging as his son and had no trouble commanding an audience. He rattled on and on about radio stuff and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying his moment.

  Tom stuck to her like glue. She had to admit enjoying how possessive he behaved. For her part, she more or less hung on his every word and gesture. It was incredibly thrilling to stand at his side as more than a friend. That people accepted their being a couple had to count for something.

  Dinner was amazing. The Roosevelt did classy food service like nobody’s business. Mindful of the body molding dress, she ate judiciously and savored a little bit of everything. Her date had no such issues and chowed down with gusto.

  The conversation around the table was lively and fun. She was comfortable with the Franklins and was overjoyed by their warm acceptance of her new role in Tom’s life. Even Janet was on her best behavior.

  The awards portion of the night was exactly what she expected of the radio club. There were speeches and a detailed rundown of the many community services they performed. She might make fun of the quirky club, but she appreciated what they did in times of crisis and during emergencies, natural or otherwise. When it came time to honor Henry’s vital contributions to the service club, they piled on the accolades, and by the time he walked to the stage, a thunder of applause filled the room.

  Tom’s face was lit with love for his father. She hugged his arm and shared his joy.

  There followed an exhausting session with a photographer who was making Grace Franklin mental. Merri hid her amusement when Grace laid into the know-it-all and got the poses she wanted.

  With the publicity taken care of, it was time to party. They moved from the dining room to a smaller room set up like a supper club with a dance floor and a live band. Waitstaff wove through the seating areas as the drinks kept flowing.

  She and Tom claimed a small couch in a cluster of seating near a corner of the dimly lit room. As she lowered to the sofa, his hand caressed her bottom.

  Her eyes swung to his.

  She didn’t know precisely what he was thinking, but it was definitely X-rated.

  He sat beside her, and feeling brave, she moved close to whisper in his ear, “I’d love to hear what you’re thinking.”

  His eyes blazed, and the sexy edge to his smirk sparked another flurry of tingles.

  “Would you?”

  She smiled. His gaze dropped from her eyes to her mouth. Then to her shoulders and breasts. The lazy appraisal made her cheeks flush.

  He gestured with his hands as he spelled it out in blunt terms. “Your ass is a work of art. I was thinking about how badly I want to put you on your knees and fuck you from behind—hard. You’ve got perfect hips for holding.” He snarled and grunted, “Unf.”

  Merri melted. She bet a fierce doggie style pounding would be worth the pain to her knees. She’d never done the ass up, face down thing before and thought she should confess her inexperience.

  Unsure of how to admit it, she shyly confessed without saying the exact words. “I’ve heard the angle is, um, challenging but worth it.”

  He heard what she wanted him to hear. His satisfaction made her breath hitch.

  “You’ll like it, sweet cheeks. And don’t doubt how much you’re going to enjoy creaming all over my dick when you come.”

  She loved his cocky arrogance. He was a bold one, that was for sure, and though his words were meant to inflame, his gaze was as soft as a caress.

  He stood and held out his hand. “Millicent Merriweather, may I have this dance?”

  Her smile was immediate. She watched her hand slide into his and then held his eyes as he helped her to stand. He was so handsome and sure of himself. She wanted to remember this moment and her feelings forever.

  He led her to the dance floor and pulled her into his arms. Almost every slow dance she’d ever done happened with her dad or some other non-romantic male, so what she felt as she melted into Tom’s arms was new and exciting. They looked good together and moved easily. He was a strong dancer, so strong that she sighed and surrendered to his lead. It was deliciously satisfying to be in the arms of a man who knew what the hell he was doing.

  They made it through three songs before the cutting in started. First up was the grinning radio club president. Merri made sure to give Tom a ball-shriveling dose of shade as the older man whisked her away for a turn on the dance floor.

  Five hundred and thirty-three thousand dances and cut-ins later, her feet hurt like crazy and she had an unladylike urge to pee. Begging off after a lively turn to “Little Deuce Coup” with one of Henry’s buddies, Merri headed straight from the dance floor to the ladies’ lounge. Tom was at her side in no time, and he was smart enough to bring her handbag.

  “I hope you’re saving some of that energy for later,” he teased.

  She made a face. “Why do you think my overnight bag is so heavy? I stuffed it full of energy drinks.”

  The warmth of Tom’s laughter made her forget about her aching feet.

  “I’m calling last dance,” she informed him. “Let me freshen up, and then I want a couple of drinks. And don’t you dare say no. Then it’s you and me, buster. I want the slow dance full Monty and am prepared to wait out the band until they slow things down.”

  He laughed for real. “I’ll slip the guy a Benjamin Franklin, explain the significance of the name, and request some appropriately seductive music. Will that do?”

  She stroked his chin. “Yes.”

  Sashaying into the lounge, she made a mad dash for one of the toilets and prayed she could safely wiggle in and out of the dress without incident.

  As it turned out, the dress came off with no problem, but she couldn’t manage the zipper once she put it back on.

  No one else was in the lounge to ask for help, so she simply went about fixing her hair and makeup. At the door to the lounge, she cracked it open and found Tom on guard duty.

  “Hey! Psst,” she whispered.

  He looked at her quizzically.

  “Everything okay?”

  She turned slightly to show him her problem. “I can’t pull the zipper up. Can you help?”

  He wasted no time joining her in the lounge. “Turn,” he said with a twirl of his finger.

  She presented her back but kept her arm banded about her middle to hold the dress in place.

  The off-shoulder style didn’t allow for a bra, and she’d foregone something strapless because the dress kept her boobs in place. When she turned around, Tom growled softly and feathered his fingers from the sensitive small of her back to her neck. She shivered with awareness and held her breath when he went a step farther and pushed her hair aside to place a hot, wet kiss on her shoulder.

  She swore it took ninety minutes for him to raise the zipper. By the time he finished, her brain was starved for oxygen.

  The attraction she’d always felt fed off the flames they’d been stoking for the past week and a half. An all-consuming bonfire burst to life and filled the air with sexual smoke.

  If the heat they generated didn’t set off the fire alarms, it was going to be a miracle.

  Returning to the after party, they relaxed side by side on a cozy couch and enjoyed the remainder of the night. Tom suggested she have a brandy. He s
ipped a little bit of hers but didn’t order one for himself. He was driving, and the Jaguar demanded all of his attention.

  Eventually, the party atmosphere died down, and the room became quietly subdued. Tom kissed her hand and led her to the dance floor when the band broke into a charming version of the Clapton classic “You Look Wonderful Tonight.”

  She could have stayed in Tom’s arms until the end of time as they clung to one another and swayed to the music. Wrapped in his warmth, she felt her heart and soul give a contented sigh. This was where she belonged. Her spot was in his arms, and nothing had ever felt so right.

  When one of the songs she no longer heard ended, he kissed her softly and lifted her chin with his finger.

  “Are you ready to come home with me?”

  Her sigh was one of love. “I am,” she murmured.

  He wasted no time after that and moved them through whatever goodbyes remained. When they were in the fancy car and it was just the two of them, he took off his gentleman’s hat and started her engine with a few well-chosen words that were not meant to be shared with polite society.

  “I cannot wait to peel that dress of your sexy body and see what a date night wax special means.”

  She laugh-smirked and did a hair flip. “It means I took your suggestion to heart and checked my inhibitions at the door. It’s a highly embarrassing process.” Her expression was smirky when she added, “I hope you’re worth it.”

  His laughter filled the car, and they drove into the night.

  At his apartment, there was no interim stalling. When they stepped off the elevator, he dropped her overnight bag, and she flung her purse aside. From the corner of his eye, he saw it sail through the air.

  And then they lunged at the same time.

  He kissed her with unrestrained passion. All the carnal dreams and fantasies he entertained about this one woman gave way to the gloriously exhilarating reality of Merri in his arms.

  She was like holding fire. Her soft skin was flushed and warm. Tom was love drunk from the intoxicating effect of her shy tongue teasing his.