Happily Ever After Collection

by Melanie Moreland

“Right after your accident. I haven’t been to a site since, so you haven’t seen them.”

  I grabbed her hand, pulling her down. “Sexy,” I breathed against her mouth, kissing her. “I like you in steel-toe boots.”

  “I look like an idiot.”

  I ran my hand up her thigh, cupping her rounded ass. “You look totally sexy in a skirt and boots, baby.”

  She giggled, the sound making the corner of my lips twitch. I loved hearing her laugh.

  “An added benefit.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

  “Hey.”

  Her eyebrows rose in question, but she didn’t say anything. I stroked along her soft cheek, down her jawline, and cupped her chin.

  “It was an accident. Thanks to your care and patience, I’ve recovered. I’m fine.”

  “An accident I caused.”

  I hated that it still bothered her. “No. You didn’t break the machine. It was an equipment malfunction.” I sighed. “No matter what, I would have reacted the same way, Laura. I will protect you at all costs—that’s my job. Always. So, no more blame, okay?”

  Biting her lip, she nodded.

  “Now, what is in that basket?”

  “I got your text earlier saying you had to stay late, so I brought you dinner.”

  I groaned as I remembered why I was working late. “Do you have any alcohol in there?”

  “Is Sven at it again?”

  “He’s decided he wants two walls moved.” I snorted and added a thick Swedish accent. “It’s only two valls, Yackson. Two valls. Vy so hard to do?”

  I leaned my head back, feeling weary. “Two load-bearing walls. Walls which are already up. Then he wants the kitchen moved. God help me. It never ends. The design changes weekly now. This is why I hate taking on private homes. Give me massive office buildings anytime.”

  Laura hummed. “I have a meeting with him tomorrow to tell him how much it will cost with another redesign and structure issues.”

  “A lot.” I sat up straight. “I’ll go through the numbers and have it for you in the morning.”

  She walked around the back of my chair, her hands resting on my shoulders. “First, you need to eat and relax.”

  “I’m not sure I can do either.”

  “Yes, you can. I’ll make sure of that—that’s my job now.”

  “Is that so?”

  She gently pushed my shoulders forward, her hands working on the tense muscles. I moaned in pleasure. Laura’s hands were as talented as her mouth. How she worked those tiny fingers into my sore flesh, releasing the painful tension, was beyond me. I loved it when she gave me a massage. I loved it when she touched me. Anywhere.

  I hissed as she dug her fingers into my neck.

  “Jackson, your neck is like cement.” She tsked.

  “It’s been a shit day.”

  Bending, she wrapped her arms around my neck, pressing her lips to my ear, placing a slow, lingering kiss there. “Can I help you relax?”

  “Don’t tempt me, baby.”

  She flicked open my shirt buttons and slipped her hands inside, her blunt nails pressing into my skin. “I had you pretty loose last week,” she crooned.

  I rested my head on her full chest, meeting her mischievous gaze.

  “We should have stayed in Jamaica,” I grouched.

  “It was a lovely honeymoon.”

  I grinned up at her, pulling her face down to mine. Upside-down kissing had never been as good as it was with my wife.

  We got married quietly at city hall with Hank and a few close friends around us. Laura insisted she didn’t want a big wedding. ”I had the big wedding with the wrong guy the first time. I want it small with the perfect man this time,” she stated firmly.

  She was beautiful, and the day was perfect because it was just us. Quiet, simple, and real. Then came a week away in a secluded bungalow with nothing but a warm, sandy beach, my sexy wife, and as few clothes as possible. We rarely left the cabin, having meals brought to us. We walked along the surf, swam in the ocean, danced under the stars, stayed up way too late, and slept in every morning. We made love in a huge net-covered bed, fucked hard on the wet, packed sand with the sunlight streaming down on us. We were together every moment, and the week went by too fast.

  Laura’s wandering hands brought me back to the present moment. She kissed me again, her tongue tracing my lips. “I bet I can make you stress-free again.”

  With a growl, I spun my chair and pulled her down to my lap. I grabbed her face, kissing her hard. I lost myself in the feel and the taste of my wife. Her lips were full and pliant underneath mine. She wound her hands into my hair, pulling me close. I held her hips, pressing her down onto my growing erection, then tugged up the back of her shirt, digging my fingers into her skin, stroking her spine, and groaning at how right she felt touching my chest.

  “Did you lock the door?” She moaned against my mouth.

  “I will.”

  “Shut the lights off, too.”

  For a second, I hesitated.

  “The crew was packing up to leave, Jackson. I saw Larry and told him you and I were going to have dinner and go over numbers, and not to disturb us. He’ll lock everything up.” She grinned—a wide, wicked smile that made me grin back. “We’ll have dessert first.”

  That was good enough for me. I would never let an opportunity go by to fuck my wife.

  I lifted her off my lap, setting her on her feet. I captured her mouth, kissing her the way she liked it best. Hard. Wet. Possessive.

  “I’ll get the door and the lights. You lose the shirt.” Then I winked. “Keep the skirt and boots on.”

  I sighed with contentment. Laura was curled against my chest, with the blanket she had brought to use with our dinner wrapped around us. I nuzzled her hair, feeling far more relaxed than I had when I’d slammed into the trailer earlier. Nothing calmed me more than being with my wife.

  “Still need that Advil?”

  Slipping my fingers under her chin, I lifted her face to mine, kissing her. “No.” I grinned against her lips. “You’re the best medicine.”

  She smiled up at me. “I wanted to make your day better.”

  “You did.”

  She bit her lip. “I have something else to make you smile.”

  “Oh yeah? You got some of your cookies in that basket?”

  “I do have cookies, but I think you might like this better.”

  “Better than your cookies? This I gotta see.” I held out my hand. “Gimme.”

  She handed me a strange-shaped parcel, wrapped in brown paper.

  I arched my eyebrow at her. “Shopping at the adult toy store again, sweet girl? Should I be afraid of what’s in here?”

  She giggled, slapping my arm. “Open it,” she insisted, her voice sounding strangely nervous.

  I opened the paper and held up a toy tool belt and a tiny hard hat.

  I frowned, looking into her watery gaze. “Very cute, but I’m not sure it’s gonna fit. It’s rather small…” As my voice trailed off, my eyes grew wide.

  “Laura?” I asked, choking up. “Really?”

  She reached over, pulled a white stick out of one of the pouches of the small tool belt and held it up. A bright-blue plus sign was in the small window. “Congratulations! You’re going to be a daddy.”

  Sven, the bad day, and the entire world disappeared as I yanked her to my chest, dropping kisses all over her face. Joy I had never experienced before flowed through my body as I held my wife and our child within her.

  “A baby. We’re going to have a baby,” I breathed. “Is it a boy? Is that why you bought me a tool belt?” I asked excitedly, laying my hand across her stomach and spreading my fingers wide. Soon, there would be a bump there. A baby bump. My baby bump. I grinned at her. “Is it?”

  “I have no idea, Jackson. Right now, your baby is the size of a peanut. We won’t find out the sex for weeks yet.” She crossed her arms. “Are you saying only a boy should have a tool belt?”

&nb
sp; I shook my head, grinning. “No. My daughter can wear whatever the hell she wants, tool belts included.”

  She cupped my cheek, stroking my skin. “Good answer.”

  I pressed my forehead to hers. “Are you okay? Everything…good?”

  “I’m great. A little tired and I’ve been a bit nauseous in the morning. But I’m good. I saw the doctor today, and she said everything was fine.” She slipped her hand into her pocket. “I brought you a picture.”

  I squinted at the image. “It is a peanut!” I exclaimed.

  “It’ll grow.” She sighed. “So will I.”

  “You’ll be even more beautiful. I can hardly wait to see you all rounded, carrying my child.” I placed my hand on her stomach again. “Thank you, Laura. You just made my day, my week…my entire month.”

  Then I had a thought. “Does your dad know?”

  “No. I thought we’d tell him together.”

  “I am so in for favorite son-in-law.”

  “Um, Jackson, you’re the only son-in-law.”

  I waved my hand. “Doesn’t matter. He wanted grandbabies, and now he’s gonna have one! I’m so in.”

  She threw back her head, laughing. “Okay, whatever you say.”

  “I’ll crunch numbers later. Let’s go home. I want to hang up my peanut picture and spoil my baby momma.”

  She rested her head on my shoulder. “I’d like that.”

  I kissed her forehead. “Thank you, sweet girl. You made today amazing.”

  She snuggled closer. “You’re welcome.”

  Chapter 9

  Jackson

  Hank was on the phone when I walked into his office. I threw myself down on the chair in front of his desk, leaning my head against the cool leather and closing my eyes. Maybe his call would take a while and I could grab a nap. All too soon, I heard him hang up the phone, but he didn’t say anything for a minute. Finally, he spoke.

  “Jackson, you look exhausted.”

  “I am.”

  “Is Laura okay?”

  “She’s fine. More than fine.” I grimaced. “She’s…full of energy.”

  “Well, that’s great news.”

  “Yep.”

  “You could be a little more enthusiastic.”

  I opened my eyes, leaning forward, resting my arms on my thighs. “I’m thrilled my wife is healthy. I am beyond relieved the first trimester is over and her morning sickness is done. The, ah, difference in her is—” I sighed “—extreme.”

  A ghost of a smile made his lips twitch. He sat back in his chair, flipping his pen between his fingers. “I know we never talk personal shit, Jackson, your wife being my daughter and all, but Laura has always been very much like her mother. And I lived with her mother while she was pregnant with Laura. I know about the, ah, extremes.”

  I dropped my head back on my chair. “Oh God. I could barely touch her for weeks, and I thought I was going to explode… And now… Jesus… Now, it’s like she can’t get enough of me.”

  Hank held up his hand. “If you start to tell me any details, Jackson, I’m bound to unleash another wild crane full of scaffolding on you. No matter how sympathetic I am.”

  I shook my head wearily. “I have no desire to share any details with you, Hank—even if she weren’t your daughter, that shit is private. But, man, I’m not sure I’m gonna survive this pregnancy.”

  Hank’s shoulders shook with silent laughter.

  I glared at him. “Glad I amuse you.”

  He shook his head. “Every man feels the same way. Your wife is suddenly amorous all the time, and you think you’ve hit the jackpot.”

  “I did. Until I realized she is never satisfied. I’m lying there exhausted and happy, and she wants to start all over again. I swear I’m too old for this shit.”

  He didn’t hide his laughter this time, and I had to grin with him. He was right. When Laura’s morning sickness had stopped and she suddenly was interested in sex again, it was like a dream come true. She was primed and ready for me when I got home and, again, later in the evening. It started all over again in the morning. Then the visits during the day to the trailer started, and I realized I couldn’t escape her wandering hands and pleading eyes anywhere. And my damn cock had no problem rising to the occasion. It was the rest of my body that was objecting. I was exhausted.

  The scariest part was, the further along in her pregnancy she was, the hornier she seemed to become. Last night, I had invented a late meeting so I could catch a nap in the trailer before I got home. But I knew I couldn’t do that often. She was far too clever; even if she hadn’t cut back at work, she would find out. Not only would her feelings be hurt, but she would also be furious. The thought of the passion she was experiencing turning to anger directed at me was a scary thought.

  “All I can tell you is that it does level off.” Then he smirked. “Once the baby comes, you’ll be back in dry dock, so try to enjoy it.”

  I chuckled. “At least I’m safe here. Maybe I’ll sneak in a nap later at my desk.”

  Hank’s mouth opened to say something when we both heard it. Laura’s voice out in the lobby.

  “Did I see Jackson’s truck, Jen?”

  I stared at Hank in panic. I shook my head wildly. I’d already made love to her twice today. Surely, she wouldn’t…

  “I want to see him. Is he in his office?”

  “No, he’s with your dad,” Jen replied.

  “Oh God,” I whimpered. I knew what was going to happen. She was going to come in here, all glowing and sweet, and tell Hank she needed to see me. Then she’d take me to her office and have her wicked way with me. She’d be energized and sated, and I would be a walking, shaking shell of a man.

  Hank stood. “Hide.”

  “Where?”

  He glanced around. “Get under my desk. Fast.”

  I was out of the chair and under his desk in a flash. He went around the front, and I heard the creak of a leather chair as he sat down.

  Seconds later, I heard Laura’s footsteps. “Hey, Dad.”

  “Hey, Laura. How’s my girl?”

  “Good.”

  “My grandson?”

  “Doing great. I, ah, I thought Jackson was in here?”

  “Oh, he was. He left a couple minutes ago. You just missed him.”

  The sound of the other leather chair creaking reached my ears.

  “That’s odd. His truck is still here.”

  “Oh. Um, did you check his office? The bathroom?”

  “Both doors are open.”

  “No idea, then. Maybe he had an errand and is coming back later for his truck.”

  I stifled my groan. He was a horrible liar, almost as bad as Laura. We were both toast.

  “Maybe.”

  “He said he was hungry. He probably went to get something to eat. If he comes back, I’ll tell him you’re looking for him.”

  “Trying to get rid of me, Dad?”

  “Of course not! I…I just have a lot of work to do.”

  I heard the scratching of a pen, footsteps, then the door opening.

  “I’ll see you later.”

  “Yep.”

  The door shut, and I sighed. I felt bad, but I’d make it up to her tonight.

  I waited a few minutes. “Is she gone?” I whispered. “Is the coast clear?”

  “Oh, Jackson.”

  I froze. That wasn’t Hank’s voice. I swallowed heavily. Grabbing the edge of the desk, I hauled out my ass and met Laura’s gaze over the wooden surface.

  She shook her head. “Really, Jackson? Hiding under my father’s desk?”

  “I was looking for something?”

  “Your pride, maybe?”

  I sighed and stood, crossing to the front of the desk. I sat on the edge in front of Laura and held out my hand. “Sorry, sweet girl. I panicked.”

  “Why?”

  “I heard your voice, and I thought…”

  “You thought what?”

  The words exploded out of my mouth before I co
uld stop them.

  “That you were coming looking for me to have sex. And I can’t. Well, I can, but I swear I’ll die, Laura. I’m exhausted. I can’t keep up.” I yanked on my hair. “Don’t get me wrong, I love having sex with you. My cock wants it as much as you do, but I’m worn out! I need a day off.”

  I waited for her anger or her tears. I braced myself for either. She stared at me for a minute, then her head fell back and she laughed out loud. She laughed so hard, tears ran down her face. I crossed my arms, perplexed. Laughter wasn’t the emotion I was expecting. Finally, she stopped laughing and wiped her eyes. She stood, wrapping her arms around me. Tentatively, I embraced her, wondering if this was a trick. She pressed a kiss to my neck then drew back.

  “I have been on you a lot, haven’t I?”

  “I know I need my head examined…”

  She shook her head. “It’s fine, Jackson. I’ll try to control myself around you a little.” Her gaze danced with mischief, and she lowered her voice. “I just want you all the time—it’s like I’m hooked on your cock. I’m addicted to him.”

  I gaped at her.

  She was addicted to my cock?

  “It’s not my fault you’re so damn sexy, and I know how amazing it feels when your cock is buried inside me,” she continued. “Or the way he winks and smirks when he sees me, the little tease.”

  “Ah…” I swallowed, feeling the little tease twitch. He rather liked how it felt to be inside her, too.

  “Hmm.” I studied her for a moment. “How did you know I was under the desk?”

  She reached in her pocket and handed me a piece of paper.

  Under the desk.

  He made me do it. Coward. Make him suffer.

  It’s payback time.

  Bugger. He’d been trying to get me back for months after the Febreze incident. I thought he’d given up when he found out he was going to be a grandfather, but apparently not.

  Well, two could play at that game.

  Suddenly, I wasn’t as tired as I had been earlier. She smelled good and felt right in my arms. I dropped my head to her shoulder, turning my face and peppering kisses along her neck. She shivered, and I smiled against her skin.

  “You like that, baby?”