You, Me, and Forever (Blushing)

This was quite possibly the best time I’d ever had at a family event.

Even my father couldn’t get under my skin, because I was too enamored with my date.

She’d been completely unaffected by my father or Gigi.

And here I was slow dancing with her, where I’d normally be brooding over an old-fashioned . . . or fourteen.

“How are you so good at this?” she asked, tipping her head back to look at me.

“I’ve been attending black-tie events since I was in kindergarten. I can cut a rug on command. How about you? Have you spent a lot of time dancing with moose and porcupines?”

She rolled her eyes, but her lips turned up in the corners as a wide smile spread across her face. “I’m a wedding planner. I can’t very well help my clients if I don’t know everything about weddings. So I took dance lessons. I could probably hold my own in a ballroom dancing competition. I had Bella, my amazing hair girl, teach me how to fix a fallen braid or attach some loose extensions. I know how to fix broken heels, broken nails, and broken hearts.”

“You’re the fucking CEO of romance, aren’t you?” I chuckled.

“The ‘CEO of romance.’ That’s the best title ever.”

“Thanks for being here tonight. You’re making this tolerable, and I’m grateful.” My hand found the side of her cheek, my thumb stroking her jaw.

“You made last night tolerable, and I’m grateful.”

“And you handled my father and Gigi like they were a mild inconvenience.”

“And that surprises you?” she asked, her hips swaying with mine as I moved one hand down to the small of her back.

Wanting her closer.

Needing her closer.

“Yes. My father and Gigi probably eat kittens for breakfast without blinking an eye.”

“Yet you dated her, right?” she asked.

“I wouldn’t call what we did ‘dating.’ We’re old family friends, and we’ve attended some events together over the years, among other things.”

“Ahhh . . . ‘among other things.’ So you’ve had sex with her,” she said as her tongue swiped out and ran along her bottom lip. It wasn’t a question; it was more of a statement.

“I have, yes. But it’s been over six months since anything’s happened between us. She wanted more, and I wasn’t interested in pursuing a relationship with her, so I cut things off. I’d always been honest about what I had to offer. And that was a sign that we weren’t on the same page.”

“I told you, ‘sex’ and ‘casual’ don’t always go together.” She chuckled. “And she doesn’t seem over it.”

“How can you tell?”

“Because she keeps looking at me like she wants to scratch my eyes out,” she said. “She has no idea who she’s messing with. I could totally take her.”

Now it was my turn to bellow out in laughter. Had I ever laughed this much?

“I wouldn’t let her put a hand on you,” I said, leaning down close to her ear. “The only hands I want on you are mine.”

I could feel her heart pounding against my chest.

I wanted her so bad I didn’t know how to handle it.

She pulled back and looked up at me. “Sometimes I want your hands on me too.”

I didn’t see that coming. Pun intended.

“All you have to do is ask,” I said.

“Good to know.”

We were interrupted when the music stopped and Samuel came to get us. Our mother wanted the photographer to take a family photo.

We did this at every event.

We had years of photos of the four of us, dressed to the nines and looking like the perfect family.

It was all a facade. But my mother enjoyed it, so for her, I wouldn’t say no.

Some of the guests were leaving; others were indulging in their cocktails and eating dessert. I led Montana across the room, to an area where they’d set up a backdrop for photos. Her hand was in mine, and Samuel groaned as we got closer.noveldrama

“I hate taking these bullshit photos,” he said.

“You and me both, but Mom likes them, so it’s the least we can do. She’s married to an asshole. Let her have the goddamn photos.”

Samuel and Montana both chuckled.

“Fine.”

“Where’s Gigi? I thought you were handling that situation.”

“Um . . . did you want to give me a heads-up that she comes on a bit strong?” My brother glared at me.

“I thought that was kind of obvious. You’ve known her since we were teenagers.”

“Dude.” He turned to Montana. “And woman.”

“‘Dude and woman’?” I said over my laughter.

“Yeah. She’s not a dude, she’s a woman. Anyway, Gigi grabbed my package under the table. And it wasn’t gentle. It was—fucking terrifying. She also knows I’m in a very serious relationship. The woman has no boundaries.”

I shook my head with disbelief. “Jesus. The woman is out of control. What did you do?”

“I grabbed her wrist and stopped her. This is my parents’ anniversary party, for God’s sakes, not to mention that she’s obsessed with my brother, and I’m in love with my girlfriend, even if she’s not speaking to me at the moment.”

I was worried about Samuel and Brianna. She was good for him. She loved him to his core. But she wanted him to be around more, and he worked ridiculous hours. It wasn’t very conducive for the life of a family man. My father being the perfect example of that.

Montana used her hand to cover her mouth to quiet her laughter. “What did you tell her?”

“I called a car for her and told her to go home. I wasn’t looking to be a pawn in her sick, twisted game.”

“Speaking of sick and twisted, please turn around and take a look at this,” I said, keeping my voice low.

My father was deep in conversation with Wendy and Caleb, his other family that no one spoke of. He’d invited them to his anniversary party, because he was a twisted bastard. I didn’t expect to see Caleb here.

My mother was walking our way with her trainer beside her. “Boys, you remember Gino?”

“Yes, Mom. He’s been training you at our family home since we were in middle school. It’s safe to say that we remember him,” I said with a laugh as I shook his hand. “Gino, this is my date, Montana Kingsley.”

Gino shook her hand and said hello. He couldn’t be more opposite to my father. He was kind and gentle, and he genuinely seemed to care for my mother.

The photographer stepped toward us and asked if we were ready, and I didn’t miss the way his eyes traveled down Montana’s body. He made no attempt to hide his blatant perusal.

Hell, every guy in the room had noticed her. I was a man who paid attention, and I wasn’t oblivious to the fact that I had the most beautiful woman in the room on my arm.

Normally I didn’t give a shit.

But with Montana, I gave all the shits.

I narrowed my gaze at the photographer.

Back the fuck off, asshole.

He nodded as my father strode into the room with Caleb beside him.

Samuel and I were convinced he was our half brother, since he looked like us and he also put up with my father, so we figured he knew the truth. We’d always just been told that Wendy had a long-distance boyfriend. But I saw the expression on Caleb’s face when he looked at my father.

This desperate need for approval.

Hell, I related to it. At least I had at one point in my life.

“Look who just showed up to pick up his mom.” My father laughed this boisterous sound that irritated the fuck out of me. “Apparently Wendy has had too much to drink tonight. She’s been indulging a bit too much.”

“I wonder why,” I said, my voice completely flat.

My father glared at me, and I puffed my chest up because I loved getting under his skin. But a sharp pain hit me when I noted the way Caleb tensed at my words.

That was his mother.

I was being a dick.

“Caleb, are you looking forward to starting school?” I asked, because he was leaving for college soon. I actually liked the kid.

“I’m ready to go, Myles. I’m hoping you were serious about that summer internship you mentioned for next summer. I’d really like to come work with you.”

“Pfft,” my father huffed. “You want to play construction now too?”

Caleb’s eyes widened, and he swallowed. “Um. Yeah. I think what Myles does is pretty cool.”

“I do too,” Montana said. “You should see the drawings for the hotel he’s building in Blushing. It’s really something.”

“Oh man, I’d love to come see it as it gets built,” Caleb said.

“I thought you were going to take the premed path,” my father said.

“Um, no. I don’t like science all that much. I’m actually looking into being an architect.”

My father stared at me. Anger flared, and I just smiled.

He turned to Gino and handed him his empty glass with a few ice cubes left in it. “I’ll take a whiskey on the rocks.”

Gino narrowed his gaze. “I’m a trainer, not a bartender.”

“But you’re on my payroll, are you not?” He shook his glass in front of him, and Gino took it. “And we’re about to take family photos, so you have no business being back here.”

“Oh, Winston. Can we just have a good night, please?” my mother said, and I couldn’t wait to get the hell out of there.

“I’ll see you later. I’m going to get my mom home.” Caleb held a hand up, and my father completely ignored him as he turned to speak to the photographer.

Montana looked up at me, and I knew what she was thinking.

“Hey, Caleb,” I said as he turned back around to look at me. “If you want me to fly you out in a few months to see the hotel as it goes up, I’d be happy to show you.”

“Really? I’d love to go to Alaska. I’d appreciate it, Myles.”

I nodded, and my brother smirked at me.

“Caleb, I’d invite you into surgery, but it’s not nearly as cool as building a hotel in Blushing,” Samuel said.

“I agree. And surgery makes me queasy.” Caleb chuckled. “Thanks, guys. I’ll see you soon.”

We spent the next twenty-five painful minutes taking photos. My brother insisted that Montana and I take a few photos together, and I didn’t even fight it.

I wanted to remember this night.

I’d wanted to kiss her in the car on our drive home. I’d wanted to kiss her when we returned to my apartment.

But I was putting the ball in her court.

When we got home, I let her know that I was going to take a shower, and she informed me that she wanted to take a bath.

She didn’t offer it up as an invitation, so I didn’t push it.

I wasn’t sure if she would go to bed after, or if she’d come out when she was done.

I’d never been this in my head about a woman before.

I was wound fucking tight.

I wrapped my hand around my dick and stroked it a few times as my forehead rested against the wall.

Relief. I just needed some fucking relief.

I hadn’t had sex in a while, and I was fucking frustrated.

I closed my eyes, and I could feel her lips against mine.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts, and I dropped my hard-as-steel cock from my grip. I opened the glass door to make sure I wasn’t hearing things.

“Hello?”

“Myles?”

“Yes.”

“Can I come in?”

“Of course,” I said, my head still poking out of the shower door as she stepped inside wearing nothing but a white towel that was pinched in place between her perfect tits.

“Hey,” she said as she moved closer. Her eyes scanned down my body through the glass and zeroed in on my dick before snapping back up to meet my gaze. “I wanted to talk to you.”

“Interesting timing.” I ran a hand down my face to push the water away. “What’s up?”

“I’ve had sex with two men in my life, and both were uneventful. Both were serious relationships that went nowhere. So, I’m thinking it’s time to mix things up.”

My dick hardened at her words. “‘Mix things up’?”

“Yes. I know you’re leaving in a few weeks, but so what. Maybe we just do this one time, and never speak of it. Maybe we do it over and over until you leave because we like it. No strings. No expectations. Just two people who have fun together.”

“You want to have sex?” I asked, surprised by her words. “You think that’s a good idea?”

“I actually think it’s a great idea. I know who you are, and I’m not going to try to change you. But I’m attracted to you, and I want to be with you.” Her cheeks pinked, which was fucking adorable.

Montana rarely showed me her vulnerable side. She was putting herself out there.

I wanted this too. I’d been clear about what I had to offer.

She was agreeing. So why was my chest pounding? Why was I second-guessing myself?

I shook it off. My desire for this woman was not something I’d ever experienced.

I wanted her. She wanted me. That was all that mattered.

“I want to be with you too. How about you join me in the shower?” My voice was gruff.

She sucked in a breath and walked toward me. “Okay. We’re doing this.”

I pushed the door open, and I reached for where her towel was gathered and tugged at it.

It fell to the ground in a heap, and I just took her in.

Scanning every stunning inch of her.

Fucking gorgeous.

My mouth watered at the sight.

I offered her a hand, and she stepped inside. Her hair was tied up in a knot on top of her head, and she was makeup-free.

“I may not be a forever guy, but I know how to make a woman feel good. And I’m going to make you feel so good, you won’t even remember the names of those two selfish fuckers you were with before,” I whispered against her ear.

Her hands were on my shoulders before moving to my hair. She tugged me down, and my mouth crashed into hers. My dick throbbed between us as hot water pounded at my back. I pulled away, water droplets running down her neck and chest, and I dropped to my knees, burying my face at the apex of her thighs before spreading her legs farther apart. “I’m going to make you come on my lips, and then my cock.”

Her breaths were coming hard and fast as her fingers tangled in my hair. “I’m good with that.”

Her words were breathy and needy.

My hands gripped her peach-shaped ass as my tongue swiped along her slit. I sucked and licked, teasing and taunting her.

And then I dipped in, sliding in and out, slowly at first.

Her little noises were pure ecstasy, and I’d never wanted to please a woman more.

She ground against my face, desperate for release. I took her right to the edge before pulling back, over and over. It was the hottest thing I’d ever experienced.

“Myles, please,” she begged.

I glanced up and nearly came at the sight of her.

Her eyes were wild with need, lips parted, cheeks flushed.

My thumb moved to her clit as my tongue drove in and out of her.

Faster.

Needier.

Her hands tugged at my hair as her thighs tightened around me.

I moved my mouth to her clit and sucked hard, just as I slipped a finger inside her.

And then another.

Working them in and out as I licked and sucked and took her right over the edge.

My name left her lips on a cry.

I stayed right there as she rode out every last bit of pleasure.

And damn if it wasn’t the sexiest thing I’d ever seen.