Perfect Ten (26 page)

“It’s going to feel so good, Faith. I’ll make it feel good.”

“Please. Do it. Fuck me. I’m ready.” And she was.

I gave her neck a sharp nip before I raised her hips up a bit more to bunch the pillow beneath her. When I spread her ass wide, she froze again. “Don’t get shy on me now. Your ass is fucking amazing.” I put my hand to her bottom in a solid slap and told her not to move a muscle. As quick as humanly possible, I ran and grabbed a small bottle of lube out of my overnight bag. Back on the bed behind her in seconds, I dripped some lube directly onto her ass, even as I rubbed a healthy portion on my cock.

The tip was just touching her rim and I was already wanting to pound my way home. “Relax your body, Faith.” I pushed in, and she tightened up. “Relax, sweetheart.” I flexed my hips a bit more and slid in a couple more inches.

“Mmm.”

“You like that?”

“Yes. Give me some more.”

I pulled back out just a bit and pushed back in. All the way in, and there it was. My big, hard cock buried to the balls in Faith’s incredible ass. “Holy shit, I wish you could see this. Fucking beautiful.” I began to move with more regular thrusts. She was so tight. So hot. So right.

“Oh, that’s it. Yeah, play with your clit.”

“Oh God. This is incredible. So much sensation. Fuck me harder, Joe.”

Not a problem. I fucked her harder, and when she screamed for more, I fucked her harder still. My balls were noisily slapping against her while the abundant juice in her pussy made erotic, wet sounds.

“I’m gonna come, Faith. I’m gonna come right in your ass. Fuck! Now.” I slapped her ass hard and watched her body quiver as she hit her own release. My hips bucked against her as I let go one more spurt of cum. A couple of seconds later, I collapsed on top of her, pushing her into the bed.

“Well, there’s another thing I can cross off my bucket list.” She pushed back against me, and I slowly rolled off to the side pulling her up close.

“And would you ever want to do that again?”

She looked over her shoulder. “Uh, yeah. I had no idea it would feel so much…more. I didn’t know I had that much feeling back there—or that it was connected to my clit or G-spot or both. Whatever, it was great.”

I kissed her nose. “You have no idea how glad I am to hear you say that. Thank you for trusting me, sweetheart—I love that you’re so open to trying new things with me.”

“Me too.” She reached back and pulled my head toward her to take my lips in a tender kiss. My heart did that flip it does for her. I was in so deep, I’d never get out—not that I ever wanted to. “Now how about we go get a shower, and you can show you some other things we can do?”

“That, Ms. Graham, would be my ultimate pleasure.” We fucked so many times and in so many different positions that night that the next day, I was sore in muscles I never knew I had. It was exactly the getaway we needed.

W
e got
into
a comfortable pattern as Christmas loomed closer. I was back at Starling Architecture, learning the ropes on the administrative side and familiarizing myself with the projects they were working on.

Christmas Eve was an intimate event with just Essie and Chloe, along with her two kids. And Heidi, of course, who ate entirely too many cookies that the children snuck to her.

Uncle Mike did stop by with his new wife but didn’t stay too long as they had to visit her family also. It was a good night, and I was almost fearful of something going wrong. But maybe, just maybe, we’d paid our dues. Maybe it was time for all things good.

Christmas itself was a noisy affair. Believe it or not, we went to Faith’s parents’ house. In the spirit of the season, I allowed her family to ask me questions about my past, and I answered them as honestly as I could without sounding like the gigolo that I actually was. And then I told them to forget it. I wasn’t going to talk about it anymore.

And now, New Year’s was upon us.

“Hey, sweetheart.” Faith was getting dressed for the big New Year’s party at Essie’s home.

Essie was getting weaker as the days went by, but she insisted on having one last big bash in her home. She made us invite everyone we knew. She wanted her house filled to the rafters. We even invited Faith’s sisters.

Faith stopped in the middle of changing her earrings. “I hope this isn’t going to be too much for Essie. She better be relaxing like she said she would and letting the others do all the work.”

“I’m sure she’s fine.” I ran an appreciative glance down her body. “You look ravishing tonight.”

It was, of course, another black tie event. Instead of my usual tux, I wore a dark charcoal suit with a silver shirt and jet-black silk tie. I looked pretty good—if I did say so myself.

Now Faith. Faith was the showstopper. She had on an emerald-green gown. It had silk folds that fell like a waterfall from just under her breasts all the way to the floor. A band of the purest, darkest green velvet ran around her breasts and ended in a deep V in the back. The gown was so low cut in the back that I found my hand constantly resting there so she didn’t let out anything I didn’t want viewed by others.

“Stop looking at me like that, or we’ll never make it there.” She knew me so well. Turning around, she reached down and gripped my package, holding it until she felt me hardening. “Stay like that all night. Just semihard, okay? I’ll be checking.”

“All I’ll have to do is look at you. That won’t be a problem.”

* * *

E
ssie’s mansion
at Christmastime was even more impressive than usual. She’d had lights strung everywhere. I’m sure they had to have started at Halloween in order to have time to decorate it all. There were huge wreaths with big red bows on every window. Even the fountain statue in the middle of the circular drive was decorated.

Faith’s parents rode with us and were behind us as I lifted the door knocker. Mrs. Sampson opened the door, and I was pleased to see Essie sitting at her usual spot on the deacon’s bench, looking healthy and spry.

“Essie. You look magnificent.” And she did. She wore a red velvet gown, and it looked exquisite. Diamonds adorned her ears and throat. I had to guess they were part of the family heritage.

“Your jewelry is beautiful, Essie.” Faith leaned down to give her a kiss.

“Thank you, dear. I hope you wear them and think of me someday.”

Before Faith had the chance to utter a response, Essie turned to me. “Everything in this house stays with the house. Make sure you shower her with all of it. I have some very lovely pieces that might even do her justice.” She smiled at Faith and then accepted my assistance into the drawing room.

Patricia elbowed her daughter in the arm whispering frantically. “What did she mean it would be yours someday? You got her money? How? What did you do?”

Dale grabbed her and pulled her back. “Not tonight, Patricia.”

That was the only bump in an otherwise perfect evening. The champagne flowed, the people were merry (even Faith’s sisters were behaving,) and Essie was so happy to have her house filled with people that it almost brought a tear to my eye.

So much had happened in such a short time. Some of it sad, but most of it wonderful.

I was a twenty-six-year-old man with the world at my feet. I had a family who loved me, a couple of close friends, and the girl of my dreams. The only thing that could make it any better was one word. Yup. That’s it, one simple three letter word.

It was crazy. I started out this whole journey thinking S-E-X were the best letters of the English alphabet, but it turned out they just very well may be Y-E-S.

* * *

E
ssie had helped
me set the stage. The night outside was only marginally cool, with huge heaters sitting sporadically on the back porch to warm any cold spots.

Some people milled around the gardens while others sat at tables conversing, and still others simply mingled with the other guests.

“Oh, Joe. It’s beautiful out here, isn’t it?”

“It is.” I pulled her back against my chest, closer to me as our heads tipped back looking at the stars together. She wiggled her lovely ass against me.

“Do I need to check you again, Mr. Starling?”

“Um. I think maybe you do.” I turned to the right a bit, as she reached her hand behind her to check the hardness of my cock.

“Oh. Is that a gun in your pocket or…”

“Actually, it’s a box. Care to have a peek?” I was going to propose to her in front of everyone, but being alone with her in a darkened corner of the patio just felt right.

Still thinking I was playing with her, she replied in a throaty voice, “Oh, I’d love to have a peek. You show me your box, and I’ll show you mine.”

I turned her around and planted my lips on hers. When she was thoroughly kissed, I placed the box in her hand. “I love you more than anything, Faith.” I got down on my knee. “More than anything. There’s nothing I won’t do to make you happy and keep you safe.” Shit, I was going to lose it. I cleared my voice, trying again. “I…” Shit. As usual, she saved me.

“Oh my God. I love you too, Joe.” She got down on the ground with me. Others had noticed, so we were getting the audience I didn’t really want anyway.

“Open the box, dear,” Essie said from the window inside.

Faith opened the box and gasped. Inside was a perfect diamond. Not too big, not too small. It was surrounded by emeralds in an antique setting. She looked up, directly into Essie’s eyes.

“Isn’t this your ring?”

“No. It’s yours. I don’t need it anymore, dear. It brought me many years of happiness. I hope you have the same. Now kiss your young man and tell him you’ll marry him!”

Faith looked at me with an expression I wanted to always remember. It was the same one I’d noticed on her when I knew she’d fallen for me. She thought I could rope the moon.

“I would be honored to marry you, Joe Starling. Honored.”

I gathered her up into my arms and allowed that stubborn tear to fall where no one could see me. Never would I have believed a woman would bring me to my knees like this. It was, by far, the best way to be brought down, and I knew, deep in my soul that we would have a happily ever after.

A
s might be
expected
, Joe and Faith were married in my home. I may have pushed them a little to get my way, but I’m an old lady and should be allowed to throw my weight around.

It was a beautiful late spring ceremony. The birds were singing, the flowers were blooming, and the couple loved each other to distraction. It was a time for great rejoicing! I can’t tell you how it felt to have such love in my house again. I’d been alone too long.

When I found Joe Starling, I knew he was something special. He treated me with the utmost respect from day one, and he didn’t have to fake it. He truly is that good of a young man. I always knew he was too good to be an escort.

Faith was just the thing for him. And he for her. She made him want to be a better man, and he showed her that what others thought was often wrong. I really believe they were put on this earth to find each other, but what do I know? I’m just a romantic old soul.

I didn’t last much longer past that New Year’s Eve party, but Joe and Faith made my last days the most enjoyable I’d had in many years.

They grieved for me, but I’m never too far away. I peek in on them now and then. I especially love when I see Joe III sliding down the banister as Joe Jr. instructs him on how to do it faster, all the while making sure Faith is nowhere to be seen. Oh, those two get into some trouble together—father and son.

Faith’s very round with their third child now. Their second was a girl and to my eternal delight, her name is Essie. I know it’s a bit old-fashioned, but I hope she’ll grow to like it.

It seems like with each pregnancy, Faith gets one or two more curves. She curses them while Joe smiles and runs his hands over them in joy.

Oh, and all their lovelies! They have even more than I did. I believe they’re up to three dogs now—one of them missing a leg—two cats, a parrot, four turtles, and a large fish pond they had installed in the gardens.

They love my home, as I knew they would. Joe, being a full-fledged architect now, makes sure that the old building is always up to snuff. I couldn’t have made a better decision. I simply wish them all the best.

So I leave you with a toast. Raise your glass.

To Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Starling, Jr. May they fill my home with warm memories, loving moments, and a lifetime of carefree fun!

M
y first acknowledgments
are always to my betas. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said, “God. That would have been humiliating if they hadn’t found that.” You ladies are worth your weight in gold!

I’d also like to give a shout out to Nikki’s Puck Bunnies. You ladies support me and share me with your friends, and I appreciate every share.

A special thank you to the ladies at Jack’s House Publishing! Thanks to Marie Force for contacting me after reading Perfect Ten and making my day when she told me she loved it so much that she wanted to help me get Joe & Faith out to as many readers as she could! Thank you for investing your time and energy in me and my story.

I’d also like to mention Julie Cupp and Linda Ingmanson. They are both valuable resources who keep on top of me and certainly know their stuff! Julie made sure I didn’t forget anything important on the check list and Linda’s editing made me reach deeper and deeper to make Perfect Ten better with each round of edits. Thank you so much, ladies!

Last but not least, I want to thank Joe Starling for being my Perfect Ten.