I snuggled into him, glad the hardest part was over.
“So…you got a date to the wedding?” He rubbed his nose against mine.
“Not yet,” I said playfully.
“Well, would you like to go with me?”
I shrugged. “I’ll think about it.”
He growled.
I chuckled. “You don’t like being rejected, do you?”
“I never get rejected.”
“Cocky as ever.”
He growled again. “Go with me.”
“Alright, I guess I’ll go.”
“Good.” He nuzzled my neck. “Because I want to dance with you.”
“Really?” That was sweet in a way I couldn’t explain.
“Yeah.” He rubbed his nose against mine. “I’m good on my feet. I’d like to show you my moves.”
“I’ve seen your moves…”
“Then you know what to expect.”
“God, you’re so arrogant.”
He laughed then pulled me closer to his body. “I just know what my baby likes.”
I savored his scent while we lay together on the bed, enjoying the silence. I was so glad to be back in his arms again. He was the most wonderful man in the world. “Will you help me get my things?”
“Of course. But I’m chaining everything down so you can’t leave again.”
“I never will. You don’t have to worry about that.”
A softness moved into his eyes. “This is off to a good start.”
Even though it was midnight, Flynn wanted to make breakfast. He was odd in that way, never living life to any set of rules. He did what he wanted when he wanted to. But I loved that about him.
“Step back.” Flynn held the pan then launched the pancake into the air, flipping it.
“Just use the spatula,” I said with a laugh.
“That’s no fun.” He shook the pan then flipped it again. This time it stuck to the roof, just like the other three.
I shook my head. “Clearly, you aren’t good at this.”
“I’ll get it. I just need practice.”
“We’re never going to eat at this rate.”
He poured more batter into the pan then stepped back. “Now you try.”
“I’m going to make you feel stupid.”
“Impossible,” he said with a cocky smirk.
I took the handle then flipped the pancake, making it land back in the pan. “You could learn a thing or two from me.”
“But you barely got it in the air. That’s no fun.”
I shook my head and laughed. “At least I have something to eat now.”
He snatched the pancake out with his bare hand then shoved it into his mouth.
“Jerk!” I slapped his arm. “That was mine!”
He licked his fingers while victory shined in his eyes. “Thanks for making breakfast.”
I growled. “That was your plan all along.”
He shrugged. “Guilty.”
“You’re lucky you’re so hot.”
“I know.”
I rolled my eyes then hit him again. “Are you humble about anything?”
“No.” He grabbed the carton of orange juice and drank it without pouring a glass first.
“That’s gross.”
He finished then wiped his mouth. “And you think clipping your toe nails in front of the TV isn’t?”
“It’s too cold to go on the balcony!”
“It’s called a bathroom,” he snapped. “Maybe you should use it once in a while.”
I growled then threw a muffin at him. “I hate you.”
“Say that next time I’m inside you.”
I growled again. “Didn’t your mother teach you to be a gentleman?”
“Yes, but then my dad taught me how to be a real man.”
Whatever. I poured another pancake into the pan and watched it bubble.
He came behind me then wrapped his arms around me. “Baby, you know I’m kidding.”
I smiled then looked up, seeing him stared down at me. “I know.”
He kissed my forehead then slapped my ass.
I rolled my eyes. “We were so close.”
“Don’t act like you don’t love it.”
Actually, I did love it. But I would never admit it.
A knock on the door made us both freeze. Who the hell would be at his apartment this late at night? Maybe it was Zahara. For the first time, I hoped it were her. I wanted to slap that bitch across the face.
Flynn stared at the door before he walked to it, looking through the peephole.
“Who is it?” I whispered.
“Cade.”
His brother?
He turned to me, seeing my nipples through my shirt because I didn’t have a bra
on. He grabbed a sweater from the coatrack then threw it at me. “Pull this on.”
I caught it then pulled it over my head. It fell down to my knees.
Flynn opened it, his hand resting on the door. “What’s going on?”
Cade stood on the doorstep, a backpack over his shoulder and a bag in his hand.
That didn’t look good.
“Can I crash here?” Cade asked.
Wasn’t he rich? Why would he stay here?
“Um…okay.” Flynn seemed just as confused as I was. “Why?”
“I just need to stay somewhere,” he snapped. “Can I come in or what?”
Rude as ever.
I wasn’t sure what Flynn would do. The last time we saw Cade, Flynn wasn’t too happy with him. He stepped aside. “Sure.”
Cade walked in then glanced
at me. Annoyance spread across his face but he didn’t say anything.
I knew he and I would never be friends.
He stood in the center of the room and waited. “Can I have the spare bedroom?”
“Sure.” Flynn locked the door and looked at him. “What’s going on, man?”
“I’m tired.” He headed to the hallway then stopped when he saw all the pancakes on the ceiling. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“Why the fuck are you here?” Flynn countered.
Cade glared at him then disappeared down the hallway.
“I was not expecting that,” I whispered.
“Me neither.” He turned to me. “Is it okay if he stays here?”
“It’s your brother, Flynn. You can decide that.”
“If he’s rude to you, I’ll throw him out on his ass.”
I was glad he defended me, even against his own family. “Well, I can tell he’s going to be. Cut him some slack for a few days. Maybe something bad happened.”
He rubbed his chin. “I have no idea what. He’s loaded with a great apartment. I can’t imagine why he would be here. Maybe they are fumigating it or something.”
“Maybe he lives in my old building,” I joked.
He smiled while he looked down at me. “Let’s finish breakfast then head to bed.”
“There’s a sentence I never thought you’d say.”
“I want to eat the pancakes off you.”
I blushed. “I never thought I’d hear that one either. I’ll try to keep it down for you brother.”
“No. Please don’t.” His eyes sparkled in mischief as he made the pancakes, flipping them into the air. He finally made one without it sticking to the ceiling. “Look who’s a pro now.”
“After ten tries…”
He put the pancakes on a plate and headed to the bedroom. “Let’s get this party started.”
2
Cortland
Monnique didn’t move to Seattle like I asked, but I promised her he would visit once a month so her brother didn’t feel so alone. I’d move back with her in a heartbeat, but I couldn’t leave my job. I’d never find anything else better. The pay was great, the people were awesome, and I could get away with pretty much anything.
I didn’t want to rush into anything yet, so we were just dating…I guess. But I wasn’t seeing anyone and neither was she. So, we were back together, at least that’s what I would tell people if they asked. It was complicated, but she and I would work this out and become even stronger than we used to be. I wasn’t going to let her go, and I’d work hard to regain what we lost. Because she was the one.
I’d never been so nervous to go on a date before. I was standing in front of her apartment with the gift in my hand. I’d been on hundreds of dates with her before, but now I knew she was going to be mine forever. We were starting over, but I already knew the ending. She was going to be my wife, and that suddenly made me anxious.
I knocked then waited for her to answer.
She opened the door wearing an olive green dress and a jean jacket. I loved the color on her. It highlighted her skin perfectly, making her brown eyes glisten. I swallowed the lump in my throat because I was speechless.
I cleared my throat. “Hi.”
“Hi.” She smiled at me, giving me a dazzling look.
“You look beautiful.”
She grabbed my hand and pulled me into the apartment. “You look hot.”
I blushed at her words.
She wrapped her arms around my neck and gave me a sensual kiss. Her lips moved slowly, parting mine and giving me a small amount of her tongue. I sprang to life immediately then gripped her waist, loving her taste. I’d never grow tired of kissing her.
She end
ed the embrace then rubbed her nose against mine, giving me a look of pure joy. I hadn’t seen her this happy in a long time, so long I couldn’t recall. It made me feel wonderful knowing that reaction was because of me.
She looked down at my hand, seeing the gift. “What’s that?”
“Oh.” I was so enchanted by her beauty I forgot everything else. “I got you something.” I held out the gift to her.
“You don’t have to get me anything.” She smirked while she ripped open the paper.
“I think you’ll like it.” My eyes lingered on her neck, seeing the necklace her father gave her. She wore it all the time.
When the paper was of
f, her face broke out in a wide grin. Her eyes softened when she looked at me. “Cortland…thank you.”
“I knew you would like it.”
“I love it.” She stared at it for a moment before she placed it on the counter. It was the picture of us at the wax museum, hanging out with a Bill Gates figurine. It was the picture I stared at before I went to bed every night. That moment meant the world to me. It was when I fell in love with her again.
She grabbed her clutch then came to the door, ready to leave. “What did you want to eat?”
“How about brunch?” I asked.
“Sure.” She smiled then stepped out.
When we walked out of the building, I grabbed her hand and squeezed it. I felt right being with her again, claiming her as mine for the whole world to see. When men stared at her as we walked up the street, I didn’t care. I was the luckiest bastard in the world and I knew it.
She walked close to me, her shoulder touching mine. “I’m going to get French toast.”
“Good choice. Me too.” I opened the door of the restaurant and let her walk in first. After we arrived at our table, I pulled out the chair for her like I usually did then sat across from her.
She stared at me for a long time. I averted my gaze then looked at the menu. When I looked up again, she was still staring.
“Yeah?” I asked.
She smiled then looked down. “I’m just happy.”
Her words warmed my heart. I smirked then looked at the menu again. The nervousness I had disappeared. Everything was right with the world. I was back to being happy, being with the girl I loved. I felt stupid for ever trying to move on. That was a waste of time.
“So, you got a hot date for the wedding?” she asked. Her hair was pulled back in a clip, revealing her perfectly sculpted shoulders and the curve of her breasts. The olive green color looked perfect on her. She could pull off any color and look stunning. I reminded myself not to stare so much. Even though I was her boyfriend, it probably still made her
uncomfortable to be gawked at all the time.
“
Yep. And she’s smokin’.”
She played along. “Well, this smokin’ girl probably wants you to wear a green tie so it will match her dress.”
I smirked. Matching would annoy most guys but it didn’t annoy me at all. The more people who knew she was mine, the better. “We’re actually already wearing green ties.”
“Oh. That solves the problem.”
“But I can wear green boxers for you…”
She smiled. “That won’t work because I’m going commando.”
My cock sprang to life quicker than it ever had before. My throat was suddenly dry.
The waiter approached our table. “What can I get you, sir?”
Uh… My mouth was so dry I couldn’t find the words. Monnique chuckled lightly, pleased by my reaction. I cleared my throat. “Uh, I’ll have the French toast.” I handed the menu over, flustered.
“How do you like your eggs?”
Eggs? I kept thinking about Monnique wearing a dress with no panties. “Uh, surprise me.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Okay… What kind of toast?”
“I don’t know. The kind with jelly on it.” I kept thinking about her legs wrapped around my waist while I held her against the bathroom wall.