Her eyes widened as she picked up the box and opened the lid. She lifted her gaze to mine then back to the box. “Richard…”
She removed the diamond and sapphire bracelet from the box, the gems glinting in the light. “It’s lovely!”
I reached across the table and fastened the clasp around her wrist.
“The blue reminded me of your eyes, Katy. I love how they look at me—the way they see me.” I held her hand, staring at the glittering jewels. “I wanted to give you something to mark today.”
She blinked at the tears forming in her eyes. “Thank you, my darling. I will treasure it always.”
I leaned close and kissed the tender, thin skin of her wrist. “I’ll treasure you.”
Her gaze was luminous as she regarded me. “Take me home, Richard. I need to be alone with you.”
“I got a room here, and I told Mrs. Thomas we’d be really late. She said she’d sleep in the guestroom.” I winked. “I want you loud tonight.”
“Take me upstairs.”
I signaled for the check.
W
e barely made it into the room. Katy was all over me in the elevator, her body molded to mine, her mouth hungry and demanding. I fumbled with the key, finally getting her into the room. I pressed her against the wall, lifting her and wrapping her legs around my waist.
“You want it dirty, sweetheart?”
“Yes,” she moaned, sliding her hand between us and cupping my erection. “Hard, fast, and dirty. Fuck me, Richard.” She nipped my jaw. “Take me.”
I groaned low in my throat. I loved it when she let go. When she got vocal and told me what she wanted.
“Tell me.”
“I want you to take me right here. Fill me with your cock.” She dragged her mouth up my neck, sucking in my earlobe and biting down. “Play with me, Richard. Possess me.”
I set her on her feet and, in seconds, had her out of her pretty little dress. I threw it over my shoulder, my suit jacket following it, and stared at her, my chest heaving with my labored breaths. Lace and satin covered her breasts, her nipples pebbled under the diaphanous material. She pressed her thighs together with a moan.
“I’m aching for you, Richard. Put out the fire.”
I dropped to my knees, lifting her leg over my shoulder. “I will, baby.”
Her head fell back against the door as I licked and bit my way up her leg, brushing my fingers over the dampness of the satin between her legs. I wrapped my fingers around the lace at her hips and tugged hard. It gave way under my strength, baring her to me. She slid down a little, widening the space, grasping at my head. I licked at her, moaning at her wetness.
“You want me, baby?”
“Please.”
I didn’t bother with more teasing. She didn’t need it, and I was too impatient. I slid my hands across her thighs and opened her up to my mouth. I licked and sucked, latching on to her clit, swirling my tongue over it the way she liked. She cried out, grabbing my hair and pulling me closer. I buried deep, pressing harder. I slipped two fingers inside her, pumping, then added a third. She gasped, her voice pleading as she called my name. I slipped my free hand from her hip and, using her wetness, I pushed a finger into her tight ass, knowing how wild that made her.
She gripped my head, clutching at me frantically. “More, Richard! Oh my God, give me more!”
My cock grew harder at her pleas. I added another finger to her ass and began to finger-fuck her in earnest, my hands and tongue working in tandem. She thrashed above me, her voice keening, her body vibrating. My wife was beautiful in her need, her desire for me a total turn-on. I ached to be inside her, to feel her warmth and the way her pussy clenched around me.
She cried out, fisting my hair hard and moaning my name. I gentled my touch, drawing out her orgasm until she collapsed against the wall. Then I stood and met her gaze.
“Here or the bed, Katy?”
With a sexy smirk, she turned to the wall and spread her legs. “Take me here, Richard. Now.”
I didn’t need a second invitation. I held her hips, lifting her and sinking into her heat. She groaned as I filled her, reaching back to wrap her arms around my neck. I played with her breasts, pulling and pinching at her nipples as I drove into her. She was slick, hot, and perfect around me. I licked and bit my way up her neck, moaning hot dirty words into her ear.
“I love fucking you.”
“Your pussy is perfect, Katy. And mine. All mine.”
“Fuck,” I groaned as her hand dropped and clutched at my ass, her blunt nails sinking into my skin. “Like that. Just like that, baby. So fucking good.”
I slid one hand to her clit, pressing and stroking as I felt my balls begin to tighten.
“Come all over my cock, Katy.” I moaned as I felt my orgasm start to wind its way through my body. “Come for me again.”
She tightened around me, setting me off. I wrapped her up, thrusting and cursing as I shook and emptied myself inside her. Her answering whimpers were breathy and low, and she whispered my name like a prayer. I collapsed onto her back, leaning heavily against her, her body trapped between me and the wall. I kissed her skin, murmuring my adoration for her, and finally eased away, catching her in my arms and carrying her to the shower.
The warm water streamed around us. We didn’t talk much, but we kissed and smiled as we soaped each other clean, letting the water rinse us off before wrapping up in towels and snuggling on the bed, the heated passion sated and contentment surrounding us. These were the moments I loved. Allowing both sides of myself to be free with Katy and feel her respond to me.
“You want to stay?” I asked quietly.
“For a little while. I want to be home when the girls wake up.”
I pressed a kiss to her head. I was good with that.
“Sleep for a bit, sweetheart.”
She snuggled closer. “I love you, Richard.”
I held her tighter.
“With all my heart, Katy.”
RichardThe next morning, I was still high from the evening with my wife. We had slept for a while, then I had made love to her again before we drove home in the early hours of the morning, dawn beginning to break as we arrived home. We snuck into the house like a couple of kids worried about being caught breaking curfew by their parents, and we tiptoed upstairs. Our girls were sleeping, safe and sound, and Mrs. Thomas snored away in the guest room, the monitor beside her blinking and ready to alert her should the girls need her.I tucked Katy into our bed and went for a run. As I pounded the pavement through our quiet neighborhood, I contemplated my life over the past few years. How it had changed. How I had changed. Contentment and happiness were two emotions I never expected to find in this life. Love was another one.Katy gave them all to me.Her gentleness, the sweetness that resided in her soul, had transformed the terse, emotionless man I had been into a person I barely recogn
He swallowed, suddenly still in the chair. “Of course. I apologize.”“Better,” I acknowledged. “Now, I have work to do. Go find Graham or Laura, and they’ll direct you to HR. Get your paperwork done, and come back and see me—knock this time before you come in. We’ll talk about my expectations.”With another hair flip, he headed for the door.“One last thing,” I called.He turned.“Get a damn haircut.”He left, pulling the door shut behind him. I sat down, staring at the closed door. I was somewhat amused, a little annoyed, and mostly confused.What the hell was Graham thinking?It wasn’t long before I had my answer. Graham appeared, pausing in my doorway, lifting his hand to knock.“May I come in?” he asked, his eyes dancing.I waved my hand. “Funny.”He sat across from me, still grinning. His wife, Laura, followed him in as he sat down.I stood and greeted her, accepting her kiss on my cheek and smiling at her. You had to smile at Laura—it was impossible not to do so. She projected
He shifted. “I’m not used to that.”“Neither was I when I got here. This place, the people, are different.” I studied him. “Graham told me he offered you a job right out of school, but you refused. May I ask why?”He was quiet. “I thought Uncle—I mean Graham—was boring. That his company was old-fashioned and dull, which is why I went to Calgary and got on with a different firm. I wanted to make a mark. My mark.”“Graham is anything except dull. This company is one of the most respected marketing firms in the country—the world, in fact. Dull isn’t a word associated with The Gavin Group.” I indicated the walls and the awards sitting on my shelves. “Their track record speaks for itself.”He stared, not saying anything.“Never confuse integrity and class with being dull, Brad. Be proud to be part of this team. Use it and learn. This place will make you better.” I closed the files on my desk. “This is an opportunity to grow.”He stood, contemplative and silent. He took the files I held out
I indicated the awards on my shelves. “A lot of people think so. Including Graham. Show some respect.”“You show me some.”I was on my feet, yelling again. “I will when you do something to deserve it!”“He was out of line telling me what to do.”I threw my hands in the air. “You were out of line!” I shouted. “This is his product—his baby—and you tell him we know it better? You’re a moron!”“Well, you’re an asshole!”My door opened, and Graham strode in, upset.“I can hear the two of you all the way to the elevator. What the hell is going on?”“Why don’t you tell him, Brad?” I sat down, done with him. “Explain this to Uncle Gray.”Brad lifted one shoulder in a dismissive gesture. “A client didn’t like what I had to say.”I couldn’t stop the growl. “Because you talked down to him. You belittled a client!”Brad opened his mouth to speak, but Graham raised his hand. “I already had a call from Marcus Whitby. A very unhappy one. He told me to straighten out my staff and to call him when it
RichardI ran a hand through my hair, tugging on the cowlick. I glanced at my phone, groaning when I saw the time. I was late again. I called Katy immediately, smiling at the sound of her gentle voice when she answered.“Hey, you.”“Hi,” I responded. “I’m late.”“No, you’re not. I didn’t expect you, so that means you’re still on time.”I sighed, leaning my head back on my chair. “I have no idea what I did to deserve you, Katy, but I am grateful for it every day.”“With Graham and Laura out of the office, it’s hardly a surprise you’re working all the time. Jenna dropped by earlier and said everyone is burning the candle at both ends with her parents gone,” she assured me.I hummed in reply. I always knew Graham had a lot on his plate running the company, but without him here, I had discovered exactly how hard he worked. No wonder he needed a vacation. We had divided up his duties, and I left the daily running of the company to Adam and Jenna, and I took care of his clients and oversee
Gracie squealed, dropping her spoon into her bowl, causing the milk to splash everywhere. The zoo was her favorite place. She loved animals, and I knew how much she wanted a pet. Perhaps Katy and I could discuss that soon. For now, though, I could take Gracie to the zoo and buy her lots of time in the petting area. She loved that.Katy beamed at me. “That would be so much fun! Are you sure?”I nodded. “I have to work later tonight, and maybe tomorrow, but I’m all yours for the weekend.” I’d pay for it the following week—except I didn’t care. I needed it. My family needed it. I needed it.Her look of adoration and happiness was worth it.Later that day, I cursed as I looked at my car, kicking the flat tire in frustration. How the hell did that happen? I bent down to examine it, muttering another curse when I saw the nail I must have driven over as I passed through the construction happening down the road on the way in this morning. After going in late, I had been rushed all day, and t
“You’re talented, Brad. In a different way than I am. Than Graham is. But not less. Don’t compare yourself or try to live up to him. Be your own person. You’re as important to the team as anyone. I saw your talent, and I thought it was the best direction for you. It wasn’t a punishment, and I’m glad you see that now.”“I do.” He paused, his voice droll when he spoke again. “I still think you’re an asshole for making me get my hair cut and breaking my phone, but you’re all right, Richard. I actually think I owe you.”A chuckle escaped my lips, the effort making me grimace. “Get me home before I hurl in your car, and we’ll call it even.”He sped up slightly. “Good plan.”Moments passed, the sounds in the car that of the rain beating down and the steady rhythm of the tires spinning on the wet pavement. I drifted, the medication beginning to take the edge off.Brad’s loud curse followed by the cacophonous squeal of tires and brakes startled me, and my eyes flew open. The car shuddered as
“The girls will be excited to see you when they wake up.”“We missed them. We missed everyone.” Laura sighed.“How is Richard?” Graham asked. “Jenna said he was burning the midnight oil daily.”“He’s been busy,” I acknowledged. “He’ll be thrilled to hand the reins back to you, Graham.”“I thought I was going away at a quiet time. I had no idea how many new projects were going to happen.”I waved my hand. “Aside from missing his girls, he’s enjoyed it.” I glanced toward the window. “I have a feeling he’ll be home soon, though.”Graham tilted his head in understanding. “His headaches.”“He refused to admit it, but I think one was coming on today. He had that look in his eyes when he left that he always gets when one is coming on.”“No doubt Brad will be dropping him off.”I was surprised. “Brad?”“Adam told me that Richard had a flat tire and Brad drove him to his meeting. Jenna had checked with him and Richard said things went well, which she passed it on to Adam. If his headache was b