Authors: Calista Fox
While Rosa went to work on dinner, I ducked into the enormous dressing room Dane and I shared. He was stepping out of the shower and I admired the view. He caught me gawking in the reflection of the mirror of the double vanity and gave me a cocky grin.
“Nice to see I still enthrall you.”
“I'm sorry,” I said. “Was there drool pooling in the corner of my mouth?”
“Funny.” He wrapped a thick towel low around the hips and tucked in the end.
“Must you cover up?”
“Yes, I must. You keep eyeing me as though I'm the Last Supper and we'll never be ready in time.”
Yes, I feasted upon him with my gaze locked on his mouthwatering body. Fat drops rolled along the side of his neck, a few collecting in the indentation between his clavicle, others trickling down his expansive chest. One coated his small, pebbled nipple, and I couldn't help stepping toward him and flicking my tongue over his hot skin, licking up the moisture.
He let out a sexy sound.
I gloated inwardly. Maybe I shouldn't worry so much about Mikaela's model perfection and worldly sophistication.
My fingertips skated over his abs, a whisper of a touch, but his muscles tensed.
“You know that will get you into trouble.”
“This is exactly the kind of trouble I like getting into,” I countered. I licked another drop from the rivulet along the valley of his hard pectoral ledge.
He fisted strands of my hair and gently tugged my head back as his mouth crashed over mine. Our lips parted on the same breath, our tongues tangling. My heart slammed against my ribs, my pulse ignited.
He backed me up against the wall and shoved my yoga pants and thong down my hips and thighs. I toed off my sneakers and wiggled out of the clothes with a little dance, kicking the garments away. Then I yanked at the end of his towel, unraveling it. He was already hard for me.
His hands shifted to my ass and he cupped the cheeks as he lifted me. I wrapped my legs around his waist, and a heartbeat later he plunged inside me. I tore my mouth from his and cried out from the heat that rushed through my veins.
“That's what I want to hear,” he murmured against my neck. “You crazed for me.” He nipped at the skin. “And don't worry about digging your nails in.”
I gripped one of his bulging biceps. My other hand combed through his damp hair. “I've long since given up that concern. Seems to turn you on.”
“Because it tells me how turned on you are.”
“So very,” I muttered.
He kissed me deeply as he thrust forcefully, quickly. I clung to him, my thighs clenching to hold me in place, my pussy clutching him as he slid along my slick walls, my fingers coiling around as much of his arm as I could manage, the tips pressing in.
His darkly passionate kiss and aggressive strokes stirred my soul, singed me to the core.
I broke the kiss again and said on a sharp breath, “I'm going to come.”
The erotic sensations swelled and surged. A powerful release raged through me and I called out his name as I lost myself in those all-consuming moments when ecstasy overruled everything and the fiery bliss devoured me.
“That's it, baby,” he murmured in a strained voice. “Just like that.”
I had no control over the way my inner muscles milked his thick shaft as he expanded within me. I felt the throbbing sensation of his cock mix with the incessant beat of my orgasm and then he said my name on a lusty sigh and filled me with his essence.
I continued to hold him firmly, nowhere near ready to let my climax languish or give up my claim on Dane.
“Ari,” he said against my lips. “You have no idea what you do to me.”
“I think I do.” I grinned.
Our breaths were labored, our chests rising and falling together as my breasts pressed below his pecs. I wore a tank top but could feel his heat. I reveled in the absolute masculinity of him.
He was a strong, commanding presence and yet I could turn him inside out with a look, a touch, an explosive go-round when we really should be getting ready for a baptism.
I kissed him, then said, “I like this new arrangement.”
“I had better find something to occupy my time or you'll be my 24-7 hobby.”
“I would
never
complain about being your hobby.” I kissed the corner of his tempting mouth, then his jaw. I flicked his earlobe with my tongue, suckled on it. “Or your obsession,” I whispered.
He groaned, low and deep. “You're about to get me going again.”
“We don't have time for that.” I tenderly bit his neck. “It's just that you're so delicious, I can't resist.”
“I'll be cutting this party short tonight.”
With a soft laugh, I said, “No, you won't. I want everyone to enjoy themselves. These are our closest friends, Dane. We don't get to spend enough time with them as a group. I want that to change.” I gave him a pleading look. “We're extremely fortunate to have people in our lives who understand how critical your work has been, how imperative it is to keep your secrets. They've supported us the entire time. They stand by us. We're very, very lucky. And I want them to know we feel that way.”
He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Aria Lynne Bax. I am not only forever indebted to you for all that you do, but I am eternally, hopelessly devoted to you.”
“I'm the one who struck gold.” I kissed him again, then added, “And I'm the one who needs lots of mirror time.”
“You're perfect,” he contended, love shining in his gorgeous green eyes. “Every second of every day.”
“I want
us
to be perfect,” I told him. “I'll do whatever it takes.”
Our gazes remained locked for endless moments. As usual, it was easy to forget the outside world existed when we were together. Save for one thing.
“We have a son to baptize,” I reminded Dane.
“And he'll be sleeping with Rosa tonight, because I'm going to do some very wicked things to his mother when we're alone again.”
I could hardly wait.
*Â Â Â *Â Â Â *
While anticipation flowed through every inch of me at the promise Dane had made, I managed to focus on getting ready before our guests arrived.
Tamera was the first to step through our doors, looking lovely as always in an ice-blue strapless minidress that did everything to make even
my
eyes pop.
“Geez,” I said as I took her coat. “If I weren't thoroughly addicted to my husband, I might consider switching teams.”
She laughed in her throaty, sensual way. “Darling, you never fail to make my day. And you're one to talk.” Her cultured British accent gently punctuated her words. “Where
do
you shop, Ari?”
“Since the first time Dane invited me to dinner, my hot spot has been a boutique in Tlaquepaque that collects one-offs, so I never feel as though I'm shopping off-rack.” In fact, I wore the emerald mini I'd selected for that dinner a little over a year ago. I'd chosen it because the color almost matched Dane's eyes. He'd been mesmerized that evening, and I tended to pull it out on special occasions in hopes of keeping him captivated.
“I know precisely the boutique,” Tamera said. “By René, which is a fabulous restaurant. Let's have lunch there soon.”
“And then we'll shop.”
“I'm not sure I can afford your taste,” she said with a wry smile. “I'm just an ordained officiant and counselor. I haven't married a billionaire.”
“Clearly, you don't need to in order to look like you did. Seriously, astounding.” And I couldn't wait to take her into the great room where Kyle was sipping scotch with Dane and Amano.
I gently clasped her hand and led her that way. I already knew Tamera found Kyle attractive. Perhaps that was why she'd dolled up for a baptism?
We entered the room and I very happily announced, “Look who stopped by to show off her fabulous legs?”
“Ari!” She swatted at me, her tawny eyes widening. “Are you out of your mind?”
Dane laughed. “Come have some champagne, Tamera.”
My friend glared at me before crossing the room to join the men. Amano was already pouring her bubbly. Kyle eyed her over the rim of his glass. He played it cool, but I caught the flicker of interest in his sky-blue irises. And bit back a smile.
He'll get over me
.
I'd do everything in my power to make sure of it. He deserved to be as deliriously happy as I wasâand Tamera was too fantastic for him to pass up. I didn't mind trying to convince him of this, though Tamera in her tight, short skirt and with her mile-long legs might do the trick all on her own.
The bell chimed again, and I excused myself to answer the door, since Rosa was busy in the kitchen. She had the baby in there as well, likely giving Amsel his first cooking lesson.
My dad arrived, looking dapper in a navy-colored suit. While Kyle and Dane filled theirs out in a way that suggested a tailor had to work some serious magic around the rock-hard biceps and powerful thighs, my dad was lean muscled and clothes hung naturally on him. He handed over a bottle of fancy sparkling water I favored and kissed me on the cheek.
“You look beautiful,” he told me.
“Thank you. I was just thinking how well you wear a suit. Kind of funny, since you live in polo shirts and Dockers.”
“One of the perks of running a golf club.”
“True.” I'd pretty much grown up in golf skirts and shirts. Sometimes in high school I'd reach for the spikes instead of tennis shoes before heading off to class and would catch myself as I walked out the door and change. Came with the territory of basically being raised on the links.
And since I missed them with the recent sequestering, I said, “We need to get out on the course soon. My swing has probably gone to pot since I've been tucked away here.”
“How's Wednesday afternoon? The rain's supposed to let up.”
“Perfect. Dane will get a kick out of being on his own with Amsel. Though Rosa will likely only be a soft shout-out away. She's not big on letting the baby out of her sight for long. Same with Kyle and Amano. It's really very endearing.”
“In a few more years, we can start him on the putting green and driving range.”
“He ought to be a natural, what with the golfing genes I might have passed on and the fact that his father is so dexterous. If Amsel takes to this sport, he might actually give you a run for your money.”
I winked. My dad laughed heartily.
“I wouldn't mind,” he said. “Your son can school me on the courseâjust not your husband.”
With a smile, I told him, “Dane knows that. If you were anyone else, he would have dedicated sufficient time to improving his already great game, given his competitive nature. But beating his father-in-law ⦠No, not a smart move.”
We headed toward the great room, but I sent my dad ahead of me when the chimes went off again. He knew his way around the house, so I left him in order to greet our next guests. Jackson and his very lovely wife, Eleanor, joined the festivities. Then Ethan appeared, bearing gifts.
“Holy cow,” I said as I eyed the enormous basket he carted in both hands. I had him set it on a foyer table with the other presents. “This is so graciousâbut
so
not necessary.”
“I'm the godfather,” Ethan declared, his now-empty arms spread wide, in magnanimous fashion. “You think I'm not going to spoil this child?”
I laughed. “The very reason we chose you.”
“Smart alec.”
Dane had phoned him after our decision had been made to go through with the baptism. Ethan was a natural selection for godfather, a total no-brainer. Easier to peg than how we'd let Mikaela in on the mystery of our family.
Ethan kissed me on both cheeks, then handed over a sealed envelope.
I gave him a piercing look. “Let's not get carried away.”
“My dear Mrs. Bax,” he said, knowing how much I loved hearing that monikerâand how infrequently it was ever used, given our circumstances. “I only have one godchild. Don't ruin my fun. This is mad money for when he wants to buy a Harley before he's old enough to access his trust fund and you say no.”
I playfully squeezed Ethan's arm. “You're so bad.”
Of course, I considered the “joyride” story Dane had told me. But I honestly didn't feel our son would have any reason to feel rebellious at that same age; he wouldn't have anything to rebel against. We weren't in danger, and our little blackbird wasn't an orphaned billionaire. There wouldn't be any wolves to keep at bay while Dane and Amano were around.
Ethan's tone turned serious as he said, “Amsel is going to be an amazing kid, Ari, and I'm both honored and humbled to be such an important part of his life.”
“We're the ones who are honored, Ethan.” Myriad feelings overcame me. I supposed I'd have to get used to this aspect of my life that I hadn't experienced growing upâor within my first year of marriage. More and more people around me who cared for me, whom I cared for in return.
What I focused on was how incredible it felt to have all this warmth filling the hallways of our home.
This wasn't like my dad and me being on our own after the divorce, when he'd struggled to pay the bills because his PGA career was over and he hadn't quite had the wherewithal at the time to admit it, especially with my mother taking him to the cleaners, both financially and emotionally.
This was friendshipâfamilyârooted deep.
And I loved it.
With a smile, I told Ethan, “Everyone's in the great room. Dane will pour you fifty-year-old scotch or eighteen-hundred-dollar champagne. Take your pick.” I winked.
“Always the overachiever,” Ethan quipped of my husband.
“And never one to do anything half-assed.”
“Agreed. I've never heard of a baptism over cocktails.”