Keeping Their Love (Griffin Brothers #7) Read online

  * * *

  Owen

  I’m feeling great. Tegan and Audrey helped me find the perfect hotel to spirit my wife away to, and Cyndi said she’d keep Hope Friday night. I figure I can rock Candi’s world, and mine, all night, ringing in the holiday. Then we can sleep for a few hours before taking our little girl to the park. The girls also helped me score VIP passes, so we’ll be skipping the lines, so we’ll only really need a few hours to do everything Hope would want. Truthfully, a few hours is probably more than enough for her. Especially with the excitement of being the flower girl that night. So, yeah, everything’s coming together. And Candi and I will both be coming over and over again.

  I haven’t told her all my plans, of course. But I did tell her I’d worked something out for us, and that we’re definitely celebrating the holiday together. Alone. She smiled so bright, I thought my heart would burst. Damn if I don’t love this woman more than anything.

  We’re settled in watching Frozen—again—with Hope, when the doorbell rings. It has to be family or friends since no one else would’ve gotten in the front door downstairs. I get up and open the door to see Luke standing on the other side, barely holding it together.

  “Unc Luke,” Hope yells as she sees him, running over and reaching her arms up.

  My brother smiles a sad smile before picking her up and holding her tight. He is losing it now, tears streaming down his face. Candi is next to us in seconds, pulling Hope out of his arms.

  “Hope, let’s watch the movie.”

  “I want Unc Luke.”

  “I know, baby. He needs to talk to Daddy for a few minutes first though, okay. Then I’m sure he’ll watch it with us.”

  “I will, sweetie. You know I love watching your movies with you.”

  “’Kay, I’ll tell you what you miss.”

  “Thanks, sweet girl,” he tells her, kissing the top of her head.

  We go downstairs to my studio for some privacy. When we get inside, Luke falls to his knees. “Luke, man, what’s wrong?”

  “She’s pregnant.”

  “Olivia? That’s great. I mean, isn’t it?”

  He shakes his head. “She didn’t tell me. I don’t think she planned to tell me.”

  “What the fuck?”

  “Exactly.”

  He explains what happened at his house, and I’m shocked. Truly and totally shocked. “It has to be yours, though. She wouldn’t cheat.”

  “Are you sure? Because at the moment, I’m not.”

  “Yes. I’m sure. And you know it, too. I don’t know why she kept this from you, but if she’s pregnant, there’s no way the kid isn’t yours. So get that train of thought out of your mind, at least.”

  “It just hurts so much. She’s already robbed me out of however many months of sharing this—sharing the miracle of our child. Not to mention, the physical and emotional distance from her. Why would she push me away?”

  “You’re going to have to talk to her, and find out.”

  “I don’t think I can talk to her right now. Maybe at the wedding. I mean, I’m not following through with my plans. Part of it wouldn’t be good for a pregnant woman, and the rest…yeah, I just can’t.” He takes a deep breath, before smiling. “What I can do is go see my beautiful goddaughter upstairs, and give you and Candi a couple hours of alone time.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yep. Snuggling with Hope will do any heart good, and helping you and the Mrs. get your love on is just an added bonus. Someone should be happy, after all.”

  I run up the stairs. Literally run full-out. Luke follows me up at a slower pace, laughing the whole way. We get him settled with Hope, and then I’ve got Candi down in my studio. I added a bed this week, hoping we’d get some alone time soon. Tonight is sooner than I could’ve even wished for, but I’m not complaining.

  “I can’t believe we have all night together. It’s like a dream come true.”

  “Believe it, babe. Luke’s staying over, and he’s not letting Hope out of his sight. I get to worship your hot body.”

  “I’m doing some worshipping, too.”

  We undress quickly, and then we’re just staring and circling each other. This is the first time in forever that we’ve been able to actually take the time to look. We’re usually just rushing, with most of our clothes intact. I make the first move, pulling her too me, with her back to my front. I run my hands all over her body as I suck on her neck.

  “Remember when I marked you all over? I want to mark you again.”

  “I want to paint you this time. First. Please, I’ve been thinking about that all the time lately.”

  “Where do you want me?”

  This is going to be hot, like crazy hot. When I painted her body, I told her I loved her for the first time. Which makes it one of my favorite days ever. Tonight’s going to be right up there, too.

  Hours later, after I’ve been painted and cleaned up, and she’s been marked all over by me, we lie in bed, sated and happy. I’m still keeping my Los Angeles plans, because being with my wife makes me want her even more. I know she feels the same way because she’s stroking me back to attention as we talk, even though it’s only been a few minutes. I’m not complaining.

  Chapter 5

  Ryan

  Stella and Darcy helped me plan the perfect present for Chloe. I’d thought about something like this before, but what Stella was able to do goes beyond what I’d even hoped for. Darcy’s been doing most of the legwork so Stella can concentrate on the wedding, and I’ve gotten to know her a little bit better. She’s really cool and badass, but a real romantic at heart. I wasn’t expecting that part, but it’s a pleasant surprise.

  Chloe had a couple of meetings today, so we’re plotting in my office. We’re in the middle of laughing over something one of the people on the phone just told us, when Chloe walks in.

  “Oh. Hi Darcy. I didn’t know you were meeting with Ryan today. Is he helping you with a mission?”

  “No. I’m helping him. But I should go since everything’s in place. I’ll see you guys on the plane tomorrow.”

  She hugs me and then Chloe before leaving. Chloe’s standing in front of my desk with a hand on her hip, and an eyebrow quirked. “A secret project, huh?”

  “Yep.”

  She turns like she’s going to leave, but locks my door instead. Shit. She’s going to get it out of me. I’m not even going to try and pretend that she won’t. People see me as this big, tough, businessman who takes no prisoners. But my wife can bring me to my knees with just a touch. And we both know it.

  “I want to surprise you, Chlo. Don’t try to get it out of me. Please.”

  “So it’s for me?” she asks as she starts unbuttoning her shirt.

  I can only nod as I see her perfect tits come into view. They’re encased in white lace, but there’s nothing innocent about what I want to do to her at the moment. At most moments, if I’m being honest. You’d think after all this time, my desire would lessen. But I want my wife as much, if not more, than I did all those years ago when we were teenagers falling in love.

  “Okay. I’ll let you off, as long as you get me off before I go back to work.”

  “You need it, huh?” I ask her with a smile, as I start taking off my own shirt.

  “Oh yeah. I was in that boring meeting, so I had to think about my hot husband and fantasize about what he’d do to me when I got back to his office.”

  “How do you want it, sweetheart?”

  “However my alpha wants me to have it,” she says as she starts on her skirt.

  Oh yeah. That’s my sexy woman. Letting me have it my way because she knows it’ll be beyond good for her no matter what. I look around my office, wanting to do something new. We’ve been in this office more times than I could count. But, there is something different in here. Something we’ve designed together to show a client. And when I see it, I know exactly what we’re going to do.

  “Climb onto the light, Chloe,” I tell her as the last of our
clothes fall to the floor.

  “But it’s not ours.”

  “It is now. We’ll make another one for the client.”

  She bites her lip, but does as I ask. She knows exactly what I want, so she hooks her heels into the foot holds on the bottom, and secures her hands in the loops at the top. This giant light is for a nightclub. They wanted something they could hook a dancer into and have her shadowy form projected everywhere as the light moved around her. Because that’s what this light does. It changes color, and moves all around. And then I have another idea.

  “Strap in your ankles. I’m taking you upside down, if you think you can handle it.”

  Her eyes widen once she gets what we’re going to do, and she immediately reaches down to secure her ankles. “This is going to be so hot, Ry. I need this.”

  “And I’m going to take care of you,” I remind her as I turn on the pulsing light and set it to change color.

  She’s spread completely open as the lights pulse around her body. I see her pussy glistening and I lick my lips. I use the controls to slowly flip her around and then get her positioned just right. She’s upside down, and angled back a little so it’s not too uncomfortable for her. I walk up to her and she immediately reaches for me. She’s got my cock in her mouth before I can even take my first lick.

  I stagger a little, but quickly recover. I’m licking and sucking her while she does the same to me. I start sliding my fingers into her as she uses her hand to pump my base. We’ve done this so many times that we know what each other wants and needs. I use one hand in her and the other to pinch her nipple hard as I suck and nibble on her clit. She’s hollowing her cheeks to take me deep while pumping with one hand and digging her nails into my ass with her other.

  It’s not long until she’s actively fucking my face as she bucks into me. Her ankles are restricting her movement a little, but not enough to lessen her pleasure. Or mine. I know we’re both close, but I’m not losing this contest. I twist my fingers and suck hard, knowing I’ll take her over.

  She comes on a cry that hums over my cock, making my thrust into her mouth over and over as I give it all to her. Neither one of us lets up as we both continue to come, and I’m not sure if we’ll even stop. We do stop, of course, and I quickly flip her around and undo her ankles before climbing up next to her.

  “God, Ry. That was top ten. Definitely top ten.”

  “Agreed,” I tell her as I nuzzle her neck.

  Once is never enough for either of us, which is why we’re lucky that Erin is such a good, sound sleeper. Our sex life hasn’t suffered at all, which I am extremely grateful for. I continue to caress her beautiful body as I kiss and lick her neck. She strokes me lightly, until I’m more than ready for her again. We spend the next couple of hours proving that the light box is sturdy enough for commercial use. I’m definitely a lucky man.

  * * *

  Scott

  The plan is solid. I knew it would be with Reina and Isa helping and Tegan getting me in touch with her friend, but I have to admit, what’ve we’ve come up with is pretty awesome. Now I just have to convince Yas to let me fund at least part of it. Easy, right? Yeah, I know it won’t be.

  I greet Sam and Erika as I walk into the store. They’ve been doing their best to calm my wife down, too. Everyone but her realizes that if she closes the doors to this store, she’s not failing her parents. But it’s hard to be practical when your emotions are involved. I’d give her the money to keep the store going in a heartbeat. Hell, I wouldn’t have to even give it to her. We’ve been married for a few years now with joint bank accounts. She could just take what she needs, but she won’t. That’s a big part of why I love her, but it frustrates the fuck out of me, too.

  “Hi, baby,” I tell her as I walk to the back room.

  “Daddy!”

  “Well, hello Little Man,” I say as I pick Dave up and throw him over my shoulder before continuing to walk over to his mommy.

  I kiss her passionately as I always do when I see her. Kid or no kid, she’s still my sexy wife. It’s important to me that she always knows how hot I still think she is, even several years and a little boy later.

  “Hi, Pretty Boy,” she says as she caresses my cheek.

  “You look sad.”

  “I’m always sad. I know it. You’ve been great about it.”

  “I’m here forever, Yas. I know it won’t always be hearts and flowers. I’m good with everything. I hate to see you upset, but I know it won’t last.”

  “Please don’t offer to bail me out again.”

  “I’m not going to. You have access to whatever money you need, you know that. So, I’m just going to let you do what you think is best.”

  She hops up onto one of the sorting tables, and pats the spot next to her. “Danny, can you take Dave out front for a few minutes?”

  “Sure.”

  I hand off our little guy, who I’d left squirming on my shoulder as I saw to his mom. Once they’re out the door, I jump up next to her and take her hand. She smiles up at me, one of the first real smiles I’ve seen from her in a while. Well, outside of bed. I always make her smile when we’re in bed.

  “Stop thinking about sex,” she says with a laugh, slapping my arm.

  “I can’t when I’m with you,” I tell her with a shrug.

  “Can I see my tattoo?”

  That’s a weird request, but I reach back and pull my shirt over my head. She leans forward to trace the book with her name that resides over my heart. Then she kisses it, tracing it with her tongue. I want to hold her, but I feel like I just need to let her do what she needs to instead. After a few seconds, she sits back and gives a sad smile.

  “You’ll have to change that if I close the store.”

  “No. This is where we met. And even when you were being a crazy pen lady, I knew I wanted you. I even ruined a sexy book for you once. A book is perfect for you.”

  “I am not a crazy pen lady. And you did ruin that book, and then left me wanting.”

  “I haven’t left you wanting ever again, and I feed your pen love all the time.”

  “True.”

  “Plus I’m getting you smiling and laughing. So I think I win as best husband ever.”

  “You’re definitely a finalist.”

  “I’ll take that for the moment.”

  “I’m closing the store. I don’t know what I’m going to do afterwards. I can’t just sit home all day, even though I know I could.”

  “Whatever you want is what I want. You know that.”

  “I do. I just feel like I’m disappointing you.”

  “And them?” I say, meaning her parents.

  “Actually, no. I realized that they would’ve done it before now. Because it’s the right choice. In this economy, a small bookstore isn’t going to thrive. Although I want to help my friends Scott and Drew with The Writer’s Block. I’ll send as many of my customers as possible to them. Some people still won’t go downtown, but I want to convince them it’s safe.”

  “Yeah. We’ll help the guys however we can. And for the record, you’re not disappointing me at all. I just want you to be happy.”

  “You make me happy. I’ll find something to do.”

  I already have that figured out, but like I said, I’m not sure she’ll readily agree. It’s perfect for her, even if she doesn’t know about it yet. I’ll convince her, though. Because I love my wife more than anything, and I won’t be happy if she’s not. Failure is definitely not an option.

  Chapter 6

  Owen

  The flight was pretty uneventful. Well, except for Olivia crying while Luke ignored her. The girls all hovered around her, trying to cheer her up. None of them could blame my brother, though. Candi was beyond pissed when she heard that Liv’s been keeping her pregnancy from him, and the other girls are baffled. She still won’t tell anyone why. We all know who the father is, even if Luke’s still pretending he doesn’t, and won‘t talk to her. He knows he has to, but he’s hurt. Really
, really hurt. I can’t blame him.

  I don’t mean to sound heartless, but I can’t focus on them right now. The rehearsal dinner is almost over, and then I’m whisking my wife away for our sexy night. She doesn’t know, and I’m smiling as I walk up to tell her.

  “You look very happy, Art Boy.”

  “I’m going to be with my wife all night. Alone. What’s not to be happy about?”

  “What?”

  “Cyndi’s keeping Hope while I whisk you away for a sexy night. We’ll be back in time to take her to the parks for a few hours before the wedding, but I need my wife for at least part of Valentine’s Day.”

  “It’s Valentine’s Day across the world already.”

  “That it is.”

  We say our goodbyes and thank Cyndi before grabbing the overnight bag I packed for us and getting into the waiting limo. The door’s barely closed before Candi’s on my lap. No complaints from me as she rubs herself on me and devours my mouth.

  “God, I want you so much. The other night took the edge off, but I need more.”

  “You’re going to get it, babe.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  She reaches between us and releases me from my pants. Lifting her flowing skirt, she guides me inside her. I want to thank her for skipping the panties, but I can’t form words as she starts moving. I throw my head back and grip her hips. This time’s all about her. She’s setting the pace as she licks and bites my lips. I know I should be a more active participant, but I’ll take over once we get to the hotel.

  I lose myself in the feeling of her sliding over me again and again until I feel her clench tight around my cock and yell out my name. I follow behind her, and pull her to me once I stop shuddering. “I’m sorry, Cand. I shouldn’t have let you do all the work.”

  “You’ll make it up to me later,” she reminds me as she nuzzles into my neck.

  “Definitely.”

  We put our clothes back together, but make-out all the way to the hotel. Our relationship started out as sexual, and although it’s now so much more, we both need a night to be wild again. We’re checked in and in our villa within minutes of getting out of the car. The fireplace is going, and our clothes are gone.