Working On Love (The Griffin Brothers Book 6) Read online

  She starts moving faster as I use my mouth and fingers on her tits. I can feel her fingers brush the base of my cock as she works herself over. I’m making myself hold back because I want her to scream first. For both of us.

  It doesn’t take long. I feel her walls clamping down on me as she screams my name. She’s still touching herself, making it last longer. I don’t let up either until she puts her other hand on the headboard and looks down at me.

  “Your turn, King. Come hard for me.”

  As I feel her moving harder and faster, I bite down on her nipple and watch her throw her head back, moaning. I also start thrusting into her. I know this is her show, but I can’t stop my body from reacting. She’s still in control, though, as I come as hard as she told me to.

  “Oh my God. That was beyond perfect. Beyond.”

  She snuggles up onto my chest and I wrap my arms around her. “Thanks for letting me be in control.”

  “You can be in control whenever you want.”

  “I know. That’s one of the reasons I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Chapter 8

  Alex

  The past two weeks have flown by. Chloe got our condo done, and we’re moving in today. I can’t wait to see how everything came together. Tomorrow night we’re having our families over, but tonight it is just for us. And I want it to be perfect.

  I asked Faith, one of the Society girls, to help me come up with something to cook. She’s a trained chef and can make pretty much anything. She gave me simple, but awesome sounding recipes for the fish and side dishes. Of course I’m making my grandma’s famous mac and cheese, but everything else is courtesy of Faith. Reina let me leave work early to get everything ready.

  I’ve got everything plated and have just enough time to strike a sexy pose next to the dining room table when Miles walks in the front door. He calls out to me, and I tell him I’m in the dining room. I hear him walking across the marble floor towards me. He crosses the doorway and stops short.

  “Holy shit, baby. Is this the way I’m going to be welcomed home every night?”

  “No. Most nights we’ll come home together, but I wanted tonight to be special.”

  “Walking in to find you in just an apron is about as special as it can get.”

  “I cooked, too.”

  “I can see that, but I’m hungry for a taste of you right now.”

  I run around the table as he comes for me. “We need to eat.”

  “I’m planning on eating my favorite thing,” he tells me as he pulls me into his arms.

  “Please can we eat dinner? It’ll spoil.”

  He hesitates. “You’re killing me, Xandy. You know that, right? Refusing you anything is impossible. Let’s eat.”

  “Thank you. I should’ve kept my clothes on, but I wanted to look sexy for you.”

  He pulls out my chair for me and then sits down. “Two things. One, you always look sexy. And two, feel free to walk around naked all day and night. I’ll never complain.”

  “You’re so selfless, King.”

  “Only when it comes to you.”

  We meet in the middle of the table for a sweet kiss. “I can’t wait to show you the bedroom. And that’s for purely selfish reasons. I think the pink will look sexy with your black shirt.”

  “You do realize that I won’t give a fuck if it really is pink. As long as there’s a bed big enough for me to play with you on, I don’t care what color it is.”

  “What if I said it was twin sized?”

  “I’d say that you’d have to be on top of me while we slept, so I’m still winning.”

  “It’s not.”

  “I know. You keep telling me how insatiable you are. There’s no way our bed is anything but sexy. Let me finish this delicious meal you cooked and then I’ll show you how much I appreciate it. And you.”

  “You like it?”

  “It’s really good. Did Faith help you?”

  “Yeah.” I never thought that she might’ve cooked for him. And I didn’t mean for jealously to come through in that one word. But it did.

  “I didn’t sleep with her, Alex. She cooks Thanksgiving dinner at my gram’s house.”

  “Oh. It’s none of my business, anyway.”

  “Tegan, Jade, and Stella. And it’s totally your business. Even though it was just once with each, and I feel absolutely nothing for them.”

  “Really? Nothing?”

  “Well, now I may feel a little more cordial towards them since they seem to be good friends to you. But other than that, there really is nothing. I’ve already told you I used women and sex to cope.”

  “What is it with me?”

  “With you, it’s everything. I’m not trying to escape something. I’m running to you and the love we have. The love I can finally express. I’ve never known the pleasure I feel with you before. And I’ve never come as hard. You’re it, Xandy. My heart’s not only whole with you, but so are my body and my soul.”

  “Wow. That was super romantic. And hot. Very, very hot. Are you done eating?”

  “Yes. You need me now?” he asks with a cocky smirk.

  “I do,” I answer him honestly and with no shame. That word isn’t a part of us.

  Miles gets out of his chair and then leans down to pick me up. He carries me up the staircase, giving me little kisses all the way. He stops outside our bedroom, and it’s my turn to smirk. He’s going to love our room. I reach out and open the door.

  “Wow. Are those palm trees?” he asks as he walks in.

  “Metal ones, yes. I wanted to remember where we met. And fell in love.” The bed has the silver metal trees as the base with fronds crossing over each other on top, forming a canopy. There are thick turquoise curtains closed on all sides hiding the bed, for now.

  “The curtains?”

  “They can be opened. I want to feel like we’re closed off into our own world, sometimes.”

  “Is that where the pink is? Behind the curtains?”

  “You know there’s no pink.”

  “I was pretty sure, but I thought you might do it just to spite me.”

  “Nope. I don’t want to spite you, I want to make you yell my name.”

  “You’re the screamer, baby.”

  “Yes, but you’re the yeller.”

  “I’m going to surrender because I want to see what’s behind the curtain.”

  I reach forward and part the curtains at the foot of the bed. I hear Miles’ sharp intake of breath as he sees our bed. The black comforter with shiny, turquoise feathers all over it. There is a padded headboard that’s the same color as the curtains and a chandelier above our heads, inside the bed frame.

  “Fuck. That’s a crown.”

  “For my King.”

  “I’m going to earn that tonight.”

  “I’m counting on it.”

  He throws me on the bed and spends the rest of the night, and part of the morning, earning that crown. Over and over again. Yes, I scream, but I make him yell, too.

  * * *

  Miles

  I just woke up, and with the curtains still closed on our bed, I can’t tell what time of day it is. I hope it’s still day since we have a bunch of people coming over for dinner. Alex moves her hand down and grabs onto my morning wood. I didn’t even realize she was awake. I groan as she starts stroking me, but then I pull her hand away. One of us has to be the voice of reason.

  “You don’t want me?”

  “You felt how hard I am so you know that’s not even close to being true. We have to get up, though, and get things ready for tonight.”

  “Just once?”

  “You know damn well that it won’t be just once if we start. I, for one, would like to walk down the stairs later. Crawling in front of the guests would be a little awkward.”

  “You’re right. I guess we can be good. For now. After the party, your body’s mine again.”

  “Deal.”

  We get up, and I’m relieve
d to see that it’s not too late in the day. I grab my stuff and shower in one of the guest bedrooms. My resolve to behave would never survive a shower with Alex. After our showers, we have some breakfast and then head out.

  We’ve just picked up our flower arrangements and are getting in the car when Alex stops me. “I was wondering if we could stop by my old place since we’re close. Chloe got my stuff out, but I think I’m ready to face my demons. I want to walk in there and take back my space.”

  “Sure. Whatever you need.”

  I drive us there and hold her hand as we walk to the door. She takes a deep breath and unlocks the front door. We walk inside, and I see her visibly start to relax. Until we walk into her bedroom and find Nick waiting for us.

  “I knew you’d be back eventually. Today must be my lucky day.”

  Alex’s phone rings before we can respond. “Hi, Ainsley. I’m a little busy right now. Can I call you back?” She pulls the phone from her ear, but I notice that she doesn’t hang up.

  “Get the fuck out, asshole, or I’ll make you look even worse than I did last time,”

  “Love to see you try.”

  I lunge for him, when all of a sudden Alex screams my name and I’m grabbed from behind. Three big, hulking guys just came out of her walk-in closet. I know we’re screwed. I can’t fight those guys, plus Nick, and win. I mentally prepare myself to take whatever they can dish out. Then I hear her scream again.

  I look over and see the guy holding her rip open her shirt and kiss her neck. Motherfucker. I struggle against the two guys holding me, but it’s no use. “I’ll kill you. I swear it. I will find all of you and kill you.”

  “Such big words from someone who can’t even save himself, much less his little slut.”

  Nick has the guys turn me towards Alex as he puts on some brass knuckles and starts to punch me. In between blows, he lifts my head and makes me watch his friend grope and kiss her. I try to fight. I do. It’s no use, though. I resign myself to the fact that I’ve failed yet another woman in my life.

  The blows keep coming, and Alex keeps screaming, until suddenly my arms are free and I hear bodies hitting the walls. As I fall to the floor, I see my brother and Scott whaling on the four guys. I swear that I see Jade too, but that makes no sense. It all fades to black before I can process anything else.

  * * *

  Alex

  I’m so scared. I’ve been waiting at the hospital for hours. The paramedics insisted on bringing me in, along with Miles, because they thought I might be in shock. I’m not. I’m just scared for the man I love. Nick hurt him. Really bad. If Uncle Scott, Matt, and Jade hadn’t gotten there when they did, he might have ended up dead. And I would’ve been raped.

  It was bad enough that the guy was groping and kissing me. Thinking about it makes me shudder. I want to believe that I would’ve somehow fought him off. But I don’t know how.

  I was counting on Ainsley overhearing what was happening and tracking us down. We all have tracking devices. At first I thought it was weird having it injected in my arm, but I’m so thankful for it now. It was lucky that Scott, Jade, and Matt happened to be there with her. I owe them all our lives.

  I know Miles is alive, but that’s all I know. They’ll only let family into the ICU, and even though we’re living together, I’m not his wife. So, I don’t count. That really sucks, but as long as Matt and Jane keep giving me updates, I’ll survive. I won’t leave, though.

  I’m thinking this as they walk out into the waiting room. Matt is holding Jane up. She’s not looking too good. “Jane, are you alright? Is Miles worse?”

  “I’m fine, dear. Miles is sleeping right now.”

  “I’m taking her home to sleep. You should go home, too.”

  “No. I can’t leave, Matt.”

  “They won’t let you in, Alex. I’ve tried everything I can to get them to bend the rules.”

  “I know. I appreciate you trying. I won’t leave until he’s out of there. My aunts are bringing me some clothes tomorrow.”

  “Alright. I’ll see you in the morning, then.”

  I sit back down in my seat and don’t realize I’ve fallen asleep until I feel a hand caressing my cheek. I startle and look into eyes I haven’t seen in years. Eyes that try to look charming, but I know are full of evil. Martin Corrigan.

  I jump back from his touch. “You grew into a beautiful girl, Alexandra. No wonder my son loves fucking you.”

  “Stay away from him.”

  “I just left him. We had a lovely chat. Now it’s your turn.”

  “What?”

  “I’ve convinced the nurse here to let you in to see Miles.”

  I look past him and see the nurse smiling at me. I jump out of my chair and walk quickly to her.

  “Aren’t you going to thank me?”

  “No,” I tell him as he smirks at me.

  I follow the nurse to Miles’ cubicle. He’s looking away when I walk in. I gasp as I take in all his bruises and cuts. He turns his head to glare at me.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  My heart almost stops. That’s exactly what he said when he saw me in the foundation office. His voice sounds even colder now. I don’t know how that’s possible.

  “Your dad got them to let me in. I’ve been in the waiting room. I was so worried, Miles.”

  “Of course he did. I’m fine Alex. You should go.”

  “You don’t want to see me?”

  “No. Not now. Not ever. It’s over.”

  “Wh-what? No, Miles. We love each other.”

  “You were just another fuck.”

  “That’s not true. We bought a place together. We live together.”

  “You’re really good, so I wanted more time with you. That’s all. I could afford that condo, so why not humor you. You can have it. I won’t be setting foot in there again.”

  “Why are you doing this, Miles? Did your father say something to you?”

  I see him flinch, but he doesn’t back down.

  “I’m doing this because I’m done with you. Now get out.”

  “I’m not leaving until you explain this to me. I know what you’re saying isn’t true.”

  “GET OUT!” he yells, and the nurse rushes into the room.

  “You’ll need to leave now, miss.”

  “I love you, Miles.”

  He doesn’t answer as I stumble from the room. I want to throw up. And then curl into a little ball somewhere and never get up. I don’t know what that was. All I can think is that he’s angry with me for getting him hurt.

  I drop into a chair in the waiting room, trying to collect myself enough to call a cab to take me home. Home. That’s a joke. Miles is my home. I don’t want to go back to the condo without him. But I need to.

  “Alex?”

  I look up to see Jessica, Miles’ mom, running towards me. She looks just like I remember her. “Hi Jessica.”

  “I flew in as soon as I could. Have they let you in? I’ll make them let you in.”

  “Mr. Corrigan had them do that when he left.”

  “Martin? He was here?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Did they limit your time with Miles?”

  “He made me leave.”

  “Miles? No. He’s been telling me how happy he is now that you’re together.”

  “He told me I was just another fuck.”

  “No, Alex. That’s not true.”

  “It’s what he told me before he kicked me out. I need to leave, Jessica. It was nice to see you.”

  “Don’t give up on my son, Alex. This feels like it has my ex-husband’s slimy hands all over it. I’ll talk to Miles.”

  I just shrug at her and walk out. I’ve worked hard on building my self-respect back up. I won’t let anyone tear it back down. Not even Miles.

  Chapter 9

  Miles

  I’m finally getting released from the hospital today. I’m guessing that people who have regular—or no—insurance aren’t kept in
for two weeks very often. That’s what they did to me, though. Two weeks of poking, prodding, and some awesome pain meds. Along with two weeks of guilt, longing, and hatred. Fun times.

  My door opens, and Matt strolls in. “Man, its good you’re getting out today. You can get your head out of your ass and talk to Alex.”

  “I have nothing to talk to her about. We’re over.”

  “So you don’t care that the girls set her up with a blind date for tonight?”

  No! She wouldn’t. Not so soon. I know she hasn’t called or texted since I kicked her out of the ICU, but I didn’t think she’d get over me so soon. Apparently she has. I should be happy, because God knows I’ll never get back together with her. Instead I feel like I’m dying. I can’t let it show, though.

  “It’s none of my business.”

  “What the fuck is wrong with you? You had this amazing woman, who you’ve apparently been in love with for years, and you’re just giving her up because you got beat up?”

  “What? I don’t care about getting beat up.”

  “That’s not what she thinks. She puts on a brave front, but I caught her crying the other day. She blames herself for you getting beat up. Nick’s going to rot in jail, which is better than he deserves, but she thinks that you hate her now because you got hurt.”

  “It’s not her fault. None of it’s her fault. It’s mine. Every fucking thing is my fault.”

  “It’s your fault that some crazy bastard got fixated on her?”

  “No. It’s my fault that dad got so angry at me he did everything he could to destroy me. And it worked.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  “We’d like to know that as well.”

  I didn’t hear my mom or gram walk in, but they’re here now. I don’t want to tell them. I honestly don’t want anyone to know. I wish I didn’t know. Then I could still be with Alex.

  “No one needs to know, Gram.”

  “Yes we do, Miles. Please tell us what your father said to you. I know you love Alex. I know it.”

  I give in. I’m really too tired to fight, and although it’s selfish of me, I want someone to share the burden of what I know. Three of the four people who mean the most to me are in this room. There’s no one else I could ever tell.