One Year Later

Christmas Novella

Allison

The scent of David’s cologne filled my nose as he leaned over and kissed me awake. “I love you.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to work.” He shrugged and looked at me like I was crazy. It was Wednesday after all, and going to work was something he’d done every day despite the fact that he’d been promising for weeks that he would step down and let Greyson take over.

“I get that, but why? I thought you were going to talk to Greyson on Monday?” He’d promised he was going to talk to him three Mondays ago, but it had never happened.

“It’s a little harder than I thought to let go, okay. Besides, we have some huge clients coming up for the Super Bowl. If I don’t get those ideas lined up, I’m scared I’ll be dumping too much in his lap.”

I sat up and pulled the covers up over my breasts. “You’re always saying that he does the majority of the work and has held your hand each step of the way. I’m sure he can handle it.”

He let out a long sigh. “There are certain clients who want to deal with a DeVant directly. I can’t help it, baby, it’s just how it is. I think the summer might be a better time.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and looked down at me with an apologetic smile. “Don’t be like this. You’ll make me feel guilty for working.”

I let out a long breath and knew I didn’t want to do that. God forbid if the man was unhappy for a moment. “Okay. Fine. The summer.” I reached out, dropping the covers and exposing myself to him. “Come back to bed for a while?”

“Baby, I can’t. I’ll make it up to you later, though. How about we fool around later tonight. I’ll give you my entire evening.” He leaned in and kissed me hard on the mouth and as he pulled away, he cupped my breasts. “You look so beautiful and tempting.” He gave me a sexy growl and whispered against our kiss. “Tonight.” With that, he hurried away, and I was left knowing better than to believe him.

We’d been so busy with Sierra, renovating the house— while we were living in it, and between David’s job, my investing in Katrina’s dreams along with Greyson, who’d always wanted to own a fancy café, we didn’t have much time left for intimacy. Our sex life had been reduced to lazy ten-minute fucks before work, and those were always followed by a mad rush out the door if I could manage to wake up in time.

I pulled on a robe and walked downstairs and to the kitchen where the contractors had left their tools scattered about. I’d have to be dressed and have Sierra ready for school in another half hour, but first, I would enjoy a sip of coffee and look to see the quality of the work that was being done.

I’d hoped to have my home fixed before the holidays, but then when that didn’t happen, I’d begged by the end of the year. David was doing his best to rush them, but they were in no hurry, and money could only speed up so many processes for the job to be done right.

I was startled as someone came around the corner and bumped into me. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. DeVant.” Ethan, our handsome, young contractor was about an hour earlier than usual.

“It’s okay, Ethan. I wasn’t expecting you, is all.” I’d have put on a little more than a robe. Like maybe some panties at least and pants.

He scratched his short-cropped beard and looked down to the floor as if he knew I was nearly indecent. “Your husband greeted me outside and told me it was okay to come in.”

“Of course. Do what you need to do, don’t mind me.” I carried my coffee upstairs and went to get my shower so I could get Sierra ready for school and then myself ready for the day ahead.

Once I had Sierra to school, I drove back home and retreated to my room for another day alone going over designs for the café. I missed David and had enjoyed being his assistant. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to work, but David thought that with us living together, and with Sierra changing schools and the house undergoing such a change, I’d do better staying home. I had to agree, but I missed the sex and that little bit of time at the office had made me feel so much closer to him.

At home, I had to compete with my daughter, and though I didn’t want to be resentful of her, I was a bit jealous of the attention David gave her. He’d already developed a habit of falling asleep during story time, and I’d had many nights alone in the room after pulling a blanket over him and Sierra.

I’d thought with my parents next door, we’d have unlimited resources when it came to needing a night alone, but instead, Sierra preferred her own bed, and David wasn’t one to argue. He’d let her come home any time day or night. All she had to do to get her way was bat those little lashes, and her daddy would give her exactly what she wanted.

I understood that he’d missed out, but he’d also missed out on time with me for the past six years too, and I wanted some of his attention.

I felt a warmth of desire spread through me as I remembered the two of us on Thanksgiving Day. We’d stopped by the office, unbeknownst to me to get my engagement ring. That wasn’t all he’d decided to give me that day. He’d taken me right across the boardroom table and fucked me good and hard just like I’d wanted.

He’d been giving me plenty of affection, and that was sweet, but sometimes I wasn’t sure if he thought I was his little girl too. He’d gotten so gentle and protective it was like he’d forgotten how to be kinky and sexy with me.

We’d finally agreed, after a long reconsideration, that I’d go off my pills and that had been the first day we’d really tried to get me pregnant. I ached thinking of him, so powerful over me, his strong body pumping hard into me and his thick cock buried deep to fill me up. I felt my nipples grow hard, pebbling beneath my lacy bra. I brought my hand to my chest and was thinking about stealing a quick moment to relieve myself of the urges when Ethan walked into my doorway. “Mrs. DeVant?” I jerked my hand from my lap, and his eyes widened.

“It’s Ms. Beall actually.” I’d taken my maiden name back for the moment, and even Sierra had lost the name Simon when my ex was paid to leave us alone.

“Yes, Ma’am. I’m sorry, but I called up to you, and you didn’t answer.”

“It’s no bother. Can I help you?”

“Yes, Ma’am. We’re making another run for supplies, and your husband said you’d have a check ready.”

“Of course.”

“Oh, I guess he’s not your husband.” His eyes lingered on me a little longer than I felt comfortable and as I flushed, he smiled as if he liked having an effect on me.

I squared my shoulders. “He’s my husband in every sense of the word, save a license. I haven’t set a date for the wedding, but it’s happening.” I didn’t know why I felt the need to explain myself, but Ethan smiled and looked me up and down.

“He’s a lucky man.” He smiled and took the check, and I shook off the awkward feeling as he disappeared out the door and his footsteps sounded on the stairs.

I was just about to gather my wits when Katrina’s voice called from up the hall. “You better be decent in there, my friend.” She rounded the corner and stopped in the doorway.

“Who was that hot guy coming down the stairs?”

“Our contractor. He needed more money.”

“Wow, I’m surprised David leaves you alone with that guy.” She fanned herself and dropped her bag at the foot of my bed and climbed up to sit with me.

“You have seen David, haven’t you? I think I’ve done better than the contractor.” David was gorgeous with dark brown hair, smoldering blue eyes, and the sexiest body that he’d covered with tattoos in the military. He was incarnate, right down to his kinky nipple rings, and thick cock between his legs.

“Yeah, I’ve seen. I want your life, remember?” She let out a long sigh.

“You’ll get it soon enough with this new career path. I still can’t believe Greyson and I are involved. Dragging him on board was a win/win.”

“Yeah. He’s been really great, but he’s no help with the interior decorating part. I thought with his snazzy fashion sense he’d be a shoe-in for ideas, but that’s not the case.”

“Yeah, don’t let the crazy socks and fitted suits fool you. But you know who you should call; Blaine.”

“Blaine?” Her eyes lit with surprise. “Blaine as in Blaine DeVant?”

“The one and only. He’s an artist, and his work would look phenomenal in the café. I think it’s just the edgy, artsy style you’re going for. And it’s classy.” Blaine would also love the exposure. He’d really focused on art and turned his life around.

“That sounds great. I’ll give him a call.” She gave me a sideward glance. “Is he single by any chance? Straight?”

A laugh erupted from my chest. “He’s both.”