“Tori!” Jazzy shouted at the top of her lungs as she raced down the stairs. Her body collided with mine and I took a step back from the impact.

“Hi, sweetie!” Setting down my bags from the market, I twisted from side to side as I hugged her. Her legs swung through the air, making her little girl giggles amplify.

“I missed you!” She continued shouting.

“Aww, I missed you too. Thank you so much for my gift. It was very thoughtful of you. I see you’re feeling better.” I set her down on her feet. Taking her hand we walked into the family room and sat on the couch together. The fresh vegetables and other items I picked up at the farmer’s market today could wait until I had time to catch up Jazzy.

“I threw up,” she announced, and I fought my instinct to gag whenever I thought about puking. “I’m good now.”

“I’m glad. What do you want to do today?” It was the day after Jay moved me back into his house. I had gotten up early to go to the store so that I could make a nice dinner tonight. With this being Jazzy’s first time with both of us since the incident with Monica, I thought it would be good for us to spend a special day with her.

“Ummm…” She looked to the ceiling, deep in thought. “Can we go to the movies? I want to see The Legends of Oz.”

I laughed as her energy level ratcheted up a notch and she bounced in her seat.

“Oh! That movie looks good! We’ll go after lunch. How’s that?”

“Yay!” She shouted.

“Where’s your dad?” I asked her. There was something I needed to take care of before he surfaced.

Jazzy pointed towards the direction of Jay’s office. “He’s on the phone.”

“Good,” I murmured. My mind became lost on the package in one of the grocery bags.

“Do you want to play a game with me?” Head cocked to the side she looked so damn cute. It was hard to resist her.

“After I put the groceries away we can play.” I stood and headed towards the bags I had left in the entryway.

“Can I help you?” Jazzy followed closely on my heels.

“Sure thing, sweetie.”

We walked towards the kitchen. She hefted the smallest bag, and I watched as it precariously started tipping the longer she had it in her hands. Just as the peppers were about to spill over I swooped in and saved them. My triumph didn’t last long, however, because the bag ripped under the stress of my tight grip and all the contents tumbled to the ground.

“Oh no!” Jazzy cried out and began scrambling around to pick everything up.

I, too, got on my hands and knees picking up rogue peppers, pickle jars and apples.

Spying the lone plastic bag that held a very secret item in it, I changed course from a cucumber and speed crawled towards the bag. Just as I was about to reach for it, a pair of Adidas sneakers entered my line of sight, cutting me off from reaching my destination.

I looked up a tall pair of jean-clad legs, further up past a baggy t-shirt to a smirking, beautiful face. Shit.

“What’s this?” Jay asked. His long, deft fingers hooked the handles of the bag and held it up in front of him. I swallowed hard not wanting him to see the bag’s contents.

“It’s nothing.” I tried to sweep the bag from his grasp, but he pulled it away. Then I watched in horror as he pulled it open and looked inside. He looked up and his eyebrows rose so high they were practically in his hairline. Looked like the cat was out of that bag.

“I’m late,” I quickly explained. “It’s probably just stress, but I wanted to be sure.”

“Jazzy, why don’t you take your iPad and go play that game you like.” She took her father’s suggestion and raced from the room.

I laughed awkwardly and played it off. “It’s no big deal. Really.”

“You gonna be my baby mama?” His hand rested on my stomach, and he gave me an endearing look that made my chest ache in a really good way.

“I don’t know whether I should be offended or laugh at that statement.” I tried to pull away when he wrapped me up in a tight embrace.

“Jazzy was an accident, and I’ve never regretted her. Not for one second of her nearly six years on this planet. But with you, I want to plant my seed in you and watch it grow.”

God, I loved it when he said such sweet things.

“You aren’t at all freaked out about this? We’ve been together for like a second,” I reminded him.

“When you know, you know. I’ve gone through my share of relationships.” I gave him a questioning look. Relationships? Really? He chuckled. “Okay, women. When you have that day-to-day existence with someone where you’re happy and you love her, and unexpected shit comes up you embrace it. Not run from it.”

“It’s probably nothing anyway. I have been under a lot of stress lately.”

“Why don’t you go take it and we’ll know?” He gestured towards the half bath off the kitchen.

“Fine, but if it’s positive I don’t want you thinking you have to marry me or anything.”

“I don’t want to get married again.” Ouch. Well, that hurt. Maybe it was time we had a conversation about our future.

“You don’t?”

“Nah. Not after the last trip I was on with that shit.” Sensing my disappointment, he said. “I don’t need a piece of paper to show you that I love you.”

“No. That isn’t what marriage is about though. It’s about announcing your commitment to another person and showing her and everyone else that you’re a family now and that you want that family to eventually grow.” I pointed down towards my stomach.

“T, I am committed to you. To us. I plan on spending the next eighty years together if we’re blessed to have that long. Does it matter that your last name changes? To me it doesn’t. As long as I’m breathing, you’re going to be it for me, and I’m going to be sure to treat you like my queen.”

I knew what he was saying was true, but it was so hard to imagine letting go of little girl dreams and ideals. I briefly wondered if I’d be settling and regret it down the road. I didn’t want to fool myself into believing that he might change his mind. That usually led to disappointment and heartbreak. It all boiled down to what I could ultimately live with. If I had to choose between a wedding with someone else or a life with Jay, there was no contest. There was no way I could live a life without him and truly be happy.

“Truth be told, I always imagined I’d have a big wedding after which we’d ride off into the sunset. That being said, you’re right. I don’t need a piece of paper or a new name as long as I have you. It wouldn’t be the same without my mom there to help me prep and my dad to walk me down the aisle anyway.”

“You sure you’re okay with that?”

“Yes. Sometimes in life dreams change. I never dreamed I’d be in love with the bad boy, king of hip-hop, but I am. So… I guess it can’t be all that bad.”

“That doesn’t sound very convincing,” he argued.

“I have a lot on my mind. Right now I’m okay with it. I’m not sure what the future will hold, but we’ll work through it together if it turns out I’m not. It isn’t an option for us not to be together.” My voice was resolute when I told him that.

Relief flashed across his beautiful face. “You know I love you, right?”

“I do. Now I should probably take this test and find out one way or the other. Jazzy is hot to trot to go to the movies after lunch.”

He let me go and five minutes later I was staring at a negative test. Relief and sadness flowed through me. A part of me knew I wasn’t, but another part of me really hoped I was. Jay and I would make a beautiful baby. It just wasn’t our time, which was probably for the best. We had plenty of time to build our family.

Que sera, sera. Whatever will be, will be.

“Could be wrong,” Jay said after he looked over my shoulder at the test.

“Doubt it.”

“When we’re out later, we’ll pick up another one. You can take it in the morning.”

“No. If it doesn’t come in the next few days, I’ll take another one then.”

“Whatever you want. How about we go to Voss’ for lunch before the movie? Treat my girls to some ice cream?” He placed a kiss to my cheek. I loved how he was always kissing me. It made me feel loved.

“I’d like that.” Turning around, I wrapped my arms around his neck. My head veered to the side and I kissed along his jaw and up to his ear. Biting down on his lobe, I laved it with my tongue afterward.

“You’re playin’ with fire,” he warned. I laughed and threw the test in the garbage can.

I left the bathroom and headed to the kitchen. I moved over to the island where the salvaged groceries now sat.

“I’m not scared. What do you think about maybe getting a puppy? A cute little fluffy retriever or something? I bet Jazzy would love it,” I threw in for good measure. If I couldn’t have a baby, a sweet little puppy to love on would help ease the disappointment.

“No.”

“But, please,” I used my pouty voice.

“No.” He laughed and then started to walk away.

“Where are you going?” I called out to his retreating back.

“I’ve got to get away from you ‘cause you’re good at getting my thoughts tangled. You’re over there leaning against the counter, sticking your cleavage in my face, trying to get in my head. I need to get away from you and your womanly wiles before I run out and buy you a damn puppy.”

I laughed long after he disappeared around the corner. I’d show him womanly wiles.

* * *

Have you ever stared at a man and pictured his long, hard cock? And then imagined climbing on said cock and taking it for a ride? That was what I was doing with Jay right now, and the fact that he was being all powerful Mr. CEO, just made me want to do it all the more.

We were in a room backstage at Plado’s opening show for his North American tour. Jay was giving the roadies who fucked up the installation of the sound system earlier the what-for. It was hot. A turn your insides to mush, wet your panties, and leave you panting type of hot. I loved the way he made grown men’s eyes widen in fear. It made me want to widen my legs for him.

God, I sounded like such a slut. I couldn’t help it though. My imagination was running rampant with visions of riding that long, thick, beautiful piece of meat between his legs. Coming hard as he bites my neck like the stallion he is.

I needed to step away from the almighty and powerful CEO before I rubbed against him like I was in heat.

Rounding the corner of the hall, I ran head first into Keesha.

“Oh my God! I’m so glad you’re here!” I told her with a hug. We both stepped to the side to let a few people pass by.

“What’s up?” She asked.

“Can you teach me how to braid Jazzy’s hair?” I begged her.

“That’s an odd request, but I think I can.”

“Fantastic! She asked me yesterday if I’d do her hair and I immediately panicked. So instead of braids she got a poufy ponytail on top of her head. She liked it, but next time I want to be able to give her what she wants,” I gave her the rundown on my failure at hair care. It was rather disappointing. Especially for a former pageant girl.

Keesha laughed and shook her head. “Yeah. Next time she’s over let me know and we’ll make a date out of it. Where is everyone?”

“Well Jay is making grown men shit their pants. Jerome and Mike are off doing God knows who and Plado is in his dressing room primping like the prima donna we know him to be.”

“Sounds about right. I’m gonna go catch up with Plado and make sure there’s nothing he needs.” She licked her lips and stared at his closed door.

“I sense a little somethin’ somethin’ going on here. Do you have the hots for Plado?”

“What? No!” She vehemently denied, which made me look at her even more skeptically than I already was. “Fine. We slept together a couple of weeks back and I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to have a repeat session.”

Seemed as though I wasn’t the only dirty bird up in here tonight. At least Keesha was finally acting on all the lingering looks she had been giving him for months. I knew she had a thing for him.

“Go get him, tiger!” I slapped her butt and pushed her towards his door.

“That is so wrong.”

“I know,” I agreed and watched as she nervously tapped on the door and went inside.

Strong arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me into a hard chest.

“Oh, Jerome,” I said. “You better hope Jay doesn’t catch you.”

“Funny,” Jay murmured against my neck where he was nuzzling me.

I turned around and ran my hands down his chest. “You done being a bad ass? ‘Cause watching you made me hot and bothered. I need my stallion,” I whimpered.

“Here I am, baby. What are you going to do with me?” He taunted me.

“Oh, I can think of a thing or two.” My back hit the wall when he caged me in.

My hand went directly down his pants and into his boxers. I gripped his semi-erect cock and was rewarded when it instantly hardened in my hand. Slowly moving my arm up and down, I jacked him off in the hallway, savoring each one of his harsh pants in my hair and the moisture leaking from the tip of his cock.

“Hey, Jay. T,” Jerome said behind Jay. I stilled my movements at the sound of his voice. “Want to introduce you guys to Lucy.”

I peeked over Jay’s shoulder and smiled. “Hi, Lucy. Nice to meet you.”

Jay grunted and both Lucy and Jerome’s eyes widened, followed by Jerome snickering. Was it that obvious what we were doing?

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt. We’ll talk later.”

“Lucy seemed nice.” I resumed my movements once they were gone, and Jay groaned.

“Can I fuck you right here?” He asked, pulling my leg over his hip.

“Um,” I mumbled and motioned towards an open bathroom. I was trying to refrain from public sex these days. “Why don’t we go over there?”

He dragged me by my free hand while I attempted to keep my other one down his pants. It didn’t really work though, and eventually I had to release him.

As soon as the bathroom door shut and locked, Jay pushed his baggy jeans down over his protruding erection. My eyes hungrily took him in, and my pussy convulsed with want. I had never experienced the all-consuming passion that I had with him with anyone else. It was the best feeling ever.

“On the counter,” he demanded.

I lifted myself up and widened my legs so he could step between them. My skirt rested high on my hips, and I could feel his cock rubbing against the sensitive skin of my inside thighs. I shimmied my skirt up further, and his fingers hooked my panties and drew them down my legs. He stepped back into me, and I couldn’t wait any longer.

“Now, Jay.” I moaned when he teased my clit with his thumb.

“Want my cock, baby?” He asked and continued his torment.

“God, yes.” I could still feel him as his cock teased my folds while his thumb kept moving with intent.

“You sure? ‘Cause we could talk more about Lucy and Jerome if you want.”

“Like you always say, smash now. Talk later.”

“Now you’re going to listen?”

“Only if you fuck me,” I said with an annoyed voice. I wanted him now.

Instead of answering, he pulled back and slammed into me. My legs wrapped around his ass as he fucked me just the way I liked it, hard and furious.

“You’re so fucking beautiful.” His thumb continued working my clit in rhythm with his thrusts.

I cried out loudly as the first wave of my orgasm washed through me. Jay removed his thumb from my clit and rubbed the wet digit over my lips. I flicked my tongue over the tip and then sucked it in my mouth. I loved the way I tasted on his skin.

“Fuck,” he groaned and I could feel him swelling with his impending release. My teeth scraped his thumb, and I sucked hard, which made him lose control. Bucking and growling with the force of his orgasm, he bit the spot where my neck met my shoulder just like I had wished for him to do.

He planted himself to the root and rested his forehead on mine as we both tried to regulate our breathing.

“I love you,” he whispered and my heart flip-flopped just like it did every time he said it.

“I love you too, honey.”

“Dream come true, baby. Glad I held out for you.” He pulled out slowly and I mewled with the sensations it caused against my still sensitive tissues. He grabbed a paper towel and wet it before he gently cleaned me up.

“Me too. And I can’t wait to see you make magic up on that stage tonight.” I slid down from the counter, picked up my soiled panties and tucked them in his back pocket.

“I forgot this is the first time you’re going to see me perform.” He finished dressing and stood in front of the door.

“I know!” I exclaimed with a clap of my hands. “I can’t wait.”

He put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me into his side, kissing the top of my head. “Let’s go then so I can wow you with my skills.”

I didn’t tell him, but I was pretty sure that he couldn’t possibly wow me anymore than he already had.