One Month Later

The suit felt tight against my skin. I never liked business professional bullshit. In my corporate world, I spent far too much time with a tie around my neck. Tonight, black tie or not, I wasn’t putting that shit on. Onyx Blake would have to get the fuck over it.

Laurel came from the bathroom with her hair half pinned back and coming down in long waves. Her gold sequined dress fit her body like a second skin, stopping just above her knees. Her toned, tanned legs went on for miles.

Moving to her, I scooped up the box I had laid on the bed. Opening it as I closed the distance between us, I lifted the strappy heels and watched as her eyes grew wide.

“I have a shoe obsession,” she told me what I already knew.

“I have a Laurel obsession,” I said as I dropped to my knees in front of her.

Lifting her foot, I massaged as I settled it into the shoe. With her hands on my shoulders, I guided the second foot into the heel. Running my hands up the backs of her legs, I lifted the dress over the globes of her ass. With my face at her pussy, I dove in biting at her mound as my hands tugged the sides of her thong and ripped it from her body.

She spread her legs as her hands went to my hair, pulling.

My fingers teased the opening as my tongue lapped her clit. The swollen nub called to me as I sucked before I fucked Laurel with my tongue. Her juices exploded in my mouth, tasting better than any cigarette, drink, or meal I had ever tasted.

Her body trembled as she rode out the orgasm. I licked every drop she gave before I backed away.

“I like having my dessert before dinner,” I teased proudly.

“Paxton,” she said my name on a pleased sigh.

“Those shoes look fuckin’ phenomenal.” I wanted to fuck her so bad in those shoes, and I planned to when we got home from Onyx’s dinner party.

“They’re expensive.”

“Nothin’ I won’t deny you,” I said, standing to press my lips to hers. I saw her eyeball the shoes at the mall when she was shopping with Tatum eight months ago. She had nothing that matched them until Onyx sent the invite for the formal dinner at The Manor tonight. So I ordered the dress for Laurel specifically so I could buy these shoes.

“Including you,” she reminded me of my promise to never let my mind come between our hearts.

“Never again. I love you, angel.”

She leaned up and pressed her lips to mine. Pulling away, she gave me a smirk. “I love the way I taste on you.”

Fuck, I was hard and now I was ready to bust at the seam.

“We need to go before we’re late. Onyx will flip his shit if we’re late, considering he’s never allowed any of us in his home before.”

She looked at me like I was crazy.

“True story. Other than Ellen Sue and Case, who runs security, none of us have ever actually been inside The Manor.”

“Onyx has a house he calls ‘The Manor’ that not even his best friends and business partners have been inside? Suddenly, you building a cabin based on my memories doesn’t seem so crazy, Paxton.”

We both laughed.

The last few weeks had been a whirlwind as we both adjusted to Keaton’s schedule. Tatum was babysitting tonight, and I had to admit leaving the baby was harder for me than Laurel, and that was saying something. She had returned to work this week, and I took Keaton to my office where I had a nursery set up in the corner for him. We discussed hiring a nanny; I had the money, but it didn’t feel right. Laurel could stay home, but I was giving her time to make that decision for herself. She was still learning to trust me with her heart, so I didn’t want to push relying on me for money so quickly. Even though, if she had gone to the bank, she would’ve learned quickly just how much trust I had given her.

Sure, Garrett brought up a pre-nuptial agreement to which I shot him down. What I had was hers forever. We had a baby together, a life together, and I wasn’t about to have a single thing divided between us.

The ride to Onyx’s house was long. Mostly because my cock was hard and Laurel never put on new panties, so I knew her pussy was exposed under the dress, waiting for more attention from me.

The large black iron gates stood wide open with Onyx’s large dragon pillars standing guard on each side. It was a focal point that truly had a deeper meaning. Crossing through those gates unwelcomed was certain to leave the person burned. Onyx didn’t mess around with safety or security of his property, and it had only gotten worse since he fell in love with Torryn.

Laurel’s eyes grew wide, and her breath caught in her throat as we pulled up to the large stone structure. It was the kind of thing someone would expect in a movie. Tonight it was lit up over the three-story home with oversized windows that had a half-moon shape to the top.

Parking in the front, I climbed out and went around the car to help Laurel. With her on my arm, we entered the grand foyer. The house that I knew was once all white had splashes of red throughout now. The walls had pictures and art hanging. This was all Torryn.

We didn’t have time to take in the space as we were quickly ushered to a dining room filled with a large table. At the head was Onyx with Torryn at his side. I gave him a nod, and he smirked.

“Now that Pax is here, we can begin,” Onyx said before locking eyes with me. “You’re almost late to the party, fucker.” We both laughed, and Laurel blushed. “It’s forgiven.”

“Welcome to The Manor,” Torryn greeted, raising her glass. “We’re so happy to have you all with us.”

“Speak for yourself, I’d be fine just having you and me on this table. I promise my dessert would be better than anything served,” Onyx joked with Torryn who poked him in the ribs.

“Are you all so blunt?” Laurel asked me with her cheeks rosy in embarrassment.

“We don’t hide what we feel or what we want. And we don’t apologize for it.”

“So I’m learning.” She smiled.

“Let’s cut to the chase so we can eat and you can all get the fuck outta my house,” Onyx said to which Torryn gasped.

“My life was once black and white. I was unshaken and went through each day as a challenge to exist. This woman”—Onyx looked at Torryn—“she came in brushing me off. She was unmoved by me, and I’m a fuckin’ power house. She intrigued me, mesmerized me, and she’s brought color to my life. She’s all about family. Each of you tonight are part of our family. And I wanted to share our home, our life with you tonight as I make a change for us all.”

I studied him not sure what was going on as he removed a box from his pocket.

“Tonight, I share with all of you my love for this woman.”

Laurel gave my arm a little squeeze.

Onyx opened the box in front of Torryn, revealing a large diamond ring. “Tonight, Torryn, I give you an offer you can’t refuse.” Onyx smirked as tears formed in Torryn’s eyes. “My life, my name, and you as my wife.”

“If you’re asking, my answer is yes,” Torryn said as tears fell down her face.

“I’m not really the man to ask, babe.”

We all laughed as he slipped the ring on her finger. Dinner was served, and we all sat around enjoying each other. Ellen Sue beamed with pride and spent time checking on each of us. Garrett kept checking his phone like he was expecting a call and an excuse to get the hell out of here.

Dessert came in the form of cupcakes in the shape of mini-tiered wedding cakes. Laurel, of course, loved this.

The landline phone to Onyx’s house rang. Ellen Sue answered it, coming back and calling for Dane.

Since this was unusual and we didn’t want to distract Onyx from his celebration with Torryn, I went in the kitchen behind Dane, being there to take his back for whatever might be on the other end of that line. Plus, I had the weight of the Zippo in my pocket and needed to move on.

“Who the fuck is this?” Dane answered, not hiding his aggravation.

I watched his brows draw together.

“Yeah, you have a marker. Give me a name,” he replied to whomever he was speaking to.

I nodded to Dane, who was obviously getting this call for a business marker. Dane had a special skillset as an assassin, so I didn’t need details to know he would handle whatever was being asked of him. With his eyes on mine, I reached in and took out the small metal rectangle that was a light in a very dark time for us all. I flicked the Zippo open one last time and struck the flint. The flame danced in front of me. My soul was soothed by the woman in my life. I didn’t need this lighter, a cigarette, or anything but her and my son. Closing the top, I tossed the small metal piece to Dane who caught it, smirked, and shoved it in his pocket. He knew what it was and what it meant to us all.

The person on the other end kept talking, and Dane’s face changed. He hung up the phone as I started to exit the room. I heard him hit the wall, and as I turned around to find out what was wrong, he was gone out the side door from the kitchen. What the fuck? Dane was never shaken. And he would never leave without saying goodbye to Ellen Sue. Who the hell was on that phone? More importantly, what marker was called in and asked of him?

Going back into the room, I gave Garrett a nod letting him know he needed to leave and go sort Dane’s shit. He took the cue and said his goodbyes. I found Laurel mingling with ease amongst my family and Torryn’s.

Knowing Garrett would be there for Dane as long as he could find him, I settled in to have time with my woman and my family. I dropped my head and pressed my lips to Laurel’s, imagining what it would be like to give her my ring and my last name. Yes, she was my future, and I would give her the full proposal on one knee if that’s what she wanted.

There was nothing I would deny her… ever. Including me.

The End