Hardline

“Really?”

“Really. What do you think? We could do it here or at the Vineyard. A little ceremony on the beach, get some pictures, and spend a couple weeks at the house there just us. Then I can re-explore every inch of your body with the sweet satisfaction of knowing you’re my wife.”

I smiled broadly, loving the sound of all of that. Especially the re-exploring my body part.

“Sounds perfect.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“All of it. It sounds perfect.”

* * *

Alli nearly overflowed my glass of Pinot Grigio laughing over something Heath was saying. I was too busy listening to Fiona vent about her last date gone wrong. A couple empty bottles littered the table as we finished yet another expertly cooked family dinner, courtesy of Greg, who was proving to be a force in the kitchen.

Greg tended to be quiet, as least compared to the rest of the family. But he was approachable. More approachable than Blake was at times, though I could see similarities between the two men. How people became a product of their parents always fascinated me, maybe because it was a perspective I’d largely lacked. Blake was so different from both Heath and Fiona, yet they all shared this common thread that made them a family.

I could not have asked for a better family to become a part of. My heart swelled every time I thought of what a blessing they’d become. Having Blake would have been enough, but becoming a part of their world made the whole prospect of marrying into another family more than I would have ever expected.

Catherine defied all the horror stories I’d ever heard about wretched mothers-in-law, and Fiona was sweet, plain and simple. Heath, as troubled as he’d been, too was becoming a loyal friend. And Greg seemed to be the glue that held everyone together.

A sudden dinging rang out and my gaze fell on the glass that Blake held.

“We have a little announcement.”

“Oh! What is it?” Alli clapped her hands together, straightening in her chair.

“You already proposed, Blake. Enough of the fanfare. You’re making me look bad,” Heath said.

Alli turned a deep shade of red and shoved him. He caught her by the wrist, pulling her back to him and planting a chaste kiss on her lips.

Blake cleared his throat. “Anyway, we wanted to let you know that we’ve made some decisions about the wedding.” He looked to me, silently letting me know I could take the floor if I wanted to.

I inhaled a deep breath and began. “Well, as most of you know, I haven’t had a lot of time and energy to devote to wedding planning. I know you all were probably wanting and hoping for something big, which, to be honest, has been a little intimidating.”

Catherine shook her head. “Nonsense. We are here to support you and Blake, no matter what you decide. Selfishly of course, I would love to be there to see my son get married, but however you want to do it is entirely up to you. It’s your special day.”

“I would love to have you there, all of you. You all have already become my family…” I tapped my foot nervously, reminding myself not to start crying. Damn if this wasn’t a sensitive subject. Then I felt Blake’s hand on my knee, reassuring me. “And my own family being so small and kind of distant, we thought that it would be wonderful to have something small with the few people close to us. For the sake of simplicity maybe, and also because we could do it sooner.”

“You’re not pregnant, are you?” Heath blurted out.

He was nursing a glass of wine. Alli frowned and hit him harder on the shoulder. He shot her an apologetic look.

“No, definitely not,” I said quickly.

Catherine grabbed the last nearly empty bottle of wine and refilled her glass. “Well, you wouldn’t get any arguments from us. We’re bored and retired. I need a grandbaby sooner rather than later.”

I snapped my jaw shut. Oh hell. Blake could barely hide a grin. He gave my knee another small squeeze.

“Dinner was great, Mom. I think that might be our cue to head home.”

* * *

Maybe the white wine and ocean air did something to me, because I couldn’t keep my hands off Blake as he drove us back to the city. I crept my hand over his thigh to the bulge in his jeans and kneaded gently. He placed his hand over mine but didn’t stop me.

“What do you think you’re doing, sweetheart?”

“I want you tonight, Blake. I can’t wait anymore.” I stroked him, his erection growing under my touch. I wanted every inch of him, and tonight I’d have it. I didn’t care what had happened. Blake was my lover, and our bodies were made for everything I wanted to give him tonight. It had been too long and I needed him. Except need didn’t do justice to the emotions running through me tonight. Something else was at work, and slowly I had begun to put it together.

His hold over me firmed, slowing my movements. He worked his jaw, and I could sense his concern.

“Wait until we get home,” he said quietly.

I thumbed over the soft head of his cock and grasping him more firmly.

He sucked in a sharp breath. “Christ.”

I hummed with pure female satisfaction, leaning over so more of our bodies made contact. “I don’t want to wait,” I whispered into his ear. My breasts rubbed against his arm as I reached to unzip his fly.

But he stopped me. “Erica, put your hands on your knees. Right now.” His expression hardened as the sharp command left his lips, the earlier vulnerability disappearing.

My heart beat rapidly as I assessed his mood. Was he mad or bossing me around? Regardless, a little rush at being told what to do fluttered through me, settling low in my belly. I eased back into the seat and rested my hands on my knees.

He glanced at me briefly before turning his attention back to the road.

“Lift up your skirt and take your panties off. I want to see you.”

I smiled, pleased with where this was going. I obeyed and hiked my skirt up high enough so he could see me naked and ready for him. I wanted nothing more than to straddle him on the highway, but I could live with this until we got home.

“Good. Now touch your breasts.”

I hesitated a second, considering his request and how hot it made me. Then I cupped my hands over my breasts, noticing how heavy and tight they’d already become.

“Pinch your nipples, just like I would. Nice and hard.”

I did as he asked, and the sensation arrowed to my pussy. I stifled a tiny moan. My nipples quickly beaded into taut buds begging for his mouth. The way he looked back at me now, his eyes dark and dangerous, melted me on the spot.