Brie
“Margret James,” I continue my pacing of the hallway, “advocate for changing educational certificate policies to be renewed at a more frequent rate.”
“Woman is a total whiner,” Kenneth states, completely startling me out of the trance I had zoned into. When my eyes lift to meet his, he adds, “And it’s actually pronounced, Mar-go James.”
“Fuck, I knew that,” I mumble in frustration under my breath.
He chuckles and folds his arms across his chest. “I have no doubt you did. With the way you’ve been wearing a hole into the floors, I have a strong feeling you’re retaining more information than you’re probably giving yourself credit for.”
My face scrunches in shame. “Sorry…”
Kenneth smiles sweetly. “No apologies necessary. I admire your dedication to achieving your certificate. However, might I ask why you are pacing the hallways as you recite facts and figures?”
“Tired of sitting.”
He nods his understanding. “And your final test is when?”
“Mid may.”
“Plenty of time to ensure you pronounce everyone’s names properly.”
Doesn’t feel that way. It feels like I’m never going to get any of this shit right. In fact, I had an easier time remembering names and dates of artists from the 16th century than I do educators who made a difference in this country. Maybe it’s because it’s not my own country? Is that why it feels like it’s not sticking?
I try to smile. “Why did you call Margot a whiner? Do you not agree with the policies she fought to change?”
“Oh, no. I completely respect her in that aspect. Forcing those in charge of the education of the country to continuously grow as it does, and prove in deed they are dedicated to providing the best at any given time for the future generations is admirable. I stand behind always striving for better. I called her a whiner because nothing is ever good enough for the woman. She could literally have every policy she commanded and still be unhappy about it. The worst is when she comes over for a party.”
“You partied with her?”
“Not in years, thankfully. Not since…” The lull in his speech is accompanied with a deep swallow. “Since Hannah was alive.”
An uncomfortable wave of guilt washes over me.
Gotta be like the worst daughter in law ever…We rarely get moments alone, which is probably for the best since I can’t have one conversation it seems without screwing it up. It seems like every time it’s just the two of us, I manage to make it uncomfortable. That’s like the world’s worst skill to have.
Kenneth pushes past the settled silence. “Margot was always sending wine back or cheese or crackers and demanding something else. And then when she was brought her demands, it suddenly was incorrect as well. As an advocate for education, she’s an angel. As a person? She’s a pain the arse.”
I let a smirk break out onto my lips.
“Well, I will let you return to studying. I imagine you’re probably trying to squeeze in as much as possible before your friends arrive.”
A look of confusion cloaks my face. “Excuse me?”
He tilts his head in curiosity. “They haven’t changed their minds, have they?”
“Who change what now?”
“Jovi Carter and Merrick McCoy, your best friends from home. Kellan booked the jet and had security protocols cleared for their arrival next week. He even provided the kitchen with a preferred list of meals for their stay. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen so much red meat on the menu.”
His words twist my stomach in excitement. “They’re…They’re…They’re coming?! Here?!”
Suddenly, he cringes. “You didn’t know…”
“They’re coming!”
“No…” Kenneth mutters to himself. “You definitely didn’t know…”
My best friends are fucking coming! Can you believe this!?!
I toss my arms around him for a tight hug.
It takes him a minute before he returns the gesture.
Oh shit! What if I crossed a line? I mean, he doesn’t strike me as much of a hugger. I don’t even remember seeing him hug Kellan at our wedding. He’s more of the strong handshake, pat on the back, kiss on the hand ‘cause it’s custom type of man. See what I mean about being a terrible daughter in law?
My mouth rushes to apologize at the same time I dart backwards. “Sorry. I-I-I…I probably shouldn’t have done that.”
Kenneth gives me a curt nod. “It’s quite alright. I’m just…I’m not quite used to affections is all.”
With a sweet smile, I suggest, “You might want to get used to it. You’re about to be a grandpa and from what I’ve learned about kids, they’re all about popping personal bubbles and smothering you with love.”
His blue eyes soften and he quietly admits, “I can hardly wait…”
Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I’m not a terrible daughter in law…Maybe we’re still working on our connection? It’d be a lot easier if he wasn’t the king of a fucking country…
There’s a small vibration sound, which causes him to remove his phone from his pocket. “I have to take this. Pardon…”
I offer him a slight wave and step out of his way.
Once he’s rounded the corner, I start jumping up and down in the air, excitement bursting from me like tiny explosions detonating in a tiny tandem.
Holy shit! They’re coming to see me! Like…really coming here. As much as I love having new friends like Soph and Guy to hang out with, there’s no replacing those I had to leave behind when I moved here. While I’ve adjusted to Netflix nights with Soph, I miss listening to Merrick gripe at car shows on cable. Guy is a great substitute for having an art pal to explore new shows and a beer with, but nothing beats Taco Tuesday filled with Jovi complaining about some idiot who walked in demanding to see impressionism when they specialize in abstract. Hell, just having more than one person in my life who knows the difference between the two is something I didn’t even think would matter as much as it has. Don’t get me wrong. I love my new life. I love Wendy and Saul at MINOH. I love hearing their thoughts about the children and discussing ways to make each day better for them. I love talking to Kellan about the children at St. Cecila’s and the volunteers who are determined to give them more to love in life than just waiting for transplants. I love all of those things, but I still love the world I had to leave behind. The world that up until Guy walked into my life I had no one to discuss it with. Sometimes I wish what I had in Highland could be better fused with what I have in Doctenn…Does that make me selfish?
My grin grows at Kellan’s thoughtfulness.
He was planning for this to be a surprise for me…It would’ve been a good one. How is it almost all of his surprises seem to get ruined? Remember my ‘surprise’ graduation party?
I squeal to myself and quickly rush through the palace for our room.
After a long, excitement filled conversation about their surprise visit with Jovi over video chat, I flop down at the desk and begin making lists of the “must sees” and the “if there’s time”. For the next hour or so, I let my imagination run wild with the sights they’ll see, the food they’ll devour, and the perks they’ll enjoy by staying here at the palace as guests.
Pretty sure Merrick is going to take advantage of the food to order situation…Hope the kitchen stocks up.
At the glorious thought of food delivery, my stomach fiercely rumbles reminding me of the lunch I skipped. Just as I start to get up, the bedroom door opens, and Kellan’s warm face appears.
“No,” he sighs into the phone, attention definitely elsewhere. “That’s ridiculous. We’ve already accommodated those changes with the Board of Education of Doctenn and Department of Studies with Fayeweather.”
The frustrations in his voice tug sharply at my heart.
Here he is drowning in protocols and roadblocks that magically keep popping up, preventing him from making the timely progress he’s been desperately pursuing and he still somehow finds time not only to help me study but plan surprises like having my best friends come across the world to visit. How is it he keeps getting more amazing? Ugh…Please don’t tell him I said that.
Driven by the desire to offer him not only my thanks, but to help ease the stress streaming down his shoulders, I reroute myself away from the palace phone over to him. His smile expands at me yet his mouth continues to argue with whoever it is that’s on the other end of the phone.
I mouth, “Is that important?”
He gives me a quick shake of the head.
Satisfied with the answer, I slowly run my hands down his chest, gently encouraging him to press his back against the closed door. The expression on his face shifts to intrigue, but he can’t question my actions thanks to the distraction on the phone. With a mischievous smile, I casually run my touch against his crotch. Kellan’s bottom lip slips between his teeth. He adjusts the phone in his hands and watches my hands begin to undo his belt.
“I…I understanding,” he misspeaks causing me to smirk to myself. “I mean, understand. I understand.”
His free hand moves to stop me and I swiftly capture it to give his middle finger a long, leisurely lick.
Kellan’s face whimpers the words his mouth can’t.
The devilish expression I’m baring deepens as I return to freeing his stiffened cock. My eyes hold his hostage while my fingers begin to liberate his lower half. His attention swings back and forth between my seductive movements and the stubborn person who won’t give up the conversation despite Kellan’s subtle efforts. He casually helps expose his dick for me to admire by maneuvering his body. Without tearing my eyes away, I wrap my hand firmly around his cock and give it a firm jerk.
He really should end that call now…
A groan grumbles in the back of his throat forcing him to shut his eyes.
When I abruptly stop after just one stroke, they shoot back open just in time to watch me lower myself onto my knees.
Quickly, he shakes his head, mouth rushing to end the conversation, “Can we…This call...Possible to re-”
The end of his sentence is lost to a heavy sigh as my mouth closes around his cock. An unmistakable moan falls from his lips. Instead of pulling me away, he winds his fingers through the back of my hair and guides himself further towards the back of my throat. He repeats the sound while watching me slowly drag his cock back out.
“I…” his voice sighs in complete confusion. “What?”
Enjoying his inability to focus on anything else, I roll my tongue teasingly along the slit of his dick and hum at the flavor of pre cum covering my senses. Kellan’s body strains at the sound while the back of his head slams against the door.
“Hate to be a bother, but I really must go.”
My mouth clamps back around his cock and I swiftly slip him back to the brink.
“M-m-must go. Call later.”
In an agonizing, unhurried pace, I begin to slide his dick back and forth between my suctioned lips. His words twist and contort as he forces the phone conversation to end without further objection. The phone tumbles to his feet causing a sharp thud to echo around the room. I hum even more pleased than before. Another wave of pre cum coats my tongue, spurring me to increase my celerity. My fingernails cut into the flesh at his hips where I’m holding on tightly for leverage. A beautiful hiss seeps free as he encourages my movements to continue their increasingly brutal nature with a sharp thrust forward. I suck harder. Faster. I use one hand to gently tug at his tightening balls. Kellan continuously groans louder as we fall into a ferocious pendulum of ruthless pumping between the edge of my lips and the back of my throat. With blatantly no warning, blazing bursts burn their way down my esophagus. I greedily gormandize on every drop possible.
The sound of Kellan struggling to breathe strokes my ego in the best possible way.
Come on…Who doesn’t like knowing they’ve got a way with their mouth?
His body begins to sag and I slip my lips off just in time to help him stand back up.
He lets his glazed glare fall to me. “Am I being punished or rewarded?”
I don’t bother hiding my chuckle. “How is a blow job ever punishment?”
Kellan smirks. “When you give one then make me wait hours to return the favor…” His eyes give my loose fitted spring dress a quick glimpse and his gaze turns predatory. “Please tell me I’m being rewarded.”
“You are…”
Quickly he sheds his shoes, his pants completely, and begins work on his shirt. “Then you should be naked.”
Backing up towards the bed, I tease, “Don’t you want to know what for?”
He shakes his head. “Not really.”
I drop my hands onto my hips with a scolding look.
“What!” Kellan tosses his to the side. “Honestly Love, I’m trying not to look a gift horse in the mouth.” When I start to grin again, he adds, “But you can tell me if you like, that way I can make a mental note to do it every day and if possible twice a day.”
“Your father let it slip about Jo and Merrick.”
His actions cease. “Seriously?!”
My nod is accompanied with a smirk.
“Why is it no one in our families can keep a bloody secret?”
I snicker during my saunter towards him.
“I wanted it to be a surprise.”
One arm drapes itself around his neck while the other toys with his shirt. “I know…And this is definitely one of those it’s the thought that counts scenarios and it actually does.”
The corner of his lip kicks up. “Wait. When doesn’t it count?”
“Like when you order pie for dessert because you have this misconception it is similar to cake.”
“But it was chocolate!”
“Dark chocolate. Which tastes like old dirt.”
“It does not.”
Totally does.
“My point is,” I coo, redirecting the topic back to where it was originally intended, “flying them here, giving me the chance to see them, giving me a real taste of the things I miss, is an amazing, thoughtful gift.”
Kellan smiles softly. “One which is well deserved. Between how hard you’ve been studying for this certificate, the countless hours you’re putting in at MINOH, and how unbelievably understanding you’ve been about my schedule with Hannah’s Hope, I just…I wanted you to have something to know I appreciate you. I appreciate what you’re going through. I appreciate everything you do for me. For my vision.” He lightly brushes his lips against mine. “Let me continue to show you just how much…”
Our tongues tangle and the remaining thoughts on verbally praising him are erased.
Seems like physically showing him my thanks is going to work out better today…No…Definitely not complaining. It’s a rarity he’s home this early and I plan to take full advantage of the situation…