Fall Into Love, page 31
And she does, all over my mouth. Knowing that whoever walked in is too far away to see what’s happening or me kneeling behind Val’s desk between her legs, I lick her slowly, taking my time cleaning her up before I tuck her panties back in place and pat the soft cotton covering her pussy.
Looking up at her, I see she’s flushed and soft, but there’s something mischievous about her smile. I lick my lips as I stand and then wink at her. “Gotta go, babe.” With one quick kiss, I look behind Valerie and see Rebecca standing in the shop with her arms crossed over her chest glaring in our direction.
“Oh, I didn’t see you there,” Valerie says unconvincingly. When I raise my eyebrow in question, she nods to the mirror behind me.
Apparently Valerie could see whoever walked in, and they could see some of what was happening behind her desk. I guess Valerie didn’t mind Rebecca getting an eyeful of me going down on her. Why does that make my cock even harder? Is it because maybe she was putting her stamp of ownership on me this time? It’s not like she could have really seen anything other than my head between Val’s legs while I ate my fill.
“You have a phone call,” Rebecca says in a snotty voice, and the fact that she’s still standing there pisses me off.
“I’ll be right over to answer it, but when I get there, I want you gone.”
“Excuse me?” Rebecca has the audacity to ask.
“Get your things and leave the office. You’re fired. Was that clear enough?”
“This is completely unprofessional.” She clenches her fists at her side and glares at Valerie.
“Then I guess it’s a good thing I own the company and I don’t give a fuck what you think.” I hear Valerie snort from behind me, and it’s all I can do to not laugh.
Rebecca makes this annoyed sound and then hesitates for just a second before she spins around and leaves. Once the door closes behind her, I turn my sights on Valerie.
“You knew she was there?”
“Well, not at first. And she wasn’t there the whole time.” She shrugs, not even a little sorry.
“In the future, I don’t want anyone else to see you cum. I don’t care who it is.” I take her face in both my hands as I move between her legs. “Is that clear?”
“Yes,” she agrees easily.
“Although I do like this jealous side of you.”
“I’m not jealous,” she protests, and I smile.
“Are you sure?” I rub my erection against her sex.
“I just thought she was a bitch, and if she wanted to watch she could see how much you liked me.”
“Like you?” I shake my head as I brush my lips over hers. “Sweet Valerie, like is not the word I’d use.”
“Oh?” Her breath catches as my thumbs slide down her neck to cup her breasts.
Before I can answer her, the door chimes once more, and this time I see it’s what appears to be a mother and daughter.
“Your next appointment is here,” I say then kiss her quickly and adjust myself behind the desk so her clients can’t see. “Later, babe.”
Walking out of the shop, I dip my chin to the women that are waiting. “She’ll be right out, ladies. Her legs are just a bit shaky.”
My grin grows when I hear her shout my name before the door closes behind me.
Chapter Seventeen
VALERIE
“So Tidas isn’t an asshole anymore, right?” Julie asks as she hands me a snow cone.
“He has his moments.” I take a bite of my icy treat.
My dirty mind goes to last night when Tidas ordered me to my knees in the shower. He’d fucked my mouth before lifting me off my feet and pinning to the shower wall where he finished inside me. The man is always picking me up and carrying me around.
“This is really impressive.” Julie glances from one tent to another. I can’t argue with that. This is hands down going to be the best Fall Festival this town has ever seen. Tidas’s plan to lure people in from neighboring towns worked. This place is filled with so many new faces.
“I didn’t even know about half of this stuff,” I admit. “He really went all out. But I guess Tidas doesn't halfass anything.”
“So much for letting him fall on his face,” Julie giggles.
“You think he did all this to prove a point?” A few weeks ago I would have been on board with that thought. Now, not so much.
Tidas always has a plan even when you think he’s doing something to be a jerk. Something bigger is always at play. Such as buying all of my favorite bakery items or parking in my spot. It was his way of getting me to come to him since I’d made it my life’s mission to avoid him at all costs. If I tried to put a wall up, Tidas was there with a sledgehammer ready to knock it down.
“Yes, but his point being that he's not as big of an asshole as you think he is. He did this to impress you, Val. Everyone knows how much you love this town and its traditions. He’s a good one and the perfect amount of asshole. I think you need a bit of an asshole,” she says, making me smile.
“You’re right.” I try a little more of my snow cone before I toss it. The sugar syrup is not sitting right on my stomach. “I’m going to go find my man.”
He’s been going since his feet hit the floor this morning. And that was after he fucked me senseless and left me in bed to sleep in. He’d even turned my alarm off.
Julie is so right, though. There’s something about how Tidas can be a bit of a jerk that works for me. He pushes my buttons in the best of ways, which I didn’t know was possible. He challenges me and pushes me out of my comfort zone in a way that I actually want and need.
His jealousy being one of them. I’m not big on PDA because I get shy and awkward, but he pushes right through that too. He makes his claim on me known, and I honestly adore it. The truth is I’m madly in love with him. Even the parts of him I thought I didn’t like are some of the reasons I fell for him to begin with.
“Where are you off to?” An arm wraps around my waist, and I smile. My feet leave the ground as Tidas pulls me back between two tents to give us some privacy.
“I was looking for you.” I turn in his arms. “You’ve been busy.”
“You like it?” His brows pull together as he waits for me to answer.
“I love it, Tidas. You did amazing.” A smile lights up his face at my approval. If I wasn’t already in love with him, that would have sent me right over. In all of Tidas’s cocky confidence, he cares about what I truly think of something he’s doing. How had I been so wrong about this man?
“I ran into your mom.”
“Oh no.”
What did she say to him? She’s been all over me about what’s going on between Tidas and me. I’ve been dodging her, which has been easy because she’s been away. I’m not even sure what this is. We’re together, but it’s too soon to be asking questions like that. Isn’t it? I know where I stand but I don’t want to scare Tidas off. I want this man forever.
“Relax.” He gives my ass a squeeze.
“She didn’t badger you, did she?” God knows she has been all over me trying to get information about the two of us.
“No, just said I owed her a thank you for introducing us.” I groan as I bury my face in Tidas’s chest. “I do owe her one.” He lifts me off my feet to claim my mouth.
I wrap my legs around him, my hands going to his shoulders. He doesn’t stop kissing me until I’m relaxed in his arms. For as much as Tidas can work me up, he can also calm me down too.
“I needed that.” I smile against his mouth.
“I figured. I knew you’d freak out when you heard she was asking me about grandchildren.”
“No!” I gasp. Tidas throws back his head and laughs, and the delicious sound travels through my body. I’m not sure if he’s teasing me or not. I wouldn’t put it past my mom.
“She’s looking for you.”
“Of course she is.” She got back yesterday from her trip. I actually thought she was supposed to be away until the middle of next week.
“Told her I’d find you and have you meet her at your shop.”
“My shop?”
“You need to put your dress on. My baby is going to win this contest,” he declares, making me laugh.
“You really think I should enter?”
“Hell yes. We’re winning this thing. I’ve seen your dresses. This is going to be a cakewalk for you.” He sounds so proud of me.
“Okay, I’ll enter.” I don’t know why I’m so reluctant.
I think a part of me knows if I show off the dress and enter it into the competition, then I can’t wear it again. I love that dress so much. Tidas will have seen it then, and what if he changes his mind and wants to get married one day? It would go against tradition for the groom to have seen the dress.
I reassure myself that I can make another dress. With Tidas in my life I’m sure I’ll have all kinds of inspiration. He might see me in a dress and have second thoughts about his feelings on marriage. As possessive as he can be, I think he’d want a ring on my finger as a warning to other men. I know one on his finger would look damn sexy.
“That’s my girl.” He places me back on my feet. “I’ll be waiting.” He smacks my ass, and I let out a small yelp and smack him back on the chest.
“Watch it.” I glare at him.
“I’m always watching it.” He winks at me as I turn to go.
I spot my mom and Julie outside my shop waiting for me. “Mom, you asked Tidas about grandkids?” I say when I get close enough for only her to hear me.
“Yes, that’s a great idea!” Julie agrees. “You need to do that so then we can have babies together.”
“I think y’all are getting ahead of yourselves. Tidas and I have only been dating a few weeks.” I unlock the shop and let them in.
“Wait till you see this dress, Hannah,” Julie says, ignoring my comment. “Come on.” She grabs my hand, pulling me toward the back of the store.
“Put it on, honey. I want to see,” Mom pushes. Emotions start to overwhelm me when Julie grabs the dress and brings it over to the fitting room. “Are you okay, Valerie? You’re a little pale.” Mom raises her hand to touch my forehead.
I throw my hand over my mouth before I turn and rush to the bathroom. I barely make it in time, but when I’m finished, my mom hands me a towel to wipe my mouth.
“How long did you say you and Tidas have been”—Julie holds up her fingers and does air quotes—“dating?”
“Oh my goodness.” Mom smiles.
Another wave of emotions hits me, and I throw up once more.
Chapter Eighteen
TIDAS
The stage is set and the people entering the sewing competition have lined up next to it. I strain my neck searching for Valerie and check my watch for the fifth time.
“Where is she?” I mumble to myself as one of the judges, Alma, makes an announcement.
“Looks like we’re waiting for one more,” she tells the growing crowd.
Everything is set up and ready to go. On the stage is a giant arch decorated with dried corn, dark flowers, and maple leaves. There are hay bales in place with townspeople sitting on them and Alma is dressed as an old timey priest. Most of this I kept secret from Valerie because I wanted it to be a surprise. It was hell keeping her clear of this all day while they set up, but I know she’ll love it when she finally sees it.
Tradition is so important to her, and so is the town of Hollow Oak. In keeping with that, I designed this whole day around her. Everything I’ve done has been for her, and hopefully when she finally gets her cute ass out here, it will be worth it.
“Here she comes,” Gracie says from beside me.
It took her help to get Valerie’s parents here today, and even mine were tough to track down so last second. The hard part was getting Donovan off his property, and I’m still not sure if he showed up or not. Whether he comes or not is not my biggest concern right now; it’s making sure my girl is happy.
Finally when the crowd parts, I see Valerie coming toward me in the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen. She looks breathtaking, and I have to put my hand over my chest so my heart doesn’t explode. She’s utterly perfect, and if I wasn’t already in love with her, one look at her like this and I’d be done for.
When she sees me standing on the stage, there’s something in her eyes that’s hesitant, and I take a few steps towards her to grab her hand and help her climb the stairs.
“Tidas, what are you doing?” she whispers as she leans into me.
“You’ll see.”
We take the stage, and Alma calls for everyone to have a seat on their hay bales. “Thank you all for coming today. This means so much to the bride and groom.”
“Bride and groom?” Val looks over at me. “What’s she talking about?”
“We’re doing a reenactment.” I pat her hand. “Just play along.”
“Oh, okay.” Her brows furrow like she’s confused but then shrugs. “I guess the sewing competition is afterwards?”
“Sure,” I answer and pat her hand.
Gracie comes up beside me and hands Valerie a bouquet of flowers as she and Julie step to the side. Her parents move to the other side and sit next to mine. Valerie looks at them and then at me, and her eyes widen.
“Tidas.” There’s a hint of panic in her voice, but I just smile as Alma keeps reading from the script. “Tidas,” she says again, this time in a low voice. “What is happening?”
“Do you have the rings?” Alma turns to ask me, and I nod.
“Here, I got one for you too,” I say and place the larger gold band in her hand. Taking her fingers, I slide on the emerald cut solitaire and then the simple gold band after.
“Holy shit,” Julie says from behind us, and I smile. Yeah, I might have gone a little overboard on the ring, but it’s the only one she’ll ever have.
“Tidas,” Valerie says and her fingers shake.
“Now you put my ring on.” I hold out my hand and I have to help her do it because she’s nearly frozen in place.
“The vows?” Alma asks, and I pull a piece of paper out of my pocket.
“Tidas,” Val says once more, and I wonder if I’ve sent her into shock and she’s only able to say my name now. I guess that’s not a terrible side effect.
“I love you, Valerie Elaine Schaffer. I love you with all of my heart and I’ve brought you here today to marry you.” A single tear rolls down her cheek, and I reach up to wipe it away. “There will never be anyone else for me, for the rest of my life. No prenup, no divorce, no getting out of this. My soul is yours and yours is mine, forever. I love you, and you’re going to marry me.”
The last words make her laugh, and it’s like she’s been snapped out of a trance. “I love you too.”
As soon as the words are out of her mouth, I pull her into my arms and press my lips to hers. Somewhere in the back of my mind, Alma is telling us we’re not to that part yet, but the crowd is cheering too loud to really hear her. I feel Valerie’s hands thread through my hair as she kisses me back, and I smile against her lips.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Alma says into the microphone, and we kiss again.
All too soon, our parents and friends surround us and they’re all getting hugs and kisses. Valerie keeps her eyes on me as my parents pull her into their arms and welcome her to our family. Apparently her parents and mine have already planned a vacation together next month.
I don’t let go of her hand as we’re passed around, and everyone in the town comes through in a line to wish us well. The whole community was in on this to make today extra special and I know involving the people of Hollow Oak was the right decision. This place means the world to Valerie, and I can’t wait to raise our family here.
It’s a long while later when the festivities of the reception begin that I have another moment alone with Val. Cupping her face, I brush my lips against hers and see the glint of light against my wedding band.
“Good surprise?” I ask, and she nods, tears falling once again. “I love you, Valerie. I know this isn’t exactly the most conventional way to make you mine, but I couldn’t chance you trying to back out. And I figured having the whole town as a witness would make it hard for you to say no.”
“You’re relentless.” She shakes her head. “Of course you’d propose and marry me on the same day.”
“Something this good can’t wait.” I smile, and she nods.
“I’m pregnant.”
“What?” Now I’m the one that’s in shock.
“Good surprise?” she says, repeating my words back at me.
“The best.” Pulling her in my arms, I swing her around, but she makes me stop.
“I don’t want to puke in this dress.” She grips my arms to steady herself.
“You look perfect,” I say, running my hands down the satin of her waist and then over her stomach. “Everything is perfect.”
‘I love you, Tidas.” She goes up on her toes to kiss me, and I pull her against me.
“Good, because there’s no getting away from me now.”
“I have a feeling I’m going to have fun trying.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me.
“I think you might be right.”
Epilogue
VALERIE
A few years later…
“We’re going to be in so much trouble!” Julie says as we change into our Halloween costumes.
All of us brought a second Halloween costume tonight. The one we wore out with the family trick or treating and the one that is the same theme but a whole lot more revealing. The husbands took the kids back to Marley and Brooks’s to spend the night so all the kids can have a sleepover there.
Marley and Brooks are Tidas and Donovan’s parents. They travel a lot but bought a home here in Hollow Oak shortly after our surprise wedding when they found out I was pregnant. Gosh, I still can’t believe my husband pulled that off.
I adore Tidas’s parents. I thought the in-laws were supposed to be scary, but they have been nothing but sweet and loving. They swear the town of Hollow Oak has healed their family and brought them all back together. I think Gracie has had a lot more to do with that than anything. Everyone needs a bit of Gracie in their lives, but Donovan needed it more than anyone. She’s brought that man back to life.
