Meant to Be (Forever and Always #12) Read online

  I loved it when he came home every day. I tried not to get excited over something so basic, but I did. I walked to him with a smile on my face. When I extended my arms to hug him, he stepped away.

  “I’m all sweaty. I’ll give you a kiss after I’m out of the shower.”

  “I couldn’t care less about some sticky sweat.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, feeling the slippery water, and gave him a good kiss.

  His hands moved to my waist and held me tightly. “That’s right. You’re into that…” He kept his voice low, but the smile on his face was obvious.

  “So? You got a problem with that?”

  “No,” he said quickly. “Definitely not.” He rubbed his nose against mine.

  I pulled away when I realized we were being too affectionate. “Hello, Andrew. Have a good workout?”

  “We pumped some serious metal.” He flexed his biceps, and I was surprised to see the cut muscle there. I only saw him in polo shirts or suits.

  “Wow. You’re rocking, Dad.”

  He winked. “I’m a sexy stud.”

  “No arguments there.”

  Sean eyed me. “Back off, baby.”

  I smirked, loving to tease my husband.

  “I’m going to shower,” Sean announced.

  “Okay. We’re having guests for dinner.”

  Sean groaned. “Are we an inn and breakfast too?”

  “Behave,” I said.

  “When I come home from work after a long day, I want to spend time with my wife.”

  “And you will.”

  “Who is it?” he asked.

  “My brother and Janice.”

  He cringed.

  “What’s wrong with them?” Andrew said. “They’re a hoot.”

  Sean narrowed his eyes. “So we have to deal with their drama all night?”

  “You don’t think they’ve dealt with our drama all year?” I countered.

  Sean rolled his eyes.

  “Ryan needs help with this. I thought if we had dinner together, it would soften Janice a little bit.”

  “Or we could just stay out of their business,” Sean jabbed.

  I glared at him. “Looks like someone isn’t getting any hanky-panky tonight.”

  Andrew snickered. “Good job, son.”

  Sean sighed. “Fine. I’ll get ready now.”

  Andrew cracked an imaginary whip. “Whoop-ish!”

  “What was that?” Sean asked.

  “The crack of a whip,” Andrew answered.

  “You’re one to talk about being pussy whipped.” Sean headed up the stairs and Andrew followed him. I rolled my eyes and got back to work fixing dinner.

  Sean was the first one to come downstairs. He grabbed a beer from the fridge then sipped it while he leaned against the counter. He stared at my ass while I finished the cheese on the lasagna.

  “Are you going to help or just stare?”

  “Just stare.” He drank from his beer.

  I smirked then finished my project.

  “I like that apron.”

  “Your dad got it for me.” It had a picture of a fish with whiskers.

  He came behind me, his erection against my ass. “I’d love to see you in just the apron.”

  I leaned my head back against his shoulder. “I’m too busy right now.”

  “Too busy to please your husband?”

  “Yep.”

  He growled in my ear.

  “But I’m yours when everyone leaves.”

  “Are you kidding me? No one ever really leaves.” He kissed my neck then cupped my breast, squeezing it.

  I let his lips linger on my skin while my hands became immobile. It was hard to resist him when he felt so good. His hand moved up my dress then shifted it up. I knew what would happen next. “Sean, your dad is going to be here any second?”

  “What happened to that adventurous side of you?” he whispered into my ear. “Just let me take a dip. I won’t be long.”

  “It’s different…” I sounded weak to my own ears.

  He pulled my underwear over then lifted my leg on the counter. “It’ll be quick.”

  “Sean, no…”

  “God, that was pathetic.” He adjusted his pants so his cock was hanging out. I felt his tip enter inside me. Then I was lost.

  He gripped my hips then moved into me slowly, making as little noise as possible. For some reason, the possibility of getting caught made me more aroused. I gripped the counter and rocked back into him, feeling his long length slide in and out. He gripped my neck and pressed his mouth to my ear, whispering nasty things to me. I crumbled as soon as we began.

  “Shh,” he whispered. “Be quiet, baby.”

  That was like asking someone not to scream when they were pushed out of an airplane. My fingers dug into the counter so hard, my knuckles turned white. He continued to breathe into my ear, sending me spiraling out of control.

  “This is hot.” He gripped my hip then moaned in my ear, finding his release while I rode my own high. It felt so good that I knew nothing could stop us. If Andrew walked in right now, we wouldn’t stop.

  As soon as Sean finished, he pulled out and adjusted his clothes. In a daze, I put my leg down and pulled down my dress. My face was flushed with heat and I felt a little dizzy—and dirty.

  “I really like that apron,” Sean whispered.

  “You’re into fish?” I said with a slur.

  “I’m into you—literally.”

  “What’s for dinner?” Andrew came into the kitchen then opened the fridge.

  I flinched then almost fell over. “Tuna casserole. I mean, lasagna. Do you like lasagna? I just didn’t know what else to make. How are you?”

  Sean looked at me like I was crazy. “Play it cool,” he whispered.

  Andrew grabbed a beer then raised an eyebrow. “You okay, Scar?”

  “Totally.” I flipped my hair because I didn’t know what else to do.

  Sean tried not to laugh. “Let’s sit at the table, Dad.”

  Andrew came close to him. “Is she drunk?” he whispered.

  God, this was embarrassing.

  “She’s just stressed about her brother,” Sean said. “Ignore her.”

  I tried not to look at Andrew as I finished dinner. I felt like he knew what we were just doing. It was all in my head. But it still made me feel guilty. I had a phenomenal orgasm but it came at a price. Even though the lasagna was done, I stayed in the kitchen and tried to find something to do until my face wasn’t red.

  The doorbell rang, and I knew my brother was here. “I got it.”

  Sean and his dad stayed at the table.

  I opened the door and saw the couple standing on the doorstep. Ryan’s hands were in his pockets, and Janice had her arms crossed over her chest. Neither one looked too happy. I felt the war in the air.

  “Hey,” I said happily. “Hope you like lasagna.”

  Janice hugged me first then pulled out a bottle of wine. “I know you like red.”

  “Thanks.”

  She was wearing a tube top that highlighted her toned and round shoulders. Her triceps and biceps were just as fit. Her breasts were noticeable and curvy, and the purple color looked great on her. She was definitely trying to catch someone’s eye, and I had a strong feeling who. Dark jeans fit her petite body like skin, and her hair was curly and framed around her face. She looked like a million bucks.

  “You look nice,” I said.

  “Thanks.”

  Ryan eyed her then quickly looked away.

  “Hi,” I said to him.

  “Hey,” he said with absolutely no emotion.

  This was awkward. “Well, come inside.”

  We moved to the kitchen table. Ryan pulled out the chair for Janice, but she grabbed it and adjusted it herself. Ryan sighed then sat beside her, practically an ocean away.

  Sean glanced between them. “So…how’s it going?”

  “Good,” Janice said. “I’ve been really busy with work but I love it.” She
gave a Ryan a piercing look.

  I placed the food on the table and we dug in.

  Sean took a bite. “This is great, baby.”

  “Thanks,” I said.

  Ryan took a few bites, not scarfing down his food like he normally did.

  Andrew eyed Janice’s necklace. It was a gold pendant with a dash of pink. “I like your jewelry. It brings out your eyes.”

  “Thank you,” she said with a smile. She turned to Ryan. “Don’t worry. He wasn’t hitting on me.”

  Ryan glared at her like he wanted to slap her.

  Andrew looked away like he did something wrong.

  I cleared my throat. “So, you’re still working our your problems?”

  “What do you think?” Ryan snapped. His mood was more sour than usual.

  I let it go because I knew my brother was frustrated. “I hope you two can work it out eventually.”

  “Doubtful,” Ryan said. “I’ve done everything I can to earn her forgiveness, but Janice is as cold as ice.”

  “You brought me flowers,” she snapped. “What the hell, Ryan? I’m not a flower girl, and I’m not a wife in the fifties. You think that’s just going to make it better?”

  “What else should I do?” he shrieked. “Apologize? Oh wait. I did that already!”

  They were on the verge of screaming at each other.

  Ryan turned to Sean. “Then she makes me fuck her, something totally meaningless, and then acts like I don’t exist. I feel used and cheap.”

  Sean raised an eyebrow. “Um…what’s the problem with that?”

  Ryan’s jaw clenched. “It’s pretty fucked up. That’s what the problem is.”

  “At least she’s having sex with you and not someone else,” Sean noted.

  Janice turned her wrath on Ryan. “I didn’t make you do anything, Ryan. You think a hundred pound woman can hold down a man at a height of 6’2 and a hundred and eighty pounds? By the way, you were on top.”

  Ryan’s face started to redden. He was about to explode and say something he couldn’t take back.

  “Sean and I are going to start trying.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say, so I blurted the first thing that came to mind. I just knew I needed to change the subject—quick.

  “Trying to have a baby?” Andrew asked. “That’s great.”

  Sean nodded. “It’ll happen for us this time. I know it.”

  “I have no doubt.” Andrew clapped his son on the back.

  “I can’t wait to start decorating the baby’s room. I—”

  Ryan interrupted me. “I said I was sorry! What more do you want me to do? I made a mistake. Get the fuck over it. This has gone on long enough.”

  Janice met his fury. “Why don’t you actually show me that you’re sorry, Ryan? If you think we’re just going to forget about this so you can pull this crap later, forget it.”

  Ryan jumped to his feet and knocked his glass over. “Fuck you.”

  I covered my face with my hands, realizing inviting them to dinner was a really stupid idea.

  “Fuck me?” Janice asked incredulously. “Why are you acting like a child? Sit down and have dinner with your family like an adult.”

  “Stop acting like I’m a kid.”

  “Then stop behaving like one!” she shrieked. “Now sit the hell down.”

  “I’m good.” He marched to the front door.

  Janice glared at him but didn’t chase after him.

  I knew I needed to swoop in. I couldn’t believe how bad this fight was. They hadn’t broken up, so I assumed they were working on the relationship. It seemed to get worse and worse. I followed my brother out the door then grabbed him by the arm.

  “Wait.”

  He yanked his arm away. “Just go away.”

  “Ryan, calm down.”

  “No.” He walked to the middle of my lawn and stood alone. His arms were across his chest and he was tense.

  “Look, I know this is hard for you, but you need to calm down.”

  “She’s going to leave me.” The sadness was in his voice. “I know she is.”

  “Then why is she still here?”

  “I don’t know. But if things continue this way, she will. I’m not happy and she clearly isn’t.”

  “I think she just wants some guarantee that you truly respect her job and her independence.”

  “I do,” he said quickly. “I never had a problem with it. I just didn’t like the idea of her spending all her time with some guy that hooked her up with a job.”

  “Well, now that you know he’s gay, you need to put it behind you.”

  “I have,” he said firmly. “She hasn’t. I’ve apologized several times. What else am I supposed to do?”

  The silence stretched between us. Crickets chirped in the background. The sprinklers were on in the backyard, and I could hear their constant humming. “When Sean broke my heart, I only took him back when he showed how much he loved me. He did a lot to get my money back from my mom, and he did it without any recognition or the expectation of getting something in return. I knew he had my back no matter what. Perhaps you should do the same.”

  “And how would I do that?” he barked. “Set her up on a blind date with the faith that she wouldn’t touch him?” He shook his head.

  “Well, what is Janice most upset about?”

  “I don’t know,” he said irritably.

  “Think, Ryan.”

  He sighed in frustration, running his fingers through his hair. “I guess she’s pissed I embarrassed her at work.”

  “Okay. Why don’t you start there?”

  “What do you mean?” he asked.

  “Make a new impression.”

  Ryan stared in the distance, his mind in a daze. I wasn’t sure what he was thinking, but the wheels were in motion. I hoped he would figure out how to resolve this fight with Janice. Because I didn’t like seeing him in this kind of pain. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.

  7

  Ryan

  I stared at myself in the mirror. I was wearing an Armani suit with a Rolex—not my style. My hair was styled and I held myself with the stature I usually did. I admited I look like a million bucks in a suit, but a hoodie in jeans is what I always preferred.

  I took the day off from the shop so I could get this just right. I was nervous, feeling the blood pound in my ears. I wasn’t good at putting on a show. I wasn’t good at being the bigger man. Honestly, I wasn’t good at anything. But I had to get my girl back. She slept beside me every night but she wasn’t really there. We were so distant, living on different continents across the ocean. I missed her.

  I headed to her office then walked inside. A box of pastries from the pretentious baking shop was in my hands. It had lighter than air mandolins, and assorted fruity pastries. I also brought a galloon of freshly brewed coffee.

  When I reached the secretary’s desk, she eyed me. “Can I help you?”

  “I wanted to drop these off,” I said with a smile.

  She eyed the pastries with delight. “Ooh. What’s the occasion?”

  “I’m here to see my girlfriend, Janice Campbell. I thought I’d bring this along.”

  Her eyes flashed in recognition. She probably remembered me from my visit to the office or the work party. But this time, there wasn’t disapproval. “Well, that was thoughtful of you.”

  “I know everyone in the office works hard. She tells me everyday.” Being charismatic was exhausting.

  She smiled wider. “Aren’t you sweeter than key lime pie.”

  Am I? “Where should I put these?”

  “Come with me.” She walked with me until we reached the back room. I placed the box and coffee on the table and eyed the chairs and the refrigerator. The woman grabbed a roll out of the box and took a bite. “This is great.”

  “It’s from Alessandro’s.”

  Her eyes widened. “That place is classy.”

  “Nothing is too classy for my lady.”

  “Awe.” Her ey
es softened. “You’re so sweet.”

  “I’m just in love.”

  “Awe. Now you’re sweeter.”

  I was racking up points. “I’m going to peek in and say hi to my lady.”

  “Go ahead.” She filled a cup of coffee then walked back to her desk.

  I walked across the room but didn’t enter Janice’s office. Instead, I walked down the hallway until I found Cal’s office. I saw his name on the door and knew I found the right place. I knocked.

  “Come in,” he said with a cheerful voice.

  I stepped inside then adjusted my tie.

  He studied me for a moment, trying to place me. “Ryan?”

  “Hey.” I approached his desk with an extended hand. “How’s it going?”

  He shook it, still eyeing me. “Great.” He examined my suit. “Armani. Nice.” He winked at me.

  Only a gay guy would figure that out with just a look. “Thank you, sir.”

  “Is there something I can do for you?”

  “Actually, yes. If you can spare the time.”

  “Of course. Anything for my girl, Janice. Sit down.”

  I took a seat in front of his desk. I cleared my throat. “I wanted to apologize for my recent behavior. I’m sure you picked up on the…tension.”

  He smirked. “I could tell I wasn’t your favorite person in the world.”

  “Honestly, I was afraid you were after my girl. When I realized I was being out of line, it was too late. The damage had been done and Janice was upset.”

  He spun his pen between his fingers. “I’ve noticed she’s been in a harsh mood this week.”

  “Because of me,” I said sadly. “Anyway, I wanted to apologize for being a jerk. In reality, I’m actually a nice guy that pretty much gets along with everyone. I would like a chance to prove that to you.”

  “I think you just did,” he said with a smile.

  “Can I take you to lunch?”

  “Wow. You’re really trying, aren’t you?”

  “I really want to get off on the right foot.”

  He stood up then adjusted his suit. “I’ll take you up on that offer.”

  “Thank you.”

  We left his office then walked down the hallway. When we reached the entryway, I spotted Janice talking to the secretary. They were probably discussing my visit. Janice looked up when she heard Cal and I approach. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw us, heading out the door. I gave her a slight nod and kept going, remembering the surprise on her face.