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

  Cal walked with his hands in his pockets. “You know I’m gay, right?” He said it bluntly and without shame.

  “Janice told me.”

  “But, you didn’t pick up on that before?” He smirked at me while we reached the sidewalk.

  “I think my head was too far up my ass to notice.”

  He laughed. “You should be more worried about me checking you out instead of Janice.” He winked at me. “Not that I would.”

  I knew he was joking so I smiled. “Yeah, I’m feeling more like an ass with every passing day.”

  “But I do admire Janice’s sense of style. She can really make something simple come alive. She has the right curves.”

  “I could have told you that.”

  We entered the Italian restaurant then took a seat in the booth. Cal sat upright with perfect posture. His back muscles must be ripped from constant use. “You guys doing better?” he asked.

  “Not really. She’s still pretty mad.”

  “Are you like that often?”

  “No. When she told me some guy got her a job…I assumed the worse possible scenario.” I was feeling dumber with every passing second.

  “When she and I went to college together, I admired her for her smarts. She’s unusual in the fact that she has book smarts and street smarts. And she’s witty as hell. I would hate to argue with her.” He winked at me. “So, when I found out she was already successful with an indie company, I thought she would be perfect for the job. And I knew it was a position she always wanted. After the ordeal at R and R, I thought she deserved a second chance at what she loved—and in an environment where she didn’t feel harassed.”

  I was already liking Cal tremendously. “Thank you for thinking of her.”

  “She was the most qualified. And she’s blowing everyone else out of the water. With the exception of this week, she’s been really happy.”

  I sighed. “God, I’m an ass.”

  He chuckled. “You’re redeeming yourself.”

  “My whole life I’ve never met a woman like her. So now that she’s mine, I’m determined to keep her. I guess I went about it the wrong way.”

  “A little,” he teased.

  We ordered our food then ate quietly. He ate a salad like last time and I ordered a chicken parmesan sandwich.

  Cal wiped his mouth with a napkin even though nothing was on his face. “Just for the record, Janice makes it pretty clear she adores you to the rest of the staff. They could pick you out in a lineup without ever seeing your face.”

  Damn, I was a bigger douchebag then Cortland. “That doesn’t surprise me.”

  “So, even if I were interested in her, I really don’t think it would make her bat an eye. You got her hooked around your finger pretty tight, Ryan. I wouldn’t worry about it.”

  “I hope she’s still wound tight.”

  “She’s still with you, isn’t she?”

  “Thank god.”

  He smirked. “When are you going to ask?”

  I knew what he meant. “I haven’t decided yet. It was going to be soon, but then all this bullshit happened.”

  He nodded. “I know she’ll say yes.”

  “I wouldn’t let her say no.”

  He laughed. “That’s a good attitude.”

  We finished our meal then I threw the cash on the table when we were done. As we were headed back to the building, I turned to him. “Are you seeing anyone?”

  “My boyfriend and I have been together for over a year. He just moved in, actually.”

  “That’s cool. What does he do?”

  “He’s a fashion designer.” He said it with pride glowing in his eyes. “Where do you think I get these gorgeous suits from?”

  I smiled. “Clothes are always better when they are free.”

  “Yep. I didn’t think I’d be able to move on after my divorce, but when I met Will, I knew he was the right person for me.”

  “I’m sorry to hear about your divorce.”

  He shrugged. “Some things aren’t meant to last forever. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do them anyway.”

  I replayed his words in my mind as we reached the building. I extended my hand. “Thank you for coming to lunch.”

  “You aren’t going to come inside?”

  I wanted to see Janice, to see if she had forgiven me. But I decided not to. “I know she’s busy.”

  “She’d abandon anything for you.”

  “But I know this job is important to her. It can wait.”

  He nodded. “I’ll make sure to tell her how wonderful you were today.”

  “I’d appreciate that.”

  “Take care, Ryan.”

  “Bye, Cal.” I walked up the street but stopped when he called my name.

  “Basketball on Wednesday?” he asked.

  I smiled. “I’ll be there.”

  I waited for Janice to get home. My suit was back in the closet and I was wearing my jeans and hoodie, back to my normal self. I hoped my gesture meant something to her. But with Janice, I wasn’t sure how she would take it. When I bought her flowers, she acted like I hit her mother with a car. She might be pissed I went to her work and kissed everyone’s ass. I really had no idea how she’d feel about it.

  She finally walked through the door and dropped her keys on the counter and purse on the table. When she noticed me on the couch, she glided to me, an unreadable look in her eyes.

  I waited for her to say something.

  She sat on the coffee table, directly across from me. Her knees were between mine, and her hands gripped the edge of the table. “Cal told me about your lunch date today.”

  “He did?” Come on. Come on.

  She moved to her knees in front of me, directly between my legs.

  My heart rate increased exponentially, rocking my entire chest with the force of its beat.

  “He said you’re a sweetheart.” Her hand unbuttoned my jeans and pulled down the zipper. Every noise was amplified in my ears. Every movement of my jeans echoed. I heard her breaths come out deep and slow. Her breasts were prominent in her dress.

  I cleared my throat. “He did?”

  She nodded then pulled down my briefs. My cock was hard the instant she reached for my pants. It popped out then lay against my stomach. She moved closer to me, her breasts hovering nearby. She grabbed the straps of her dress and pulled them down, revealing her pristine white bra. “He said you apologized to him.”

  “I may have…” I eyed her chest, hardly listening to her at this point.

  She pulled off her bra and tossed it aside.

  I stared at her tits, loving the beautiful sight. I loved those damn things. I could lick them and suck them all day.

  She grabbed my base then squeezed gently. My cock was straight in the air. “I really appreciate that, Ryan.”

  I knew what was going to happen. I took a deep breath before she leaned down and pressed her lips to my tip. I moaned louder than I meant to. It was practically a scream. And then shoved me entirely to the back of her throat. My head rolled back and my hips naturally rocked forward.

  Fuck, yes. I was forgiven.

  Janice gave me a look I recognized immediately. Her eyes would soften and her lips would part slightly. A few lines formed around her lips when the excitement flushed through her body. Lights brighter than celestial bodies entered her eyes when she looked at me this way. She adored me. And I loved that look. I’d been missing it for so long. She gave it to me now.

  She was lying on my chest on the couch. My hand moved through her hair, and my other one hooked around her waist, keeping her anchored to me. Now that I had her in my arms again, I didn’t want her to leave. She completed me. Being distant with her for the past week was nauseating. I hadn’t been so miserable in my life. But now she was mine again.

  “You forgive me?” I whispered.

  “Of course, I do.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief. “I was so scared I was going to lose you.”

  “Y
ou can never lose me, Ryan. Even when I’m livid with you, I’ll still sleep with you every night.”

  “Then why were you pissed at me for so long?”

  “I wanted you to prove you were really sorry—which you did. It meant a lot to me that you can to my office to apologize to Cal. He’s a sweet guy.”

  “He is really cool,” I admitted.

  “I know that was hard for you to do, but you did it for me. And I appreciate it. Now everyone at the office thinks you’re a sweetheart.”

  “What did they think I was before?”

  “Well, after your flip-out at the party, they thought you were an asshole.”

  “I’m glad they changed their mind.” I kissed her forehead.

  “Me too. Because I really do have the best boyfriend in the world. He was just hiding for a moment.”

  I cupped her face and kissed her lips. “I won’t act like that again. I promise.”

  “You better not.”

  “I’ll never do anything to intentionally drive you away. Without you here, I’m nothing.”

  “And you better not hire some slut at the shop,” she said. “That doesn’t change.”

  I chuckled. “Whatever my baby wants.”

  She gave me a gentle kiss on the lips. “You’re going to be getting a lot of head for being a sweetheart.”

  “Oooh…I should piss you off more often.”

  She narrowed her eyes at me.

  “Just kidding, baby.”

  “What do you want to do for dinner?”

  “Nothing.” I pulled her back to my chest. “I just want to stay exactly like this. With you.”

  “You guys are okay?” Cortland asked over lunch.

  “She gave me amazing head. We’re fine.”

  He smirked. “That’s pretty indicative.”

  “I wished I’d done it sooner.”

  “I’m glad you guys are back together.”

  “We were never broken up,” I said defensively.

  “You know what I mean.”

  I just wanted to set the record straight.

  “Are you going to ask soon?”

  “That depends on you,” I said. “We’re going at the same time, right?”

  “Uh…” He shrugged. “I need more time with Monnique. It’s too soon.”

  That surprised me. “Really? Still having trouble?”

  “No, not really.” He stared out the window for a moment. “I haven’t even started having sex with her yet. When we get back to normal, I’ll do it.”

  “So…should I wait?”

  “No,” he said immediately. “Monnique won’t be upset. Honestly, we’d probably be engaged already if she hadn’t pulled her little stunt.”

  “Okay.” Wow. That meant I was going in for the kill.

  “You ready?”

  “Is it normal to be terrified?”

  He chuckled. “Not ready to settle down?”

  “It’s not that,” I said immediately. “It’s just…it has to be perfect, you know? I need to take her to a beach or on the roof top of an expensive restaurant, with a full orchestra playing her favorite song while we dance under white lights.” I sighed in dread.

  “I admit it has to be perfect—but for you. Honestly, that doesn’t sound like either of you.”

  “It doesn’t?”

  He shook his head.

  “How are you proposing?”

  Cortland shrugged.

  “What? You aren’t going to tell me? I’m not going to copy you.”

  “It’s not that. I just…I don’t know. I want it to be private.”

  “You’re going to ask her during sex.” I smiled. “You dog.”

  “No,” he said immediately. “Not during sex.”

  “Maybe I should do it during sex…” I rubbed my chin.

  “That does sound like you,” he teased.

  God, this was daunting. How did I get the love of my life to be my wife? I was only going to do this once so it had to be perfect. The overwhelming stress weighed on me and made me sweat.

  “You’ll think of something, Ryan.”

  “I can’t even pick out a ring.”

  “I’ll help you,” Cortland offered.

  “I just don’t see her wearing a ring. Every time I picture it, the image doesn’t fit. She’s not materialistic and she hardly wears jewelry. She uses her hands so much that it would get in her way. And I don’t see myself wearing one either…”

  “Not all married couples wear rings.”

  “But I would like to… I wish I could have both.”

  Cortland balled his napkins then started to juggle them perfectly.

  “What aren’t you good at?”

  He kept juggling. “I’ll let you know when I find out.”

  “Douchebag,” I said under my breath.

  “Have you asked her dad?”

  I sighed. “No. Can you just propose for me?”

  Cortland laughed. “I have a strong feeling she’d say no. And then Monnique would kill her.”

  “I’d throw some jello on them,” I said with a smirk. “Don’t tell Monnique I’m planning to propose. I want Janice to be surprised.”

  “I’m sure she’s expecting it. But I’ll keep your secret.”

  I brainstormed ideas for the next few minutes. Everything I came up with was cheesy and unoriginal. I wanted it to be special, something that was meaningful to both of us. But I wasn’t a romantic guy. There was no doubt I loved Janice with my whole heart, but I wasn’t Edward from Twilight. I didn’t have the moves girls dreamed about. I was harsh and blunt, telling Janice exactly what I was thinking when I thought it. She was my whole world and I told her that every day. I worked my ass off to make her smile. I stared at her and prayed she’d be mine until I died. And she knew all of that. So how did I ask?

  Sean’s proposal wasn’t amazing, but it was perfect for him and my sister. Scarlet told me the story at least fifty times. Her eyes always bubbled. So how did I do that with Janice? How did I give her something more than I already had?

  But I had to start at the beginning. First, I had to get permission from her father. And that was daunting enough.

  8

  Mike

  Cassandra and I just finished showering after the gym. I liked hitting the weights with her after work. I never knew working out with a girl could be so much fun. And I could stare at her ass all I wanted without feeling bad about it. That was my piece of ass.

  “We’re going to dinner tonight.” I buttoned my shirt and looked at myself in the mirror.

  “Dinner?” She was sitting on the bed, wearing one of my t-shirts. It reached past her knees. She looked ridiculously sexy. She could wear that out and about and still pull it off.

  “Yeah. You know, where people eat.”

  She rolled her eyes and gave me a playful look.

  “Now put on a short dress so I can grab your ass.”

  “You grab my ass no matter what I wear.”

  “Good point. Then wear nothing.”

  She rolled her eyes again. “Let’s stay in bed.” She lay down, her hair sprawled on the blanket.

  “Why is my baby so tired?” I buckled my belt then checked my appearance one more time. I looked like a stud. I tried to wear dark colors because it brought out the blue color of my eyes. I walked to the bed then lifted up her shirt, exposing her stomach. I gave her kisses around her belly button ring.

  “I just like staying home with you.”

  “Well, we’re meeting people. So we have to go.”

  “My god, we see your family all the time.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “You have a problem with my family?”

  “No,” she said quickly. “But it’s okay to have other friends.” Her fingers rubbed my shoulders. She normally ran her fingers through my hair, but she knew I just styled it.

  “Well, we’re going out with other people tonight.”

  “Who? You don’t have any other friends.”

  I bit her stomach g
ently. “Don’t make me eat you.”

  “I love it when you eat me.”

  I growled into her stomach. “We’re going out with your girlfriends.”

  “What? What are you talking about?”

  “I ran into Zeal and we decided to get dinner. Now get dressed.”

  She sat up. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?”

  “I’m telling you now.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “When did this happen?”

  I shrugged. “You’ll find out at dinner.”

  She pushed me off then looked me square in the eye. “Mike, what’s going on?”

  I opened the closet then pulled out a blue dress. I liked seeing her wear it because it brought out her eyes. “I had a talk with Zeal. I apologized to her for the way I treated her and asked for another chance to make a good impression. She agreed so we’re having dinner.”

  She didn’t seem convinced. “She’s the most stubborn woman I know.”

  “You can say that again,” I said with a laugh.

  “And she just agreed to this?” she asked incredulously. “Did you throw money at her?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Get your ass dressed.”

  “I just can’t believe she changed her mind that easily.”

  “Easily?” I scoffed. “That shit wasn’t easy. I spent an hour arguing with her before we went anywhere.”

  “Arguing about what?”

  “That I want another chance to get along with her. She’s your best friend and I know she’s important to you. You would do anything to be included in my family, and I’ll do the same for you.”

  Her eyes softened, her lips stretched into a sad smile. “Mike…”

  I was going to get some serious loving for this.

  “You’re so sweet.” She rose to her feet then wrapped her arms around my neck. “I can’t believe you did that.”

  “I’d do anything for you. I hope you understand that someday.” My hands moved to her lower back under my enormous t-shirt. I loved feeling her bare skin when she didn’t wear a bra. Her skin was so soft and smooth.

  “I just can’t believe it.”

  “Well, start to.” I kissed her forehead. “Now get your ass dressed.” I slapped her on the butt playfully.