Stay(56)

“I’m throwing a gala for the both of you. It’s going to be the biggest party our circle has seen in a long time. I’ll call the boathouse and make them work us into their schedule, and we’ll invite everybody, just everybody! You and Emily will be the talk of the town!”

My lips part, and I’m ready to argue, but she’s off to the races. “Oh, darling, you have to bring her to dinner tonight so we can talk about it. You missed last Thursday night…”

“She has a son, Bex. I don’t know if—”

“Oh yes, that’s right! Well, bring him along. I’d like to meet the young man. I’m sure he’s delightful. His father is one of the Dickersons, if I remember correctly…”

I don’t say that doesn’t make him delightful. Thankfully Eli takes after Emmy’s side of the family as far as I can tell. “He’s on a special diet. It’s really a lot of work.”

“What special diet? Fax it over. Hans will make whatever he needs. We have plenty of time. I won’t hear another excuse from you. I expect to see you and your new wife… your new family tonight for supper.”

The phone line goes dead, and I stand for a moment wondering how I’m so fully capable of handling any human being who crosses my path, but when it comes to Bex, she somehow walks all over me. Did she actually ask me to send a fax?

“Where would I even find a fax machine these days?” I’m scrubbing my fingers against my forehead again. It’s turning into a habit.

Is that what having a family does? Reduces you to stress-management habits that leave you old and haggard before breakfast?

“I’m headed to work.” Emmy breezes into the room in a short skirt and pink silk top. She looks scrumptious, and I regret having to jerk off in the shower this morning. “Need me to take anything for you? Any suits—”

Catching her around the waist, I pull her to me and plant a firm kiss on her lips. She smells like flowers and sunshine, and she feels so good, I kiss her longer, harder, until she starts pushing against my arms.

“Stephen!” She’s breathing fast, cheeks flushed when I release her.

“What’s wrong, beautiful?” I’m still holding her waist, smiling down at her like the horny husband I am.

“I’ve got to get to work, and Eli’s right over there.” She tilts her head toward the kitchen.

My arms drop. “He was right there this morning, too. We need to talk to him about sleeping in his own bed.”

Her face scrunches adorably. I think she’s pissed at me. “I am not telling him anything like that. He’s dealing with a lot of change right now, and with that surgery coming up, it’s natural for him to feel insecure and a little frightened, and if you can’t understand that—”

My arms are back around her so fast, and I’m pulling her against my chest. “I understand. I’m just really disappointed I didn’t get to fuck you this morning.”

Her eyes go round, and she slaps a hand over my mouth, looking toward the kitchen again. I look up to see Eli’s got headphones on and is watching something on my iPad Pro. I’d bet money it’s The Blue Planet. These two have gotten me started on it, and it’s addictive as hell.

“He’s wearing headphones.” My nose is at her ear, and I pull her earlobe between my teeth.

She pushes against my arms. “Stephen…” It’s a little less forceful, and I press my advantage.

“We could fit in a quickie. Step in the bathroom. We can revisit our first time. Only I’ll be more of a gentleman after.”

“I have to get to work.” She starts to laugh, and I lift her off the ground, kissing her neck.

She only laughs more. “Put me down, you filthy animal.” Releasing her, I hold her waist as she drags me to the door. “I’ll be home usual time. Sure you don’t need me to take anything? I can get your suits done for free. Perks!”

“No.” I lean down to kiss her lips lightly. “Oh, my aunt Rebecca wants us to come over for dinner tonight. She found out about our marriage and wants to throw us a party or something. I swear, you can’t keep a secret anymore…”

Emmy jumps back like I’m an electric fence and she just peed on it. “What!” Her eyes are wide, and I’m snapped out of my lust-induced haze. “We can’t do that. You have to tell her no.”

“No to dinner? I always have dinner with her on Thursdays. She’s a lonely old woman—”

“Not the dinner. Of course we can have dinner with her, but we can’t have a big party. Stephen! Everybody will be there. We can’t do have that. Think about later…”

Her voice trails off, and I straighten. “I guess it would complicate things down the road.”

How odd I’ve already started to forget this is only temporary.

“You think?” Emmy’s eyes are wide, and she gives my chest a little shove. “Tell her to call it off.”

“Tell you what. We’ll all go to dinner tonight, and between the two of us, I’m sure we can figure out a way to get her to scale it down.”

“Not scale it down!” Emmy’s eyes flash. “Call. It. Off.”

With a sigh, I cave. “I’ll tell her to call it off. But you’ll see tonight. Once Bex has an idea in her head, it’s impossible to get it out.”