Victorious(30)

“Nothing’s wrong. I’m just worried about Aileen.”

Flynn withdraws his phone from his pocket and places a call. “Hey, Dad, what’s up?” He glances at me. “We’re good. In New York for a couple of days but heading back your way tomorrow. You can tell Mom to go forth with her party planning. We have to go to London for the BAFTAs next weekend, so the weekend after that?” He looks to me for confirmation.

We’re going to London next weekend? I want to squeal with excitement. I’ve always wanted to go there.

“Nat? Is that okay?”

I nod in agreement. Stella is excited to throw a party to celebrate our wedding, and since I already adore my new mother-in-law, whatever she wants is fine with me. This will be their big show, as I don’t have many people to invite.

“So listen, Natalie has a friend here in New York who has breast cancer. She doesn’t seem to be doing so well, and I wondered if you would ask your friend Jared about a recommendation of someone who could see her. I want the top doctor in the city.”

While he talks to his father, I take advantage of the opportunity to text my former roommate, Leah.

So I’ve decided to decline the school’s offer to return. Too much of a circus comes with me now, and it’s not fair to the kids.

I sort of wondered if that would happen. We’ll miss you, but I understand. I’m a short-timer there myself. They asked me to train to be a manager at the bar, and I’ll do that while I figure out what’s next.

Keep me posted.

Will do. How’s married life with the hot movie star?

It’s hot. If only she knew.

I hate you.

No, you don’t.

Yes, I really do! LOL! You can make it all better if you invite me to some fabulous Hollywood party.

I’ll see what I can do.

Squeeeee! How’s Fluff?

She’s good. I think she’s starting to fall in love with her new daddy.

Awww too cute! Miss you guys.

We miss you, too. See you soon I hope!

Tell the hot movie star I said hello.

Will do. xoxo

“My dad is going to call his friend tonight and get back to me tomorrow,” Flynn says when he finds me in the kitchen.

“Thank you for that. Leah says to tell my hot movie star husband she says hello.”

“How is she?”

“Good. I wanted to tell her about not going back to school so she doesn’t hear it through the grapevine.”

“How’d she take it?”

“She totally understands.”

“You could, if you wanted to, that is, send an email to Mr. Poole tonight to officially close that circle.”

“Is that your way of saying you’re glad I’m not going back?”

He props his hands on the counter, on either side of my hips. “I’m glad you made a decision you’re comfortable with, and selfish bastard that I am, I’m thrilled you’ll be coming home to LA with me, moving in permanently and sleeping next to me every night.”

Looping my hands around his neck, I say, “I’m thrilled about those things, too.”

“Yeah?”

I bite my bottom lip and nod, watching his eyes home in on the movement of my mouth.

“Are we really going to London?”

“Uh-huh.”

“So why are we going back to LA tomorrow when London is in the opposite direction?”

“Oscar nominees’ luncheon is Monday, and the nominees’ party is Monday night.” He’s still staring at my mouth. “I was on my best behavior all afternoon with the kids. I think you owe me some thanks for that.”

“I owe you?”

“Uh-huh.” He swoops in and captures my mouth in a kiss full of hours’ worth of pent-up desire. His arms band around me as he explores every corner of my mouth with his tongue. I’m left reeling when he ends the kiss as suddenly as he began it. “Food first. More of that later. Steak? Yes?”

“I’m expected to function after that?”

A satisfied smile stretches across his face. “I’m expecting a lot of functioning tonight.” Another kiss has me clinging to him, but he pulls away before we lose control again. “Food. Now. Steak?”

“Mmm, okay.”

“Stop trying to manipulate our agenda by looking at me that way.”

“What way am I looking at you?”

“You know damned well what you’re doing to me.” He takes my hand and pushes it against the hard column of his erection. “Any questions?”

I squeeze him. “That feels uncomfortable.”

“Tormenting your Dom, sweetheart? Are you trying to top from the bottom? Because that could get you a very sore ass later.”

I’m almost ashamed by how aroused I am at the thought of him spanking me.

“Don’t do that.”

“What did I do?”

“Look away in shame because you like the idea of being spanked. Don’t ever be ashamed of the things you want. And don’t ever hold back from telling me what you want.”

“It might take some time before I feel comfortable asking for those things.”

“We’ll get there, love.” He kisses me. “All in good time.”

“What did you mean when you said ‘top from the bottom’?”