He leaned his head back against the couch and closed his eyes. It had been ages since they’d all gotten together, and it was well overdue. The men of Alpha Pi Tau met as often as they could, but they were all busy men. Some of them spent a lot of time in other countries, so face-to-face meetings had become rare. They Skyped when they could, but even that had dropped off lately. Maybe it was time to start making it a priority again. Brian got up off the couch and went to the desk where he’d set up his laptop. He sent out an email to all five members, suggesting a meeting and requesting their availability. Then he opened up some work documents, trying to get his head into the right headspace, but it was useless. He usually only needed a few hours’ sleep and he spent most of his waking hours working. Being away from work for this wedding should have made him anxious, but all he could think about was the redhead on his bed. He flipped his laptop closed and headed back to the bedroom w
She struggled against his hold on her hands, wanting to feel the play of muscles along his back as he moved, but he held her firm. Instead, she lifted her legs and wrapped them around his hips, tilting her pelvis in just the right way so his shaft rubbed along her swollen clit. Brian began to move faster and she felt him thicken and harden even further as his own climax began to build. She bucked her hips into him, increasing the pressure, her body careening toward release. “That’s it, baby,” she crooned. “Harder, fuck me harder.” He pounded into her and she felt the walls of her core tighten around him before waves of intense pleasure rolled over her, her orgasm triggering his. She cried out as he throbbed within her, drawing out her climax. He slowed his rhythm but continued to push into her in deep, sure strokes until her body was limp and spent. He kissed her languidly, tasting every inch of her mouth as he let her hands go. He slowly pulled out, both of them groaning with
He smiled against her lips and kissed her again, taking his time and savoring the taste of her. She let him lead, following contentedly along behind him as he explored her mouth, his tongue running along her lips, across her teeth, and sliding silkily against her tongue. He pulled away from her mouth and trailed soft kisses along her jaw, exulting in the shiver of her body as his beard brushed against the tender skin of her throat. His hand wandered down her spine and she arched her back in response. He moved his mouth down her exposed throat, open-mouthed kisses, soft nips, and gently sucks until he’d made his way across her chest and down the plump globes of her breast, finally taking an engorged nipple between his lips and suckling. She mewled in the back of her throat, her hands holding his head in place while he loved on her breast. She pushed her body towards him, urging him to take more of her into his mouth, but he nipped the tight bud with his teeth instead, causing her t
They eventually made it out of the hotel room and into Brian’s car. They held hands and sang off-key to the music on the radio as they flew down the highway toward the city. Cassie could not remember ever feeling this relaxed or sated…or happy. There wasn’t anything specific she could put her finger on. There was no event that had prompted this happiness, it was just a general feeling of well-being and for once she wasn’t going to over-analyse it. She just wanted to enjoy it and enjoy him. It seemed like Brian now invaded every part of her life. He owned her body, he dominated her thoughts and he was even a big part of her work life, and it didn’t feel in the least bit suffocating. She had always wondered if the only reason she and Nathan had worked was because they spent so little time together. She had a history of keeping very strict boundaries around friends and family, rationing time with them so as not to get too involved in their lives and not allow them to get too involv
“Brian,” the other man said with a smile, “good to see you.” Cassie stood back as the two shared a man-hug and a few slaps on the back. “Jonathon, I’d like to introduce you to Cassie Smith. Cassie, this is Jonathon Ashby.” Cassie had been beginning to smile and had started to extend her hand to shake the other man’s when his name registered and she froze. “Jonathon Ashby?” she whispered. Jonathon laughed and Brian rolled his eyes. “You’ve heard of me then,” he said with a wink. He took her extended hand and brought it to his lips. “Lay off,” Brian growled, but Jonathon just smiled as he let her hand go. Jonathon was a really attractive guy, but Cassie could tell that he was a player. His dark hair and grey eyes would have most women swooning at his feet. Cassie cleared her throat and snuck her hand through the crook of Brian’s elbow. “It’s nice to meet you,” she replied and his eyes twinkled with mischief. “So you’re the one,” he murmured, giving her a once-over.
They watched as molds traversed the conveyor belt to be coated in chocolate, filled with ganache, sealed with more chocolate, and finally expelled at the end. Brian had seen the process before but it took on a whole new meaning as he watched Cassie take it all in. “What flavor are these?” she asked as another batch was knocked out of their mold. “Tequila Shots,” Jonathon replied. “What?” Cassie asked and Brian smiled. “The ganache is flavored with tequila, lime, and a hint of salt,” Jonathon explained, “It’s one of my more adventurous flavors.” “Who comes up with these recipes?” Cassie asked. “Me, mostly,” Jonathon replied. “He has been known to spend days in his test kitchen,” Brian added, “but it’s always worth it.” “Can I try one?” Cassie asked. Jonathon picked one up off the line and handed it to her. She popped it in her mouth and closed her eyes and the noise she made sent Brian’s blood south, hardening his ever-ready cock. “It tastes just like a tequila shot
“Exactly,” Cassie said. “Who would be tacky enough to put something that expensive on their bridal shower gift registry? They’re tacky, not the vase. I refuse to indulge their tackiness.” She sniffed and moved on. She couldn’t believe some of the stuff that Ainsley had included on her list and it made her even more determined to get something that wasn’t on the list and wasn’t returnable. “There’s nothing here,” she complained turning to Brian with a pout. He leaned in and pressed a sweet kiss on her mouth and she let her eyelids fall shut. She loved his unabashed public displays of affection. After being with Nathan in a secret love affair, it felt nice to be shown off in public. “All right then,” he said, slinging an arm around her shoulder and directing her towards the exit. “Then where do you want to go?” They walked out of the department store and into the shopping mall. Crowds moved around them as they stood and took in the rows of shops. Cassie saw a Body Shop and sudde
Cassie stuck to him like glue at the bridal shower, and he didn’t care in the least. He was grateful, in fact. Spending all that time in the sex shop had gotten him all worked up and he’d been sporting a semi all afternoon. They hadn’t had time to do anything other than a quick change when they got back from their shopping trip, so he was still suffering. It was pure torture and absolute bliss that Cassie kept touching him, leaning her body against his as they made small talk with the other guests, brushing her hand over his arm, his chest, his butt, sneaking little chaste kisses here and there. Coupled with the images he’d had of what he could do with some of those toys they’d looked at he was lucky to even be having a coherent thought with all the blood in his head being occupied elsewhere. He managed to corner her in a secluded part of the garden, crowding her against a garden trellis, pressing his erection into her hip. “When I get you back to the hotel,” he whispered into her
Six Months Later…Everyone he loved was in the room. They were celebrating. Barry and Becky had finally set a date. Lisa and Mason wouldn’t be far behind. Brian and Cassie kept sneaking glances at one another that they thought nobody else noticed. He thought he knew what was going on but he didn’t want to ruin the surprise. It was their news to share and he was happy to wait for them to be ready to share it. Liam and Loretta were here too. He’d been slowly getting to know them. There was a lot of hurt to work through, but they were getting there. Jonathon quite enjoyed having a younger brother even if it was only in small doses at the moment. Devi and Kirra were also there. Kirra was graduating in a couple of weeks and then she would be hopefully attending one of the universities close to home. She wouldn’t know if she got accepted until the new year, but Jonathan was quietly confident that she would get into her top pick. And then there was Emma. Every day with her was
“I know it’s too soon,” he said, cupping her cheek. “But I want you to know that I am in this for good. I want to spend my life with you Emma. I want us to be a family. You, me, Kirra, Devi, Liam, and Loretta—” “Loretta?” “My mum. I want one big, messy family with you and me at the heart of it. Tell me you want that too.” She pressed against him and brushed a kiss on his lips. “I do,” she said before putting the remaining half of the chocolate in her mouth and grinning. The wheel came to a stop and he drew Emma to her feet, moving them both over to the window. The entire city of Melbourne was spread out below them, but it dimmed in comparison to the woman in his arms. “I love you, Emma,” he whispered before kissing her while they stood on top of the world.He took her home. He couldn’t not. They had stuff to work out and a relationship to manage. He had a family to get to know and she had her mother’s illness to navigate and her sister’s final year of sch
He stepped into the pod and waited for the door to close before holding the final box out to her, his mouth dry. She reached for it but he snatched it away, lifting it beyond her reach. “Before I give this to you, I need to explain.” She looked from the box to his face and nodded. “Okay.” The wheel started to move and Jonathon moved them over to sit on a bench. He exhaled roughly. “Okay, so I don’t know how much of this you already know, but how about I just start at the beginning?” She nodded again. “My mother left when I was two. I always believed she left us for a man with money. I’ve recently found out that wasn’t true.” He took a deep breath and her hand rested gently on his chest as she moved closer to him. He took strength from her closeness. “Someone was impersonating me—” “Liam?” He nodded. “Right. Liam. It turns out Liam is my brother. He was trying to draw me out and get me to notice him. He ultimately wanted to meet his father. He didn’t
“Are you looking for this?” the security guy asked, holding out an old-fashioned paper ticket. Emma laughed as she snatched it from him, waving it over her shoulder as she jogged toward the front doors of the building. She slid into the car and Brian looked at her expectantly. “Um…” Emma looked between Brian and Cassie. “I want to say Luna Park, but I don’t think that’s right.” “Why Luna Park?” Cassie asked. Emma held up the ticket in her hand. “We went to a fête in Merveille and rode the Ferris wheel.” “The Melbourne Star,” Brian said, his voice gruff. “Of course!” Cassie cried excitedly, leaning over to give Brian a smacking kiss. “You’re brilliant.” Emma could barely keep still as Brian drove them across town toward the Docklands and the giant observation wheel. As much as she was enjoying herself, she wanted to see him. She had already forgiven him for his lie and now she desperately wanted to ask his forgiveness for her stupid, fearful, erratic
She walked around the corner expecting to see Jonathon outside the patisserie, but there was no one there. She stepped inside breathed in the sweet scent of pastries and chocolate and looked around, hoping to spot him, but he wasn’t there. “Are you Emma?” a lady asked. “Yeah,” Emma said, turning to the woman who sat at a small table with a familiar little box in front of her. “This is for you,” the woman said, standing and walking away. Emma sat and took the box, pulling at the bow and opening it to see another chocolate truffle, this time it had an ’S’ written on top of it in dark chocolate. She didn’t need the little ‘Eat Me’ note to know what to do. She put the truffle on her tongue and closed her eyes. The chocolate coating melted away to leave behind a cake center with the sweet tang of apricot jam. “Sachertorte,” she mumbled to herself as she sighed and opened her eyes. Emma picked up the note that had nestled beside the truffle in the box.The first time we made lov
Dear Emma,The first time we met I wanted to kiss you. I knew I couldn’t. I knew it was stepping across a line both personally and professionally, but still, I couldn’t deny the attraction I felt.Our relationship has had an unconventional start, a bit of a rocky middle, and an absolutely appalling ending, but there were some real high points along the way. Let me remind you of how good it was between us and how good it could be again.Do you remember our first kiss? I don’t think I will ever forget it. I thought I knew what I was getting myself in for when I leaned down to brush my lips across yours, but I was a fool. You were so much more than I ever thought I would ever experience. You took my breath away and I lost a little bit of my heart to you at that moment.If it meant as much to you as it did to me, meet me there at the place where we first kissed.Jonathon.Emma could feel the wetness on her cheeks and she sniffed as she wiped at the tears. “Well?” Cassie asked, rocking o
It was the first Saturday morning Emma could ever remember that had the three of them sitting around the kitchen table eating pancakes and laughing. What would have been a simple, family Saturday morning ritual for some was something out of a fairy tale for Emma. She knew they were a long way from being a happy family, there was still a lot of hurt to navigate and broken trust to overcome, but it was a start and for once in her life, she was willing to just go with it. On this day, Devi was back to the woman she vaguely remembered from before Tom died and Emma wanted to soak it up and memorize it. From pancakes, they’d gone to gardening. Emma shared her plans with Devi and Kirra. She would let the lease go on her flat and move back in here permanently. It meant she would be on hand if Devi needed her and hopefully give some stability for Kirra’s final year of school. After she graduated and went off to uni, Emma could look at what would happen next. They all agreed that if they were
Emma wanted to believe her, but it was tempting to turn away and close her heart off so she couldn’t be hurt again. Except it would hurt anyway. If there was one thing she learned through this whole saga with Jonathon it was that closing your heart off to others was a mistake. You ended up hurting everyone that way, not least of all yourself. She put her arm around Devi and hugged her. “Good for you mum,” she said.Jonathon worked all night and most of the day. He tried calling Emma but when she didn’t pick up or reply to his texts after the first twenty or so, he gave up. What he had to say needed to be said in person anyway. Inspired by the woman he had fallen irrevocably in love with, he had spent the night holed up in his test kitchen creating the perfect set of truffles. Anybody could buy a box of chocolates or a bunch of flowers but only he could create an entire set of truffles that spelled out just how much he loved her and how much she had impacted his life. He had words
Kirra said when Emma finally made it home. Emma had been wandering around the city trying to come to terms with what all this meant for her life going forward. She had made some hard decisions, but she felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. It hadn’t helped with the pain in her chest where her heart was currently crumbling away to dust, but at least she knew that she wasn’t going to end up like her mother just because she had fallen in love. Life was always going to throw her curve balls and she just learned something about herself. Despite her previous belief, she was actually strong enough to withstand them, even swing the bat at them, and make the best out of a bad situation. “Hey, yourself,” she said, sitting at the table opposite Kirra. “Where’s Zoë?” “She had to go and run some errands.” “Where’s mum?” Kirra bit her lip and her eyes teared up. “I don’t know.” “She’s not here?” Emma asked, sitting up straighter and leaning forward. “When I got home, Z