Chapter 33

“Ah, the carte blanche…” I take it for what it is. Moisten my palm once more and envelope his tip with it, sort of massaging, kneading, with some pressure.

I also grip his base more firmly.

Then I work him fully with my hand, covering the tip when I reach it, squeezing at the root when I’m down there.

His body is rigid, his thigh muscles and abs flexing. His bulging biceps twitch, and I sense he’s fighting the urge to clasp my upper arms and haul me up his body so that I’ll sweep aside the satin entwined around my legs and straddle his lap, allowing him to thrust up into me.

Naturally, that is precisely what I want.

But we both remain steadfast with our conviction.

I, however, amp the excitement.

I run my tongue along his shaft. Then close my mouth around him.

I very languidly take him deep. As deep as I can. Then release him.

Now, his jaw clenches. So too do my inner walls, craving to be stretched and stroked by him.

I stay the course. Take him in once more. And suck. Hard.

“Jesus, Bailey!” he all-but roars.

His hands fly from behind his head and he does encircle my arms. But he doesn’t do more than that.

“This is about to get interesting…” I tell him.

Because the way he’s clutching at me helps to stabilize me further. So that I can perform another scintillating act. Something I’m dying to do to this man…

I take him into my mouth again, wetting his skin.

Then I engulf his slickened erection with my cleavage, pressing the inner swells of my breasts to his shaft.

“Bailey,” he warns.

“Just enjoy,” I murmur.

I lower my head and my lips close around his tip as his cock surges upward, between my mounds. When I release him, his cock mostly disappears. But Nick instantly falls into a slow pumping rhythm and each time his tip peeks out, I either flick my tongue or deeply suckle.

“Jesus,” he rasps. “Just watching you do that gets me hotter.”

Of course, this spurs me on.

He’s holding my arms to keep me from toppling over and I’m smothering his cock and my fingers are grazing my nipples with every thrust that deliciously jars me.

I’m able to keep his erection lubricated so that he glides along my skin with just a hint of friction. This seems to turn him on more. His hips raise and he fucks my breasts.

His strokes become stronger. Hastier.

I know he’s not expecting me to do this to him and that is likely what drives him wild.

“Bailey,” he repeats, this time on a harsh rush of air. “Goddamn…”

He twines his fingers in the straps on my shoulders and they fall away. That loosens the material at my chest for greater exposure.

I continue to lick and toy with his cockhead. He pumps, heartier.

I know the precise moment he’s going to come completely undone.

I can hear it in the erotic hitching of his breaths. I can feel it via the tremors through his fingers and the way his penis swells even more.

So the next time his tip pokes out, I suck it. Hard.

“Oh, fuck!” he calls out. And explodes in my mouth.

~ * * * ~

“Exactly how long are you going to gloat?”

My gaze lifts from Nick’s chest, which is still heaving, and connects with his. I’m smiling from my triumphant feat. And tell him, “No idea. I’m drowning in bliss over the fact I could actually make you come that way.”

“You’ve made me come numerous ways. Think we’ve ascertained that you setting me off is not an issue. At all. Ever.”

“It’s just that, you know… I’m a woman with minimal experience.”

“You’ve made exceptional strides from the first time we kissed.”

That makes me a bit nostalgic. I ruminate over this. “We have had a journey. Indeed.”

“Still having it,” he reminds me.

“True. It’s just… Someday, it’ll come to an end.”

He groans. And not in the sexy way that lights me up. This is more of an audible cringe.

“I don’t want to discuss that right now.”

“Eventually,” I contend, “we do have to discuss it.”

“Maybe I’m a firm believer that everything works out for a reason; turns out right. Mystical shit happens, when it’s supposed to.”

I can grasp that concept. And tell him, “Sure. It’s just that sometimes, there are glaring realities to face. And even the universe can’t fix them or change them.”

“The potential exists. However…” He leaves his comment dangling.

I slip from the bed to tidy up and divest myself of the heavy gown. He then follows suit.

We snuggle under the covers, both naked, despite how utterly tempting that is. I honestly couldn’t keep my nightgown on a second longer, because I’m burning up. And because I want Nick’s bare skin against mine.

As he strokes my hair, my nails graze his pecs and scrape lightly over his beaded nipples.

“Keep that up and I’ll be hard in a heartbeat, baby.”

My smile turns coy. “I have no problem with that.”

“No, clearly you do not.”

We fall into a comfortable silence. I know precisely what he’s thinking. I’m thinking the same thing.

We’ve made a mess of our business arrangement.

And yet… Neither of us would do anything differently.

Even though we’ve come to a standstill in so many ways, there are also a million other positives to latch onto.

I see that now.

We might not be able to be together, permanently.

Currently, though… We are together.

Nick proves this as he spends the morning with me, Grayson, and Grayson’s daughter, who drove from L.A. to see him and meet me and just chill for a while with us. She’s petite and pretty and I can fully comprehend why Nick took her under his wing and did everything he could to help her out of her precarious situation. She is frail by way of appearance. Though she’s definitely got her father’s stalwart constitution.

Dr. Shaw examines me again and gives me a thumbs-up that everything’s progressing beautifully, and this eases some of Nick’s tension as well.

Later in the day, he and Bodyguard accompany me to the restaurant.

There is a conversation I need to have with Mitch and I’m not looking forward to it.

Actually, it’s not just him who should know I’m pregnant. I want Gwen in on the secret, since she has become such a huge asset in the kitchen. She has crafted a menu that keeps guests coming back for more. And she continually changes it up, to ensure there’s always something new and fresh to offer, in addition to the favorites.

I’m quite fortunate I’ve cultivated this particular staff and, mostly, that I have these two working with me. So while Bodyguard gives Nick the full tour I never got around to when he showed up with flowers, I bring Mitch and Gwen into my office and drop my bombshell.

Gwen jumps out of her chair to hug me, albeit cautiously.

Mitch nods, then shakes his head, then nods.

He ventures, “Financial advisor?”

“Sort of.”

His gaze narrows. “He either is or isn’t the father, Bailey.”

“Is,” I confirm with a sigh. “It’s just that… We’re not exactly in a conventional relationship, so don’t expect him to be around here much and, well, he’s going to take the baby with him to Europe, once she’s born.”

“What the hell, Bailey?” Mitch decries—and he also shoots out of his chair.

“It’s… An arrangement,” I confess.

“No way in hell,” Mitch asserts. “An ‘arrangement?’ Bailey, I’ve seen the way that man looks at you.”

“Agreed,” Gwen admits.

“Yes, well. The thing is… He does live in Europe. And that’s where he needs to be. For various… Reasons.” I’m not going to expound upon kingdoms and royalty and all that. “I choose to be here. This is my home, my restaurant. And the fact is… Nick can give her an extraordinary life, the likes of which I still can’t fathom.”

“And it’s none of our business,” Gwen quietly tells Mitch as she recovers from my shocker.

“I just wanted you to know, in the event I have some adverse side effects,” I inform them. “That’s why I want us to increase hours and responsibilities for the people who are interested. I want sound infrastructure in place.”

“Of course,” Gwen says. “Just know we’re here for you, Bailey. All the way.” She embraces me once more.

“Thank you. Both of you. So much.”

Mitch nods again. “Whatever you need, Bailey. You’ve worked too hard and done such an amazing job turning this place around to worry about how it’s managed when you’re not here. We’ve got your back. I promise.”

I do not doubt this. Not in the least.

Tears prickle my eyes. I can’t keep the mist from them.

I give Mitch a hug. This is not my norm and he’s aware of that. But he returns the gesture.

Eventually, we disperse to take up our respective responsibilities.

Nick and I have an early dinner together, on the deck, and then I walk him out to the limo.

He tells me, “I’m not thrilled about leaving.”

“Me either. But we’ve been down this path before.”

“I want you to text me every night,” he murmurs as his fingers brush over my cheek. “And morning. And noon.”

“Your noon or my noon?” I jest. To lighten the mood.

His head bends to mine and he nips my lip. “Smartass. Both.”

“I have to sleep at some point, you know?”

“Yes, you do. I’m counting on it.” His expression turns serious.

“Absolutely do not worry about me. I’m going to take it a bit easier and have routine checkups and all will be well.”

His lips skim over mine. Briefly.

But a second later, he caves to a full-on liplock that is so sweltering, I have to hang onto him for a minute or two to absorb the reverberation throughout my body and will my knees to not to buckle.

He grins, sensing all of this.

“Nice to know I do that to you.”

“Every time,” I assure him.

He’s hesitant to leave me, so I give him a little shove in the right direction.

“Go,” I insist. “Or we’ll just end up making out in the parking lot and that’s sooo not grand for my reputation.”

“Though… It helps me to mark my territory.”

His gaze is a steady one as he proclaims this.

His words steal my breath.

But, alas… I have to say, “That’s moot. I have no designs on anyone else. At the same time… We’re not a forever couple.”

His jaw works. He doesn’t deny the truth of my statement. Just drops a sweet kiss on my forehead and then whispers, “I honestly can’t not think of you as mine, Bailey.”

Oh, boy.

~ * * * ~

He leaves me with those words. They’re difficult ones to process.

Also, I have the distinct impression he’s not planning on being a stranger.

The prospect of him jet-setting across our time zones concerns me. As I’d mentioned, it’ll make for an exhaustive pregnancy for him, and he’s not even the one carrying this child.

Conversely… Well, naturally there’s a little thrill over him finding it hard to stay away.

I choose to hold fast to that latter connotation. It’s comforting. It’s exhilarating. And it makes me believe in that concept he spoke of—mystical things do happen. The universe truly does work in mysterious ways. After all, it brought Nick to my doorstep in the first place.

I return to the restaurant. As the days pass, Mitch, Gwen, and I continue to brainstorm ways to keep our patronage up and reservations on the books. We’ve made a splash and I want the waves to consistently roll onto our shores.

We spotlight entertainment and dancing on the weekends and that captures interest from marina dwellers and even those out on the water. We regularly change up our drink specials and our mixologists are getting more creative with new and exciting cocktails. We also attend wine, jazz, and street festivals in town and within the regional area, giving out samples of our food and fliers with discounts or free appetizers.

All of these efforts serve us well.

We’re written up in magazines and on blogs. I’m interviewed routinely.

Claire and Bodyguard are obviously conspiring together to ensure Nick doesn’t miss a single feature on me and Bailey’s Clambake. And he never fails to let me know he’s read this review or that article—and he’s happy for me. Genuinely. Despite it being an obstacle between us, Nick does not begrudge me this success. Or resent it. That is the mark of an incredibly generous man. One more mark, actually. Because I owe my entire, current existence to him.