He chuckles. “I think you mean my art dealer.”
“No. Art pimp. That will be my official title or no deal.”
We arrive at the restaurant, and Jack holds the door open for me. “You’re something else, sweet pea.”
“That’s why you love me, Jackpot.”
“That I do.”
The final week before the launch party is a haze of activity and emotions. There’s still work to be done in the store itself, namely setting up window displays and filling the place with flowers, all while fulfilling my orders for the week. But it’s quite a rush to head to the store each morning, working on arrangements from the long counter in the center of the shop, making the space really feel like my own. It’s going to be quite some time before the seeds currently baking in the greenhouse in BaBs will be producing actual blooms, so for now I’m sourcing everything from as many local farms as possible. I also spend a fair amount of time during the week scavenging for vessels that can be repurposed. There will be no short square clear vases in my house. Unless I happen to find one discarded on the street; then I’m totally taking it.
Lucy works with me throughout the week, learning how to arrange, but also figuring out the ordering system and working on the logistics of deliveries. I’m still not quite comfortable taking on large events, but we go ahead and schedule some consultations for smaller parties, and hopefully those will give me enough experience to grow my confidence. I find a super-cute old bistro table at a flea market, and I set it up in the back corner of the shop specifically for client design meetings.
Gemma has checked in approximately eight million times over the week, clearing menu items with me, asking if I’m totally sure I trust her, and sending me photos of her test runs. Which really is just mean, because I don’t get to actually eat any of those said test runs. I know she’s going to be great, and I hope the night gives her the boost she needs.
And Jack. Really, what more can I say about Jack? Have I mentioned how he’s the absolute perfect boyfriend? Honestly, if I had a thought to spare, I’d probably be freaking the fuck out, because there’s no way a man this good will want to stick around for the likes of me. But luckily, I don’t have time for those kinds of thoughts. I just allow him to take care of me in a way no one has ever truly taken care of me before. And I’m too distracted to let myself sabotage this thing between us.
The Friday night before the party, I make myself head home early, knowing I’m going to need a full eight hours of sleep or else I’ll be a monster on launch day. Who am I kidding? I’m going to be a monster no matter how much sleep I get, just to varying degrees based on restfulness and coffee consumption.
Jack has wine open and Chinese food on the way when I get home, giving me enough time to shower and change into my pajamas before we eat cross-legged on the basement sofa, hours of backlogged Bravo shows playing on the TV.
When I fall asleep during an epic Ramona/Sonja blowout, Jack knows it’s time to cart my ass off to bed. He tucks us both under the covers, kisses me good night, and falls right asleep because of course he does. Seriously. Bastard.
Despite my bone-deep exhaustion, I can’t seem to make my eyesstay closed, and I stare up at the ceiling, picturing all the millions of things that could go wrong tomorrow.
Finally, I force myself to turn on my side, ceiling be damned. I push myself into Jack’s space, nuzzling my cheek against his bare chest.
His arms automatically encircle me, his voice sleepy and gruff. “You okay?”
“Can’t sleep.”
He runs his fingers through my hair, instantly calming me. “Everything’s going to be perfect, sweet pea. You’ve planned every last detail.”
“What if no one shows up?” I trace light circles along his stomach, needing my fingers to do something.
“I’ll be there. And so will your friends. And so will lots of other people.” He cups my cheek in his hand and pulls my lips up to his. “It’s going to be amazing, Sade,” he murmurs against my mouth, before deepening the kiss, pulling me into him.
I sigh into him, his mouth providing a wondrous distraction. “Hey.” I break the kiss. “I know what you’re doing, mister.”
He moves his lips down to my jaw, nibbling until I expose my neck for him. “I’m just trying to take your mind off things.”
“You think you can sex me into not worrying about tomorrow?” I wedge my leg in between his, delighting as he hardens against me.
“No, but I think we might as well try.” He wraps his arms around my waist, rolling me over so I’m on top of him.
He releases me, giving me just enough space to shuck my shirt, leaving me in a tiny pair of cotton panties. Jack’s fingers trace over the curve of my breasts before he sits up, me in his lap straddling him. His tongue flickers over one nipple and then the other, before he takes it inhis mouth, sucking and nipping until my hips are rocking over his cock, hard beneath me.
His hands cup my ass, raising me up until I’m standing on the bed. He slides my panties down my legs, holding me steady while I step out of them. Once my feet are firmly planted on the mattress, his hands slide back to my ass, guiding me closer to his mouth. He gives me a wicked smile before his tongue darts out to tease me, licking softly and slowly.
I look down, watching as his mouth devours me, and it’s quite possibly the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. My first orgasm rocks through me a minute later, and Jack eases me down to his lap. He falls back on the pillows, lifting his hips so I can remove his pajama pants. I run my tongue over his hard length, licking him from base to tip, but he hooks his hands under my arms and pulls me up, settling himself at my entrance and slowly pushing into me.
Once I’m fully seated, Jack tucks his hands behind his head, giving me a very un-Jack-like cocky grin. “Ride me, sweet pea.”
“Fuck, Jack. Why is that so hot?” My hands dig into his chest, leveraging my weight as I slowly rock over him.
“You like being in charge, Sade. This is not new information.” He grins teasingly, but his eyes darken as he watches me roll and swivel my hips, and I know he’s enjoying this just as much as I am.
And he can’t keep his hands off me for long. One travels to my breasts, caressing and pinching my nipples, while the other slides between our bodies, stroking me until I’m so tight with tension I can barely move. But with a few more thrusts, that tension boils over and I tighten around him as I cry out.
