“Just because we did something once doesn’t mean I’ll let you continue to do it. Marriage is a partnership, right? So I may want to discuss certain things.”
I give her a dubious look. The day I wait for her permission to do my favorite things to her will be a cold day in hell, but I don’t say so. No need to toss stones into relatively calm waters. “Youcan give that a shot, babe,” I say mildly. “I don’t think it’s gonna work out for you.”
Her sigh is heavy as she walks away, which makes me smile. When I tied her up and blindfolded her last night, her body writhed with anticipation. And when I put my cock inside her, she was as wet as she’s ever been. Laurel can protest all she wants, but her body knows what it likes and so do I.
Chapter
Eight
TRICK
About ten minutes before we land, Laurel removes my hand from her thigh and laces our fingers together instead. We slept part of the flight, but she doesn’t look the worse for wear. She’s so pretty and suntanned she doesn’t need makeup.
The plane touches down, and she squeezes my hand. My fingers answer with a squeeze of their own.
“Home,” she says. “Or almost anyway.” She licks her lips. “Thanks for such an amazing week. I love you,” she whispers.
“Same.” I stroke her hand with my thumb before letting it go. “We’re still newly married, Laurel. The vacation’s over, but that doesn’t mean anything has to change.”
I turn off airplane mode on my phone as the flight attendant gets the cabin ready for us to disembark. As signals from the nearest tower reach it, my phone buzzes in a rapid succession.
“No, nothing has to change,” Laurelyn teases.
I give her a quick kiss. “It’s tough being popular,” I say with a wink.
There are a couple of texts from Aiden Callahan, which I don’t open yet. I’ll get to those later. The one I open is from C.
C:Welcome back. I need a word. Ask Laurelyn to stay on the plane for a few minutes.
I frown. He’s waiting near the runway? That doesn’t bode well.
“What’s wrong?” Laurel asks.
“Nothing.” My hand smooths her hair as I stand. “Do me a favor, and stay here for a couple minutes. I’ll come back up to get you.” I take my holstered gun from my duffel and strap it on.
Laurelyn’s brows pinch with worry. “What is it?”
“Nothing. Everything’s okay. We’re just back to civilization where I carry, remember?”
She licks her lips, not completely believing my reassuring words.
“I’ll be right back.” I walk down the aisle and to the door.
“Everything all right?” the flight attendant asks, glancing at Laurel who’s still seated.
“Yeah, can you do me a favor? Get my wife a glass of sparkling grape juice. She’s going to need another minute before she’s ready to deplane.”
“Of course, Mr. Patrick.”
“We really appreciate the way you took care of us on both flights. I wired you a bonus. Enjoy.”
“Oh, thank you. It was my pleasure.”
I nod and head down the steps where I find C and Aiden Callahan waiting. C’s not wearing a suit, just a white button down and black pants. So it’s business, but not a big meeting where we dress to impress. Callahan’s dressed similarly, not too casual, but not in a suit. He needs a new tailor because the shirt’s too tight across the shoulders. If he had to make any big moves, the shirt would rip at the seams like he was The Hulk busting out of it. Aiden’s around ‘Vil’s size. Six-six or seven and closerto three hundred pounds than two hundred from the looks of him. His auburn hair’s too long. It’s spilling over his shoulders like he’s auditioning for a shampoo commercial, or a stint on a mountain man reality show. At least his beard’s neat.
C smiles when I extend a hand. “Man, look at you. Hell of a good time, huh?”
“A life of sunshine and sex never hurt anyone.” After we shake hands, I offer a hand to Callahan. “What’s up, Aiden? What are you doing here?”
