Chapter 43
“Can I take the blindfold off yet?” I whine, so over sitting in the dark while they all chat around me.
“If you do it will ruin the surprise,” Geovani tells me, a hint of mischief dancing in his voice. He’s getting way too much pleasure out of having me blindfolded. Every now and then he runs a hand up my thigh, the sensation causing goosebumps to rise over my bare legs because my senses are so alight. I have no idea where they’re taking me.
“You know I hate surprises,” I huff, crossing my arms over my chest, slumping back into the plush leather seat where I’m positioned between Alex and Geovani. When they first shoved me in here, I was expecting one of them to eventually give in to my nagging. But they’re all shut up tight, even Maddox.
Alex’s lips gently graze my earlobe. “I can promise you, this is one you will love.” The sound of his deep, alluring voice humming in my ear sends a wave of desire through me, even though I know he’s not trying to be sexy. They just have me all on edge. Being this close to them in a confined space. It’s like a sweet kind of torture for my poor deprived libido.
I sigh heavily and relax back into the seat of Ricky’s Jeep, giving up on my relentless pursuit to annoy them into giving in to me. It’s Christmas Eve, and when I got back to the apartment today, I was told to pack a bag because we were taking a little vacation for the holidays. But the assholes wouldn’t tell me anything else. As soon as I got in the car, they blindfolded me, and now we have been driving for over an hour. I have no idea what direction we’re going in.
It’s hard to believe it’s been one year since all of this started and I officially met Ricky, Maddox, and Geovani. Or to rephrase that statement, it’s been one year since they broke into my family home and caused a motherfucking mafia war in my name. So much has happened since then. And while I may have lost an awful lot, I have found something I never knew I even wanted, in my relationship with the boys. An unexpected family unit unlike anything I ever had growing up. They all love me unconditionally, and I know they would do anything for me. And I feel the same way about all of them.
Ricky’s Jeep bumps and sways as its wheels hit what sounds like an uneven gravel road. I can hear the rough crunch of it under the tires. I bump my arm with Geovani, not able to help it from my center position. I grab hold of anything I can to stabilize myself, getting one of Geovani’s thighs and Alex’s arm. “Can you drive more carefully? I feel like I’m in a washing machine back here,” I call out to Ricky.
“Hold on, baby doll, we’re nearly there.” I bump into Alex as the car moves around what feels like a turn circle, then finally the engine comes to a stop.
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Now can I take it off?” I ask one more time before stretching my hand toward the blindfold, ready to remove the damn thing.
Ricky lets out a chuckle from the driver’s seat, the sound echoing faintly in the otherwise quiet car. He’s having way too much fun with this. I bet it was his idea.
“Be patient, princess.” Alex takes my hand in his, and I hear a couple of doors pop open. He helps me out of the car then guides me. My heeled boots crunch on the uneven gravel, making my heart race nervously.
“Where are we?” I cry, desperately needing to know what’s going on.
Someone moves to the back of my head, and I feel the tug of the blindfold being removed.
I have to blink a few times as my eyes adjust to the bright afternoon sunlight. But as I stare back at the stunning property before me, I’m rendered speechless. I glance at Alex, and he smiles mischievously.
“What do you think, Red?” Geovani joins Ricky on the front porch, popping open the door.
“I think this place is stunning. I told you guys that when we had the wedding here. Did they let us rent it for the holidays?” I ask with excitement in my voice. I fell in love with this place the moment we arrived a couple of months ago; the stunning oak trees lining the driveway to the forest by the old farmhouse where I got dressed that day, everything felt magical in a way that warmed by heart and made this place I had never been before feel like home.
Maddox takes a couple of bags from the trunk and pops them on the front stoop. His lips quirk up at the sides as his eyes lock with mine. “She has no idea. Are one of you assholes going to put her out of her misery?”
“Go inside and have a look around,” Alex says, tugging my hand so I’m forced to walk up the stairs with him. The beautiful ranch-style house has timber-clad walls, adorned with lush grapevines that climb and twine around a large balcony.
I take a step in the front entry and am awestruck. When we were here for the wedding, we only drove past this place, I never got to come inside. I knew from the moment I saw it that it would be charming, with its quaint little windows and welcoming front porch. A calming sage green coats the walls, while beneath my feet, the sandy-colored hardwood floor gleams, polished to perfection. The high ceilings give the space a light and airy, almost ethereal feel. Potted plants, overflowing with vibrant green leaves, sit in the corners of the rooms, while large, plush rugs in the center make it feel like a charming warm home.
“This place is perfect for a Christmas vacation,” I gush.
Ricky takes my hand pulling me into him with a kiss. “We knew you would love it.”
“I do. Finally, a surprise you got right.” I laugh even though my eyes narrow in on him a little. Walking with him into a large room at the back of the house, the crackling fireplace looks like the perfect cozy place to sit by tonight toasting marshmallows, its warmth a welcome contrast to the cool air outside today, while the open-plan kitchen looks like it has everything Maddox could hope for, with gleaming countertops and stainless-steel appliances. I wonder if he might be able to teach me how to cook a little while we’re here.
I move to stand by the large bifold doors that open out onto the back porch. Natural light filters in with a stunning view out to the forest down the back of the property, the place we got married. I sigh heavily, turning back to the boys. It’s then I notice the stunning Christmas tree, its branches lit up with little sparkling fairy lights in gold.
“Some time out of the city is just what we all need,” Alex says, joining us.
“You can come here anytime you need to escape the city,” Geovani says, and I flick my attention back to him.
“That doesn’t sound very convenient for the owners,” I mutter, looking over the gifts under the tree. They are addressed to all of us.
But as I look around the living room at the boys’ faces, I already know that’s not going to be a problem. “This place is ours, princess, we bought it for you.”
“Merry Christmas, baby doll,” Ricky chimes in.
I just shake my head. Of course they did. But I’m not angry. I’m so grateful I can’t help the tears that now choke up my throat, stopping me from being able to speak. “I love it,” I get out.
I throw my hands around Alex because he’s closest, then Ricky, Geovani, and Maddox, feeling a nervous flutter of excitement run through me. We’re alone out here for a few days. Alex doesn’t have a media empire to run, Ricky has taken time away from the patients he’s started taking on—illegally, of course, because he doesn’t have his license, but that doesn’t bother him when he knows he’s helping people the clinic turns away. Frankie was just the start for him. Geovani and Maddox are off their training schedule, with Maddox’s next big fight rescheduled till next year, and me, well, I’m still trying to work out what to do with my papa’s businesses. The boys helped me sell off the car dealership, and with the tightening of the police around our town, we have let the territory my papa was running go to the Iron Strykers. They were more willing to deal with them than I was. But there is still the online casino, and while it runs itself for the most part, it leaves me with this niggling feeling that tells me I should be doing something with the stupid amount of money I’m making because of it.
I feel Maddox’s hands still on me. One travels down my back, landing on my waist as he pulls me into him. He kisses my neck softly and something inside me turns to a melted pile on the floor. For a second, I let my eyes close, and I lean back into him. When I reopen my eyes, I find Geovani watching us, his lips quirked up at the sides in a sexy question.
We haven’t done anything in so long. I was given the all-clear from my doctor a couple of weeks ago but haven’t felt myself still, and while the boys are respecting my space and time to heal, I can see how desperate they are to have what we used to. It’s getting to the point where I am as well. “I planned a little surprise myself,” I say, feeling shy all of a sudden under all of their attention.
“Do we get it today or are you going to make us wait till tomorrow?” Ricky smirks, way too excited.
“After you assholes blindfolding me for an hour, I should make you wait.” I roll my eyes even though the smirk on my lips is giving me away.
Geovani steps in front of me, his hand moving to cup my face. “But you won’t, will you, Red.” There is warning to his tone that flicks a switch inside of me and sends signals right through to my lady parts, or maybe that’s because I can feel how hard Maddox is, his monster dick pressing into my ass.
My cheeks glow red, feeling embarrassed all of a sudden. What if they think my surprise is stupid compared to theirs? I mean, they bought me a fucking house, and not just any house but a stunning country home.
“What’s wrong, baby doll?”
“Umm. My present isn’t quite as extravagant as yours.” I bite into my bottom lip.
“Your room is the first on the left, I dropped your bag in there already. Why don’t you go get it and let us be the judge,” Alex says from behind us. I turn back toward him and see the longing in his eyes. He’s just as desperate to touch me, but he’s been holding off. He’s waiting for me to give him the go-ahead.
“Okay, but if you hate it, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I move out of Maddox and Geovani’s hold on me and wander past the other two. Feeling all their eyes on me, my stomach dances with butterflies. Oh, dear God, why am I so nervous about this? I move down the hallway and push open the door Alex said was my room. Inside I find the bag I packed on the end of the bed. I close the door and lock it, not wanting any of them to come and find me before I’m ready.
Inside my bag I find what I’m looking for. I bury my head in my hands. What the fuck are you doing, Harley? This is stupid. And I kind of know it is but also hope that they will understand the sentiment behind it. I love how patient they have been with me and the way they have all taken care of me over the last six weeks since I lost the baby. They were hurting too, but they were always there for me above and beyond their own needs. Fuck it. I undo the zipper on my skirt and let it fall to the floor then remove my top, bra, and panties.
Then before I can over think it any more, I put on the ridiculous set of lingerie Sloane talked me into buying as a Christmas present for them. Last time I go to her for dating advice. I do the red satin ribbon up in a bow right in the middle of my tits, then I sit on the bed while I slip the matching red six-inch heels in place. I fluff out my hair and take a deep breath. I can’t even look at myself in the mirror or I will chicken the fuck out.
I pop open the door. “Okay,” I call down the hall. “I need you all to cover your eyes until I’m ready.”
I hear a few murmurs of protest, but I assume they are complying. I inhale deeply and stride down the hall with my shoulders back and head held high.