Chapter 18 Kamirah
eighteen
Kamirah
Ihad to hand it to V. He always had a plan, and every time, it was something new and inventive.
For Halloween, it was the matching costumes.
At Christmastime, he’d worn a Santa hat, the mask, and nothing else.
We’d ended up in a sweaty pile of limbs after he and Chris had DP’d me right there on the living room rug.
The sack he’d left under the tree was filled with toys and specific instructions to send videos and photos to him of us using them after he’d left.
For New Year, he’d insisted I wear a dress.
He’d shown up to the club where we were celebrating with Mironov and his wife Sasha, Rune, Hewitt and his wife, and later on, Locke.
I’d ducked to the bathroom, and he’d tugged me into a dark alcove, lifted my skirt and had me right there.
I’d been jelly legged and was sure I looked well fucked, but his instructions were clear. “Now, send Chris to me.”
It hadn’t taken long for Chris to return, walking funny and with that same glazed look in his eyes.
He’d pulled my hips to his, his dick already half hard again as we danced, and he described every delicious rough and dirty detail to me.
I’d been ready to leave at that point, for Chris to show me everything V had done to him.
But we wouldn’t pass up the chance to catch up with Locke and celebrate with him.
We saw in the dawn together, watching the sun rise from the glass roof of the club.
“What are you thinking about?” Chris asked with a smile. He’d just returned from a five-day road trip, and we were curled up on the sofa together, having just eaten a late supper.
“Halloween. Christmas. New Year. I miss him.”
V had been away a lot, travelling for work and stuck on the opposite side of the country from us for much of the last month.
We’d only seen him a few times since Thanksgiving, and it sucked.
The man was under my skin. I wanted so much more than we had.
But even though he wasn’t physically here, we were always talking.
He called us every day that Chris was home, and we spoke for hours.
Whenever Chris was away, we were all texting to our group chat.
Our messages were flirty and often dirty as sin, but there were everyday things in there too.
V spoke about his karate training and the preparation for his next Dan grading in a couple of years’ time.
He told us how his family had surprised him with a visit over Christmas and how homesick for Ottawa he was.
We were bright sparks in his life—fuck buddies who’d become more. His closest friends.
Chris sighed, the sound heavy with want. “How do you feel about him?”
I licked my lips, trying to figure out how to answer him. Chris and I prided ourselves on being honest and open. It was the only way our relationship worked. But this was big. It could change everything between us.
“Do you love him?” Chris asked, leaving me no room to dodge the question.
He looked at me, his gaze filled with longing and hope.
He dipped his eyes to my lips and slowly raised them again, and I could see his feelings as clear as day.
They were written in the soft way his eyes crinkled and how his lips turned up at the mere mention of V.
He slipped his warm hand under my shirt and caressed my belly, his touch reverent.
“I’m falling for him,” he admitted. Then he shook his head. “No, that’s not true. I’ve already fallen. I’m in love with V.”
Relief hit me hard and fast. Chris was exactly where I was, feeling the things I’d known for months but hadn’t dared admit. I nuzzled into him, snuggling closer. “Me too. I didn’t expect it, but I’m head over freaking heels for the man.”
Chris laughed and pinned me to the sofa, his eyes smiling as he peppered my face with kisses. “Are we going to tell him?”
“I want to. But he still won’t give us his name. Isn’t that telling?”
“Ooh, maybe he’s a spy?”
“Maybe you’re an idiot.” I giggled. “But he could be infamous, like a mafia overlord or something.”
“I don’t think they’re called that,” he teased. “Or he could be a politician.” I scrunched my nose up, and Chris shuddered in my arms. “Or not.”
“A famous sports star? He’s got the body,” I mused thoughtfully. “Is there a modern-era Bruce Lee that we should know about?”
“Look, whoever he is, he promised us he wasn’t cheating on a spouse and wasn’t really doing anything shady—”
“That’s enough for me,” I agreed. “But I’m totally going to ask him whether he’s a spy.” I reached for my cell phone and sent him a message.
Hey, just wondering… are you a spy?
“He’s not exactly going to say yes if he is.” Chris laughed, but he turned my cell phone so he could see it too the moment V’s reply came through.
Um…
Where did… I don’t even know what to say to that.
Chris’s brows hiked up, and he grinned.
I giggled and sent him another message.
But it wasn’t a no. Have we just discovered your secret? OMG, you’re Bond. Vigilante Bond. I’ll have a martini, shaken not stirred for you next time we see you.
He sent a row of cry-laughing faces, and my cell started ringing.
“Hey, you,” I answered. “You’re on speaker. Chris is here too.”
“Bond. Vigilante Bond at your service,” he said, sounding exactly like Sean Connery.
I laughed again and flicked my gaze to Chris. He was wearing the same lovestruck smile as me. This man made us both happy.
“What are you up to?” I asked. “It’s All-Star weekend, and Chris is home. We have four uninterrupted days together. Can we see you? We can come to you.”
“About that—”
“Please?” I begged.
“I was going to invite you away for a long weekend. It’s short notice, I know, but I wasn’t sure if I could make it happen before this evening.”
“We’re game,” Chris said.
“Good. Pack your bags.”
"Where are we going?" I asked, trying to remember what clean underwear I had.
"Don't worry about the details. They’re all sorted. A driver will be there to pick you up at 9:00 a.m. sharp."
"V, what clothes do we need?" I pressed.
He chuckled. "Well, I'd prefer you to be naked all weekend, but it'll be cold—cold enough for snow—so bring something warm."
My heart fluttered, and my smile grew impossibly bigger. This was big. It was huge. Going away for the weekend wasn’t just a step further, it was a trip to the moon on the scale of next steps. Maybe he was ready for more. Maybe we could make this work.
***
We were ready. Two duffel bags sat next to the front door.
I’d done my hair and makeup and picked the cutest snow-bunny-esque outfit I owned—white leggings and fur-lined boots with a pale pink sweater, matching furry coat, and a pink-and-white beanie.
Chris was dressed much like he normally was—blue jeans and a charcoal sweater, but he’d paired boots with his outfit rather than sneakers.
He was also wearing a charcoal scarf that was so soft, it made me want to rub myself all over him like a cat.
There was a knock on the door at promptly 9:00 a.m., and the driver, a smiling man with a moustache and goatee, already had the car open for us. He took our bags and loaded them into the trunk while we got comfortable.
“So, are you allowed to tell us where we’re going?” I asked, excitement getting the best of me.
“I’m told it’s a surprise gift for you both, so no, unfortunately not.”
We didn’t have to wait long, though, before we were pulling into San Diego Airport, but this was a part of it I’d never been to before. There were helicopters everywhere, and I looked at Chris, my eyes wide and my heart beating fast. Then I grinned. “Oh my God,” I murmured. “What has he done?”
“I have no idea, but this is too much.”
We checked in at the reception desk, giving our names to the lady there, and she led us into a waiting room. “We’ll take care of your luggage and call you once your pilot is ready for you. In the meantime, feel free to help yourself to coffee and pastries.”
“Thank you,” I murmured. She’d been very careful not to tell us where we were going. Apparently, everyone was in on the fact that this was a secret trip.
Our wait was short, and the trip in the helicopter was exhilarating. I watched as the pilot navigated the bird easily, taking her up and heading almost directly north. “We’re going over the San Bernadino Mountains, folks. The view up there is real pretty at this time of year.”
“Where are we going?” Chris asked. “Our friend has organized a weekend away and told us to tag along, but we have no idea where we’re headed.”
The pilot looked over his shoulder at us and grinned. “I know.”
“That’s it? That’s all you’re giving us?” I asked and threw my hands up.
He chuckled and replied, “I’ve been sworn to secrecy, but you’ll know as soon as I check in with the airport to get clearance to land. Be patient for a few more minutes.”
A few more minutes turned into half an hour, then the pilot started talking to air traffic control at Big Bear Airport.
Holy shit, V had arranged for us to go to Big Bear for the weekend.
I didn’t have ski gear with me, but it was definitely an option at this time of year.
Would he want to do it? Or would we be curled up in front of the fire the whole time, drinking cocoa and eating cheese?
Once we’d landed, we were met by another driver.
“He’s thought of everything,” Chris mused with wonder in his voice as we stood to the side while the driver loaded our bags. "He’s also totally spoiled us.”
“Do you feel like this is huge? He’s making a statement, isn’t he?”
“I hope so.” Chris took my hand, and we slid into the back seat of the Lincoln Continental.
“Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Minns. My name is Andrey, and I’m on call for you this weekend.” He passed us a business card and added, “My number is on the card. Please don’t hesitate to call me anytime. I’m on call 24-7 this weekend, so it’s no bother.”