Chapter 11 #2
“Of course. I’m just finishing the lines. We’ll be right there,” Highland offered but the other man spoke up quickly.
“No need. Our crew is ready to handle that for you.” Highland groaned a frustrated sigh in my ear before he kissed my cheek.
“Fuck, I can’t even get a sample. See what problems you cause when you play with me?” Highland then proceeded to triple tap the mound of my pussy as if he was calming himself and her both down at the same time, only it caused me to take in a sharp inhale as he stepped back.
“Olive, you still testing me, baby, and this man is standing behind us. Please at least let my dick go down enough so I can walk across this passerelle.” Now it sounded like he was the one struggling as he begged me for something I wasn’t aware I had any control over.
“Then stop thinking nasty ass thoughts, Captain. But if I’m the cause of that problem, I can’t make any promises that I’ll be able to help you with that.” I took this opportunity to push into him more, creating enough space so I could step around him and head up the ramp now connected to our yacht.
I took in the boat styled restaurant and was amazed at how they even made this possible. I had been on boats before that offered dining, but never to this extent. As soon as I stepped on, I took in the heavy doors that had the name written in fancy script with operation hours and everything.
“Ooh this is cute. I’ve never even heard of this place before. Naida’s Cove.”
“I hope seafood is okay.”
“You can feed me anything and it’ll be okay, your dick included, Captain,” I mumbled but Highland’s laugh let me know he heard me. I blushed from embarrassment and tried to backtrack to fix my response.
“I meant, I love it. I hope they have lobster rolls.” Highland’s laugh this time had me chuckling as he opened the door for me. Inside was even more gorgeous. I felt like one of those rich people on a fancy ship or something.
“Oh my gosh, Highland, this is fancy. What did a girl do to deserve brunch on the water?”
“Nothing but be you, Olive.” Highland pulled me into him, kissing my temple as we were escorted to our table.
“So are you not going to tell me about the date?” Byrdie had been on my line since the sun came up trying to get information about my date with Highland.
I wanted to tell her everything, but after yesterday, I honestly wasn’t sure where to start.
I knew being around the kids played a major part in both of our tame behavior, so much that without them, I wasn’t sure who Highland truly was. His mouth was nasty and I loved it.
And his hands… my god, his big, masculine, rough ass hands.
“Did Jo-Jo make it to camp on time?” I had to change the subject from Highland since I was officially pulling into my parking spot here at my office.
The plan was to get him yesterday after my date.
Somehow he made a plan to spend the night with Byrdie without me knowing.
Which ended up working out because my mind was nowhere ready to go back to mommy mode, not that fast without processing everything.
“Uht uhn, if this is what you’re going to be like with a man that’s not my brother, I swear, Liv, I don’t like this shit.
You never give details about this man. The time I met him you said oh we doing this for the kids, that’s it.
Then, bam! Now you all in love with him and keeping it to yourself. Are you my sister or what?”
I laughed hard as hell as I double checked my bag for everything I needed for the day before I put it on my shoulder, grabbed my keys, and headed out of the door. With my extra time I planned to stop at Morningside to pick up breakfast for me and Tunk.
“Heffa, answer my question first. Did Jo-Jo make it to camp?”
Byrdie groaned in my ear while she blew out a sigh.
“Duh. His little ass practically beat me there this morning. Talking about his best friend was waiting. Now do mine. How was the date?” I let out sounds.
“Uhhh...” I thought for a second as my line began to ring with Highland’s name. I was saved by the bell as a goofy ass smile began to form.
“Hey, I gotta take this call, but I promise by lunch I should be ready to tell you something. Thank you again for watching Jo-Jo.” I hit Highland’s name and pulled in a deep breath, holding it until his deep, rich tenor came out.
“I told myself I wasn’t going to be him, but I can’t help it.” I was confused by his greeting as I scrunched my face, turning into Morningside’s parking lot and pulling into a spot.
“Huh?”
“It hasn’t even been a solid twenty-four and I’m already feenin’ for more of you and your time, Olive. I know you’re probably on your way to work, but I’m stealing your lunch break.” I giggled as I got out to go order my food.
“Had you asked, you could’ve had my breakfast slot too. My first client isn’t until ten today and I’m at Morningside now,” I said as I walked into the door.
“I know, and Ms. Reed, I must say that yellow looks amazing on you.” Highland’s comment had me looking down at my outfit as if I forgot what I had on before I spun around to find him already sitting in a booth laughing at me.
I hung up the phone as I made my way over to him. Of course, Highland stood to greet me, wrapping me in his big, strong arms, sending me spiraling immediately into his chest, taking in his scent.
Lawd, this man feels and smells so fucking good.
“Mmm… I think I’m ready to leave an active review about your hugs.
They really are the best I’ve ever had.” His hands roamed the back of my body as he gripped my ass in the process.
I was falling in love with his mannish behavior and how he handled my body.
Highland was gentle but so fucking aggressive with it.
“I would tell you to leave one on my site, but I’m half-ass afraid of what all you would put, so I’ll just pass the message along to the owners.” He chuckled as he leaned back but held my waist while he kissed me as if he had truly missed me in the last twelve hours.
He guided me into the booth where there were already two cups of water and coffee on the table.
“Why do I get the idea that this was planned?” I said as I nodded to the cups.
“When it comes to you and me, that’s all I’m doing at this point; making plans and commands. This though, worked out so good. The call was to invite you, you walking in was God confirming what I already know when it comes to you in my life.”
Plans and commands?
“And what exactly do you know already when it comes to me?” I was intrigued as I went for my coffee cup and my eyes grew wide at the flavor. It tasted like my exact order from Brewed Bean.
This has Tunk written all over it.
My eyebrow dipped at him asking the unspoken question while Highland just let out a chuckle. That told me everything.
“God married our souls, making you mine and me yours. I don’t want to scare you with the plans just yet, so for now, we can start slow.
Just us; exclusively.” Highland’s tone was definite as he said those words with ease.
While I sat there stuck, breathing shallow by now.
It was yesterday all over again with that beautiful moment with the jar of messages on the shells.
I didn’t know how to respond verbally, and unlike yesterday, I didn’t want him to second guess my feelings for him.
So I scooted closer to him, hooking my arm through his, using my free hand to pull his face to mine, and kissed him. It was a quick peck, but enough for me to get lost in his burning gaze on me when I pulled back.
The clearing of a throat had me freeing him from my hold as the waitress stood at the end of the table with her pad in her hand. Normally I would’ve been embarrassed by my public act of intimacy, but Highland made it easy for me to relax into him, into us.
I sat back and listened to this man place our orders while I patiently waited to speak. Once she was gone, finally my words came.
“That sounds like some forever type of loving, Highland. Are you sure you’re ready for that?
I come with a son, a crazy extended family that is hella nosy, and an even weirder job.
It might be too much.” Highland hooked my chin, pulling my face inches from his as he spoke in a low tone like it was a secret only safe between the two of us.
“And so what, I come with two girls and a heart that hasn’t beat evenly until you came into our lives. I’m prepared to love all the parts of you, including Jo-Jo, forever, Olive.”
Was I crazy for completely falling for a man who I’d only known for almost two months?
A hundred percent. But my heart understood what he meant by not beating whole until him.
“Is this your way of asking me to be your girlfriend? If so, it needs some work. It’s only been one date, Captain. I at least—”
Highland cut me off, sealing our newfound commitment to this relationship. This time, kissing me deep, long, and sweet.
“Not my girlfriend, we’re grown doing grownup things. You’re my woman and I’m your man.”
I made it to my office an hour later with Highland following me. I was so excited to show him my space. I was proud of my career and loved what I did.
“And this is where the healing happens. Welcome to Cuddle Buddies,” I said, laughing at my own joke as I turned the key and walked in. Tunk was seated at the table eating when we walked in.
“I guess you still working on this one,” Highland joked at Tunk who stood to greet his brother.
“Fuck you fool, ain’t shit wrong with me that a good bottle of Black Ops can’t fix. You though.” Tunk winced as he shook his head.
“Hey, this is a positive energy zone. Tunk, this is for you. I apologize for being late.” I passed the food bag off, then pulled Highland my way. “Let me finish showing you the office.”