Chapter 30
FLEX
“Are you sure you’re ready to go back to work?” Helena has been on edge all week, fretting about me going back to work at the club. They postponed the training suite opening, so I have a lot to do to rearrange it all.
“Yes. They already postponed the opening. It could have gone ahead as planned.”
“It was your baby. No one wanted to do it without you. It wouldn’t have felt right. The club isn’t the same without you. That’s what everyone has told me. I still don’t want you to rush back if you’re not one hundred percent.”
I cup her face in my hands. “I’m good. We’re good. I just want to get back to normal. What about you?”
“I’m happy to go to work because I’m going back to a big promotion, but it’s been so nice to spend time… just you, me, and Gracie.”
“I know what you mean. This morning when your mom came to pick her up, I was sad that my little bear wasn’t going to be hanging on my leg all day or sitting up on my shoulders.”
“You two are so cute together. ”
I slip my arms around her waist, pulling her close before capturing her lips with mine. “I think you’re cute.”
“Thanks.”
“I have somewhere I need to go before heading to the club. I have some unfinished business. Do you want to come with me?”
“Sure.” I can see she’s concerned, but that expression crosses her stunning features at least five times a day since the shooting. Tonight, at the club, I’m going to remind her who the fuck I am.
I’m nervous as we navigate our way around the streets of Manhattan. I have purposefully avoided this place at all costs. There’s never been a rose set down next to their names—at least not by family. The next generation.
It didn’t really dawn on me until Gracie became my baby girl. If Helena and I choose not to have any more kids, I am the last one standing on my side of the family. I want more. A legacy. Siblings for Gracie born out of my love for Helena. After everything that happened after I was shot, it all makes sense. The dreams. The answering machine messages that I now know by heart. It all happened when it needed to.
We talk and walk hand-in-hand as we meander downtown, making a stop at a cute little flower shop to get three white roses. I’m pretty sure Helena knows I’m not in here to give her three flowers. What she doesn’t know is that I was here a few days ago, planning a surprise.
“I’m sure you’ve guessed by now that we’re going to the memorial pools at the World Trade Center. I’ve only ever seen them on television, and I think it’s time.”
She tightens her grip on my hand, leaning into me. “Thank you for bringing me with you.”
“There’s no one else I’d rather have by my side, pet.”
The closer we get, the slower my steps become. I can play it off as my injury, but the reality is I’m not a Navy SEAL when it comes to my parents. I’m still a thirteen-year-old who desperately misses his mom and dad.
When we reach the edge of the plaza, I find myself anchored to the spot, every fiber of my being overwhelmed with the significance of this moment in more ways than one.
“Do you want me to wait here? I can give you some space.”
“I don’t want space from you, Helena. I can’t do this without you.”
“Then, I will be right alongside you the whole time, Master.”
“Such a good girl.”
Helena encourages me to put one foot in front of the other as we walk this historic place. I’m not a spiritual person, but it’s the only way to describe the whole-body reaction as we weave our way through the bustling crowd and over to the Memorial Pool for World Trade Center One.
“It’s alphabetical, so let’s find the surnames beginning with ‘N’ and look for Warren and Beatrice Navarro.”
“And the third flower?”
“My uncle was a firefighter. My dad’s younger brother, Emilio. He was always so much fun. He’d give me the good advice about asking girls out when I was ten.”
“You were putting the moves on girls when you were ten years old?”
“You’re surprised? I’ve always been a lady killer.”
“I bet. Just wait until Gracie is ten and some little boy wants to ask her out.”
“Yeah, that’s not happening. He’ll have to come chat with me while I clean my gun.” She starts laughing with that sweet, melodic giggle, and it’s exactly what I need to bring some levity to the moment.
“Oh, I’m going to enjoy watching you be an overprotective daddy.”
“Just you wait. When we have a boy, and you’re complaining that no girl will ever be good enough for your son, I’ll be the one chuckling.”
“You see us having kids?”
“You don’t? I want Gracie to have brothers and sisters.”
“Me too.” I lean in, capturing her lips with mine. The gravity of what I’m about to do settles in, and every nerve ending in my body vibrates, needing a way to dispel the excess adrenaline coursing through my veins.
“The ‘N’s start here.” My heart lurches up into my throat when I see my mom’s name. My pulse is racing, my breaths ragged as I run my palm over her name. And then there is Uncle Emilio, sandwiched between my mom and dad. It makes me smile because I know he would make all kinds of jokes about it to get my dad all riled up. They were always playing around, making each other laugh like Dalton and me.
“I love that they are all next to each other.” Helena’s voice brings me back to the moment. Handing me the long-stem roses, I set one next to their names, making sure my mom gets the prettiest bloom of the three.
“It’s weird. Being here, after all this time. I feel closer to them somehow. Is that dumb? Maybe it’s because I only just listened to their final words of advice for me—like it all happened when it was supposed to. You were always going to come into my life and play those messages when I needed them most.” I’m rambling. That’s not what I had planned for today.
“I hope they sent me to you, Flex.” I can see she’s visibly affected, her eyes welling with tears.
“My mom would’ve loved you. She was feisty, always keeping my dad on his toes. They weren’t just husband and wife, they were best friends.”
“I’m sure I would’ve loved her too.”
I take Helena’s hands in mine. “I never thought I’d find my other half. I don’t think I even believed it was possible to have a soulmate. The thought of one person in the world that is meant for you seemed fanciful, until we started hanging out.”
“Is that what we’re calling that arrangement we agreed to in the beginning?”
“It wasn’t the sex. I mean, that is completely mind-blowing, but it was the texting and phone calls, talking about anything and everything. I knew then that you were important to me. Then, you let me get to know Gracie, and it solidified everything for me. I know you were afraid it would push me away, but it had the opposite effect. Here was this beautiful siren of a woman in my club, and then you answered the door as a kind, caring mother. You are the whole package, Helena, and you’ve already given me the greatest gift I could ever ask for… a daughter. She may not have my blood running in her veins, but she is my little girl, and I will always protect and love her with the same ferocity I would for you.”
“I know, and I love you for it. You took a bullet for me, Flex. I will spend the rest of my life striving to be worthy of your love.”
It’s now or never.
I drop down on one knee before reaching into my pocket and pulling out the box that has been burning a hole in it since we left the apartment today.
“I don’t always have the right words, and maybe this isn’t how you pictured this moment, but here, in the reverence of the people who taught me how to love, I wanted to ask you… Helena Maxwell, would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?” Fuck, I thought I’d have smoother moves when the time came, but I’m nervous as hell.
“Yes!” Her hand is shaking as I put the ring on her finger.
“I have one other question for you.”
“Anything.” Her smile could light the night sky, stealing my breath away as I fight past the lump in my throat.
“Would you consider letting me adopt Gracie? She’s mine in every way that matters, but I want to make it official. I want her to feel secure in the knowledge that she’s my daughter and always will be.”
Helena lifts her hand to cover her mouth, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Oh my God. Yes, Flex. I want that more than anything, and I know Gracie does too.” I jump to my feet, my lips crashing down on Helena’s as I pull her into my arms and spin her around. She’s just made me the happiest man alive.
“I love you, Helena, until my dying breath.”
“I have one condition,” she says with a wicked grin.
“Name it.”
“Take me to our playroom and dominate me, Master Navarro.”
“That I can do for the future Mrs. Navarro.”
“Congratulations!” Everyone we love is at Venom—well, almost everyone. I couldn’t exactly have Gracie and Helena’s mom come to this celebration, but tonight is all about my girl. She might have asked to go to our playroom, but I know what she needs, and it’s been way too long.
She’s completely surprised as our friends rally around us with well wishes and celebratory toasts, which Dalton leads. “I can say on behalf of everyone here tonight, Flex deciding to settle down is the biggest plot twist here at Venom, and we couldn’t be happier. Helena, you bring out the best in him, and I think that’s true for him too. You’ve both been put through the wringer, and yet you were able to remain open to love and overcome everything that’s been thrown at you. And most importantly, you’ve done it together. I think I can speak for all of us when I say we wish you a lifetime of love, laughter, and kinky fuckery.”
“I’ll drink to that,” I say, clinking my glass with my future bride. Fuck me. I’m going to be a husband.
“To us.” Helena takes a sip of champagne before pushing up onto her tiptoes.
“Be a good girl and take your clothes off, pet.”
“What? We’re in the middle of our engagement party.”
“This is just an impromptu gathering. We’ll have a proper party that our vanilla friends can attend.”
I love her laugh. “That should be the theme. Everything vanilla.”
“We’ll figure it out later. Right now…” I lean in, brushing my lips over the shell of her ear, “I’m going to fuck you for everyone to watch.”
“I thought we were going to our playroom.”
“Not tonight, pet.”
“But we’re in the bar. Should we go up to the voyeur floor?”
“If that’s what I wanted, that’s what I would have asked. Do as you’re fucking told, Helena. I’m done playing nice. Take your goddamn clothes off and get in the position. If I have to tell you again, the consequences will be severe.”
She’s playing coy, but I know she’s already wet at the thought of it. “We’re not allowed to do that stuff in the bar.” This is how she wants to play it.
“I own this fucking club. Now take off your clothes and get in the position. The only thing you should be wearing is that fucking engagement ring. I want every Dom in here to know you’re mine.”
I run my fingers over her lips. “This is my mouth.”
I blaze a trail down her stomach before sliding between her legs. “This is my pussy.”
I spin her around. “This is my ass.”
“Yes, Master Navarro.”
“Now, be my good little whore and take off your fucking clothes.” I can see the spark in her eyes. I haven’t lost my touch. I was beginning to wonder. It’s been a while. What Helena doesn’t know is that I okayed this with Dalton earlier. He’s pissy as fuck about the bar, but you only get engaged once—hopefully—and I want to give her a night to remember.
Helena reaches behind and unties the halter neck of her dress. She looks fucking edible in the figure-hugging little black number, but she’s going to look even better on all fours with that rock on her finger.
The front of her dress drops, uncovering her fucking glorious tits, and the room is captivated by her every move. That’s my girl. I slip my hands under her dress and pull it to the floor. Fuck me . She’s wearing La Perla, and it’s fucking stunning.
“Leave the thong. I can work around it.”
“Yes, Master Navarro.”
“On your knees.” Keeping her eyes on me with a smirk that sets my world on fire, she takes her position.
“Tell me, pet, should I show them how well your mouth works my cock, or should I make sure everyone knows that your pussy was made to take every rock-hard inch of me?”
“Why not both?” she says, with the sultry tone of a siren. One thing is for sure—I would follow this woman to the bottom of the ocean for one more kiss.
“Such a good little slut.” I unbuckle my belt and unzip my fly, releasing my aching erection as onlookers begin to fondle, tease, and fuck.
I stand in front of Helena as I take my cock in hand. “How badly do you want to suck my cock?”
“I’ll do anything.”
“Will you beg for me, pet?”
“Yes, Master. Please let me suck your cock. I’ll be a good girl.”
I circle her before nestling my cock between her legs. Gripping her thighs, I take her in one hard thrust, seating myself to the hilt. “I think you will enjoy it more when you taste your arousal on my dick. You’re fucking soaked. Does it turn you on to know everyone in this room is watching you take my cock like a whore?”
“Yes, Master.” She feels so fucking good I can barely keep it together long enough to tease her. Her pussy tightens around me, our bodies a perfect fit for each other. She moans in pleasure as I take her hard, the evidence of her arousal coating my dick as I pull out, leaving us both wanting more. Circling her again, I stop in front of her.
“Look at me, pet.” She looks up at me through hooded lashes, and it takes every ounce of self-control not to throw her over my shoulder and take her to our playroom.
“Do you want to taste yourself, Helena?” Her smile is downright sinful.
“Yes, Master.” My cock glistens with the evidence of her arousal.
“Open wide, pet.” Sliding my dick into her mouth, she groans as she takes all of me, fucking gagging on it as she starts to work her tongue, circling the tip and driving me fucking wild.
“You’re mine, Helena Maxwell. My whore, my sub…” A shudder runs through me as her moans send vibrations down my cock. “My everything.”
Everyone else fades into the background, leaving only us. When I’m on the edge, I pull out, the need to claim her body as mine over and over again driving me to a level of ecstasy I’ve never experienced with anyone else.
“Stand up.” When Helena comes for me for the first time as my fiancée, I won’t share that moment with anyone. Her pleasure is mine, and my pleasure belongs to her. Sweeping her off her feet, I carry her to our playroom, setting her down before we go inside so I can see her reaction.
“Master.” Her eyes well with tears. “It’s so beautiful.” The room is filled with flowers, a paradise to rival the hanging gardens of Babylon, and yet it pales in comparison to the woman before me.
“I love you, pet, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life loving you the way you deserve.”
“Make love to me, Master Navarro.”
“Until my dying breath.”