Chapter 8
AMES
“Iwant to surprise Dakota,” I told Julie over the phone two days later.
Dakota was out with Charmaine…something about mani-pedis.
It was the perfect time for me to plan a little getaway.
Somewhere with a beach so I could see my woman in a bikini every day.
I went to my home office and called Dakota’s mom for help while I booked everything.
“I don’t know how long we’ll have before she starts the new job, and I want to spend some time alone with her. Where there won’t be any paparazzi or interruptions from anything else.”
Julie sniffled, and I had a momentary freak-out that she might not want Dakota to be with me.
“That’s so sweet! I’ll ensure she’s packed and ready to go when you arrive. What does she need?”
“Not much.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I did a mental face-plant onto my desk. “Because we are going somewhere tropical, not because…just, you know, summer stuff…”
I trailed off when Julie started laughing hysterically.
To my shock—and complete relief that I was alone—my face heated. “I didn’t mean…”
“Sure you did, Ames,” she giggled. “I’m not naive, honey. You think I don’t know what you two will do on a romantic getaway?”
I chose to move on rather than risk embarrassing myself any further. “Anyway, we’ll drop by tomorrow around ten.”
The plane we were taking was set to leave at twelve thirty from Teterboro Airport. I figured two and a half hours should be plenty of time to leave the city. I sent the information for the flight and resort to my email, then shut off my laptop.
“We’ll probably stay at my place when we return on Sunday, so I’ll have Dakota call you.” I hated the thought of her going back to her parents’ house. I wanted her in my bed every night. Maybe I’ll be able to convince her to move in while we’re gone, I thought.
“You want her to move in?” Julie screeched.
Fuck! Had I said that out loud? Shit! I’d been amazed her mom was so okay with me whisking her daughter away for a vacation when we’d only known each other for a few days.
But moving her in after a week? Yeah, I’d probably just put myself in a very deep, dark doghouse that I would have to claw my way out of.
“Well, eventually. I—”
“I’ll take care of everything. Just leave me a key.”
“Wow…you and my mother will get along just great,” I muttered with a chuckle. Glad, but also a little scared by the prospect.
“Wonderful! Give me her number. I’m sure she’ll be happy to help!”
Her tone was jolly but also had that underlying “mom” voice that said she wouldn’t take no for an answer. Since this plan meant I got exactly what I wanted, I was happy to give our moms whatever the hell they wanted.
“I’ll text you her information.”
“Perfect. We’ll make sure everything is ready for her tomorrow and make ourselves scarce when you come to pick up her luggage. Have fun!”
“Thanks, Julie. I really appreciate everything you’re doing.”
“If you want to pay me back, don’t take any condoms,” she quipped before hanging up.
I stared at my phone for a good thirty seconds before I burst out laughing until my stomach hurt and tears streamed from my eyes.
The funniest thing about it, though, was that I was willing to give our moms that, too.
I couldn’t wait to see Dakota round and swollen with our baby. And it would be a great way to get her down the aisle sooner rather than later.
Dakota sighed and shook her head.
“What’s up, baby?”
“My mom is so weird sometimes.”
I raised an eyebrow as I turned my car onto her street. “Weird?”
“She sent me a text to let me know she’s packed me a bag, so we don’t have to linger before going back to your place.” Dakota spoke animatedly with her hands, making me smile because she was so damn cute. “Shouldn’t moms be trying to keep their little girl away from men? Or something like that?”
I laughed and reached across the console to lace my fingers with hers. “I’m just that awesome, I guess.”
She grinned and squeezed my hand. “True, but still…”
“Don’t question it, baby,” I encouraged her. “Just go with the flow.”
I slowed the car to a stop and parked in front of her parents’ brownstone. When she moved to open the door, I covered her hand and put it back in her lap. “Relax. I’ll get your stuff.”
She shrugged. “Go for it. It’s not as if you have to actually pack for me.”
I smirked, trying not to give anything away. After checking the street and seeing no cars, I hopped out, then jogged to the front steps. I walked into the brownstone and over to their front door. Dakota’s mom had also sent me a text to let me know I could just come in and grab the suitcase.
It was in the entry, so I picked it up and pivoted to leave.
“Have fun! And bring me back a grandbaby!” I heard shouted as I pulled the door shut, making me chuckle.
I added her luggage to mine in the trunk, then got back into the driver’s seat and drove toward the George Washington Bridge.
“Where are we going?” Dakota asked, her brow furrowed as she looked around at the thickening traffic.
“It’s a surprise,” I replied, tossing her a wink.
“We’re leaving the city?”
“Yep.” I maneuvered into a stream of vehicles that were headed for a cashless toll before we all merged to drive over the bridge. “I keep thinking about something Dempsey said the other night.”
“Dempsey?”
“Yeah, right before you waltzed into my life, distracting me from everything but your sweetness and sexy body, we were talking about the vacation he and Skye had just taken.”
“Okay…” She looked adorably confused.
I smiled widely. “He said, ‘Ten days of seeing my wife in a bikini was definitely the highlight of my year.’ Unfortunately, if you get this job, which I know you will, we don’t have ten days. However, we have until Sunday.”
Someone honked, drawing my attention back to the drive just as we took the lower level of the bridge to New Jersey. I flipped my sunglasses onto the top of my head because it was so dim underneath.
“Until Sunday for what? To see me in a bikini?”
“Not just a bikini, baby. To see you hot and wet, coming out of the ocean like my very own wet dream.”
“That was a terrible pun,” she giggled.
“Yeah, but true.”
“So…you’re taking me to the ocean?”
I nodded and popped my shades back down onto my nose as we exited into the sunshine. “I rented a villa on the beach in St. Maarten.”
“Really?” Dakota sat up straight and clasped her hands to her chest. “I know it's not all that far from here, but I’ve never been anywhere tropical.”
“I’ll take you anywhere you want to go, baby,” I told her as I reached out for her hand again. She placed it in mine with a giant smile. “But we have one stop to make first.”
On the way to Teterboro Airport, we’d pass several shopping centers, so I’d asked Skye to find the perfect one to outfit my woman for our trip.
I parked in a spot near the front and ordered Dakota to sit tight.
Then I got out and loped around to her side of the car to open her door and help her out.
“We need bathing suits,” I told her with a grin. “Your mom told me you only had—and I quote—‘Boring and outdated bathing suits that don’t show off nearly enough of her assets.’ So we’re going to get us some new stuff.”
“Ames,” Dakota hissed when she saw which store I was headed for. She tugged on my hand, and I stopped, turning to look at her. “This is Marie Grace! I can’t afford to buy anything there!”
I rolled my eyes and gently tugged to get her moving again. “You don’t buy shit when you’re with me, Dakota,” I told her firmly.
“But—”
“No, Dakota. I take care of what’s mine. And you are mine.” I opened the big glass door and patted her ass to get her to walk in ahead of me. “Now, don’t argue, baby, just let me spoil you.”
“Well, when you put it like that…” She glanced around with a doubtful expression, but I saw the spark of excitement in her deep-brown eyes. “I still don’t think—”
I yanked her toward me, knocking her off balance so she fell against my body.
Dropping my head low, I muttered, “No.” Then I kissed her until her body relaxed, and she was pliant in my arms. When I released her lips, I smirked at the dazed expression on her face while silently telling my dick to forget about her shiny, kiss-swollen lips until we were inside our villa… .or at least on the private jet.
“Ready?” I asked softly.
“Uh-huh.”
An hour later, I put four big shopping bags in the trunk, then helped Dakota into the passenger seat.
I’d bought everything she tried on because I couldn’t decide.
We wouldn’t use it all on this vacation, but it was simply motivation to book the next one.
Plus, I’d added some things from the intimate section when she was picking out sandals and wraps.
Jeremy, a billionaire friend of mine who I’d met through Rigby, lent us his private jet and pilot, so I drove to the hangar where they waited for us. After unloading all of our stuff, I handed the keys to a valet.
I’d brought an empty suitcase in anticipation of shopping, so once we boarded, I took everything to the bedroom at the back of the plane.
I set all of our stuff on the bed, planning to pack it after takeoff, but when I walked out of the room, a flight attendant came over with a smile.
“Go ahead and get ready for takeoff, Mr. Yarrow. You and your wife can relax for the flight. After the pilot gives the all clear, we’ll pack everything and make sure it’s ready for transport to the villa when we land. ”
“Thank you,” I replied with a nod, not bothering to correct her assumption.
Dakota sat by a window, holding a bottle of water and a chocolate chip cookie.
She flashed an amused smile at me as I took the seat next to her.
“I don’t suppose this is your jet?” she teased.
“Because I could get used to this.” She gestured to the table of drinks and snacks in front of us, then snuggled down into the plush, leather seat.
I chuckled and shook my head as I buckled up. “Nope. But you can mention how much you want a plane to Lennox during my next salary negotiation.” I winked, and she tossed her head back, her musical laughter filling the small space, making warmth spread through my chest.
Damn, this was a fan-fucking-tastic idea.