Chapter Forty-Three
TYLER
SIX WEEKS LATER
“Good morning, beautiful,” I whisper into Gemma’s ear as she curls into my chest. The sunrise is barely over the horizon, but today, we’re flying to Sacramento to visit Liam and Maddie for a week. They have no idea Gemma’s joining me or that we’re married.
Maddie’s gonna lose her shit.
I’m excited to see both them and the kids.
“It’s too early,” she mutters. “And cold. You’re nice and hot. Keep me warm.” She slides her palm down my stomach and inside my boxer shorts. I chuckle, knowing exactly where it’s going to lead.
“We don’t have time, baby,” I warn when she brushes her fingers along my half-erect shaft. “You didn’t finish packing last night.”
“Mmm…I can throw some sweaters and jeans in a suitcase within two minutes.”
My chest rumbles with laughter because there’s no way she’ll do that. It’s taken her a week to pick the three outfits she managed to pack.
“You know we won’t be able to fool around when we’re there, so we need to before we go.”
“Gemma, I literally heard them banging every single night when I was there. Trust me, us going at it in their spare room would be payback. Actually, now that I’m thinking about it, we should do it just so I can finally get even.”
She laughs before sliding her leg over mine and straddling my waist. “So let’s have a practice quickie. Lord knows you haven’t mastered that yet.”
“Wouldn’t most wives appreciate that?” I arch a brow, grabbing her hips as she rocks on top of me.
“Of course, but sometimes, there’re only ten minutes to spare, and you’re more of a…teaser and pleaser.”
I groan as she moves her panties to the side and rubs her pussy along my cock.
“Alright, if you want fast and dirty, I can do that.”
She lifts slightly, giving me enough room to grip my dick and slip it inside her entrance. Bending my knees, I thrust up hard and deep, squeezing her breast with one hand and rubbing her clit with the other. I keep up my pace until she’s gasping and hanging on by a thread.
“Like this, baby?” I breathe out, panting.
“God, yes. Don’t stop. I’m so close…” Her head tilts back as I pinch her little bud, and she falls off the ledge, exploding on my cock. Moments later, I follow and release inside her tight cunt.
Gemma collapses on top of my chest, breathing hard and nearly gasping for air. “Holy shit.”
“You wanna take your words back now?” I brush my fingers through her sweat-filled bedhead.
“Don’t get cocky, but yes. Best. Quickie. Ever.”
I bring my hand to her ass and give it a hard slap. “Now, go pack,” I demand.
“Shower first,” she pleads.
Grabbing my phone off the nightstand, I check the time and blow out a breath. “Alright, but it’s gotta be lightning fast.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She sticks out her tongue before climbing off me and running toward the hallway. I leap off the bed and follow, racing her into the bathroom.
Once we’re under the warm water, I pull her to my chest and press a kiss to her nose. “I can’t wait for you to finally meet them. Maddie’s gonna be all over you, so just a warning.”
“I figured, but that’s okay. She’ll spill all your secrets and tell me all about your days living together.”
“Okay, never mind. We’re not going.”
She pulls my mouth to hers. “Stop worrying. I’m already in love with you, and I’m already your wife, so there isn’t anything she can say that’ll make me change my mind. But I’m betting it’s all good stuff anyway.”
Wrapping my arms around her waist, I smile against her lips. “As long as you ask Liam about all the times I kicked his ass in the ring.”
Gemma giggles and looks up at me. “And I plan to tell them how amazing you are and that when I needed you the most, you were there for me. Loyal, honest, hardworking. The sexiest traits in a man that I could ever want.”
“My cock doesn’t even make the top three?”
She rolls her eyes and pumps my cock. “You have four minutes to prove to me why it should be.”
I spin her around, and when she places her palms on the shower wall, I thrust inside her tight pussy and do just that—though I make it happen in three minutes, which earns me her number one spot.
“Oh my God!” Gemma squeals as our plane lands in Sacramento. “I’m so nervous now.”
I squeeze her hand and smile at her. “Don’t be. You’ll be ready to move here before the end of the week I bet.”
“Everleigh and Katie would kill me. And I think Ruby would be devastated if you left.”
“Hmm…I don’t know. I think she’s pretty occupied with her new girlfriend right now.
” I chuckle because Ruby doesn’t commit, but the woman she’s seeing has become serious over the past month.
She freaked out when I told her we’d gotten hitched, and Gemma claims that inspired Ruby to want something more serious.
Of course I laughed, knowing Ruby, she doesn’t do commitment longer than a few weeks. But never say never.
Though it’d be nice to get her out of Alabama and farther away from her psycho ex-fiancé, it’s not really a concern anymore.
Robert’s completely out of the picture. After their fake marriage became one of the biggest scandals of Lawton Ridge, he moved three towns over and brought the secretary who stopped us at the Harvest Festival with him.
Apparently, they’re engaged now. I roll my eyes at the thought, wondering what he did to make that happen. Probably blackmailed her too.
Once we deplane and grab our luggage, we get our rental car. Liam offered to pick me up, but I didn’t want to inconvenience them. Plus, this way we can surprise them when Gemma walks in with me.
“It’s chillier here than I was expecting.” She turns the heat on in the SUV, and I laugh.
“That’s because you’re a Southern heat baby.”
We talk for the hour drive and so many memories come to the forefront. It feels like a lifetime has passed since I lived here.
“We’re here,” I call out.
“Wow. This house is beautiful.”
“You should see the inside. Maddie went crazy with the décor, and Liam loves her too much to stop her.”
Gemma looks at me and smiles. “I have a feeling Liam’s a lot like you.”
I shrug, then turn off the engine. “Maybe a little.”
Once we’re out, I grab her hand and give it a little squeeze, trying to calm her nerves.
We step onto the porch and ring the bell. Moments later, Liam swings open the door, and his eyes widen in excitement.
“Tyler! You made it, man!” He immediately pulls me into a hug and slaps my back.
Laughing, I bring Gemma to my side. “I brought a guest. Hope that’s okay.”
“Absolutely!” He puts his hand out, and she hesitantly shakes it. “I’m Liam.”
“It’s great to finally meet you, Liam. I’m Gemma.”
“The Gemma, huh? Wow.” He runs a hand through his hair. “You’re gonna give Maddie a stroke. I hope you prepared her.”
He looks at me, then at Gemma.
“The best I could.”
“Well, come on in. I was just cleaning the kitchen. Tyler made a huge mess at lunch, and Maddie’s getting the boys down for their naps. She’s gonna blow a gasket.” He chuckles again, ushering us to the living room. “Hold on. I’m gonna have fun with this. Sit on the couch, and I’ll blindfold her.”
“Didn’t you tell her I’d be here?” I ask, taking a seat with Gemma on one of the sofas.
“Of course not. She would’ve driven herself—and me—crazy with cleaning nonstop, and this way, I get to take credit for you being here,” Liam boasts.
“It wasn’t your idea,” I retort, grinning.
“But she doesn’t have to know that,” he says pointedly.
“Okay, hang tight. I think I hear her coming down the stairs.”
Gemma gives me a wary look, and I bring her knuckles to my lips and press a kiss to them. “I told you they were a crazy couple.”
“Liam! What’re you doing?” I hear Maddie screech. “Why do I need my eyes covered? This is dumb. I’m gonna trip over a toy.”
“Baby, I have a huge surprise. Trust me, you’ll love it,” Liam reassures her.
Maddie releases a deep sigh. “Is this like the time you surprised me with caramel sauce on your cock and a whipped-creamed bra?”
I quickly cover my mouth to hide my laughter as Liam and Maddie come into view, and Liam’s face falls. “No,” he says sharply. “Possibly better, though.”
Liam motions for us to stand, so we do, and I brace myself for her to flip her shit.
“Alright, sweetheart…” Liam uncovers her eyes, and when Maddie’s gaze lands on me, she screams.
“Oh my God! Tyler!” Within two seconds, she charges for me and wraps her arms around my waist. “What’re you doing here?”
I hug her back and laugh. “To see you, of course.”
When she draws back, she’s wiping tears from her cheeks. “I can’t believe it. You came back to visit!” She slaps my chest. “How could you not tell me? My house is a fucking mess.” She moves her hands to the top of her head. “Not to mention, I haven’t brushed my hair yet.”
“We didn’t come here to judge your house, Mads. I wanna introduce you to someone, though.” I wrap an arm around Gemma and close the gap between us.
“Am I finally getting to meet your sister?” Her voice goes up an octave.
Gemma holds out her hand. “I’m Gemma.”
Maddie beams. “Gemma Gemma? The one you’re ‘just friends’ with?” she asks, using air quotes.
“Well, not anymore, but yes, that Gemma.”
Liam comes closer and gives Maddie a hug from behind.
“I think they’re finally together,” Liam mutters to her.
“It’s about goddamn time!” Maddie blurts.
“Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for him to finally admit he was in love with you?
Even when I told him to go after you, he was all she’s engaged…
blah blah blah. What the hell changed? And why didn’t you say anything?
” she scolds, flashing me a scowl with her hands on her hips.
“It’s a long story,” I say. “But Gemma’s not my girlfriend.”
Maddie’s face drops.
Turning to Gemma, I ask, “You wanna tell her?”
“We’re married.” She clings to my arm and smiles up at me. “Got hitched six weeks ago.”
“Shut. The. Fuck. Up.” Maddie’s booming voice is so loud, I’m shocked she doesn’t wake the kids. “You got married?”
“Dude, congrats!” Liam pats my shoulder. “I’m guessing this story is gonna call for some whiskey.”