Chapter 58
Layla
Less than an hour later, I step inside the Pierre in a designer white pantsuit. Everyone had gone ahead, and I rode in a car with Jeannie, Vickie, and Johnny. They reserved the presidential ballroom, and when I arrived, everyone cheered.
We had an elaborate meal, endless champagne, and cake. My husband fed me dessert and now everyone is either dancing, enjoying the open bar, or talking.
“Look at that,” I say to Jeannie when we’re alone. Aiden is in the corner talking to the team owner, and Ryder is nowhere in sight. “What do you think that’s all about?”
“He’s been trying to get Aiden to come back for the past year,” she says with a shrug. “He’s wasting his time, but I guess it’s his time to waste.”
“Thanks for this,” I say, ready to cry again, but she pulls me into a hug.
“Stop it. You came into my life when I needed someone like you. I love you like a sister. I’d do anything for you.” We hug again, but instead of crying, I tell her that I love her too.
June Bug, who was talking to my father, walks over to us. He’s in a gray suit and white shirt, but he’s taken the tie off and has his first three buttons undone.
“You look handsome,” I say to my cousin. It’s true. He stands at six feet and four inches tall, with a muscular build and brown skin. He’s the one who got the smooth blemish-free complexion in the family. He has his hair pulled back and the dreads barely touch his shoulders.
He blushes, and I think it’s at my compliment.
“You remember Jeannie,” I say, and they shake hands.
“I would have beaten his ass for you,” he says. Jeannie’s head rolls back and she starts to giggle. “Layla told me he was bothering you. I told her to say the word, and it would be on.”
“I appreciate it, “Jeannie says.
“And thank you for getting me my job.”
Jeannie nods at him, but before she can respond, Vickie walks up to us, dragging two women behind her.
I recognize one. She’s the girlfriend of Colt’s brother.
“Layla, you remember Violet,” Vickie says. “This is her sister Terri.”
“We were just about to have an early dinner when Vickie saw us,” Violet says.
I hug Violet and shake hands with Terri. “This is my cousin June Bug,” I say.
June Bug gives me the side-eye, but he shakes Violet’s hand. When he gets to Terri’s, he holds on to it for longer than necessary. He licks his lips and looks over her body.
“What kind of name is June Bug?” Terri asks.
“It’s the kind of name you have to earn the right to use. For now, it’s Julian.” He still doesn’t let go of her hand when he says that, but I notice she doesn’t try to pull away either. In fact, she inches closer to him.
She’s pretty with light brown skin and dark hair with reddish highlights. She looks up at him and studies him. I notice her eyes linger on the tattoos on the side of his neck.
“In that case, you can call me Ms. Scott,” she says while looking into his eyes.
“As long as it’s not Mrs.,” he flirts back.
“Why don’t you guys stay and join us?” Vickie suggests while looking at Terri and June Bug, who are still holding hands. Terri finally looks down at their joined hands. She eyes the skull tattoo on the top of his right one, and I think I hear her whimper.
“Oh boy,” Violet says.
“What you drinkin’ on, Ms. Scott?” June Bug asks. “Let’s go to the bar and get you something. You look thirsty.” Before she can respond, he tucks her arm in his, and they walk away.
“Don’t mind me. I’m not thirsty,” Violet says to their retreating backs. “And Terri, we have a reservation in ten minutes,” she says, her voice louder this time, but Terri doesn’t reply. I don’t think she hears.
“Just stay and have dinner here,” Vickie says. “Jeannie, this is who I’ve been working out with. She’s family now, and she still won’t go easy on me.”
“I’m hardest on family,” Violet says.
“I’m joining your gym,” Jeannie says. “I need my waist snatched.”
“That’s my specialty,” Violet says.
“Come on.” Vickie puts her arm through Violet’s. “Let’s get you something to drink, and you know Colt will be upset if he doesn’t get to see you.”
“I could have beaten you,” I announce to Seth the moment we get inside the honeymoon suite at The Plaza.
“Uh-huh,” he says. He takes me, turns me around, and pushes me against the wall where he unzips and pulls off my pants. Seconds later, all my clothes are off. He stands back and looks at me in a white thong and a matching satin bra. He whistles. “My wife is so fucking sexy.”
The words are barely out of his mouth before he rips the thong off and unsnaps the bra. I’m off my feet and being carried to the bed before I can react. He tosses me onto the giant California King before he removes his shoes and undresses himself.
He dives on top of me and smothers whatever I was going to say in a hungry, desperate kiss. His kiss is rough and rushed, but his hands are smooth as they roam over my body.
“Open your legs,” he orders. I can barely move with him on top of me. He gets impatient and spreads my legs open himself before sliding inside of me without a second’s hesitation.
“Oh my god. This is so good.” I crack the lobster tail, dip the meat in the garlic butter sauce, and take a bite. “Mmhmm,” I moan. I put the rest to Seth’s mouth and he devours it. “Dammit Seth, you almost swallowed my hand.”
“I don’t want to do that,” he says. “You give good hand jobs.”
“Jesus,” I say shaking my head. I grab a French fry and dip that in the garlic butter too. It’s almost midnight, and after hours of lovemaking, we order a decadent dinner, complete with champagne. “Filet mignon me,” I command. He cuts a piece of the steak and puts it in my mouth. “God, that’s like butter. More,” I say.
“You eat a lot. Good thing I wouldn’t care if you gain a million pounds.” I gasp and punch his arm. “I don’t. That’s part of the love thing, I guess. I’d look at you, and you’d still be sexy. I’d bang a million pound Layla.”
“That’s almost sweet, even though that’s gonna give me nightmares. I’m joining Violet’s gym when Jeannie signs up.”