Chapter 42 Remington
Remington
Lainey is working at our dining table–turned office when I walked in from the grocery store.
We talked about moving her into the actual home office, but she said she likes to be more out in the open, especially when I am on my days off.
One of the hard things about days when I am not at the fire station and she is working is me needing to leave her alone.
Watching her sit there, focused and so sexy, is too much temptation.
So most of the time I try and make myself scarce, do errands, work out with Eli, go visit my parents, take Ash on walks, check in on Sutton and Kinsley.
Anything to keep me from grabbing Lainey, hauling her over my shoulder and tossing her down on our bed—devouring her the way my body demands.
Ash is curled up on one of the many dog beds we now have scattered about the house, this one planted next to her feet.
Having Ash here makes me feel better. He’s still just a puppy, but once he is older he will serve as a good guard dog for the woman I love.
Obviously he needs some major training since he stays flopped at her feet, snoozing away when I came in the door.
Thank fuck her workday is almost done, because me and my impatient dick have plans . . . big plans. I smile to myself imagining what I am going to do to Lainey until I notice her face.
“Hey, baby, what’s wrong?” I quickly put down the bags on the counter and move over to her. Ash finally wakes up, wiggling over to me for attention.
Lainey looks up at me, and she is full of a despondent irritation that I haven’t really seen on her face, ever. “My brother,” she simply states.
“Calvin?” I rub Ash’s head but keep my eyes fixed on Lainey.
“Yup. He just texted me and said he’s in town and wants to see me.
He said he stopped by my apartment building, but obviously I wasn’t there.
He’s demanding to know where I am and why I didn’t tell him I moved.
” Her eye roll is so hard I worry it might damage her perfect blue orbs that I love getting lost in.
“When was the last time you even spoke to him?” I ask. I have never heard her speak to her dad or brother on the phone, nor has she mentioned any plans to see them.
“I have not talked to my dad in . . .” She pauses to think, like she really can’t figure it out.
“Geez, I guess it’s been over a year. Probably longer.
I can’t even tell you an exact date. I have not seen Cal, either.
He will text every so often trying to make some demands on behalf of our dad.
Or tell me that I am disappointing Mom in some way if he has spoken to her.
Basically doing their dirty work as usual, not actually caring about me. ”
“Why would he show up now? It’s been so long.”
“He said he was here to see Mom and wants to see me, too.” A frown of doubt tugs at her full lips.
“You don’t believe him.” I sit in the chair next to her and pull her over onto my lap.
“Everything with those people is smoke and mirrors. Double-edged swords. Dealing with them on my own is so exhausting. But I know if I don’t see him, he will keep harping on me until he gets his way, says whatever it is he wants to say.” She pinches the bridge of her nose.
Pulling her hand down, I cup her cheek and rub my thumb along her jaw.
She relaxes into my palm, and I smile at her.
I love that she feels so comfortable with me now, and I know how to quiet the anxiety spiraling in her system.
“Beautiful, you do not have to deal with your dad, mom, or Calvin alone ever again. You have me, I am not going anywhere. Tell him to come over, can’t wait to meet him. ” I wink at her.
She barks out a laugh and leans in to kiss me, emotion filling the space around us. I wrap my arms around her, holding her tightly against my body, nipping her bottom lip.
“Thank you.” She pulls back, giving me her full attention and genuine gratitude.
“Always, baby. It’s my pleasure to be here for you. This is our house, but you are my home. And I will always protect what’s mine.” I lean in and kiss her neck.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more,” she rasps. “I guess I should invite my brother over for dinner. In an hour?”
“Sure,” I say, running my hand up her thigh, under her sundress. “Sounds good.”
“You have to let me go. I need to start cooking.” She giggles and shimmies in my lap, making my dick instantly hard and changing the plans.
“Fuck that. He can come over in two hours. We can order pizza. I’m having my dessert right now.” I stand in a rush, flipping Lainey over my shoulder in a practiced move, making her squeal.
She spanks me playfully on the butt as I make my way down the hallway to our bedroom, Ash barking at our heels.
“Don’t start something you are not ready for me to finish, Lainey.” I flip up her short dress, revealing lacy pink panties. She’s going to kill me, fuck. I crack my hand down on her ass and she moans, grinding down on my shoulder.
Laying her on the bed, I loom over her and hand over her phone I snagged from the table when I scooped her up saying, “Send that text, baby. I am going to take care of Ash, and then I’m going to make every minute we have count, do you understand?”
Batting her full lashes at me, her cheeks blooming the prettiest shade of pink, Lainey stares up at me and whispers, “Yes, sir.”
As she takes the phone, licking that goddamn bottom lip of hers, I know that we are going to use those minutes multiple times over because there is no way I am going to last when she is driving me up the fucking wall—and she knows it.
I open the door a couple hours, and a few mind-blowing orgasms, later to reluctantly welcome Lainey’s brother into our home.
Calvin Quinn stands at least five inches shorter than me but puffs out his skinny chest as if his self-important attitude makes him tower over me.
His eyes are similar to Lainey’s but hold zero warmth.
His thinning hair is a few shades darker, the brown a deeper dark-chocolate color.
Calvin has on a pressed pair of khaki slacks, tasseled brown loafers, and a blue button-up.
He looks stiff and stuffy. Not like he’s coming to his sister’s house for a casual dinner.
“Hey, man. Nice to meet you.” I hold out my hand in greeting. Calvin, unsurprisingly, has a limp, disappointing handshake. “Come on in.”
Looking me up and down, unimpressed by my damp hair, tight FGFD T-shirt, worn blue jeans. Eyes landing on my bare feet, causing him to scoff, Calvin reluctantly steps into my home.
“Um, who are you exactly? Lainey texted me this address and said this was where she was living now.” He crosses his arms, as if he could intimidate me.
Nice try, dumbass. I could snap you like a fucking twig.
“I’m Lainey’s boyfriend, Remington LeBlanc. We live together, this is our house.” I gladly clear up his confusion, even though “boyfriend” doesn’t sound significant enough in my mind for what our relationship is.
“Christ, she moves fast, doesn’t she,” he mumbles and rolls his eyes.
At my feet Ash growls at him. Good boy.
Before I can say anything or put his head through the wall, Lainey comes down the hall. She had just finished getting ready after we’d showered together. I told her to take her time while I ordered the pizza and waited to greet our guest.
“Hello, Cal,” she says, stopping next to me, lacing our hands together.
She makes no move to hug him or get close to him.
“Welcome to my new house. It’s nice to see you.
” Her smile is forced, uncomfortable, and the trembling in her fingers is the only indication that she is nervous.
I’m so proud of her. I squeeze her hand in reassurance.
“This is quite unexpected, Lainey. Shacking up with someone already? Mom told me you were dating around again after your breakup, but this?” He scoffs at our intertwined hands.
Glaring at him, I lift her hand to my mouth and place a kiss there without any shame.
“Where she lives, who she dates really has nothing to do with you, Cal. We kindly invited you to our home because you insisted on visiting with Lainey today. If you want this night to continue, I suggest you leave your disrespectful attitude outside. Otherwise, get the fuck out.”
“Charming,” Calvin says to Lainey. “Can we talk? I have some news to share with you, and it’s rather time sensitive.” He looks down at Ash with clear disdain.
Who the fuck hates puppies?
Lainey stiffens next to me and motions for us all to move to the living room. She sits on the couch, and I take up the spot right next to her, my arm splayed across the back of the couch. Calvin sits in one of the reading chairs across from us.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Lainey politely offers her brother.
“No, thank you.” Calvin shifts uncomfortably on our very comfortable chair.
“What can we do for you, Cal?” I ask, emphasizing the we.
Narrowing his eyes at me before shifting them over to Lainey in a way that is eerily similar to their mother, Calvin says, “Dad wants you back in DC, Lainey.”
She scoffs loudly, crossing her arms and sinking deeper into my side. I dip my hand around her shoulder and rub my fingers along her bicep. Right here, baby.
“Well, hell will freeze over before I ever go back to DC, Cal,” she says, voice unwavering.
“Lainey, this is important. You work from”—he pauses and lets his eyes roam all over our small, comfortable space, landing on the “dining office” before continuing—“home. You can work in DC, and Dad needs both of us, his children, at his side right now. Big things are happening.”
“What’s happening?” she asks apprehensively.