Page 105 of Almost Paradise

“Are you my wife or son? They’re the only ones I cook for,” I reply.

“I would have married you if I knew you could cook like this,” he jokes. Everyone laughs.

“That’s going to give me nightmares,” I say.

“Next Sunday, we’ll host a brunch. Drake will cook,” Nia announces. “I’ll help.”

“I’ll come and help if you need it,” Ray says. “You stay out of the kitchen.” He points a finger at his sister, and Mr. and Mrs. Nash laugh. Even Audrey nods in agreement.

Chapter 58

Nia

It was after midnight that our families finally left. As far as first meetings go, this went better than I could have predicted. Everyone was relaxed and friendly after Drake’s pasta, and once everyone was relaxed enough, they even danced. Afterward, we sang happy birthday, ate cake, and opened presents.

Maggie Paradise got me and Drake a honeymoon trip to anywhere in the world. All we have to do is tell her where we want to go. Drake teared up when he opened my present to him. It was a portrait of the three of us. I used a picture of us and commissioned an artist. He’s already hung it up in the living room.

Now with everyone gone and Carter out cold until probably mid-morning, my husband is on the other side of that door waiting for me. I look at my reflection in the mirror, satisfied with what I see.

When I went shopping with Audrey earlier, I wanted something in a bold color, but she helped me pick out this black baby doll. It’s sheer on the bottom, but the top is lace. The outfit is complete with a black pair of thong underwear.

I finally open the door to the bedroom expecting to find him on the bed, but it’s empty.

“Looking for me?” he whispers in my ear. His sudden appearance makes me jump. He traps me against the door by pressing his body into mine and kisses the side of my neck. “Happy birthday, Mrs. Paradise.” He pulls a box out of his pajama pants and puts it in my hand. “Are you going to open it?” he asks when I continue to stare at it.

“You gave me this.” I stroke the diamond necklace.

“And now I’m giving you this.” He points at the box, and I quickly open it.

“A key? To what? Your heart?”

“You already have that. You’ll find out what it’s for when we go to the Bahamas,” he promises.

“Tell me,” I urge.

He taps my nose before he kisses it. “Fuck me,” he whispers.

“Sir,” I say in an exaggerated southern drawl. “I’m a married woman. Mind your manners.”

“You’re right. Pardon me.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket, and an instant later, the lights dim, and Mariah Carey starts to sing. “Can I have this dance first, Mrs. Paradise?”

He pulls me into his arms and we start to sway to We Belong Together. “This song is perfect for us,” I tell him. I feel a sudden bout of emotion hit and a stray tear rolls down my cheek. He wipes it. “I feel like I need to sing along with Mariah,” I warn.

“Baby girl, let Mariah handle this. Please.”

“Nope. Here I go.”

He cringes the entire time I sing. His cringes are so exaggerated that I forget the words and burst out in laughter. Once the song ends, he turns off the music and tosses his phone onto the carpeted floor.

“Your ears might not like my singing, but something else does.” I grind against the hard bulge in his lounge pants. I pull away and spin for him. “You like?” I ask about my nightie.

“Love,” he says. He reaches for the hem and lifts it over my head before tossing it into a dark corner. My panties come off next. Now I’m naked in front of my husband, and even though we’ve made love hundreds of times, he’s looking at my body as if this is our first time.

I follow his lead and pull his pants and boxers down. His dick springs free, and I wrap my hand around it. He tosses his head back and moans. I drop it and jump into his arms, wrapping my legs around him.

He spins us around until I become dizzy. I’m not sure if it’s from the movement or from him. He looks up and I lean down to kiss his lips. He tastes of the champagne we had earlier tonight. He kisses me until my head spins and I forget my name and where I am.

“Drake,” I murmur against his mouth. “I need you right now.”

---