If Only
Page 85
Jessica’s shriek of outrage was higher pitched than Gabi’s had been. “You, you, you. I just did the test this morning—I haven’t even told you yet!”
Z captured the hands beating on his chest, smiled down at his submissive, and asked gently, “Did you think I wouldn’t know?”
“I—” She sputtered for a moment before shaking her head. “Are you really delighted?”
“Absolutely. Incredibly. Completely.”
The answer set her to glowing with a beauty that showed Vance why Z was so in love. “Well, okay.” She snuggled closer to her husband with a low grumble, “But still…”
Peeking around Z’s side, Jessica whispered to Gabi and Sally. “We are so going to make them pay.”
LIKE AN INEBRIATED bumblebee, Sally’s body buzzed with joy. Tucked between Galen and Vance, she bounced on her toes, wanting to dance. To sing. Her friends and her family surrounded her. She had a home. A cat. And two Doms.
When she sighed, Galen tightened the arm around her waist and studied her face. “You’re happy.”
“Oh yes.”
To her joy, he stole a quick kiss. He’d changed over the past months. Not only was he more relaxed and happier, but also more open with his affection.
“I love you,” she whispered.
Vance grinned at her, looking far too pleased with her surprise.
So she told him begrudgingly, “I suppose…maybe…I might eventually tell you I love you. Since you saved me from that palmetto bug and everything.”
“Eventually?” The muscles in Vance’s square jaw tightened, reminding her he still worked in law enforcement. “If I—or Galen—don’t hear ‘I love you’ often enough, one little subbie will be punished.” He glanced at Galen. “Right, bro?”
“Ayuh.” Galen’s lips quirked. “Either way, I win.”
Fun punishment or bad punishment? Sally eyed her men warily. “I think we’d better talk about—”
“I like that rule.” Master Sam’s gravelly voice interrupted. Arm wrapped around Linda, he looked down at his redhead with icy blue eyes. “If you don’t tell me at least once a day, I get to beat your ass.”
“Really? Oh my goodness.” Linda smiled slightly. “I don’t think I told you today. Or yesterday. You’d better beat on me extra hard.”
Galen snorted. “Got yourself an S.A.M., Sam?”
Sally snickered. No matter how motherly she was to the Shadowkittens, Linda was definitely one smart-ass masochist with her sadistic Dom.
“If you prefer not to delay the punishment”—Vance pointed to the nearby dirt path—“we made the cabana into a dungeon. The cupboard has a supply of toys for guests.”
Sam’s hand closed around Linda’s nape.
Her eyes widened, and she protested, “Wait. This is a party. You can’t just—”
“Yes.” Sam’s voice was flat. Uncompromising. “I can.” Behind her back, he winked at Galen and Vance and steered Linda across the patio.
Nearby, Dan grinned. “Seize the day—before more babies arrive.” With a swift move, he swept Kari up. She gave a loud scream as he tossed her over his shoulder and headed down the cabana path.
After a second, Sally managed to close her mouth. Kari had said things were going well at home, but dayum.
Sometime later, Sally walked out onto the dock.
Jessica, Beth, Kim, and Andrea had been swimming and, near the end, they’d stretched out on beach towels to dry off.
Midway, Gabi lounged in one of the old chairs with her feet up on the railing.
“Gabi.” Sally took the other chair. “Marcus is fetching you a drink and food.”
“God, I love that man.” Gabi glanced back at the patio, then smiled at Sally. “Great party, Sally.”
As the rest chimed in with agreement, Sally flushed with pleasure. “I’ve never planned something this big. It was fun—although I’d have had better decorations if I’d known it would be an engagement-announcement celebration.”
“Can I see your ring?” Jessica asked, sitting up on her towel.
Sally leaned forward and held her hand out. In the bright Florida sunshine, the jewels were almost blinding.
Jessica considered. “The big blue is a sapphire. After the huge diamond, what is the big yellowish one?”
“Citrine.” Sally smiled, remembering how she’d started to walk into the office, heard them discussing her rings, and had managed to tiptoe away after only listening a…little…bit. “Birthstones. Vance’s is sapphire, I’m diamond, and Galen’s is citrine.”
“Got you tucked between them, don’t they,” Kim said with a grin.
Andrea frowned at the gold band, so thickly encrusted with diamonds the metal had almost disappeared. “Please tell me that all the little diamonds aren’t supposed to be babies?”
“No. Galen said they thought my ring should sparkle almost as much as I do,” she whispered. Tears stung her eyes. They really felt that way.
Andrea’s eyes filled. “Oh, don’t start or we’ll all be crying.”
Kim blinked quickly. Jessica sniffled.
“It’s perfect, Sally.” Gabi leaned over, kissed Sally’s cheek, and pulled in a long breath. “Okay, moving on, or the guys will stomp out here, wondering why we’re all bawling. I’m snoopy enough to want to know how you’re going to marry two men. Aren’t there laws?”
“Oh yeah. Can’t you imagine the headlines? FBI agents arrested for polyandry.” Sally laughed, remembering the night they’d proposed. “First, they offered to have me ‘officially’ marry one of them—and Vance said it should be Galen, because he’s older.”
Jessica frowned. “Well, that sounds—”
“Actually”—Sally snickered—“Vance called him an old man.” Which was just wrong since she should be the only one telling old jokes.
“Galen let him?”
“He shoved Vance off the dock.” Sally shook her head. “We had to haul him out, before the gator got him.”
“You’ve definitely improved Galen’s sense of humor,” Gabi observed. “Which one will you marry?”
“Neither. Oh, being they’re crazy overprotective, they’ll set up trusts and legal stuff for me and any children that come along.” Children. Sally felt as if her heart actually swelled as she imagined Galen’s face when he saw his baby for the first time. And Vance teaching a little boy to play football—or, being Vance, he’d teach the girls too.
“Yeah, that sounds like men.” Jessica scowled. “And that’s it? Just legal stuff?”
“No.” Sally smiled. “They think we should have a ceremony.” She glanced back at the crowd on the patio and whispered, “Actually, I think they want one more than I do.”
Kim nodded. “Honestly, men are more romantic than women are.”
“But, how?” Andrea asked.
“The guys talked to the other Masters about the local laws. They said Master Z has married people—and done ceremonies—before, and he volunteered.” And wouldn’t that totally appeal to Matchmaker Z. She beamed. I’ll be married by Master Z. It seemed only right.
Jessica blinked. “I hadn’t thought of that. He’s mentioned conducting marriages.”
“Ohhh.” Kim smiled. “That’s actually pretty clever.”
“I thought so,” Vance said, coming up behind Sally. He bent over and kissed her cheek and handed her a cold soda.
Her other cheek received a kiss from Galen, and he set a plate of snacks in her lap.
She turned and smiled at them, her big Doms standing shoulder to shoulder.
“What’s wrong?” Kim frowned at Gabi. “You’re thinking so hard I can see steam coming out your ears.”
“I had an idea.” Eyes alight, Gabi grabbed Sally’s hand. “Now if you don’t like it, just say no, okay?”
Gabi always had good ideas, so Sally grinned. “Shoot.”
“Okay, it’s like this. Although Marcus’s family is wonderful, mine is completely stuffy. And they’ll try to score points with my wedding, going all fancy and inviting their clients. I’m not good at standing up to them.”
“Oh God, seriously? That sucks.” Sally shook her head in sympathy, remembering one sorority sister having hysterics because her mother-in-law-to-be messed up all her plans.
“Yeah.”
Families. Sally stiffened. “Oh my God, Galen and Vance have families. I hadn’t even thought about them. Oh no!” She turned to face her Doms. “We’re flying to Vegas. I’m sure Elvis will marry us.”
“Sweetie,” Vance said, obviously on the edge of laughing. “I’ve heard rumors that Elvis has left the building.”
Before Sally could answer, Gabi said, “See? You get it. You totally understand. Why do you think I kept putting Marcus off?”
Behind Gabi, Master Marcus had started to reach for her. His hand stilled, and he took a step back, eyes narrowing.
Yep, he’d heard. Sally started to warn her friend. “Gabi, you have—”
Z captured the hands beating on his chest, smiled down at his submissive, and asked gently, “Did you think I wouldn’t know?”
“I—” She sputtered for a moment before shaking her head. “Are you really delighted?”
“Absolutely. Incredibly. Completely.”
The answer set her to glowing with a beauty that showed Vance why Z was so in love. “Well, okay.” She snuggled closer to her husband with a low grumble, “But still…”
Peeking around Z’s side, Jessica whispered to Gabi and Sally. “We are so going to make them pay.”
LIKE AN INEBRIATED bumblebee, Sally’s body buzzed with joy. Tucked between Galen and Vance, she bounced on her toes, wanting to dance. To sing. Her friends and her family surrounded her. She had a home. A cat. And two Doms.
When she sighed, Galen tightened the arm around her waist and studied her face. “You’re happy.”
“Oh yes.”
To her joy, he stole a quick kiss. He’d changed over the past months. Not only was he more relaxed and happier, but also more open with his affection.
“I love you,” she whispered.
Vance grinned at her, looking far too pleased with her surprise.
So she told him begrudgingly, “I suppose…maybe…I might eventually tell you I love you. Since you saved me from that palmetto bug and everything.”
“Eventually?” The muscles in Vance’s square jaw tightened, reminding her he still worked in law enforcement. “If I—or Galen—don’t hear ‘I love you’ often enough, one little subbie will be punished.” He glanced at Galen. “Right, bro?”
“Ayuh.” Galen’s lips quirked. “Either way, I win.”
Fun punishment or bad punishment? Sally eyed her men warily. “I think we’d better talk about—”
“I like that rule.” Master Sam’s gravelly voice interrupted. Arm wrapped around Linda, he looked down at his redhead with icy blue eyes. “If you don’t tell me at least once a day, I get to beat your ass.”
“Really? Oh my goodness.” Linda smiled slightly. “I don’t think I told you today. Or yesterday. You’d better beat on me extra hard.”
Galen snorted. “Got yourself an S.A.M., Sam?”
Sally snickered. No matter how motherly she was to the Shadowkittens, Linda was definitely one smart-ass masochist with her sadistic Dom.
“If you prefer not to delay the punishment”—Vance pointed to the nearby dirt path—“we made the cabana into a dungeon. The cupboard has a supply of toys for guests.”
Sam’s hand closed around Linda’s nape.
Her eyes widened, and she protested, “Wait. This is a party. You can’t just—”
“Yes.” Sam’s voice was flat. Uncompromising. “I can.” Behind her back, he winked at Galen and Vance and steered Linda across the patio.
Nearby, Dan grinned. “Seize the day—before more babies arrive.” With a swift move, he swept Kari up. She gave a loud scream as he tossed her over his shoulder and headed down the cabana path.
After a second, Sally managed to close her mouth. Kari had said things were going well at home, but dayum.
Sometime later, Sally walked out onto the dock.
Jessica, Beth, Kim, and Andrea had been swimming and, near the end, they’d stretched out on beach towels to dry off.
Midway, Gabi lounged in one of the old chairs with her feet up on the railing.
“Gabi.” Sally took the other chair. “Marcus is fetching you a drink and food.”
“God, I love that man.” Gabi glanced back at the patio, then smiled at Sally. “Great party, Sally.”
As the rest chimed in with agreement, Sally flushed with pleasure. “I’ve never planned something this big. It was fun—although I’d have had better decorations if I’d known it would be an engagement-announcement celebration.”
“Can I see your ring?” Jessica asked, sitting up on her towel.
Sally leaned forward and held her hand out. In the bright Florida sunshine, the jewels were almost blinding.
Jessica considered. “The big blue is a sapphire. After the huge diamond, what is the big yellowish one?”
“Citrine.” Sally smiled, remembering how she’d started to walk into the office, heard them discussing her rings, and had managed to tiptoe away after only listening a…little…bit. “Birthstones. Vance’s is sapphire, I’m diamond, and Galen’s is citrine.”
“Got you tucked between them, don’t they,” Kim said with a grin.
Andrea frowned at the gold band, so thickly encrusted with diamonds the metal had almost disappeared. “Please tell me that all the little diamonds aren’t supposed to be babies?”
“No. Galen said they thought my ring should sparkle almost as much as I do,” she whispered. Tears stung her eyes. They really felt that way.
Andrea’s eyes filled. “Oh, don’t start or we’ll all be crying.”
Kim blinked quickly. Jessica sniffled.
“It’s perfect, Sally.” Gabi leaned over, kissed Sally’s cheek, and pulled in a long breath. “Okay, moving on, or the guys will stomp out here, wondering why we’re all bawling. I’m snoopy enough to want to know how you’re going to marry two men. Aren’t there laws?”
“Oh yeah. Can’t you imagine the headlines? FBI agents arrested for polyandry.” Sally laughed, remembering the night they’d proposed. “First, they offered to have me ‘officially’ marry one of them—and Vance said it should be Galen, because he’s older.”
Jessica frowned. “Well, that sounds—”
“Actually”—Sally snickered—“Vance called him an old man.” Which was just wrong since she should be the only one telling old jokes.
“Galen let him?”
“He shoved Vance off the dock.” Sally shook her head. “We had to haul him out, before the gator got him.”
“You’ve definitely improved Galen’s sense of humor,” Gabi observed. “Which one will you marry?”
“Neither. Oh, being they’re crazy overprotective, they’ll set up trusts and legal stuff for me and any children that come along.” Children. Sally felt as if her heart actually swelled as she imagined Galen’s face when he saw his baby for the first time. And Vance teaching a little boy to play football—or, being Vance, he’d teach the girls too.
“Yeah, that sounds like men.” Jessica scowled. “And that’s it? Just legal stuff?”
“No.” Sally smiled. “They think we should have a ceremony.” She glanced back at the crowd on the patio and whispered, “Actually, I think they want one more than I do.”
Kim nodded. “Honestly, men are more romantic than women are.”
“But, how?” Andrea asked.
“The guys talked to the other Masters about the local laws. They said Master Z has married people—and done ceremonies—before, and he volunteered.” And wouldn’t that totally appeal to Matchmaker Z. She beamed. I’ll be married by Master Z. It seemed only right.
Jessica blinked. “I hadn’t thought of that. He’s mentioned conducting marriages.”
“Ohhh.” Kim smiled. “That’s actually pretty clever.”
“I thought so,” Vance said, coming up behind Sally. He bent over and kissed her cheek and handed her a cold soda.
Her other cheek received a kiss from Galen, and he set a plate of snacks in her lap.
She turned and smiled at them, her big Doms standing shoulder to shoulder.
“What’s wrong?” Kim frowned at Gabi. “You’re thinking so hard I can see steam coming out your ears.”
“I had an idea.” Eyes alight, Gabi grabbed Sally’s hand. “Now if you don’t like it, just say no, okay?”
Gabi always had good ideas, so Sally grinned. “Shoot.”
“Okay, it’s like this. Although Marcus’s family is wonderful, mine is completely stuffy. And they’ll try to score points with my wedding, going all fancy and inviting their clients. I’m not good at standing up to them.”
“Oh God, seriously? That sucks.” Sally shook her head in sympathy, remembering one sorority sister having hysterics because her mother-in-law-to-be messed up all her plans.
“Yeah.”
Families. Sally stiffened. “Oh my God, Galen and Vance have families. I hadn’t even thought about them. Oh no!” She turned to face her Doms. “We’re flying to Vegas. I’m sure Elvis will marry us.”
“Sweetie,” Vance said, obviously on the edge of laughing. “I’ve heard rumors that Elvis has left the building.”
Before Sally could answer, Gabi said, “See? You get it. You totally understand. Why do you think I kept putting Marcus off?”
Behind Gabi, Master Marcus had started to reach for her. His hand stilled, and he took a step back, eyes narrowing.
Yep, he’d heard. Sally started to warn her friend. “Gabi, you have—”
