I stood there, wrapped in his arms while a part of my mind was thinking about that wedding dress and the other part was thinking about how Ian wanted nothing to do with marriage.
Chapter 9
Ian
I was wrapped up in her. My arms were wrapped around her tightly and our legs were tangled around each other. She was sleeping soundly. I couldn’t. I was up all night, thinking about Adalynn’s wedding and what kind of effect it was going to have on Rory. I didn’t want her getting any ideas and I didn’t want it to tear us apart. She said she understood, but I did think she was lying. A girl like Rory deserved everything. I could give her anything she wanted. I could love her till death do us part. I could give her all of me. I just couldn’t give her marriage.
I finally fell asleep, only to be woken up by the alarm clock. I opened my eyes and Rory wasn’t in bed. She was always in bed. I turned off the alarm and got up to put on my pajama bottoms. I checked the bathroom first and she wasn’t there. I walked down to the kitchen and smiled when I saw her bending over, taking something out of the oven.
“What are you doing, sweetheart?”
“I hope I didn’t wake you,” she said as she walked over and kissed me.
“No, the alarm did.”
“Well, since today is Charles’s day off, I thought it would be nice to make you some blueberry muffins.”
I stood there. I couldn’t believe she got up that early and made me muffins. My heart started to ache a little because this woman amazed me, yet again.
“Rory,” I whispered as I pulled her into an embrace. “I can’t believe you did this.”
“Why, silly? I love you and I know how much you love fresh blueberry muffins in the morning.” She smiled.
“You’re amazing. I love you.”
“I love you too. Now go sit down and I’ll bring your coffee and muffin.”
“No,” I said as I led her to the chair and made her sit down. “You sit down and let me serve you.”
I poured us each a cup of coffee and set two muffins on a plate and took it over to the table. The smile never left her face as she watched me the whole time.
“No run today?” she asked.
“I thought maybe we could use the gym downstairs today. It looks like it’s going to rain,” I spoke as I looked out the window.
“Yeah, it does look like rain.”
I took a bite of the blueberry muffin and almost choked. It was the worst blueberry muffin I ever had. I tried so hard not to show it, but it was too late.
“What’s wrong? You don’t like it?”
I didn’t know how to tell her it was awful. “It just seems different from how Charles makes them. Did you forget an ingredient? Maybe?”
A look of disappointment swept across her face and I felt like the biggest ass**le around.
“I don’t think I forgot an ingredient. Damn it!” she said as she got up from the table.
“Sweetheart, it’s fine. Please don’t worry about it.”
She walked over and picked up the recipe card from the counter. “OH SHIT! FUCK! I forgot to put in the sugar.” She pouted.
“Aw, baby, it’s okay,” I said as I got up and wrapped my arms around her. “You tried and that’s all that matters.”
“You don’t understand. I wanted to do something special for you and, as usual, I f**ked it all up. How could I forget the sugar?”
I looked over on the other side of the counter, where a measuring cup sat with sugar in it. “Is that it over there?”
“Ugh.”
“Sweetheart, it’s okay. It can happen to anyone. So what, you forgot to add the sugar. You had it measured out, which means you thought of it. It’s the thought and I love your thoughts.” I smiled as I brushed my thumb over her soft lips before gently kissing them.
I picked up Rory and set her on the counter. “I’m changing up our exercise routine today.”
“Why? What are we doing?” she asked.
“First, I’m going to take you upstairs and f**k you fast and hard. Then, when I’m finished, you’re going to get on top and f**k me fast and hard. It’s going to be an awesome workout, sweetheart. I promise.” I winked.
Rory smiled as she wrapped her legs tightly around my waist and her arms around my neck. “Let’s go start that workout, Mr. Braxton.”
The one thing I loved about my girl was that she was so easy to please. I picked her up from the counter, took her upstairs, and we both had one hell of a workout.
****
“Mr. Braxton, Mr. Black is on line two for you.”
“Thank you, Jan. I’ll take it.”
“Connor. How are you, friend?” I answered.
“Good, Ian. How are you?”
“Things are great.”
“How’s Rory doing?” Connor asked.
“Rory’s good. Thanks for asking. What can I do for you?”
“I ran across a piece a property here in New York City and I was hoping that you’d come out and take a look at it for me.”
“Sure. When do you want me to come out there?”
“How about next week? And bring Rory with you. Ellery’s been asking about her and wants to see her.”
“I sure will. She’d love to see the two of you again. Rory visits her brother on Thursdays, but we can fly out after.”
“Sounds good. We’ll plan to meet Friday morning. Don’t make plans for Friday night. Ellery and I are taking the two of you out on the town.”
“Sounds good, Connor. We’ll see you next week. Rory will be thrilled.”
“Talk to you soon, Ian.”
I hung up the phone and sat back in my chair. Rory was going to be thrilled that she was going to be able to see Ellery again. I thought about texting her or even calling her, but I decided to wait and tell her the news in person.
“Jan, do me a favor and call the florist. I want two dozen red roses sent to Rory Sinclair at my home address.”
“I’ll do it now, Mr. Braxton,” she replied.
As I was looking over some legal papers, I heard the office door open. I looked up as Andrew walked in.
“Hey, bro,” he said with smile on his face.
“Andrew,” I replied and continued looking over the papers.
“Let’s go hit the club tonight.”
“Sorry, but I’m spending the evening with Rory.”
“Shit, Ian. What’s wrong, won’t the little woman let you off the leash for one night?”