Page 52 of Integrated (Mistress & Master of Restraint #11)
“I hope Shadow Haven isn’t TPed when we return.” Cort says with a laugh as we get comfortable in the limo. “That was one rambunctious and drunk crowd we just left. Poor Betsy, Aubrianna, and Ava. They better make George and Lucian help.”
Huffing a laugh, I imagine our daughter’s face when she begins the cleanup of our home, alongside the Jessups.
The dads are not the enforcers of this subservient ruling– Katya. Katya had to work every single day of her life, even if it was homework. Since we don’t run a construction outfit like Max, Ava will work with the Jessups until she goes to a university, where homework will become her fulltime occupation.
The twins are already doing age-appropriate chores. Zane is exempt, as he is only Katya’s stepson. However, Caleb has gotten on board, forcing Zane and Torian to do odd jobs around The Green Building. Odd, as in highly illegal jobs, no doubt.
As a team, Katya and Caleb are terrifying to the teenage population.
Now that Pa and Ma Ramirez are in our family, they backup whatever Katya says, believing a simpler life with rules, chores, and boundaries is what makes us appreciate the little things more.
“Thank you,” Cort reverently whispers to me in the back of the limo, eyes shining with tears. “This was everything I hoped for and more. It wasn’t just about the wedding, or the preparations. It was how you and I did everything together. It was important to both of us, not just one of us while the other phoned it in.”
“We’re a team, Mr. Zeitler.” I breathe in Cort’s ear as I tug him as close as possible. I just have to feel his warmth against me. “Forever.”
“I felt bad about certain things when I was with Divina,” Cort admits with some reluctance. “The vows we made. The way I couldn’t dance with you. How I envisioned the limo ride and the flight. The honeymoon. I felt horrible how Divina and I were together, instead of with who we were destined. The wrongs were righted tonight, and I have you to thank for that.”
“It was absolutely perfect.” I agree as I nuzzle at Cortez’s throat, still smelling Marc’s lingering scent on his skin. The man kept kissing our throats every time we embraced. Not minding the scent lingering there, I don’t try to cover it with my own.
“Um… if you guys want to do anything more than heavy petting, I’m crawling through the privacy divider to sit with the chauffeur.” Roarke warns, breaking into our slice of heaven to remind us that he does in fact exist– he’s not a two-hundred-pound mannequin taking up space on the leather seats.
“Lurch.” Cort sneers. I just roll my eyes, instinctively knowing the next week will not be as pleasant as I hoped. “We’re cuddling– that’s all. Just get comfy with your pacifier.”
Tablet materializing from thin air, Roarke flips the cover open. “You want me to log into your account and fix your farm? I know you’ve been busy today. I did it last night while you guys were playing suck-a-dick.”
“Please, but if you get into my messages again and send Faith nasty notes, I’m logging in as you and deleting your farm.”
“You guys have each other’s Facebook passwords? What the fuck?” I mutter in abject horror, looking at them like they’ve lost their ever-loving minds.
Married. Partners. I don’t give a fuck who you are to me, no one has my login information. But the fact that Roarke has Cort’s when I don’t, that rankles my possessive urges.
“Faith–” Roarke snickers. “The sadist was incensed when I commented on a picture of her baby girl, saying Brooke’s head was shaped like a smushed potato. May have also added how her vajayjay was so tiny, it misshaped her daughter’s skull.”
“Dude, Faith thought it was from me!” Cort bares his teeth at Roarke. “I had to grovel, then buy a nursery full of apology gifts. Thank God, Wil believed me. Said the voice used in the comments didn’t sound like me.”
“It was great.” Roarke flashes us a smile that borders on insanity. “Last night, while you guys were busy in the loft, I sent Faith another one. Don’t worry, it was from my account. Aiding Boyd, I bombed everyone’s lovers last night, telling them what was said at the bachelor party.”
“What?!” Cortez and I squawk in unison, both contemplating committing a violent homicide.
“Shouldn’t have left me with Master Asshole giving a byplay, with no goddamn blinds in the windows.” Roarke has a good point. He is not a voyeur, something we all should respect. “Anyway, Faith learned Wil is lusting after Cort’s mouth. God, I bet Wil regretted admitting that.”
“What the hell is going on with the Facebook passwords?” I accuse in a tight voice.
“As soon as we get back from the honeymoon, I’m changing my login,” Cort threatens.
“Yeah, right.” Roarke snorts. “Ez, ya know all those hours Cortez says he’s hiding out in the library to write? Well, he’s secretly playing Farmville in there. I would know, ‘cuz he sends me requests instead of working. We swap supplies back and forth in the co-op and fill each other’s order boards. While you’re playing Dr. Lunatic, I’m lording over your waiting room, while Cort is relaxing in the library, harvesting animals and crops, and manufacturing goods. Great, ain’t it?”
“No! Not you too. You’re not addicted, are you?” At a loss, I’m not sure how to wrest the game from Roarke, let alone Cortez. Maybe Roman could assist, seeing as his specialty is addiction.
“Nope.” Cort sheepishly mumbles, cuddled up next to me. “You can thank yourself– it was when you visited Gwen at Meyers Manor. You got me hooked when you asked Roarke to distract me. Word of advice, don’t ever try it.”
“To each their own, I guess.” Curling around Cortez, I breathe a sigh of relief. “Wow, this is so normal.” A tiny laugh bubbles up. “It’s like I can breathe. I thought for sure the world would end, or I would feel like a different person. I’m still me. You’re still you. We’re still us… only married.”
“Unbelievable,” Cortez whispers as he fiercely holds me back.
“Where are we going on our honeymoon? I love how you told the pilot not to tell me.” Suspiciously eyeing my husband, I try to find clues written on his face.
Cort grins up at me. “That’s because I knew you’d try to bribe the pilot when I said I wouldn’t tell you. I know all of your naughty tricks.”
“My trixsy husband,” is murmured in appreciation.
“Jamaica,” Cortez reveals.
“What?” is nothing but a gasp of pure shock.
“It was wonderful with Divina, but I couldn’t imagine how incredible it would be with you. All I could think about, for the week I was there with Divina, was how much I wished it was us looking out over the ocean, watching the sun set and the moon rise. Time to right another wrong. Jamaica.”
“Wow… We truly are fixing the past by doing it right this time, aren’t we?
“Thank goodness you guys are taking the Holden jet.” Roarke shudders, tablet vibrating in his big paws. “I wouldn’t want that many hours on a public plane. Plus, you cocksuckers would end up joining the mile-high club in a disgusting bathroom. Probably catch something in there.”
“Just ignore Lurch,” I whisper into Cortez’s ear, stopping him from throttling Roarke. “If you pretend he’s a part of the scenery, it won’t be as difficult.”
“I’m locking his huge ass in the cabin with the Wi-Fi. You and I are staying on the beach.”
“Good deal.” Roarke and I say at the same time. “Good deal.”