Page 45 of Stick to the Deal (Friendship Springs Romance #3)

Jealous Husband

I can’t believe he’s here. That’s the thought that keeps spiraling through my mind as I smile and entertain questions from the press and potential buyers.

It’s not that I don’t think Reginald supports my work, he was the one that encouraged me to do this show after all.

After the gala, I didn’t think showing up in person fit in with the whole marriage deal.

Bree and Anna aren’t even here. That’s because I didn’t tell them about it.

I agreed to do this because I felt inspired in the moment and ran with it without a second thought. When it all became real, a tidal wave of what-ifs flooded my mind and I decided to keep the event to myself. I’m not even sure how Reginald knew about it, unless he got it off our shared calendar.

Yes, I let him link our calendars—it simply makes coordinating functions and travel easier.

The show has been fantastic. Talking about my photographs with like-minded individuals is invigorating. The girls have always loved my work, but they’ve never truly understood it. Mingling with other artists and hearing critics praise my photographs has been so much more than I ever dreamed.

Reginald’s hand trails across my lower back, distracting me momentarily from the art buyer talking to me. “I’ll be right back. Would you care for more champagne? ”

I nod silently. His lips brush my temple in a kiss so brief I wonder if I imagined it.

The buyer hands me a card and promises to be in touch. Before I can relax, Henri has taken her place. “How are we holding up?”

I blow out a quick breath, my hair fluttering by my jaw. “Exhausted. Has it really only been a couple of hours?”

“ Oui. I hope you regain your energy soon. Almost all the pieces have already sold. You are about to be a very busy lady, indeed.”

“Seriously? How is that possible?”

“I told you, Nic, you have a unique view and the talent to capture it.

This is only the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

I want to put another show on the books, mon amie.

Tout de suite. “ He holds up an elegant hand, waving away any objection before I can even form them.

“Now excuse me, I must go talk more buyers out of their money.”

Wow. Of course I’d hoped a few of the pieces would sell, but practically all of them?

“Nic, there you are, love. Look at you, well done.”

I turn to the voice, shocked to see Kenzo standing there in black jeans, a white tee, and a black leather jacket. Without his guyliner and spiky hair, I almost didn’t recognize him.

After he shared my photos of his concert, he’s been interacting with my posts a lot—including the video of Huck’s band at New Year’s Eve. We’ve been DMing off and on—mostly about contracts and compensation for using my pictures on the album cover.

“Kenzo, what are you doing here?”

He pulls me in and kisses both my cheeks.

Stunned, I don’t fight it. “I’m in the city meeting with my label before heading back out on tour.

Saw the article about your show and figured I’d check it out.

” He motions around the room. “I like your stuff. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on you for all my future album covers. ”

A throat clears behind me. Reginald is standing nearby with two glasses of champagne. I reach for one. His knuckles, white where they grip the stem, take a moment to loosen. “Thanks, darling. Kenzo, I don’t think you’ve met my husband yet.”

Kenzo holds out his hand. “Good to meet you, mate. Congratulations. The news explained why I couldn’t even convince this one to join me for dinner. ”

I roll my eyes. Turning back to look at Reginald, I expect his steel eyes to glitter with their previous dry humor, but something darker and cold shines there. Jaw clenched, shoulders rigid. This is not the same man who went for drinks. What the hell happened in the last five minutes?

“That so? And how did you meet my wife?” Reginald’s hand anchors on my hip, but without the earlier softness.

“She was my photographer. Girl got me naked on the first shoot. There’s no other for me since.”

Waves of tension radiate off the steel arm around me. This is so not the right time for Kenzo to be himself.

“You remember the Time shoot? Then I took some candids at his concert back in July. Kenzo wants to use them for his album cover. Those are the contracts I’ve been talking about,” I try to reassure him.

“Of course.” He’s still stiff, but some of the coldness has warmed. “What brings you here?”

“Just in the neighborhood and thought I’d check it out. I do need to head out to meet my manager, though. Congrats again, Nic. I’ll let you know what the label says.” He walks out the gallery doors to the flashes of paparazzi lights.

The show winds down. Henri stops us on the way to the door to tell us the remaining prints sold and he’ll be in touch very soon.

A smattering of photographers still loiter at the door, snapping our photos and calling for comment. Ever the gentleman, Reginald opens the car door for me before walking around to the other side. The ride is silent, all the warmth of his arrival missing.

I study him, looking for indications of what changed in the last half hour. He stares out his window, but his eyes don’t scan the passing city streets. His jaw is clenched so hard it appears carved from marble. White knuckles clench at his sides.

What happened while he was getting drinks? “Did Daniel call with bad news?”

“What?” He turns to me, brows pinched in confusion. “No.” Shaking his head, he returns to his staring.

If this isn’t about work then… Could he be jealous?

That’s rich. After the Gala and his insipid maybe-ex, now he wants to act the possessive husband? Not if I have something to say about it.

I stew the rest of the short drive. My fury grows as I play out arguments in my mind .

He trails me into the townhouse and up the three flights of stairs until I finally explode.

“You’re unbelievable.” I burst into the bedroom, peeling off layers as I walk.

“You’re mad,” he says baldly.

“Ding ding ding.” I whirl to face him, standing in only my underwear. “Why did you choose tonight of all nights to pull this act? Why did you even come to the show if you were going to pick a fight?”

“You didn’t even tell me about it, you’re sodding husband, but you invited the rock star?”

“One, I didn’t invite Kenzo—he follows me on Instagram. Two, I didn’t tell you because I wasn’t sure you’d want to come. You’ve been very busy lately, and I didn’t know where this fit into the deal.”

He jerks back as if struck. “Fuck the deal. Of course I wanted to come—to be the one beside you, supporting you. Don’t you get it by now?

” In three big steps, he closes the distance until we’re practically nose to nose.

“You are the most important person in my life. I stopped caring about the contract long ago. Do you genuinely not see it?”

He searches my eyes, looking for some sign. His own reflect longing. His body leans forward, every atom focused on me. The air crackles with electricity.

My knees waiver, but I stand my ground, holding all my hurt and mistrust as a shield. “What about Serena?”

The muscles in his jaw flex and anger flares in his eyes, but I don’t think it’s directed at me.

“She’s nothing—she never was. My mother pushed us together as teens and I went along because it was expected.

When I caught her bragging to her friends about how she could get me to buy her a car if she wanted, I couldn’t take it anymore and ended things.

Even if I’d never met you, I would never be with her. ”

My heart leaps at his words. “Does she know that?”

He searches my eyes, his lips spreading into a dark smile. “I practically screamed it in her face last week.”

I lean the short distance between us and kiss him. It has the effect of a match hitting dry kindling. This isn’t a pretty meeting of bodies. This is two starved people reaching for sustenance.

His hands trace the lines of my body until they settle under my thighs, lifting me up.

I cling to him, all arms and legs wrapped around him, as he walks me across the room and tosses me on the soft mattress.

In moments, his clothes join mine on the floor.

Naked, he crawls up the length of the bed, his eyes dark with desire, until he is hovering over me.

“No more running after a fight, Nic. Or I’ll just have to chase you. ”

I run my hands up his biceps, feeling where the muscles strain to support him. “Is that a threat?”

“It’s a fucking promise.” His mouth descends in a bruising kiss, which I eagerly meet. My nails rake through his thick hair. I’ve missed this, missed him. My back arches off the bed, desperate for more contact with his heated skin.

Balancing on one hand, he snakes the other under my back. Rolling, he turns us until I land on top, straddling him. “Tonight is your night, Princess. Use me for your pleasure however you want. It’s all for you.”

I’m already wet, but I feel a gush at his words.

His eyes burn as I hover over his thick shaft, moving my hips in small circles, not seating myself on him but rather teasing us both.

He groans as my slick slit glides over his cock.

I bite my lip to hide a satisfied smile, then immediately moan as I bump my clit against him.

Reaching between us, I take him in hand, giving him one pump root to tip and watch a single bead of pre-cum escape.

Pushing up higher, I guide the crown to my aching center.

Torturously slow, I lower myself, moaning as each inch stretches me.

His fingers skirt up my thighs, sending tingles across my skin.

Reginald grasps my hip bones, urging them down faster.

I halt my decent, grabbing his hands and pinning them against the headboard. “Uh-uh. Keep those hands where I can see them. Do I need to find a bow tie?”

He groans, no doubt also thinking of our first night together. “No, my lady, I’ll behave.”

To test him, my hips lower even slower. His legs tremble with the effort of staying still. When I’m fully seated, I take a moment to adjust to the fullness, then I begin to move. Little rocks back and forth, rubbing my clit against him as I force his cock harder into my G-spot.

“Fuck, yes, Nic. Take what you want.” He clenches the headboard, knuckles white.

My eyes close, and my head falls back as I continue to rock, lost to the sensation of his body and mine. Leaning back, I alter the angle. His leg hair tickles my hands as I brace myself on his thighs, the muscles taut with strain. I rise until just his tip remains, then lower myself with a groan.

“That’s it, Princess. Ride my cock, use me. I am your slave. ”

At his words, my pussy quivers around his length. I move my hips faster, arching my back further as my breath comes in little pants. “You may touch me now.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he growls. Surging up, his hands trace the curves of my ribs to my spine. He captures my nipple between his lips, the warmth and slight roughness of his tongue shooting straight to my clit and sending me over the edge. “Look at me when you cum on my cock.”

My eyes fly open and I look down into his molten eyes, full of pride and satisfaction. My orgasm crashes through me and I scream his name.

“That’s my good girl.” With a final thrust, he swells and empties himself in me, clutching me to him as he cums.

We hold each other as the quakes still. My nails stroke his scalp as his fingers send chills along my back. With a long sigh, I dismount and collapse on the covers next to him, completely boneless. I lie there, smiling at the ceiling as I catch my breath, delicious aches pulsing through my body.

Reginald’s bare feet pad into the bathroom, followed by the water running. The bed dips as he returns, one blunt finger tracing my hip. “Come on, let’s take a bath and then it’s my turn.”

I sleepily lift my head. “Your turn for what?”

His smile is downright devilish. “I have a month of husbandly duties to make up, I don’t intend to waste a moment.”

My exhaustion from earlier is all but forgotten at the promise of a night in this man’s arms.