Page 23

Chapter Twenty-Three

Bash

“Seriously, there should be a hole in that suit.” I rake my gaze up and down Lainey’s body in her costume. “Like long underwear. An access flap I can open to fuck you and then close again so we can mingle at this party.”

She rolls her eyes, feigning aggravation. Because honestly, she loves too horny to live Bash and we both know it. She’s pure smoke in her Catwoman suit, and even though we spent an hour in bed earlier this afternoon, I want her again already.

“It’s the ears, isn’t it?” She makes a kissy face, teasing me.

“Yeah, I’m sure that’s it,” I say dryly.

Her tits look incredible in the outfit, even though her chest is completely covered.

I probably should have put her in a frumpy Robin outfit instead of getting us these expensive custom-made Batman and Catwoman costumes because every guy who sees her tonight is going to have his tongue on the floor.

When she puts on the mask and holds the whip that came with the costume, Lainey looks like a high-dollar dominatrix.

Her bright-red hair, flowing around her shoulders, only adds to her appeal.

Normally I’m in charge in our bedroom, but for a change of pace, I’d lick her shiny black boots and take orders.

“We’re so much smarter than Carter and Suki.” I grin. “They’re bacon and eggs. Those costumes will be useless in their bedroom tonight.”

“It’s cute, though.”

My dog sitter River comes into the kitchen from the backyard, Bruce on his heels.

“Hey, you guys look awesome,” he says.

River has long, scraggly blond hair and he doesn’t shave much, so his beard comes down to his chest. He’s wearing a tie-dye T-shirt and he’s definitely stoned. His skin is bronzed from his summer backpacking in Patagonia.

Living in my guest cottage for eight months a year during hockey season to take care of Bruce when I’m traveling is River’s main job. It works well because he takes great care of him, and he’s able to travel during my offseason.

“That sourdough is ready to eat. Help yourself,” Lainey says.

River grins. “Amazing. Thank you.”

She’s been keeping him supplied with bread and muffins, and he loves it.

Lainey reminds me of Suki in many ways—she loves caring for people.

My kitchen is finally being used by someone other than my chef.

Lainey loves my oven, and I love seeing her wearing an apron.

One of these days, she’s going to give in to my requests that she wear an apron and nothing else while she’s baking.

I fantasize when I’m traveling about bending her over the island and holding onto the bow at her back while I ravage her.

Not while River’s here, though. Hell, I probably won’t even let Bruce be around for it. No one wants to watch their mom get plowed.

“I’m gonna make a veggie sandwich with that bread and then Bruce and I are going to have massage time,” River says.

I groan. “You’re gonna massage his prostate again, aren’t you?”

Laney gapes at me but says nothing. River just grins.

“Yeah, man. Full body. He’s not getting his rocks off; it’s to improve blood flow to his prostate.”

I look at Bruce, who cocks his head. “Right, but I’m never going near his prostate. You walk him three times a day, feed him a raw diet, take him on hikes, and rub his prostate. Which, let’s be honest—he probably enjoys it. He probably wishes you were his real dad.”

River and Lainey both laugh, but this really is one of my fears.

“He’s actually not a big fan of having his bunghole penetrated. It took us time to build up the trust for it. And he hates it when I brush his teeth and make him take his vitamins.”

I sigh heavily. “Just don’t get my dog off, okay? Please?”

“No worries, brother. I’m just here to holistically help his body and spirit.”

I don’t even know how to respond to that. Thankfully, Lainey saves me from having to.

“Hey, we need to go,” she says.

We both pet Bruce before leaving, and he still wags his tail and licks my face, so he must still love me. This must be what it feels like for parents to leave their kids with a nanny.

I glance over at Lainey’s beat-up old Camry as I back my truck out of the garage, thinking about the Christmas gift I just ordered for her.

It’s a brand-new BMW X5, and I ordered it early because it’s getting a custom dark-purple paint job. It’s so dark it’s almost black, and the interior is black leather. I know she’s going to flip.

If I’d asked her if I could buy her a new car, she would have refused. This way, it’ll already be here and she can’t say no.

Lainey deserves every luxury. Once we had the talk , and I asked her to stay with me after this semester if at all possible, she decided to start working on her doctorate.

She found a program through Cleveland Clinic where she could work on her doctorate part-time while also researching.

Helping Professor Carr with his classes has sparked a love of teaching in her.

For the first time, I’m hoping I don’t make the all-star team.

I’m not expecting to because Isaac and Carter are having once-in-a-lifetime seasons this year.

If I don’t, Lainey and I are taking a six-day trip to Fiji.

Six days and nights of nothing but the two of us would be paradise no matter where we were, but we’ll still make the most of our time in a little hut built over sparkling turquoise water.

I’m planning to propose on the trip. It’s soon, but also not soon enough.

Being with Lainey feels like an unlocking of sorts.

All the clicks and slides fell into place and something inside me opened for the first time.

I never knew what people meant when they said, “When you know, you know.” Until I knew. Then I got it.

This is what it means to feel complete. I don’t have any doubts. Lainey is my one and only.

When we arrive at Carter and Suki’s house, the front yard has been decorated with lights, smoke machines and animatronic monsters. There’s even Halloween music playing in the front yard.

Inside, the lights are dimmed and every room on the main level is decorated. There are fake spiderwebs and bats hanging from the ceiling and fake skeletons wearing hockey gear in corners.

A coffin in the dining room is open, the inside filled with an assortment of snacks. There’s a fake head in the center of the dining table, its eyes following me wherever I move.

A guy dressed as a vampire comes up to us with a tray of drinks. It takes us a few seconds to figure out that it’s Aden, Harry’s boyfriend.

“Hey, man. Good to see you again,” I say.

“Would you like some fresh blood?” he offers, gesturing to his tray.

“Yum.” Lainey grabs a glass and takes a sip, looking at me. “Red wine.”

“Love your costumes,” Aden says.

“Yours, too,” Lainey says. “Is Harry here?”

“He got called to the restaurant for an emergency. He wasn’t happy. There was a water main break, though. Pretty big deal.”

“Oh, damn,” I say. “They’ll have to close.”

“Do I look horny, baby?” A huge man approaches us from behind, putting an arm around Bash’s shoulders and the other around mine.

His British accent is terrible, but Leo’s costume is on point. He’s Austin Powers, complete with a dark wig, glasses and bell-bottom pants.

Bash laughs heartily as he takes in Leo’s outfit.

“’Bout time you bought a costume,” Leo says, nodding at Bash’s Batsuit. “And damn , Lainey.”

“That’s enough looking at her,” I gripe.

“You better keep her happy, or someone else will.” Leo winks at her.

“Batman and Catwoman!”

Suki approaches us, Carter right beside her. She’s dressed as a long, sizzling piece of bacon, her face poking out through an oval. Carter is a huge, round, fried egg, and he doesn’t look thrilled about it.

“I keep running into doorframes,” he grumbles.

It’s Darling who steals the show, though. He’s dressed as a bunny, with a soft gray covering on his body and a bunny ear headband Velcroed around his head. He wags his tail and smiles up at us, taking the cracker Leo offers him.

“I can’t stand how cute he is,” Mara says as she walks up.

“Oh my God, you look amazing!” Lainey says.

Mara is dressed as the Evil Queen from Snow White , and she makes a damn good one with her fair skin and black hair.

“Did you guys not tell Mara it’s a costume party?” Leo asks.

“Hilarious,” Mara deadpans. “I could say the same for you. Isn’t horny perv your everyday look?”

“Hey, if you need to pick up some extra money, my neighbors are looking for some privacy hedges. You can go stand on their property line and open your legs.”

Carter starts to laugh, then covers it with a cough and his hand.

“You thought of that one months ago, didn’t you?” Mara says. “Been saving it up? Practicing it in front of the mirror?”

“Hey, at least I have mirrors in my house. Wouldn’t you turn to stone if you looked in one?”

“Okay, this is fun,” Suki interjects. “But we should probably mingle. All of us.”

“Have they ever gotten along?” Lainey asks me softly when we are out of everyone else’s hearing range.

“For a little while. She’s never getting over him walking into that bathroom on her.”

Lainey raises a shoulder. “Well, he was way out of line. And instead of apologizing, he made fun of her.”

I pinch my brows together, remembering Leo’s description of what happened between them. “Actually, she made fun of him first.”

“Still. She gets a free pass. He should have apologized and closed the door immediately.”

“Yeah.”

She gives me a warning look. “You better knock on doors before opening them. Don’t barge in on naked women.”

I grin at her. “In Leo’s defense, he did knock. But there was music playing and Mara must not have heard it. And I promise to knock loudly on every closed door for the rest of my life.”

“Thank you.”

I move to stand behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist. She laughs lightly.

“Is that your costume’s codpiece, or are you just happy to see me?” she cracks.

I look down at her face. “My what ?”

“Your codpiece. The part of your costume that covers your junk. I’ve been practicing trivia and that was one of my questions the other day.”

I hum in amusement. “It should be called a cockpiece. And I am happy to see you. Ready to sneak off and explore your Catcave anytime.”

She groans. “I can’t decide if that’s just gross or mostly gross with a slight twinge of hot.”

“You liked it.”

“I might’ve.”

I spin her around so she’s facing me, then take her masked face in my hands.

“It’s our first Halloween together. This will probably be easier than our first Thanksgiving together.”

Our mothers are already both insisting we spend the holiday with them. We’re going to have to spend time at both houses and eat ourselves sick, so neither mom has hurt feelings.

“Probably,” she agrees. “I’m still looking forward to it, though.”

“Me too.” I kiss her gently. “I’m looking forward to everything with you.”