I know the words cost her, but I also know she means what she says.
“There’s more,” I continue. “You need to listen to me. I’m not going to Europe with the Triumphant Travelers. I'm going with my husband someday. And we don’t plan to honeymoon in Paris, but even if we do, you won’t be invited. No one will. That’s just weird.” Actually, Ollie and I probably wouldn’t mind if Aven stopped by for a night or two, but I will keep those thoughts to myself.
“We understand,” Grandad says.
“Can you forgive us?” she asks.
I look to Ollie, who’s been silent this whole conversation. He stays quiet now, too, but the look in his eyes tells me that he’s on board with whatever I decide.
I don’t want to lose my grandparents, but I’m not ready to let things go quite so easily. “I think we can work on our relationship,” I say honestly. “I want you to get to know Ollie. And maybe I want you to get to know me, too. Not just as your granddaughter, but as an adult.”
Ollie squeezes my hand again, providing the comfort I need.
“I think that would be just fine,” Gran says, dabbing at her eyes again. “Perhaps we could try dinner again sometime? I know you’re both busy with school, but when you need a home cooked meal, you let Grandad and me know, okay?”
“I do have some gnocchi in the freezer,” he says, a hopeful look in his eyes. “I made it just last week. I could heat it up if you’re hungry.”
They really are so sweet. And relentless.
“We can’t stay tonight, Grandad, but we’ll come back soon,” I assure him.
And then, I take my husband's hand and walk out of my grandparents’ house. I know we’ll be back, and I have faith that things will improve, but right now, it’s time for Ollie and me to start our adventure together.
38
Ollie
Iwas ten minutes late to practice, but any penalty my coaches assign me will be worth it. Watching Fallon reclaim her independence and show her grandparents how strong she is and that she’s her own person? Damn, that was hot.
When practice ended, the guys all headed to Wolfies. Apparently, no one made dinner, and they all just snacked on the food I brought home, so everyone was starving.
I decided to skip out on wings and go home to my wife.
That was a good choice.
I’ve been home for an hour, and we’ve been rolling around on the bed for a while, acting like teenagers whose parents aren’t home from work yet. But now all our clothes are off and I want to give Fallon every ounce of my attention. My fingers travel lazily over her hips and thighs. They graze her lower belly. I’m trying to take my time, but I’m worked up as hell. Every moan and whimper that falls from her lips ignites a fire in me, but I don’t want to rushthis. And I don’t want to make it about me. This is about her. About us.
“I want you,” she says, lifting her head.
“I’m all yours,” I assure her.
“And I want to try something,” she tells me, her voice hopeful.
“Anything,” I say. “If it’s going to make you feel good, then we’re going to do it. And if you want to stop, just say the word, ‘Red’.”
Fallon hops off the bed and I’m tempted to chase her, but I stay put, lying against a mound of pillows as I watch her walk over to our closet. My curiosity is piqued, and when she slips two neckties off a hanger and brings them over to me, I can’t hold back my grin.
“What are these for?” I ask, facing her so she can read my lips.
“I don’t want to be so tied up that I couldn’t escape, but I like the idea of staying in place while you drive me out of my mind.”
“You are perfect,” I tell her as we switch places so that she’s lying back on the bed. I clasp her hands together and loop one of the ties through her wrist before using the other tie to anchor it loosely to our headboard. “You can slip out of these easily if you want to,” I tell her as I demonstrate, “but they’ll hold you well enough to keep you under me as long as you want to be.”
Fallon sucks in a breath, and I fucking love how she trusts me to help her explore all the things that turn her on.
Leaning back a bit, I take in the vision of my beautiful wife tied to our bed. I’m in awe of how much trust she’s placed in me, and that’s when a memory hits me. “You said you wanted freedom,” I tell her as the moment before our wedding comes together in my mind.
Fallon nods. “I remember that, too. And it’s what you’ve given me—the freedom to be myself.”
