Imperfect Love_Arranged Page 8

  We thought we were being naughty, rebellious children going against our parents’ wishes and making our own way in marital life. The joke was on us! How could we meet? No one could’ve set it up. Montana and I had gotten bumped from our original hotel—we never even told my parents where we were staying until we got it all worked out with crazy complimentary services.

  Jensen wasn’t any wiser about me. He didn’t know who I was and he didn’t come onto me—I approached him in the pool. Maybe we should’ve questioned the fact that we both had parents that were arranging marriages for us. His fiancée was foreign, I remembered him mentioning that so why would I connect the dots.

  “Ireland, we’re home, baby.” Jensen’s voice was so soft and loving—he’d never called me baby. I took that as a good sign as I followed him out of the car and up the front stoop of our brownstone. Our brownstone…he had told me that his parents had wanted him to sell it and to buy a new place for us—but not the “us” that they thought—and he refused but gave in to a few remodeling upgrades.

  Walking straight into the kitchen for a glass of water, I looked at everything in a different light. It was the kitchen that a married couple would cook in together and the little nook in the corner next to the door to the backyard was where their children would eat their cereal before going off to school every morning. Drinking a cold glass of water, I looked out the window over the sink into the darkness of the yard, and imagined a family barbecuing in the summer…picking fresh vegetables from the garden.

  I was so focused on my own thoughts that I had not realized that Jensen was speaking. I turned my head to the side and looked at him sitting on a stool at the kitchen island nursing a bottle of beer. “Your parents are Americans…not foreigners…you’re not some foreign princess.” I wasn’t sure what that meant at first, but I shook my head.

  Why would he expect any of that? And then I remember as I began to sort out conversations in my mind with Jensen in Vegas and what my mother had told me about him. She hadn’t really told me about him per se, but more about his parents and their company vaguely. Things that he told me about his work did not compute. He hadn’t stated any particulars about his so-called new division. He told me that he didn’t want to talk about it because he didn’t want to get his hopes up since he was not holding up his part of the deal. He was hoping for an alternative solution to stay on track and move forward.

  “What was the deal, Jensen? Did you ever meet with my parents? No, I guess you didn’t.” I didn’t let him answer…it had been obvious that they were total strangers to him. “What is the dream you were afraid of losing?” I moved to the island and leaned on it to be eye level with him.

  “D & D International is a foreign company!?” His voice sounded more like he was questioning me rather than making a statement. “I was supposed to handle clients…foreign clients…or I should say Callum Sports would sponsor them with equipment and ridiculously high monetary contracts.” With a confused look on his gorgeous face, he ran his fingers through his great hair. I wished that he was close enough so my fingers could trade places with his. I hated the island separating us, but we did need to talk through so many issues.

  “Novak works on our foreign contracts…he calls me the fluff guy—I dazzle the clients, schmooze the PR companies or whoever we need to get the athletes seen. Novak does the behind the scenes stuff.”

  “My parents’ company represents foreign athletes… The company was started by my father’s family in Europe many years ago. That is why they travel so much and have a home in France and a flat in London.” I shook my head realizing that he must’ve only known about their corporate office abroad, which apparently was opening a new division in New York. “You made me think that your company was a chain store for sporting goods.”

  “How can you not know about key sporting products with your parents’ involvement in sports…and with athletes?” He reached out to me and took my hand in his, narrowing his lovely eyes at me. “Are you pregnant?”

  Which question did I answer first? The easy one or the one that entailed many aspects going all the way back to our wedding night in Vegas. Neither was a great subject to spill, but he already knew that my parents weren’t wild about my business so he shouldn’t be surprised that they would leave me out of their dealings. I keep saying my parents because my mother goes along with my father to events and he keeps her updated with a good portion of his dealings. However, the truth is that my mother is arm candy for my father. She doesn’t go into the office to handle business dealings, she is more of an ambassador of goodwill for which she draws a nice paycheck.

  My father is part of the old school where men support women and if they must work, stay out of sports. Over the years I have pointed out that he has had some female athletes as clients and his retort was the same. “I can’t stop women from competing and there are appropriate sports for them to participate in.” I just shook my head and silently laughed as I wasn’t sure if he truly believed that or was taught those words…or it was his way of keeping me out of the business. The very business that he wanted to continue with…my husband’s family.

  “My father runs a tight ship and if you remember…my parents don’t believe in my company and have never offered to bring me into the business. They have been willing to give me a portion of profits, but I prefer to make my own money than be given an allowance or have things bought and paid for me.” It was easier to get the parent stuff out in the open. “About the…” I wasn’t sure how to continue and stood up, removing my hand from the warmth of his.

  “And?” He stood up and walked around the island to stand right in front of me.

  No hiding from him, I looked up into his gorgeous face. “I could be pregnant…I was a virgin that night…not safe because of my cycle.” I hated to talk about my bodily functions, but I needed to explain. “I’ve always had irregular periods, so there might not be anything to worry about…”

  “Worry about? I’m not worried, Ireland.” His hands gently gripped my upper arms. “I hadn’t expected us to be parents so soon…I never really thought about it at all. We’ve been so careful since…but I am not worried.” I felt a couple of tears roll down my cheeks. “Why haven’t you taken a pregnancy test? I’m assuming that you haven’t yet since you aren’t sure. And drinking coffee and wine…champagne tonight—”

  I was quick to let him know that I would never do anything to harm our possible baby. “—only a sip tonight. Only decaf coffee. And one glass of wine here and there is fine according to articles online… I haven’t taken a test yet. I bought a couple a few days ago, but they are still in a bag under the sink in our bathroom.” I bit my lip not knowing whether I should suggest we run upstairs and try one or… Truly, I didn’t know what to do at that very moment. Part of me just wanted him to rip my clothes off along with his own so he could lift me up on the counter and make me his—to prove that he still wanted me…still wanted us.

  It was like he read my mind or that I pleaded aloud for him to take me right there on the spot because the next thing I knew his clothes were coming off quickly and my dress was following suit, landing on the floor. Our hands were flying to grip each other while our mouths and bodies were colliding frantically like we had never had sex before…like we couldn’t get enough of each other. There was a desperate need to be one…a whole with no separations…no way to tell where we weren’t united…together perfectly.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jensen

  How was it possible that everything felt so different in a fucking unbelievably amazing way? Was it that the guilt was lifted from our shoulders and that we were free to be together out in the open to the entire world? Could it be the thought of her being the mother of my unborn child?

  Whatever it was, our clothes felt like a complete burden with the need to feel her skin against my body. Her lips and mouth never tasted better as I explored and tangled my tongue with hers. Moans and groans… and panting filled the air as we sprawled out on
the kitchen floor—a spot we had never christened. My hands roamed up and down, caressing every inch of her skin, careful to not miss a spot. She was mine and I had the need to claim every part of her with my fingertips and mouth.

  The flow between us was so natural and I loved the taste of her skin on my tongue. Her breathing was exciting me with her tiny gasps coming and going as I hit spots that were tenderer than others. Stroking one nipple with my hand while my mouth sucked, licked and bit the other one had her raising up as if she was asking for more or don’t stop. I would never leave her wanting without fulfilling…I would happily fill her life with bliss. Every time with us would always be as good as the first time—just as exciting!

  “Now! Please!” Her words were breathless, barely above a whisper and a bit shocking as I had never heard Ireland beg me. I wanted to tell her to be patient so I could satisfy my thirst for a sample of all of her, but at the same time I wanted to please her and mark her with my seed. My hard as a rock dick was on board, wanting to get in the heat of things…in the warmth of her.

  Moving back up her body, I placed gentle kisses and nibbles until I reached her lips. Attacking her mouth, I wished that we were anywhere but that hard floor, but it was too late, the urgency was real. Flipping our bodies so she was on top, straddling me, I raised her up and she slipped nicely onto me. Too caught up in the moment there was no time to think about sore knees, butts, backs, elbows, but once we had erupted with two simultaneous orgasms, collapsing on the floor next to her felt so unappealing.

  “Do you want to find a more comfortable spot?” Anywhere was great with Ireland, but thoughts of us rolling around in our bed rather than the hardwood floor sounded much better.

  “I’m always cozy with you…” She tucked her body into my side. “…wrapped up in your arms…against your chest.” She turned her head for a minute and then looked at me again. “I like to hear the sound of your heart beating.”

  Her words along with her bright smile nearly took my breath away and I swear my heart thumped hard against my chest so she could hear it without her ear perfectly placed. “It goes crazy when I’m near you.” I sounded sappy—something new.

  “Mine too…for you,” Ireland said quietly and I wondered what she was thinking. It seemed like she was thinking of something that maybe bothered her. It was the same look that I had seen before when we first came into the kitchen.

  “What were you thinking earlier standing at the window?” Wanting her to be honest, I didn’t attempt to get her to look at me, but let her roll slightly away from me.

  “This house…” Her arm raised up and her hand waved around. “…is what your parents wanted for your bride to be—”

  I was quick to protest. “Definitely not! They’d like me to sell it, give up my dream, and buy an apartment near them.” That was it. I couldn’t stay on the floor one more minute. Every time I tried to move to get a better view of her or caress her, my body ached and I wanted to continue our conversation and I wanted to see her clearly without wincing. So with skillful moves, I disconnected our awkward bodies, stood, and pulled Ireland up into my arms. “Time to move to our bed.”

  She didn’t fidget a bit or try to get out of my arms. Instead, she wrapped her arms around my neck and melted into my body as I walked us up the stairs to our bedroom on the second floor at the front of the house. I loved that she chatted away. “I love everything about this house—inside and out. The copper and wrought iron garden boxes on the ledges are amazing. Thank you.” That was something I had installed earlier in the day without telling her.

  “I hope the guys didn’t scare you…tell me they didn’t see you running around naked?” She laughed wildly.

  “No! It was a wonderful surprise.” We reached our room and I gently set her in the middle of the bed and crawled up next to her as she continued to talk. “I can’t wait to sit on the window seat in my office and see those colorful flowers growing…butterflies are attracted to them.” I knew that and smiled at her excitement. However, I was more excited about other opportunities in her office.

  “I can’t wait to share your desk with you…I ordered another chair…to work from home and sit across from you.” That was something that I was going to implement working my new division and I had a few other ideas that would make staying at home necessary.

  “That is so not a good idea…” She raised up on her arm to look down on me. “You’re too much of a distraction.”

  I reached up and brought her mouth down to mine and silenced her, giving her time to rethink her words and accept that we could work together. Pulling away, she shook her head and grinned. “Too much of a distraction? Is that right?” Ireland nodded and I kissed the tip of her nose. “The first time I saw you I was totally speechless. I couldn’t look away. I knew you were my ultimate dream girl. Your chestnut hair and toasted almond color eyes—”

  “—you couldn’t see my eyes, I had sunglasses on…but I know what you mean. Even with your sunglasses hiding your eyes, I knew they would be the perfect shade of darkness…my dream guy.” She placed a light kiss on my lips and stroked my face.

  “What do you want to do? Get married? Not get married and have a reception? Or no wedding and no reception? We could always postpone it too. What they have scheduled is only a few weeks away. I still can’t believe that they haven’t cancelled anything.” I shook my head, looking into my beautiful wife’s face…my arranged wife. “I’m fine with whatever you want to do with the grand festivities…but one thing we’re not postponing is, the test.”

  “It should show a positive or a negative by now.” I watched her take in a big breath and close her eyes.

  “Look at me, Ireland.” There were the eyes I loved. “You know, if we didn’t get pregnant in Vegas we may have tonight.” In the heat of the moment, we hadn’t stopped for anything.

  “Yes, that’s true. We were a little careless, no protection.” She bit her lip.

  “I’m happy either way…what about you?” I couldn’t believe I was saying those words, but I truly meant them. For whatever reason, I suddenly loved the idea of being a father…the father of Ireland’s babies.

  “If you would’ve asked me that a few weeks ago…before I met you, I would’ve said hell no! But since I moved in with you…in your house—”

  “—our house.” I corrected her and it was strange because that was the first time that I had ever heard her speak of the house as if it wasn’t ours together. She was excited the minute she walked in and she never hesitated in giving her input about decorating. I never sensed that she was uncomfortable.

  “I didn’t mean it like it isn’t ours, I just meant when I first walked through the doors of what was to become my home…is that better?” I smiled and nodded. “This wasn’t supposed to be or it wasn’t expected to be permanent. I didn’t want to give up who I was and my job…and you Mr. Playboy needed a wife or so you thought. But it changed so fast…it felt immediate.” She paused and rubbed my cheek. “So, yes, I’m looking forward to starting a family with you—now or later.”

  It was so strange…no, wrong word…it was amazing that we both felt that instant connection. I remember the first night, I offered to sleep on the couch after we had moved all of her clothes into the walk-in closet. I loved that she laughed and said that she thought we were beyond the shyness but if I was uncomfortable, I was welcome to sleep on the couch. I think it took me about two seconds to show her just how not shy I was by stripping off my clothes and encouraging her to join me.

  “I still can’t believe that you were a virgin.” Red cheeks appeared on Ireland’s gorgeous face. “You were…have been so fucking hot…amazing…no hesitations or awkwardness—” My words stilled as my chest tightened thinking that maybe I had been too rough with her…if only I had known, I thought shamefully. “I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

  “Are you kidding me? Do you not remember that night?”

  “Yes, vividly. It was as if we had been made for each other. Like we had know
n each other forever. We were so in tuned and moved with smoothness.”

  She smiled. “Exactly. It was almost as if you knew. You were careful with me—so gentle.” She stopped talking and looked a little dazed, maybe reliving it. It was worth remembering for sure. “I’m not going to lie and say that it didn’t hurt initially, but you had me so relaxed having just given me two epic orgasms with your mouth and hands…” She let out a sexy as hell sigh as her chest rose and fell with such heaviness that matched mine. “Thank you, Jensen…I love…” She bit her lip and her eyes got wide.

  I knew at that moment the right words to say. “I love you, Ireland.” She had no reason to worry that I didn’t feel exactly the same and I loved that she finished the little sentence “I love you” she had started only seconds ago. And I showed her with great precision and emotion how we fit perfectly together, melding our bodies until we were one, moving in unison. “Much better in our bed,” I whispered against her ear.

  “It doesn’t matter, everywhere is right with you, Jensen,” she breathlessly panted and I loved hearing my name on her lips.

  Epilogue

  Ireland

  Just outside the bridal room in a quaint New York chapel, I watched a couple of children, a boy and a girl, dance around in the hallway, laughing and playfully pushing each other. “Ready to walk down the aisle?” I knew that wonderful voice anywhere—it warmed my soul and often made me feel like a giddy school girl. It was even worse with my raging hormones, the further along I got.