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“I need you to come for me.”
The words washed over me, and finally, I let go. A second later, I was flying in his arms to my second orgasm of the night. It was unprecedented. The pleasure went on and on. Stars burst behind my eyelids. My muscles ached with the release of pent-up tension.
He thrust twice more before settling in deep and groaning out his release. He held me tight to him, not moving. It was as if he didn’t want to let go of me, either.
With a kiss to my lips, he pulled out and went to the bathroom to take care of the condom. The overhead fan spun slowly, sending goose bumps over my cooling skin.
I felt bereft with him gone. I probably should have felt regret, but instead, I felt sated. Like I’d indulged in the most decadent piece of chocolate. I couldn’t feel anything but satisfied with my decision.
When Nick returned, we slipped under the sheets, and he drew me to him. With an arm banded around my waist, he kissed my temple and said one word, “Stay.”
Three
ABBY
Iraised my champagne glass to my business partners, Lily, who owned Petals, Sophie, owner of Sophie’s Sweets, and Gia, the mastermind behind the wedding planning service Happily Ever Afters.
Gia smiled brilliantly, looking put together as always in a pencil skirt, blazer, and button-down silk shirt. “To our first wedding as joint entrepreneurs.”
Smiling, we clinked glasses and sipped the bubbly liquid. I’d never thought of myself as an entrepreneur before, even if that’s exactly what I was.
I’d started a photography business because it allowed me to set my schedule when Hunter was little. It had slowly built over the years, and it paid the bills, but I hadn’t experienced exponential growth. Excitement swirled in my gut because this partnership with Gia’s wedding planning service had serious potential to change Hunter’s and my lives.
Lily tilted her blonde head to the side. “Our first wedding together even though they’re our friends—Savannah and Ethan’s—and it went smoothly.”
Not for the first time, I hoped no one saw me leave with the best man, Nick. We hadn’t exactly been discreet. I only checked once to make sure no one needed me before escaping with him to spend the night in a hotel room nearby.
Gia tapped a finger on her chin. “I ran through the night in my mind, and everything went smoothly. The thing is, we all acted as wedding planners that night. You weren’t just a florist, a baker, or a photographer. We helped each other out and acted when necessary. Sophie stepped in and handled the groom’s surprise gift before the wedding.”
“It wasn’t just me. Abby assisted,” Sophie said, cradling her champagne glass in her hands.
Gia pointed a finger at Lily. “And Lily stayed for the ceremony and reception, even though her job was done when the cake was delivered safely to the reception.”
Lily’s brow furrowed. “It’s what anyone would do in our situation.”
Gia shook her head. “Not everyone. Any florist I hire sets up and leaves before the wedding starts.”
I tilted my head to the side, considering her. “But this is different. We’re a partnership. We work together.”
“And because of that, I don’t feel right offering you a percentage of the packages.” Gia’s lips drew into a determined line.
“The idea is that you’re procuring the clients. We don’t need to advertise or market. You bring them to us.” It was amazingly easy, stress free, and an additional income stream for me.
Gia shook her head. “If everyone is going to continue to stay and help, then I want to give you a percentage of the planning fees.”
“We shouldn’t—” Lily began.
“This is what I want to do,” Gia said with determination.
“Savannah and Ethan are our friends, and you already charged them a reduced fee,” I continued even though I had a feeling Gia rarely changed her mind.
Gia handed out paperwork to us. “Going forward, I’ll split my wedding planning fees with you. Any one of us can refer a client. We’re equal partners.”
We each read over it. Gia had clearly given it a lot of thought to have her attorneys at Arrington, Gannon & Winters draft a new contract.
Sophie picked up a pen and signed her name to the original contract on Gia’s desk. “If this is what you want, then I’m fine with it.
Lily and I signed under Sophie’s name while Gia poured a second glass of Cava.
