Smolder (14 page)

“Well,
sometimes family isn’t about blood. I truly believe that in this life family is
what you make it,” Zayne grumbled bitterly as he rolled his beer bottle in his
hands. I looked over to Jessie who just shook her head sadly and my curious
mind couldn’t help but wonder what he was talking about.

“Well
I for one am happy to have you in mine, Zayne,” Everleigh stated and I saw the
corner of his mouth twitch in response and for a moment I thought he might
smile. Zayne could be a grumpy prick at times but he really seemed to genuinely
like Everleigh ever since he met her, although it was impossible not to like
her.

“Thanks,
Everleigh,” Zayne answered.

“To
family, whoever they may be,” Dan stated, raising his glass in a salute. We all
raised our drinks and cheered our last toast of the night.

“So,
listen everyone, I hate to talk about work stuff right now but since I have all
of you in the same room right now, I just want to remind you all about the
first annual Rebel Records Christmas party in two weeks,” Jessie stated. “This
is a very high profile event and we have members of the media coming in full
force as well as a few new acts that we’re
this close
to signing. This
event is a big networking opportunity for us and I expect you all to be there
in formal attire ready to wow the press.”

“Wow,
I didn’t know that being signed to Rebel Records meant we had to perform for
the maddening crowds in monkey suits,” Jagger said in a cocky tone, who had
been noticeably silent for most of the evening.

My
eyes flicked to him and I glared daggers until he smiled at me and turned back
to Jessie. Kris was glaring at him as well and he moved like he wanted to speak
but Jessie placed her hand on his arm and stopped him.

“This
is the first event like this we’ve ever had and this is important to the
success of this label, Jagger. I’ve pretty much given you creative control over
what kind of music you want to make and I make sure to schedule all appearances
and tours around your lives, unlike Bulldoze. This is the first time I’ve ever
insisted you be at an event for this label and if you don’t want to be a part
of that, you’re more than welcome to go back to being a puppet for the Twin
Dickheads,” Jessie stated sternly. “You’re choice.”

Everyone
was staring at Jagger as he rolled his eyes and laughed. “God, calm down, Jess,
I was kidding. I’ll be there. We’ve got the new album coming out next summer
and we need to start playing to the press, I know, I know.”

I
saw Jude tense next to me and knew he was just as irritated with Jagger as I
was. Jagger used to be pretty cool but lately he was becoming a walking douche
bag. Jesus, did this guy ever know when to shut up?

“Good,”
Jessie stated, and continued to remind us of what we needed to do leading up to
the event. After all the details had been worked out, I was beginning to feel
sleepy from the massive amounts of turkey I’d consumed and I yawned.

“You
getting tired already, kid?” Beau asked me. “It’s still pretty early in the
evening, even for you.”

“Yeah
well, eating turkey is like shooting me with an elephant dart,” I laughed.
“Besides, Jude and I barely dropped off our luggage at the house before we came
here so I guess the day is just catching up to me.”

“Aw,
well, you should go home and get some rest,” Beau stated. “Jude, make sure she
takes her ass to bed.”

I
snickered to myself, thinking,
Oh, he’ll make sure I’m in bed all right
.

Jude
smiled and answered, “Yes, sir. I’ll slip her a roofie if I have to.”

“Oh
shut up, Jude,” I said, laughing as I stood up and rounded the table to meet
Beau, who was already standing. I hugged him and said, “Good night, big
brother. Happy Thanksgiving.”

He
hugged me back and replied, “Yeah, Happy Thanksgiving to you too, kid.” When I
pulled back, he was smiling but there was something in his eyes that looked
curious. I could tell he wanted to ask me something but thankfully whatever was
on his mind he let it go. I said my goodbyes to everyone and thankfully Jude
and I left Ryder and Everleigh’s house as quickly as possible without it
looking suspicious.

Thankfully
we didn’t have a far drive ahead of us because Jude could hardly keep his hands
on the steering wheel as I rubbed him between his legs, his length swelling
with need. As soon as we got home, he pulled the car into the garage and barely
put it in park before he was pulling me across the seat and kissing me stupid
before carrying me into our house. As soon as we went inside, he carried me to
my room and immediately the clothes started flying.

As
he removed my bra and tossed it to the floor, he leaned in and kissed my neck
before whispering against my skin, “What do you think about redecorating my
room?”

I
giggled and looked at him, answering, “I hardly think this is the time to talk
about room makeovers and home décor, big guy.”

“I’m
serious, Sadie. What about making my room into ‘our room’?”

“Really?”
I asked him. “That’s like…your room, your man cave. I don’t think I’ve ever
really been inside it before.”

Jude
smiled at me as he backed us to the bed. “And I haven’t really been inside it
in months unless I’m getting dressed, but we’re married now, princess, so I
think it’s time we sleep in the same room.”

“Jude,
we already sleep in the same room,” I stated with a chuckle.

“You
know what I mean,” he replied.

I
sighed and smiled at him. “I do, and you know what? I think it’s a great idea.
If you want us to redo your bedroom and make it ours I’m okay with that.”

“Yeah?”

I
nodded. “Of course. I will agree to anything that allows me to shop. Besides,
my room is smaller and you have a much bigger closet than I do so that means
I’ll have plenty of room now for that new wardrobe you bought me.”

“Always
seeing the silver lining, aren’t you? Then it’s settled, tomorrow we’re
officially moving in together,” Jude said, leaning in to kiss my neck.

I
tossed my head back and sighed in pleasure, mumbling, “Uh huh, tomorrow,” as he
laid me back on the bed and we spent the last night in my room getting lost in
each other.

Two
weeks later, it was officially December and it was also the night of Rebel
Records Christmas party. After spending the morning in bed with Jude, I’d
finally gotten up and headed to the salon. I needed to look amazing that night
so I decided to trade in my rocker-chick look for something a little more
sultry so when I had my hair done, I decided to have my signature pink and
purple lowlights taken out. Thankfully, my stylist was able to do that without
ruining my hair and when I was finished, I was left with my regular snowy
blonde hair with a few dark brown lowlights added. It was different but I
thought it looked sexy as hell and I hope Jude liked it.

I’d
also chosen to wear a dress that was a little more classy and demure than I
normally would have chosen but I knew Jude would be drooling when he saw me in
it. I bought a floor length black gown with a black lace overlay that hugged my
hips and flowed out at the bottom and it had thin spaghetti straps and was
completely backless. It was beautiful yet just sexy enough to look classy…the
exact look I was going for.

As
soon as I got back from the salon, I immediately got dressed and was putting on
my jewelry when I heard Jude walking through the house, calling out, “Sadie,
are you ready yet? The limo should be here any minute!”

I
slid on a silver bracelet and grabbed the little silk bag I kept my wedding
rings tucked into and slid them into my clutch…I never went anywhere without
them.

“On
my way!” I called back, walking out of our room. As soon as I saw him in the
living room and my eyes landed on him in his tuxedo I almost started drooling. He
was walking toward me and when he looked up and saw me, he stopped dead in his
tracks and his mouth dropped open.

I
spun around, showing off my dress. “You like?”

Jude
nodded and swallowed hard. “My God you’re beautiful,” he replied, holding his
arms open. I willingly walked into them and sighed happily as he wrapped his
big, sculpted arms around me and held me close.

“Thank
you big guy,” I replied. “You know, you don’t look bad yourself.”

“Oh
yeah?” he asked as he kissed the top of my head.

“Of
course. I’ve always thought you looked sexy in a suit,” I answered.

He
twirled a lock of my hair in his fingers, careful not to mess it up. “You
changed your hair.”

“Do
you like it?”

“I
love it,” he answered with a thick throaty groan.

“Really?
You’re not just saying that because you secretly hate it but don’t want to hurt
my feelings?”

Jude
answered my question by silencing me with a deep, passionate kiss. When he
broke away and left my head spinning, he sighed deeply and said, “You know,
this is going to be a long night not being able to touch you and hold you in my
arms.”

“I
know, but at least this is the last night we’ll have to keep this to
ourselves.”

“You’re
serious?”

“I
think it’s time we told everyone, Jude, I really do, but just not tonight. I
was thinking we could go and talk to everyone tomorrow, starting with Beau.”

He
sighed and said, “Are you sure, Sadie?”

“Of
course I am,” I answered. “I wouldn’t say it if I wasn’t.”

“I
know, but I just love you so much and I want to be able to tell the world that
I’m married to the most incredible woman on earth. We’ve been lying to everyone
for over two weeks and I just want to make sure you’re really ready to do this,
for whatever might happen.”

I
shifted in his arms and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I know, Jude, but I
promise that I’m ready. Tonight’s not just Rebel Records’ Christmas party, but
it’s also about showing support for Jess and the amazing job she’s doing. I
just don’t want anything to take away from her big night and if anyone at the
party over hears us talking about me being Mrs. Miller the shit will surely hit
the fan.”

Jude
was quiet for a moment before asking, “You promise that tonight is it?”

“Cross
my heart. I love you,” I answered, winking at him.

Jude
sighed again and smiled at me. “I love you too, princess.” He kissed me quickly
before releasing me. “Are you ready to go? I think the car will be here any
minute.”

“Yeah,
just let me get my coat,” I replied, walking to the coat closet and opening it.
I pulled out Jude’s coat along with mine and handed it to him. He slipped it on
quickly and just as I was about to slide my arm into mine, he grabbed it and
held it out for me. “Allow me, Mrs. Miller,” he said, grinning.

I
smiled widely as I pulled my hair to the side and let Jude help me into my
coat.

“Thank
you, hubby.”

“Do
you have your rings?”

I
held up my clutch and lightly shook it, my rings lightly jingling inside.

“You
know I’d never leave without them,” I replied. I was about to pull his lips to
mine but before I could, someone rang the buzzer at the front gate. I groaned
and we both looked at the security cameras and saw our limo driver waiting.
Jude pressed the button to open the gates and he took my hand before we walked
out of our house together.
Just one more night to get through
, I thought
to myself. Tomorrow I can finally tell the world how much Jude and I love each
other. I just hoped that by gaining a husband I didn’t lose my brother.

After
a short but comfortable ride in the limo, we arrived at Oasis Golf Club &
Conference Center and joined a line of limousines waiting to let out the event
guests. I peeked out the window and judging from the outdoor décor, I was
certain the party inside the venue was going to be beautiful. There were
beautiful leafless trees decorated with white Christmas lights lining the red
carpet that had been laid out especially for the event. As soon as our limo was
stopped in front of the red carpet, I was about to move toward the door before
Jude stopped me by grabbing my hand.

He
gently lifted it to his lips and placed a light kiss on the back of my hand.
“This is going to be a long night but just remember, you’re mine when we get
home,” he stated, sending shivers down my spine. “Hell, you’ll be lucky if you
make it out of the limo with your clothes still on.”

I
cocked an eyebrow and grinned.

“Feeling
pretty cocky, huh? What makes you think it’ll be that easy to get into my
panties tonight?”

Taking
the hand he was still holding, he moved it between his legs and I felt his
semi-hard dick twitch beneath my fingers.

“Because
this is the one thing I know you can’t resist,” he answered, smiling at me.

I
gave my favorite part of his anatomy a light squeeze and I replied, “Well you
are right about that.”

“I
love you, wife,” he whispered before lightly kissing my lips.