The UN Series Complete Box Set (122 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

SAMANTHA

A total of three naps, five orgasms, and ten hours later I feel the plane start to descend. I look out my window trying to catch a glimpse of anything but I don’t recognize where we are.

Then I spot something in the distance that looks familiar. “Paris?” I breathe as I stare at the Eiffel tower. I continue to look at it as it gets bigger and bigger in my window.

I blink a few times. There’s no way. It can’t be. Maybe we just need to refuel.

I’ve always wanted to go to Paris.

I look over at him when I realize he hasn’t said anything. His baby blue eyes are trained on mine, and his face is expressionless. He’s staring at me very intently and it’s already kind of unsettling. What is he thinking?

I swallow. “You brought me to Paris?” I ask again wide-eyed.

He gives me a quick nod. And I let out a breath.
Paris!
We’re honeymooning in Paris.

“Do you approve?”

My head snaps back over to look at him. “Are you serious?” I ask. “I’ve always wanted to come to Paris.”

His serious face finally breaks into a slow grin that makes him look like he’s keeping an evil secret.

“Wait?” I point my finger at him. “Did you already know that?”

He holds his hands out to his side. “You got me.”

I laugh. “How did you know?”

“I have my ways.” He winks and then comes to sit beside me as we look out the window as we fly over Paris.

We land and exit our plane and make our way to the limo that awaits us. It takes us about twenty minutes to get to our hotel. As we walk into the hotel I see a woman smiling at me.

“Bonjour,” I say excitedly as we pass by her.

Slade looks down at me. “You know French?”

I snort. “No. But everyone knows what bonjour means.”

We make our way to the registrations desk and I speak. “Bonjour.” I smile brightly.

She smiles up at me. “Bienvenue. Comment puis-je vous aider,” she says quickly.

Uh… “Si,” I respond making her frown.

Slade looks down at me with a smirk. “Si is Spanish, Angel.”

I shrug. “I know that.”

He gives me a look as if to ask ‘then why did you say it’?

“Actually,” the woman behind the counter gets our attention with a thick accent, “si in French means ‘if’.”

“Well there,” I say giving him a satisfied smile. At least it means something.

He shakes his head as he gives her his name and confirmation number. I take a look around at the beautiful hotel.

Its high ceilings and beautiful paintings make it look very historical. The walls are a dark brown with murals painted directly onto them. The sitting area in the main lobby has high-back chairs that are the color of liquid gold.

“Here you go,” she says getting my attention and handing me a pamphlet. “This will help you with your French.”

“Oh Lord help us,” Slade mumbles with a smirk.

I smile brightly ignoring him. “Thank you.”

She nods her head, and he steers us toward the direction of the elevators. I flip through the pamphlet and catch a few words that I already know from watching the cooking channel.

“Is that thing useful?” Slade asks as we make our way up to our floor.

“Not for you it won’t be. The word
fuck
is nowhere in here,” I say in all seriousness.

“Cute,” he says dryly.

The elevator dings, and I follow him out of it and down the hallway. I run into his back not paying attention because my focus is on the pamphlet.

I giggle when he picks me up, cradling me in his arms once again. “I could get use to this,” I say as we enter the suite.

He sets me down and smacks my ass. “You have ten minutes before we are heading back out,” he calls out as he retrieves our bags.

*****

“Where we going?” I ask. We are back downstairs standing in the lobby once again.

He looks down at the map in his hands. “It’s called Lover’s Bridge.”

“Hmm. Sounds sexy.”

“It’s supposed to be romantic,” he mumbles as he tries to read the map. “Are you fluent in French yet?” he asks like that’s a possibility.

“No.” I roll my eyes.

“Where is your pamphlet?” He looks down to me.

“Why?”

“Because this is all in French and I don’t know French.” He says as he tilts the map to the side as if that’s going to help him read it better.

I roll my eyes before I walk over to the front desk and ask the nice lady for directions to Lover’s Bridge.

I thank her and go hand them to him.

He nods with a smile as he looks over it and starts to read parts of it aloud. I pull my phone out and start snapping pictures of the inside of the hotel Then I take a few steps back and snap some of him as he looks down at the map.

I turn around where my back is to him and snap a picture of me smiling, while he continues to look over the map behind me. I need to let our friends and family know we made it, so I shoot them a quick message.

“Ah ha,” Slade says folding up the map. “I know where we need to go.”

I smile. “Okay. Lead the way.”

He hails a carriage ride for us and tells the man our destination. I cuddle up next to him as we take in our surroundings.

We make our way to the bridge, and I gasp when I realize what it is. “Oh my God, I’ve heard of this,” I exclaim looking at all the locks.

“You have?”

I nod my head. “You’re supposed to place a lock in the fence and then throw the key into the water.” I pick one up and see it reads
Jenni & Jacob 2009
. “They are beautiful.”

I turn to face Slade. “We should go buy a lock and do it.”

He steps up placing his body against mine. He smiles and then he places his hand into his front pocket of his jeans. He lifts his hand up to me, and he’s holding a lock in it.

I reach up and take it into my hands. I run my thumb over the engraving on it.

Angel & Slade

I flip it over to read the back.

To our forever 2014

“Slade,” I whisper as tears fill my eyes. “You had this done for us?” I ask.

“I had it done for you.” He lifts my chin so I look up at him. “I told you once I wanted to shout to the world how much I love you.” He points down to the lock that sits in my hands. “This is just one more chance I have to do that.”

I smile through the tears and sniff. He takes my hand. “Let’s place it on the fence somewhere.”

We walk a little ways until we are in the very middle of the bridge. I point to an open spot, and he looks down to me. “You sure that’s where you want it?”

I nod. It’s perfect.

He reaches in his back pocket pulling out his phone. He starts to look around like he’s looking for someone particular.

He stops an older woman as she walks by. “Will you take a picture?” He reaches out his phone.

I smile. He’s too cute.

She frowns as she looks down at his phone; confused.

“Bonjour,” I say happily, and Slade rolls his eyes. “Allez-vous prendre une photo?”
Will you take a photo?
I ask.

He then arches his eyebrows. “You said you weren’t fluent?”

“I’m not,” I say taking his phone and handing it to her. “It was in the pamphlet.”

The woman happily takes a photo as we place our lock into the fence and snap it shut. We turn to face her as I hold out our lock, that way it stands out in the picture. After she nods I go to turn away but Slade grabs me by the arms and leans down pressing his lips to mine. I lean into him and wrap my arms around his neck as his tongue enters my mouth. It’s soft and slow, his lips and tongue working with mine. I lift up to my tiptoes and place my hands in his hair. He moans in my mouth as his hands wander up and down my back, pulling me closer into him.

He slows the kiss down and pulls away. I look over to the woman to make sure she didn’t run off with his phone, only to catch her staring at us wide-eyed. Her hand still holds his phone out pointed at us.

I straighten my shirt. “Merci,”
Thank you.
I say sweetly.

She gets a shy smile on her face as she looks over at Slade, and he chuckles.

“Merci,” she says back before handing the phone to me.

“Did she just tell you thank you?” Slade asks confused.

“Yep,” I say looking down at his phone.

“Why would she say ‘thank you’ and not ‘you’re welcome’?” he wonders aloud.

“Probably because you made her horny,” I state.

He wraps an arm around me and smiles. “Possibly,” he jokes. Then he pulls a set of keys out of his pocket. “Here.” He pulls one of the keys off of the key ring and hands me the small key.

“What about the other one? Are you going to throw it?”

He shakes his head. “I wanna keep the other one,” he states. “You can throw that one.”

I smile as I turn around and look out over the bridge. I throw the key and then lean over the railing as I look down to the water. I don’t even see where the key goes it’s so small.

“You’re stuck with me forever,” he says, and I smile. “How does it feel?”

I push my hair off of my shoulder and look up to the sky as if in thought. After a few seconds I look him straight in the eyes and tell him the truth. “Like the best thing in the world.”

*****

SLADE

“Is it ready?” I ask, talking on my phone quietly.

Tate sighs. “It will be by the time you get back. You’ve only been gone three days.”

“Why do you sound like I’m bothering you?” I ask looking out our living room window at the Eiffel tower from our hotel suite. We went there today but I must say it’s much more beautiful lit up at night.

“Because you are,” he states. “Do you even know what time it is here?”

“No. Now ask me if I care.”

He huffs, “Well I do. I’m in bed, and I’m not alone. So don’t take any offense to this, but I’m hanging up.”

The line goes dead, and I chuckle. I open up the gallery to see the two pictures the lady took of us on the bridge our first day here. After the second picture she somehow videotaped us kissing. And I’m not gonna lie. It looks like it’s straight out of a movie. Angel looks beautiful, and the way she touches me, the way her body reacts to mine, it’s unexplainable.

“Baby?” I close the video and spin around to see her standing right outside of the bedroom to our suite. Completely naked and ready for her husband to make love to her again.

“Yes, Angel?”

She gives me a sleepy smile. “What are you doing in here?”

I hold up my phone. “I had to make a phone call.”

Her brow scrunches. “This late?”

I nod before tossing my phone down onto the chair sitting next to the window. “Work related,” I say with a small smile. “Come here.” I lift my left hand and motion for her to come to me.

She rubs her sleepy eyes before she starts to make her way over to me. Once she gets close I reach out and wrap grab her pulling her into me. I wrap my arms around her soft body.

“Come to bed,” she whispers into my chest.

I lift her up into my arms and carry her back to the bedroom with plans to do some very naughty things to her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

SAMANTHA

“Wake up.” I feel my body shake as I start to wake. We’ve arrived back from Paris late last night, and I already miss it. There wasn’t a place that we didn’t see while there for our honeymoon. I hope to go back and visit again soon.

“Stop,” I say hoarsely, my voice rough from sleeping. I reach up and push Slade’s arms off of me. I roll over onto my side as I pull the covers up over my face to hide the sunlight.

“Not today, Angel. It’s time to get up,” I hear him say before the covers are ripped off of my body.

I turn to face him with a hard look on my face. “I want to sleep in,” I say like a child.

He shakes his head with a smile on his face. “We have somewhere to be. Get up.” He slaps my ass, and I let out a sigh. Somewhere to be. Where could that be?

I can tell by his damp hair that he has already showered, and he’s dressed in a pair of loose fitting jeans and white fitted t-shirt. I place my feet on the floor and walk to the bathroom. I turn on the shower and start to step in when he grabs my arm. “We don’t have time for that,” he says leaning over and turning the water off.

“Slade,” I say stomping my foot. “I have to get ready if we are going somewhere.”

He shake his head. “Just get dressed.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Why are we in such a rush?”

“Because everyone is waiting on us.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “At least let me put on some makeup,” I say as I go to walk around him.

He laughs. “Just get dressed. You don’t need any makeup, Angel.” He places his hands in my hair and holds it back off of my face. “You look just as gorgeous without it as you do when you wear it.” He releases his right hand from my hair and runs his knuckles across my cheek. “I love getting to feel your soft skin, kissing your lips without having to wear half of your lipstick.” I giggle.

“Plus,” he adds, “When you cry, your mascara runs.” He smirks.

My eyes go big. “Is that your subtle way of telling me I’m going to cry today?”

He looks down to my belly and sighs. Yeah, I know, it’s almost a guarantee that I cry over something daily. “Just get dressed.” He spins me around and starts to push me to the closet. I give up the fight and throw on a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt, and throw my hair into a high ponytail.

I throw on my sunglasses as I grab my purse, and we are out the door. “Where are we headed?” I ask looking out the window recognizing that we are headed to downtown. He just gives a smirk as he keeps his eyes on the road. I roll my eyes and reach over turning the radio up loudly to drown out my thoughts.

He slows down and pulls off at the Main Street exit. This is the same road Larry’s is on but he turns in the other direction. I sit up straighter in my seat. The girls and I come down here often to go shopping. Anything you could possibly want is located here.

Slade slows down and pulls in front of a white building that sits on the corner. It has glass double doors. “This place is closed, Slade,” I observe, looking over at him.

“Yep,” he answers with a smile.

I frown but get out of the car after him. I follow him up to the door, and he turns the knob allowing the door to open.

“Slade.” I grab his wrist trying to stop him from entering. “We can’t go in there. This is trespassing.” I don’t care if the door was unlocked or not.

“Come on.” He ignores my pleas and pulls me through the door. He closes it behind us and the only light in the room is coming through the glass doors behind us.

I stay quiet as he pulls me through the large empty building. He takes me down a hallway and then into a new room. This room seems to be bigger even though it’s hard to see. “Wait here,” he says then releases my hand.

I can hear him to my left as if he’s looking for something. Then I hear a click followed by the light coming on.

“SURPRISE!”

I jump back placing my hand over my frantically beating heart. “What the hell is going on?” I ask shocked and confused by the appearance of Tate, Missy, Courtney, Josh, and Parker.

“They all wanted to be a part of this.”

I look over at Slade as he speaks. He has a shy smile on his face and his hands are in his pockets letting me know he’s nervous about whatever
this
is.

I start to go over the date in my head. It’s not our anniversary, my birthday, or his birthday. So why is everyone here?

“I don’t understand,” I say still trying to catch my breath.

“I knew you wouldn’t get it.” Parker laughs.

Courtney reaches over and slaps his chest.

“She’s not supposed to,” Slade says coming back to stand by me. “That’s why it’s a surprise.”

I narrow my eyes on Parker.
He’s such a dick.

I place my hands on my hips. “Then explain it.”

Slade pulls a piece of paper out of his back pocket and places it in my hands. I slowly open it up to look at it.

As I read over it I realize it’s the deed to this building and it has Samantha Marie Long written in place of owner. “You bought this?” I ask confused.

He nods and takes my hands. “I bought it for you.” He smiles.

“Uh...” I want to ask why but that would make me sound like a bitch. “I don’t understand,” I decide is the best choice of words.

“I overheard you telling Missy about your dream, Angel. I don’t want to come between that. I want to make all of your dreams come true.” He takes his hands and gestures to the room filled with some of our friends. “This building is all yours to start up your dream.”

I stand there staring at him as tears start to slide down my cheeks.

Did he really buy me a building to start a bakery business?

“Slade,” I say quietly. “I can’t do this…” I try to say, but I can’t say the words. I want to do this. I want to live the dream that my mother and I had.

“I’m going to quit the bank,” Courtney declares.

“What?” I ask mesmerized.

She smiles. “I worked as an event planner for three years. And you, my friend, are going to need one for your demanding baking career.”

My eyes move from hers to Josh. He even has a smile on his face, as if he doesn’t care what she does.

“I’ve been looking for a job,” Missy says coming to me. “That is if you want me.”

I nod my head not really understanding what is happening.

“I’m not much of a baker,” Parker speaks up, “But I can be your taste tester.” He slaps his belly.

“I will help in any way I can.” Tate nods with a straight face.

I take a few steps back from everyone and turn to Slade. I feel lost. I feel overwhelmed. What in the hell is happening.

“Don’t you see, Angel?” He takes my hands in his. “I want to make all of your dreams come true.”

*****

SLADE

This is not going how I had planned. She looks terrified. “You can sell it if you want.” Maybe she doesn’t want to own a bakery.

She spins her body to face me, and she lets out a long breath. “Are you crazy?” Her voice higher than usual. “This is wonderful!” She gives me a slow smile. “This is my dream, Slade.” She turns away from me and looks at everyone. “And I want all of you to be a part of it.”

With that the tears come, just like I figured they would. She starts up a conversation with the girls about decorating it and the colors she wants to paint the walls. I lean back against a wall with a smile on my face as Josh approaches me. “You have to stop coming up with all these great surprises. You’re making me look bad.”

I laugh. “I told you to up your game.”

“At least you guys have game,” Parker states looking at Tate. “You should have seen the girl Tate brought home last night.” He chuckles. “The bitch wasn’t there for ten minutes before she went running out the door.”

Tate rolls his eyes. “What did you do to her Tate? Leave the lights on?”

“She wanted to do something I wasn’t willing to do.” He shrugs casually.

Micah places his hand on Parker’s shoulder. “You should have escorted her to Parker’s room. He likes anal play.”

We all burst out laughing.

“Shut up,” Parker snaps. “Don’t knock it until you try it.”

“I’m never going to try it.” Tate shakes his head quickly.

“It’s not like I like strap-ons or anything,” he huffs crossing his arms over his chest.

I laugh. “So you’ve tried them?”

Parker glares at me. “No…”

“I’m totally buying you one for your birthday,” Josh says slapping him on the shoulder.

We all continue laughing as the girls come over to join us. “What’s so funny?” Courtney asks eyeing Josh.

He shakes his head. “Just making fun of Parker.”

We all turn our head when we hear the front door to the store open. “Who else is coming?” Angel asks.

I shake my head. “No one that I know of.” Micah and Holly wanted to be here but Holly’s dad had asked Micah to help him with painting something. Perks of having a son-in-law, her dad had said.

“That’s my ride,” Missy says softly.

We all turn to look down at her and see her watching the floor. She has still been acting very distant.

“Ready to go, Missy?”

I’m not surprised to see Braxton as he walks in and speaks to Missy. What does surprise me is the ‘go to hell’ look he shoots over at Tate.

Why is Braxton mad at Tate? He’s the one with the girl.

“What are you doing here?” Parker inquires, surprised by his brother’s appearance.

Braxton stands next to Missy and looks at his brother. “I dropped her off earlier and went to run some errands.” He then looks down at Missy. “Are you not ready to go?”

She nods slowly before she looks up at Angel. I frown when I see her eyes are full of tears.
What the fuck is going on?
“If you need help with anything, I will be here to help you,” she says straightening her shoulders. Her eyes glance over at Tate for the briefest moment before they are back looking at Angel.

She smiles and pulls her in for a hug. “Thank you. I would love to have your help,” Angel says then pulls away.

Missy waves to everyone before she turns and walks out with Braxton right behind her.

“Well, that wasn’t awkward,” Courtney says as she turns to glare at Tate.

“Why are you staring at me?” he asks throwing his hands up. “I was nice.”

Courtney snorts. “Nice? You didn’t say two words.”

“I know. That was me being nice.” He nods to himself. “I could have punched Braxton. But what good would that have done?”

“Why would you punch Braxton?
You
broke the poor girl’s heart. You can’t blame his brother.” She motions with her thumb to Parker. “Can he Parker?”

“Don’t get me involved. I don’t know what is going on between the two of them.”

The room settles with a silence, and I pull Angel into me. With her chest pressed up against mine she looks up to me with a big smile. “Thanks for this, baby. I can’t wait to get started.”

“It’s going to be great,” I say knowing that’s the truth.

She pulls away when she feels my phone vibrate in my front pocket. I pull it up to see that it’s an email. I quickly pocket my phone when I see it’s from
Miller
—my old friend I had hired to dig around information for me on Tate.

“Who was it?” she asks tilting her head to the side.

I clear my throat. “It was an email that’s work related,” I tell her.

“Who’s hungry?” Courtney asks taking the attention off of me. “Because I’m starving.”

Angel laughs and looks at her. “I am.”

“You two always want to eat.” Parker sighs heavily.

Angel reaches out and slaps him in the stomach. “And you always want to drink or get laid,” she says with a smile.

He nods. “True,” as we all head to the door.