Violet And Her Alien Matchmaker (11 page)

“Violet.”

She peered over the menu at him.

“Order whatever you want.” He smiled faintly. “I wouldn’t have brought you

here if I couldn’t afford it. For once, don’t worry what something costs and just let yourself enjoy the night. No bills, job searches, or children tonight. Just you and me, and hopefully, a pleasant dinner. Deal?”

Violet smiled and nodded. “I can do that.”

He winked at her again and went back to looking at his menu. Violet set hers down once she’d made up her mind, and when the waiter came to take their order, she was ready. It surprised her a little when Tiraz ordered a bottle of wine for the table.

She’d actually never had any before. When she’d turned twenty-one, she’d splurged on a four-pack of wine coolers, but that was the only alcohol she’d ever had. Having Simon at such a young age meant she’d missed out on some things, but she wouldn’t trade her life with her son for anything. Yes, there were things that she could have probably done differently, like applying to college and taking courses online, but she’d been too busy keeping a roof over their heads.

“You went somewhere just now,” Tiraz said. “What put that sad look on your

face?”

“I barely finished high school and never went to college. If I’d managed to get a degree, maybe our lives would have been different. Was I neglecting my son by not trying to make more of myself?”

“Violet, you are a wonderful woman. You’re strong, resourceful, and anyone can see that you love Simon more than anyone else in this world. I’ve watched you with him and you’re an excellent mother, despite your circumstances. Would a degree have made a difference in your lives? Maybe. But keep in mind that not everyone who gets a college degree goes off to make lots of money. There’s a barista at Espress Yourself that has a degree in literature. She told me there wasn’t a single job available for someone with her degree when she got out of college. There are no guarantees in life.”

“None? That’s depressing.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t have said none. There is one thing I can guarantee. If you decide to allow me into Simon’s and your life, I will be the best husband and father I know how to be. I will attend every sporting event, every school play, be there for every scrape and fall…and most importantly, I will support you in whatever you decide to do with your life. If you want to go back to school and get a degree, then I’ll help you do it.

Tuition money, someone to watch Simon, late night neck rubs while you

study…whatever you need from me, I will give you.”

Tears gathered in her eyes. “Why would you do all of that? You only met us this week and you were quite determined to remain single.”

“Because you opened my eyes to what I was missing in my life, Violet. But I

don’t want just any wife and son; I want Simon and you to be a part of my life. I’ve been happier this past week than I’ve ever been before. There’s never been anything that I wanted in my life so much that I was willing to give up everything, if it was the right thing to do, until you. When you went out with Zarin, even though I’d decided that morning I wanted you for myself, I told myself that if you wanted him, I would help you get him. I want you to be happy, Violet.”

“You do make me happy. You came into my life when I needed someone most,

and even though you were adamant about remaining a bachelor, I couldn’t help but feel that we made the perfect family. Every meal we shared, every time you took Simon to school, watching the two of you play cars or video games, it showed me that we were supposed to be together. But I didn’t think you wanted us, not in a forever kind of way.”

Tiraz looked a little uncomfortable and she almost took back the words that had spilled from her lips. Then he reached inside his jacket and pulled out a small black velvet box. He set it down on the table and cupped his hand over it.

“I bought this at the mall, knowing that I would give it to you at some point in the future. I had decided not to do it tonight because you’d asked for more time. I’m not showing you this now to put any pressure on you, but I want you to know how serious I am about having Simon and you in my life.” He opened the lid on the box and Violet gasped. “Violet, whenever you’re ready, I would be deeply honored if you would become my wife. I promise to love and protect you always and to be the dad Simon wants and needs.”

Tears streaked her cheeks as she reached for the box with a trembling hand. It was the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen and she could hardly believe he’d bought it for her. Simon already called him daddy, and Violet desperately wanted to keep Tiraz in their lives, not just for Simon, but because she’d done something stupid and fallen for him. She’d asked for time, thinking he would change his mind about keeping them around, but looking at the gorgeous ring in her hand, she knew that he didn’t plan on going anywhere.

“Tiraz, I…I’m not very good at relying on other people, even when I know I need help, but you never made me feel like you were standing over me and trying to drag me along. I’ve always felt like you were walking beside me, supporting me and yet letting me do things my way, even if you knew it was wrong. No one’s ever done that for me before, never given me the freedom to be me, and the security to fail without putting Simon in harm’s way.

“The day you brought us home, you saved us in so many ways. I was on the

verge of losing my son, of having to give him up so he could have the life I knew I could never give him. But then you came into that office and swept us out to your car and into your penthouse, welcoming us into your home and eventually your heart. I think I fell in love with you that day, even though you’d made it clear you didn’t want a wife.”

Tiraz took the box from her and pulled the ring out. He lightly grasped her left hand and held the ring poised in front of her ring finger, yet not putting it on. His gaze clashed with hers, as if asking if she were certain. As she looked into his eyes, she saw everything she’d never dared to dream she could have. He hadn’t exactly said the words, but looking in his eyes she could see his love for her.

She looked down at the ring and her hand clasped in his. If she said yes, this would be the start of a new journey, a new life. She’d have the one thing she thought she’d never have—the love of a kind, generous man, a man who wouldn’t only love her wholeheartedly, but her son as well.

“I’ll say yes on one condition,” she said, her gaze meeting his again.

“Anything.”

“Adopt Simon and make him your son legally. When we have more children, I

don’t want him to feel left out. He already thinks of you as his father, and I think you already feel like he’s your son. So I want you to make it real for both of you.” She licked her lips. “If you can’t agree to that, then I don’t think we should get married.”

His lips tipped up on one side in a half smile. “Violet, what do you think I was doing in my office the other day?”

“Working?”

His smile broadened. “I was contacting my lawyer to find out what would be

required to make Simon my son, in the event you ever agreed to marry me. I didn’t have your ring yet, but I knew I wanted to buy one. So, if that’s your only condition, consider it done. I’ll start the process as soon as we say ‘I do.’”

“I love you, Tiraz,” she said softly.

“I love you too, Violet. Both of you, very much.”

He eased the ring onto her finger then seemed to admire it a moment. When he looked at her again, she would have sworn his eyes were a little shinier than usual, as if he fought back tears. As the weight of the ring settled on her finger, she knew she’d made the right decision. There was no one in the world, this one or any other, that could ever be more perfect for her. It was as if destiny had stepped in the day he’d entered the dating agency.

“Maybe we should send Mr. Anderson a thank you,” she said.

His eyebrows lifted. “At the dating agency? But he didn’t do anything.”

“He turned me away. If he’d allowed me to sign a contract that day, we may

have met, but I never would have moved in with you. And we wouldn’t be sitting here right now.” She smiled. “So, in a way, we owe him for bringing us together.”

“I guess we do. I’ll send him a box of cigars in the morning. I draw the line at inviting him to the wedding. If I hadn’t stopped by at that exact moment, you’d have lost your son and possibly your home. It terrifies me when I think of you being homeless and Simon being shuffled off to foster care.”

Their food arrived, interrupting them, and they turned to lighter conversation as they ate. By the time they’d finished their meals, several glasses of wine, and two dances, Violet was ready to go home. The wine had gone to her head and she wasn’t sure she would be very steady on her feet.

Tiraz wrapped an arm around her waist as he escorted her outside. They waited for the car and then they headed back across town. Tiraz called Gryf and found out Simon was sleeping. His brother convinced him to leave Simon for the night, and Violet felt butterflies erupt in her stomach at the thought of being alone with her new fiancé.

At the Wyndham Towers, Tiraz swept her into his arms and carried her up to the penthouse. The door closed behind them and he locked it before setting her on her feet.

Violet swayed slightly and smiled up at him. He’d made it clear he didn’t expect anything from her, and she was nervous as hell, but she wanted to feel his hands on her body, his lips on hers. She hadn’t had sex since she was seventeen and she worried that she would be horrible at it. She’d only slept with Simon’s father a few times and didn’t have any experience to speak of. A few nights in the back of a car didn’t seem like they should count.

“Why don’t you get dressed for bed? We can watch a movie, or if you’re tired, you can turn in for the night.” Tiraz skimmed her cheek with his fingers. “I won’t ask you to move into my room until we’re married.”

She toyed with the buttons on his shirt. “I think I’ll need a little help with my dress. I’m not as coordinated now as I was when I put it on.”

His eyes darkened with desire, but he followed her down the hall to her

bedroom. The rasp of her zipper was loud in the quiet of the room. His fingers lightly caressed her back where the dress parted. Violet turned to face him, letting the dress fall down her arms and settle at her waist. With a little shimmy, it fell to the floor.

“What are you doing?” he asked softly.

“I’m trying to seduce you, but I’ve never done it before. Am I doing it wrong?”

His gaze skimmed her body. “No, you’re doing it very, very right. You don’t

have to do this though, Violet. I didn’t ask you to marry me just to get you into my bed.

Yes, I want you there, but not until you’re ready.”

She went on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his. “I’m ready,” she murmured. “I’ve wanted you since the moment I first saw you. I’ve dreamed of you every night. When I shower, I pretend it’s your hands on my body.”

Tiraz groaned and lifted her into his arms. “Not here. If we’re going to do this, I want you in my bed.”

She tensed for a moment, but it was long enough for him to notice.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. “You have something against my bed?”

“How many women have been in that bed, Tiraz? I don’t want to be just another notch on your bedpost. I want to know that when we’re together, you’re thinking of only me, and not remembering someone else who shared that bed with you.”

His gaze softened. “Violet, I’ve never taken a woman to my bed here. Very few have ever seen the inside of my home. I would go to her place or we’d rent a hotel room for the night. I promise that when you’re lying under me, I won’t be thinking of anyone but you.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“I want you to talk to me whenever you have concerns. I know this is a big step for you, and I want to make everything perfect. If you’ve changed your mind and want to wait, I’m okay with that.”

“I don’t want to wait.”

Tiraz carried her down the hall to his room and laid her gently on the bed. She watched in fascination as he removed his suit coat and draped it over a chair. The tie came off next and then he started unbuttoning his shirt. The minutes dragged by, agonizingly slow, as he removed his clothes. When he stood before her completely bare, she let her gaze take him in from the top of his head to the tips of his toes, paying a little more attention to the hard, pulsing cock that was standing proud and erect.

“I’m a little different from your males, but not much.”

Violet slid to her knees on the floor in front of him. She glanced up at him before reaching for his cock. From what she remembered, he seemed larger than a human male. There were three slits in the tip of his cock and there wasn’t a pubic hair to be seen. His cock twitched in her grasp and she leaned forward, breathing in his musky scent.

“I’ve always wanted to try this,” she murmured, right before she licked him. Her tongue dragged the length of his cock before she fitted her lips around the tip. His taste exploded on her tongue, drawing a moan from her. She’d read that sometimes men didn’t taste good when they came, but the pre-cum that coated her tongue tasted sweet.

Maybe that was unique to her sexy alien.

She savored him as she teased and tormented him with her lips and tongue.

Tiraz clenched his hands at his sides and was still as a statue. Violet sucked a little harder and he groaned before reaching for her. She’d thought he’d grab her hair, but instead he slid his hands under her arms and hauled her to her feet.

“If you keep that up, this will all be over before we’ve even begun,” he said with a sexy growl.

“I didn’t do it wrong?”

“You were perfect. Now it’s my turn to pleasure you.”

“I’ve never…” She blushed. “The few encounters I had before were more high

school flings in the back of a car. Simon’s father was always more interested in his own pleasure than mine.”

His hands skimmed her sides. “Are you telling me you’ve never come before?”

She felt her cheeks burn brighter as she shook her head. “When Simon was a