31. Greer

CHAPTER 31

GREER

Our plane touched down shortly after seven, marking the official end of our trip. I was somewhat sad that our adventure had ended, but my new reality was not the same as when we left. Instead of going home alone, I returned with the love of my life.

Austin turned on his phone for the first time in days as the sound of multiple notifications began to fill the air. He scanned them, then simply turned the ringer off, and pocketed his phone. "I'm not ready to deal with any of that."

"I'm sure I have a million waiting on me, but I think I'll just turn mine off until tomorrow."

He reached over and tucked a finger into the collar of my shirt before pulling me into a kiss. I could definitely get used to this kind of treatment.

After a quick goodbye to my flight crew, we descended the steps onto the tarmac. Making my way to the waiting car, Austin followed a few paces behind. Turning, I looked at him.

"What's wrong?"

He looked at me with a questioning gaze. "Are we going home together? Or am I going back to the condo with Dreamboat?"

I closed the distance between us until I stood only inches from him. The now-familiar late day scent of him filled my head, making me smile. "Where do you want to go?"

"With you," he said, running a finger down my cheek. "Always with you. Wherever that may be."

I skated my fingers around his neck and pulled his mouth to mine for a kiss. When I pulled back, I looked him in the eyes. "That's exactly where I want to be. With you, wherever that may be. I thought I made that clear."

He bit his bottom lip and looked at me. "We were living a fantasy down there. I pushed you into marrying me, and I thought you might need some space to get used to all this."

I dropped our bags on the ground and pulled him close to drive my meaning home. "Let me be clear. I've had fourteen years' worth of space, and that was fourteen years too much. So, unless you're having second thoughts, we're rock solid, baby. Just like my defensive line."

Austin smiled down at me. "Okay. Just had to make sure. You mind stopping by the condo on the way?"

I kissed him quickly before releasing him. "Absolutely. Let's go."

Grabbing his hand, I wasn't taking any chances with him. I knew it would take some time for him to be completely secure with me, and I had no problem reassuring him how much he meant to me.

The twenty-minute drive to the condo was filled with logistics. "How soon can you move all your stuff to my penthouse?"

Austin smiled over at me as he drove my Jaguar across town. "I guess I could do it tomorrow. Is that soon enough?"

I shrugged. "I suppose. Is there any reason we couldn't pack a suitcase or two tonight and take it with us? You know, lessen the load."

When he pulled up to a stoplight, I watched my handsome new husband's face break into a smile. "You're concerned about my load?"

He had no idea how badly I wanted to spend the day with him naked in my bed. "I mean, technically, we're still on our honeymoon, and I don't plan to go in tomorrow." I shifted so I could run my hand up his thigh. "Plus, I kinda have this fantasy about doing some really dirty things to you in our bed."

Austin stared at me until the car behind us blew their horn. His jaw tightened as he glared menacingly into the rearview mirror. "Okay, fucker," he muttered through gritted teeth to the guy behind us.

He hit the accelerator and made a right at the next block. "We'll pack it all tonight, then get dinner. We're gonna need our strength."

I ran my hand up to his very erect shaft. "One bag will do tonight. And we'll order in. It's faster."

He grunted when I gave it a little squeeze. "Even better. And stop that if you don't want to get us arrested for fucking in the car."

I smiled to myself, then sat back.

Mission accomplished.

Austin parked on the street in front of the building. "Wait for me," he said as he climbed out of the car. I watched as he walked around, eyeing our surroundings, then reached for the door.

The soft click of the door opening had me staring into the outstretched left hand of my new bodyguard husband. It was my favorite hand and made me grin like a loon as I took it.

"I'm not a celebrity who needs protection, and I can get out of the car without assistance, sweetheart. I do it all the time."

He laced our fingers together as he dug out his keys from his pocket. Walking me to the door, he leaned in to speak quietly. "You're a celebrity in this town, and you have a pending lawsuit. Plus, you're my husband. Did you think I wouldn't protect you? That's my job, baby."

More smiling like a damn loon. I guess he had a point. "I see your point."

Austin unlocked the door to the lobby, then led me up the single flight of stairs to the first condo that sat above street level. Sliding the key into the lock, he listened before opening the door.

"What's wrong?" I whispered.

He shook his head. "Nothing. Just making sure Dreamboat isn't entertaining anyone. He's a noisy fucker."

I chuckled at his assessment of his friend as he opened the door. But when we stepped inside, we got quite a surprise.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Austin yelled before slapping his hand over my eyes and banging my head against the door. With his body pressed to mine, not being able to see the show wasn't so bad.