37. Greer

CHAPTER 37

GREER

If I'd known pouring my heart out to Austin on paper would have made him this hot for me, I would have mailed them years ago. The biggest part of me thought he'd never accept my apology, and all those feelings would have been only cathartic for me. But I'd never been so happy to be wrong in my life.

In the two days since he'd started reading them, we'd had sex all over the penthouse. The shower, the kitchen, on the terrace by the fire, on the sofa in the living room, and now in the soaking tub overlooking the city. And I was not complaining.

"This might not be a good idea," Austin groaned. "What if the police show up?"

I grinned to myself, then leaned into him to change my angle of entry. "You love danger. And you lost the bet."

My husband let out a low guttural groan as I turned on the massager. It took a bit before he could speak. "But my dick pressed against the glass for the neighbors to see isn't a good look."

"Our neighbors are fowl," I laughed, then bit his shoulder, making him hiss. "Looks good to me. But it feels...amazing! Right? The contrast of your hot body pressed against the cool glass. And your cock making a mess all over the window for everyone to see. Daddy might have to punish you."

Austin let out a laugh that shook both of us. "Too far, Rowan. That's not working for me."

"What?" I feigned innocence, twisting the toy a little to work him up. "You don't like my dirty talk?" I increased the speed another notch before nestling my shaft against his taint. I'd learned slow rubbing jabs of my cock against his sensitive skin brought him closer to the edge quicker than anything.

"Love it, but not that word," he moaned. "Gonna... cum."

Time to back off. I pulled out the toy and dropped into the warm water pooling around our calves. Reaching for the lube, I angled it at his hole and slicked him up before using the head of my cock to rub it in.

"You are such a fucking tease. Just do it already."

Leaning in, I kissed his shoulder, then wrapped my left arm around him. This was the point in our play where it began to take on a different meaning. This was when we transitioned from a primal desire to fuck to the passion to make love. All it took was placing my ring-clad left hand over his heart.

Austin sighed and clasped his left hand over mine.

"I love you," I whispered before entering him in one fluid motion.

"And I love you," he replied as his head tipped back onto my shoulder. As he rocked his hips back onto me, we quickly found the rhythm we enjoyed.

Shifting just enough to the left, I kissed him. Long, slow strokes of my tongue along his tethered us to a moment of intense feelings and love that I've never felt for anyone but him. And when he was close, I reached around and stoked him to climax as he painted the window with his release.

The sounds he made deep in his chest sent shivers down my spine and made my legs weak as my love for him reached a climax. It was all I could do to keep my mouth on his, but I refused to lose the connection.

As we came down from the highest of highs, I held his back to my chest as we gazed out over Portland through the cum covered window.

"Think the police will show up after that display of passion?"

I smiled and shrugged. "Probably not. It's one-way glass."

Austin laughed, then nudged me back. "We need to shower. We have a party to attend."

I held him a minute longer, then spoke softly, even though we were alone. "What are we going to do about Carter?"

My best friend had gone silent over the last two days. It made me wonder if our friendship had come to an end. All I could do was hope he'd listen to reason at some point. Austin had refused to call him, and it left an empty feeling inside me.

He turned in my arms and looked at me. " We're not going to do anything. We're not wrong, and he'll figure that out, eventually."

Leaning in, he kissed me quickly. "Now, hurry up, babe. I can't wait to show off my hot new husband to everyone."

I grinned and followed him out of the tub. "Then we better get showered."

Ninety minutes later, we pulled up to Bernardo's a little before eight and parked on the street. In the few days we'd been back in Portland, I'd learned it was best to humor Austin and let him follow his instincts when it came to my safety.

"Wait here, babe."

So I sat back and watched my private show that featured my thirty-six-year-old husband unfolding himself from the driver's seat. After smoothing down his shirt and dress pants, his eyes scanned the area outside the restaurant as he made his way around the car. His expression was professional and serious, but the moment he shifted his focused attention to me and met my eyes, everything changed. He was happy, and I got immense joy in knowing I'd been the one to finally put that look on his face.

Somehow, as if it were possible, I fell a little more in love with him.

Austin stopped and looked away from me before opening the door. His brow furrowed as he took in our surroundings once more. I had to imagine his time as a SEAL made him hyperaware of things going on around him. That attention to detail made him good at his job.

Satisfied with whatever had alerted him, he looked back down at me as he opened the door and held out his hand. I took it and stepped out of the car. Smiling to myself, I smoothed down my pants and shirt before looking up at him. "You're looking awfully smitten there, Mr. Rowan."

He smirked as he closed the door behind me, then clicked the fob to lock the car. Pocketing the keys to my Jaguar, he smiled before wrapping his arm across my shoulders to pull me close. My arm circled his waist as we walked to the door. When he leaned in to whisper in my ear, the smell of our body wash and his cologne aroused me.

"I'm not smitten, Mr. Rowan. I'm in love. There's a difference."

All I could do was smile like a giddy fool as he opened the door to our favorite Italian restaurant. The familiar sensation of his hand to the small of my back as he ushered me in made my body hum from the intimate touch.

"Good evening, Mr. Rowan, Mr. Wentworth. And congratulations!" the hostess said as she beamed up at us. "You're party is waiting for you ."

"Thank you," I replied, shocked at the number of people in the quaint space. "Are we late?"

He shook his head. "I don't think so. I think they were probably early. "

I looked back at the massive table set for at least twenty-five people as we walked toward everyone. I'd expected dinner with Jesse and Dominick, and Marcus and Aidan. Maybe even Alex and Christian, since Alex and Aidan were brothers. They were all connected to Austin through work.

But I didn't expect to find Adam and Cole from Fallen Angel. I knew they were preparing for the second leg of their upcoming fall tour and Patrick was still healing.

"Did you know they were coming?"

Austin draped his arm over my shoulders. "I figured they would. Phantom doesn't let Adam out of his sight, and Cole is the same way about Patrick since the accident. I think the connection you're missing here is all these guys are part of this big, crazy extended family that you started with this team. Why are you surprised they'd want to celebrate with us?"

I shook my head, speechless as I took in Jackson and Simon Kincaid, and Declan and Callum Miller talking to Greg and Cooper Evans. They had children at home, and time off in the offseason was precious.

Turning to say something else, I caught sight of Preston James carrying out what I was sure were appetizers on a platter. He'd barely cleared the kitchen when Alejandro Sanchez followed him with another tray. Were they working the party?

I loud roar of laughter caught my attention at the bar. My two favorite bartenders, Ben and Nick, were serving up drinks and laughing as Preston grabbed a bottle of Fireball Whiskey and drank a couple of mouthfuls. The wide-eyed look of surprise on his face had them laughing even harder.

"The newlyweds are here!" Jesse announced over the crowd as whistles and catcalls filled the room. My face heated from the attention as Austin raised his arm in the air as if he'd just won a big prize.

But as I looked at all these faces, I realized I was the winner here.

Jesse was the first to approach us, carrying two glasses of white wine. "It's good to see both of you happy. Makes me proud that I could play a part in that."

"Under different circumstances, I'd bust your balls for that GQ. But this time, I have to admit you were right."

Jesse grinned. "Can I get that in writing?"

"Maybe you should add matchmaking to the list of services you guys offer," Dominick added. "Dreamboat's the only one who isn't partnered up now."

Austin snorted, evidently choosing to keep his mouth shut about what we'd walked in on a couple of days ago. "Yeah, we'll see."

Jesse looked at him like he already knew.

A big hand landed on my shoulder, drawing my attention away. "How's married life treating you? You know we're all going to need this story, right, boss?" Declan Miller grinned. "We had no idea you swung our way."

Declan grunted, then looked at his husband. "Babe, why are you being mean to me?"

Callum sighed. "I swear to God we can't take you anywhere. It's none of our business."

"Oh yes, it is," Marcus added. "We need the deets, boss man. We all thought you were sweet of Dr. Sanchez."

My face heated as I laughed and rubbed the back of my neck. "Um. Well. I do care for Eliana. Like a sister. She's a good friend. Not like my sister, but a nice sister."

Austin barked out a laugh, catching everyone by surprise. They looked at him as if happiness was a new concept for him. And maybe it was.

"All you gents need to know is I am a very lucky man." He leaned down to kiss me squarely on the mouth, making my cheeks heat again.

Dreamboat snorted. "You aren't getting out of the story, Dare. We all want to know what happened to send you two down the aisle within a week." He shook his hips and did a stupid little dance. "Bow chick wow wow."

A strong arm grabbed him around the neck and pulled him back. "Settle down, lover boy."

"Oh, good!" Phantom added. "Your keeper is here. "

Everyone laughed as Dreamboat flipped him off. And it escaped no one that he didn't pull out of the Commander's hold. He just seemed to settle in there.

As we mingled, I became more comfortable with this new dynamic. Preston and Nick congratulated us and invited us to come to San Diego.

"You should come down and visit. We live right on the beach. Our guest house is open any time you want it," Preston said. "Especially when the Pirates play the Sunrays. I want to sit with you guys. My husband can pull for his bestie by himself."

Nick rolled his eyes. "Evan is not my bestie. At least not anymore. You are you handsome hunk of man meat." The sarcasm was clear in his tone.

"That's right, baby," he said, hugging him close. "Don't you forget it."

I smiled. "And who is Evan? Do we know him?"

Nick grinned. "He's the Sunray's equivalent to Greg Foster. And my ex."

Preston growled, making us laugh.

"Here asshole," Alejandro said, "drink this." He handed his best friend a shot glass before turning to congratulate us.

"I'm happy for you, man." He extended his hand and pulled me in for a hug. "I'm sure Eliana would be too. She's working tonight, or she'd be here."

I smiled, thinking about my friend. "Thank you. And congratulations on your own marriage. Both you and Preston got yourselves wonderful partners."

Preston passed the shot glass off to Alejandro. "Greer, did I ever tell you what these assholes did to my beloved Fireball ?"

I smiled. "Don't think you did."

"That's enough, big guy. Let's not monopolize Austin and Greer. Come on," Nick coaxed, pulling him away.

Alejandro smiled. "He's a lightweight. We gotta get some food in him."

When everyone finally took their seats around the table, my quarterback and former linebacker sat across from us. Alex and Jackson had been with me since the first season the Pirates started playing. These two held a special place in my heart. That's why I'd offered Jackson the scouting position after he brought us Dominick.

I knew Alex was considering retirement, but I really didn't want to ask.

As the waitstaff placed a variety of appetizers on the long table, we all settled into easy conversation while they came around to take our dinner order. Preston excused himself and slipped into the kitchen at one point, most likely to assist Stella with our large order. Austin and I both ordered the same dish as last time we were here, but this time, his arm reached around to rest against the back of my chair, providing some much-needed support just when I needed it.

After dinner, we shared our story with everyone and watched their eyes pop open when I described our wedding. Austin left out the details of that fateful night in Chicago, choosing only to say our timing wasn't right.

"Have you told your brother?" Simon asked as he sipped his Irish coffee.

I looked at Austin, who nodded. "Yes. He, um... didn't take it as well as we'd hoped."

"Give him time," Jesse added. "Carter's a good man. He'll get over the shock."

I attempted a smile, though it felt forced. "I hope you're right. But he's upset about more than just me. He's thinking about the NHL expansion deal."

"Is it exclusive to Chicago?" Aidan asked. It was clear his lawyer's brain was kicking in.

"I'm not sure," Austin responded. "He didn't give me a chance to ask."

Aidan looked at Marcus, then back at me. "If I can help, let me know. We have some connections in the Chicago area that may be able to help."

So did I, but I nodded as the wait staff began serving dessert I rarely indulged in. But this was a special occasion. It felt like our wedding reception with everyone we cared about. But Carter's absence weighed heavily on me.

Before I could get the first bite into my mouth, two police officers walked in the front door. My fork hung in the air as they stopped to talk to a server, who pointed toward the table.

He turned and approached with wide eyes. "I'm sorry to interrupt, gentlemen, but these officers are looking for Mr. Rowan and Mr. Wentworth."

I looked at Austin, who looked back at me. He leaned in, then whispered, "No more fucking against the glass, sweetheart. Our fowl neighbors got us in trouble."