Chapter 20

chapter twenty

Grant

I can count on one hand the number of times I've been inside the campus library, and today is one of them.

Not that I'm here to study. I'm only gracing the OU library with my presence to see Addie.

When she texted me this morning that she was going straight to the library after working her shift at the bakery, I wanted to make sure she ate something.

At least that's what I'm going to tell her. Because I can't admit that I just wanted to see her . I was so exhausted that when she crawled out of bed this morning at her normal 3:00 a.m. time, I didn't even stir.

I can't tell her how much I've gotten used to waking up beside her for the last couple of weeks or how much I look forward to spending our mornings together while she does yoga or we cook breakfast.

I can't admit any of that… not when this is supposed to be fake. The problem is that every day that passes, it begins to feel less and less like an arrangement and more like something different entirely.

Strolling past the circulation desk, I grin at the librarian and raise my hand in a quick wave as I make my way toward the back of the building. This place is way bigger than I remember, but then again, it's not somewhere I've frequented in the four years I've been at OU.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and when I pull it out, there's a message from Addie.

Wifey: In study room 12.

My lips curve into a grin as I pocket it and continue walking to the back, where the signs direct me to the secluded row of individually numbered rooms. They're not huge, but big enough for a desk, a few chairs, and a large whiteboard. The top part of the walls is glass and the bottom a blackened-out partition that matches the door.

I had no clue these existed, yet another testament to the fact that I haven't spent any time here, but I'm not in the least bit surprised that my wife knows about them since she's the kind of student that every college dreams of.

I find her in the very last room in the corner, her head bent over her textbooks, chewing on the end of her pencil as she bobs her head to whatever's playing through her headphones.

She hasn't noticed me yet, so I take a second to admire her. Her hair is down and curly today, with a few tiny little blue flowers threaded within the strands. They match the flowers on her denim dress, and of course, she's got on her favorite Mary Janes. When she smiles down at whatever she's working on, something fiercely possessive blooms within my chest.

I wish she knew just how beautiful she is.

How every time I see her, I'm struck by it, like I'm seeing her for the very first time all over again. No one even compares to her. I just can't fucking believe that we somehow spent the last four years at the same university and never crossed paths.

Quietly, I slip inside and shut the door behind me before walking over to her. I dip my head down to press a kiss to her head and set the coffee and muffin on the table in front of her.

She glances up from her textbooks, a bashful smile tugging at her lips, and pulls the headphones out of her ears. "Hi."

"Hi, baby." I pull out the chair next to her and sink down into it. "Brought you coffee and breakfast. Figured you probably didn't stop to eat this morning."

Heat blooms on her cheeks, and she nods, tucking her hair behind her ear. "You would be correct. I… forgot. My head's kind of been all over the place today. Thank you very much."

My brows pinch together at her comment. "What's going on?"

For a second, she's quiet, her gaze flicking between me and the books in front of her, and I realize that something's off.

"Addie, what happened? Talk to me." My voice is laced with concern.

"It's… it's probably nothing. I just, I could've sworn that I saw Dixon in the courtyard this morning. But that would be crazy, right?" She pauses, dropping her pencil onto the table and turning toward me before reaching up to rub at her bottom lip absentmindedly. "Since I was fairly certain that I was losing it, I kept walking, especially when I glanced back and saw the person was gone. It just… it left me feeling really weird and paranoid, and I haven't been able to shake it. It's all just too much. Brent has been hanging around a few times when I've gone to open up the bakery, which is insane because it's literally 3:00 a.m.… just watching creepily from his house. And there's those texts that he sent, which he makes seem harmless but feel so… threatening ."

Before she's even done talking, I reach for her and pull her against my chest, wrapping my arms around her tightly. It better not have been Dixon. I was worried he'd be a problem, but after Addie texted and told him to never contact her again, he's been a ghost.

"Why didn't you call me? I would've been there in a heartbeat. Addie, you have to tell me this stuff. You can't keep it all in, and I can't protect you if I don't know."

She leans back slightly, peering up at me, "It might not have even been Dixon today. I'm tired and stressed-out about this test, so it could've just been my mind playing tricks on me. I didn't want to make something out of nothing and totally disrupt your day. And with Brent, I mean he's technically not doing anything wrong since he lives next door, it's just unnerving. Even though I knew he'd be watching, hoping to catch us in a mistake."

"Hey, you not feeling safe is something. If you think you see either of them again or even feel like something's not right, call me. Or call the campus police and report it. Who knows what they're capable of now that they didn't get their way. Both of them. I'm not taking a chance when it comes to your safety, baby. Promise me you'll call me if you see either one of them. I won't let anything happen to you. Okay?" I assure her, reaching up to brush my thumb along her jaw.

The thought of him potentially being here, watching her, coming within a hundred fucking feet of her, sends a jolt of fury crashing down my spine. I grit my teeth together, my jaw working painfully at the idea.

I'll do whatever it takes to keep this promise to her, even if that means going to that fucker's house and handling this shit myself. Especially after that asshole put his hands on her. He'll never get close enough to make that mistake again.

If he did that with me there, I can only imagine what he'd do if she were alone.

No one touches my wife.

"Okay. I will," she mumbles quietly into my chest. "I promise."

I hold her for a few more minutes, finding comfort in the steady sound of her breathing until she pulls back, finally reaching for the strawberry muffin. "I honestly just want to forget about it. Thank you again for bringing me breakfast. I was planning on starving until lunch so I could get a few extra hours of studying done, so this is very appreciated."

My arms drop, and I sit back in my chair as she starts to pick at the top of her muffin.

"Seriously, text me next time. I can always bring you food or, you know… keep you company while you study." I give her a playful grin, and she smiles.

She gives me her first real smile for today, and it causes my heart to skip in my chest like a lovesick teenager.

"You're spoiling me, you realize that?" She giggles sweetly.

I fucking love her smile, but I love her laugh even more.

I stroke my jaw, shrugging as if it didn't make me want to pull her to me and kiss the fuck out of her. "It's my job to spoil you. Let me do it, woman."

Addie rolls her plump, rosy lips together to hide her grin as she drops her gaze down to her lap and fingers the embroidered flowers of her dress.

My favorite thing in the world is when she gets flustered from my attention.

"How's studying going anyway?"

She glances up at the spread of textbooks in front of her and groans before dropping her face into her hands. "It's not? I think my brain is just numb at this point. I've been staring at it for too long."

"Maybe you just need… a distraction ." I reach for her and slide my palm along her nape, pulling her closer. My lips hover over hers, close enough that I can almost taste her. "And I just so happen to be excellent at distracting my wife."

Her lips part when I sweep my thumb along her pouty bottom lip, gently tugging it down.

Fuck, she's so pretty.

I love how responsive she is whenever I touch her, how comfortable she's getting with me. Her entire body relaxes, sinking into my touch.

It's the ultimate sign of trust, and I'm so damn thankful that she's giving it to me.

"Should I distract you, baby?" I murmur against her lips, my mouth hovering over hers.

Addie exhales as her eyes bounce down to my lips, then back to my eyes as she swallows. The delicate column of her throat bobbing with the motion. "H-how are you going to do that?"

"Well, I'm going to start by doing this." I close the distance between us, my mouth meeting hers in a kiss that starts gentle but quickly transforms into a frantic clash of our lips. My tongue sweeps into her mouth, and I swallow down the sweetest little whimper that has my cock twitching in my pants.

She reaches up, sliding her arms around my neck, raking her nails along my nape as she kisses me. Our tongues tangle together desperately, growing needier with each passing breath. I nip at her bottom lip, pulling it between my teeth and nibbling until she's writhing in her chair.

That's my cue to touch her.

Tearing my lips from hers, I curve my palms over her thighs, my large hands covering them almost completely. Her soft skin glides along my hands as I move them higher, gently spreading her legs open.

My gaze lifts to her face, and it almost steals my breath.

She's fucking magnificent .

Disheveled hair, parted lips red and swollen from my kisses, cheeks flushed pink, piercing blue eyes that are heavy-lidded and dazed as she stares back at me.

She's never looked more beautiful.

And she's never looked more… mine.

The realization rocks through my entire body, making me dizzy with possessiveness. I drag my hands up her thighs until they disappear beneath the hem of her dress, and when they reach the top of her legs, her breath hitches.

"Can I distract you…" I brush the pad of my thumb along the front of her panties, nearly groaning when I feel them already damp. " Here ?"

Her eyelashes flutter shut as she nods rapidly, her hands flying to the seat of her chair and curling around the edge.

"I need to hear you say it, baby."

"Yes. Distract me." The pleading, needy tone of her voice, along with her consent, is all I need.

Slowly, I pull her panties to the side and dip my fingers beneath the fabric, dragging them along her pussy. It's the first time I've touched her without any barrier between us, and she's already so wet that it slicks my fingers, coating them with her arousal.

"Fuck, baby," I murmur gruffly. "You're already a mess for me."

Her eyes fly open, holding mine as she drags her bottom lip between her teeth to hold back a moan. Finally touching her, feeling her wet heat soaking my fingers, seeing the evidence of her desire on every inch of her face is the hottest thing I've ever experienced.

I'm enthralled by her.

Enthralled by my wife.

I sweep my thumb over her swollen little clit once, watching as her knuckles turn white with her tight grip on the chair. She tosses her head back, and the softest, neediest fucking moan tumbles from her parted lips.

A sound I'll never forget as long as I fucking live.

"Does that feel good, baby?"

She nods rapidly, her throat working as she whispers raggedly, "Yes-s."

Chuckling, I rub tight circles on her clit, a slow, languid rhythm. I'm in no hurry—I could stay here all fucking day, watching her like this. I could spend all day making her wet for me.

I'm desperate for a taste of her, so I pull my fingers from her clit and bring them to my mouth. As she lifts her head, her gaze snapping to mine, I close my lips around my fingers, sucking the taste of her off them.

Goddamnit, she tastes just the way I imagined she would. Musky and sweet like strawberries. Like the best thing I've ever tasted.

Her bright blue eyes are wide with surprise as she watches me. I bring my fingers back to her pussy, only this time, I circle her entrance, discovering that she's even more fucking soaked.

"Does it turn you on knowing that I'm fucking obsessed with the way you taste? Because you're so wet for me, baby. Does it turn you on to know that if we weren't in this library where anyone could walk in, I'd lay you out on this table and eat your pussy until you were dripping down my chin and then lick up every drop?"

My favorite pink stains her cheeks, trailing down her neck, and she nods.

"Good, because once you let me taste you there with my tongue, I'm going to do it every fucking chance I get."

I get another little whimper in response, so I slowly push one finger inside, her pussy clamping down around it. Holy fucking shit, she's so goddamn tight. I can barely get my finger in despite how wet she is.

"Oh god." She moans hoarsely. "Grant. That… I?—"

"Do you want me to stop?"

Her gaze snaps to mine, and she shakes her head emphatically, "No. No… please don't."

I swallow roughly, praying I don't come in my pants like a fucking teenager from touching her for the first time. I slide my finger deeper, gently hooking it up and easily finding her G-spot.

She grips the chair even tighter and inhales sharply, the tip of her tongue dragging along her bottom lip as I start to stroke her there.

"Have you ever come like this?" I ask, my brows furrowing. When she looks up at me with confusion, I skim my finger along her G-spot again. "Come with something inside you. With your fingers or a toy?"

"N-no. I… I've never been able to make myself… finish that way either."

Fuck. I'm going to be the first time she's ever come from penetration.

Using my free hand, I grasp her by the nape, pulling her to me, my finger still buried deep in her needy pussy, and close my mouth over hers, kissing her like a man possessed.

Maybe I am.

Knowing I'm the only one to ever touch her this way has an epic surge of possessiveness overtaking me until I can't even fucking think straight. All I can focus on is her tight little pussy clenching around my finger, sucking me in deeper, and the taste of her still lingering on my tongue as I kiss her.

I withdraw my finger and slide it back in, once, then twice, her pussy weeping for me each time, soaking my hand more with each thrust.

She's moaning against my mouth louder now, her hips writhing as she reaches for me, her fingers digging into my abs.

I pull back, peering down at her. "I need you to be quiet for me, baby. I know it's hard, but I don't want anyone to see what's mine. No one gets to see my wife soaking my fingers. No one else sees this sweet little pussy."

I swear to fucking god, she gets even wetter at the filthy words I whisper in her ear. Nodding, she buries her face into my neck and fists her small hands in my shirt, and I use my free hand to hold her tightly against me. Drawing out the movements, I take my time, adding my thumb to circle her clit as I fuck her with my fingers.

Her breathless little pants are hot against my neck as she lifts her hips ever so slightly to try to meet my fingers, rocking like she needs more.

I pull out of her completely before adding a second finger, slowly sinking them back inside of her. She's so goddamn tight that I move torturously slowly so she's able to adjust.

"Grant-t," she moans against my neck, the words vibrating me to my fucking core as her nails rake down my stomach.

"What, baby?"

"More. P-please."

She's trembling in my arms as her greedy little pussy swallows my fingers, taking everything that I give her. So, I give her exactly what she asks for.

More.

My movements change from slow and gentle to something different. I thrust my fingers harder, slamming them into her and curling them to massage her G-spot with every stroke. Her thighs shake as they fall open wider, and her dress rises higher, allowing me the briefest glimpse of her perfect pussy.

Pink and glistening, it's the prettiest thing I've ever seen. I lean back just slightly so I can watch her needy pussy swallow my fingers. I'm mesmerized as I admire my fingers sliding in and out of her, covered in her arousal and stretching her open wide. My cock is so hard it's aching as it strains against my pants. One touch and I'll probably come.

But I'm more worried about her coming.

"Come for me, baby," I murmur.

The wet, erotic sound of me slamming inside her pussy fills the room, and it's so goddamn hot.

I wish that I could see her face right now, how stunning she is in her bliss, but she's buried into my neck, attempting to keep quiet since we're in this fucking library.

The second I can, I'm going to spread her out on our bed and eat her pussy until she's limp. I'm going to edge her over and over until she can't take another fucking second. And then I'll eat her again.

"I… I think…" Her voice shakes, trailing off when I sweep my thumb along her clit more quickly and bury my fingers deeper.

Her orgasm builds, higher and higher with each thrust, and I can feel her tightening around me.

"Be a good little wife and come for me. I'm going to suck every drop off my fingers."

The seconds that follow are palpable. Her entire body goes taut, her fingers digging into my stomach, her teeth sinking into my neck as the orgasm rolls through her, and she lets go.

Wetness floods my hand as she comes, her body trembling with the intensity.

Her delicate, throaty little cries wash over me, sending a jolt of arousal pulsing through my body, so powerful that a low groan rumbles out of my chest.

"Good girl. You did so good, baby," I praise, moving my fingers slowly, drawing out every ounce of her orgasm until she's limp and sated in my arms.

Slipping my fingers out of her gently, I tug her panties back into place, my other hand reaching up to stroke her hair. When she sits up, peering up at me through a heavy-lidded stare, I do just as I promised and lick every fucking drop of her from my cum-soaked fingers.

And nothing has ever tasted so sweet.

I couldn't focus on anything besides my wife for the rest of the day. How could I after the unexpectedly fucking hot moment in the library this morning?

She's making it impossible to concentrate on anything other than her.

I worked out for over an hour today after class, stretching and weight training, but even then, it didn't take off the edge. The need to go home and repeat what we did this morning, only with my tongue as well as my fingers, is invading my every thought. I'm going to have to take the longest shower of my life tonight, undoubtedly.

As I turn the doorknob to the front door and push it open, the first thing I notice is it smells amazing. I can't figure out what it is, but something delicious. Which means that Addie must have cooked dinner.

Before I even shut the front door all the way, Auggie waddles over and jumps against my legs, his way of begging for a head and belly scratch, his usual way of greeting anyone who steps through the door. My guy is a slut for attention, and he always gets it.

"What's up, buddy?" I say as I bend down and scratch his furry head. I rub his favorite spot behind his ear, and his leg thumps against the hardwood. "Yeah, I know that's your favorite. Where's your mama? Let's find her, and then I'll give you a treat, okay?"

Also a slut for treats.

You and me both, big guy. As long as they come in the form of my wife.

"Addie? You here?" I call out, making my way out of the foyer and down the hall toward the kitchen. But when I poke my head inside, she's nowhere to be seen.

"In here!" Her voice comes from the bedroom, so I head there. I find her sitting in front of the window, the warm rays of the sun setting along her skin as she sits in front of her easel. She's wearing a big T-shirt that I think used to be white but is now stained with a hundred different shades of paint. Her hair is piled messily on the top of her head, and her lips are set in a firm line as she drags the brush along the canvas.

There's a spot of paint on the tip of her nose, and her fingers are stained with color.

Like every time I see her, my heart thumps erratically in my chest. I'll never get over how beautiful she is. No matter how long this arrangement lasts, I'll still want more time.

The thought of having to walk away from her makes an ache form in my erratic, thrashing heart. But that's not something I even want to think about right now, regardless of if it's inevitable for our future.

I've been so focused on her that I didn't even see what it is she's painting. My eyes scan the large canvas and the art that's taking shape.

"Hi, beautiful," I murmur as I walk over and press a quick kiss to her head before flopping onto the edge of the mattress. "How long have you been working on this?"

"For a while," she admits, giving me a radiant smile that lights up her heart-shaped face. "I couldn't focus any longer, so I came home after class and started on it. You told me you wanted something for the apartment, so I took a break from my thesis project to work on it."

"I love it already. Whatever it is."

There's not enough on the canvas to really make it out, but I have no doubt that if Addie's creating it, it'll be a damn masterpiece. She's naturally talented, and everything she creates blows my mind.

She nods, dragging her attention back to the canvas. We sit that way for a while, me watching her make small, calculated strokes of her brush, her working in silence. Every few minutes, she cocks her head, those blue eyes scanning the canvas as if she's searching for the perfect place for the next stroke.

My phone rings in my pocket, and when I pull it out, I see my agent's name on the screen.

I answer it with a quick swipe of my finger. "Hello?"

"Hey. I just heard from Aaron, and you've got the sponsorship."

What? Holy fuck.

I fly off the bed, turning to pace the bedroom.

"I got it? For sure?" I ask.

Jeremy chuckles. "Yep. I just got the call. They said they'll be sending over an email soon with additional information as far as getting you out there for an onboarding meeting, as well as some shoot dates. They did mention they'd love to include your new wife if that's something you'd be comfortable with. Turns out they really liked the happily married thing even more than I thought they would."

My eyes flick to Addie, who's abandoned the paintbrush and is staring at me with wide eyes.

"I can talk to her and let you know."

She stands from the stool and walks over, stopping in front of me. I reach out and loop my arm over her shoulders, hauling her against me.

Fuck, I can't believe it actually worked. I got the fucking sponsorship. This kinda money, attention… It's going to change our lives. Not just mine.

Ours.

"Yep, that sounds good," Jeremy replies. "They also mentioned a gala in New Orleans coming up and asked if you could attend. Smile for a few cameras, meet some of their board members. I think it's a good opportunity for you to rub elbows with a bunch of influential people. Couldn't hurt."

Thank fuck it's the offseason, or there'd be no way I'd have time for all this.

Nodding, I say, "Yeah. I think I can do that. I'm going to run things by my wife, and I'll give you a call first thing in the morning."

"Cool. Shoot me a message if you need anything in the meantime. Congratulations, Grant. You turned it around and made this happen. Go celebrate with your wife, but don't get in trouble."

I laugh. "You got it. Later."

After pressing the button to end the call, I toss my phone onto the bed and glance down at Addie in my arms.

"I got the sponsorship. It's done. I fucking did it, ArtGirl. We did it."

Her entire face lights up, excitement dancing in her eyes as she launches herself up completely in my arms. Her legs fit around my waist, her arms on my shoulders, and I slide my arms around her back, holding her against me as I bury my face in her neck.

"I'm so proud of you, Grant. So, so proud. I knew that you'd make it happen. They will be lucky to have you."

Pulling back, I reach up with one hand and cradle her face, sweeping my thumb tenderly along her jaw. "I couldn't have done it without you, Addie. Not just with the shit with my reputation. Just having you here means more to me than you know. Thank you."

Her head shakes adamantly. "You don't need to thank me. We're in this together, remember?"

I know she means together as in our arrangement, but I'm beginning to want more than the arrangement could ever offer.