Happily Ever Laughter: older man, quirky younger woman romance (HEA Book 3) Read online

  Rudely interrupting me with a slow, sultry kiss, I’m already moaning against his mouth.

  “I’m sorry, baby,” he murmurs as his fingers tangle through my hair, holding my chest to his. “I can’t imagine what you must have been thinking. That I was trying to hide your work, or take credit for it, or who knows what.”

  “I didn’t…I didn’t know what to think. I’m just so new with all of this stuff.”

  “I’m here for you, Tanis. I want to teach you everything. Help you. I honestly can’t believe I made such a monumental error.”

  “Gargantuan,” I whisper, then look up and smile.

  His hand comes down to take hold of my hip, until we’re practically slow dancing right there on the sidewalk.

  “I don’t miss details. Never. I’m devastated that I dropped the ball on this. But I swear, I’ll make it up to you. We will triple check everything together from now on.”

  “You’ll work with me again? After I’ve proved myself to be such a delicate little basket case?”

  His fingers slip along my cheek to cup my face, staring into my eyes. “You’re new at this, baby. I can feel how nervous you are. And how desperately you want to express yourself. Your work is incredible.”

  His lips slip against mine in a feather light kiss. “And that’s not just my opinion. Everyone at the show was raving about your videos. I put together a list of contacts you can send your portfolio to who will all be delighted to get it. I can help you put it together, as well.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I feel terrible that I didn’t know how to spell your last name, baby,” he says sheepishly. “Most people have their full name in their emails, so I didn’t think about it.”

  “Most men do. Some women don’t, for privacy. That’s why I’ve always just used a last initial.”

  He runs a hand through his hair. “Well, thank goodness I have it now. I’ll be transferring you the money for the job on Monday.”

  Funny, it had never occurred to me that I might be paid. I just wanted my art to be shown, to be seen.

  “It’s not a lot,” he says, wrinkling his nose. “It’s from grant fund money.”

  Then he says a number that is almost as much as my monthly rent.

  As I choke for a second from lack of air, Felix chuckles. “I know, it’s not enough. But I take the cheap jobs if the people are well-connected, since it almost always leads to better gigs.”

  “That’s a cheap job? Oh my goodness.”

  I honestly can’t believe it. I might actually be able to get a bigger apartment within the year if I’m able to do a few jobs a month.

  “Thank you,” I say softly as my hand slips around his waist to rub his back for a moment. “The least I can do is make you some coffee.”

  Felix chuckles as he kisses the top of my head, and we walk into my building. “Actually, that’s a brilliant idea. I haven’t had any caffeine today.”

  “What?”

  He quickly explains the power outage, sleeping in, and his frantic chase across town as I brew the coffee. The moment a full mug is in his hand, he downs half of it in one gulp. Seconds later, the mug is empty.

  “Wow, you must have needed that,” I laugh after I have a few sips myself.

  He sets the coffee down, pinning me with a glance. “Tanis, I need you.”

  Standing up from the table, he pulls me close to him and places my hand in the center of his chest. “I swear this stopped beating when I couldn’t get hold of you. When I couldn’t find you, and thought that I might have screwed everything up forever.”

  “Everything turned out.” I glide my hand in a circle around his chest, feeling his warmth through his t-shirt.

  “But what if it didn’t?” The emotion in his deep eyes is almost overwhelming. “I’m going to get some of those giant block batteries, so I can always charge my phone. And we’re going to develop a new checklist for whenever we work on projects together.”

  “I admire your attention to detail, but I’m sure it won’t happen again.”

  “No, it won’t. I’m never going to let you down again, sweetheart. I promise.”

  Twisting my hands into the back of his hair, I hold on tight, pulling his forehead to mine. “We’re going to screw up, Felix. We’re human. But now that we know we belong to each other, and what we have is permanent, I think I’ll be able to get comfortable with it.”

  Felix exhales a long breath that ruffles my hair. “Thank you, baby. Thank you.”

  He holds me against his huge, hard body, kissing me until I can feel it in the backs of my knees. When he finally releases me, I have that floaty, dreamy sensation again that I’m starting to dearly love.

  “Are you hungry?” I ask as he steals a gulp from my coffee mug. “Maybe I could make some–” I squeal as he scoops me up in his arms, striding the four steps to the bed where he sits me on the edge.

  I love the way he peels my clothing off so slowly. Reverently. I’ve never felt as precious as I do in his arms.

  Pulling his shirt off, I bite my lip to hold back a moan. I honestly think he’s even more cut than the last time I saw him. I don’t even have time to admire his incredible abs before we’re both lying naked across the bed.

  He caresses every inch of me, taking his time, and warming me to his touch. As his huge hand presses my thighs apart and cups my most delicate skin, I feel my body become instantly wet for him.

  “I’m sorry if I was a bit too rough last time, baby. I held back as much as I could.”

  “It was incredible,” I whisper, dragging my teeth along the edge of his ear. “Are you going to show me what it’s like when you really lose control?”

  I’ve read about someone’s eyes darkening with lust, but always thought it was simply a poetic turn of phrase. As Felix’s dark eyes burn into mine, I realize it is absolutely true.

  I squeal as he spreads my legs wide, throwing them over his shoulders as he molds his mouth to my sex.

  The instant connection, the absolute fire, it’s almost too much to take. As I realize I’m going to be feeling all of these bright new sensations on a regular basis, I almost cry from joy.

  It feels like he’s trying to memorize every inch of my flesh as his hands wander around my hips, my stomach, my breasts.

  “I love the way you touch me,” I murmur, running my fingertips along the backs of his ears as he drags his tongue through my crease so slowly I feel like I’m melting.

  “I love the way you let me touch you,” he grins, turning his head to kiss along my inner thigh.

  His hand drags along my stomach, then lower. With his palm up, he slides two fingers gently inside me. His lips circle my clit at the same time he finds that spot inside me that’s somehow connected to it.

  I’ve heard of a g-spot orgasm, and have always been a bit curious about them, but nothing could have prepared me for the feeling that my entire body is about to implode on itself.

  “Felix,” I choke, “I…”

  “Relax,” he hums, sending vibrations through me that I can barely handle.

  Oh my God, I’m seriously about to explode. It feels like heat and liquid and energy are all pouring from my body and it’s nearly too much to take.

  The pressure inside me is building quickly, as Felix moves my leg farther over his shoulder so that his arm is better positioned and he can finger me more deeply.

  “Sorry, baby. I wouldn’t want to elbow you while we’re making love. That would be terribly unprofessional.”

  He winks as his tongue presses flat against my clit, then I’m laughing and coming and screaming all at the same time. That shouldn’t be physically possible.

  He licks and sucks harder, his fingers hitting that magical spot as I nearly pass out from such an intense climax and laughing at the same time.

  I’ve never laughed this much with anyone, ever. I’ve never come this hard, or loved this much. The intensity between us is all consuming and I never thought I’d want to be part of a whole like thi
s, but it’s perfect.

  As he kisses his way up my body, I clutch him desperately, yanking his mouth to mine.

  “I love you.” The sound is muffled against my lips, so he pulls back to look into my eyes and says it again. “I love you, Tanis.”

  I feel his words deeply, followed by a soft moan from the back of my throat. “I love you, Felix. Forever.”

  Watching his expression carefully, I wonder. Should I have said that last word?

  His smile is pure joy. “Yes, sweetheart. Forever.”

  Felix grabs my hips, shifting me as he moves a pillow out of the way. I love the way he manipulates me so perfectly. How he always knows exactly how I need to feel.

  Then he stops, kissing just under my ear until I gasp. “You’re so hot, baby. I need you so badly, but I don’t want to be rough with you. I want you to be in control.”

  He sits up and leans back against the headboard, clearing the pillows before guiding me to straddle his lap. The feeling of my wet, needy pussy directly over his long, thick shaft is deeply arousing.

  I look down to see a few drops of moisture escaping the large, round crown. Taking hold of his length, I skim my thumb over the tip, spreading the wetness so that my hand can slip and slide up and down him faster.

  “The way you touch me makes my head melt every time,” he says, watching my hand move against his skin.

  I love that he’s so open. So willing to share everything he’s thinking.

  He massages my hips and thighs, pulling me close. Without even thinking, I guide the tip of his cock to my clit, rubbing back and forth against it, then slipping him slightly inside.

  Felix holds my gaze as he cups my cheek in his palm, then grips my hip and slides slowly inside me. The eye contact alone is enough to make me cry, but feeling him being so careful with me…it feels like he’s claiming me. That we are already past the point of no return.

  “Mine.” Even though his voice is quiet, the statement is deafening.

  “Yes. Yours.”

  Heat ripples through every inch of my body as I flex my thighs, gently moving up and down as I work him deeper.

  Felix pulls me until our foreheads touch. “You feel so beautiful around me, Tanis. But you’re so tight. Is this comfortable for you?”

  The fact that he is so concerned with every detail of my experience almost brings me to tears.

  “It’s perfect,” I say, trying not to bite my lip as I lower my hips, stretching myself open until there’s nowhere else to go.

  Feeling his thickness snug against my inner walls, how deep he is inside me, makes me begin to squirm almost uncontrollably. Gently raising and lowering my hips, I moan as I enjoy every long stroke, every thick inch.

  “You’re incredible,” he murmurs, his eyes blazing as he watches my every move.

  He reaches down to spread my pussy lips, then tilts me so that my clit rubs against the base of his shaft with every movement.

  “Wow,” I breathe. “It’s like–”

  “Our bodies were made for each other,” he groans.

  We rock together, finding a steady rhythm as he kisses me tenderly. The way he grips my outer thighs, angling me perfectly as he moves his hips, is a seductive yet romantic dance.

  I absolutely adore how all of his energy seems centered on me. Even though he’s enjoying himself thoroughly, he’s more concerned about my pleasure. I’ve never had anyone put me first. Never had the focus of anyone’s attention so completely.

  “I love that you’re so wet for me,” he breathes. “I love knowing that I turn you on, baby.”

  My mind is too overloaded to tell him that he’s the only man who has ever aroused me so much.

  Our rocking speeds up as I feel his shaft begin to throb deep inside me. His right hand shifts to grip my ass, as I realize I’m grinding my clit harder against him with every deep thrust.

  “I can feel your sweet little pussy opening for me. Wanting more.”

  “Yes,” I moan softly, as I grip his broad shoulders to move with him, then against him. “More.” I love the way he’s even sweet when he’s talking dirty.

  Felix groans loudly, then begins thrusting deeper, faster. “So tight and wet. So perfect. Are you going to let me feel you come, sweetheart? Are you going to squeeze my cock with your sexy little pussy while you scream my name?”

  I’m already on the edge, a matter of heartbeats between the regular world and the blinding explosion.

  Then he amplifies everything by thrusting up into me even harder while he bites gently along the edge of my neck. “Come for me, baby,” he mutters through his teeth. “Let me feel you.”

  Hearing his deep voice beg so desperately makes me whimper and howl as the orgasm washes over me, shaking me like a leaf in a storm.

  “Felix!” I cry out, my fingernails digging into his shoulders as I hold on for dear life.

  “I feel you, sweetheart,” he growls throatily as both hands tighten on my hips. “Tanis…baby…”

  His lips crush to mine as I feel him throb and spurt his heat deep inside me. We moan together, overheated and overloaded with raw emotion.

  His huge, hard body overpowering mine doesn’t make me feel weak. It makes me feel strong, and sure, and safe.

  When we pause for air, Felix gently lays me beside him, snuggled in the crook of his arm.

  I am almost drifting off when I’m startled by a sharp buzz. Felix grumbles as he reaches down to the floor, grabbing his phone from his jeans.

  “What is it?” I murmur.

  “Oh, nothing important. Just the schedule for when that comedy show is going on the air. And since it tested so well at the preview, they’re ordering seven new episodes.”

  My head perks up.

  “They want us to do the music and video bits for all of them.”

  He drops the phone to hold my face in his hands. “You wanted to be one of those creative artsy types, sweetheart. Well, Earl Eggers, the director of programming, already loves your style. Gretchen the production manager loves you too. Careful what you wish for, babe. You’re officially in.”

  My shoulders begin to tremble as my breathing stutters and my eyes tear up, but I can’t stop it.

  “It’s okay,” Felix murmurs, snuggling against me again as he swipes his thumb under my eye. “You’ve got your foot in the door now. There will be lots of projects, some good, some terrible. And I hope that a lot are with me, but there will be some on your own too. But I’ll always be right here to help you if I can.”

  Even the lazy way his fingertips glide up and down my spine make me feel connected to his energy.

  “I hope that we have lots of jobs together,” I smile as his eyes gaze down at me. “And whenever I can convince my legs to function again, I can clear you a drawer here, for anytime you want to stay over.”

  He kisses my temple gently. “I’d like that. I know how small this place is, it means a lot. Thank you.”

  Now that I completely believe in the permanence of us, it’s like there’s a stable base under me that is going to help me deal with any sort of stress. Any new situation.

  I could take on the world. In just a few minutes.

  “Why don’t you take a little nap, baby,” Felix murmurs softly, kissing the top of my head as he throws a sheet over us.

  I’m too tired to form words, but nod into his shoulder, knowing that he’ll understand me completely.

  My Felix always does.

  EPILOGUE ONE

  ~ Felix ~

  ~ Six Months Later ~

  I absolutely love taking Tanis places she’s never been to before. She is extremely open minded, and always giggles uncontrollably when I take her somewhere odd for a date. Like bowling, or to a cartoon festival.

  Hopefully today’s little excursion will elicit a lot more than laughter.

  She finally gives up on the lack of good options as she flips through radio stations in the van, and plugs in her phone. The sound of soft surf pop plays through the aging speakers.
r />   For me, this is the life right here. My girl and I, taking off on yet another adventure. She just doesn’t happen to know how gigantic this one actually is.

  Turning off the main road, we drive through a residential area, then I take a left down a side street that turns into a court. There are only three houses, spaced far apart.

  “Well, it’s not a park,” Tanis laughs. “What are we doing here?”

  As I pull into the driveway of the center house, she peers through the windshield at the large light gray brick dwelling. “Who are we visiting?” she asks. Then she takes another look at the pieces of safety tape that are still stuck across the windows. “Wait – is this house empty?”