Born to Make You Smile

THIRTY-FIVE

“You know,” I said with a coy grin, snuggling up to his warm body. “I thought about you, a lot. At night. In bed.”

He hummed with intrigue. “Oh really? What did you do about it?”

“I touched myself. But it wasn’t the same.”

“Why don’t you show me? I’d really love to watch you.” His eyes were dark and lustful.

I flashed him a coy grin. “You want me to put on a show for you?”

“Absolutely,” he murmured, his voice low. “I want to see that beautiful cunt, spread wide and on display for me. Only me. I want to watch you rub that pretty clit and make yourself come. Then I’m going to come all over your body and lick every bit of the mess off you. And finally, I’m going to feast on that delicious cunt of yours. Until you come again and again.” He moved up to my ear and growled, “ And again .”

“Holy shit.” That was all I could manage.

His naughty words in that sexy accent and the visual he painted had my mind swirling with delight. My core clenched so hard it was delectably painful.

“I missed you, Dr. Brinley.”

“I missed you too, my sweet Grace.”

***

“Charlotte knew about us all along,” I said as we made our way to pick up the girls from the party. “And she told me your depressing music was getting to her.”

He laughed. “We’ll tell them about us being together tonight. Then the office on Monday, then eventually…my family.”

“You’re sure? You’re not going to change your mind?” While I was teasing, deep down, I still had a grain of doubt that he would be hesitant to come out.

“No.” His expression was serious. “We’re ready for this. To finally start our lives together.”

“But what if they don’t approve? Especially your family.”

“At this point, I don’t care,” he said, running his hand along the steering wheel. “You’re more important to me than anyone’s approval—even my own family. I want you. Forever. Well, I mean, as long as I live. Sometimes I feel guilty since we all know I will leave this earth well before you do. When you are my age, I’ll be about seventy. You are aware of this, right?”

I smirked. “I know I’m not a math wiz, but I’m aware how significant our age difference is. And it just makes me more determined to make every second with you count.”

He frowned. “It breaks my heart that I will leave you alone one day.”

“While I don’t want to imagine a world without you, I won’t be alone. I’ll have a part of you with me. Well, two parts, at least. Those two sweet angels I love more than anything in the world.” I clutched my chest. “I can’t wait to be a part of your family. And hopefully, at some point in the future, add to it.”

I reached for his hand and squeezed it. He reciprocated, holding my hand tightly.

“You’d like me to put a baby in you?”

My entire body warmed at his words, but I knew it was too soon. “Not yet. But one day.”

“Well, in the meantime, we’ll get plenty of practice.”

After we got home, we sat the girls down and informed them of our romantic relationship.

“So are you two gonna get married?” Mackenzie asked, clapping her hands. “You have to get married soon!”

Gavin and I glanced at one another with a grin.

“One step at a time. For now, Grace is my girlfriend, and she’ll be living here with us.”

Their faces lit up.

“Really?” Mackenzie exclaimed. “You’re gonna live here?”

I nodded. “Yes, really.”

Mackenzie continued to cheer while Charlotte came up to us with a calm smile.

“I’m really happy for you two,” she said, whispering in my ear. “Told you. Meant to be .”

***

My heart drummed with excitement on Monday morning. It’d be our first day working together after our break. While only about three months, it had felt like I’d been away from the office for an eternity.

After I put on some mascara, my phone beeped.

Gavin: The disco bus leaves in five :)

I laughed, then walked around the house to look for him.

I texted him back.

Me: Hehe. Where are you?

Gavin: Garden. These thirsty plants needed a drink.

Before we left his driveway, he held his fist out, and I pushed against him three times with a steady final grind.

“G?” he said with a nod.

I smiled. “Force.”

“For life,” he said.

“For life,” I repeated, my heart fluttering. “I like that.”

“Figured it was time for a new addition.”

Gavin had ordered Portuguese chicken and picked up dessert for the office to celebrate my return. After lunch, he stood and announced our relationship while everyone enjoyed the chocolate cake and macaroons. There were some surprised faces, but overall, it was well received. He assured everyone that nothing about our dynamic would change—I would remain his assistant. In private, he had briefly mentioned the possibility of a partnership in the future, but for now, we agreed to take things one step at a time.

“By the way, I have something extra special for you. In my office,” he whispered. I rolled my eyes. The man had no shame. “Really? I know we’re out, but—”

He laughed. “Not that .”

On his desk sat a small box. Inside was a white cupcake with a peach made of frosting on top.

“It’s peaches and cream. When I saw it, I knew I had to get it for you.”

I smiled, placing a small kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”

After work, Tina came up to me in the break room, a look of concern on her face.

“Hey, Grace. Can I talk to you. In private?”

I nodded. “Sure.”

We went outside in the back.

“I’m not really surprised at the news of you and Gavin. You two are so close.” She blinked, tilting her head as if uncomfortable. “But I just wanted to make sure you know what you’re doing. He is your boss and all. And he’s much older than you. And I know he’s always been in your life. Maybe it’s the mother hen in me, but I just want to make sure you weren’t…” She waved her hand. “You know, pushed into this in any way. I love Gavin dearly and trust him, but with you being so young and the circumstances. Being a mom myself, I always have that little nagging voice in the back of my head.”

I knew her intentions were in the right place. From an outside perspective, and in her shoes, I’d have concerns too.

“Yes, Tina. I understand. Our relationship is fully consensual if that’s what you’re asking. I wasn’t pushed into it or anything. And it started just recently. We fell deeply in love. He makes me so happy. But I can assure you, nothing ever happened before when I was younger. Growing up, I was actually closer to his late wife, Judy, to be honest. He was always busy working.”

“Good. Very good.” She put a relieved hand to her chest. “That’s exactly what I thought. I just wanted to be sure. I hope I didn’t offend you or anything.”

I shook my head with a smile. “No. Not at all. I appreciate your concern.”

“All that being said, I’m really happy for you two. You’re a true G-Force now!”

I pressed my lips together. “You know about that?”

“Oh yeah,” she said, nodding. “ We all do .”

I laughed with a blush.

***

In the following days, I packed most of my things out of Dorina and Vanessa’s condo.

“Thank you so much,” I said to them on my way out. “For everything.”

“It was our pleasure. I’m going to miss you and your amazing cooking though,” Dorina said as she hugged me. “But I’m really happy you’re with Gavin again. And that you’re moving in there. I need my bed back. You kick in your sleep.”

“I do not!”

“Want to see my bruises?”

My brows shot up with worry. “What? Really?”

“Oh my God. I’m kidding! You kick but not that hard.”

Vanessa hugged me next.

“I’d better see you and your man at the club soon,” she said, pointing a finger at me. “Did he fill out the paperwork yet?”

I tilted my head with a smile. I’d briefly brought it up with him, and while he seemed more interested than before, he was still hesitant. “I’m working on it.”