A Forever Family

  She laughed into the phone. “Joel and I are great. We are dating exclusively and I’m pretty sure I’ve fallen in love with him. The best part is the way he is with Jacob and Jacob loves him.”

  “Excellent.” I leaned back in my chair. “That’s what I like to hear.” My office door opened and my dad walked in. I held up my finger. “Listen, Diana, my dad just walked into my office. I’ll talk to you soon.” Click.

  My dad walked over to my desk.

  “Diana said hi. She and Jacob are doing really good.”

  “I know, son. I spoke with her last week.”

  I tilted my head and narrowed my eyes. “And you didn’t tell me this, why?”

  “Because someone decided to spring some shocking news on us and I didn’t think about it.”

  I looked down. “Oh. Anyway, what are you doing here? I thought you were spending the day with Brayden and Mom.”

  “I am. I just had to grab a file from my office.”

  “Where are Mom and Brayden?”

  “In Julia’s office. We’re taking Brayden to the Central Park Zoo.”

  No matter how hard my dad tried, he couldn’t hide the sadness that overtook him today. I walked over to where he was standing and gave him a hug. “I miss him too, Dad.”

  “I know you do, son. We all do. He really left a mark on this whole family.”

  “He sure did.”

  “I better get going. I don’t want to keep your mother waiting. I’ll talk to you later.”

  I gave him a small smile as I walked him to the door. “Have fun at the zoo, Dad.”

  “Thanks, Collin.”

  After the workday ended, I grabbed my briefcase and headed home. When I walked through the door, an amazing aroma filled the air. I set my briefcase down and walked into the kitchen, where I found Amelia standing over the stove.

  “Hey, baby.” I wrapped my arms around her and slid my tongue across her neck.

  “Mhmm. Hi.” She turned around with a smile and wrapped her arms around my neck.

  “What is that delicious smell?”

  “I’m making a roast.” Her lips brushed tenderly against mine.

  “How much longer until it’s ready?”

  “About thirty minutes.”

  I stared into her eyes as the corners of my mouth curved into a smile. “Then we have time for sex.”

  “Not really. I have other things I need to prepare. I have to cut up the lettuce and vegetables for the salad. You can help me if you’d like.”

  “I would love to help. I’m going to change out of my suit and I’ll be right back.” I pressed my lips against hers.

  I went to the bedroom and changed out of my suit and into a pair of sweatpants. When I walked back in the kitchen, Amelia was standing at the counter, cutting the lettuce. She looked so sexy in her cropped yoga pants and tank top. I couldn’t resist myself. I wanted her and I was going to have her no matter what. I came up from behind and planted my hands firmly on her breasts.

  “Collin. What are you doing?” She turned her head and gave me a small smile.

  “Shh, baby. Just enjoy it.” My lips softly caressed her neck as my hands made their way up her shirt, feeling her naked breasts.

  I pressed my erection against her and a soft moan escaped her lips. As I took her hardened nipples between my fingers, she set down the knife and placed her hands firmly on the counter. She knew there was no stopping me. Her head tilted to the side so my mouth could have easier access to the soft skin of her neck. She reached back and placed her hand on my head.

  “Keep both hands on the counter.”

  I released her breasts and hooked my finger in the sides of her yoga pants, taking them down with her panties all the way down to her ankles. I lifted each leg and removed her pants, tossing them to the side. My tongue slowly ran up the back of her leg. She gasped. As soon as my mouth reached her beautiful ass, I drew tiny circles around with my tongue as I dipped my fingers inside her. She was soaking wet already and my cock was twitching something fierce. Her breath hitched as I moved my fingers in and out of her, teasing her and bringing her to an orgasm the minute I pressed my thumb firmly against her clit from behind.

  “Collin. Oh God. Collin,” she screamed as I stood up and wrapped my arm around her waist, holding her tight as my fingers played with her while she climaxed. Once her orgasm subsided, she stood in front of the counter, panting. I pulled down my sweatpants, spread her legs, and thrust my cock in and out of her at a rapid pace.

  Her moans became high pitched with each thrust. “Bend over a little bit, baby.”

  She did as I asked and I went deeper inside her, hitting all the right spots that made my cock twitch. With a firm grip on her hips, the warmth of her pussy, and three more pumps, I pushed deep and moaned as I released myself inside of her. Wrapping my arms around her, I buried my face into her neck as I tried to regain normal breaths.

  “Okay, baby. I’m hungry now.” I picked up the knife and started cutting the lettuce.

  “What are you doing?” She laughed as I was still buried inside of her.

  “Helping you with the salad.”

  “So we’re cooking naked now?”

  “You’re not completely naked. You still have your shirt on. But I do like that idea.”

  “Collin,” she whined.

  “Okay. Okay.” I pulled out of her and pulled up my pants.

  “Can you please finish the salad while I go and clean myself up?” She turned around with a beautiful smile splayed across her face.

  “I’ll do anything for you, baby.” I pressed my lips against hers before she headed to the bedroom.

  ****

  The next day, I had a meeting across town. My dad was supposed to attend with me, but something came up at the office and he needed to stay behind. I was used to handling these meetings on my own. Sometimes, I wondered if my dad bailed on purpose just to sit back and watch how well I handled things without him. After the meeting was over, I had Ralph drop me off on Broadway, where I was meeting Julia at Artie’s Deli for lunch. As I was walking down the street, two kids ran past me and bumped into a woman who was holding two brown paper grocery bags, knocking them out of her hands. Fruit and vegetables spilled all over the sidewalk. The little punks didn’t even bother to stop and help her. I shook my head as I bent down and helped her pick them up.

  “Damn kids. Are you okay, ma’am?”

  “I’m fine. Thank—” She stopped mid-sentence as she looked up and stared at me. “Connor?” she narrowed her eyes.

  This was weird. “No. My name is Collin. My father’s name is Connor. Do you know him? Connor Black?”

  There was something in her expression that seemed off. It was almost as if she was in shock or something.

  “Oh. I’m sorry. I thought you were someone else. My apologies.”

  “Ah, okay.” I smiled as I helped her pick up the rest of her food.

  “Thank you, Collin, for your help. You’re a very nice man.”

  “You’re welcome. Have a nice day.”

  “You too.” She walked away and continued down the street. I couldn’t help but notice how nervous she seemed. It was strange, but I just shrugged my shoulders and made my way down to Artie’s Deli.

  When I walked in, Julia was already sitting down eating and my sandwich was on the table waiting for me.

  “Hey, sis.” I kissed her cheek.

  “What took you so long? I went ahead and ordered your sandwich.”

  “A couple of kids knocked some groceries out of a woman’s arms and her fruit and vegetables spilled everywhere, so I stopped and helped her pick them up.”

  “That was sweet of you.”

  “It was strange, though. When she looked at me, she called me Connor.”

  “Huh?” Julia narrowed her eyes.

  “I asked her if she knew Dad, but she said she thought I was someone else. She seemed really nervous.”

  “That’s weird.”

  “Yeah. I thought so
too. Anyway, thanks for the sandwich.”

  “You’re welcome.” She smiled.

  “I’m thinking about hiring my own driver. Thoughts?”

  She arched her eyebrow as she sipped her water. “Why?”

  “Because I don’t want Amelia taking the subway. I can’t always be there to pick her up and the cab drivers are crazy here. She was telling me last night how the cab almost got into an accident.”

  “What’s wrong with Ralph?”

  “He’s Dad’s driver and he’s not available all the time.”

  “Then hire someone. I think it’s a good idea. While you’re interviewing drivers, you might as well interview secretaries for you too.”

  “I have a secretary.” I took a bite of my sandwich.

  “Oops. Dad didn’t tell you yet?”

  “Tell me what?”

  “He’s stealing Laurinda from you and you have to find a new secretary.”

  “My ass he is! Laurinda is a damn good secretary and he just can’t take her from me.”

  “Yes he can. It’s his company.” She laughed.

  I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh. This was shit and I’d be telling him how shit it was just as soon as I got back to the office.

  ****

  When I got back to Black Enterprises, my dad wasn’t in his office.

  “Laurinda, do you know where my dad is?”

  “He’s in a meeting.”

  I looked at her and flashed her my genuine sexy smile as I perched myself on the corner of her desk.

  “You like working for me, right?”

  “Of course, Collin.”

  “We’ve been through a lot, you and me, right?”

  She narrowed her eyes at me. “You mean all the times I had to cover for you with your dad?”

  I sighed. “Yeah. Something like that.” I leaned in closer to her. “You’d never leave me, would you?”

  “Does this have anything to do with me becoming your father’s secretary?”

  “So he’s talked to you already?”

  She laughed. “Yes and he’s your dad. He owns the company, Collin. I have no choice.”

  “But you do have a choice, Laurinda. You can tell him no.”

  “He’d fire me.”

  “No he wouldn’t. He’d make me fire you and I would never.”

  She laughed again. “Thank you for that, but I’ll still help you out until you find my replacement.”

  I looked up and saw my dad walking down the hall. “Secretary stealer. We need to talk, Dad.”

  “Yes, we do, son. In my office, please.” He chuckled.

  I got up from Laurinda’s desk and followed my dad into his office, taking the seat across from his desk.

  “You can’t have my secretary. It’s not fair, Dad. You made me fire yours and now you’re stealing mine? What happened to loyalty?”

  “Collin. This is business and you’ll find a new secretary. Plus, I’ll be retiring in a couple of years and when you take over, you can have Laurinda back.”

  “I’m telling Mom.”

  “Your mom already knows. In fact, she suggested it.”

  “Wow. This is payback for getting married in Vegas. Isn’t it?”

  He sighed as he sat down in his chair. “Son, it’s not payback. Now, I have some work to do. Call human resources and tell them to start looking for candidates. Once word gets out that Collin Black needs a new secretary, women will be lining up outside the building for the job.” He smiled.

  “This is the thanks I get for finding you Diana.”

  “You mean the one you made move to California?”

  I sighed. “Okay. Okay. I’ll go call human resources, but don’t think I’m okay with this because I’m not.” I walked out of his office and I heard him snicker.

  Chapter 9

  Ellery

  “I’m throwing myself a birthday party,” Peyton said as I handed her a glass of wine.

  “Oh. And where are you having it?”

  “Tenjune. We’re going to have so much fun! Just like the good old days, Elle. It’s Saturday night so you better not have plans.”

  “I don’t have plans, but why the last minute?”

  “I was waiting to see if Henry would throw me a party and he isn’t. I came right out and asked him and he said he didn’t think I’d want one. What the hell is wrong with him? He knows how much I love to celebrate my birthday.”

  Connor walked into the living room and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “What’s this about a party?”

  “Peyton is throwing herself a birthday party Saturday night at Tenjune.”

  “Ah. Nice. That sounds like fun.” He smiled at her.

  “You bet it will be. We’re going to party all night long.” She winked.

  Little did she know that Henry had already planned a surprise party for her at Pacha on Saturday night. After a couple more glasses of wine and a lot of laughing, Peyton left and I went upstairs to get ready for bed. Connor looked up from his laptop when I entered the room.

  “Our son is very displeased with both of us at the moment.”

  “Why?” I asked as I took off my earrings.

  “Because of Laurinda.”

  “Ah. I see. Well, he’ll get over it. I can come and help him out until he gets a new secretary.” I smiled.

  “I don’t think he wants his mommy sitting outside his office.”

  I turned around and gave Connor a stern look. “What’s that supposed to mean? What’s wrong with his mommy wanting to help out?”

  He sighed. “Let me rephrase that for you, my love. I don’t want you sitting outside his office. His office is next to mine, which means you’d be sitting outside my office as well, and to be honest, it would be too much of a distraction.”

  I smiled as I lifted my shirt over my head and took down my pants. I slowly crawled onto the bed and closed his laptop, taking it from his lap and setting it to the side.

  “You mean this would be too much of a distraction?” I softly kissed his lips.

  “Mhmm. Yes. Too much. I’d never get any work done.” His hand moved over the fabric of my bra.

  “It could be exciting.” I straddled him and ran my fingers through his hair. “I could pretend I was your secretary and I could sit on your desk and take notes.”

  “I could fuck you on my desk as you took notes.” His fingers unhooked my bra and his mouth traveled to my breasts.

  “It wouldn’t be the first time, Mr. Black.”

  “I’ll think about it, Mrs. Black. Now lift up that sweet ass so I can take off those sexy panties.”

  ****

  I stood and stared at myself in the full length mirror at the Valentino black sleeveless dress with the deep curving neckline and ran my hands down my side. Connor walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist and stared at me.

  “Is that what you’re wearing?”

  I glared at him. “Yes. Why?”

  “It’s nice.” He gulped.

  “Nice? Is that all you have to say?”

  “Yes, baby. It looks beautiful on you. Don’t you think you’ll be a little cold?” he asked as he walked into the closet.

  “Why would I be cold? It’s warm out.”

  “With the way your back is so exposed. I mean, there’s not much to the back of that dress.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I’ll be fine, Connor.”

  “What about the front? I mean, it’s so low cut that your boobs might catch a draft,” he said as he slipped on his shirt. “Plus, you’re not wearing a bra and your nipples are hard. So you are cold. Maybe you should change.”

  “What exactly are you trying to say, Connor?” He knew better than to start an argument about the dress. Or at least I hoped he did.

  He walked over and kissed my cheek. “You look stunning and I love the dress. I just wish there was a little more material, that’s all. But if you love it, than so do I.” He smiled.

  “Good choice of words, baby. And my nipples are hard bec
ause I’m excited that you’re staring at me and I know the dress is pissing you off, which is turning me on. Now hurry up and get ready. Is anyone driving with us?”

  “No. The kids said they’d meet us at the club. And I’m not pissed off about the dress, Elle,” I heard him say as I walked out of the room.

  We walked into Pacha and it was crazy. Connor took my hand and led us up to the third floor where we saw the kids and a room full of other friends.

  “Hey, Mom.” Collin smiled as he kissed my cheek.

  “Look at you, Amelia. You look gorgeous.” I gave her a hug. We were wearing the same dress, but hers was red.

  I saw Connor shoot Collin a look and he shrugged. “Good boy, son. Good boy.” I smiled.

  “No use, Dad. I’ve learned from Mom over the years and I’ll never win. So I don’t even bother saying anything.”

  Connor rolled his eyes and hooked his arm around Collin and led him to the bar for a drink. Henry had texted me earlier and said that he and Peyton would be arriving at seven thirty. I looked at the time on my phone and it was seven fifteen.

  “Hey, Mom. You look amazing. Is that Valentino?” Julia asked as she hugged me.

  “Yes. You look beautiful, darling.”

  I said hello to Jake and Connor handed me a glass of wine. The music was loud and I couldn’t wait to start partying. Connor and I walked around and talked to some friends of ours, and when I looked over, I saw Hailey approaching us.

  “Connor, Ellery, it’s good to see you.” She hugged us both.

  “Hailey. It’s good to see you too, sweetie. Your mom didn’t tell me you were back from Paris.”

  “She doesn’t know. I’m here for her birthday. It’s a surprise.”

  “She’ll be so happy. You look great. How have you been?”

  “I’ve been okay.” Suddenly, a handsome young man walked up to her and took hold of her hand. “Marcus, this is Connor and Ellery Black. This is Marcus, my boyfriend.”

  There was something about the way she said she was okay that didn’t sit right with me. As much as she tried to seem happy, her eyes told a different story.

  As loud as the club was, Peyton could be heard throughout the state of New York. I looked up and smiled when I heard her scream and begin jumping up and down, hugging Henry in shock that he threw her a party. I walked over to her and gave her a big hug.