Sex, Love & Lingerie (Secrets and Lies Book 3) Read online

  My mouth was as dry as cardboard. Jaime silently grabbed a plastic cup with a straw off the nightstand and held it to my lips. I sipped the beverage while his other hand held mine. The refreshing cool liquid combined with the warmth of his touch infused me with strength.

  “I met your father.”

  He stroked my hair again. “Shh, my angel. You have to save your strength. You’ve been through a terrible ordeal and lost a lot of blood.”

  The expression on his face told me he didn’t believe me. “But I did. He looks so much like you except his eyes are darker. And he told me how much our little boy looks like you.”

  Jaime blinked as if in disbelief. “How could you know that?”

  “And Madame Paulette told me that our little girl is the spitting image of me. With a feisty temperament to match.”

  Jaime’s eyes widened.

  “Mon amour, I came back for you. For them. Your father told me I’d made a promise. And that I had to keep it.”

  “Shh.” Leaning into me, he silenced me with an all-consuming passionate kiss. It started off slow, then deepened, pouring strength into my bloodstream Oh, God! How divine it felt to have his lips back on mine. And to hear my heart beat against his.

  A cheerful voice cut our kiss short. “You have some little visitors.”

  My jaw dropped. A new rush of tears sprung to my eyes. I clapped the hand that didn’t have IVs poked into it to my mouth as two smiling nurses pushed a pair of petite see-thru carts into my room. They slid them so that they were perpendicular to my bed. Two little bundles of joy faced me. Both wrapped up in pastel-striped blankets, one wearing a little pink knit cap, the other a powder blue one.

  “Oh my God!” I sobbed. “Our babies! They’re beautiful!”

  Jaime lowered my hand and held it in his. “Yes, my angel. Meet Paulette and Payton.”

  “I want to hold them.”

  Jaime looked at the nurses beseechingly. “Is she strong enough?”

  “Please,” I begged through my tears.

  The bubbly nurse, whose name was Kashunna, smiled. “I think it’ll be fine.”

  “But let’s get her situated,” chimed in the other.

  I could not hold back a big smile as the nurses worked together, cranking up my bed and adjusting my pillows. My pulse sped up with anticipation and excitement. Jaime squeezed my hand.

  My eyes stayed riveted on the duo as they carefully lifted the two little bundles from the carts and gently placed them in my arms. With tears still streaming, I gazed down at the precious tiny lifeforms. My lips quivered. A feeling of joy like no other swept over me. I touched down my lips first on little Payton’s forehead, and then on Paulette’s. My eyes met Jaime’s. My alpha man was now smiling. His eyes twinkled. His loving expression made me even more overwhelmed with emotion. My love for him at this very moment could not be surpassed. It belonged in The Guinness Book of Records.

  I gazed down again at my two little miracles. My beautiful Paulette and Payton. “Hi,” I said softly. “I’m your mommy.” I swore they blinked their blue eyes as if they recognized me, and I knew they say newborns can’t smile, but they did.

  I looked up. And gasped. I had more company. Hovering over me were Madame Paulette, Henri, and Payton.

  “They’re here!” I cried out.

  “Who?” asked Jaime, his eyes darting around the room, filled with alarm.

  “Madame, Henri, and your father!”

  Jaime let out a resigned sigh. “Angel, you’re still seeing things. No one’s here but the nurses and me.”

  I blinked my eyes, and in a flash, they were gone. Our children’s guardian angels. I didn’t have the energy to argue with Jaime nor did I want to. This moment was too perfect. My two little angels lowered their eyelids and fell fast asleep.

  “When will I be able to breastfeed them?” I asked the nurses.

  “In a few days, dear,” replied the redheaded one. “You need to get your strength back and wait for your milk to come in.”

  “Oh,” I said with more than a hint of disappointment.

  “But we’ll be sure to bring them by frequently so that you can bottle-feed them in the meantime.”

  A small smile crossed my face. At least, I would be able to hold them and feed them. I vowed to get strong fast. I’d always been a fighter. And this time was no different.

  Jaime’s virile voice cut into my thoughts. “Happy Valentine’s Day, my angel.”

  My mind did a little shuffle. I’d totally lost track of time. Yesterday, was the Gloria’s Secret Fashion Show. And yes, today was Valentine’s Day.

  I smiled warmly at him. “Happy Valentine’s Day, my love.”

  My eyes stayed on him as he reached into a pocket of his jeans. He pulled out a small red gift-wrapped box and handed it to me. “Open it, Gloria,” he said softly, bringing me back into the moment.

  With the babies still in my arms, I unwrapped it. My heartbeat sped up. Under the paper was a scarlet velvet box. Though definitely not vintage, it reminded me of the life-changing little box he’d given me in Paris aboard the Grand Roue. I glanced down at my breathtaking engagement ring still on my finger. The unforgettable memory of that night flashed into my head. He’d lit up both my body and heart.

  Holding the box in my palm, I snapped the lid open. And then my jaw went slack. Sparkling before me was a magnificent pair of earrings—two dangling diamond hearts that matched the entwined hearts of my ring.

  “Oh, Jaime! They’re beautiful,” I gasped. And yes, more tears.

  He beamed. “I had them made. They’re the two beating hearts of our babies.”

  “AWW!” sighed the nurses in unison.

  Mr. Creativity! “Put them on me.” My arms were folded around my little ones. I didn’t want to let them go.

  Jaime stood up and bent over me. One after another, he inserted the earrings into my lobes while the hearts of my little darlings beat beneath my palms.

  Nurse Kashunna padded over to the dresser and returned with a hand mirror. “Take a look, honey.” She held the mirror up to my face. My pale reflection startled me, but the earrings were indeed exquisite. I gave my head a little shake and stared in awe as the two diamonds danced and reflected the early morning sunlight beaming through the window. Yes, they embodied everything my children would be. Vibrant and sparkly. Full of life and sunshine. Two little gems.

  Jaime glowed. “You look beautiful in them.”

  He could have said they look beautiful on you. But instead, he told me I looked beautiful in them. Only my man could make me feel beautiful inside and out no matter what I looked like. I thanked him and then suddenly I felt bad. “Mon amour, I don’t have anything for you.” Confession: I’d planned to cook him a romantic meal in some sexy red lingerie, rub his back, rub his cock, and spend the night making love.

  He held me soulfully in his gaze. “That’s not true. I have the heart I almost lost. And now, I have two more I will cherish forever.”

  With that, his lips crashed onto mine. With our babies still sound asleep in my arms, I could have no better Valentine’s Day.

  EPILOGUE

  Gloria

  Six Months Later

  “Fuck, angel!” Jaime hissed.

  I was giving him a blowjob. A major one. After all, it was our first anniversary. I wished I could say something…like ask him how he liked it, but my mouth was glued to his enormous cock. But truth be told, his big swelling shaft in my mouth, filling the hollows, was the only answer I needed. I could practically hear it talking to me. Telling me how much it loved my mouth wrapped around it, descending and ascending, my tongue licking and flicking, my hand gripping it tight at the base. And taking it to the hilt.

  My head bowed, I was kneeling back on my heels on our luxurious bed in our brand new home. Just before our anniversary, our Malibu beach house had been completed. It was everything we’d dreamed of and more. A glass palace, it was anchored on Jaime’s secluded Malibu cliffside property and had spectacular views
of the Pacific and beyond from every window. We’d decorated it quickly with comfortable but chic oversized white furnishings that showcased Jaime’s father’s colorful abstract paintings on the walls. Many who’d been here said our beach house was a work of art in and of itself. Confession: it was. Mr. Creativity had outdone himself designing it all. He had even baby-proofed it by walling it in.

  As I sucked him, my tits, still heavy from breastfeeding, grazed his powerful thighs. My über-sensitive nipples brushed against his taut flesh, creating a barrage of distracting flutters. I was getting off on him and hoped we’d have time for a morning fuck—even a quick one. Jaime, in the meantime, was so close to coming; I could tell. His enormous cock was pulsing in my mouth, and I could hear his ragged breaths. And then with a rasp, he confirmed it.

  “Angel, I’m going to come in your mouth.”

  Oh, yes! Come, my darling!

  On his next harsh breath, his cock exploded, spilling his hot release down my throat. I swallowed hard. And just in time. A loud knock sounded at our door.

  “Miss Gloria, you have gentlemen visitors.”

  I recognized the cheerful voice immediately. It was our beloved nanny Kashunna. The very nurse who’d attended to Paulette and Payton during their stay at Cedars. During their three-week stay in the hospital’s NICU, she’d totally fallen in love with them. And, in fact, couldn’t get enough of them. When Jaime and I came to pick them up at a plump five point five pounds each, she wept. She couldn’t bear say good-bye to them. So, I offered her a job to be our nanny. At triple the salary she was making (plus hefty bonuses and lots of sexy Gloria’s Secret lingerie she coveted), she couldn’t resist. Little did she know—or I know—her new job came with one more bonus. She’d fallen head over heels in love with my handsome driver, Ty, five years her junior. I was elated for both of them. There was no doubt in my mind they were going to get married. And I was going to throw the wedding.

  Quickly, Jaime and I donned some clothes. Me, a silky pink robe from our most recent collection and Jaime, a pair of hip-hugging sweats that revealed his perfect pelvic V. His sculpted bare chest with that impeccable six-pack and those molded pecs was pure eye candy. We returned to our massive bed, curling up on it, sitting casually cross-legged. The fragrant scent of the magnificent lilies and roses Jaime had surprised me with earlier filled the room.

  The door burst open. Shit! We’d forgotten to lock it. We were lucky Kashunna knocked first.

  “Hi, Glorious! Hi, Jaime! Happy Anniversary!”

  I broke into a big smile. It was Kevin and Ray. Each was holding one of our now deliciously chubby six-month old babies, Kev, Po-Po, as he lovingly called her, and Ray, Payton. Sporting rich tans, they were just back from their belated two-week honeymoon in Europe, which culminated in a cruise around the Greek islands. Kashunna followed behind them, wheeling a dolly that was filled five-feet high with assorted gift-wrapped boxes and shopping bags.

  “What’s all this?” Jaime asked, his denim eyes wide.

  “We did a little shopping in Europe,” Ray replied.

  “A little?” I laughed.

  “There’s a few things for you and Jaime, but the majority are for the twins,” Kev said before giving Paulette a big smoochie.

  I rolled my eyes at him. “Kev, I’m going to have to annex their closet if you don’t stop buying them things.”

  “Glorious, I would start today.”

  I laughed again as did Jaime. Kevin and Ray adored Paulette and Payton. And totally spoiled them. They were truly the best godparents one could ask for. Down the line, they were thinking of having children of their own. Either via a surrogate or adoption.

  And then my dear Kev turned to Kashunna. “And wait till you see what we bought for you, Fly Girl.”

  Kashunna’s last name was Fly—F.L.Y., which she jokingly told us, stood for “Fucking Love You.” She did and the feeling was mutual. Kevin, in particular, had a big place in her big heart.

  Her creamy mocha-latte face lit up. “Sugar, I just hope it’s something I’m gonna love to take off.”

  Kev broke into a fiendish smile and handed her one of the shopping bags. “Take a look-see, honey.”

  Unable to resist, our excited nanny dipped her hand into the hot pink bag marked GS, Paris. It was something from our flagship Champ-Elysées store, which carried an exclusive high-end line called Madame, designed for curvy French women. The name of the line was, of course, an homage to my beloved mentor, Madame Paulette.

  Kashunna burst into a dazzling smile that revealed her perfect white teeth. She held up the provocative black lace merrywidow against her curvy body and swayed her hips. “Ooh la la! I’m gonna have me some sexy times in this!”

  Inwardly, I chuckled. Ty was in for a treat. Kevin had also bought her a pair of thigh-high silk stockings, the perfect companion to the enticing one-piece garment with its push-up bra and adjustable garters.

  “Glorious, we also brought over some champagne and caviar to celebrate your anniversary,” Kev said brightly before I could say another word.

  He knew how much I loved these delicacies and I thanked him.

  “Let’s toast!” Handing Paulette over to our nanny, Kevin grabbed a bright red bag that sat atop of the pile. Inside was a bottle of Moët Chandon and five crystal champagne flutes. Setting the flutes on our dresser, he popped the bottle with ease and then poured us each a glass.

  “People, I can’t drink this,” protested Kashunna. “I’m on baby duty.”

  “Have some,” countered Jaime. “Boss’s orders.”

  Mr. Controlling! How I loved him! It didn’t take much to twist our party-loving nanny’s arm. Everyone crawled onto the king-sized bed. The babies sat contently on Kashunna and Ray’s laps.

  “To Gloria and Jaime,” toasted Kevin as we raised and clinked our glasses.

  We each took a sip of the bubbly as the happy babies looked on.

  “Glorious, what’s that on your wrist?” asked my sharp-eyed best friend.

  A sheepish smile splayed on my face. “A tattoo.”

  “I have the same one,” chimed in Jaime, twisting his left wrist to display it.

  Proudly, we both showed off identical hearts that were intersected by the infinity symbol. Toi et Moi forever. While Kev and Ray were honeymooning, we decided to get them inked. To remind us of our eternal love. Since my near-death birthing ordeal, there wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t think about God giving me more than the gift of my beautiful children. He had given me once again the gift of life. In truth, we were more than just a toi et moi. Along with Kevin, Ray, Kashunna, and Ty, we were a family. I would love them all till the day I died. I’d learned that forever is more than a word or a measurement of time; forever is a place in your heart where your loved ones will always dance even when you’re gone. As I soaked in the people so near and dear to me, the beautiful truth hit me like a rockslide. Forever was happening right now. Right here. A tear of happiness flickered in my eye.

  “What are you two lovebirds doing to celebrate?” asked Ray, breaking into my rapturous thoughts.

  “We’re having a picnic on the beach with the babies. Come join us,” replied Jaime.

  “Count us in!” said Kev with a big smile.

  Our first anniversary fell on a Sunday, so none of us had to work. Well, at least go into an office.

  Jaime continued. “And I’m taking Gloria out for dinner tonight.”

  Kev kissed the top of Paulette’s head again. “Aww, are Mommy and Daddy leaving my two cutie pies all alone?”

  My sensitive Paulette, who sometimes suffered from separation anxiety, was on the verge of tears, but leave it to Kev to tickle her just in the nick of time. She burst into a fit of laughter. There was nothing more beautiful than a baby’s laugh. Although my husband didn’t agree with that.

  Jaime’s virile voice mingled with her laughter while his eyes held me fierce. “And I also have a special surprise for my wife.”

  My ears perked up. This was news
to me. I traced his strong stubbled jaw with my hand. “Really, darling? And what might that surprise be?”

  “Something sparkly?” crooned Kevin.

  “Maybe.” My gorgeous husband eyed me sheepishly.

  “Tell me!” I pleaded.

  He playfully tugged my long braid. “Angel, a surprise isn’t a surprise if I tell.”

  Tingles rushed to my core. I was definitely looking forward to what he had in store. I even had an idea.

  The early September weather couldn’t have been more perfect. The temperature was in the low eighties, and the gentle ocean breeze offset the hot, beating sun. We’d all gathered on a large blanket, close to the very spot where Jaime and I had made endless love time and time again. The two of us often joked that there was a permanent outline of our bodies etched in the sand.

  “Come in the water with us,” begged Kevin a little after we devoured the scrumptious chicken Creole Kashunna had prepared for lunch. In addition to being a dream nanny, the New Orleans native was one hell of a cook. I joked she was going to make me fat again. It had taken me almost six months to lose all my baby weight, and now my body was almost back to normal. Including my belly button to Jaime’s dismay. I was now able to wear a string bikini and wanted to keep it that way.

  “Maybe later,” I said though an ocean dip was unlikely. I was happy relaxing and basking in the sunshine.

  “What about you, Jay-Z?”

  He adjusted his Ray-Bans. “Thanks but no thanks. I think I’m just going to hang out here with Gloria and the twins.”

  “Okay, you party-poopers. We’ll let you know how the water is.” Together, he and Ray leapt to their feet, and holding hands, they ran toward the roaring Pacific, shrieking like two little kids as they hit the water. They were so adorable together, and I was so happy that my Kev had found true love like I had. In no time, they were frolicking in the big, crashing waves.

  My gaze shifted to Paulette and Payton. They were sitting nearby on the sand, contently playing with their plastic pails and shovels. They loved the beach. The sand, the waves, the squawking seagulls, and the schools of leaping dolphins we’d often see. Through my sunglasses, I drank them in. They were truly the two most gorgeous children I’d ever seen, and wherever we went people agreed. Paulette was indeed the spitting image of me, her platinum tendrils peeking out from her sunbonnet. I could only surmise I looked just like her as a baby as my crack whore mother sadly never took a photo of me. The only feature she hadn’t inherited was my dual-colored eyes. Hers were both cerulean blue, just like her brothers. Payton, on the other hand, was a mini-Jaime and looked just like the childhood portrait painted by his father that hung in his office. And the resemblance wasn’t just physical. He’d inherited his cocky attitude, and for sure, he was going to grow up to be a player just like his father had been before he met me. Jaime and I were going to have to teach him a thing or two about love.