“Good for you, Wes!”

  “So, who’s the lucky man?”

  A wide grin crossed my lips. “His name is Shaun, he’s an investor in Simply Jenni, and he bought this building for me. I’ll Facetime him so I can introduce you. I’m not sure he’ll answer, though. He’s very busy.”

  Pulling out my phone, I Facetimed Shaun, and his handsome face appeared on my screen after the first ring.

  “Hello there, beautiful.” He smiled.

  “I wasn’t sure if you’d answer.”

  “You caught me at the right time. I’m getting ready to head into a meeting. What’s up?”

  “I want you to meet someone. Shaun, this is Wes, my new assistant.” I turned the phone to Wes. “Wes, this is Shaun Sterling.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sterling.”

  “Call me, Shaun. And it’s nice to meet you, Wes.”

  “Call me crazy, but your background doesn’t look like Los Angeles.”

  Shaun chuckled. “That’s because I’m at my office in New York. Tell them I’ll be right there. Listen, I need to get into my meeting. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Bye.” I smiled as I bit down on my bottom lip.

  “Behave yourself today.” His brow arched. “Bye.”

  I ended the call and let out a long sigh.

  “Okay, missy. That man is hot as fuck!”

  “He is, isn’t he?” I swooned.

  CHAPTER 23

  TWO WEEKS LATER

  Shaun

  I’d sent Jenni the box of chocolates from Paris because she was mad at me, and for the first time in my life, I cared when a woman was angry at something I’d said or done. Usually, I didn’t because I never liked anyone enough to give a shit. But with Jenni, I did, and as hard as I tried not to be in contact with her while I was in New York, I couldn’t. I missed her, and I hated myself for feeling that way. I hated that I missed her smile, her voice, her quirky ways, and the sex. God, I missed being buried deep inside her and holding her in my arms.

  I was leaving New York two days earlier than planned. My work here was finished for now, and I wanted to get back to California, but I didn’t tell her I was coming because I wanted it to be a surprise.

  As soon as my plane landed, I climbed into the limousine the car service sent. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I sent Jenni a text message.

  “Hey, gorgeous. How’s your day going?”

  “Hi. It’s going great. The delivery guys are here delivering my desk.”

  “That’s great. I can’t wait to see it when I get back. I have to run. Talk to you later.”

  “Facetime later?”

  A smile crossed my lips. “Of course.”

  I stepped through the studio door, and I was shocked at how quickly she put everything together. Hearing voices coming from upstairs, I left my suitcase by the door and quietly walked up and saw her and Wes in her office looking at her desk.

  “It looks great,” I spoke as I stood outside the doorway.

  Jenni whipped her head around, and the moment she saw me, she ran into my arms.

  “Oh my God! What are you doing here?”

  “I decided to come back a couple of days early.” I tightly hugged her.

  “I’m happy you did.” She smiled as she broke our embrace. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

  My lips met hers for a moment.

  “I wanted to surprise you. Are you surprised?”

  “I’m so surprised.” She hugged me.

  “Wes.” I gave him a nod.

  “Hello, Shaun. Welcome back to Cali.”

  “Thank you. The place looks great. When is everyone starting?”

  “Tomorrow. Wes has been such a godsend and has helped me so much already.”

  “Good.” I smiled. “Your work here is done. Grab your purse, and let’s get out of here. You’re all mine for the rest of the day and night.”

  The corners of her mouth curved upward into a beautiful smile.

  “Okay. Give me a second.”

  “I’ll be waiting downstairs.”

  Placing my hands in my pants pockets, I went downstairs and looked around. I was proud of what she’d accomplished while I was gone.

  “I’m ready.” She grinned as she walked down the stairs.

  “Key?” I held out my hand.

  “All yours.” She handed me the key to her car.

  After we pulled into the driveway of my house, I grabbed my bags from the back and unlocked the front door. Setting my bags in the foyer, I turned around and swooped Jenni up in my arms. I couldn’t wait any longer for the sweet taste of her upon my lips. Our mouths met, and our tongues were reunited with excitement. Carrying her upstairs and to my bedroom, I laid her on the bed and hovered over her.

  “Facetime sex was great and all, but nothing beats being able to touch you like this.” I ran my hand up her thigh until I reached her panties. “I missed this.” I pushed them to the side and dipped my finger inside.

  She let out a gasp as she brought my head down until my lips met hers.

  I explored her and hit the spot that always made her orgasm. Her soft sensual moans had my cock so hard I thought it was going to explode. Taking the straps of her dress down, I pulled off her dress and tossed it on the floor.

  “Do you know what else I missed?” I asked as I pulled off her panties.

  “What?”

  “This.” I spread her legs and brought my mouth to the area that gave me so much pleasure.

  She let out a satisfying moan as her fingers gripped the comforter while my tongue teased, and my lips tasted the sweetness of her.

  “Oh God, I’ve missed this,” she moaned.

  After bringing her to an orgasm a second time, I stood up and stripped off my clothes. Jenni sat up, scooted to the edge of the bed, and wrapped her lips around my cock. I threw my head back in total bliss and took in the overwhelming sensation her beautiful mouth gave me. I told her I was about to come, and she didn’t care. She kept going until I exploded, and the rush of ecstasy tore through me. I lifted her head and stared into her eyes as my cock still ached to be inside her. Reaching for my wallet, she grabbed hold of my wrist and slowly shook her head.

  “I think we’re at the point where we don’t need to use a condom. You know I’m on birth control.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life as I am at this moment.”

  I climbed on the bed and hovered over her as I ran my hand through her hair and our lips meshed. Pushing inside her, I gasped at the warmth and the wetness that enveloped my cock.

  “You feel so good,” she whispered.

  “You have no idea,” I moaned as I thrust in and out of her.

  Her legs tightened around my waist as her breath exploded and the pressure built. Within moments, I crossed the threshold into pure bliss.

  My heart pounded out of my chest as I dropped my body on hers and buried my face into the side of her neck. Pulling out of her, I rolled on my back and turned my head, so I was looking at her.

  “Welcome home.” The corners of her mouth curved upward.

  I smiled as I brought my hand to her cheek and softly stroked it.

  “It’s good to be back here.”

  “Sebastian is having the family for dinner at the restaurant tonight. It’ll be Julia and Sam’s first outing with the babies. And since you’re back, you’re coming.”

  “I am?” I arched my brow.

  “Yes. Everyone will be happy to see you.”

  “I don’t want to intrude on a family dinner.”

  “Please. You’re practically family now that we’re seeing each other. Plus, they all like you. It’ll be fun.”

  “Okay.” I smiled at her. “I’ll go.”

  While she was in the bathroom fixing her hair, I walked out onto the patio and stared at the blue ocean water as I took in the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. It felt good to be back here. Not only because I missed her, but because everything was falling into place exactly as I planned it.

  CHAPTER 24

  Shaun

  “Welcome home, neighbor,” Simon said as he walked over. “It’s nice to see that wall gone.”

  “Yeah. It is.” I smiled as we shook hands.

  “How was New York?”

  “It was good and very productive.”

  “Jenni didn’t tell us you were coming back today. We’re having dinner tonight at Emilia’s. Join us.”

  “Jenni didn’t know. I wasn’t supposed to be back until Sunday evening, but I came back early to surprise her. She invited me to dinner tonight. Are you sure it’s okay? I don’t want to intrude on your family gathering.”

  “You’re more than welcome.” He patted my back. Now that you and Jen are seeing each other and you’re our new neighbor, you’re invited to all our family gatherings.” He smiled.

  “Thanks, Simon. That means a lot. Especially since I don’t have any family.”

  “Consider us your family then.”

  “Hey, you.” Jenni smiled as she stepped out on the patio.

  “Look who I found standing here,” Simon said.

  “Isn’t it great he’s back?”

  “It is. I have to run. I’ll see you both at the restaurant.” He gave us a wink and walked back to his house.

  Jenni wrapped her arms around me from behind, and I brought my hands up and gripped them as I thought about what Simon said when he told me to consider them family.

  “Welcome back, man.” Sebastian smiled as we shook hands.

  “Yeah. Welcome back.” Stefan placed his hand on my back.

  “Thanks. It’s good to be back in California.”

  “Scotch?” Sebastian asked.

  “Sure.”

  “I’ll go grab one,” he spoke as he walked away.

  “Sam finished the design for the condos,” Stefan spoke.

  “Great. I can’t wait to see it.”

  “You’re going to love it. He really outdid himself with the design.”

  “Hi, Shaun.”

  “Hey, Lily.” I smiled as I patted her head.

  “Welcome back.”

  “Thank you.”

  “The babies are here!” she exclaimed as she ran over to Sam and Julia when they walked in.

  Following behind was my father, Celeste, and my baby sister Nora. I brought my glass of scotch up to my lips as I stared at him.

  “Hello, Shaun.” My father smiled as he walked over and extended his hand.

  “Hello, Henry.”

  “How was New York?”

  “It was good.”

  “I’m sorry. What is it you do again besides being an investor in Jenni’s company?”

  “I’m the CEO and owner of Sterling Capital Corp.”

  “Nice. Is it a family-owned business?”

  “No. I started it when I was twenty-one after I graduated at the top of my class from Yale.”

  “Impressive. If you don’t mind me asking, what is your net worth?”

  “Dad.” Stefan’s brows furrowed. “That’s rude.”

  “We’re all businessmen here, and it is public information.”

  “It doesn’t mean he wants to talk about it!”

  “It’s fine, Stefan.” I glanced over at him and then back at my father.

  “Currently, my net worth is fifteen billion dollars. But it will be on the rise once I take over a competitor.”

  “Impressive.” The corners of Henry’s mouth curved upward. “And you did all that on your own?”

  “My uncle moved in with my mother and me when I was thirteen. He had just lost everything in his divorce and had nowhere else to go. With the little money he had, he started making investments. Some were good, but a majority of them were not. I studied the market and saw the potential to make a lot of money, so I helped him. I told him what to invest in, when, and I told him when to sell. In return, he gave me a percentage of his earnings. I saved every dime of that money, got my shit together, went to Yale on a full-ride scholarship, found a couple of investors, and started my company.”

  “You’re a brilliant man.”

  “According to the intellectual quotient tests, I have an IQ of 150.”

  “Damn,” Stefan said. “You’re like a genius.”

  “Nice.” Henry smiled as he slowly nodded his head. “So, who was the smart one in your family? Your mother or father?”

  “Must have been my father, but I wouldn’t really know since I’d never met him.”

  “You grew up without a father?” His eye narrowed at me.

  “I did. According to my mother, he was a stranger she’d met at a bar and had a one-night stand with.” I stared into his eyes.

  Jenni walked over and hooked her arm around mine. “It’s time to eat. Let’s go sit down.”

  After dinner, everyone was starting to leave the restaurant.

  “Hey,” Sam said as he walked over.

  “Drinks on the patio at my house when we get back. You better be there.”

  “Sounds good to me.” I smiled.

  When we left the restaurant, I parked my car at home, and then Jenni and I walked over to Sam’s house.

  “I’m going to go inside with the girls.” Jenni reached up and kissed my lips. “Have fun with the guys.”

  “Thanks, babe.”

  She stood there and stared at me with a wide grin splayed across her face.

  “What?” I chuckled.

  “You called me ‘babe.’”

  “Did I?” I gave her a wink and walked back to the patio where my four brothers were sitting.

  Sam handed me a glass of scotch when I took a seat next to Sebastian.

  “Listen, Shaun,” Sam said. “Stefan told us about how our father grilled you at the restaurant. I’m sorry about that.”

  “Nah. Don’t be. It’s all good.”

  “Sometimes, he has no tact.” Simon shook his head. “And he can be difficult to get along with unless you agree with his views.”

  “Yeah. He can be a real asshole,” Sebastian said.

  “Can be?” Stefan laughed.

  “Well, the only thing I can say is you’re lucky you had him around when you were growing up. He must have done something right because the four of you are pretty great.”

  “Thanks, man,” Sam said. “But we’re not great because of him. We had each other.”

  “Yeah. It wasn’t easy growing up with our parents. Always in and out of relationships, married, divorced, married, divorced,” Stefan said.

  “The four of us were pretty fucked up when it came to women,” Sebastian said. “When we were younger, the four of us made a pact.”

  “A pact?”

  “No women, no relationships, and no love. Only sex.”

  “Umm. It looks to me like all that has changed.” I gave them a smirk.

  “Sam was the first one who broke the pact when he met Julia. Then I broke it with Alex. Sebastian broke it with Emilia, and our boy Simon jumped on board when he met Grace.”

  “We realized we weren’t our parents, and as scary as it was loving them, we had to let go of the fear,” Sam said.

  “What are you five talking about out here?” Grace smiled as she took a seat on Simon’s lap.

  “Guy talk, babe. No women allowed.”

  “Is that so?” Her brow arched. “Did you really just say that? Did you?”

  “Come on, babe. You know I was kidding.” He kissed her lips.

  “That’s what I thought.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. The sliding door opened, and Jenni, Alex, Julia, and Emilia all stepped onto the patio. I could tell both Jenni and Emilia were drunk.

  “Hey, sexy,” Jenni said as she sat down on my lap and kissed my lips.

  “You smell and taste like lemons.” I smirked.

  “We were doing a few lemon drop shots in the house. Want one?”

  “No. I think it’s time we go back to my house.” I placed my arms under her legs and stood up.

  “We’re going surfing in the morning. Meet us out there,” Simon said.

  “Maybe I will. I haven’t had a chance to test out the new surfboard yet.” I smiled.

  “Great. We’ll be down there around seven.”

  I carried Jenni back to my house and took her right upstairs. Her lips were all over my neck, and I was getting harder by the second.

  “I love you,” she whispered in my ear.

  My heart leaped into my throat.

  When I laid her down on the bed, she passed out. After removing her clothes, I pulled back the covers, placed her under them, and tucked her in. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I ran the back of my hand down her cheek as she slept.

  “You can’t love me, Jenni. You just can’t.”

  I closed my eyes for a moment and then went downstairs and poured myself a scotch.

  CHAPTER 25

  Shaun

  Before I left to meet my brothers, I checked on Jenni one last time. She was sleeping peacefully, so I grabbed my surfboard and headed down to the beach.

  “You made it.” Stefan smiled.

  “Sam’s not here yet?”

  “He’s not coming. The twins were up all night.”

  “Ah. Poor guy.”

  We put our boards in the water and paddled out.

  “By the way, we’re having a birthday party at my house next week for our dad, and we’re hoping you’ll come with Jenni,” Sebastian said.

  “Thanks. I’m sure it’ll be fun.” I smiled at him.

  We surfed, talked, and had a good time.

  “You’re pretty good.” Simon patted my back.

  “Thanks. You guys are a lot better than I am.”

  “We grew up surfing,” Stefan said. “Don’t worry. Stick with us, and you’ll get better.”

  I walked back over to my house, and when I opened the sliding door, I saw Jenni standing in front of the coffee maker.

  “Morning,” I spoke.

  “Shh. No talking until I’ve had coffee.”

  I let out a light chuckle as she took her cup and went out to the patio.

  After taking a shower and getting dressed, I made a coffee and joined Jenni outside. I needed to know if she remembered what she’d said to me last night.

 

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