“I remember Candice was so nervous when she first came down here with Blaine. It was all new to her.”

Mia nodded. It was funny how she could sometimes feel so threatened by Candice, yet commiserate with her at the same time. “I can understand that.”

“You’ll be fine,” said Vanessa. “Anything comes up, just call me or Cam.” She winked. “Any girl stuff. The kind of stuff Blaine can’t handle. Or James, either.”

Mia thanked her again and waved goodbye to the BMW as it zipped down the driveway. As she went back in the house, she reminded herself of the old adage about books and covers and all that. Those women surely weren’t what she’d expected when they walked in the door, but she was definitely glad she’d let them in.

*

Mia wanted to make sure Blaine’s arrival the next afternoon was perfect. She prepared sandwiches made with fresh goat cheese and grilled vegetables, and even had James pick up the ingredients for her to make a simple fruit cobbler. By

the time she finished and cleaned up her cooking mess, Blaine had texted that he was on the way from the marina.

She was finishing her personal prep as she heard him enter. A final spritz of perfume and a straightening of her long white maxi dress, and she was ready. She heard Blaine calling her from downstairs.

“Mia? Baby?”

“I’m coming,” she said. She found that the closer she got to the stairs, the faster she went. She smiled when she saw Blaine at the bottom of the staircase, waiting for her. She picked up the pace.

The dress was too long. Halfway down the stairs, she stepped on it. Her ankle rolled, and down she went.

“Mia!” Blaine cried. He caught her before she could hit the last stair. She grabbed at her ankle. “Baby, are you okay?” Blaine lifted her and carried her to the couch. She wiped at her eyes.

“Oh my gosh,” she said. “That was not how I wanted to welcome you.” She felt like crying. “How ridiculous. Just like Camille. Falling down the steps.”

She filled him on her meeting with his friends. He held her ankle in one hand and rotated her foot. “Those birds. Quality ladies…both of them. Does your ankle hurt?”

She shook her head. “My pride is wounded. Not my ankle.”

“You’re beautiful and amazing whether you’re sick or falling down or standing there like the perfect goddess you are.”

She gasped as he kissed the arch of her foot. He knelt on the floor before her. His kisses trailed up her leg. He pushed the white dress out of the way as he went. “Perfect,” he said.

Mia gave up worrying. She gave up having to be graceful and elegant all the time. Blaine thought she was perfect, and that’s all that mattered.

She watched him spread her legs farther so he could better pleasure her. His tongue stroked her clit in small circles. His slid on finger, then another, then another inside her. “You’re so tight. It’s only been a couple days. I need to make sure you’re ready again. Do you want to come now, like this?”

She nodded. “I need it now.”

“Lift your legs. Hold them.” He showed her where he wanted her to put her hands. She wrapped her arms around her own thighs and pulled them toward her chest. “That’s better,” he said. “Now I can see all of you.” He kissed both her thighs before going back to work on her orgasm.

It didn’t take long. His thumb on her clit, and one finger inside her pussy brought her to the edge. He pressed on her bottom, and slid a finger into her anus. Softly at first, and then harder pressure in small circles. She orgasmed in three cresting waves. “Good girl,” he said. “That’s it.”

He pulled away from her and positioned his cock outside her pussy. “You have to come again. Promise me?”

She panted her agreement, eager to feel him stretch her wide open. He was right, it was almost as if she’d tightened back up in the few days away from him. As wet as she was, he had to ease into her. She moaned. “Am I hurting you?” he asked.

“No—no. It’s amazing. It’s just so big.”

“Pull your legs closer to you. Spread for me.”

She did, and he slid deeper. He began thrusting hard. She reached down with one hand and pressed on her clit. She knew the look on his face, his grinding teeth. He was going to come.

“Come inside me,” she said.

“What? Isn’t that—what if— pregnant—” He couldn’t manage full sentences.

“If I do—will we be okay?”