Indigo- The Complete Series, page 77
part #1 of Indigo Series
“After we talked last night, I kept thinking about what you said about remembering what’s most important. And that’s us.” He kissed her hand. “So, can I take you away to Santorini?”
Lucy considered the commitments she had for the next few weeks, but nothing was urgent. “Try and stop me,” she said with a grin.
Justin picked her up and spun her around in his arms. Lucy threw her head back, laughing.
CHAPTER 11
Lucy
Once Justin and Lucy arrived at the villa, they didn’t bother to unpack. Despite a long flight, they felt energized being back in their home.
“We’re going swimming.” Justin toed off his shoes and tossed them aside, making quick work of taking off the rest of his clothes.
“Let me find my swimsuit.” Lucy rummaged through the closet. She had left all her Santorini wardrobe behind at the villa.
Justin gripped her from behind, making her yelp. “No swimsuit, no bikini.” He peeled away her blouse and unzipped her skirt, kicking them aside. He kissed her neck as he unclasped her bra and let it fall to the ground. “I want you naked and wet,” he said, dragging her panties off.
Lucy giggled as he swept her up in his arms, pushing the glass sliding door open.
“Don’t toss me into the pool,” Lucy begged, holding onto his arms and gazing up at him.
“All right.” He took the steps down into the infinity pool, placing Lucy on her feet in the shallow end.
Lucy dipped her head back to get her hair wet, tipping it back up to see Justin swim away. “Where are you going?” she called after him.
He stopped when he got to the deep end of the pool. Wiping the water from his eyes, he shouted, “If you want me, you’ll have to come and get me.”
Lucy took her time dog-paddling her way across the pool.
“I’m waiting for you, Lucy,” Justin shouted from the other end.
Lucy slowed her movements even more, turning on her back to float, staring up at the cloudless blue sky while she trickled water on her chest. She took a look at water droplets gathering on her raised nipples as she splashed, the sensation increasing her arousal because she knew Justin must be watching.
She smiled to herself when she heard the steady rhythm of Justin’s strokes in the water getting closer. “You’re sexy as fuck,” he said in a husky voice, arriving at her side. “You love teasing me, don’t you?”
Lucy’s laughter traveled across the terrace.
She squealed when Justin caught her in his arms and said, “I’m so glad we’re here.”
Lucy kissed him. “Me, too.”
***
Justin had texted Althea before they left California, so the kitchen was fully stocked. After an afternoon nap, Justin grilled chicken and Lucy made a salad and garlic bread.
During sunset, they ate on the terrace, drinking champagne.
“It feels so right being here,” Lucy said as the sun dipped on the horizon, leaving a vast expanse of red behind.
“From our first morning,” he kissed her hand, “it’s always felt like home.”
Justin’s face was partially obscured by candlelight, so it was difficult to evaluate his facial expression.
“What are you thinking?” she whispered.
Justin caressed her cheek. “I’m just admiring you. You remember how I enjoy gazing at you.”
“Well, instead of gazing at me, why not help me with the dishes?” She got to her feet and piled the plates on top of one another.
“Leave it,” he growled, lifting her onto his lap, fiddling with the buttons on her shirt.
“We have all night.” Lucy wiggled off his lap. “You can keep me company,” she said over her shoulder.
“Okay,” he said, getting to his feet and following her.
Lucy made quick work of rinsing and stacking the dishes in the dishwasher.
“Althea will be here in the morning. She won’t like you doing her work for her.” Justin plugged in his phone to recharge.
“It’s not a big deal.” Lucy popped in a detergent pod and pushed the start button.
“Good. You’re done.” Justin swept Lucy up into his arms, just as her phone buzzed on the counter.
Lucy craned her neck to see who was calling. “It’s my mom.”
“You can call her back.”
“She doesn’t know we’re in Greece. Let me just tell her we’re here.” Lucy gave him a quick peck on the lips as he set her down and picked up his own phone, scrolling through text messages.
“Hi, Mom,” Lucy answered in a cheerful voice.
“I’ve been trying to reach you. Why haven’t you returned my calls?” her mother’s voice was measured but brittle.
Lucy suddenly regretted her decision to answer the phone. “We were traveling. Justin and I are in Greece.”
“Greece?”
“Yeah, we arrived today. What’s up?” Lucy wrapped an arm around herself, keeping her eyes focused on the marble floor and away from Justin. He had always been protective of her, but no more so than when she interacted with her mother.
“You owe me an apology for your behavior at the bridal boutique. I put a lot of effort into finding the right dress for you.”
Lucy took a deep breath. “Mom, I explained this to you at the boutique. The dresses are too lacy, frilly, and poufy. I don’t want to look like Scarlett O’Hara.”
“You’re getting married in Grace Cathedral, sweetheart. You need to wear a gown that equals the setting.” Her mother was trying to be conciliatory now, but the resolve in her tone was clear: there would be no compromise.
Lucy lifted her eyes to see Justin considering her.
“Mom,” she said, trying to collect her thoughts. “I want to feel beautiful on my wedding day. And I won’t feel beautiful if I’m not myself. I want to wear a simple dress.”
“For goodness sake, Lucy,” her mother snapped. “You’re not getting married in a suburban backyard.”
This conversation was headed downhill fast, and Lucy would have to turn it around before it escalated out of control.
She turned away from Justin. “This is my wedding, Mom. Please try to understand.” That old internal battle had returned with a vengeance. Despite all the insight she had gained in therapy, here she was trying to appease her mother again. Taking another deep breath, Lucy focused on how she felt at the boutique. She was respectful but determined not to be manipulated. “I’m choosing my own dress. When I get back to LA, I’m going shopping with Colleen. Justin has offered to pay for it.”
Her mother was quiet on the other end.
“Mom? Are you there?” Lucy held Justin’s questioning gaze.
“Fine. Let your rich boyfriend buy your dress,” her mother hissed down the line. “It should be your parents’ privilege, but obviously, he has more influence over you now.” Her mother’s voice choked on her tears.
“Mom, please don’t cry.”
Justin slid off the counter and wrapped Lucy in his arms before gently taking the phone out of her hand.
“Monica? Listen, I agree with Lucy. It’s our wedding, and it’s her dress. Got it?”
Lucy frowned. Why did Justin’s words sound like a warning?
She only caught bits and pieces of what her mother said, but her voice was raised. Justin turned away from Lucy. “I understand you’re her mother, and Lucy is your only child, but I meant what I said.”
Lucy tried to take the phone, but Justin shook his head, lifting his arm out of the way. “There’s no need to say things like that, Monica. I love Lucy, too. I’m going to be her husband.” Lucy scowled at him. “Yes, that’s how it’s going to be. I support whatever makes Lucy happy, and right now you’re making her unhappy.” He paused for a few moments while he listened, his lips pressed together in a hard line. “Yeah? Okay then. You are more than welcome to hate me.” Justin ended the call and tossed the phone on the counter.
“What the hell was that about?” Lucy reached for the phone, but Justin caught her hand.
“I don’t want her upsetting you anymore.”
“But—”
“But nothing,” Justin said, pulling her into an embrace.
Lucy’s phone pinged with a text from her mother. She squirmed out of Justin’s arms to get to her phone.
I refuse to be bullied by your fiancé. Plan the wedding yourself. He’s paying for it, anyway.
“Holy shit.” Lucy was stunned. She read the text aloud and asked Justin, “What does she mean by, ‘He’s paying for it, anyway’?”
Justin dragged his lower lip through his teeth, his eyes studying her face.
Lucy held up her phone. “Do you know what this is all about?”
“Yeah, I do,” he said, placing his hands on his hips. “I had your best interest in mind, but I’m not sure it was the right thing to do.”
Lucy shook her head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Your parents don’t have the money to pay for the wedding.” Justin let out a big sigh. “I offered to cover all the expenses.”
Lucy blinked a few times as the realization crashed over her. “But I thought—” All this time, she believed despite her parents’ bankruptcy, they had set aside money for her wedding.
“Are you all right?” Justin asked, running a hand up her arm.
She yanked her arm away. “You went behind my back,” she said, her voice rising in anger. “We aren’t supposed to keep secrets from each other, and this is a huge one. Did you think I’d never find out?”
“Like I said, I had your best interest in mind.” Justin ran a hand over his jaw. “I never thought it would spin out of control like this.”
“We’re getting married, Justin. I understand that you’re protective of me, but it’s time to stop treating me like I’m made of glass. This is my battle, not yours.” Lucy spun away from him and marched to the bedroom, slamming the door with a loud bang. She let out a harsh breath, and paced around the bedroom, turning the engagement ring on her finger while trying to figure out what to do with this mess. Her parents had always treated her like a child, incapable of handling anything difficult. And now, Justin was doing the same thing.
There was a soft knock on the door.
“Go away!” she shouted. “I’m pissed off, and I need to be alone right now.”
“Please let me in,” Justin said in a calm voice through the door. “I don’t mind if you’re mad at me, but don’t shut me out.”
“No!” she shouted. “I said I need to be alone and I mean it.” Lucy collapsed onto the bed, grabbed a pillow, and turned onto her side. Tears welled up and slid down her cheeks. This was another lie on top of an already massive pile of lies told by her parents. She lay on the bed, hugging the pillow as her thoughts turned to her life at home. How long had she been told lies? She had no idea how to move forward with her parents, much less how their deceit could be repaired.
Lucy closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she recalled all the times she desperately wanted her mother’s approval. Lucy was no more than a pawn in her mother’s social-climbing life. Someone to be manipulated.
Well, it was over. It was yet to be determined what kind of relationship Lucy would forge with her parents. That was her past. Her future was starting a new life with Justin. She understood his intentions were honorable, but she was angry about his method. She glanced at the bedside clock and was surprised that almost an hour had passed. With a sigh, she tossed the pillow aside and rolled off the bed.
Lucy cracked the door open. Justin sat on the floor, his arms wrapped around his legs and his head tucked into his chest. He lifted his eyes to hers; they were filled with worry and regret.
“Come in.” Lucy held the door open. She sat on the bed with her arms around her waist.
“I’m sorry,” he said in a hoarse voice as he entered the bedroom.
“I’m mad at you for not telling me, but I’m more disappointed in them.” Lucy let out a big exhale. “The lies they’ve told me over the years are endless. They never involved me in their money problems because they didn’t want me to worry, and now you’re doing the same thing. Hiding the truth from someone you love in an attempt to protect her is still a lie. And unless I ask for your help, you can’t intervene between my parents and me. I’m not in danger, so there’s no need to be overly protective.”
“I will always want to protect you. I’m wired that way. But I understand how you feel, and I’ll try my best to let you deal with your parents. Keeping a secret from you was wrong. I promise to never do anything like that again without involving you in the decision-making process. Can you forgive me?” Justin’s eyes searched hers for an answer.
“I forgive you,” she answered with a nod.
Justin sat next to her and leaned in for a kiss.
Lucy held up her hands. “Let me finish.” Lucy paused to collect her thoughts before continuing. “You tried to fix a problem my parents created, and I appreciate that. My mom always told me I would have a wedding fit for a princess.” Lucy shook her head with a laugh. “Most little girls dream of having a big wedding, but not me. I never wanted all the attention.” She ran both hands through her hair, tugging at it in frustration. “After everything that’s happened, I thought things would be different, but they’re not. My mother wants to be the center of attention at her daughter’s glitzy wedding. And, as always, my father will do anything to make her happy.”
“There’s something else I have to tell you,” he said, his brows knitted together.
“There’s more?” Lucy’s pulse increased.
Justin scratched his stubble. “In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you I also bought something from your parents.”
“What?”
“I wanted to surprise you on our wedding day, but I think it’s better you know everything now.”
“You’re making me nervous. Just tell me.”
“I bought the cottage from your parents,” he said in a quiet voice as he waited for her response.
Lucy’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “Why did you do that?”
“I told you before, I love being there with you.” Justin’s eyes scanned her face. “It’s part of your family history, and I want you to hold on to it. And now it will be part of our family history. You never have to let it go.”
Lucy remained still as she held eye contact with Justin.
“If you don’t want it, I can sell it. Just tell me what you want.”
Lucy blinked back tears, covering her mouth with her hand. “That was such a thoughtful thing to do.”
“And what about paying for the wedding?”
Lucy gave him a brief nod. “I’m still angry you went behind my back, but I appreciate your offer. It was a noble gesture to protect my parents’ pride. And my mother ruined it—as usual.”
“In a way, it makes things easier,” Justin said, moving closer and cradling her face. “Now you can have the wedding you want. I don’t care if we have a massive, splashy wedding, or we get married in Vegas. In the end, we create our own future, and that’s all that matters.”
Lucy brushed her lips against his and then jerked away. “I have to plan a wedding by myself?”
“No worries. We’ll do it together.” The corner of his mouth quirked up.
“I thought that saying was off-limits.”
“It’s worth it to see you smile.” He tucked a curl behind her ear and searched her face. “Besides, how difficult can planning a wedding be?”
Lucy snorted with laughter. He was right. Compared to everything they’d been through, planning a wedding would be a piece of cake.
“Did I say something funny?” Justin kissed her neck.
“Oh, Justin. You have no idea how happy I am.” She lifted her face to his and kissed him. “I don’t care about the wedding. All I want is to spend the rest of my life with you.”
CHAPTER 12
Lucy
“Good morning, my love,” Justin whispered in a deep voice near her ear.
Lucy curled into his side, mumbling, “I don’t want to wake up yet.”
Justin chuckled and slid the sheet away. He hummed a song as he kissed her shoulder, caressing her hip with his hand. Rolling her onto her back, he kissed her on the lips, moving the hair out of her face.
Lucy’s eyes fluttered open to see his stubbled face, messy hair, and dark, blue eyes.
“There she is,” he said, placing gentle kisses along her neck while singing the lyrics to “Marry Me” by Train.
“I’ve already agreed to marry you,” Lucy said, lifting his head and running her hands through his thick hair.
He gave her a shy smile, his left eye blinking slower. “I don’t want to wait any longer. Let’s get married as soon as possible.”
Lucy sat upright. “You’re joking, right?”
Justin shook his head. “It’s no joke. We can get married here at the villa. I think it’s a great idea.”
“But my parents, my friends…everyone expects us to get married in San Francisco in a few months. Everything’s arranged.” Lucy flopped back on the pillows, squeezing her eyes shut with a groan. “I forgot. We’re starting over planning our wedding.”
Justin straddled Lucy, interlaced his hands with hers, and held them by her head. “We can do whatever we want, remember?” His lips touched hers gently before he deepened the kiss.
Lucy responded to his kiss as she always did. She tilted her hips up, a silent plea for him to enter her, his cock rubbing her clit in a delicious way.
Without a word, Justin entered her, moving in and out in an unhurried pace. Their breathing filled the bedroom as he picked up the pace, his eyes focused, his full attention on her.
Lucy gasped as he shifted position and let loose, thrusting like a man possessed. Holding her hips in a firm grasp, he was fully in control of fucking her.
“Justin,” she said, her head thrashing from side to side on the pillow.
“Marry me,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
