Lustful Hearts

When I heard the clink of the knife against the glass I openly cringed, glaring at Joel but he just grinned back.

Oh god, I hated public speeches, and he knew it.

"I'd like to start by saying that I am so happy you all could attend this celebration of the most beautiful girl in the room."

Cringe.

Everyone smiled looking my way.

Double cringe.

I glared harder at Joel, willing him to keep a lid on it.

"I just want to say I'm so happy to share this day with you, baby, to see you smile, and I can't wait to share many more. You're my world, and I'll continue to love you even more with each day that passes, if that's even possible.

You have my heart, baby, it's yours, but I wanted to get you something I know you've always wanted. It's my gift to you and I know you're going to cry, but I've been waiting so long to see our family grow and now today it will. Let me welcome our newest member of the family."

I sat in stunned silence, then squealed loudly watching Joel bring out the gorgeous golden Labrador bundle.

He was right, tears streamed down my face as its chocolate brown eyes locked with mine. I was officially in love.

"Oh my god, Joel, could you be anymore perfect?" I whispered, taking the puppy from his arms and kissing its soft warm head.

"It's a girl," he replied. "Now I have two girls." His fingers softly swiped away the tears as she nuzzled into my chest. "Do you have a name yet?"

I bit on my lip, I had to give her one with some meaning. "Ruby," I finally said.

Joel grinned. "You do love that film." Already guessing the connection with The Wizard of Oz.

"Well, there's no place like home." I smiled, and his eyes glazed over; we'd both found the family we'd truly been searching for.

"Then it's perfect." He smiled as I turned my attention back to Ruby now falling asleep to the beat of my heart.

Was it possible to love something this instant? Well that's how I'd fallen for Joel, fast and hard. We were complete, there was nothing else I wanted or needed.

"So when is Uncle Elijah going to get a hold?" He pouted, pulling his usual face. He was direct as always. I slowly handed a sleepy Ruby over to a beaming Elijah while I sat listening to him promising his little princess everything.

I guess it was inevitable he would be sharing too, I'd no doubt she would be spoilt rotten by her two uncles, and that thought alone left me smiling.

Sam joined us a while later, his face lit up taking in the sight of Elijah cuddling Ruby like a baby. He quickly bent over, giving her a kiss, handing me my card. I opened to reveal a £30 gift card.

"That should keep you going with your book boyfriends." He winked and Elijah smiled, he knew he was feeding my obsession. He settled down beside Ruby, and Joel wandered over with a beer and a plate of food which was gratefully received.

"Have you had a good birthday, baby?"

I nuzzled into him, breathing him in. "The best, thank you for my gift."

"My pleasure, baby."

"I can't believe you remembered." He always had a way of surprising me, remembering the tiniest of things.

"I remember everything. It's something I've always wanted to give you a home and our first dog. I'm glad we get to share this together." His words almost floored me, there was nothing I wanted more. "I'm sure we'll be great parents," I replied giggling.

"The best, that's if we ever get her back."

I pursed my lips, looking over at Elijah the dog hogger. It was obvious from the start that Ruby would be a big a part of all our lives. I could already see their bond forming before my eyes.

"Yeah, there's no chance of that, I predict plenty of sleepovers for Ruby." I could guarantee it. My eyes returned to Joel's just as a serious look crossed his face.

"Did I do good, baby?" His eyes widened, waiting for my response.

Did he not know already?

I smiled taking my sweet time to answer. "You did amazing, but I'm kind of hoping the celebrations aren't over yet." I was hoping they were going to end with a bang, preferably with me up against a wall. A smile tugged on his lips. "Baby, I will blow your mind."

"Mmm, maybe I'll do you first." I grinned, watching his eyes immediately darken. Oh, I'd definitely got his attention now.

"You can't say things like that to me in a room full of family and friends." My eyes skimmed his body, surprised to see a tent already beginning to form in his jeans.

Wow, my words had definitely had the desired effect.

I leaned over, my eyes pinning his with a dark lustful look. "Maybe we should start the celebrations early?"

Joel's breath hitched and I didn't need a response, my answer was written across his face. He grabbed me, pulling me up, quickly gathering up my presents into a bag before prizing Ruby from Elijah's steady grip.

Within minutes we were headed home, leaving a roomful of surprised people. But from the flush on our faces, I think they more than knew the reasoning for our sharp exit, and right at this moment I didn't care. Cradling Ruby who was now sleeping in my arms, we walked through the door, and I quickly placed her down into her basket. I soothingly stroked her head as she momentarily opened her eyes, within seconds she was back off into a contented sleep.

I felt Joel's fingers entwine with mine, dragging me out of the room to make our way to the bedroom.

"I need you, Iz, don't make me wait a moment longer."

His words sent a rush right through me. God, I needed him too. "Joel," I breathed. There were no other words, he could see the need there in my eyes.

He lifted me up, and my legs wrapped around his waist as my arms encircled his neck, drawing his mouth down onto mine.

"What do you want, Iz?" he asked breathlessly in between kisses.

"Just you... only you."

He let out a moan of approval, moving me in tighter. "You have me, baby, I'm yours."

I grabbed his hair, wrapping it around my fingers, holding him tight. "Then let's make this birthday even more memorable."

"I think you're wearing too many clothes, I know I am." His eyes sparkled with amusement, and I had to agree on both accounts.

"Well, why don't you help me lose these layers?" I said in my seductive voice that I hoped would drive him wild.

"Well, it's a hard job but somebody has to do it." He chuckled, dropping me down to the ground, within an instant I was stripped of my dress. "Fuck, Iz." His eyes greedily roamed down my body, taking in the red sultry bra and thong that was trimmed with black ribbon.

"You like?" I grinned, already knowing the answer. He looked about ready to pounce.

His eyes finally flicked back to mine. "Oh, I more than like if I'd have known you were wearing this underneath, we'd have never have left the house." From the way he licked his lips seductively, he looked like he was ready to eat me up. I shivered inwardly, I would enjoy every second of it.

"As much as I love these." His eyes dropped down to my thong. "They need to go, but the bra stays."

His stare was completely undoing me, the lust in his eyes telling me to obey his every word, and I was more than willing to do so.

I quickly slipped off the thong, watching the delicate material slowly drop down to the floor. Joel was beside me in seconds, guiding me down onto the bed beside him.

"God, you look beautiful." He crawled up the length of my body while his eyes devoured every inch of mine. I shivered, feeling his lips brush along my skin until they reached the sweet spot behind my ear. "Are you ready to continue the birthday celebrations?" His tone was so enticing I almost came there and then.

"Mmmm," I managed to get out, enjoying the teasing of his lips sucking on my skin.

"Is that a yes, baby?" I didn't have to open my eyes to know he was smiling in amusement right now.

"Yes," I breathed, enjoying his delicious torture.

His lips vibrated against my sensitive skin as he softly chuckled. He slowly kissed his way down my body, teasing and tasting me. My breath hitched in anticipation, but then he stopped. "Joel," I whispered, my voice so full of need. I popped open an eye to look at him.

He lifted his head so his eyes fixated on mine. "Grab hold of the pillow, Iz."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Why?" I whispered.

His mouth turned up into the most beautiful smile, his eyes brimming with lust. "Cause I'm about to give you a birthday you won't forget."

Oh my.

My fingers gripped the pillow tight, I didn't need to be told twice.00000