Chapter Twenty-One
Since it was a short walk to Central Park, Grace decided they should head out on foot for their afternoon carriage ride. Donning light jackets and putting the kids in the double stroller, they walked west on 63rd Street towards the park, chatting and enjoying the fresh air. The sun was shining, and the sounds of the city surrounded them. When they crossed 5th Avenue, they walked along the perimeter to Grand Army Plaza to pick up their carriage tour.
Though Grace made a valiant effort to get the driver to allow all of them to ride together in one buggy, the tour operator was adamant that state law had strict rules regarding carriage capacity. So, she decided they would split up as they had when the Beckers were visiting, one carriage for the boys and one for the girls.
They selected the one-hour tour and embarked on their journey around the park. As they passed the Carousel, DJ’s eyes lit up, and Mac made a mental note to take him there after their carriage ride was over. Grateful that Grace had packed Cheerios and a juice pouch for their son, he quickly set DJ up with his snack so he could focus on Franz, who was a nervous wreck.
“Relax, Franz. You have to believe Nadja will say yes. She’s crazy about you,” Mac said reassuringly.
“I believe she will. I hope I’m not rushing things, though.”
“Please don’t take this the wrong way because I don’t consider you an old man. But doesn’t there come a point in our lives where we don’t want to waste another moment not doing what we want?”
“You’re very wise, McKinley. And you’re right. But I will feel better once the ring is on her finger. I am still sorry that Nadja didn’t clarify that she was a spy who knew Grace’s parents before we came. You know I’d never intentionally cause your wife any unhappiness or harm.”
“It’s water under the bridge, Franz.” Mac looked back to see Grace and Nadja chattering away and laughing in the carriage behind theirs. “It doesn’t look like you have anything to worry about.”
Franz nodded. “I’m grateful Grace is so resilient and has such an open, loving heart.”
Mac smiled and nodded, feeling like he’d won the lottery with Grace.
In the second carriage, Nadja enjoyed holding Mimi while their driver pointed out the different sights along the way.
“There is the area where we have a skating rink in the winter,” he commented over his shoulder. “And over there is the Statue of Balto.”
“We’d like to stop for a few moments when we get to the fountain,” Grace requested.
“Of course, ma’am. We always allow for a stop there. It’s where tourists always want to go.”
Grace smiled. “I’m not a tourist, but my friend here is. I want to ensure that she and her companion in the carriage ahead of us have the opportunity to enjoy one of the loveliest spots in all of New York.”
“Our stop there will allow time for pictures,” the driver indicated.
“Wonderful!” Nadja exclaimed. “I want to make a scrapbook with all of the photos I have taken on this trip. Who knows if I will ever get back to New York again?”
Grace smiled knowingly. If Franz was successful in his quest to marry Nadja, there’d be many more trips in her future. But she said nothing, not wanting to spoil the surprise proposal.
When they reached their stopping point, everyone got out of the carriages and headed down the path to Bethesda Fountain.
“Anjo!” DJ shouted excitedly.
“Yes, little man, that’s an angel,” Grace acknowledged, proud of her son’s flourishing vocabulary. “Mac, take the baby from Nadja so I can get a picture of her with Franz in front of the fountain.”
Franz took that as his cue and then, as planned, dropped the little ring box on the ground.
“Oh, wait a minute; let me pick this up,” Franz said as he descended on one knee.
Grace started the video rolling on her phone and watched with delight as realization spread across Nadja’s face.
“Oh, my…” she started, but Franz interrupted her.
“Nadja, I love you very much. Would you do me the honor of accepting my proposal of marriage?” he asked nervously.
For a moment, Nadja said nothing. She was stunned. How could she say yes? She didn’t deserve to be happy.
Grace, astutely recognizing the trepidation of self-deprecation, having felt that way in her past, cleared her throat to get Nadja’s attention. “Well? Would you be his wife? It would make you like a stepmother to me.”
Nadja searched Grace’s face and saw only love and approval. Perhaps it was time she stopped denying herself happiness. Grace didn’t blame her for Genevieve and Jordan’s deaths. It was time to let go of her guilt.
She turned back to Franz and said, “Yes. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve you in my life, but yes. I will marry you, Franz Huber.”
“Mein Liebling, ich liebe dich,“ he said, declaring his love as he slipped the ring on her finger. “Mein frau.”
Grace snapped some photos and got one of the drivers to take a picture of the group in front of the fountain.
“For the rest of the ride, the newly engaged couple will ride in the first carriage, and Mac and I and the kids will ride in the second carriage. That way, you can be as mushy as you want!”
Nadja blushed but smiled gratefully. She needed a few moments to wrap her head around the fact that she had just gotten engaged.
Mac studied his wife’s face. “You’re really okay with this, aren’t you?”
Grace frowned. “Why wouldn’t I be? Nadja makes Franz happy; she is a kind, decent woman who won’t take advantage of him. I hold no animosity toward her. She’s not responsible for the death of my parents, even if she has harbored guilt about it for many years.”
Mac took Grace’s hand in his and shook his head. “You’re the most incredible person I’ve ever met, with the most loving heart.”
Grace sighed. “I genuinely want my honorary father to be happy and loved. Nadja checks both boxes and doesn’t strike me as a gold digger. This is a no-brainer for me. He loves her, and she loves him; that is what matters.”
Franz held Nadja’s hand and whispered words of love in her ear. She giggled like a schoolgirl and blushed when he made naughty suggestions for later. Both were grateful for Grace’s insistence that they ride separately from the group.
The driver smiled. They weren’t the first newly engaged couple to ride in his carriage, but they seemed sweeter than any other he’d driven. Finding love in later years was inspiring.
Meanwhile, Mac held Grace’s hand and contemplated all the ways in which he wanted to touch her body. He imagined her on their bed, her splayed open, inviting him to do whatever he wanted. He envisioned kissing a trail up the inside of her legs, focusing on those creamy thighs, until he landed on her sweet, bare mound. His tongue would flick the little gold ball that he still found so erotic. Eventually, he would need to have her, to enter her with his stiff shaft and…
“Mac, are you okay? Your palm is getting sweaty.”
He sighed. “Just thinking about sliding inside you later.”
“Oh!” she responded, blushing. She glanced at his crotch and noticed the burgeoning bulge. “You should probably think about something less arousing. We are coming to the next stop.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
When the carriage ride was over, they all walked over to the Carousel. DJ loved the moving neigh-neighs, as he called them, but Mimi looked a little unsure. However, she was smiling and laughing by the end of the ride.
The next stop was the Central Park Zoo, where they were able to catch the last sea lion feeding session. The kids enjoyed watching the sea lions do tricks, including showing off their very flexible necks.
“I have some very flexible parts as well,” Mac whispered naughtily in Grace’s ear as they headed to the snow monkey exhibit.
“You’re incorrigible, Mac,” Grace laughed, shaking her head. Then she felt a little shiver of desire and added, “Feel free to show me later.”
By the time the zoo closed at 4:30, the kids had fallen asleep in the double stroller.
“Why don’t we just order some pizza tonight for supper,” Nadja suggested.
“Don’t you want to go out and celebrate your engagement?” Grace asked.
“We’ll have plenty of time to do that when we head home to Vienna,” Franz said, chiming in. “I agree with Nadja; let’s do a casual pizza dinner. Perhaps we can enjoy it up on your spectacular rooftop?”
“That’s actually a great idea. I can put the littles in their room, and we can keep an eye on them with the baby monitor Mac installed in the rooftop dining area.”
Franz chuckled. “He takes his parenting duties quite seriously.”
Grace frowned. “Of course he does; what do you mean by that?”
Franz patted her shoulder and said, “You misunderstand, Liebling. I’m delighted that McKinley Stewart has become an attentive father and husband. He was always so involved with business that I wondered if he could switch off that part of himself. You’ve been a remarkable influence on him.”
Grace nodded. “When I first met Mac, he couldn’t put his phone down. He always worried he’d miss an important call, text, or email. I helped him see the value of ignoring his phone occasionally.”
“How did you accomplish that?” Nadja asked inquisitively.
“She told me that if I wanted to be allowed in her bed, I’d have to turn the phone off,” Mac answered.
Grace blushed, but everyone laughed.
Franz offered to order the food while Mac and Grace took the kids into the nursery to finish their afternoon naps. Once the kids were settled, Mac grabbed Grace’s hand and pulled her into a passionate embrace in the hallway.
“Mac…”
“Shhh, I’m trying to seduce my wife.”
His hands slipped inside her jeans and found a wetness he hadn’t expected.
“Someone’s hot and needy,” he murmured as a finger dipped inside her.
“Oh, God, Mac. We should go upstairs. They’ll be waiting.”
“A few minutes won’t make a difference,” he assured her as a second finger joined the first. Together, they moved in and out of her, making her moan softly.
“Mmm, you’re so hot, Gracie. I can’t wait to ravage you later.”
“What do you call this?” she laughed, panting.
“This is just an appetizer,” he replied as he nibbled on her neck and continued to finger her tight, wet pussy.
“Oh, God. Mac! Don’t. Stop.”
“What’s that baby? Don’t stop? Okay, I won’t. Give in to me, Gracie. Give in to your needs. Cum for me.”
Grace was beyond words as she started to grind against Mac’s hand.
Sensing she was about to get loud, he covered her mouth with his, allowing his tongue to dance with hers while her body shuddered, and her juices flooded his hand.
They didn’t move for a moment. Then Mac decadently fed his fingers to Grace. “Taste yourself, darling; you’re delicious.”
Grace sucked his fingers and moaned.
“We should clean up, babe. We’ve got company, remember?”
Grace nodded. “Later, I…”
“Later, indeed,” he said, interrupting her with another smoldering kiss.
Chapter Twenty-Three
When they arrived on the terrace, Franz and Nadja were enjoying drinks and the spectacular view of Manhattan.
“This is something else, McKinley!” Franz commented. “You can see so much of the city. By the way, the pizza should be here soon.”
“Thanks. We love it up here. If those buildings at the end of the street weren’t so tall, we would have an even better view of Central Park. But it’s hard to complain,” Mac said. “I’m going to head down and meet the pizza guy.”
“I’ll go with you; I ordered a bit of a feast, so you’ll need help carrying it up here.”
“I was just planning to put it all on one of Claudette’s carts and bring it up on the elevator,” Mac laughed.
“Smart boy. Let me help anyway.”
Once they were alone in the elevator, Franz sighed loudly.
“Is something wrong?” Mac asked.
“You might want to remember that you have the baby monitor on the terrace when you decide to engage in a little foreplay,” Franz said, raising an eyebrow.
A look of consternation washed over Mac’s face.
“We weren’t in the kids’ room…”
“Oh, it was audio, not visual. However, it was both awkward and titillating.”
Mac looked pained. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not,” Franz said, laughing. “I like knowing you and Grace still burn for each other. It gives this old man some hope that my decision to marry Nadja is a smart move. I worried our connection in the bedroom might fade eventually. With the right woman, I see that passion can stay strong.”
Mac chuckled. “You’re right; this is both awkward and titillating. However, if you want my advice, never stop acting like you need to woo her into your bed. It helps keep that spark alive.”
Franz nodded and grinned. “I must admit, I never thought I would take advice on keeping a marriage fresh from McKinley Stewart. Then again, this is Mac I’m talking to. I am proud of the man you’ve become. And it makes me happy that you and Grace are so madly in love.”
Mac smiled. “It makes me happy, too.”
Dinner on the rooftop was lovely until a light rain chased them inside. Still, the rest of the evening was fun. The babies woke from their late naps and enjoyed some playtime with their Opa and Oma. But eventually, both couples were ready to call it a night.
Franz feigned a yawn, with Nadja following suit. “I think it’s time for us old-timers to head to bed. Gute Nacht, Kinder.”
“Gute Nacht,” Grace and Mac said in unison.
Fortunately, DJ and Mimi went to bed without a fuss, which was surprising considering their late naps.
“We got lucky they went down without complaining. All that fresh air this afternoon must have tuckered them out.”
“I’d like to tucker you out, my sexy wife,” Mac said, wrapping his arms around Grace’s waist.
She leaned back against him, feeling his obvious arousal. “I’m all yours; wear me out.”
Mac’s cock twitched. “God, you make me so hot, Grace. You stir me up and make me want to take you right here and now.”
“What’s stopping you?”
“Not a damn thing!”
He picked her up and carried her into their bedroom, closing the door behind them. He tossed her gently on the bed and joined her. They tore at each other’s clothes until they were naked and panting. Every thought of a slow, smooth seduction flew out the window as his lust took over. He pinned both her arms and covered her left breast with his mouth, sucking and nibbling while her hips squirmed.
Switching breasts, his dick felt like it might break in two at how pliable and eager she was beneath him. He plunged into her wet pussy and watched her eyes roll back. God, she was the sexiest woman he’d ever laid eyes on, and wasn’t he damned lucky that she was his wife!
Slow down, dumbass, before you shoot your load in seconds like a horny frat boy, he thought. Getting a wicked idea, he pulled out with a grin.
“Suck your juices from my cock, you needy little nymph!”
Grace shot him an amused look and opened her mouth willingly. Straddling her, he slid between her lips and instantly wondered what made him think this would improve his ability to last. As he fed her his rod, he felt the head slip into her throat. She made throaty, purring noises that caused an erotic vibration and knew he was a goner.
“Oh, fuck, Grace, you’re so good at sucking my cock. I’m gonna cum if you don’t stop that.”
But she didn’t stop. She made a noise that sounded like, “Mmm,” and kept on sucking till his balls felt like they might explode. She grabbed his hips and continued to devour him, secretly proud of herself for making him lose control.
He tried hard not to give in, still hoping to fuck Grace as he had planned when this whole steamy scene started. But it was no use. The combination of her lips, tongue, and throat sent him right over the edge. “Holy fuck!” he cried out as he shot his load down her throat and fell onto the bed next to her, panting. She grinned; it always made her feel good to make him cum like that.
“I’m sorry, baby. I promise to take care of you…”
“Shh! Don’t you dare apologize. I wanted to milk that cock of yours and swallow every drop. I’m not sorry at all. Now, if you’ve managed to catch your breath, put that mouth of yours to good use.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, grinning. Taking in the sight of her naked body, begging for the pleasure only he could give her, was a heady experience. How silly to think that he was in charge here. Grace held the real power, didn’t she?
Of course, she did; she had since the first time they were together. Not the first time they made love in Paris, but that first rather regrettable night in a small hotel room in need of refurbishment when he’d started off well, impressing her with some very skillful oral delights before screwing up big time by being a careless lover.
That was the night he’d been torn between wanting to devour her and savor her. So, he aimed for somewhere between restraint and unbridled passion and was rewarded with nectar sweeter than he’d ever tasted when he took her right up to, and then, over the edge.
With that memory in mind, he did his best to replicate the oral sex that had made her see God. He let his tongue flick the little gold ball that had surprised him the first time he’d seen it and continued to delight him even after all this time together.
A shiver ran through her entire being, eliciting a soft moan as his tongue did remarkable things. Her hips moved gently at first, then with greater fervor. When he slipped a single finger inside her as he nibbled on her clit, she grabbed his head and pushed his face into her needy pussy.
“Oh, fuck, yes! My God, Mac! You’re driving me crazy.”
Inwardly pleased with himself, he continued his erotic onslaught until she was bucking and crying out.
“FUCK! Oh, God, Mac! I’m fucking cumming!”
He drank in the delicious honey but didn’t let up, pushing her over the edge a second time… and then a third.
He moved from between her legs to lie next to her. But first, he kissed her, sharing her exquisite taste.
“Look what you’ve done; dining on your delicious pussy has made me hard again if you’re interested in more.”
She smiled weakly. “Not necessary, but I won’t argue if you want to slide into me.”
So, he did… and made her see God one more time before they fell asleep.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Mac woke up with a grin. His incredible wife had snuck down beneath the covers and was doing erotic things with her tongue.
“Mmm,” he moaned softly. “Do we have time? What about the kids?”
“Kids are sleeping. Be quiet and let me have my way with you,” she answered.
“You’re insatiable,” he chuckled, knowing that he’d let her do whatever she wanted with him.
Her hands teased his sac while she took him into her talented mouth little by little, deliciously dragging out the seduction.
“Fuck, Grace! You’re driving me wild.”
He couldn’t see her face, but he knew the pretty mouth that surrounded his cock was smiling. She enjoyed making him hot beyond reason.
As he entered her throat, he felt her nose against his belly and marveled at her ability to make his rather impressive package disappear entirely.
“Oh, fuck! That feels amazing, you wicked temptress! You make me want to grab your head and fuck your throat relentlessly.”
“Mmm-hmm,” Grace managed to mumble with her mouth full.
Taking two handfuls of her coppery locks, he proceeded to fuck her throat. But instead of pounding into it, he took it slowly, prolonging the pleasure.
As decadent as her mouth was, Mac wanted to ensure they both started their morning sated. Abruptly, he pulled out and dove under the covers, flipping Grace on her back and pinning her to the bed.
“Spread those legs for me, darling. I need your hot, tight, wet…”
Grace covered his mouth with hers, kissing him passionately as she guided him between her glistening pink folds. They moaned simultaneously as he entered her, opening her up with his thickness.
He moved in and out of her with deliberate strokes, enjoying the fact that she was willing to change gears without protest. He watched her face as he made love to her and saw mischief in her eyes.
Grace tucked her legs around Mac and flipped him on his back without warning. The covers flew off the bed and onto the floor as she rose to a sitting position and began to ride him.
“Sassy redhead!” he admonished teasingly.
“You were supposed to let me have my way with you, remember?” she panted as she bounced up and down on his cock.
Her luscious breasts bounced along with her and, combined with her hair flowing wild and loose, made her look like a feral goddess. They moved together in harmony, not too fast or slow, perfectly in sync in a seductive rhythm.
They enjoyed this pace for a bit until his need grew stronger. Grabbing her hips, he encouraged her to speed up, and she was only too happy to comply. She rode him hard until they were on the brink of orgasm and enjoyed hovering there before they fell, climaxing together.
“Oh, fuck, Grace!”
“Oh, God, yes, Mac. Fill me up! Make me cum!”
They collapsed on the bed together, panting raggedly and hearts beating wildly.
Mac pulled Grace into his arms and kissed her temple. “I have no idea what I did to deserve this, but thank you.”
“You mean morning sex?”
“I mean having a wife who thoroughly enjoys sex and is not afraid to initiate to get what she wants and needs. And, yes, morning sex.”
Grace grinned. “You liked that, huh?”
“More than liked, Gracie. God, you’re beautiful. I love you, baby. I always feel like the luckiest man on Earth with you as my wife.”
“I feel the same way, Mac—lucky to be your wife and have you as my husband. I think you may be right.”
“Right? About what?”
“About the fact that we were destined to find each other.”
Mac hugged Grace tighter and said, “I believe that with my whole heart, Grace. We were meant to be together. There could be no one else for either of us.”
He truly believed so as he thought back again to their early days. No one had ever made him want to work so hard to be a better man. No one had ever given him the chance to be more… until Grace. He kissed the top of her head and silently thanked the universe for the day she walked into his office and interviewed for a job as his escort.
Grace smiled and snuggled into the crook of Mac’s arm. She could hear him thinking loudly but didn’t pry as he looked completely relaxed and happy. She felt the same way; she, too, felt lucky that she’d answered that ridiculous ad to be an escort despite being over-qualified and over-educated for such a job. As much as she never again wanted to be homeless and living on her last few dollars, being in that position had led her to Mac. If that wasn’t fate, she didn’t know what was!
They lay like this for a few moments until they heard the sound of little feet heading toward their room. Fortunately, the door was closed, and DJ hadn’t yet figured out how to open it.
“Mama!” DJ bellowed, knocking on the door.
“Just a minute, honey-bunny.”
Grace popped out of bed and grabbed her bathrobe, slipping it on quickly. She shot a glance back at Mac. “Grab a sheet and cover yourself,” she laughed.
Opening the door, Grace was nearly knocked over when DJ barreled past her into the room and pounced on their bed.
“Dada!”
Mac hugged their little boy and looked beseechingly at Grace. “Why does he start the day with this much energy?”
She laughed. “I don’t know. Maybe he takes after his father. He seemed to have plenty of energy just a few moments ago.”
Mac raised an eyebrow. “That’s entirely different.”
“I hear Mimi fussing around in her crib. I’m going to grab her and feed her. You’re in charge of the wild boy.” Grace grabbed a pair of athletic shorts and tossed them on the bed. “And put some pants on.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
