“Sure.” He closed the door on the tail end of another giggle, then the whole group broke into hysterics. Alex shook his head and headed towardbthe back.He was stopped mid-flight by the three-year-old.“Hi.”“Hi,” he said back. Her wide eyes were serious, and he swallowed hard, wondering if he had to make conversation with her or if it would beacceptable to just step around and move on. “Uh, I’m just looking for the bathroom.”“I have to go potty, too,” she announced.“Oh. Okay, why don’t you get your mommy?”“She’s not here. Have to go bad. Come on.”She reached out a tiny hand and he panicked. There was no way in hell he was going to take a toddler to the potty. He didn’t know what to do. What if there was a problem? He backed off a few steps and shook his head. “Uh, no, Taylor, why don’t you get Aunt Maya to take you?”Her face screwed up a bit. “Gotta go now. Bad.”“Wait here.”He turned and knocked on the door where the women were. Again, silence fell past the wooden barrier. “W
She cleared her throat and got to work. “You really did it this time, squirt. Have one last bite and give the pop to me.”“Okay.”Alex wondered why she didn’t argue with Maya, then figured he should be grateful. His wife deftly wrapped the leftover ice cream in a wad of tissues and buried it in the bathroom garbage. She nudged Alex aside, picked Taylor off the toilet, and took the wad of paper from him to clean her up. Maya pulled up Taylor’s underwear, straightened her dress, washedboth of their hands, and did a quick wipe of her mouth to remove any evidence.Then Maya walked out of the bathroom with a very happy three-year-old and a confused adult. She squatted and spoke directly in Taylor’s ear. The little girl nodded, then took off to join the guests.“What did you say to her?” he asked.She smiled with an experienced smugness. “Told her if she breathed a word about any ice cream, she’d never get any more from us. Trust me, the kid speaks our language.”“You’re not mad?”She turn
thought, he stepped into his bedroom and shed his clothes.Maya escorted her new temporary dog into the back room, which had been covered in old, ripped sheets she had found in her apartment. She set him up with food and water and placed a kiss on his head. Her heart dropped a little when she noticed he never wagged his tail. Not once.Something about this hound dog pulled at her, but she was content just to have bought some extra time to find him a loving home. Now it was time to service her husband.She poured a glass of wine and made her way upstairs. The sound of the shower echoed from the hallway, and her belly tugged with deliciousanticipation. Already, a warm dampness seeped between her thighs when she thought of making love to Alex . Her nipples hardened as she opened the bathroom door to a cloud of steam and placed the glass on the sink. Thenbegan to take off her clothes.“Your wine is on the sink, honey.”His voice came out muffled. “Thanks.”She slid the shower curtain to
Alex glanced over at the doorway again. The skinny canine skulked behind the corner and peered at him with those yellow eyes. The week was almost up, and the mutt would finally be gone. He didn’t like the way the dog followed him around and watched every movement. He didn’t act like a normal dog who barked and wagged his tail and slurped water. This onereminded him of a ghost. Maya forced him to eat, drink, and taught him how to be walked. The mutt went through all the motions but his eyes remained distant, as if waiting for the real truth to be revealed. As if waiting to be dumped back on that highway. Alone.Alex shook his head, annoyed at the shiver that raced down his spine. He’d been having dreams lately of the dog Jed had made him get rid of,dreams that haunted him until he reached for his wife in the middle of the night to exorcise the lingering images. He found himself doing that a lot lately. Losing himself in her body, in her warmth and heat, until the deep chill he carrie
She was talking about movies and he’d just experienced the biggest crisis in his life. Alex closed his eyes and fought off the emotions that burned through the last crumbling wall and left him with rubble. As if the dog recognized a fellow war victim, he lifted his head and watched.Then Alex knew what he had to do. Too new to express his emotions verbally, too confused to see how he’d play out this new hand, those whirling, messy emotions exploded throughhim until he could only reveal them one way.He crossed the room and knelt before her. The dog made a low mutter and moved from her lap to disappear into the kitchen. Maya looked at Alex with a question in her eyes as he laid a palm over her cheek and studied her face. As if seeing her for the first time, he took in every feature and let himself fall into the abyss.“I want to make love to you.”****Maya listened to her husband say the words and her heart stopped, then pounded in an uneven rhythm. She didn’t know what was different
Memories from his past dragged him back. With long practice, his heart chilled, along with his tone. “Jed. What do you want?”His father laughed. “Is that the type of greeting I’m warranted from my own son? How’ve you been?”Alex dropped the letter in his lap and went through the motions. “Fine.Back from Mexico so soon?”“Yeah, I got married.”Wife number four. His mother would pop out of hiding to make trouble that seemed to be the pattern. and he was only a pawn to make thegame more interesting. Nausea clawed at his gut. “Congratulations. Listen,I gotta go, no time to chat.”“I have something to discuss with you, Son. Meet me for lunch.”“Sorry, I’m busy.”“I just need an hour, tops. Make the time.”The warning pulsed through the phone. Alex squeezed his eyes shut as he fought instinct. He better meet him, just in case Jed had some twisted idea to go after Dreamscape and challenge the will. What a mess. “Fine. I’llmeet you at three o’clock. Planet Diner.”He clicked off the pho
ass about me getting closer to my children. I thought we could all do lunch together. You know, you, and Amber’s kids.”The ridiculousness of the situation caused a moment of speechlessness.Alex thought of all the times he’d begged Jed to have a lousy conversation with him, let alone a meal. And now because his new wife pressed him, Jed assumed he’d jump to experiment with a father/son relationship. A twinge of bitterness leaked through the ice. Too little. Too late. Even worse, Jed didn’t really even care.Alex drained his coffee. “Appreciate the offer, Jed, but I’ll pass. Haven’t needed you before. Don’t need you now.”His father’s eyes turned mean. “Always thought you were better than me, huh? The golden boy. Listen up, son, blood is blood, and soon you’ll realize you’re destined to make the same mistakes I did.” He practically snarled hisnext words. “Wanna know the truth? I married your mother for love, but she only wanted my money. Once I sniffed out the truth, I was going to
8 Months ago Alex Smith had a fortune at his fingertips. But to get the one thing he wanted he needed a wife.Alex believed in many things, working hard to accomplish a goal. Controlling anger and resorting to reason when a moment became confrontational. And creating buildings that were solid and beautiful. Smooth angles and sharp lines blending together. Bricks and concrete and glass attesting to the solidity that people craved in ordinary life. The Short moment of wonder when a person looks upon the final creation for the first time. All of these things made sense to him. Alex did not believe in marriage, love or even family. This things made no sense to him, and he had decided not to incorporate them into his life. Unfortunately, uncle Billy had changed the rules.Alex 's guts coiled, and his sick sense of humor almost caused a laugh to spill from his lips. He rose from his leather chair and stripped of his jacket. He quickly changed into his gray sweatpants and matching tshirt.
I wrapped a towel around Gracie and tucked her against my chest. She grizzled and grasped against my skin, her legs bending and stretching. She was anxious to get going. At six months old, from the second she openedher eyes, until they finally, begrudgingly, shut for the night, she was on the go. There was a lot of bum wiggling these days I had many videos on my phone from Maya, and I had witnessed it many times, but she hadn’t yet started crawling, although I expected it any day.I had taken her in the shower with me. She loved showers and I didn’t want to leave her alone too long. She laughed the whole time, and though I couldn’t say I was as clean as I normally would be, I would pass for the day.I carefully patted her hair dry after I fastened her diaper. The sounds of Maya being ill made me hurry back to our room. Last night, she hadsuddenly wanted Japanese food. She disliked sushi but loved tempura.When she called and asked me to bring home dinner, I was only too happy to pic
I settled into the chair on the deck with a relieved groan. Gracie was asleep, I was clean, and Maya was resting. I had tried repeatedly to get Gracie to say “Dada” again so Maya could hear it, but she chose to remain silent.“Honestly, Maya. She said it.”She patted my cheek. “I believe you.”I knew without a doubt, she was lying. But Gracie had said it while she was reaching for me. Or it may have been duh, but I was certain it was Dada.The house was quiet, the sun beginning to set, and I was enjoying a hard-earned beer and sandwich. The water in the pool shimmered in the evening light, and I decided I’d have a dip once I finished eating.I had spoken to Michael, and he told me the contract had been signed. I laughed at his description of me striding back into the boardroom with Gracie strapped to my chest, and a bottle in my hand, determined to finishmy presentation. “Not a sight I ever thought I’d see when it came to you, Alex. I almost fell off my chair.”I had to agree with hi
Alex. Fuck, it had been so long since we were like this. Together, naked, and ready for each other. I hadn’t wanted to push her and tried to be patient, even though patience wasn’t my strongest trait. The fact she came to me was a huge turn on, and seeing her need, I planned to meet and exceed her desire. She was softer, curvier than before she got pregnant, and I loved how she felt under my hands.Her low hiss when I buried my face between her legs made me smile against her slick skin. She was so ready for me. I was so fucking ready.Everything about her was as new as it was familiar: her sounds, her taste, the way she moved against my mouth. I teased and licked, groaning at her reactions, making a mental note to keep the beard. Olivia teased me mercilessly at work, but it was worth this effect on my wife. She came hard and fast, her cries low and needy. I sat up with a grin, and settled betweenher legs. The blunt head of my cock nudged at her entrance, the heat beckoning and welco
Maya. I woke up, hearing soft whispers. I rolled over, guessing correctly that Alex had once again gotten out of bed and was in the nursery. His side of the bed was vacant, and the monitor lit up as he spoke to our daughter while feeding her. I loved hearing him chat to her. Richard never minced words not even with me. He was a straight shooter and spoke his mind. He showed me a gentler side when we fell in love, but his personality never changed much. He was still demanding and blunt. He had learned, however, to rein in the harsher side of his character, and knew how to deal with people now.At least most of the time.But with Gracie he was different.With her, he was soft. That was the only way to describe it. He changed completely with her. She brought forth the tender, loving man in him. He hurried home at night, anxious to be with us. He reached for her as soon as he came in the door, ready to forget businessman Alex, and assume the role of Daddy. He laughed and made funny faces
Hearing that word made me blink. Then i blinked again. Daddy. A title I never thought would belong to me. A swell of sentiment made my throat thick. I reached out and grasped Maya’s hand, needing her touch.“I’ll be the best daddy I can be.”“I know you will be. You’re already the best husband.”Leaning down, I captured her mouth with mine, feeling a thousand emotions. Ones only Maya, and now Gracie, could make me feel. Feelings Ididn’t know existed happiness and elation so poignant it made my chest ache. Contentment and peace that permeated my life simply from their presence. I had found a group of people I considered my family now, but Maya and Gracie belonged to me. They were my world, and I knew I was theirs. “Thank you, my Maya. For my daughter. For you.”She cupped my cheek. “Are you all right, Alex?”I swallowed, turning my head, kissing her palm. I knew if I told her, she would understand. She always understood me. “It’s just all . . .”“Overwhelming? Scary?”“Yes.”“We’ll ha
Things progressed to the point it was time to move to the delivery room. I had walked with her until she couldn’t walk anymore, fed her ice chips, rubbed her back and shoulders, and reassured her even as worry ate its way into my stomach. I blinked away tears when I saw the amount of pain she was experiencing. I let her hold my hand, not caring that she might break it with her death grip, as the contractions became stronger and closer together.She did change her mind about the epidural, and although I was grateful it took away the pain, I lost it when I saw the size of the needle they used. I had wanted to be involved, and they showed me how to hold Maya’s shoulders to help with the procedure. I stepped forward to do so, caught sight of the needle, and froze. They had to push me out of the way, and thesame nurse who had been at the front desk, stood in my place, all the while chuckling about “men and pain.” I had a feeling I would never live it down.I would also never live down lea
Her gaze went to Maya. “You can walk if you want to in fact, I recommend it. There’re ice chips and water here. Are you certain no epidural?”Maya shook her head. She was adamant on that subject, no matter how I pleaded with her to change her mind.Dr. Suzanne smiled at Maya and patted her hand. “You can change your mind, if you want, but we can’t leave it too long. There is a point we can’t go back.”“I know. I want to do this without drugs.”“Okay, you two. Settle in. I’ll be back shortly.”She left, and I bent over and kissed my wife, meeting her worried gaze steadily. “I’m here, sweetheart. You’re going to be fine. I won’t leave you for a minute. And later, we’re going to meet our child.”“It’s so overwhelming,” she admitted in a shaky voice. “I’m scared.”I was relieved she said the words aloud. I pressed another kiss on her head.“What do you need?”“You to hold me.”“You never have to ask.”She shifted to the side, and I sat beside her, wrapping my arms around her body, spreadi
Turning into the large entrance of the hospital, I slammed on the brakes so hard my car shuddered. My tires squealed and left black marks on the pavement. Flinging open the door, I lunged out of the seat, not even bothering to shut the door behind me. I was lucky I remembered to take the keys.A security guard stopped me before I made it to the sliding doors of the hospital, holding up his hand.“Sir, you can’t leave your car there. The parking lot is across the street.. ”I interrupted him, shaking my head. I tossed my keys in his direction.“Look, kid, I trust you. Park my car and bring me the keys.”“I can’t do that!”Reaching into my pocket, I grabbed a wad of cash. I had no idea how much it was, but to this kid standing in front of me, blocking my way,masking his youth by pretending to be forceful, I was certain it was a fortune. I shoved the money into his hand, smirking as his eyes widened at the sight of the cash.“Sure you can. Think of it as a reward for a job well done. Pa
“You’re blushing.”“I’m sorry.” I offered a sheepish smile. “Not sure how to say I read an article about you without sounding awkward.”He laughed. “I’m flattNick watched her safely enter her loft and waited for the light to click on.The low purr of the BMW was the only sound to break the silence.His annoyance at her blunt admission bothered him. Why did he care ifshe wanted the money? It was a perfect motivation to get them both throughthe next year with no damages. He needed to keep his distance. Her parentscaused a dangerous longing to bubble up from deep inside. He quicklysquashed the emotion, but the idea that he still retained some sick ray ofhope for a normal family pissed him off.Maybe it was the way she looked tonight. She’d pinned her hair up, andstubborn black curls stabbed through the bobby pins to lay across her cheekand down her neck. Her skin looked warm to the touch, slightly flushedwith pleasure from being around her family. She smiled so easily, her lipsf