《Babes Stripping For Love》


 1. Opportunity

    Strange things had happened she thought. But when her car suddenly ran out of gas in front of what looked like a strip club, Bree didn¡¯t want to take it as a sign. She needed a real job, the single mom has two more hours before she has to pick up Hazel from daycare.


    ¡°Missy, you can¡¯t park here,¡± the big man with a thick mustache that looked like it was making aeback from the seventies warned Bree.


    ¡°I don¡¯t intend to, it ran out of gas, I¡­¡± Bree pressed down the window button to let the man hear her better.


    ¡°Well, you can park it here,¡± the man cut her words and repeated his statement with a stronger volume as if Bree didn¡¯t hear him the first time around.


    Oh god¡­ she said on the inside.


    Suddenly all the stress from thest couple of days came rushing down, her chest heaved and her eyes started to get blurry.


    Oh god, not now¡­ her inner voice once again reys the words.


    ¡°Dude, Elvis, it¡¯s not even noon and you¡¯re making a beautiful woman cry already. Not cool man¡­¡± a man with an arm sleeve tattoo pped the big mustache guy on his back.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m Ro, I¡¯m sorry about my buddy Elvis here. Yeah, that¡¯s his real name. Look, are you here for the audition?e on in, you looked like you can use a drink.¡±


    ¡°But, my car¡­¡±


    Ro, the tattooed guy peeked at her gas meter and smiled, ¡°happens all the time to my girlfriend, Elvis, will you help¡­¡± he waited and it took Bree a couple of seconds to connect her brain to her ability in forming a sentence.


    ¡°Bree,¡± she blurted out her name, and the tattooed guy smiles warmly.


    ¡°Elvis, will you help Bree with her car? I believe you know how to pump gasoline into a car?¡± the man gave him his car key and before Bree realized Ro knocked on her door frame and she opened her door, took his hand, and let him usher her into the dimmed lit strip club.


    Bree left her ten-year-old Honda with keys still in the ignition to the grumpy-looking Elvis. Her head was still not registering as Ro put a cold can of soda in front of her once she was seated at the bar area of the club.


    ¡°I¡¯m Ro, the bartender, sometimes floor manager and sometimes I handle all the shit that¡¯s happening here. Including the audition for the stripper today.¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯m not auditioning for a stripper, I need a real job.¡± Her words made himugh.


    ¡°You better not let the girls hear that. So, my bad then, but we don¡¯t have other openings at the moment. Are you sure you¡¯re not a dancer? sorry, but your posture is on spot.¡± Ro moved back behind the bar, rustling some ss then joined Bree with a cold ss of tap beer for himself.


    ¡°Well, I took gymnastics and cheered back in high school and college.¡± Not to mention she also took pole dance sses for moms when she tried to mend her marital situation with Everett. Trying to spice things up in the bedroom, but obviously failed.


    ¡°There you go,¡± the man winked yfully and took out a form from under the bar telling her she should take the job application form with her and think about it, all while he told her about the job description and working hours.


    ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t I have a kid, I can¡¯t leave her overnight.¡±


    Ro shrugged telling her there are several women who are also single moms, ¡°All the women here look after each other, I heard something about babysitting rotation. You can check with them if you¡¯re interested. But know this, you get to bring home tips minus the house cuts. And these women take home a lot, I know this because my girlfriend is one of them.¡± He smiled and wiggled his eyebrows making Bree feel more at ease and started skimming the club¡¯s application form.


    ¡°You can work three days a week and get more than you would from a nine to five desk job each month.¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯m not¡­¡±


    ¡°A whore? look, Bree, this is a high-end strip club, not a sex club, have you ever been to a high-end strip club before?¡± Bree shook her head and he continued, ¡°Well, you will earn generous tips by giving a privatep dance, but there¡¯s a strict rule on prostitution, not under this establishment. Why don¡¯t youeter on this evening, or tomorrow whichever works best for you, and see it for yourself.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    ¡°You looked like you can use a break, with this job you¡¯ll earn more. I¡¯m not trying to sell you the job, you might not even get it if you don¡¯t have the moves.¡± He chuckled and she nervouslyugh with him.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s been a while since I danced,¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like riding a bike, right?¡± he shrugged and drink his beer. Bree bites her lip as her mind wanders, thinking Ro might be right. It¡¯s easy money and she needed money. Badly.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯lle again tonight, will you be here?¡± Bree drank her soda, looked at her phone, and saw the dreaded text from her kid¡¯s daycare informing her that they haven¡¯t received their monthly payment. She was already two weekste from paying Hazel¡¯s daycare and this job can give her a financial solution at least until she finds a better job.


    Yeah, that sounds better. Bree thought as she worked out her money situation in her head.


    ¡°I will be here. Just tell Elvis you¡¯re meeting meter so he doesn¡¯t charge you an entrance fee.¡±


    Bree has been stressing her mind looking for the perfect job, trying to find the best one ie-wise and one with leniency towards her child. She¡¯s been looking for months, and a few weeks earlier she realized she¡¯s struggling to get one. Then when bills start to pile, thest couple of days she has been desperate for a job.


    That afternoon she picked up Hazel with a new hope. Bree paid for her daycare using one of her credit cards, hoping that she wouldn¡¯t have maxed out already. Her shoulder rxed when the fund was paid sessfully. Because if not, she seriously didn¡¯t know what to do anymore.


    She sighed the second she was in her rundown apartment, the rent is so cheap Bree hoped it won¡¯t arise health issues for her and Hazel in the long run. Bree feeds Hazel, bathes her, then she tucked her little sunshine into bed. Bree lets Mrs. Mancini into her tiny apartment when the clock strikes eight.


    ¡°Have fun on your date, sweetheart, you deserve it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going on a¡­¡± but on a second thought, it was the perfect excuse. Bree couldn¡¯t exactly tell the olddy that she will be checking out the strip club where she was going to work at. ¡°¡­ yeah, I guess you might call it that, eh¡­ thank you, you have my number, Hazel is asleep. Help yourself to anything in the fridge.¡± Though she only has bread and eggs it¡¯s nice to be polite to everyone and Mrs. Mancini was kind enough to be doing this for Bree with a rate that¡¯s probably the same since she was babysitting decades ago when she was young. Also, Hazel adores her with all the cakes that her next-door neighbor baked for them.


    Without further doubt, Bree walked out of her small apartmentplex and drive to Babes. Half an hourter, after ten minutes of contemting her decision, she stepped out of her car. Bree was greeted by Elvis who smirked at her, then she smiled back at him, sweetly, and the mustache dude actually blushed which made her giggle and walked past the guy into the strip club with a lighter step on her feet.


    Ro wasn¡¯t lying, the men were far from the ordinary crowd you¡¯d see in movies. Most were dressed in suits, work clothes, and some fine-looking jackets, even their shoes looked expensive. But what threw her into reality was what the women were wearing, she¡¯s not sure she can unt her body like that.


    The bartender greeted her the second she reached the bar, Ro fixed a couple of drinks before he was to her front and wiggle his eyebrows making herugh. ¡°So, you¡¯reing back, it¡¯s a good start. Let me get my girl.¡± Ro called out to one of the waiters and said something that Bree couldn¡¯t hear over the loud music in the background.


    A voluptuous blonde woman appeared and kissed Ro on his cheek. ¡°Dee, babe, this is Bree the one I told you about earlier. Why don¡¯t you girls talk and let her feel the vibe.¡±Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Bree couldn¡¯t stop looking at her sheer outfit, she doesn¡¯t understand how Ro was okay with having his girlfriend showing off her tits and ass for all the men at the club.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m Dee, look this may seem a bit overwhelming but trust me the money is worth it.¡± She hooked her hand in Bree¡¯s arm and pulled her to the end of the bar where they can have a private talk. The single mom was thrown into the situation where Bree was greeted by another stripper with another set of sheer lingerie and glitter tform heels so high she wondered how all these women managed to dance in them.


    Bree sits back on the barstool while Dee introduces her to Cassidy who is a struggling med student determined to pay off her student loans before she started her residency.


    ¡°Look, this is the best club in town, if Ro took pity on you¡­ gurl, I say go for it. You¡¯d be paying bills faster than working in a stuffy office behind some desk where you need to kiss ass to get a decent sry.¡± Cassidy blurted out her words and Dee giggled nodding along telling Bree this is the best way in making fast money.


    Bree listened while her eyes took in the view, the bright lights, the stage, the intimidating dance poles, and smaller stages with poles on several areas of the floor. Her heart was beating faster, her hands were getting mmy, and her mind went back to Hazel and the bills stacking up on her bedside table.


    She groaned and finally took a deep breath before she said, ¡°So, how do I audition?¡±

 2. Auditioning

    Bree had spent the whole morning with Hazel before she dropped her off at the daycare. Then she spent over two hours at herwyer¡¯s office wanting to push her cheating ex-husband into paying her full alimony and child support. But then she was hit with new demand, her ex wanted joint custody should she ask forchild support.


    ¡°But that¡¯s not what the oue of the divorce settlement is, it¡¯s all written on paper how can he do this?¡± but Bree knows there¡¯s nothing her sleazy husband wouldn¡¯t do to make sure she didn¡¯t get anything from him. The small amount of alimony barely covered all her basic needs and all her friends had shunned her when she was portrayed as an ipetent wife who couldn¡¯t keep her husband from straying.


    The money she kept from her parents¡¯ inheritance had almost gone for paying her unqualifiedwyers when she went up against her ex-husband, Everett.


    The moment she reached her car she almost had a panic attack, her chest was heavy, and she had a hard time calming herself down until she finally cried, sobbing so hard, letting all her feelings out. It took her twenty minutes until she finally stopped crying, shook off her nerves, and drive to Babes, determined to get the job.


    Bree was all alone, broke as hell while needing to make a living for her baby. She loves Hazel to death, she¡¯d do anything for her even if she has to dance naked for a quick buck.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Hey, are you okay? you looked a bit pale?¡± Elvis greeted her with questions. Bree had put on makeup, but her eyes were still a bit red. So she smiled and told him she was fine, from his questions she stamped the big guy as a big teddy when he conveys his concerns for her.


    ¡°Ex-husband stuff, I¡¯m good, I just need to shake my ass and make it rain, right?¡±


    ¡°Eh¡­ um, yeah, I guess.¡± The big brute looked ufortable with her remarks and it actually made her genuinely smile at him.


    ¡°Thank you¡­ for asking,¡±


    ¡°Uh, okay.¡± Elvis shook his head, opened the door for her, and let her in.


    Babes is open from six pm to four am, so there¡¯s no one at the table but the music was pumping beats as there were two dancers on stage who looked like they were practicing their routine.


    Bree found Ro behind the bar and he ushered her to the changing room where Cassidy was sitting on the sofa wearing her shorts and t-shirt. A thick book was resting on herp and a highlighter was between her fingers.


    ¡°Cass, help her out with an outfit okay? she¡¯s going to audition for us. And send her for an interview before she goes on stage.¡±


    Cassidy grinned, closed her book, and grabbed the wanna-be stripper¡¯s hand leading her further into the changing room. Bree gasped the moment she saw all the sheer glittery lingerie, the choices were too much and Cassidyughed when Bree didn¡¯t move a muscle.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s see¡­¡± the struggling med student picked out a couple of lingerie, stacking her preference on the fluffy one-seater by the mirror while Bree move her sight to the tform heels in horror.


    ¡°I¡¯m so going to trip on that stage,¡± Bree voiced out her thought. Cassidy goes to her side and says, ¡°we¡¯ll pick the four-inch ones.¡± Bree mentioned her size and Cassidy helped her pick out the mostfortable ones and then matched them with the lingerie.


    Ten minutester the single mom looked like a famous porn star, her ass and calves looking perked from the heels, and she gasped when she looked at her perky tits in the mirror. ¡°Oh goddamn.¡±


    ¡°Rightttt¡­¡± Cassidy giggled and told her to test the heels to see if it¡¯sfortable to dance with. ¡°Do you know what song are you going to go with?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, I haven¡¯t thought it through. This is all kindast-minute decision, maybe something by Kanye or Drake, um¡­ Rihanna is always one of my favorites.¡± Bree shrugged thinking she¡¯d do a better dance with a beat rather than a slow seducing kind of song. Bree also thought she might even be tempted in using the pole, she was one of the best dancers in her mom¡¯s ss.


    ¡°Come on let¡¯s just do this,¡±


    ¡°Wait, I gotta get you in for the interview first.¡±


    ¡°Uh, okay.¡±


    They were both walking to the back office when a guy in a suit, who looked like a scarier version of Elvis stopped them. ¡°Boss is busy, go dance, he¡¯ll watch.¡±


    ¡°Oookay then¡­¡± Cassidy took her arm and lead her to the stage, Ro was to her side and help her with the songs. ¡°Sorry, some emergency situation, the big boss is there. Don¡¯t worry, as the scary guy said, he¡¯ll be watching.¡± Ro nudged Bree to look at the big ss nted on the wall where the back office was.


    ¡°I¡¯m a bit rusty, so can I get a do-over if I fail the first one?¡±


    Roughed and told her she can dance all she likes, the club is still close and the stage is avable for practice. The two women got off the stage and smiled at her, taking their seats at the bar. They were drinking water as they rest and gave Bree the floor to audition.


    Ro smirks when Bree chose ¡®Pour it up by Rihanna¡¯, she had trained with the song in her mom¡¯s ss. It was the stripper song that made the ss more alive. She toned her body and eventually lost the baby weight in that ss.


    When the familiar beat starts, her body moves in motion. Her leg wrapped sensually on the lower half of the pole, her hand mimicking her leg. Bree lets her back rest on the pole, ass perked back keeping her cheeks between the cold steel. Her other hand seductively reaches down her leg trailing her dainty fingers to her inner thigh while she kept her facial expression bored as if she was dancing for her enjoyment. All while keeping up with the slow beat of the song.


    Ro looked surprised, while Cassidy mouthed a big O as Bree¡¯s body swayed with the music. The songsted less than three minutes but she managed to climb the pole and snake her hands and thigh then let her hands drop for a dramatic effect at the end of the song while her legs wrapped around the steel pole sensually.


    The slow beat of the song was perfect, she didn¡¯t fall down and she managed to work the pole perfectly. The beat kept her hips swaying beautifully and Ro was still looking amazed at her.


    ¡°Girl, you have some exining to do. Cheerleading my ass!¡± Ro grunted as he helped Bree down from the stage.


    ¡°Um yeah, I took moms pole dance sses.¡± Bree exined and Cassidy cut in, ¡°damn, you¡¯re one hot momma.¡±


    ¡°So? is that a yes? when can I start?¡± the mom in her with too many bills to pay got a bit too excited.


    Heughed at her enthusiasm and was about to answer when his phone buzzed with an iing text from his boss. He saw her and he approved.


    ¡°Send her to Jojo.¡± Ro said to Cassidy, the guy winked telling Bree that she was in. ¡°Inform Jojo to speed up her license, Bree you need to provide her your ID and social security details for tax purposes. We are a legit business.¡±


    Ro shake her hand, but she pulled him in for a friendly hug. ¡°Thank you, I needed this.¡± She was a bit teary, but she shakes her head and let Cassidy lead the way to the other backside of the building.


    Bree was still overwhelmed with the news, without knowing a certain man behind therge ss window kept his eyes on her. ¡°I want aplete background check on her. That¡¯s all, you¡¯re all dismissed.¡± The boss waited until the click from his office door was heard and he adjusted himself. He still couldn¡¯t believe how hard she made him while he told himself that he was going to have her sooner thanter.


    Gage Huxley, the new owner of Babes was nothing like the previous Russian mob. When they decided to sell because the authority was closing in on their human trafficking business, Gage buy them out and made the club legal. He turned it upside down and made all the girls get their permits, there is no more prostitution in the club. Gage Huxley is a businessman who buys all his liquors from certified vendors.


    The man always keeps a calm demeanor, but when he saw the audition he couldn¡¯t keep his eyes off of her. He turned to look out his office window, giving his men his backside not wanting them to see when his face slips as she wrapped her leg onto the pole and let her ass cheeks rub, teasing the thick steel.


    He always thought women rubbing themselves on the pole was a bit too much to seek men¡¯s attention, but when he saw her dance he was transfixed. Troubled. And he needs his fix, fast.

 3. Juggling

    Since Bree got back from Babes and picked up Hazel from the daycare her mind was a bit at ease knowing that she¡¯ll be having a supposedly lucrative job. It made her want to start shaking her ass and pay all her bills.


    Next on her list was finding a better apartment for Hazel and herself since she was a bit worried every time she looked at the ck stain on the living room ceiling. Hazel is a healthy four-year-old toddler and Bree intended to keep her that way.


    They were having their breakfast before she was scheduled to take her to the daycare. Bree already asked Mrs. Mancini to babysit Hazel again tonight. Bree really needs to find a way for her kid to have someone take care of her every night. For the time being, she told Mrs. Mancini, that she got a waitressing job at a bar, filling out the excuse for her to leave Hazel with Mrs. Mancini every night.


    But Bree wanted a better option, thinking she should let go of the daycare since she¡¯s not going to start working until five in the afternoon. Bree needs to spend time with Hazel before she starts working at the club. She also needs to talk to the women at the club, Ro said the single moms had some babysitting system for their kids.


    ¡°Mommy, I want to go¡­ park?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ sure baby, um¡­ do you remember mommy telling you I got a job that started just after five?¡± Hazel nodded, her chubby cheeks pinked with joy.


    ¡°That means I get to spend more hours with you ying in the daytime.¡± Bree kissed the top of her hair when she looked at her mom excitedly.


    ¡°Job? so, I can have a new toy?¡±


    The single mom blinked her eyes several times, her chest feeling constricted. Hazel had been asking for a new toy, her dolls were freebies from the daycare. Each time her friends show off their new dolls and toys she would tell her mom about it.


    But Hazel never cries, she never whines, she knows that they don¡¯t have the money to be spending on toys. The little girl was always so perceptive, she seemed older than her age and it breaks Bree¡¯s heart every time.


    ¡°As soon as I get paid.¡± Bree nodded and pulled her in for a big hug.


    ¡°Mommy, please don¡¯t cry.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not, baby, this is happy tears.¡± Bree quickly wiped her tears away and asked for her little sunshine. ¡°So, tell me what toys you want?¡±


    ¡°Just a small one, I just want a new toy.¡± Hazel smiled and wrapped her mommy in her chubby hands pulling Bree closer for her hug. The new stripper mom inhaled Hazel¡¯s powdery smell and her bubblegum-scented hair. She took in Hazel¡¯s weight and warmth, feeling grateful to have her little sunshine with her.


    ¡°Come on let¡¯s finish breakfast then we¡¯ll go to the park and have fun on the swings.¡± Bree¡¯s promise was all it took to make the four-year-old forget about her mom¡¯s tears. Hazel spooned her in pancakes because Bree was putting a budget on their food. They couldn¡¯t even afford some of her favorite maple syrup.


    Bree had even stopped having breakfast just to get her daughter¡¯s favorite brand of pancakes and cereal. Though she couldn¡¯tin, because she¡¯s in the best body shape of her life. Her pregnancy weight was gone, her muscle tone was on point because she was always busy doing her chores and keeping up with Hazel whenever she was not in daycare.


    It was not until they were having fun in the park that Hazel asked, ¡°Do you miss daddy?¡±


    ¡°Why? do you?¡± Bree panicked a little thinking her baby might miss her bastard ex-husband.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s just¡­ I hear you cry sometimes.¡± She shrugged holding onto her ice cream. Bree didn¡¯t get one, no tasty treats for her, she has been clutching her money extra hard.


    ¡°Well, I think you heard me cry when I bumped my toes against the bathtub.¡± The little girl giggled, telling her that she should be more careful. While Bree took that as a note to cry quieter next time.


    They both finally left the park and Bree dropped her off at the daycare just before lunchtime since lunch and snacks are included in the daycare package. Bree went back to their apartment, groomed herself for work then went on doing her chores before picking up Hazel earlier than her usual daycare schedule.


    Since she¡¯s new Jojo said she needs to work on her performance. The songs, the clothes, and the shoes. Jojo told Bree toe an hour earlier and so intended to do just that. Bree bathes her little girl, telling her that she will be having dinner with Mrs. Mancini.


    Then Hazel was too excited for her neighbor when she saw the olddy with a te of chocte cake.


    ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Mancini. You really don¡¯t have to bother with the cake.¡± Bree hugged her neighbor warmly and she hugged her back assuring her Hazel is going to be fine with her.


    ¡°Go to work, I¡¯ll tuck her in.¡±


    Bree thanked her once again and hugged her little sunshine telling her she loves her so so much. Showering her with more kisses until the little girl giggled so hard and told her mom to go to work.


    When Bree greeted Elvis, this time he smiled brightly at her making the single momugh and pped his chest yfully. Ro quickly called her the moment she stepped into the bar area.


    ¡°The boss wants to see you. He does this to all the new girls, you can¡¯t miss his office. Hallway by the end of the bar, the big guy in a suit will let you in.¡± Ro winked and got back to busying himself with what looked like preparation for opening hours.


    Bree turned her phone on silent before she walked toward the big guy in a suit. Her hands were clutching her little cheap backpack when she told him her name and that Ro sent her.


    The scary suit guy entered the hallway silently telling her to follow him. The man knocked on the door and Bree stayed in her ce as he gave the boss man her name and she was let inside within moments.


    ¡°Thank you. Rockford.¡± The club owner dismissed the man. Bree was curious and she didn¡¯t expect that the man would look pleasantly attractive. He looked like a regr wealthy businessman, just like her dad¡¯s circle of friends. Not like Everett¡¯s sleazy trust fund circle of friends.


    Nope.


    The man in front of her wears the suit perfectly, not the other way around. ¡°You can stop staring now.¡± He chuckled as if she¡¯s not the only one that ogles the guy. The man scanned her appearance and told her to take a seat.


    ¡°Wee, I¡¯m Gage Huxley.¡± He offered his hand as if she was going to work for an administration job instead of as a stripper. ¡°I¡¯ve been told that Jojo and Cassidy have shown you around and you have filled in your information for your license?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I have. Thank you, I¡¯m Bree Mackenzie. Maiden name, I¡¯m divorced. I have a baby daughter, Hazel, she¡¯s four. We¡¯ve been having a bit of financial difficulty and I can¡¯t thank you enough for this opportunity.¡± Bree¡¯s cheeks flushed pink, she was so embarrassed that she couldn¡¯t manage to stop herself from rambling on about her whole life.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee. As you have known I¡¯m the owner of this establishment, you know the rules. I have your file, for now, we¡¯re all good. However,¡±T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°However?¡± Bree parroted, her eyes went wide thinking she was mistakenly taken into the job and now she was being let go.


    ¡°However,¡± the manughed softly and continued. ¡°there¡¯s one more thing needed to cross off the test. I don¡¯t usually test our girls, but you intrigued me with your dance.¡±


    Bree couldn¡¯t believe her ears, she yed with her fingers on top of herp as the nerves were getting to her. ¡°And¡­ uh, what other test is that?¡± She needs to ace this test, she already told Hazel that she¡¯s going to get her new toy. She shakes off her nerves and sits as still as possible as the owner told her that he needs her to strip and give him a privatep dance.


    ¡°A¡­ privatep dance? shit¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry?¡± the man looked amused and Bree clearly just noticed that she blurts out her curse.


    ¡°Eh, I mean I was hoping to get some insight on that. I¡¯ve never done ap dance before. I took pole dance lessons when I was trying to¡­ eh, spice things up in the bedroom. But that didn¡¯t includep dance lessons.¡±


    Gageughed and told her to sit while he pulled hisptop to face her and show her some of the videos of the girls.


    ¡°And, you¡¯ll be filming me?¡±


    ¡°Not if you don¡¯t want to. These girls make extra money for their um¡­ contribution video for the club¡¯s website. But no, CCTV here is for security purposes only.¡± Bree rxed instantly and Gage seemed amused by her nervousness.


    It took her five minutes to watch two promotionalp dance videos and she hoped she was ready when her future boss waited for her to start.


    ¡°So basically I have to strip.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡±


    ¡°Here,¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡±


    ¡°Right now?¡±


    ¡°If only you want to be one of the girls here.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡±


    Listening to her answer, Gage Huxley, the strip club owner who thought he was done with his share of flirts suddenly gets semi-hard. In his head, he already knows that he¡¯s going to need to visit his regr sex club to get off.


    All because of Bree Mackenzie.

 4. Danced

    Bree had to remember the two videos before she rested her backpack on the chair and moved closer to her future boss. He had shifted to the sofa for her to have a proper space for the dance.


    She was d that she was wearing her skirt and top instead of her skinny jeans. And she still kept her distance while he scrolled his phone and connected it to the Bluetooth surround system he had installed in his office. Her smile widens when she lets the rhythm of ¡®Familiar by Liam Payne¡¯ thump the baseline, and Bree starts moving her hips, swinging to the beats.


    She dipped low, her hands wrapped around her body, she twirled seductively and looked at himzily. Her eyes hooded while she slowly unbuttoned her top. Bree smiled at him, biting her lower lip when she stepped between his legs and lower her chest teasing him the second her top was off and she offered him her bra-covered tits.


    The thought of doing this was millions of miles away, but there she was, moving erotically teasing the handsome man sitting still with his hands nted firmly above his knees while he calmly enjoys the strip show.


    Gage¡¯s eyes scanned her body, watching her intensely as her thumb hooked on the waistband of her skirt then slowly unzipped and let the skirt fall to the floor then she turns around shaking her ass adorably making himugh.


    ¡°Okay¡­ okay, enough. You¡¯re through the next round. You can get dressed now, Bree.¡±


    She grinned and thanked him but then asked, ¡°Next round? do I need to shake the scary dude outside your door too?¡±


    Gageughed again, this time when he gets up he adjusted his erection and didn¡¯t care if she saw him. And he was d when he did it and saw her blushed visibly.


    ¡°No Bree, next round means you go to the dressing room, get changed, and report to Jojo. Check your scheduling with her. And you better get used to men adjusting themselves after yourp dance that means you¡¯re doing great.¡± Gage chuckled while Bree was busy putting her clothes back on.


    ¡°Okay, then¡­ um, thank you, Mr. Huxley.¡±


    ¡°Everyone calls me Gage, unless you¡¯re in my bed then you can call me Mr. Huxley.¡± His words were seductive, but she didn¡¯t know if he waszily flirting with her because of the business he was in, or if he was actually flirting with her.


    The newly hired stripper just gave him her brightest smile and exited the room after thanking him by his first name. Gage could see that she was nervous, the girl looked like she was really shy but she was definitely driven. Money. He remembered reading what was in her file and seeing the shitty amount of money her ex-husband was sending her as alimony. The woman had a kid with the guy for god¡¯s sake.


    He couldn¡¯t believe the things he had seen these husbands do to their exes, such a waste of women¡¯s feelings. Gage still couldn¡¯t forget about the loss of his wife and his daughter. The baby would be four this year if they both didn¡¯t passed away duringbor. The thought of histe wife and baby just made his erection instantly gone, exchanged to sadness.


    He wallowed in his office and looked at the framed picture of his pregnant wife and the younger version of himself.


    So full of life, happiness, and hope.


    *****


    ¡°Oh my god, you did it didn¡¯t you?¡± Cassidy asked, her eyes glimmering with the need to know the juiciest gossip.


    ¡°What did she do?¡± the ck-haired woman asked.


    ¡°Oh my god! I forget to introduce you guys, Jade this is Bree, she¡¯s our newest. Wait, Bree have you decided on your stripper name?¡±


    ¡°Uh, you mean my name is not marketable?¡± she retorted making the girlsugh.


    ¡°Oh, gosh no¡­ I mean some girls would prefer a stage name because they don¡¯t want their clients to know their real name.¡±


    ¡°Cassidy is your stage name?¡± Bree asked her back.


    ¡°Yep, I¡¯m using my name. I have nothing to hide. This club is exclusive enough and I don¡¯t intend to do my residency in this city. I¡¯ll be long gone before anyone recognized me.¡± She winked and tell Jade more about Bree¡¯s little daughter. Bree and Cassidy talked a lot yesterday and she had told her that she¡¯d hook her up with fellow moms in the club.


    ¡°My son is five years old. We can surely do a babysitting rotation, I¡¯ll introduce you to other moms, and we¡¯ll talkter. I¡¯m about to go on stage. Wee, Bree.¡± Jade gave her a warm hug and then giggled as Bree looked positively awkward when her almost bare nipples touches her front.


    Cassidy shook her head and then helped her pick up Bree¡¯s attire for the night. While doing so she tells Bree that Babes is one of the few clubs that provide costumes and heels for their girls. She said something about wanting the girls to look more expensive and ssy therefore the house will gain more money.


    All the clothes were neatly assorted, she said Jojo sends all used ones to their privateundry services after closing time, not wanting any perv stealing them and selling them on eBay.


    ¡°They sell used lingerie?¡±


    ¡°Girl, people sell everything. People are disgusting.¡± Cassidy shuddered then she shrieked when Dee entered the room.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Yo, momma, I just heard from Ro, congrattion!¡± Dee hugged her tightly.


    Cassidy was doing her stretching routine before shees up to the stage and she told Bree to do the same. Dee joins and they all talk about Bree¡¯s privatep dance with their hot boss.


    ¡°Damn, woman, you got him hooked.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so jelly, that guy is the perfect daddy material. If only I¡¯m not too focused on bing a doctor I¡¯d let him daddy me around.¡± Cassidy giggled and Deeughed pping her head and telling her to go back to studying.


    ¡°You¡¯re such a geek, I still don¡¯t understand how you have the moves. Are you sure you don¡¯t grow up watching porn?¡± Dee asked her, smirking.


    ¡°Eh, no¡­ I watched documentaries, history, geography, and sometimes oceanic stuff.¡±


    ¡°Girl, you¡¯re scaring me.¡± Dee shuddered visibly, teasing the nerdy stripper.


    ¡°I need to go see Jojo, gage told me to check my schedule with her?¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, right,e on I¡¯ll take you to her. I need to rearrange my schedule with her now that you¡¯re here.¡± Dee tugged Bree closer and said, ¡°I need to match my off schedule with Ro, we¡¯ve been desperately needing to have a short trip together. It¡¯s been months.¡±


    Bree was liking the new friends, they were all very weing. Very blunt. Not like the moms club that she used to be part of where they unt their newest bling and talk about theirtest vacation even their husband¡¯s new car or yacht. Bree could never fit well with that crowd, she was always the outsider, never saying the right words. Though for theck of money, because she came from money, her parents¡¯ inheritance should set her veryfortably into her dying days if she hadn¡¯t married Everett.


    But that was her past and here at Babes, Bree was getting a new perspective on life. For the short time she¡¯s been at the club, somehow she knows that she would fit like a glove.


    Bree didn¡¯t ask when Jojo puts her on the smaller stage where she¡¯d cater to a smaller group of men. ¡°You¡¯re starting from the bottom honey, just like everyone else. Are you good with that?¡±


    The new recruit in her realized that she still has a lot to learn about the profession, there¡¯s only so much she could learn from Google.


    ¡°Jojo, please, I still can¡¯t believe that they would have me as their dancer. I do need the money, and I trust you¡¯ll treat me well.¡± With her words Jojo was smitten, she always likes the kind type of girls and she knows from her answer that the new recruit was one of them.


    Bree was determined to do the work, she had been screwed badly by her ex. She just hoped that one day, karma will turn her luck around. Until then she just needs to strip and make some erection happen, cause ording to Gage that means she¡¯s great. And Bree needed those greats to make money.

 5. Needs

    Gage watched Bree from his office window, he should¡¯ve gone home by now but his eyes were still fixed on the new girl. She¡¯s too beautiful to be wearing lingerie and dancing for strangers. But he didn¡¯t want to scare her away by trying to have her for himself. He had a feeling she was still too fresh from her divorce.


    Bree was building her life back up and he didn¡¯t want to discourage her effort. He knows he¡¯s not perfect and after his lovely wife, he didn¡¯t even know if he was strong enough for a rtionship.


    Gage rolled up his sleeves, put his suit jacket on the crook of his arm then looked at his gold wristwatch showing him it was already one in the morning. The boss man decided toe out of hiding and go back home. But Ro greeted him and invited him for a ss of scotch, he agreed thinking the man had something on his mind.


    ¡°I heard that she did the interview.¡± The bartender emphasized the word interview with a hint of a smile on his face.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Gage knows that the girls talk and she was in his office for quite a while and they probably asked and he guessed Bree was too nice as she was too naive not to tell them the truth. Because she knows she has nothing to hide from them.


    ¡°She did, and I made sure she knows what she¡¯s doing. She¡¯s very good, seductive yet seemed very timid. The perfect girl next door type. You need to keep an eye on her, tell the guys to watch her for her first few weeks.¡± Gage had a gut feeling that she might be too nice to be strict to some of their handsy clients. They do have guys looking over our dancers and reminding their clients that they can look but cannot touch.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll schedule someone to shadow her post in the next few weeks. Thanks for the heads up, boss. You¡¯re going back now?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I need to make a stop first after Bree¡¯s little show.¡± The guy winked at the bartender and heughed it up telling his boss to have a good one.


    And so that¡¯s what he intended to do, have a good time. It took Gage another half an hour to arrive at the sex club, the guy noticed him, greeted Gage, and let him in after slipping a single fifty-dor bill in his palm. ¡°Mr. Huxley, enjoy your visit.¡±


    The warm air and the floral smell of roses greeted Gage and he was led through various couples in different stages of undress. They were kissing, making out, and spread on the sofa or up against the wall. Their bodies are tangled in beds, and cushions, all were enjoying their time at the great orgy party.


    ¡°Huxley, I¡¯ve been waiting for you.¡±


    ¡°Larissa, you look beautiful as always.¡±


    ¡°Mm¡­ hmm¡­¡± The madam of the house greeted him with a friendly kiss on the cheek. Gage took the champagne offered from the glittery thong-wearing waiter with a nice pair of exposed breasts by his side.


    ¡°Are you avable?¡±


    ¡°I will be, if you choose another woman, I¡¯m feeling rather peckish.¡± She bit her lip and trailed her fingers to open a couple of buttons at the top of his shirt and slipped her hand to feel his warm chest.


    ¡°Her,¡± Gage pointed without taking any notice of her soft little seductive touches. The young woman he picked had the same build and sandy blonde as Bree. Larissa nodded and ushered the beautiful sandy blonde-haired woman to his side and introduced her as Kai.


    ¡°Hello there,¡± Kai greeted him with a very friendly kiss on his lips, but he pulled her hair back with a not so gentle tug and said, ¡°I won¡¯t need kisses.¡±


    Kai whimpered from his little show of roughness and Larissa kissed her full on her lips instead. ¡°Let me kiss you instead, follow us,¡± her words seemed to satisfy Kai and she took Larissa¡¯s hand and let Gage put his hand on her ass.


    The madam entered thevish room first and the man guarding it closed the door behind them. Kai giggled when Larissa pushed her down to the veryrge bed after stripping her naked.


    Gage decided to watch them by sitting on the one-seater next to the bed and letting himself stroke his dick. Larissa didn¡¯t take long before she cuffed the young woman¡¯s wrists onto the top of the bed, her arms raised above her head while moaning as Larissa slipped her a vibrator and licked her wet slit.


    He smirked looking at the two beautiful women on the bed. She was on top of Kai kissing her, letting Kai taste herself from her lips. Gage watched how Larissa¡¯s sexy lingerie molds perfectly onto her figure. He could see the whitece dampening from her arousal as she gets on all fours while pleasing the younger woman bound to the bed.


    ¡°You taste so divine,¡± her words teased Kai as her tongue slithered, flicked, and sucked her nipples one by one. Her moans were short and heavy, her back arched wanting more of her kisses while her legs tremble as the vibrator pleases her to the point where she finally climaxed, hard.


    ¡°Rissa,e here and suck me off,¡± Gage said while still stroking himself through his pants.


    The woman left Kai struggling while the toy was still kept between her legs, not letting here down from the high. Larissa kneels between his thighs, unbuckle, and freed his erection while Kai kept on writhing on the bed, pleading and moaning desperately. Her eyesnded on the madam who was licking her malepanion. Kai thought Gage looked handsome, she wanted to taste him too. But she was bound and couldn¡¯t do anything but watch.


    ¡°Open up, beautiful.¡± His voice was low, dripping with needs as his thumbtched on her lower lip opening her up as he feds her sexy lips with his tip, slowly teasing her pushing him down inch by inch until he hits the back of her throat and he groaned, cursing as she started sucking him expertly.


    ¡°Fuck, Rissa, deeper,¡± he groaned while she looked at him. But Gage closed his eyes, imagining Bree was the one sucking him off. His hand grabbed the back of Rissa¡¯s head as she was forced to gag from his girth. The man pulled her hair back roughly and started stroking his length wanting to calm himself down while she looked at him hungrily and waited.


    ¡°Bend over the bed,¡± he followed behind her, tore a condom he took from the bedside table and sheathed his dick. He reached down and then smirked when he felt that she was soaked from deep throating his cock earlier. Gage didn¡¯t even take the time to take off herce panties, he just moved her panties to the side and pushed in one thrust.


    He needed to get off, his eyesnded on Kai, watching as she squirms from the little pink vibrating toy inside her. His eyes gazed firmly at her as her sandy blonde hair spreads over the pillow. That¡¯s when Gage secretly wished that it was Bree who was bound and shoved with a pink little toy between her legs.


    Larissa moaned his name when he pped her ass knowing she loved it. He remembered that she likes it when he was roughing her. He was close when she climaxed from his erratic thrusts, his fingers gripped her ass and picked up on his pace until he finally came, filling the condom with his cum.


    Gage kissed her shoulder before he slowly pulled away, threw the used condom into the bin then zipped up his pants. ¡°Thank you, beautiful,¡± he kissed her cheek then lower himself down to reach Kai and kissed her shoulder telling her to enjoy her time with Larissa.


    He didn¡¯t forget to slip a nice amount of crisps hundred dor bills as his token of gratitude in her vanity drawer. ¡°Don¡¯t be a stranger Gage, it¡¯s okay toe and see me more often you know that right?¡± Rissa said as she helped him by buttoning his shirt back up.


    ¡°I know,¡± he caressed her cheek and left her with a kiss on her forehead telling her to have a good time with Kai.

 6. Newbie

    Last night was definitely a new experience for Bree, though she couldn¡¯t stop the feeling that she was being watched. She did think maybe Gage was the one who watches her, but then Ro said the boss man was telling him that since it¡¯s Bree¡¯s first week they will all keep an eye on her.


    ¡°Gage thinks it¡¯s your girl next door type of look, he didn¡¯t want you to be taken advantage of.¡± Ro shrugged while giving Bree a ss of water when she was on her break from dancing.


    Jade and Bree also talkedst night, they exchanged phone numbers and she invited her over to Jade¡¯s apartment before they start working today. Bree was happy to know that Jade actually lives five blocks away from her crappy apartment.


    But first thing first, she was going to take Hazel to buy a new toy. Yep, Bree made a hundred dorsst night minus her expenses, yeah, she actually gets to bring money home on her first day. Jojo had reminded her to pay the house fee and tips for the bartender and security, and Bree was pleasantly surprised that she still ended up bringing home a hundred dors¡­ to which she couldn¡¯tin since she was busy taking breaks and learning how other girls were working the floor.


    ¡°Mommy, you don¡¯t have to buy my toy today. We can buy you ice cream? this time we can eat together?¡± she asked when Bree ushered her into the small shopping center. It has been ages since she¡¯s been in one and it was Hazel¡¯s first time as a little girl. Thest time was when she was still in diapers and by looking at her expression Bree didn¡¯t think she remembered being in one.


    ¡°Hazel, baby, today we can both have ice cream and buy your toy. It¡¯s a treat, a celebration. Tomorrow I¡¯ll be saving money to pay for our stuff. We will have fun today, we can bring your new toy to the park and have our ice cream together there.¡±


    The little girl was beyond excited while Bree was a bit teary, but Hazel didn¡¯t seem to notice as she took her mother¡¯s hand and they both stepped into the first children¡¯s toy store and have a look around.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Hazel finally settles on a stuffed animal, a fluffy teddy bear with a pink bow on its ear. Then they both went to the park and she holds onto the teddy while carefully eating her ice cream. Bree was enjoying her strawberry ice cream as they sat on the bench, people watching, spending the time before it was time for Hazel to go into daycare.


    Before lunchtime, Bree went back to their apartment and took a quick nap before picking up Hazel at four then left her with Mrs. Mancini.


    Bree went straight to Jade¡¯s apartment afterward. She was taken back when she saw the small and tidy home then she was introduced to Jade¡¯s five-year-old son, Chase. The little boy was back to busying himself with his Lego after he excused himself properly. Bree was surprised by how well mannered the boy was.


    ¡°We have a sitter that came from a very strict background, we pay her a good amount of money to teach our kids manners and she respects our privacy. Just because we are what we are, does not mean the kids can¡¯t be well behaved.¡± Jade offered her a cup of tea as they wait for two other moms from the club that was going to put their kids at Jade¡¯s.


    This month was her turn to host the kids¡¯ daycare. ¡°We try not to move the kids around too much, and it¡¯ll give Julie the familiarity of the environment to work with the kids.¡±


    ¡°Um, my ce is not kids friendly. I¡¯m going to save some money and move out to a better apartment.¡± Bree was quiet, she thought if Jade and her friend aren¡¯t okay with her putting Hazel at theirs then shes going to wait for a couple of months before she joins their daycare club.


    ¡°Hey, please¡­ don¡¯t worry about it, you can bring Hazel anytime you want. We were once in your shoes, we got you, Bree.¡± To her words Bree blinks her eyes repeatedly trying to shoo away her tears, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, my friends they all cut ties with me after my divorce. And almost all of my money goes to my shittywyer and now, I barely get by.¡±


    ¡°Bree, try not to get overwhelmed. Take it one day at a time, yeah?¡± Bree nodded, wiped her tears away, and was thankful that the other moms had finally arrived.


    ¡°Jade, sorry we¡¯re cutting it close. Hey, you must be the newbie, I¡¯m Lexie and this is my six-year-old Harley,¡± the woman with the beautiful tattooed forearm introduced herself.


    ¡°And I¡¯m Ivy and this is my seven-year-old Leia.¡± Ivy who looked like your typical step ford wife hugged Bree with a warm wee.


    ¡°Leia, Bree here has a four-year-old daughter. You can have tea parties and read your princess books with her.¡± Jade told her and the seven-year-old perked up immediately, ¡°Will she be here tomorrow?¡±


    Jade looked at Bree and she smiled so brightly when she nodded and said yes to the beautiful blonde girl. Bree still couldn¡¯t believe her luck, and she didn¡¯t have to wait for long before she was introduced to Julie the sitter. And whatever concerns she had regarding her ce or even paying part of the daycare were ignored by other moms when Jade says, ¡°remember, one day at a time, we¡¯ve all been there.¡±


    Jade hoped in Bree¡¯s car, while Lexie went with Ivy and they all went to Babes for work. It was the weekend, Jade said there is usually more privatep dances request and she¡¯s always hopeful for any bachelor parties. ¡°Though Jojo won¡¯t probably send you to those bachelor parties table just yet, it¡¯s a good way for you to take lessons, keep your eyes open. Stay close to Ro if some asshole messes with you.¡± Jade kept on talking and giving her great pointers until they arrived at Babes. Bree went straight to Jojo while the other girls went to the changing room.


    ¡°Back for the second day, good decision.¡± Jojo greeted her with a smile, ¡°So, it¡¯s the weekend you can start working the floor. Watch other girls, learn from them, remember to take rejections, and move on to the next table if they¡¯re not interested. And also, don¡¯t try too hard, sometimes these guys just wanted someone to talk to.¡± Jojo exined some more, it was a bit too much for the second day. Bree didn¡¯t think there were so many pointers to being the perfect dancer.


    But as the hours ticked by she was still following their suggestion, she mostly watches and takes breaks by the bar. But when she got her first private dance client she was nervous. ¡°Go on, he¡¯s safe, he¡¯s a regr,¡± Dee murmured from behind her after greeting the guy.


    Bree walked, led him to one of the private rooms, and invited him to take a seat. ¡°I¡¯m Bree, what kind of music would you like me to dance to?¡±


    The guy took a seat, unbuttoned his suit jacket, and gotfortable, resting his back and sighing like he had so much weight on his shoulder. ¡°Whatever works for you, you¡¯re new here?¡±


    Bree smiled and said her yes, ¡°Just start yesterday,¡± his smile widened when she started swaying her hips to the music of her choice. The man looked like your average headmaster, a bit geeky and stern at the same time. ¡°My wife, she¡¯s much younger than me and expects me to have sex with her the moment I entered the house.¡± Bree listened, remembering what Jojo told her earlier.


    ¡°That¡¯s nice,¡± She smiled seductively, reaching for her sheer lingerie, and started running her hands through her body in perfect rhythm to the beat.


    ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯m too tired from work. So. I go here and let you girls make me hard.¡± The man stroke himself while telling her that she¡¯s beautiful. Bree moves closer and teases him by moving closer and shaking her boobs, smiling to the music. The manughed and told her she was good at dancing, and Bree rewarded hispliment by shaking her ass in front of his face.


    Twenty minutester the man left the private room and she was shocked when she counted five hundred dors for thirty minutes of listening to him as the man watches her dance in her sexy lingerie, then seeing her naked body for probably less than a minute.


    Bree quickly put her lingerie back on and was on her way to deposit her earnings to Jojo because there are no pockets in her costume. Then when she took a break at the bar Dee was smiling so wide she thought the woman might break her cheeks.


    ¡°Sooooo?¡±


    ¡°Damn it, Dee, the man sure loves his wife.¡±


    Deeughed and told her he was one of the big tippers. He likes to change girls that¡¯s why no girls were jealous every time he picks up different girls for the dance.


    Yes, Jojo and Cassidy had warned her about conflicts on the floor that¡¯s why she was told to mostly watch and dance in her scheduled section unless instructed otherwise. But still, Bree was already calcting her cash in her head, thinking about what bills she was going to pay first.


    Bree would surely consider finding other potential jobs, maybe after a year of working at the club. She needs to make sure she has savings before she ventures into a new job. Bree was excited, her smile was contagious and it made Rough with them.


    But back in the office, looking through therge window Gage didn¡¯t seem pleased that Bree just had her first private dance.


    Not pleased at all.

 7. Boss

    It has been a week since Bree became a dancer at Babes. The girls love her, Jojo hasn¡¯tined and Ro said she¡¯s learning fast. But the boss man, Gage, was not at all pleased with her progress, he still couldn¡¯t quite shake off the feelings he had deep in his gut towards his new dancer.


    That early morning it was pouring hard after closing time when Gage heard a curse from the entrance of the club. It was Bree, and she was talking to Elvis about her car that won¡¯t start. Gage knows he should not get involved but he couldn¡¯t help himself and offered her a lift back to her ce.


    Elvis looked a bit stunned, his boss had never done that before. And Gage was fully aware that he shouldn¡¯t have offered her. He could easily tell Ro to drop her off but he was on vacation with his girlfriend, Dee.


    Gage didn¡¯t trust the younger bartender and all the other girls had gone home because she was held up by Jojo for administrative purposes. Bree looked real frustrated with her car, even Elvis appeared nervous around her and the bouncer still had another two hours until his shift ended. Lately, the guy has been taking on double shifts to gain more ie.


    So, there Gage was, waiting for Bree as she gets her stuff from the passenger seat and into Gage¡¯s car. ¡°Are you sure I¡¯m not troubling you? I can always call a taxi.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s five in the morning, just the in the car Bree. I¡¯m taking you home, leave your key with Elvis he get someone to fix your car.¡±


    ¡°But I¡­¡± Bree hesitated, she hates the idea that she needs to spend money on the car. She had just started paying a couple of her bills. But she needed time to fix her car, she knows she needs to, but Bree was hoping the car can endure at least another month before she takes it to the garage and put her credit card in use again.


    ¡°Just get in, Jojo will set you up with a house loan. We have them for all of our employees.¡± Bree had heard about it from Jade, but she was hoping she won¡¯t be needing it. Stubborn as she was she wanted to be debt-free as soon as possible.


    But when her boss looked at her like he was about to get angry with her, she quickly gets into his car. It was warm, spacious, and looked very clean. Bree felt self-conscious about herself, she felt her new poor self was not suitable to be in the car. But she didn¡¯t say so, instead, sheplimented the car. Cause it was the kind of car that Everett¡¯s friends and himself would drive and she knows how much it cost thanks to all their women who can¡¯t stop bragging about their money.


    ¡°Nice car.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, thanks. Are you warm enough?¡± Gage asked when he saw her shuddered from her almost soaked hoodie jacket. ¡°You should bring a coat, it¡¯s going to rain a lot in the next few weeks.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a bit cold but your car is warm, so I¡¯m good.¡± She smiled at her boss, politely. Bree didn¡¯t mention that all her coats, her branded designer clothes had been sold on eBay. She needed the cash, she even sold her bag, shoes, jewelry, basically anything she could sell.


    ¡°Your teeth are chattering, take the hoodie off,e on, you¡¯ll get sick,¡± Gage said as he took off his sporty leather jacket and gave it to her. Bree did as he asked and put on his jacket, the warmth from his body left on the jacket seeped into her skin and she thanked him immediately.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°No worries. You don¡¯t have a coat?¡± he asked casually as he put the car in gear and started driving.


    ¡°I¡¯ll buy one after I fix the car.¡± Bree started to get annoyed, she didn¡¯t like people poking around her financial side. Cause she didn¡¯t have any. She took a breather as her chest would be heavy every time she thought about money, then automatically about Hazel.


    She had only been dancing for a week, and all the money she gets flies through the next bill. And it¡¯ll be a while before she could afford a coat, maybe she can go to one of those thrift stores and find a really cheap one.


    Bree told Gage to take a left after the next traffic light and they arrived at the shady part of the block, where her rundown apartment still stands and it frustrated the hell out of Gage when she pointed at her building.


    He didn¡¯t want to be the condescending jackass that criticize her home. But Gage made a mental note to talk to Jojo and give Bree a chance at the VIP tables, he was going to tell Jojo about her living condition. He knows she can keep a secret, and he knows his office manager has always been good with the girls.


    ¡°Thank you for the lift, I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Wee, and make sure you talk to Jojo. No, keep it until you buy a coat. I have another.¡± Gage said as she was about to take off his jacket.


    ¡°I can¡¯t, my kid will see it and she¡¯ll ask questions. I¡­ I just need to focus on work and provide for her.¡± She took off his jacket, put her damp hoodie back on, and carry all of her stuff before she closes the passenger door behind her.


    A daughter, he remembered reading it in her file. To her words, Gage nodded and said his goodbye.


    Bree walked up the stairs to the apartment and was greeted by Mrs. Mancini. Bree had taken Hazel to Jade¡¯s but her little sunshine was having difficulties sleeping in other people¡¯s homes. So for the time being she was scheduling ydates for Hazel, hoping once she gets to know them better she can be left alone with the sitter and the kids.


    ¡°She¡¯s still asleep, she has a little fever, nothing to worry about. I gave her half a spoon of cough syrup and she¡¯s sleeping.¡± I smiled at her and she gave me her warm motherly hug.


    Bree was having such a day, first was the car, now her little Hazel. But at least she will have money to pay for some of it. She still needs to use her credit cards, the young mom put that thought aside and walked to her daughter¡¯s room.


    She gets under the cover and holds her daughter, reminding herself that she was going to spoil her all day today. Warm soup, and soft baked potato while watching her cartoons all day.


    ¡°Mommy, you¡¯re home.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m home, sweetheart. And I¡¯ll stay with you until you wake up.¡± She kissed her temple. Hazel felt a bit warm, she will need another dose of the cough syrup after her breakfast.


    Three hourster Hazel woke up, snuggling closer to Bree until they both giggled. She was d that her kid was not too sick, that she was still in the mood to snuggle.


    ¡°How about I make you breakfast in bed then we can watch cartoons all day?¡±


    ¡°But I want to see Leia, and Harley, and Chase.¡± The four-year-old whined.


    ¡°How about you get better today, and tomorrow you can y with them again? And if you finish your breakfast, I¡¯ll see if I can set up a video call with Leia and you can have her read you in bed?¡±


    Leia, Ivy¡¯s seven-year-old daughter had grown to like Hazel, and the little girl treated her like she was her big sister and followed her everywhere when they were on their ydate at Jade¡¯s.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Hazel took her teddy into her arms, she thought about Bree¡¯s words then nodded her head in agreement. She left the little girl in her bed to make breakfast, then she called Ivy and told her about Hazel¡¯s condition.


    ¡°Oh honey, sure and Leia will be so happy. You know I think in her mind, my kid is already adopting your kid as her baby sister.¡± Sheughed at her words and Bree was d that she was so easygoing with her.


    At least the single mom can still be thankful that she has new friends, she just needs to work harder for her money.

 8. Fever

    Three dayster Bree was still dancing at Babes, she still takes home a good amount of money and she managed to pay another bill. But she was stacking another debt at Babes for her car, though Jojo mentioned that she has six months of an installment payment to which she can absolutely manage to cover with what she makes at the club and still pay her other bills on time.


    But she really wanted to be debt-free, she liked the thought of saving her money for Hazel instead of thinking about what bill to pay first each time she gathered enough money for payment.


    Hazel was doing better, her fever had gone down but Bree still worries. She knows she needed money and she knows Mrs. Mancini was good at what she does. Bree made a mental note to give her a bonus in the next couple of weeks. She really needs to thank her for all that she¡¯d done for both of them.


    But that same day when she was taking a break and talking to Jojo in her corner little office, Bree checked on her phone and her body shuddered. Her hands were almost lifeless and she almost drop her phone. Thankfully Jojo caught it before it fell, cause Bree didn¡¯t want to have to fix her phone. Money was still tight.


    ¡°Hey, Bree, what¡¯s the matter. Your phone, you almost dropped it.¡±


    ¡°Hazel, I got to¡­ hospital, she¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°Wait, let me get¡­¡± Jojo rushed to her side, looking at her panicked state she didn¡¯t want her to drive there by herself. And she was thankful when Gage stepped into her office and almost bumped into Bree in the process. The boss man holds her arms to steady Bree, her fright was obvious on her face.


    ¡°Bree? is everything okay?¡± he rubbed his thumb on her upper arm trying to calm her down as he recognized her dread expression.


    ¡°Yeah, I just¡­¡±


    ¡°She just got a text, her daughter¡¯s in a hospital, Gage could you get someone to take her. I don¡¯t want her driving there.¡± Jojo spilled out her words and Gage just cursed lowly and said, ¡°I¡¯ll go, I¡¯m the least one needed here.¡± The older woman nodded and thanked him, telling him to be careful.


    ¡°Hey, everything¡¯s going to be okay, Bree, look at me don¡¯t worry about anything. We take care of our people.¡± Jojo reminded her once again, and she smiled weakly before she looked at Gage, she hated being fragile in front of a man. But Hazel was her only weakness, and there¡¯s nothing she wouldn¡¯t do for her.


    The boss man and Bree were on the road after Bree removed her heavy makeup and changed back into her clothes. Gage, took her outdated phone and look at the text for the name of the hospital. He changed gear swiftly as he pick up his speed to get there faster.


    It took them fifteen minutes to get there. He dropped her off at the lobby thinking it¡¯ll be faster, rather than if she waited while he tries to find a parking space.


    ¡°Mommy?¡±


    ¡°Hey sunshine, I¡¯m here.¡± She kissed her temple and hugged her kid warmly, her eyes were red, and Mrs. Mancini was to her side.


    ¡°Hazel was having a hard time breathing, her fever had gone back up, so I decided to get her to the hospital. I tried calling your phone, you must¡¯ve been working. So I texted you instead.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Bree threw her arm to her shoulder and gave her a side hug, while her other hand was still holding on to Hazel¡¯s.


    Someone cleared his throat, she looked up and didn¡¯t think that Gage was going toe in to check on her. ¡°Mrs. Mancini, this is my boss, Gage Huxley, he gave me a ride,¡± Bree introduced them then Mrs. Mancini said that the nurse was waiting for her for the hospital administration. This means she needs to handle the billing arrangements.


    The car, the hospital, Bree needed to use one of the credit cards again while she wondered when was all going to stop.


    ¡°I have already taken care of it, a nurse willeter for your signature. Look, why don¡¯t you spend some time with your kid while I treat Mrs. Mancini to a cup of coffee?¡± The neighbor-nanny looked relieved and she let him usher her out of the room.


    Gage offered to drive her back to their apartment since she told him that she took Hazel to the hospital by taxi. Mrs. Mancini was drinking her coffee in his car when she told him about her suspicion of what might¡¯ve caused Hazel¡¯s sickness. The ck mold on the Mackenzie living room ceiling.


    ¡°Can you show me? I have a friend who knows about this stuff, maybe I can take a picture of it and hear what he might think.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a good person, Mr. Huxley.¡± Mrs. Mancini stated putting her hand on his as a sign of her appreciation.


    ¡°I¡¯m just trying to help Bree, it seems that she has so much burden.¡±


    ¡°She had a terrible ex and an even more terriblewyer. I told her to ditch herwyer, but she kept on telling me that she had spent too much on him.¡± Mrs. Mancini looked like she holds the deepest grudge toward Bree¡¯swyer.


    Whatever the neighbor-nanny thought about the mold, she was definitely on point. The whole building should be shut down for vition of tenant safety. But Gage knew Bree was threading between having a roof overhead, providing for her child, and reporting the vition to the building management.


    ¡°You have that look, it¡¯s bad isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°I think so,¡± Gage replied while he took pictures of the ceiling, he was downying it when he knows it was that bad. ¡°Does your apartment have this too?¡±


    ¡°Not this bad, mine just looked like a water stain. Anyway, thank you for the lift. I need to rest.¡±


    ¡°Yes, of course. I¡¯m heading back to the hospital, um¡­ do you think Bree wouldn¡¯t mind if you pack her overnight stuff for the hospital?¡± Gage didn¡¯t want Bree to go back and forth from the hospital.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so, let me just call her and ask what she needs.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, I¡¯ll just wait out here.¡±


    It was another fifteen minutes before he was back on his way to the hospital with a small backpack. One of the straps was stitched, but he was sure that it was an original Prada. Gage has his suspicion about Bree, her shyness, manners, her words, and artiction. She wasn¡¯t just your typical girl next door. He thought she was really the girl next door who got married and became the perfect wife to the perfect husband. But in her case, she was failing in the perfect husband department.


    ¡°Gage, thank you very much. You really don¡¯t need to do this.¡±


    ¡°Mommy, my teddy¡­¡± Hazel¡¯s voice cut their conversation, it was faint but she heard it clearly. Bree rushed to her side to pick up her teddy bear that had dropped to the floor.


    But then Hazel¡¯s gaze went to the man who was talking to her mom, when she continued, ¡°are you mom¡¯s new friend?¡±


    Bree looked at Hazel then to Gage, then the man smiled at the little girl and came closer. ¡°Yeah, we go to work at the same ce.¡±


    ¡°The same bar?¡± Gage looked at Bree when she bit her lip looking a bit guilty but didn¡¯t correct her child.


    ¡°Yeah, same bar.¡± There was a hint of a smile in his answer and Bree looked embarrassed but stood still.


    ¡°Tell me, how are you feeling?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m better, thanks to my teddy. Mommy bought me with the money from the bar. We went to the toy store, then she got ice cream for herself too. She never buys one, she always buys me one. She loves strawberry ice cream.¡± Hazel blurted out her words as if she wanted to tell Gage everything about her mom.


    After Gage and Mrs. Mancini left earlier, the nurse had moved them to a private room saying that it was already paid for by the gentleman. And when Bree looked at the receipt she saw Gage¡¯s name on it. She wanted to be angry with him, she didn¡¯t want to start piling up debt. First her car, now Hazel¡¯s private hospital room. Bree wanted her freedom. She suddenly felt suffocated, she told Hazel she was going to the bathroom. Bree tried to take deep breaths, calm herself down but it was all too intense and she finally broke down and cried, sobbing, sitting after putting the toilet lid seat down.


    Ten minutester there was a knock on the door. ¡°Bree? are you okay?¡± the deep voice interrupted her pity party and she sshed her face with the tap water but her eyes were still red when she opened the bathroom door.


    Gage took one look at her and pulled her into his arms. ¡°Hazel¡¯s asleep, ssh¡­ everything is going to be okay.¡± Bree stiffened in his hold, but when his warmth seeped in she started crying again. It has been a long time since she was held by a man and she didn¡¯t know how but Gage felt safe.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    Her gut said so.

 9. Kindness

    The next day Jojo had rotated Bree¡¯s schedule, she managed to give her two days off and that¡¯s all she needs. She was still new, she didn¡¯t want to get cut because she was unable to work for two straight days. And those two days were all she needed since Hazel was discharged the next day.


    At least she was only paying for a one-day private room, her little girl was a bit cranky the next day saying she wanted to sleep in her bed. Late that afternoon after Bree signed off on her hospital administration and got Hazel¡¯s prescription, she saw Gage by Hazel¡¯s bed with another teddy bear almost as big as her daughter.


    No¡­ Bree thought to herself, she didn¡¯t need to have Gage getting closer to her daughter. She didn¡¯t want Hazel to go through another separation process. Her little sunshine gave her thousands of questions when she realized her dad wasn¡¯t going to live with them again. The questions tire her already numbed feelings and she didn¡¯t need another one where Hazel might eventually think her mom was driving all the men away, her dad, and now her¡­ yeah Bree didn¡¯t even know what to think of Gage. Aside from that her boss hugged herst night and she liked it.


    A lot.


    ¡°Mommy! look at what Gage bought me! it¡¯s the momma bear, the baby bear now has her momma with her. Just like us!¡± Bree smiled at her and kissed her forehead the second she was to her side, she helped her little sunshine to sit up and drink her juice.


    ¡°Gage, you shouldn¡¯t have.¡± Bree finally said half an hourter when Hazel had fallen back to sleep, they were ready to go home. They just needed Hazel¡¯s doctor to give the final examination and clear her to go home.


    ¡°She is happy, I thought that was all that mattered to moms?¡± Gage patted the seat next to him. Bree didn¡¯t see that the man had brought coffee and doughnuts until they were seated in the small seating area of Hazel¡¯s private room.


    ¡°I had Elvis bring your car over,¡± he gave her the keys and once again she thanked the man. Bree thought he was going to leave when he continued, ¡°I¡¯ll wait for the doctor and while doing so¡­ I¡¯d like to talk to you about the big bad mold on your living room ceiling.¡±


    ¡°Gage,¡± Bree didn¡¯t dare to look at him, she decided to stir her coffee instead. She had thought that Hazel might be sick because of the mold, but she couldn¡¯t do anything until another couple of months. She still has too many bills to pay.


    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s because of the mold? oh god, I¡¯ve been a really bad mom.¡± Bree took a deep breath, her shoulders slumped. She was holding her cup of coffee, trying hard to suppress her disappointment towards herself.


    ¡°Hey, you¡¯re having a very bad year, that¡¯s all. Look Bree I have a ce, you can stay there.¡± The man looked at her sincerely, ¡°no, please don¡¯t give me that look. It¡¯s small, I haven¡¯t managed to rent it out because of the size, but you and Hazel will do great there at least until your apartment is mold-free.¡± He paused drinking his coffee, then continued with a slight hesitation in his voice ¡°or not, um¡­ I don¡¯t know what the situation is with the owner of your apartmentplex. I don¡¯t know when your apartment will be renovated because I think that the whole ceiling needs to be redone.¡±


    Gage offered her one of his still vacant apartments, it was located in a nicer neighborhood just a couple of blocks away from where her current apartment was.


    ¡°You¡¯ve helped me so much already, I can¡¯t¡­¡± Bree sighed her mind was heavy with considerations. Money, Hazel¡¯s health, her stupid fucking ex, her job, and a bunch of other stuff including her uselesswyer.


    ¡°Bree, you work at Babes, consider this as the perks of your job? Do this for Hazel, look¡­ stay there until you manage to find a new ce. She needs to heal, and you won¡¯t be risking a future visit to the hospital, logically it¡¯ll save you more money in the future.¡±


    Bree let his words settle in her mind, thinking of the pros and cons. Surely she was not the first employee that he helped she thought. She needed to talk to Dee or Cassidy, maybe even Jade. But in the meantime, she nodded and thanked him.


    ¡°Good, we¡¯ll go straight to the new apartment thenter on you can pack your stuff and stay there starting tonight.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t thank you enough.¡±


    Gage didn¡¯t reply, he just smiled and nodded since Hazel¡¯s doctor decided to enter the room and check up on Hazel. Bree listened to his exnation about her condition, telling her Hazel should rest for the next couple of days.


    Hazel¡¯s eyes fluttered open when the doctor touched her arm and asked her a couple of simple questions while he reads Hazel¡¯s chart. She was cleared to go home and excused himself to go and check on his other patients, before leaving the room.


    Five minutester familiar voices wereing from outside her room, and Bree notices them the second they stepped into the room. ¡°Cassidy, Jade, what ¡­ how? um¡­ what are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Jojo told us, hi Gage, we decided to check up on you before we go to work.¡± Cassidy greeted their boss and carried on telling Bree that they¡¯re friends, of course, they¡¯d be there. Jade was to Hazel¡¯s side andplimented her huge teddy bear.


    ¡°Gage bought it for me!¡± her voice was full of excitement and Cassidy raised her eyebrow at Bree then at Gage. But what Bree didn¡¯t expect was how Cassidy tried to sneak another questioning took to Jade and Gage.


    ¡°Oh my, you¡¯re such a lucky girl! I¡¯m sure you¡¯re feeling better already, right?¡± Jade asked the little girl who was nodding with her megawatt smile stered on her face.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready to go home! I don¡¯t like staying here, this room smells like old people.¡± Her innocentint made all of themugh. Bree couldn¡¯t help but noticed how Cassidy kept on eyeing Jade and Gage as if there was something between them. But Bree decided to let it go and carry on talking before Cassidy and Jade decided that it was time for them to go to Babes.


    ¡°I need to study and Jade here is going to practice her new stuff for tonight.¡± Clearly, Cassidy needed to filter her words in front of Hazel, and Bree couldn¡¯t be more thankful because of it.


    In less than twenty minutes after her friends left, Hazel was strapped to her baby chair in Bree¡¯s car and Gage was telling her to follow his car. ¡°Where are we going, mommy? I thought we were going home?¡±


    ¡°Well, do you remember about the ck stain on the ceiling of our living room?¡± Bree asked her little girl, looking at Hazel through the rearview mirror while shifting the car in gear and starting to follow her boss¡¯s car.


    ¡°Uh-huh.¡±


    ¡°Well, Gage thinks that it¡¯s making you sick and now he¡¯s offering us to stay at one of his ce until I can find us another one.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± The little sunshine agreed instantly, Bree peered through the rearview mirror again and saw that her little baby was hugging her little teddy while smiling at the big teddy sitting by her side. Hazel giggled happily when Gage helped momma bear sit and buckled safely beside her car seat. The toddler grinned at him and Bree thanked him for helping her with their stuff.


    The whole ride to their new apartment, Bree kept on thinking about Hazel and their finances, about how the hell she was supposed to support herself with more moneying out thaning in.


    She was mentally exhausted when Gage parked at a small apartmentplex. It looked quiet, there were only a couple of cars in the parking area. Most of the tenants were probably out on their day jobs or doing chores, Bree thought.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Come on, you¡¯re on the first floor. It¡¯s small, but I think you¡¯ll like it.¡± Gage exined while he helped her with their bags and momma bear, while Bree unbuckled Hazel and helped her out of the car.


    ¡°Gage, this is¡­ beautiful.¡± The young mom blurted out herpliment the moment she stepped into the small and cozy living space.


    Gage liked the ce, he bought it as an investment. The previous tenant was upgrading to arger space and his real estate agent hadn¡¯t found anyone wanting to rent the ce because of the size and the asking price.


    ¡°Mommy, there¡¯s a garden in the back! can we have a puppy?¡±


    Hazel¡¯s shrilled excitement pulled him from his thought when he mentally remind himself to call his agent and hold off on renting the apartment.


    ¡°Oh¡­ my, Gage, the ce is gorgeous. Are you sure?¡± Bree asked once again as she stepped onto the small garden when Hazel kept on tugging her hand wanting her mom to follow her outside.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure.¡±


    It has been so long since he felt so sure of his decision. He was already feeling his insides warm to the familiar feeling, he thought he had lost it. The woman in front of him gave Gage the most beautiful smile he hadn¡¯t seen in a very long time, and the giggling of the little girl made him want to stay there a little while longer.


    But he knew he couldn¡¯t, he needs to give them space. For now.

 10. Trouble

    The next morning Bree managed to pick up Mrs. Mancini before she goes to work in the afternoon. Lexie and Ivy, the other stripper moms had called asking about Hazel. They suggested her to stay at Lexie¡¯s when they heard the news. Bree was grateful for the offer, but she felt more at ease when Mrs. Mancini volunteered to babysit for her again.


    ¡°Thank you again for doing this for me.¡± She told Mrs. Mancini once they arrived at her new apartment. The older woman was busyplimenting her new ce while Hazel quickly took her spot in front of the television ying with her teddies, sitting on the veryfortable sofa. Bree still couldn¡¯t believe that the apartment came fully furnished.


    ¡°Oh, Bree darling, your luck is changing, I can feel it. That boss of yours is very generous.¡±


    Bree blushed the second she mentioned her boss, Gage. She had told her about him, though she had said that he was doing it out of the kindness of his heart, Bree couldn¡¯t push the feeling that there might be something more than that. But she didn¡¯t dare to think about it further, she had so much going on in her life that she needs full control of her situation. Bree didn¡¯t want to get toofortable, she didn¡¯t need another Everett in her future. Not that she¡¯d think Gage was taking the same path as her ex, but still. There¡¯s always a possibility.


    ¡°I¡¯m thankful for everyone¡¯s help, Mrs. Mancini, including yours you know that, right?¡±


    ¡°Oh, honey please, like I have better things to do. My son pays for my bills, I know it¡¯s his guilty conscience on his side for living so far away from me. Besides I love your little Hazel, I just hope my kid will give me grandbabies soon enough.¡± She caressed Bree¡¯s hand assuring her that she loves babysitting for Hazel.


    Bree left the apartment a couple of hourster after she fed and gave Hazel her medication. She felt guilty, and Mrs. Mancini lets her take care of the little toddler while she bakes a cake for Hazel.


    When she arrived at Babes, Bree went straight to Jojo. She needs to know about her payment n for Hazel¡¯s additional room upgrade at the hospital.


    ¡°Gage, haven¡¯t given me any receipts, Bree. Take it easy, I think he¡¯s busy with his other businesses. He will give it to me once he¡¯s avable. Go, dance, and make some money.¡± Jojo told her off after she assured her one more time that everything will be fine, and that Gage is a nice boss and would help his employees whenever he can.


    Thest bit of information was exactly what Bree needed to soothe her mind.


    ¡°Bree, hey, I thought you were still off. You¡¯re one tough momma aren¡¯t you?¡± Cassidy asked smiling while she was sping thest hook on her sheer corset, making her breasts look fuller.


    ¡°I need the money.¡± She smiled wryly and Cassidy sighed. ¡°Look, this is why we¡¯re all here, Bree.¡± The struggling student hugged her and Bree basked in her kindness seconds longer before she asked her about Jade.


    ¡°So, Jade and Gage?¡± Bree didn¡¯t have to exin further Cassidy knows what she was referring to.


    ¡°Jade? yeah, I thought she used to you know, date the boss man. But she¡¯s always been secretive among us. I¡¯m sorry, did I¡­ are you and Gage?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ no¡­ oh, god no¡­¡± Bree replied a bit too quickly and nervously.


    ¡°I mean, it wasst year, I think. I saw them together. But I¡¯ve been seeing her with different men since then, so¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no¡­ it¡¯s just that I saw you looking at both of them at the hospital so I assumed¡­¡±


    ¡°Bree, please don¡¯t mind my own assumptions.¡± Sheughed trying to ease the situation and luckily Bree got called out to see Jojo again and their discussion ended a bit awkwardly.


    Bree decided to dismiss their conversation and focus on her job instead. ¡°Bree, here¡¯s your new schedule. You¡¯ve been moved up to the main stage which means you¡¯ll be practicing your dance routine with other dancers.¡± Jojo gave her a scheduled routine, Bree had seen how it works. They would dance in groups, then work the floor for a privatep dance.


    ¡°Thank you,¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me, honey, the big boss seemed to be really fond of you. Keep up the good work.¡±


    Bree¡¯s mind wandered to Gage as soon as she left Jojo¡¯s small office. She was greeted by Jade and Ivy who she followed to practice their routine and put the thoughts of her boss to the back of her mind.


    The night passed quickly, she had three privatep dances. Thest client scared her a bit when he started caressing her thighs as she was doing herp dance. Bree was quick to distance herself and told him sweetly that touching is not allowed in the club. The man groaned and adjusted his bulge but kept his hand to himself. She had to maintain her facial expression, trying to keep her seductive manner while the sleazy man rubbed himself as he watches her strips naked inches from him.


    Bree knows that she was safe at the club and she didn¡¯tin. She felt dead tired the second she was behind the steering wheel and on her way home, she was mentally exhausted and physically needed a good long rest.


    The apartment was in front of her, she sighed when she found a parking spot thinking that she was going to treat herself to a nice hot shower before she gets into bed for a couple of hours. It was almost dawn, she needed to sleep before Hazel woke up.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Hey, beautiful.¡± The man pushed her t to the passenger door when she was grabbing her stuff from the backseat of her car. His hand was to her neck cutting her airways, he was breathing heavily, alcohol reeks from his mouth as he tried to kiss her and force himself onto her.


    His other hand was to her waist shoving her, forcing her to the backseat where Bree finally managed to put all her strength as her adrenaline surged through her. Bree kicked him on the crotch resulting in loud cursing from the man¡¯s mouth. He was grabbing the door, but she was quick to lock herself in. She was trembling, crying, trying to find her phone in her bag.


    She shrieked when he smashed her window with a huge rock, themotion made a few people get out of their apartment and yell at the man. Bree didn¡¯t know what happened next as her panic was too overwhelming, her tears cloud her vision, and her hands were still shaking so hard. But slowly Bree recognized Mrs. Mancini¡¯s voice, she was knocking softly on her side of the door, assuring her that the man was gone.


    A couple of her neighbors were there, she was embarrassed, she hadn¡¯t even moved for twenty-four hours, she hadn¡¯t even introduced herself to them.


    ¡°Bree, sweety, you¡¯re safe. Come inside, let me take care of you.¡±


    It was then when she finally found her phone, her hands were still shaking when the older woman opened her car door through the broken window. Bree couldn¡¯t help herself but sobbed so hard when Mrs. Mancini pulled her into her arms.


    She was in her apartment minutester, her neighbors were gone. Bree heard Mrs. Mancini thank them, but she was still trying to process what happened. She was drinking her tea when Gage burst into the apartment and curses lowly when he saw the state that she was in.


    Bree didn¡¯t seem to notice that her side was trickling with blood from the impact of the broken car window. Her neck was starting to bruise and he could see marks on the exposed skin on her hip.


    ¡°Mrs. Mancini, I¡¯m going to send my guy to pick you and Hazel up in a couple of hours. I¡¯m taking her to a hospital, I need to report this to the police. I can¡¯t let Hazel see her like this.¡± He gave her Bree¡¯s phone, not wanting to waste time informing her of his number. He told her that a man named Elvis will call Bree¡¯s phone and she will go with him.


    Bree let him usher her to his car, his hand was warm, his voice was gentle, and she was listening to him until he said that he was going to take her to the hospital and file a report for the incident. From there her mind went miles ahead, she would be exposed to permanent hospital records, and police files, all can be essed in the future and her upation will be known. She couldn¡¯t lose Hazel, those records won¡¯t look good when her ex-husband finds out.


    ¡°No, no¡­ hospital, please, no police,¡± Bree started sobbing again as she imagined that she would lose Hazel to her ex. ¡°My ex, I¡¯ll lose Hazel when he finds out¡­¡±


    ¡°Fuck, okay, okay¡­ I¡¯ll take care of this. But you¡¯re going to let me take care of you.¡± Gage muttered while Bree nodded frantically as she sobbed and thanked him.


    The man turned at the next roundabout and headed in the opposite direction of the hospital and went straight to his home. It took them twenty minutes until they arrived. Gage pulled up into his garage, shut them out from the outside, and somehow that made her sigh in her body start to rx. He locked them in and helped Bree out of his car.


    The garage door opens to the kitchen, but Bree was not prepared to see his home. It looked beautiful,fortable, homey and a perfect reflection of Gage. She was still shaky when he took her to the leather sofa.


    ¡°Sit, I¡¯ll get the emergency kit.¡±


    She did as she was told, her mind was busy calcting other expenses for her car repair. Bree was exhausted, she was tired and desperate and crying again when Gage was back with the kit.


    ¡°Hey, everything is going to be okay.¡± He hugged her and she finally broke down in his arms, whispering softly, barely audible, ¡°no, everything is not okay.¡±

 11. Comfort

    ¡°Bree, look at me.¡± Gage cupped her face, turning her to face him. He seated her on the kitchen stool trying to clean her scrapes and pick shards of ss from the broken car window embedded in her arm. It wasn¡¯t much but he needs to make sure the wounds won¡¯t get infected. The bruise on her neck looked worse, he put medical ointment to hopefully help it heal faster. He also put some on her exposed hip, then ushered her to change to his t-shirt and pajama pants.


    While Bree was in the bathroom, Gage had called Mrs. Mancini and told her to pack a few days¡¯ worths of clothing for both Hazel and Bree.


    ¡°I¡­ I have to get back, Hazel¡­¡± Bree said after she was back joining him in the living room.


    ¡°I¡¯ve sent Elvis to pick them up and escort them here, I have a spare room.¡± Gage thought that he should not offer, he has other apartments, and he could even put her up in a hotel. But deep down he med himself, after all, she was attacked in the parking lot of the apartment that he rented out to her. He didn¡¯t know the full story yet. Not until he asked, then he felt the worst kind of guilt.


    ¡°Do you recognize the man?¡±


    She nodded, she was still fidgeting with her hands when he put his on hers assuring Bree that she was safe and her daughter will join them along with Mrs. Manciniter on.


    ¡°Tell me, Bree, you¡¯re safe.¡±


    ¡°Thest guy I danced for, he¡­ he wanted more¡­¡±


    ¡°Fuck,¡± Gage cursed lowly, he sighed visibly, before continuing with his words, ¡°okay, let me call the club. Bree, please¡­ look at me?¡± Gage moved his hand to her cheek, caressing her softly. She was pale and fragile and he wanted nothing more but to put her in his arms promising her he¡¯d stay with her until everything is resolved. But he knows he couldn¡¯t, he needs to make sure. It¡¯s his club, his dancers, his employees, and his responsibility.


    Last night, the boss man was sure that he was helping Bree by telling Jojo to let her dance and work the floor. He was letting go of his jealousy, telling himself that he was better being single, that he was a broken man. The memory of his wife and unborn child kept steering him from finding another.


    Guilt crept up in his mind. If Gage didn¡¯t tell Jojo to let Bree dance, the man wouldn¡¯t assault her.


    Fuck¡­ he curse again on the inside, he was about to get up when her hands grabbed his, panicking, fresh tears wetting her cheeks.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Bree, you should rest. Hazel will be here soon and she shouldn¡¯t see you like this.¡± He helped her stand up and ushered her to one of the guest rooms.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, I can¡¯t let her see me like this. Can I rest here? Just for a couple of hours.¡± She practically begged, and he didn¡¯t like that she had to ask for it as if there was a chance that he might say no.


    ¡°Anything you need, I will tell Elvis to stay there. Until you¡¯re ready.¡± He tried to tuck her under theforter but her grip on his hand was like a lifeline. ¡°Bree, I¡¯m going to get you a drink, okay?¡±


    She was reluctant but eventually let him go, and Bree was still jumpy when he was back with a ss of water and a sleeping pill.


    ¡°To help you rest, I¡¯ll be outside. I need to get my guys to take a look at the CCTV, we¡¯ll find him and you¡¯re going to be safe.¡±


    Bree took the pill, washed it down with a ss of water, and rest her head on the fluffy pillow. It smells nice, clean, just like the rest of his house while she felt dirty, whorish, and unworthy of staying in such a nice ce.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    It felt like decades ago since her life had been turned upside down by her ex. Her marriage was ruined, money gone, future uncertain. All she had was her baby, her little Hazel, and with her little sunshine on her head, her mind started to get foggy as the pill worked its way into her bloodstream and she falls asleep within minutes.


    *****


    Gage checked on her after he left the guestroom ten minutes ago, he sighed seeing her sleeping under the covers. The man went into his home office and opened hisptop, essing the club¡¯s CCTV feeds inside and from the parking lot outside of Babes. Gage watched intensely as he saw a man watching Bree, waiting for her, staying in his car and following her as she drives back home.


    ¡°Get his license te, find him, scare the guy, make sure he¡¯s not wee anymore at Babes.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Mr. Huxley.¡±


    ¡°Rockford, remember what I said.¡± Gage made sure once again that Rockford understood what was implied from his words. The beefy bodyguard had been with him for years, he knows what kind of sleaze bags they¡¯re dealing with and what threats they need to give out. Rockford also knows that his boss didn¡¯t want any evidence traced back to him or the club. The guard knows how to stage an incident and follow up on their threats.


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Huxley. Understood.¡±


    Ending the call with Rockford eases his mind for a while, knowing the guy will get the job done. Gage pushed his chair back to the liquor cab behind him and pour himself a ss of his favorite whiskey. He savored the fine taste before he let the warmth run down his throat and settled in his stomach.


    Gage was finishing his drink when he heard something breaking. ¡°Bree,¡± he was quick to exit his home office to get to the guest bedroom.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡­¡±


    ¡°Stay there, let me clean the shattered ss,¡±


    Bree stayed and watched as her boss took a broom and cleaned the floor then made an extra effort of wiping the floor making sure there were no small pieces of the broken ss.


    ¡°I¡­¡± Bree hesitated, she looked jaded and not sure of what to say to her boss when Gage decided to tell her again that everything was going to be okay.


    ¡°We have your assant on CCTV, we¡¯re handling it. You¡¯re wee to stay. I personally think you should stay here until the matter is resolved.¡±


    ¡°Hazel, my clothes, I need to go to work,¡±


    Her words were choppy as if she was still struggling with everything that was on her mind.


    ¡°There are new toiletries in the adjoining bathroom,¡± Gage pointed to the door across the bed. ¡°Why don¡¯t you freshen up while I¡¯ll make both of us some breakfast.¡± He knows he shouldn¡¯t, she was still fragile, he should stay back and let her deal with the situation. But there was a vulnerability in her that he wanted to push aside and that¡¯s when his hand moved on its own to take a strand of her hair and tucked them back behind her ear.


    Bree couldn¡¯t help herself to lean into his touches, she knows she shouldn¡¯t, but she felt so weak that she needed his strength hoping it¡¯ll bleed into her system.


    ¡°Gage,¡± she breathed his name and gave in to her weak moment when she put her lips on his. It was soft, timid, a safe little kiss and he didn¡¯t pull back. He thought he should but he didn¡¯t want to, not yet. Gage opened his mouth and let her in, his curiosity wins, and his cock suddenly hard in seconds, quicker than he had ever been in years.


    ¡°Oh god, I¡¯m so sorry,¡± she blushed profusely from her boldness towards her boss which made Gage smile kindly at her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t, it¡¯s okay,¡± he tilts her jaw to face him, ¡°we will disregard it if you¡¯re ufortable, though I¡¯m happy that you did.¡± He startled both of them by saying so, he was not expecting that he would admit that he wanted to kiss her too. Gage hadn¡¯t felt the need to be honest to anyone in years.


    He cleared his throat to break the brief intimacy between them. The suddenfort made him feel the need to put some distance. And that was exactly what he did when he retreated back to the kitchen and started on their simple omelet and bacon breakfast.


    *****


    ¡°Gage, I need to check on Hazel,¡± Bree said the moment she joined him in the kitchen looking fresh though still a bit pale. The bruise on her neck was getting darker and she needs to apply some makeup before Hazel sees her.


    ¡°Mrs. Mancini still has your phone, here you can use mine.¡± Gage fished his phone from his pocket, unlocked it for Bree then continue ting their breakfast in front of her.


    ¡°How do you know?¡± she asked when she decides to call her little sunsher after looking at the clock thinking it was still seven, hazel usually wakes up at eight.


    ¡°One of the neighbors, he knows you¡¯re staying in my unit,¡± Gage answered knowing she was asking how he managed toe to her rescue so soon.


    The next hour they spent talking, while both carefully ignoring the intimate little kiss that they shared a while ago. Gage needed to take a step back, while Bree felt as if she was ready to bolt from the sheer embarrassment if only her car was there. Both felt they need to pull back, but both stayed and have their quiet breakfast while silently thinking of ways to get through the awkward situation.

 12. Dependency

    Gage doesn¡¯t kiss on the lips, he didn¡¯t like to be kissed not when it means intimacy. Those were the small moments he used to indulge when he was with histe wife.


    But when Bree kissed him, Gage did not retreat, he didn¡¯t want to pull back from the kiss like he always does with other women. He realized that wanted her, god knows he did, and he felt like a maniptive boss who second-guessed himself whenever Bree was near.


    He kept assuring himself that he would have Bree just like Jade, everything worked out between them. Gage wanted Jade and he got her out of his system a couple of monthster now both kept their professional attitude and she stayed working at Babes to support her kid while Gage helped whenever he can just because he wanted to.


    The man thought he could do the same with Bree. From the first moment he saw her and learned about her situation he felt the great urge to be her savior, he wanted to be there for her. Badly.


    The knock on his front door made him get up from his seat and put down his coffee. And when Gage opened his door Elvis was there with Hazel and Mrs. Mancini behind him.


    ¡°Gage! Mommy!¡± the little girl leaped into her mom¡¯s arms the second Bree was to Gage¡¯s side but then she winced when Hazel identally put pressure on her bruised hip.


    ¡°Mommy, what happened to your neck?¡±


    Gage was talking to Elvis when the question surprised him. Mrs. Mancini was about to take the little girl from her mom¡¯s arms when Bree lied expertly, ¡°it¡¯s my allergy.¡±


    But what startled him again was Hazel¡¯s innocent reply. ¡°Oh, just like when we¡¯re at daddy¡¯s?¡±


    And apparently, it wasn¡¯t just him, both Mrs. Mancini and Elvis were giving her the questioning look while Gage cursed silently thinking Bree surely needed a break from her fucked up life.


    ¡°Hazel, darling, why don¡¯t you and Mrs. Mancini put your teddies in the guest bedroom and get them settled in while your mom makes you some chocte milk?¡± the little girl nodded and give Gage her cutest smile before she grab her nanny¡¯s hand ushering her to the room Gage pointed seconds earlier. Elvis grabbed their bags and followed the little girl.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stay here. This is too much.¡±


    ¡°Bree, stop struggling. Let me help you. It¡¯s about time you have someone on your side.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re my boss, I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not working at the moment, not for the next couple of days, not with that wounds.¡±


    ¡°Oh, god¡­¡± the realization hit her and she was on the verge of saying no, but Gage was quick to put his hand on hers, ¡°Let me help you. Stay here, I have a spare room.¡± Gage was prepared to convince her further when he rxed as she finally nodded, though her face was still painted with the burden.


    A few minutester, Elvis took Mrs. Mancini to return to her apartment. Bree got her phone back and Hazel was sitting happily in front of the living room television with a cup of chocte milk while watching cartoons.


    ¡°Elvis will be back with groceries, why don¡¯t you text him Hazel¡¯s favorites so he can buy them. You¡¯re my guest, don¡¯t worry about the cost.¡± He made sure Bree understood and left her to ask Hazel what kind of cookies and cereal she wanted.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    He left them to their privacy and was back to his home office wanting to know Rockford¡¯s progress. Gage continue to work until Bree knocked on his door.


    ¡°I made lunch.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sorry. I didn¡¯t realize it¡¯s been hours.¡± Gage couldn¡¯t get in touch with Rockford, so he busied himself with days worth of paperwork on his desk. It was a never ending administration work that histe wife repeatedly told him to hire someone to help him with. But Gage likes to get lost in it, he likes to be on top of things and micromanage everything.


    Bree madesagna, it was easy and quick. She had texted Elvis to buy the ingredients, she wanted to thank Gage for taking them in.


    ¡°Wow, smells so good.¡± Gage walked into the kitchen and saw that Bree had set the dining table for three. It had been years since he sat there to eat and he had to shake his head when his chest tightened from the familiar feel of a home-cooked meal that histe wife used to prepare for him.


    ¡°Gage! Mommy made my favorite!¡± Hazel¡¯s words broke his gloomy thoughts, the little girl was seated on her baby chair strapped onto the dining chair, propping her higher to be able to eat by herself.


    ¡°Well, from the looks of it, it¡¯s going to be my favorite too.¡± He smiled, putting his hand on Hazel¡¯s as she beamed enthusiastically from her chair.


    ¡°Everything is her favorite, she¡¯s at an age where she loves everything but vegetables.¡± And just like on cue Bree put a couple of broli on her te and Hazel let out a sigh of disappointment making Gageugh.


    It¡¯s been years since heughed at the dining table. Gage liked thesagna very much. It was good, so good that he asked for seconds to which Bree brightens knowing he enjoyed her cooking.


    The afternoon rolled by easily, and Hazel was tucked in for her nap time after she had her medication. Then Bree joined him when Gage invited her for coffee in the little seating area of his home office.


    ¡°Thank you for lunch, I haven¡¯t had a home-cooked meal in so long. I really enjoyed it, and Hazel is too adorable.¡± Heplimented and started drinking his coffee as he took a break from his work.


    ¡°It¡¯s the least I can do, do you have anything in mind for dinner?¡±


    ¡°Bree, you¡¯re here as my guest not to cook my meals. We can order in.¡±


    ¡°I need to busy myself or I¡¯ll start a pity party, which one do you prefer?¡±


    Gage shook his head but smiled, he was liking her persistence. ¡°You can cook and surprise me with the menu, thank you.¡±


    ¡°No, thank you.¡± Bree looked at him, hiding her smile behind her cup as she took another sip of her coffee. But as soon as the smile was gone her chin trembled and Gage instinctively moved closer to her side.


    ¡°Hey, everything is going to be okay.¡±


    ¡°I know, I¡¯m sorry I¡¯m such a mess.¡±


    Gage pulled her into his arms and Bree didn¡¯t refuse, instead, she let him hold her close and kiss her forehead softly. She sighed and her body melts onto his chest. The warm fuzzy feeling engulfed her senses.


    She didn¡¯t know what came over her when Bree moved onto hisp, straddling him, and started to moan the second his lips were on hers. She should get away from him but all she could think was that she needed it. Bree was being selfish for once and getting what she wanted. And at that moment it was Gage. It has been Gage for a while now. Bree wanted him. She had been resisting her urge to want him since the first time he told her to perform ap dance as part of her interview.


    ¡°Bree,¡± he whispered while she shuddered when she felt his hands trailing underneath her t-shirt. Bree had changed her clothes when Mrs. Mancini arrived with her belongings. She was wearing her shorts with avender t-shirt which Gage finds her adorable in.


    The man grunted when she started grinding, making him hard in seconds. It had been too long for Bree and having Gage under her, wanting it as much, made her kiss him deeper while her hands hurriedly unbuttoned his shirt and trail kisses down his neck.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± He cursed when Bree sensually moved her hips, easily arousing him to the point where he took control and grabbed her toy her back on the sofa. ¡°Bree, are you sure about this?¡±


    She replied with another moan and took it further when she reached the end of her t-shirt and tossed it carelessly onto the floor. Gage let out the sexiest growl when he lowered thece bra and started licking and sucking on her nipples.


    ¡°Gage, please¡­¡± she mewled from under him, took his hand guiding him between her legs. Bree didn¡¯t want to think, she just wanted him, right then and there. She wanted release, she was chasing her high, and kissed him harder to suppress her slutty moans.


    ¡°Ssh¡­ I¡¯ll take care of you,¡± he whispered huskily as he trailed his kisses down, stripped her of her shorts and panties, and get between her legs to ravish her with his mouth. He took her thighs to his shoulder, held them, and part her wider while he taste her arousal, sucked her deeper, taking her higher and closer with each stroke of his tongue.


    ¡°Gage, oh¡­ more, fuck, yesss¡­ so close¡­¡± she thrusts her hips, wanting more of him while he kept his pace and hold her down, both wanting the same thing, both wanted her climax until she did and he kept on sucking her while her fingers grabbed his strands and her legs wrapped tightly around his shoulders.


    Bree blushed when she realized that she had her boss¡¯s face between her legs. The man had lust in his eyes, but he didn¡¯t do anything further but kissed the inside of her thighs and watched her naked body as if she was the most perfect specimen of a woman.


    ¡°I¡­ oh god, I shouldn¡¯t have, I¡¯m¡­¡±


    ¡°Bree, I like you, I wanted you and you wanted me.¡± He shut her mind by putting her almost naked body on hisp and letting her rest her head on his naked chest. Gage was still hard under his pants but he shook his head when Bree offered to pleasure him.


    ¡°This is for you, I can take care of myselfter.¡± He nted a gentle kiss on her temple and she melts into his embrace. For once in her life, she felt cherished and she didn¡¯t want the feeling to end as she snuggled closer into his arms.

 13. More

    Gage doesn¡¯t date because thest time he dated, the woman looked at the framed picture of him next to histe wife and told him that it was creepy the way he still holds on to his deceased family.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    But when Bree finishes cleaning herself and getting dressed in the small bathroom attached to his home office after their little sexy encounter, she found and looked at the picture of a younger version of Gage. He was wrapping his arm around a beautiful-looking woman and then Bree asked why he put the picture in the bathroom.


    Bree knew that he had lost his family years back from Cassidy. That girl gossips like it¡¯s her way of keeping herself sane between med school and stripping at Babes.


    ¡°Of course, you know about my family,¡± Gage said without looking offended, knowing that his employees at Babes often talk about him. The man gave her a small smile and tried to shrug off her question, he was already anticipating when Bree would tell him to put the picture away.


    But instead, he heard her say. ¡°I¡¯m sorry it¡¯s personal. I just thought both of you looked beautiful and happy.¡±


    Gage raised his eyebrow at her and she just smiled, offering him a sincerepliment. ¡°Thank you,¡± he managed to reply before he took the framed picture from her hand and decided to put it on his desk instead.


    ¡°You don¡¯t throw away the memories, it¡¯s not like the new ones are going topete with what you had. You looked really happy there, really in love.¡±


    When Bree said the words he felt as if she was talking about herself, then he started to think maybe she had lost her love but then she told him about her parents. Bree told Gage that they had passed away and exined to him that she would forever cherish their memories.


    Gage sat back down on his sofa and took her to hisp, Bree didn¡¯t resist and let him hold her close.


    ¡°Myst date, she thinks it weird that I still keep myte wife¡¯s picture.¡± Gage finally told her.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t deserve you then.¡± Bree retorted easily making Gage want to hug and keep her in his arms longer. But the intimate moment onlysted for so long until they need to part. Bree needed to check on Hazel and Gage decided to go take a shower and take care of his erection.


    *****


    Dinner was great, Hazel was a great kid and Gage hated the fact that her biological dad cut her off easily. But then he was selfish enough that he liked her being there, munching away happily while talking animatedly to Bree and himself.


    ¡°Hazel, finish your dinner then you can have your dessert,¡± Bree said from beside her little girl, encouraging her to eat her dinner and not y with her food.


    ¡°Can I have it in front of the tv mom?¡±


    Bree shook her head and the little girl pouted adorably.


    ¡°Well, I think if you eat your veggies and have your meds, I can convince your mom to let us all have our dessert while watching some cartoons.¡±


    Bree looked at him still shaking her head and pointing out her disagreement, meanwhile Gage reached for Hazel¡¯s chubby hand and both looked at her annoyingly cute until she finally relented and agreed with Gage¡¯s terms.


    ¡°Thank you, mommy! thank you, Gage! I love you!¡± the little girl threw her arms pping in excitement and continued to dig into her dinner.


    ¡°She loves me.¡± Gage grinned at her and Breeughed freely making her beautiful face even more beautiful than he had ever seen before.


    ¡°You¡¯re bribing her with dessert and cartoons, but sure¡­ I¡¯ll give you a win.¡± She replied and kissed Hazel on her forehead when her little sunshine smiled at her cheekily.


    When dinner was done, Hazel had her dessert and lounged by the television until she falls asleep between them. Bree was feeling all kinds of attachment to her boss as Gage delicately picked up Hazel and carried the little toddler to the guest bedroom and watched as Bree tucked her in.


    ¡°Come on, you deserve a ss of wine,¡± Gage whispered as he wrapped his arms around her slim waist. Bree feels that she shouldn¡¯t easily fall into his charms but she couldn¡¯t help herself. She wanted him and all of her better judgments were out the windows when he turned her around to cradle her face and kiss her gently. She sighed and rest her forehead on his shoulder, she was letting him hold her as she basked in his scent while her daughter was asleep in the other room.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get the wine, why don¡¯t you getfortable on the sofa.¡± Bree followed his words and took a seat on the living room sofa, fiddling with her phone until he was at her side offering her a ss of white.


    They make out for a while until he pulled back and caressed her face softly. Gage has never been this nervous, he knows it was too fast, but he had never felt so sure in his life before.


    And that¡¯s when he blurted out his words. ¡°I want to date you.¡± He finally said it, he kissed her forehead and told her that he wanted to get to know her better and spend more time with her.


    ¡°You¡¯re my boss. I have a kid, I don¡¯t know about dating. I¡­ I don¡¯t want to disappoint her.¡± Bree was always thinking about Hazel, since she had her, Hazel has always been first on her mind. She thought she was going to fool around with Gage, she did not expect him to want to date her. Not with her kind of baggage.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we keep this from Hazel? for now, we can be friends in front of her. But I do want to date you, I want you to know I¡¯m serious about you.¡± Gage was telling the truth, no amount of sex club scene equals to the perfect sexy afternoon he had with Bree. It may sound cheesy but he was being true to himself.


    Feelings yed a great part, he had always been a man that get in touch with his feelings. And when his wife and unborn child left him he was ruined. Gage thought he was done with his feelings until he met Bree.


    It had been years, but he knows he what he was feeling towards Bree was different. And he was intrigued to explore his feelings more. Gage had felt something towards her since the first time he saw Bree at his club. He never believes in second chances, hell¡­ he doesn¡¯t even believe in love at first sight


    The love he had for histe wife was offort, they¡¯ve been dating since college. They mingled in the same social circle, their rtionship turned into marriage the moment she told him that he was going to be a dad and he proposed to her instantly. He was happy, they were happy. Being married to her was the best couple of months of Gage¡¯s adult life and he did not regret any of it.


    And remembering what he had lost was not easy. But he was willing to take another chance and tear down his walls for Bree.


    For Bree and her little Hazel.


    ¡°What about the club? I still need to work, and with us dating, I don¡¯t know what other girls might think.¡± Bree was sure that Cassidy will talk about her and Gage. Though she wouldn¡¯t care she needed her friends, what if things go bad, they break up and she needs to find another job?


    Panic sets on her face and Gage didn¡¯t like seeing that. ¡°Hey, Bree, please rx. We¡¯re both adults. We will think about it, we can keep it a secret, I¡¯ll talk to Elvis to keep quiet. No one will know you¡¯re staying here.¡±


    ¡°Here? I thought we¡¯re just staying for one night then we¡¯re going back to your other apartment.¡±


    ¡°Bree, let me take care of you. Stay here for a couple of days, weeks, just until you get everything settled. We will date, look¡­ I know the situation is a bit chaotic, it¡¯s like we¡¯re moving fast and backward. But honestly, let me ask you this, do you want us?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I guess so.¡±


    He chuckled thanking Bree for her vote of confidence in their dating progress.


    ¡°Okay, do you enjoy our time today? our time with Hazel? don¡¯t you think you want to try and find out if there can be an us in the future?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, and yes.¡± To her reply Gage gave her his biggest smile, making her smile right back at him.


    ¡°But, what if¡­¡± but then she quickly hesitated.


    ¡°Do you really want to dwell with the what-ifs? with all that¡¯s been happening to you, don¡¯t you think you deserve another chance? I¡¯m willing to try it with you, the question is now¡­ will you?¡±


    ¡°Oh, Gage, will you just kiss me already?¡± Bree felt she needs to be held and to feel cherished. After years of being married to Everett she never once felt the want to be in somebody¡¯s arms. But hours after she felt what it was like being in Gage¡¯s arms she suddenly craves it. And she finally sighed when he held her close and started to ravish her lips in his sweet sexy kisses.

 14. Date

    It was a couple of days after the incident, and Bree was still staying at Gage¡¯s. Though she insisted that they move back to his vacant apartment, Gage had not been so subtle in dying her moving arrangements, giving her some flimsy excuses about his ce being installed with security cameras. And yesterday he dered that there was renovation in the backyard of the apartment assuring her that she has to stay longer at his house.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Bree also hadn¡¯t been allowed back at Babes as Gage kept telling her that she deserves a couple of days off after the incident. He was telling her that he didn¡¯t want her to get triggered by any of her clients for dancing too soon. She relents when the logic sets in, not wanting to cause any scene and embarrassed herself at the club.


    But when Gage decided to fill her spare time by taking her on a date, she hesitated.


    ¡°What am I going to tell Hazel? oh god, Gage, I can¡¯t lie to her face. I¡¯m such a bad mom, this is not going to work out. We should end this us thing, there should be no us, there won¡¯t be an us.¡± Bree was bbering looking adorably cute as she panicked about what she was going to say to her little girl when Gage told her that he was taking her out to dinner.


    Mrs. Mancini looked at both of them knowingly, yet she didn¡¯t say anything. But she giggled when Gage winked at her, whispering not so softly while coughing out that he¡¯s taking Bree on a date.


    ¡°What? I didn¡¯t know she can¡¯t know about us?¡± Gage snickered and took Bree¡¯s arm to his.


    ¡°Oh, Bree go on, have fun. I¡¯m sure Hazel will still be asleep when you return from dinner.¡± Mrs. Mancini practically pushed her to Gage and then ushered both of them out the door.


    ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Mancini, I¡¯m bringing you the most expensive dessert they have.¡± Gage grinned widely making the older womanugh at him.


    Gage and led Bree to his car, she hesitates for a moment, but then allow him to open the passenger door for her and she gets into his car. It was their first date, Gage was feeling a bit nervous but he shook it off thinking it was because he was catching on to Bree¡¯s nervousness.


    ¡°This is really nice, thank you.¡± Bree looked at her surroundings the moment they got there. Gage took her to a nice restaurant. Not too posh that she¡¯d feel out of ce but expensive enough that she didn¡¯t want to look at the pricing. One thing for sure it has been ages since she went out to dinner with a man. It had been Everett for as long as she can remember, making her a bit awkward in her seat trying to think of something to talk about.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while for me too,¡± Gage stated as if he was reading her mind.


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Bree, just rx. Okay?¡±


    She smiled but didn¡¯t get the chance to reply as the waiter arrived to take their orders. Gage helped Bree and ordered for her, taking care of the decision-making that she had been doing since she got divorced.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my pleasure.¡± He smiled as he caressed her hand across the table.


    ¡°So¡­ um, any news on the guy?¡±


    Without asking further he knew she was asking about her assant.


    ¡°Rockford is doing his best, you have nothing to worry about. You¡¯re perfectly safe at my house.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡±


    Gage chuckled at her reply knowing she was nervous to the point where she didn¡¯t know what to talk about. ¡°Bree, do you want to talk about the weather?¡±


    ¡°Gage!¡± she gasped scandalously as if she knows she was caught at her failure in making small talks. Heughed and once again told her to rx.


    ¡°We should¡¯ve gone to McDonald¡¯s, I bet I¡¯ll be morefortable there. This ce is too quiet, I can hear people whispering.¡± Her voice whispered making him grin.


    Gage tried to contain hisughter and failed miserably, making Bree scrunch her nose and tugged her lips back in annoyance which made him even more entertained by her little quirks.


    ¡°Oh, Bree¡­ we should¡¯ve done this sooner. You just gave me ideas for our future dates!¡± the cheeky smile he stered on his face made his feature look more irresistible to Bree.


    ¡°Gage! don¡¯t you dare! no more nice restaurants! I need to see kids running around or preferably talking and ying with their food when we dine.¡±


    Bree made himugh again and she joins him at the same time as Gage realized he hadn¡¯t felt that happy in such a long time. The happiness that came simply from sitting down and having a nice meal with the most beautiful woman in the room.


    Bree drinks her water trying to hide her giddy, excited, and tense feelings. She tried to slowly calm herself down then finally rxed when their food arrived. She kept her focus on her food rather than trying to pick another subject to talk about.


    Her body was on edge but she notices that it was the good kind of anxiousness when she looked at the handsome man to her front. Bree was still skittish about Gage wanting to date her, but she wanted more, she craved for his kiss and their intimacy.


    And that was exactly where she ended up after their dinner date. Bree only had two sses of wine but her body hummed the second Gage took her to his bedroom after Mrs. Mancini left and the second Bree finished checking in on Hazel who was still sleeping soundly.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t stop undressing you in my mind the whole time we had dinner, baby¡­ you¡¯re so beautiful.¡± Gage whispered huskily as he pushed her t against his bedroom door.


    He groaned the second Bree moan in their kiss. His hands roamed her body, reaching behind and unzipping her dress and letting it fall to the floor revealing herce underwear.


    Bree felt brave, the wine gave her the courage to push Gage, making him walk backward until the back of his knees touch the end of his bed. She smirked and nudged him until he fell onto his bed, legs hanging, thighs parted, while Bree standing between them.


    Gage let out the sexiest low rumble ofughter when she dropped herself on top of his fully clothed body yfully. ¡°Fuck¡­ Bree, you¡¯re so fucking sexy, baby¡­¡± his hand reached back to the nape of her neck and she shuddered, feeling his thumb rub her sensually while he deepened their kiss in such vigor that she can feel herself getting wet.


    ¡°You¡¯re wearing too many clothes for this.¡± She said from between her kisses while her fingers start unbuttoning his shirt, then down to unbuckle his belt then strip him of his trousers. It didn¡¯t take long until Gage was down to his boxers and she bite her lip looking at his perfect figure.


    ¡°Gorgeous.¡± She gushed then blushed, realizing that Gage had heard her.


    ¡°Why thank you, you¡¯re not too shabby yourself.¡± Hiseback earned him her giggle and it somehow reached his insides. His chest was heavy with feelings that made him grab her by the waist andy her on her back.


    ¡°Gage¡­¡± his name left her sexy lips in such a needy moan making him instantly hard. His dick twitched, throbbing the second he discarded her panties. The man reached for a condom from his side table. He covered himself swiftly and slowly pushed inside her.


    ¡°Damn baby, so¡­ tight.¡± He struggled to control himself, not wanting to push too fast. Gage knew that he was big, but he still didn¡¯t expect her to be so tight. His mind wondered when was thest time she had sex.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± he asked worriedly, not wanting to hurt her.


    ¡°I¡¯m good, so good, it¡¯s been too long. Please¡­ I can take it, Gage¡­ please¡­¡± she whimpered under him and he followed her demand and picked up his pace and shower her with his kisses to drown her moans knowing Hazel was still sleeping in the other room.


    Her slim legs wrapped around his waist and she let him push harder and faster, while she digs her nails deeper onto his strong back feeling his muscles rippling, moving with each thrust until she finally climaxed. Then Gage grabbed her thighs keeping her still as he kneels and pushed deeper while she clenched her insides, still pulsating from her orgasm while he made her climax again together with him.


    Her blush was creeping from her chest up to the cheeks and Gage was so sated from his climax that he pumped himself a couple of more times filling the condom until his dick was spent and pulled out easily from her.


    ¡°Beautiful.¡± He pulled her onto his chest after he threw the soiled condom into the bin and she nuzzled in deeper, yearning for their closeness.


    It was the first time in years that Bree felt rxed, she was content in another man¡¯s arm and she started to feel maybe, just maybe it was her time, the time where her luck would change.


    Anyone can hope, she thought. Even her.

 15. Staying

    ¡°Morning.¡± Gage greeted the beautiful woman lying next to him by kissing her forehead softly.


    ¡°Ugh, is it morning already?¡± Bree groaned from her side of the bed, then she took theforter with her and continued seeking warmth by burrowing under Gage¡¯s arms.


    The man smirked, amused by her little quirks as he had been watching her for thest hour since. Bree had taken over the cover, bundling herself, keeping herself warm like a cozy burrito while leaving Gage naked and a bit cold from the morning air.


    He put on his pajama pants and got out of bed. ¡°I¡¯ll fix us some coffee. I don¡¯t know what time Hazel usually wakes up but I¡¯ll go check in on her also.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my¡­ Hazel!¡±


    The mentioning of her little girl¡¯s name made her eyes wide open, body alert, and quickly sit up, but then shriek finding her naked body under the cover. Then she gasped when she looked at half naked Gage, though she stopped for a second to admire his physique.


    ¡°Oh, god¡­ I¡¯m naked!¡±


    Gageughed and gave her one of his clean t-shirts from his drawers as he takes one out for himself. Her dress fromst night¡¯s date had been scattered on the bedroom floor along with hercy underwear and Gage¡¯s clothes.


    ¡°Go, check on Hazel, I¡¯ll make coffee.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ uh, okay¡­¡± Bree was still pulling her morning brain, trying to convince it to cooperate. But then she blushed deeply rememberingst night and the greatest sex she ever had. No wonder she overslept, it¡¯s not in her nature to sleepte, not since she had Hazel.


    The single mom decided to gather her clothes and underwear from Gage¡¯s bedroom floor and headed straight to the guest bedroom beside Hazel¡¯s.


    Gage house was a spacious house with two guestrooms, one home office, a modern-looking kitchen and dining area, a beautiful foyer, a very cozy living room, a nice size of an outdoor pool, and a master bedroom for himself. The day he took her for a tour of his house she knew she liked it.


    It was a beautiful one-story house, homey and well-lived unlike her previous house with Everett. Which just felt big, too big, like a house for show instead of to be living in. She did not decorate it, he had an interior designer make the house look all grand and a bit too corporate for her taste.


    Bree did her morning routine and folded his t-shirt neatly before she changed to her clothes not wanting Hazel to ask questions about it.


    ¡°Mommy!¡±


    ¡°Hey, baby, you¡¯re up already? give mommy a kiss?¡± she giggled and wiggled down from the sofa where she was talking animatedly with Gage. He looked at Bree and then get up to the kitchen, giving her privacy with Hazel.


    The coffee scent filled the room and she took Hazel¡¯s hand after her morning dose of kisses and chatter. They both walked into the open n kitchen space next to the living room.


    ¡°Mommy Gage said I can try out the poolter after we have breakfast. Can I mom? please¡­ please¡­ please?¡±


    This is actually why Bree didn¡¯t want to stay at Gage longer than she needed to. She didn¡¯t want Hazel to be too attached to Gage, a lot of consideration had yed in the back of her mind.


    Gage smiled at her inviting her closer by putting her cup of coffee on the kitchen counter in front of him.


    ¡°Sunshine andughter are good for her healing process, right?¡± Gage asked, carefully holding himself back while all he wanted was to pull Bree in for a deep sexy kiss.


    ¡°Yeah, okay, but just for an hour okay? I don¡¯t want you to get too cold. We¡¯ll have breakfast first then y in the pool.¡±


    Hazel leaped into Bree¡¯s arms and gave her another tight hug. Looking at the two made Gage¡¯s chest tighten, this was how it would¡¯ve felt. Maybe. Suddenly he missed histe wife, he could already feel the heat in the back of his eyes and that¡¯s when he excused himself and hurriedly went to his bedroom.


    Bree set Hazel in her chair and put her toast and peanut butter jelly on her te. ¡°Hazel, honey, I¡¯m going to go check on Gage. I don¡¯t know what he¡¯d want for breakfast. Stay here and finish your breakfast, then we can go swimming okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes, mommy!¡± Her little sunshine giggled and started munching on her toast. Bree caressed her soft hair and then follow Gage to his bedroom.


    She saw it, the sadness in his eyes. And afterst night Bree felt as if she needs to at least make sure that he was okay.


    ¡°Gage?¡±Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    Bree found him looking out the window of his bedroom, the view was amazing. Gage¡¯s house was located on the hillside of the terrain, and his window overlook the cityndscape. But Gage didn¡¯t look like he was enjoying the view.


    ¡°Hey, sorry¡­ I didn¡¯t want to interrupt.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not, and don¡¯t give me thatme excuse. Here I thought you said you want to date me and get to know me better. Didn¡¯t the intention apply to you too?¡±


    ¡°Yes, of course, I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s been a while,¡± Gage looked at Bree and rubbed his face with his hand, looking emotionally drained.


    ¡°My kid would¡¯ve been about Hazel¡¯s age if she was alive. Seeing you two happy, it¡¯s¡­ fuck, I¡¯m so sorry.¡± Gage took a deep breath and roughly wiped his rouge tears away. But Bree pulled him into her arms, hugged him, and told him that his baby is in heaven.


    ¡°¡­ so is your wife, they both would¡¯ve wanted you to be happy.¡± Bree rubbed his cheek and pull him down for a kiss, it was sweet yet intimate.


    It¡¯s been so long since he let himself feel the intimacy,st night he wanted to be kissed and somehow Bree had cracked his walls. Now her little Hazel will be the one who¡¯s going to make him break down his wallspletely.


    ¡°You know what? I¡¯ve changed my mind.¡±


    Gage tensed to her words, he didn¡¯t want his little emotional moment to make her stop whatever was happening between them. He just got a sneak peek at their beautiful morning together, he¡¯s not ready to end it.


    ¡°Rx Gage, god¡­ I can see you clenching your jaw from here.¡± Bree giggled, somehow it made him calm down a bit.


    ¡°I¡¯m saying I want to try this, with you. I want to let go, somehow it¡¯s weird that I want to make you happy by bringing Hazel into whatever it is we¡¯re starting.¡±


    That, what Bree said had just made the back of his eyes heated once again.


    ¡°Damn it, Bree,e here,¡± he pulled her tight into his hug the second Bree was within his reach. ¡°You do make me happy, and thank you for sharing Hazel with me. You don¡¯t know how much it means to me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Gage¡­ just be sweet to her and stop bribing her with dessert.¡± Shey another kiss on his lips but ended quickly knowing Hazel should be done with her toast by now.


    ¡°Come on, you¡¯re telling Hazel about us.¡±


    ¡°Me?¡± Gage asked, not sure how to tell the little girl that he intended to sex his way into their little family of two. Because at that moment sex with Bree couldn¡¯te soon enough.


    ¡°Yes, you¡­ what? you think I¡¯m going to make it all easy for you?¡± Bree winked then strut her way out of his bedroom and headed back to the kitchen where Hazel await.


    No, he didn¡¯t want it easy, he thought. He wanted to be happy again.

 16. Little Sunshine

    ¡°Hazel, honey, Gage has something to say. Are you finished with your breakfast? Do you want more toast?¡±


    ¡°No mommy, I¡¯m full.¡± She looked at Gage smiling, waiting for him to speak.


    ¡°So, your mom and I have been talking, thest couple of days we¡¯ve been getting closer. Friendlier. And I wanted to get to know your mom better, date her, and get to know you better too. Would you like that?¡±


    ¡°You want to be mom¡¯s boyfriend?¡±


    Gage was a bit startled when the four-year-old girl knew about the concept of boyfriends. But he put himself together and replied calmly. ¡°Yes, but only if you agree.¡±


    ¡°I like my mom happy, so only if you promise to make mommy happy. My daddy didn¡¯t make mommy happy.¡± The little girl adoringly bit her lip and looked at her mom.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try my best to make her happy and you can keep an eye on me, how¡¯s that?¡±


    She giggled and told him that he was silly. ¡°Okay, now, can we go swimming?¡± Her cheeky smile was contagious, her eyes widening in excitement making Gage pick her up carrying her up to his shoulder like she weighs nothing. Bree¡¯s little sunshine shrieks loudly, clearly no one ever picks her up that high and she instinctively hugs Gage¡¯s head for bnce.


    The man held the little girl¡¯s back and held out his other hand to Bree, he willfully pushes back his happy tears and blink a couple of times when Bree finally took his hand and they went to Hazel¡¯s room to go get her changed.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t bring your swimsuit, how about some shorts and a fitted tank-top?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Yes. The pink one mommy!¡± Gage left her to go get change telling her he¡¯ll do the same.


    The man grabbed his phone the second he was in his room, checking in with the club, Rockford, and browsing his emails before he went to get change and put his phone away for a couple of hours.


    Bree was showing off her supple legs as she bounced Hazel on her thighs. The hot single mom was wearing her shorts and tank-top. Though the mom and daughter duo matches in color, Bree¡¯s ensemble made him look at her twice, okay, maybe thrice and Gage held his gaze a couple of seconds longer making her cheeks all flushed.


    The boss man was wearing his swim trunks as he walked his way towards the pool and noticed Bree¡¯s eyes scanning his naked upper body. Gage had never been a gym rat, but he does lift weights regrly at the gym just to keep himself fit and healthy. And the way she looked at him, made Gage thank himself for working out.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°We should go out tomorrow and buy some pool floats.¡± Gage dered as he takes Hazel¡¯s hand in his. She was small, the feeling was so foreign that it quickly burrow into his heart. Yep. Walls down. Just like that.


    ¡°Gage, we won¡¯t be here for long,¡± Bree replied to his words quickly. She didn¡¯t want Hazel to be lured with stuff, she didn¡¯t like that Gage was making her daughter like him by buying her stuff.


    ¡°Why? you need a ce to stay, and I have rooms.¡±


    ¡°Ohhhhh¡­ can we mom? can we?!¡± her little sunshine asked with too much enthusiasm that made Bree gives Gage her deathly stare.


    ¡°Hazel, you said you want to swim? we should start then before the sun gets too hot.¡± Bree managed to divert her thoughts elsewhere and the little girl forgets about the floats and the staying part.


    On the other hand, Gage definitely forgot about what he just said because his mind went nk the moment Bree stepped into the pool and got her body wet. Her tank-top was soaked and the cotton material stuck to her body like a second skin. Gage quickly followed her into the pool carrying little Hazel with him.


    The man was a bit surprised when he learned that the little toddler was a good swimmer. And that was when Bree told him that Hazel had learned to swim before she even took her first step. ¡°Daddy had a pool, bigger than this. But I like this pool better mommy! we just need to add a slide.¡± Her demand masked inpliments made both of themugh.


    ¡°Hazel is so bright, you know that right?¡± Gage asked with a huge grin on his face as if he was proud of the little girl. He was resting by the edge of the pool to Bree¡¯s side, his eyes were on Hazel keeping himself aware of her every move.


    ¡°I know she is,¡± Bree replied also while looking at Hazel, she always starts her swimming by letting her go freely before she starts giving her simple swimming lessons.


    ¡°Her daddy taught her?¡±


    ¡°Oh, god no. Everett never had time to y with her.¡± Bree said almost in a whisper not wanting Hazel to hear it.


    ¡°I was the captain of my high school swim team, I love swimming, and Hazel too. She was six months old when I took her swimming. She always slept better, and had a bigger appetite afterward.¡±


    Bree and Gage talk and swim around her, sshing water and letting Hazel screams her lungs out in excitement, while Bree and Gageughed so hard until it was time for them to go back up.


    ¡°Thank you, Gage, mommy was so happy. She¡¯s never been this happy.¡± Hazel gave him a hug while he carried her in his arms all toweled up while Bree fill the bathtub with warm water.


    ¡°My pleasure, baby bear.¡±


    ¡°Oh! I¡¯m not a bear!¡±


    ¡°No? How about little pudding?¡±


    She started to giggle as they enter the bathroom. Bree was smiling at their closeness, but the little girl wiggled in his arms reaching out to her mommy.


    ¡°Mommy! Tell Gage I¡¯m not a pudding.¡±


    ¡°No? How about cupcake?¡± He kept on going before Bree had the chance to reply causing Hazel to giggle, and he continued, ¡°¡­ pumpkin pie? No? Look, why don¡¯t you take your nice warm bubble bath and I take a quick shower then I¡¯ll make all of us some hot cocoa.¡±


    ¡°With marshmallows?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I have those, you should make a list, buttercup.¡±


    She giggled again at histest nickname for her and Bree smiled at him, liking that Gage made an effort and seemed to genuinely like her little sunshine.


    An hourter all of them were fresh from their shower and bath, and Hazel was back to watching cartoons in front of the television with her two favorite teddy bears and a cup of hot cocoa.


    ¡°Bree, make a list of the things you both need I¡¯ll send someone to do the shopping. Come here,¡± Gage held out his hand for her and she took his and followed him into the kitchen, where she have a good view of Hazel who was still watching cartoons.


    ¡°I¡¯m needed downtown, I have a couple of business meetings. I want you to make yourself at home. As always, this is my rm code, punch it in once I¡¯m out the door. This is a gatedmunity so you¡¯re safer here, this is just another precaution, nothing to be worried about.¡± Bree had been staying there for a couple of days, she had heard the same speech but he kept on repeating it and she kept on listening to him patiently.


    ¡°Gage, I can¡¯t stay here every time you¡¯re out.¡±


    ¡°Bree, I trust you. Do you trust me?¡±


    ¡°I do,¡± Bree replied softly, she wants to say more when he put a finger on her lips.


    ¡°Then let me take care of you. Please?¡±


    ¡°I want to get back to work, I can¡¯t rely on you, look where it got me with my ex.¡±


    Gage stayed silent for too long and Bree was getting antsy until he cupped her face andy a kiss on her lips.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t kissed anyone since myte wife. I didn¡¯t want the intimacy, every time it felt like I was betraying her. But with you¡­ everything feels right, Bree, I want this. I want us.¡± He backed away from their kiss, his forehead was to hers and they stay that way for a while. Up until his phone buzzed and he said a quick goodbye to Hazel and kissed Bree on her cheek.


    Gage didn¡¯t give any response to her words when she said that she wants to keep on working. Because Gage knew he wouldn¡¯t want anyone to see her strip any more, not after herst incident and not after he had her in his bed.


    He was a selfish man, he wanted her all for himself. The question is, will Bree want Gage badly enough knowing that he won¡¯t let her work, just like her ex did? Will the early feelings that they have stayed longer?


    Their feelings were so new and she was betting her new life and Hazel¡¯s for a rtionship that might go down the drain in the future. But Bree decided to try when Hazel came up to her the second Gage was out of the door, heading out to his meetings.


    ¡°I like Gage, mommy. He makes you happy.¡±


    ¡°But, do you like him?¡±


    ¡°I think he¡¯s nice to you.¡± Hazel¡¯s simple words hit her hard. Bree knows her little toddler had watched many times how Everett treated her like trash. His verbal abuse was the most Hazel had witnessed, and she would ask about her bruises.


    He knows Gage was a kind man, the girls at the club had known him for years, and Bree knew Jade even dated him and still works there. Bree thought Gage would at least treat her the same as Jade and let her back at Babes once their rtionship ended, she thought Gage was at least mature enough to do so.

 17. Happiness and More

    The next day Bree called Cassidy, she was lonely, Gage was working and Hazel was taking her nap.


    ¡°How old is Gage anyway?¡±


    ¡°What? What happened? Tell me? Why are you interested in his age?¡± Cassidy bombarded Bree with her questions. ¡°And when are you going back to the club?¡±


    ¡°Cass¡­¡±


    ¡°Alright¡­ he¡¯s thirty-seven. Now, tell me.¡±


    ¡°Gage told me to take a couple of days off, I¡¯m sure you heard about the incident. And Hazel is still recuperating from her sickness, so I guess I¡¯ll wait for further instruction from the boss.¡± Bree tried not to lie, instead, she hid some information from the struggling med student.


    ¡°Uh-huh,¡± and just as she expected Cassidy was not buying into her bullshit, but she didn¡¯t ask further instead she continued talking about Ro and Dee on how the couple was being sickeningly sweet to each other, then fill her in on how thest bachelor party went rogue at Babes.


    Bree ended the call when Hazel woke up from her nap. She ushered the toddler to the sofa to y with her dolls while she went to the kitchen to fix some snacks.


    At a time like this, she let herself rx, but it didn¡¯t take long as her phone reminded her of the due payment of her credit card bill, that she needs to pay. The single mom was ying with Hazel, but her mind was miles away when finally Gage was back from wherever he was. Bree didn¡¯t even know if Gage has an office aside from Babes.


    ¡°Hey, chunky nugget,¡±


    ¡°Mommeee¡­¡± Hazel whined but clearly loved Gage¡¯s teasing manner with all the cute nicknames for her.


    ¡°Look, baby broli, I¡¯m going to keep on trying every sweet name I can think of until I find the perfect one for you.¡± He sat to her side on the sofa, took her shoulder under his arm, and tickle her until she screams her lungs out.


    Bree smiled brightly when she saw them, and for a couple of seconds, all the worry fades away. Only for a couple of seconds, Gage notice her expression when he leaves Hazel to continue ying with her dolls and then joins the beautiful woman in the kitchen.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go shopping for some pool floats then take a quick afternoon dip before it gets too cold?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Bree smiled at him, she knows Hazel has been waiting for the time to go. Bree didn¡¯t think Gage would have the time to go in between his busy schedule, she didn¡¯t even think that he¡¯d remember. But the man did and her walls started to crack, she realized that Gage was exactly the opposite of Everett. Deep down the realization made her worry that she¡¯d fall for the man.


    She watched Gage slip away from her after a quick peck on her temple, then momentster Bree heard her little girl shriek excitedly.


    ¡°Come on mommy!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get changed then we can go.¡± Bree smiled and took Hazel to her room.


    Ten minutester, after a quick change they all get into his car, Gage surprised her with Hazel¡¯s car seat already strapped in his car since Bree¡¯s car was still in the shop. The mechanic told her that it¡¯ll be a while for them to get their hands on the window of her ten-year-old car.


    ¡°Elvis got Hazel¡¯s seat from the shop, the guy told him that they will have the new window in a couple of more days,¡± Gage said as he grabbed Hazel and lift her to her seat then secure her expertly. Bree watched and she knew he¡¯d done it fast and in a correct manner. Her looks made him chuckle and that made her raise her eyebrow.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a seatbelt, but to ease your mind. I¡¯m a great uncle to my sister¡¯s kids.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± That was all she managed to say, though in reality she never imagined Gage toe from a family unit. She never asked and he didn¡¯t mention them until now, which then made her feel uneasy.


    ¡°My parents live a couple of hours from here, my sister and her husband have two girls, an eight and a ten-year-old. My brother is a single self-pledge bachelor for life.¡± He said in a way she viewed his love for them and envied at the same time. Bree was an only child, her parents passed away with no close rtives that lived within the area.


    Gage noticed her looks and he took her hand and kissed her knuckles. He ushered her to the car and was determined to make her happy in any way he can.


    They spent the afternoon with a lot ofughter ying with the new pool floats until it was close to dinner time. Gage treated little Hazel with a non-veggie pizza which made the little girl adore him so much more.


    But in between theirughter, Gage could see that something was bothering Bree¡¯s mind. And after trying his best to leave her with her thoughts he finally caved.


    Bree was making coffee and pouring another cup for Gage when he asked. ¡°Tell me, what¡¯s on your mind?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, I just need to work.¡± She took a break from his intense gaze by taking the mug and sipping her coffee slowly.


    ¡°Bree, we talked about this.¡±


    ¡°I need to work, Gage, I need to pay my bills, my credit card. I was unemployed for a while and I had to pay for everything, the alimony barely covers our shitty apartment and meals.¡± She didn¡¯t mention that she had traded down her car and sold everything she owned and traded it with second-hand stuff just to get by. Bree was tired, she feels useless each time she kept on drowning in debt. She would¡¯ve given up a long time ago if it wasn¡¯t for Hazel.


    Her voice cracked and she took a deep breath before she wiped her tear and clear her throat. ¡°I need to go to the bathroom.¡± Bree hated that she looked vulnerable, she didn¡¯t want Gage to see that side of her.


    The man let her go, he knew that she was truly upset. He felt bad for not thinking about her bills. He thought by taking her in, all her problems were solved. He forgot to consider if she had any debt such as a credit card bill. He took a mental note to have hiswyer take a look at her case and see how herwyer is progressing with her case.


    He looked and made sure Hazel was engrossed in her ytime when he followed Bree to her room. He left the bedroom door open needing to be in hearing distance, in case Hazel call-out for him or Bree.


    Gage knocked on the adjoining bathroom door and waited.


    ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to ruin our perfect evening.¡± Bree came out of the bathroom, her eyes were a bit red. He didn¡¯t say anything he just pulled her into his arms and sighed when she rxed in his embrace.


    ¡°Let me help you.¡±


    ¡°Gage, you¡¯ve done too much.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got the means, you can pay me back anytime. Hazel would¡¯ve wanted you to be happy. Let me take your mind off, trust me?¡± he cupped the side of her neck and looked into her eyes.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    ¡°Just say yes?¡± heid his lips on top of hers, it was a chaste kiss. Nothing intimate about it, Gage just wanted to make sure that he was there for her. In every way.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she breathed and kiss him back, resting the palm of her hand on his chest.


    ¡°Good, now, let¡¯s get back to your little pie and tucked her into bed. Then it¡¯ll be time for us to talk.¡±


    Bree nodded and followed him outside, her hand was on his as they both joined Hazel in the living room.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Hey, peanut, how about your mommy getting you ready for bed and tucking you in, then I read you a bedtime story?¡±


    ¡°One of my princess books?¡±


    ¡°Yup,plete with all the girly voice.¡± He assured her, making the little girl giggle as she took Bree¡¯s hand guiding her to her bedroom. Gage followed them, he was liking their night routine. It was something he could easily see for years toe. Never in his past, he¡¯d see himself building a new love life, and now he might just get himself his own little family.


    Gage dated Jade sometime ago, but he didn¡¯t feel the closeness. He had met her son, Chase, but he didn¡¯t envision himself building a family with them. He thought he could, but the feeling was not there. Gage thought he was doomed, he thought he¡¯d be spending the rest of his life alone and he¡¯d be fine with that.


    But Bree made him want more, she made him want to be part of her little family. He was desperate to be involved in her world, the feelings had grown so fast that he wondered if it was just lust at first sight. But the more time they spent together, the more he wanted their closeness. He was greedy, and couldn¡¯t get enough of her, never in his life he¡¯d been so careless and needy at the same time.

 18. Ex be Damned

    ¡°Gage, we just went out yesterday, I really need to work. At least let me do something?¡± Bree asked letting Gage pull her into his arms at the same time.


    ¡°I may not be a billionaire, but I do have money, Bree. Put yourself in my shoe. I care about you and Hazel and thest thing I want to do is to put you to work.¡± Gage was being modest, the man was a self-made multi-millionaire. He was set for life though not many people were aware because his lifestyle was always modest and he never felt the need to unt his wealth.


    ¡°But what if we break up, I don¡¯t want to end up back in that same ce. I literally had nothing Gage. Put yourself in my shoe.¡± Bree retorted, throwing his words back at him.


    Gage sighed heavily and did that, then he finally relent. ¡°Okay, but I want yourwyer¡¯s name, I¡¯m going to get mywyer to look into your case and see what he can do with your alimony and child support. And¡­ I¡¯m not letting you strip, I¡¯ll ask Jojo to take you under her to help with administration work.¡±


    ¡°Does Jojo has work for me? I mean I want to work for my money.¡±


    Gage grabbed her closer and kissed her forehead. ¡°Jojo handles my other businesses as well, and believe me she will work you to the ground. She had been asking for an assistant for a couple of weeks now, but I haven¡¯t gone through her list of applicants.¡±


    ¡°Yeah? Okay,¡± Bree smiled and nuzzled into the crook of his neck. She had a degree in business administration, though at her age she wascking the job experience, that has been the issue with her job hunt before she stumbled into Babes.


    They were lying in his bed, still naked, cuddling after their sexy times. ¡°So the shopping trip?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re spoiling her.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my current goal, bribe the little girl so her mom will like me more.¡± He kissed her hair, not willing to be parted even for an inch.


    ¡°I already do like you, you¡¯re really good in bed.¡± Bree teased as if it was the only thing that she considered him for.


    ¡°Hey, I take what I can get.¡± He teased back rubbing his hand to her sexy back side.


    ¡°Okay¡­ okay, just grocery shopping and lunch, now I really need to get some sleep. You¡¯ve exhausted me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a date.¡± He whispered and kissed her shoulder, wrapping her, tucking both of them under the lushforter after he set an rm so that they wake up before Hazel.


    *****


    The grocery shopping was getting too much for Bree when Gage let Hazel take every kind of snack to their cart. It was supposed to be a simple thing. When she was with Everett she didn¡¯t even do grocery shopping, they had maids for that.


    But when even the basic things were ripped off from Bree¡¯s life, her chest tightened from all the emotions. Months back there were times when she must choose between buying a carton of milk or buying eggs or bread. There were times she didn¡¯t eat so Hazel can buy her favorite chocte chip cookies. She hated Everett, but most of all she hated herself for being put in such a position.


    ¡°Bree, are you okay?¡± Gage asked when he saw her getting all quiet.


    ¡°I¡¯m alright, just a bit overwhelming. Thank you for this. She looked so happy.¡± Bree rests her head on his chest when he wraps an arm over her shoulder and offered her somefort.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee. I like seeing her happy, but I want you to also be happy. I know things had been rough for you, I couldn¡¯t even begin to imagine.¡±


    Bree sighed and smiled when she saw Hazel skipping her step to the candy and chocte aisle. ¡°There were times when I sold my bags to buy groceries and meals, even then I needed to ration and was forced to only buy the staple ingredients. I¡¯d get the cheapest brands so I can buy Hazel¡¯s favorite snacks.¡±


    What Bree didn¡¯t tell him were the nights she went to sleep skipping dinner to fit their weekly allowance since her ex was a bastard.


    ¡°Luckily I packed a lot of my stuff into a strange unit when I move out. Everything is gone now, even downgraded my car to get by.¡± She shrugged, but she could feel his hold on her was getting tighter and she smiled when he pecked her cheek chastely.


    ¡°Well, you have me now for as long as you wanted me. Come on let¡¯s get out of here I¡¯m getting hungry.¡± Gage didn¡¯t want Bree to be taken back to her bad situation. It defeated the purpose of him taking them out to be happy and have a good time.


    Gage wanted to do more for them, but he was taking things slow not wanting to drive Bree further because he wasing on too strong.


    Hazel was all too excited when they reached the restaurant and she was once again being spoiled by Gage when he told her that she can order milkshakes while she waits for her food. Bree let her little sunshine enjoy her order while she squeezes Gage¡¯s fingers, tightening her hold, silently telling him thank you. And he kissed her temple, ¡°it¡¯s my pleasure Bree, you know that.¡±


    She was about to reply when suddenly Bree saw him. Her pale expression made Gage look in the direction she was eyeing. Luckily Everett was just passing through, honestly, she didn¡¯t want Hazel to see her dad with his arm around her old nanny who was also his youngest PA.


    ¡°Do you need to go freshen up?¡± Gage offered knowing the situation rattled her a bit. The man looked at her ex the moment she whispered Everett¡¯s name for his ears only.


    Hazel was busy with her new book, looking at the pictures. She was happily ignoring both of them. Bree shook her head then continue, ¡°I¡¯m okay, we¡¯ll talkter.¡± She put her hand on top of his as the waiter arrived with their drinks.


    Hazel¡¯s grin was contagious and they bothughed when the little toddler eagerly drank her chocte milkshake.


    After the impromptu scare with Everett. Their lunchtime was quite enjoyable until it was time for them to get back for Hazel¡¯s nap time.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you go get changed then we will have that talk,¡± Gage said the moment Bree was done tucking in Hazel for her nap time.


    It didn¡¯t take long, Bree walked into the living room in her shorts and well-worn t-shirt and Gage was still in his jeans and shirt telling her that he needs to go outter to take care of some stuff.


    ¡°So, spill,¡± he offered her a smile while giving her a refreshing ss of ice tea and grabbing one himself from the coffee table as Bree sat close to him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want him to see us, and Hazel will have expectations of her daddy and he always let her down. The guy barely even looked at her when we were still together. His eyes were always darted to his assistants, then nanny, by the end of our marriage. The young assistant was staying at our house because he told me that it was easier if Hazel had her nanny in the same house.¡± Bree sipped her tea, as she pauses her story, she could see Gage was looking irritated from her story already.


    ¡°And you leave him after that?¡± Gage could only hope, though he knew she didn¡¯t when he saw her shoulder slumped.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t. I thought if I could get past his infidelity, Hazel will live a full life. I was surrounded by women with this kind of lifestyle, I have my inheritance from my parents but Everett had dug into the fund for one of his projects, so I didn¡¯t have much to start fresh with Hazel.¡± She paused again to put her ss on the table and wiped her suddenly damp hands on her shorts


    ¡°I¡­ I was stupid, I know, but I¡­¡±


    ¡°A man like him would do that, get their spouse to depend on them, tighten their finance and make them stay. So what happened? How did you finally get a divorce?¡± Gage didn¡¯t want to be nosy, but he feels like she needs to talk it out. At least for closure.


    ¡°I had too many visits to the ER,¡± she shrugged, ¡°I guess he had it with me. And obviously, because the new girl is younger and prettier.¡±


    ¡°Damn it, Bree you should ask yourwyer to follow up on this, pressure him to give you more. You know, I¡¯m not surprised if yourwyer is being contacted by your ex.¡±


    Bree looked surprised by the revtion. ¡°You think so?¡±


    ¡°Most likely,¡± Gage shrugged, ¡°I¡¯m talking to mywyer about this and see if there¡¯s something more that he can dig up. Let me know the previous hospitals you visited, they must have records.¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯m done with all of that, I just want to move on.¡±


    ¡°I know you do, but mywyer is good enough that he can push without your involvement, without you meeting your ex.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡±


    ¡°Just let mywyer work it through and see what options you¡¯d have?¡±


    She hesitated, but then replied, ¡°Okay.¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    Bree was letting herself go, trying to be selfish though she was scared as hell. Her instinct told her it was okay to lean on Gage, but her insecurities told her otherwise. Trusting someone is harder when you¡¯ve been hurt before, but Bree wants to be selfish, silently hoping that it was her time, that she deserves to be happy.

 19. Back at Work

    It was Bree¡¯s first day back at Babes, she had met Jojo the day before to get a good grasp of her new job. Hazel was dropped off at her daycare earlier by herself and also Gage. The little girl was too excited that she gets to show off her new friend Gage to the staff at the daycare.


    Since Bree was working with Jojo in handling more of the administration side of things she was scheduled a nine to five working hours. It was the only schedule Gage would let Bree work for and she finally relent thinking at least she was working and hopefully able to save money for her and Hazel¡¯s future.


    ¡°So, you and Gage huh?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m dating him,¡± Bree said knowing Gage had told Jojo about their rtionship status yesterday. The man couldn¡¯t care less about what his employees think of him. But Bree on the other hand, she was new and she knows exactly how disposable she was. Disposable to Gage and also to her employment.


    Somehow after losing everything with Everett she had never felt so disposable in her entire life. Bree felt her unimportance in the big wild world, she could drop dead and no one would care. All that matters to Bree now was Hazel, and how she was going to make a life out of the messed-up situation she was given with.


    ¡°Gage is a nice guy.¡± Jojo looked at her sternly, she was an older woman probably in herte forties, maybe even fifties Bree was not sure and she was definitely not going to ask.


    ¡°He is nice but please don¡¯t let my rtionship with Gage affect your opinion of my work.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I won¡¯t, honey. I will tell him if you can¡¯t do your job properly.¡± Jojo tried to intimidate her but the older woman failed knowing she actually liked Bree. Out of all the dancers, Bree was actually kind of nice, maybe it was her polite upbringing, but the woman treated people with respect and that was one of the important things Jojo valued in a person.


    ¡°I¡¯m actually telling you not to hurt him.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Bree offered her a kind smile and Jojo sighed knowing Bree was the sweetest of the girls.


    ¡°Yeah, okay enough about Gage, we should start working. As I told you yesterday, you will sit here. Elvis had set your working station, yourputer will arrive in a couple of hours. While waiting, you can help me sort out this mess.¡±


    That morning Bree worked silently along with Jojo, and the older woman liked her even more. It was like working with herself and she managed to get the job done quickly since Bree turned out to be a fast learner.


    When lunchtime arrived Dee and Cassidy were all over Bree demanding her why she was working at the back office. The girls weren¡¯t supposed to be at Babes yet, but as they usually do, Dee would leave early because her boyfriend Ro the bartender needs to do preparation work and Cassidy, well¡­ Babes was like her second home already.


    Strangely Cassidy studied better there and the distance between campus and work was much closer than her apartment. ¡°Yeah, we kind of figured out that you and Gage had something going on. But wow, I didn¡¯t think it was this serious.¡±


    ¡°Hushh¡­ Cass, you need to shut it.¡± Dee reminded her. ¡°Sorry love, this girl is a bit messed up in the head. She needs to mind her own business,¡± Dee tried to tone down Cassidy¡¯s curiosity, but between her school work and her stripping routine, the girl need to focus her attention on a new hobby rather than gossip about other girls in the club.


    ¡°Okay¡­ okay, but anyway, do think Jade knew?¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Oh my god, Cassidy!¡± Dee once again warned her, a bit more sternly this time. ¡°It didn¡¯t matter if Jade knew, they were over each other, a long time ago.¡±


    Though Dee wasn¡¯t sure about how Jade would feel if she knew, she thought the woman always handled everything calmly. Aside from her gothic look, there was kindness in her that made Gage dated her. Dee had to admit the man had a certain taste in women and kindness is what she knew those two women have so she was not worried about Jade finding out. Hopefully.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ seriously, let¡¯s just go out and get some sandwiches. I need to stop drinking my weight in coffee.¡± The med student grumbled and dragged the two other women out of Babes.


    Lunch with Cassidy and Dee was filled with a lot ofughter, then a serious discussion about the guy that had been dating Cassidy on and off for about a year now.


    ¡°Yep, we break up again. It¡¯s predictable at this point, and I¡¯m getting bored with him. Every time he wants to get close to fuck, we break up. I¡¯m just still not feeling him, you know?¡±


    ¡°Ehm¡­ no, but maybe because I¡¯m such a nympho. Ro can vouch for me on that excuse.¡±


    ¡°Ew¡­ Dee seriously, you two just had a vacation. I thought you¡¯d be dialing down by now, aren¡¯t you sore or something?¡±


    ¡°Lube baby, make sure you¡¯re slick if you¡¯re going to go at it several times a day.¡± Dee winked at Cassidy to which she got a scowl in return.


    ¡°Well, I think you¡¯re great Cass. It¡¯s not about being a virgin, it¡¯s about staying true to yourself. Don¡¯t let anyone tell you otherwise, you know you¡¯re ready when you are.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, maybe I¡¯m asexual.¡± Cassidy retorted with a heavy tone in her voice.


    ¡°Hey, maybe you¡¯re a demisexual,¡± Dee offered after sipping her ice tea.


    ¡°This whole identity identification is making me dizzy and I realized I need to get back to Jojo. Do you girls mind if I get back now?¡±


    ¡°Go ahead, we need to let the food in our belly simmer down before we twirl on the pole.¡±


    It didn¡¯t take long before Bree gets back to working with Jojo while the girls enjoy their break. They still have a couple of hours before their shift started. Then Gage entered when her working hours ended, Bree blushed when Gage greeted her with a kiss.


    ¡°You two are so adorable, as much as I don¡¯t want to watch these cuteness overload I¡¯m going to take my well-needed break and I¡¯ll see you tomorrow at five Bree.¡± The older woman took her purse and pat Gage¡¯s shoulder telling him thank you for getting Bree to work with her.


    Since Bree started assisting Jojo, the older woman was able to take the night off. Mostly because her workload was lighter and Ro was going to handle the girls in her absence. But starting the next day Jojo was going to try and let Bree work mornings alone and she¡¯ll take the afternoon to night shift to handle the girls¡¯ needs.


    ¡°She¡¯s being really nice to me now. I don¡¯t want to give you too many praises but Jojo loves you and it¡¯s hard to impress that woman.¡± Gage said the moment Jojo left them alone in the back office.


    ¡°Give it time, I¡¯ve only been working two days.¡± Bree smiled at him, she was pleased that Jojo thought that she was doing well at her job.


    ¡°Nah, you didn¡¯t know about her previous assistants. You¡¯re not the first, we tried doing this a couple of months back and failed miserably and she decided she was going to tackle everything herself and do a couple of double shifts per week. Untilst month.¡± Gage continue talking as he took her closer and kissed her lips longer than he intended to.


    ¡°Come on it¡¯s time to pick up Hazel.¡± He breaks the kiss and takes her hand in his then walked out of the office together.


    Some of the girls saw them and if some of them didn¡¯t know about her rtionship with Gage they will surely know by now. Ro¡¯s smile widened when he saw them walking hand in hand. The bartender greeted them, Gage talked to him for a couple of minutes making sure everything was taken care of. Then they both left the club in his car.


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re not needed at the club? I can order a car for me to pick up Hazel¡­¡± Bree was secretly annoyed that her car was still in the shop waiting for the window to be reced.


    ¡°Bree, I won¡¯tplicate myself if I know I can¡¯t drive you to pick up Hazel. I want to be with you.¡± He took her hand and kissed her knuckles, Bree smiled then let him start the car and enjoy hispany as they go to pick up Hazel.


    The days were getting better and better, her little sunshine smiled and run to her the second she was at the entrance of her daycare. Hazel chatted about her day to Gage and heughed and listened to her all the way back to his home.


    The three of them looked like a small happy family, but in the back of Bree¡¯s mind she kept on telling herself that whatever she has with Gage had an expiration date. Bree reminded herself that she shouldn¡¯t be lulled too deeply into it. The past had shown her that the worst can happen, though it was getting hard for her not to fall for the man.


    Bree knew she was in trouble. Her heart was at the risk of being broken. Again.

 20. Uncertainty

    ¡°Mommy, can I have that ice cream now?¡± Hazel asked ever so sweetly at her and that alone made her inside sigh in delight. She wanted to hold her little sunshine tight in her embrace and inhale her baby scent for as long as she could. But Bree knows she couldn¡¯t, so she settled by giving her a quick peck on her cheek while she told her that she can her chocte ice cream.


    Hazel¡¯s little squeal didn¡¯t go unnoticed by Gage who had just gotten off the phone and he smiled at her. But Bree could tell there was something else that was bothering his mind when his smile seemed a bit on the edge.


    Bree had been working along with Jojo for almost three weeks now and in those three weeks, she had been staying at Gage. By now she knew his expression, she had been good at reading people. Bree even knew about her ex¡¯s affairs she just didn¡¯t know how to act on it and eventually made a fool of herself.


    But with Gage, Bree put her hand on his and urged him to talk to her once they were sitting, rxing while having coffee after tucking Hazel into bed.


    ¡°Family dinner this weekend, I have the skippedst one and I need toe to this one.¡±Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°And you don¡¯t want to?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m busy,¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to,¡± Bree emphasized, smiling, giving him the conclusion, then resting her head on the side of his shoulder.


    ¡°Argh¡­ I really don¡¯t want to.¡± He drank his coffee and then put the cup down on the coffee table. Gage moved to wrap his arm around Bree¡¯s shoulder, the man sighed as he felt more rxed than ever just by having her in his arm.


    ¡°You¡¯re a grown man Gage, tell them the reason.¡± Bree sipped her coffee and then put her cup down. She ced her hand on his stomach and scooted closer to his side.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that simple, and mom told me she¡¯s setting me up with a woman from her club. They¡¯d do this sometimes, saying I work too hard and needed to date.¡±


    Bree couldn¡¯t help herself butugh softly. ¡°Do they not know that you own a strip joint? you¡¯re definitely notcking in the women¡¯s department.¡± she knows he made money by renting and selling estates and he was doing well for himself. Jojo and herself manage his administration and paperwork and between buying, selling, renovations, and checking out a new venture, the man was swamped with work.


    ¡°No they don¡¯t, but my brother knows. He umm¡­ met Jade once when we were dating.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Bree¡¯s mind went straight to suspecting that his brother was a judgmental prick and that he and Jade were at a stage where they were serious enough that she was introduced to his brother. There was jealousy under her feelings, but she kept it well hidden.


    ¡°It was no big deal, Marvin is just a bit too protective thinking all girls there are golddiggers.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t, don¡¯t go there baby.¡± He tilted her head and kissed her. ¡°My brother just had this golddigger aura, the man is like catnip for them. He¡¯s just reflecting his experience on me.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    Gage finallyughed and pulled her to straddle him. ¡°Don¡¯t you have anything witty to say to me tonight, aside from a couple of ohs?¡±


    Bree gave up on thinking, besides the jealousy towards Jade, and her shitty situation she decided to take the easy way out and put her arms around his shoulder and kissed him deeper while grinding on hisp. ¡°Do you want to have sex?¡±


    Gage groaned, ¡°You should never ask this question, I would never say no to sexy times with you.¡± He chuckled and move his arms to her ass cheeks and squeezes them while he moans in their kisses.


    His bedroom was a short walk away from the living room and they were getting naked moments after she heard a click on his bedroom door.


    Bree liked his body, he was tall and heavy with man meat, and he had muscles but not too buff. His chest is dusted with some dark hair that feels so good every time she feels the friction against her body.


    The single mom never dated older men, hell, she doesn¡¯t date much. Bree had only been with one guy before she married Everett. Between her and her ex, there was a couple of years of difference. But with Gage, she was eleven years younger than him, though she felt ten times older after her ordeal with her ex, still she felt so inexperienced in life in general.


    ¡°Hey, where did you go?¡± he asked when Bree clearly appeared to be miles away from their intimacy.


    ¡°Thinking of you, of us¡­¡± Bree pulled him down for a kiss and let her body melt under him. She liked being squished by his body, the man was built to perfection and she secretly couldn¡¯t get enough of him.


    Bree had never been this satisfied with having sex, she never felt sexy. But with Gage, the man adored her body as if she was the only woman for him and Bree engulfed herself in his affection. Whenever she could.


    She moaned softly as he entered her, she writhed as he thrusts in and out of her. And Bree was in ecstasy when she climaxed when he kept on stroking her insides vigorously. The man groaned and kissed her hard as he reached his orgasm and pumped his cum into the condom while Bree clenched his cock as shees down from her high.


    ¡°You¡¯re so good, baby, I can¡¯t get enough of you.¡± Gage nuzzled to the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent while his dick burrowed deep between her legs milking his cum to thest drop.


    *****


    The next day was her day off. She stayed at Gage¡¯s with Hazel while he went to work. Then hourster, while she was making lunch for Hazel there was someone punching in the code for the rm. Bree thought Gage was back for lunch, but then a male voice called out for Gage.


    ¡°Gage, are you home? is your car being repaired?¡± the man must¡¯ve seen Bree¡¯s old car in the driveway.


    ¡°Uh, hello?¡± Bree greeted the man, she didn¡¯t believe the man was a stranger. He lives in a gatedmunity, Gage told her so, and Bree thought Gage would not give out his rm code to anyone. He must be family or perhaps a very close friend of Gage.


    ¡°Well, hello there¡­¡± the guy greeted her back. He looked familiar, he had the same facial structure as Gage. Bree finally assumed the stranger was his brother and instantly she wished she was at work to avoid the awkwardness of the situation.


    ¡°Mommy?¡± Hazel decided to announce her existence behind Bree.


    ¡°Oh, hello, and who might you be?¡± at least the stranger was trying to be friendly to Hazel.


    ¡°I¡¯m Bree and this is Hazel, you must be Gage¡¯s brother?¡± Bree held out her hand, deciding to be polite regardless if the guy was going to throw her out of his brother¡¯s house or not.


    ¡°Hello Bree, hello Hazel, I¡¯m Marvin Gage¡¯s brother.¡±


    Bree sighed, thankfully Gage mentioned his brother¡¯s namest night or it¡¯ll be he awkward staying in a man¡¯s home without at least knowing anything about the man and his family.


    ¡°Would you like to join us for lunch? I can call Gage and tell him you¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°Sure, if he¡¯s not too busy. I swear the man doesn¡¯t even have time for family dinner. But maybe now I know why.¡±


    Bree blushed not wanting to blurt out more than Gage might want to reveal to his family. They¡¯d only been together for less than a month, and yet, she was already taking residence in his house. Bree was the true golddigger image that his brother warned Gage about.


    ¡°Mommy is Gage¡¯s girlfriend.¡± Hazel decided to blurt out the information that Bree was trying to give Marvin without sounding too pretentious.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± the younger brother smirked but didn¡¯t say anything further, which then made Bree feel unease. She just hoped that Gage will pick up his phone when she calls.


    ¡°Hazel, honey, why don¡¯t you y with your dolls while I¡¯ll set up lunch?¡±


    ¡°Yes, mommy.¡±


    Bree kissed the top of her head and let her wander off to the living room, then she didn¡¯t waste time calling Gage in front of his brother who was helping himself get a bottle of beer from the fridge.


    ¡°Hey, Gage, I hope I¡¯m not interrupting. But Marvin is here looking for you?¡±


    ¡°Shit, nosy bastard, okay give me twenty minutes I¡¯m finishing off on a meeting.¡± Gage didn¡¯t sound angry, more annoyed and Bree was a bit relieved.


    ¡°He¡¯s on his way.¡±


    ¡°Wow, that was fast. Even faster than thest woman he had staying here.¡± The man smirked and Bree didn¡¯t know what to say to him. Instead, she continued to make lunch for everyone, she was definitely not hungry and she hated that Gage didn¡¯t warn her about Marvin or the other woman he shared his home with.


    Bree thought she was special, Gage certainly made her feel special. Now Bree¡¯s mind went wild with all the possibilities, and she silently was d that she insisted on keeping on working at Babes. She still has her sry, but now on top of it all, she needs to make sure she has money to move out of Gage¡¯s house when things turn bad.


    She was naive to think they wouldn¡¯t but now she knows better. Bree was tired. People can be so judgemental and Bree hated that she was one of those people who do care what other people think about her.

 21. Nosy Sibling

    ¡°Bree, can I help?¡± Marvin asked as he put his beer aside, the man was probably bored waiting on Gage.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s okay, I¡¯m almost finished and Gage should be here any moment.¡± Bree smiled at him, though she worried about her future with Gage.


    Reality hits hard and she knows it was all too good to be true. Bree needs to get back to stripping and earn fast money then she could probably move away from the city where the living cost was too much for her and Hazel.


    ¡°Bree?¡± Gage called her name for the second time and she snapped her head from the chicken dish she was ting and smiled at Gage. The man looked utterly handsome in his suit work clothes.


    ¡°Oh hi Gage, I didn¡¯t hear youe in.¡± She offered him a ss of water when the man kissed her cheek softly and thanked her.


    She didn¡¯t like that Marvin was watching them. Bree was the kind of woman that would rather blend into the walls, rather than be the one objectified and studied.


    ¡°Food smells good,¡± Gage praised and Bree smiled telling him to take a seat while she put lunch on the table and go get Hazel.


    ¡°Gage! you¡¯re back.¡± Her little sunshine ran towards him and giggled as he picked her up and held her in his arms.


    ¡°Hey, there¡¯s my chocte brownie. Have you been good today?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a brownie!¡± she giggled trying to correct his nickname for her. ¡°I¡¯m good! I told your Marvin that you¡¯re mommy¡¯s boyfriend, but I don¡¯t think he believes me.¡± Hazel cupped her hand to his ear trying to be subtle but her whispering was loud enough for everyone to hear and that made Marvinugh.


    ¡°See¡­ he doesn¡¯t believe me.¡± The little girl pouted adorably, making Gage kiss her temple then set her on her booster seat beside Bree¡¯s chair.


    ¡°Marvin, this is Bree, my girlfriend and her daughter, the adorable cheesecake.¡±


    ¡°Gage!¡± she let out another giggle which finally made Bree smile wider and seeing her happiness Gage took her hand and kissed her knuckles.


    ¡°Oh, god, you¡¯re so annoyingly cute together. Everyone should be privileged to see this, you¡¯re taking them to family dinner or I¡¯m telling mom.¡±


    ¡°Marv, grow up, you¡¯re such a tattletale.¡± Gage huffed and took a seat next to Bree and Marvin.


    ¡°I know what¡¯s a tattletale.¡± Hazel sang her words happily while Bree ced a portion of Hazel¡¯s lunch onto her kiddy te.


    ¡°I bet you do, little strawberries.¡±


    Hazel giggled but then focused on her lunch, separating her broli from her chicken and mashed potatoes. The little girl didn¡¯t give any attention to what the adults were talking about.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be there, I¡¯ll call mom to set a ce for the additional two person.¡± Gage put his hand on Bree making her nod when in actuality she was reluctant to do so. She was not sure of themitment that he set out for her. He had already broken down her walls, Bree could only imagine how much damage Gage was going to inflict when it all falls apart.


    ¡°Yeah? Cool, at least you¡¯ll get the heat off of my back this weekend.¡± Marvin paused to chew the chicken stir fry dish then hummed in appreciation, telling Bree the food tasted very good.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Bree replied with a small smile then helped Hazel with slicing her chicken before continuing to eat her lunch. She didn¡¯t want to get involved in the conversation, Bree felt too much too soon. She didn¡¯t want to say the wrong things and embarrassed Gage in front of his brother. Because that¡¯s what Everett would say, and his insult was stuck in the back of her head, gnawing in on her insecurities.


    ¡°With our cousin E¡¯s weddinging up, the singles would be under the spotlight. And now I need to find a date,¡± Marvin paused in annoyance to drink his water, ¡°I thought we¡¯d clear the floor together, flirt with the bridesmaids. Not that I think our cuz will have those, she¡¯s not the walking with the pack kind of girl isn¡¯t she?¡±


    Gage chuckled before he replied, ¡°No, she¡¯s the kind of girl with the pack of cowboys in her herd.¡±


    ¡°God¡­ I forgot our rtives are weirdos.¡± Marvin said with his mouth barely finished swallowing his chicken bites.


    ¡°Our cousin E is a painter, she got it from her dad, he¡¯s a multi-talented artist. He doesmissions, his sculptures are amazing.¡± Gage exined to Bree, trying to get her involved in the conversation. He stared at her a couple of seconds longer, trying to get a conversation out of her. But the woman just smiled and kept on shoving food into her mouth. So he let it go and continue talking to his nosy brother.


    An hourter, lunch ended and Bree excused herself to be with Hazel while Gage made coffee and continue talking to his brother.


    ¡°So, you and Bree,¡±


    ¡°Yeah, me and Bree,¡± Gage replied in a non-excited way, knowing it¡¯s how his brother started prying into his life. Literally, with every rtionship, he had been on though it hadn¡¯t been much. But the guy surprisingly kept himself updated with his situation.


    ¡°She¡¯s staying here?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t go there buddy, I actually like her,¡± Gage warned him with his look.


    ¡°Yeah? Listen, I¡¯m just watching out for you, brother.¡±


    ¡°Marv, you¡¯re my freaking little brother.¡± Gage reached out to his head and messed with his hair knowing he hated it every time.


    ¡°Geez, I was trying to be the good brother here.¡±


    ¡°Nope, you¡¯re just being nosy. Now, tell me how¡¯s work?¡±


    The man groaned knowing he was going to be asked about his work. If only he would let Gage help, Marvin would do great in his office. He knows that his brother is a hard worker and very persistent in achieving his goals. That was how Gage knew that Marvin would fit perfectly with the marketing job that just opened up.


    ¡°I¡¯m still working.¡± He muttered.


    ¡°We had a new opening in marketing, a guy moved back to his hometown to take care of his elderly parents and the position is now open. I think it¡¯ll fit you, you¡¯ll be out of town a lot, living vicariously from hotel to hotel.¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡± for a split second Gage could see the spark of interest in his brother¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Marv, stop being that guy, you know I¡¯m better than you. Stop pushing me away ande work for me.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you!¡± Marvinughed and pushed his shoulder yfully. ¡°I¡¯m not some insecure teenager, I just wanna make it on my own.¡± After hisst utter failure with his girlfriend, Marvin lost his entire life saving to that lying golddigger bitch and he has been downsizing ever since to pay off his mortgage.


    ¡°Just try it out, the pay is good and themission is better, and¡­ you¡¯ll be paying off that mortgage soon enough.¡±Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You won¡¯t be babying me?¡±


    ¡°Hell no, I won¡¯t even be in the same office as you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll think about it.¡± Marvin smiled at him and after months of trying, Gage finally sighed thinking he might relent and make him stop worrying about his little brother.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s the story with Bree? she works at Babes?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and stop being nosy, she had really bad situations and I¡¯m having mywyer look into her ex so you can stop worrying about me.¡±


    ¡°Situations?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been an awful year for her.¡±


    ¡°Abused?¡±


    ¡°Among other things,¡±


    ¡°Shit man, sorry, I didn¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t assume, but I know you had your reasons.¡±


    The brothers talk for another hour before Marvin told him that he¡¯s going back and that he¡¯ll be waiting for them at their family dinner.


    After he was gone Gage walk back to join Bree who was now sitting by the pool reading her books that looked like it had seen better days.


    ¡°What are you reading?¡±


    ¡°Smut book.¡± She deadpans surprising him and he rewarded her with a raised eyebrow and a look.


    ¡°What? I have to keep up with you.¡± Bree didn¡¯t want to discuss Marvin and the uing family dinner. She wanted peace, and after tucking Hazel in for her nap Bree wanted to rx and not talk about anything.


    ¡°Come here,¡± Gage sat next to her on the poolside sofa and let her body rest on his side.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going back to work?¡±


    ¡°Work will still be there tomorrow.¡±


    Bree smiled in his arms, it was one of the things that made her like him. He made her feel special, though she knows it was temporary she did lean in hisfort and let his hand rub her back as his lipsy a kiss on her forehead.


    ¡°I like you, Bree, very much.¡±


    ¡°I like you too, Gage. You¡¯re alright.¡± Herst words made him chuckle and pull her tighter into his arms.


    Bree wished it wouldst. She wanted to. Badly.

 22. Family Dinner

    It was the day of the family dinner. Bree was feeling nervous, so after her shift at Babes ended, she was saying yes to coffee with Cassidy. She still had another hour before she was scheduled to pick up Hazel.


    Cassidy was finally done with her midterm and she wanted to unwind. ¡°It¡¯s my treat,e on.¡±


    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t shake my ass anymore and I¡¯m not making money rain on me. So, you better be paying for coffee but I¡¯ll pay for the cakes. Yup, I feel the need for those creamy chocte cakes.¡±


    Cassidyughed at Bree, the young med student always loved spending time with Bree and the feeling was mutual. Aside from her misfortunes, the woman spread positivity like a rainbow and Bree needed that with everything that¡¯s been going on in her life.


    The women ordered then both seated in the corner booth for privacy.


    ¡°So what¡¯s with you and that hot silver fox,¡± Bree asked wanting an update on Cassidy¡¯s newest client.


    ¡°Ugh, how much do you know about him? I thought you¡¯d be out of the loop since you¡¯ve been hiding in the back office.¡±


    Bree smiled and shook her head, Cassidy knows she wasn¡¯t hiding. Jojo gave her mountains of paperwork and Bree had been swamped for thest couple of days.


    ¡°What? do you think you¡¯re the only one in the club that¡¯s gossiping? You really underestimated Dee and Ro, that couple is a match made in heaven for gossip. It¡¯s like theyplimented each other, filling out the gaps in every juicy gossip. You might have a contender in your hands.¡±


    Cassidyughed, almost choked on her coffee that she had just sipped while Bree smirked and spooned her chocte cake the second it was on the table.


    ¡°So?¡± Bree asked again, her previous question still unanswered.


    ¡°He¡¯s not that old, I think it¡¯s the stress, that guy needs to chill, like seriously. He¡¯s forty-one. I know¡­ I know, he¡¯s half my age.¡±


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m not judging. Gage is way older than me and my ex is dating your peers. Age is nothing, but people still suck.¡± Bree shrugged and went back to sipping her coffee.


    ¡°Are you going to date him?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a bitplicated.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s my dad¡¯s best friend, he kinda knew me growing up. The man was sent overseas for so long that I forget about him. I remembered seeing him once on my parents¡¯ anniversary. The man was hot, his wife was hotter.¡±


    ¡°Woah, he¡¯s married?¡± Bree asked, though seriously not wanting to go there. Of course, men go to strip clubs to stray. But she let Cassidy exin and resist herself from any judgment.


    ¡°Divorced, a very bad one. That¡¯s why it¡¯splicated. I really don¡¯t want to get into his mess.¡±


    ¡°Oh, maybe you should just take a step back and let everything settle down first.¡±


    ¡°Yep, that¡¯s what I¡¯m nning. Though the guy kept oning to the club and asking for me, it¡¯s not like I can refuse him. Come on¡­ he¡¯s so fucking hot and he knows it.¡±


    Breeughed and asked what she was going to do about it.


    ¡°Um¡­ Probably carry on as is, but definitely no dating. I don¡¯t think he¡¯s ready for that step even though he said he was.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯ll be okay with that?¡± Bree looked back on her situation, it was actually in reverse of Cassidy¡¯s. While she was with theplicated divorcee, Gage was the single one who insisted on dating. But now Gage had escted their situation into meeting the family, in the next couple of hours.


    The thought still lingers in her mind when she picked up Hazel and went back to Gage¡¯s.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Are you excited about meeting Gage¡¯s family tonight?¡± Bree asked when they arrived at Gage¡¯s.


    ¡°I want to wear my new dressy dress. It¡¯s pretty.¡±


    Bree wanted to roll her eyes, of course, Hazel was excited. Gage had bribed her with a new dress for tonight, that man was smooth. He certainly had tricks up his sleeves.


    Bree had just finished dressing Hazel when Gage was back from his meeting. ¡°Hey, sorry I¡¯mte, why don¡¯t you go get ready while I apany Hazel?¡±


    ¡°Okay. Thanks, I¡¯ll be quick.¡±


    ¡°Take your time.¡± Gage winked and sauntered back to the living room where Hazel was ying with her toys, looking cute with the dress that he bought for her.


    It was not until almost three hourster that Gage noticed Bree look a bit pale the moment they arrived at Gage¡¯s parents¡¯ driveway. Hazel on the other hand looked more than ready to get out of the car.


    ¡°Come on you¡¯ll get to meet Poppy and Arlo,¡± Gage said as he unbuckled her from the car seat.


    ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡±


    ¡°Of course you are, we had a long drive didn¡¯t we?¡± Bree closed the door behind her and let Gage usher them to the front porch.


    His family home was big yet it looked modest at the same time. It blended perfectly with the surrounding houses, not at all screaming attention as her previous house with her ex.


    ¡°Gage,e on in¡­ you can introduce them to the whole family, they¡¯re in the lounge.¡± An older beautiful woman greeted them.


    But Gage didn¡¯t listen to her, as he stopped and introduced them to her. ¡°Mom, this is Bree and her daughter Hazel.¡± Gage kissed his mom on the cheek and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.


    ¡°Wee Bree,¡± she hugged Bree awkwardly and the single mom let her kiss her cheeks.


    ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Huxley, I brought lemon cake.¡± Bree gave her the cake she made early that morning before work, though Gage told her not to bother in bringing anything.


    ¡°Oh my, thank you, Bree. You shouldn¡¯t have, but I will never say no to dessert and please call me Edith.¡±


    ¡°Mommy¡¯s lemon cake is the best!¡± Hazel shout-out before Bree could answer Edith. The little girl was giggling in Gage¡¯s arm as he picked her up when he saw her looking around waiting to be introduced.


    ¡°Well, hello there, you must be Hazel, don¡¯t you look stunningly beautiful tonight.¡±


    ¡°I am. I¡¯m wearing a new dress! Gage bought it for me.¡±


    The man chuckled and put her down when she wiggled in his arm wanting to show Edith her new dress. Bree was tensed when Gage put his arm around her waist while his mom was talking to Hazel.


    But the little girl shrieked when a very friendly German shepherd woof his way to greet Gage and the man let Hazel hug the family dog.


    ¡°Mommy, a doggy, so fluffy!¡±


    Hazelughed and Gage introduced the dog to her, they shook hands and Hazel patted the dog¡¯s head and told him that Duke is a very polite dog, which then made everyoneugh.


    ¡°Come inside and meet everyone, I¡¯ll go check on Sally¡­ go on Bree, meet everyone then you can join us in the kitchen, we¡¯re almost done.¡±


    Dinner went great, Gage¡¯s mom, Edith was very friendly and so was his dad, Graham. Marvin was being nice, though Bree was still self-conscious around him. While his sister Sally was friendly enough, her husband had a work emergency and couldn¡¯t make it to dinner. But her kids Poppy and Arlo were friendly towards Hazel, they yed together with Duke while the grownups lounged by the living room once dinner was done.


    Throughout dinner, his family had been tiptoeing around Bree¡¯s situation in front of Hazel. But when Hazel was busy with Sally¡¯s kids and the family dog, Bree was in the spotlight.


    ¡°Thank you foring, Bree. Gage doesn¡¯t normally bring his date to our dinner.¡± Graham, Gage¡¯s dad said rxing in his corner seat.


    ¡°So, how are the situations with Hazel¡¯s dad?¡± Sally was the first to ask the privacy-invading question that Bree was not sure she was ready to share with Gage¡¯s family, though she knows she will have to. Sally was also the first to ask her age when they met earlier in the kitchen, and Gage¡¯s older sister gave her a once over. She was judging without being subtle, and Bree¡¯s confidence was slowly slipping away.


    ¡°It¡¯s been over a year since we got divorced. He¡¯s giving me full custody.¡±


    ¡°Sally¡­¡± Gage was warning her, but Sally was not listening.


    ¡°And now you¡¯re staying at Gage? what? Marvin told me.¡± Sally shrugged when Gage gave her the deathly re, Sally obviously wanted his parents to know the real situation between Bree and Gage.


    And Bree had enough of Sally when she decided to bare it all and get it over with once and for all. She didn¡¯t care if his family epted her or not, after all that happened. Bree was not going to y nice and sit back while fate ruined whatever good thing she had going on in her life.


    ¡°I¡¯m staying with Gage after he offered me when I was almost assaulted in the parking lot of Gage¡¯s apartment building. We were staying there after Hazel was hospitalized because the only apartment that I can afford had mold in the ceiling. Yes, I don¡¯t have enough money to pay for rent because my ex won¡¯t pay child support and the alimony barely covers for rent. We also rationed food because I need to pay for her daycare while I work. And whatever inheritance money I got left from my parents had gone to my shadywyer trying to get my wealthy ex-husband to pay for his responsibilities.¡±


    ¡°Bree¡­¡± Gage put his hand on her, silently telling her that she didn¡¯t have to continue.


    ¡°No Gage, I told you, I¡¯m too young for you, too much baggage. It¡¯s all my fault that I was too stupid to let my ex control everything, I even let him hit me. I¡¯m just d he¡¯s not taking Hazel. Sally and Marvin are right to questioned me.¡± Bree got up from her seat, Sally was speechless and Marvin didn¡¯t say anything.


    ¡°We should get back, it¡¯s past Hazel¡¯s bedtime already. Edith, Graham, thank you for having us. You have a lovely home and I wish you all happiness.¡± Bree hugged them but didn¡¯t give them any chance to convince her to stay.


    ¡°Sally, Marvin, it¡¯s nice meeting you both. Very eye opening, and don¡¯t worry I¡¯ll be moving out once I get my paycheck to pay for a decent apartment.¡± Bree held herself steady while she went to take Hazel in her arms.


    ¡°Mommy? is everything okay?¡± The little girl moved in her embrace, but Bree just kiss her forehead softly telling her that it was time for her bedtime.


    ¡°I love you, mommy.¡±


    ¡°I love you too, sweety.¡±


    Gage didn¡¯t say anything when Bree slipped into the backseat giving him an excuse that she wanted to apany Hazel as she sleeps in her car seat.


    In the darkness of his car, Gage could see from the rearview mirror that Bree wiped her tears away when tears started tracing her cheeks the moment Hazel falls asleep.


    The man cursed at himself, he deliberately didn¡¯t defend Bree at his parents knowing Sally will only raise her voice. And he didn¡¯t want Hazel to hear any of the adult discussion, but now he felt like aplete jackass. He wished he could go back and do the opposite.

 23. Much needed Intimacy

    Hazel was tucked safely in bed when Bree was about to go back to her room. But Gage stopped her and took her into his room instead.


    ¡°We need to talk.¡± He closed the door behind him and wanted to exin further before Bree cuts him off. But she did anyway and he was forced to listen.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to talk about, Gage, we will continue this for Hazel but next month Hazel and I will move out. I will stop paying mywyer, the guy is useless. I won¡¯t be fighting for Hazel¡¯s child support. I will stay and work at Babes, then hopefully, before the end of the year I will have enough money and move out of the city where the living expenses will be lower.¡±


    ¡°What the hell, Bree? Do I even get a say on this?¡± Gage put his hand on her shoulder trying to shake her determination away.


    ¡°No. This is my life. No man will have a say in my life. Not anymore. I¡¯ve learned from my mistake!¡± Bree was breathing heavily, the emotion was too much. She didn¡¯t want to leave Gage, she liked him, she was falling for him and she was sobbing in his arms when he pulled her close and didn¡¯t let her go.


    ¡°I¡¯m so done, Gage. I¡¯m so tired. I just want to be left in peace. I want to be happy with my baby. I just need to work hard and spend very little. I can do this. I need to do this.¡±


    ¡°Ssh¡­ let me be there with you, I¡¯ll move with you and we¡¯ll live in the sticks.¡±


    Bree smiled when she thought about how the man would manage his business out of nowhere. ¡°Gage. You can¡¯t, you have to work in the city. I need to do this on my own.¡± Bree sighed and tried to get away from him, but he was not letting her go. Instead, he cupped her face, kissing the traces of her tears.


    She liked him, she liked that he insisted on being there for her. Deep down she wished that he would do it, she wished that they could just get away and be happy. If only.


    ¡°I will manage, my siblings can be such a pushover but I¡¯m not living my life to please them. I want you. I want to be with you and your little girl. If you let me.¡± Gage moved his hands lower to her waists and lead her to his bed.


    Bree let him take her clothes off, she wanted him, she needed him. His kisses were helping her forget about what happened earlier. A reminder of what kind of failure she was.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    Her mind became blurry within seconds, and she weed him when he was between her legs. His tongue felt as good as his kisses, she couldn¡¯t decide so she just moan. Hard.


    Gage paused when she was on the verge of her orgasm, she whined and he chuckled. But Gage took his time to take off his clothes and let Bree raked her gaze over his tone physique. He can practically see her wet pussy begging to be touched.


    Bree was amazed by his drive to get himself naked slowly and hold her under him. His grip on her thighs was firm when he spread her legs and rested them over his shoulders. The man smirked at her as he casuallyy on the bed and eat her out.


    ¡°Fuck, Gage¡­¡±


    He didn¡¯t reply, but he hummed then moaned under her, taking pauses to lick between her inner thighs while his strong hands rubbed her ass cheeks keeping her where he wanted.


    Her thighs were trembling from the sheer intensity of his attention, she had never been this high and the heels of her feet shamelessly dug onto his back while her legs instinctively wrapped his backside tighter, wanting the man to be closer. And Gage did not disappoint, he groaned and shoved his tongue deeper, tasting and savoring her at the same time like she was a rare delicacy.


    Bree moaned his name louder, her hands were grasping his short strands and she was parting herself wider. She was throbbing to be filled, though it seems that he was taking his time with her. She was pulsating and frustrated at the same time. Bree wanted to get off, but she was conflicted with wanting to feel his dick at the same time.


    ¡°Gage, please¡­¡± Bree didn¡¯t know what she pleaded for, but she knew she needed to. Gage heard her, his dick was so fucking hard from her moans but he wanted her to go crazy for him. He wanted her to know that he cherished her and that she needed him in her bed, if not her life.


    With all of the hazy lust hovering over their surroundings, that¡¯s when Gage paused.  He sat on his heels to take a condom from the drawer and make a show of slowly covering his cock while she watches with anticipation as her very wet pussy was pink and waiting to be pounded by his cock.


    Gage pulled the woman to the end of the bed, positioning the heels of her feet to the edge, opening her deliciously for him. He couldn¡¯t stop looking at her and pped her hand away when she tried to cover herself.


    ¡°No, Bree, you¡¯re beautiful,¡± Bree moaned when he was kneeling on the floor, back to sucking her off instead of fucking her, but she clenched his fingers the second they entered her. The sucking and the thrusting made her burst and her knuckles were white as she grasped the sheets when her orgasm hits.


    Gage didn¡¯t stop. He licked her dry, holding her thighs while Bree watches as his strong arms contracted when he gripped her firmly and she melts into his hold. Gage didn¡¯t let her rest when he stood and pushed his sheathed length inside her still pulsating walls. The warmth made him groan, he was hard as a rock when he lower himself down to kiss her and let her taste herself on his lips.


    Bree was holding onto him as he picked up the pace. Hisrge hands were on her slim waist, holding her down as he thrusts hard and fast, pounding deeper while she writhed and pleaded in her sexy throaty voice at him.


    ¡°Almost, please¡­ Gage¡­ oh, god¡­¡± the woman couldn¡¯t believe that he was building her for another orgasm in such a short amount of time. But she was not going toin, Gage was giving her what she never know she needed.


    Intimacy. A very lustful one.


    ¡°I¡¯m here Bree, let go for me¡­¡± the man hold her body, while his other hand cradled the back of her neck and kiss her deeper.


    ¡°Gage, so close¡­¡±


    ¡°Come, baby,¡± he bit the crook of her neck and that¡¯s when she lost it. The orgasm hit her hard, and Gage followed a couple of thrustster with loud heavy groans. He slumped above her for a few moments and Bree was liking his weight on her, his scent, their after-sex smell. All made her brain fuzzy and deliriously peaceful at the same time.


    Gage took care of her minutester after discarding the condom, the damp towel soothed her skin when he cleaned their mess.


    ¡°I need to do this, Gage.¡± Bree¡¯s words took them back to their current situation. He hated it but he kissed her forehead instead.


    ¡°I know, Bree. But I don¡¯t want to let you go. I don¡¯t want to worry about you and Hazel. I likeing home to both of you.¡± He said while mindlessly caressing her naked waist.


    Bree let him wrap his arm around her body and put her head on his chest. She liked his warmth, no one had ever been this affectionate with her and Bree didn¡¯t want to let the feeling go. Not so soon after she just had a taste of it.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of my siblings, my parents like you though. But Sally and Marvin, they just don¡¯t know you.¡±


    ¡°Well, I know them¡­ I¡¯m sorry Gage, I¡¯m not going to defend myself to them.¡±


    ¡°I know Bree, I¡¯m not asking you to. Why don¡¯t we forget about them? this is about us. Not them.¡±


    Bree sighed and Gage tilted her chin to im a kiss where she melts in his arms wanting to stay there for as long as she could.

 24. The Other Ex

    ¡°How was the family dinner?¡± Dee questioned when she was seated in their seat. It was a warm Tuesday afternoon and Cassidy¡¯s day off, that was probably why Dee asked her knowing the med student couldn¡¯t keep her mouth shut. Not that Dee was much different, but she actually did keep it quiet when Bree asked her to.


    Bree felt like she needed someone to talk to, someone who wouldn¡¯t judge her for her life choices and she was d that Dee was there for her.


    ¡°It was a disaster, as expected. His parents were great, but his siblings were not. His sister was the worst, I blurted out my disastrous life in less than five minutes shutting her up real good.¡±


    Dee giggled and shook her head. ¡°You should go slow, but hey¡­ I like your approach. So, how did Gage take it? I see that he still couldn¡¯t keep his hands away from you.¡±


    Bree blushed adorably and told her they had the greatest sex afterward. The women¡¯sughter was making heads turn and Bree did not expect in a million years to see her only other ex sitting alone in the same coffee shop.


    The man was Bree¡¯s ex from college, she thought they were in love until one day Hayden just left without a word. Bree honestly didn¡¯t think that the man would dare approaches her after what he¡¯d done. But she was wrong. So wrong.


    ¡°Bree? oh god, it¡¯s really you.¡± Hayden still looked handsome, a few inches taller but maybe it¡¯s because he looked skinnier than when he was still in college. She didn¡¯t think the man still ys football anymore.


    ¡°Um yes, it¡¯s me.¡± She tugged her lips, not giving him her full smile since she was feeling awkward, but he went in anyway for a hug. Hayden had always been the warm hugs type of guy.


    The situation was getting a bit ufortable for Bree but she managed to silently calm down and introduced Dee to him. The man took Bree¡¯s good gesture and take it further as he took a seat, dragging on an empty chair from a nearby table. Bree cursed on the inside, she didn¡¯t want old memories stirred back to life, she didn¡¯t need this.


    ¡°I¡¯m, sorry if I¡¯m interrupting. But I feel like I owe you an exnation.¡±


    ¡°Look, Hayden, we were young. I don¡¯t expect¡­¡±


    ¡°Bree,¡± Hayden paused to take her hand in his like no time had passed between them. Hayden had always been an affectionate man. ¡°My parents passed away in an ident, then I dropped out of college to take care of my little sisters. I was the oldest I didn¡¯t want them to go to foster care.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± the thought of her parents made her sympathize and Bree gently nodded letting him continue with his exnation.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, amidst the panic I lost my phone, tried to call you, but I didn¡¯t remember your phone number. Tried to find your number, but then everything spirals into one big mess of paperwork and siblings¡¯ duties. Before I realized it was weekster and I knew I had screwed us up, so I focused on my new life instead.¡±


    Bree was sitting ufortably but Hayden just kept on talking while Dee was still looking at their entwined hands with a raised brow.


    ¡°I¡¯m with someone now.¡± Bree let go of his hand and busied herself holding the warm cup of coffee.


    ¡°Oh, of course. I shouldn¡¯t expect you to be¡­ it¡¯s just, damn¡­ you look beautiful. Anyway, um¡­ I should probably go.¡± Hayden looked disappointed, but Bree didn¡¯t do anything but offered him a smile.


    He got up and gestured for another hug, so she gave him one thinking it was the goodbye hug, for his closure. But then Gage walked into the coffee shop with Ro and he saw them and Bree instinctively stepped back. It felt all too familiar that she winced from the feeling.


    ¡°Gage, hi¡­¡±


    ¡°Bree,¡± Gage smiled confidently andy a kiss on her cheek politely, though the man stake his im on her by resting his hand on her waist.


    ¡°Hayden, this is my someone, my boyfriend, Gage. Gage, this is Hayden, my college ex-boyfriend.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± the understanding on Gage¡¯s eyes told Hayden that she had told her boyfriend about him. But Hayden still shook his hand as Gage offered and nod and a simple greeting.


    They parted and Bree was still tense when they got back to their table and Ro was talking to Dee. She had probably filled him in on the situation. But Gage didn¡¯t budge, his hand moved from her waist to entwined their fingers and he took them to rest on his thigh. A possessive im and she didn¡¯t know how to act but sipped her coffee and listened to Ro talk about his newest cocktail concoction.


    Hours passed and it waste in the evening when Gage was to her side after he spent another hour working in his home office. Hazel was tucked in bed and Bree was getting ready to go to bed. She was anxious all day after the meeting with Hayden, her mind had been working hard with all kinds of scenarios.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    But one thing she knows was that she¡¯s not ready to let go of whatever she has with Gage.


    ¡°Bree, I can practically see the lines forming on your forehead.¡± Gage handed her a cup of hot cocoa with milk and she curled her knees to her chest then rested her back on Gage¡¯s side the moment he took a seat next to her.


    ¡°Everett¡­ he always gets crazy jealous and he scares me sometimes. And this afternoon, the situation reminds me and I got a bit overwhelmed.¡±


    Gage knew all about Everett and when he saw a man hug her he was jealous as hell. But the second he realized how fast Bree backed away from the guy, his jealousy changed to wariness.


    He didn¡¯t want her to be afraid of him. Gage need her to know that he would never hurt her not even in a jealous rage.


    ¡°I was jealous, but then you introduced me as your boyfriend, and then I¡¯m all good.¡±


    Bree didn¡¯t know how to respond, so she sipped her hot cocoa as Gage wrapped his arm around her shoulder, tucking her in closely.


    ¡°I¡¯m not your ex-husband Bree, I won¡¯t hurt you and I won¡¯t abandon you.¡± Bree had told him all about Hayden weeks ago, about how he was suddenly gone and she was worried for days then weeks until she gave up when one of their friends told her that he had moved away without any exnation as to why.


    That night Bree slept in his arms, everything seems to fall into ce and she was content with her life. Though just like everything that had been going on in Bree¡¯s life, the next day, the other shoe decided to drop.


    That day was the day Everett walked into Babes along with his group of buddies for some sleazy entertainment.


    Bree was covering for Jojo¡¯s afternoon shift which should end just before midnight. Mrs. Mancini was looking after Hazel at Gage¡¯s while the boss man was busy with a couple ofte-night meetings in his office.


    Bree was taking a quick break, having a conversation with Ro at the bar. And that was when one of Everett¡¯s buddies recognized her and her weasel ex-husband saw red. He was embarrassed that his ex-wife was somehow working at a strip club.


    ¡°Bree, what the fuck are you doing here? where¡¯s our kid?¡±


    Bree stepped back, but he was quick to grab her wrist, twisting her, pulling her close as he demanded his answer.


    It was Rockford who saw it first, then Ro shouted from the bar calling the guard to assist her while the beefy man was quickening his steps towards them.


    ¡°Sir, you need to let go of her wrist.¡±


    ¡°What? she¡¯s my ex, the mother of my kid and she has no business in walking in this kind of ce.¡± Everett looked furious while his friends smirked watching them.


    ¡°Sir, I will not tell you twice.¡± Rockford stepped closer, his size was supposed to intimidate him. But Everett was livid to the point that he tugged her wrist harder, to which point she bit her scream because she didn¡¯t want to make a scene. Bree was speechless, all she could think about was that Everett was going to take Hazel away from her. And her tears somehow trace down her cheeks from the desperation.


    ¡°Rockford, did I not pay you enough to keep my establishment safe for everyone?¡± Gage¡¯s voice was heavy with anger, he looked like he could kill someone and Bree was not expecting that from the man who she lets near her little sunshine. He looked more threatening than Everett who started to loosen his grip on her wrist.


    ¡°She¡¯s the mother of my kid, stay out of this.¡± Everett tightened his hold and Bree winced from the pain.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Huxley. I¡¯ll take care of this.¡± And with his words, Rockford roughly grabbed Everett¡¯s other hand and twisted it to his back. The man whimpered like a girl and instantly let go of Bree¡¯s wrist.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be hearing from mywyer.¡± Gage slipped a name card into Everett¡¯s shirt pocket. ¡°Bree is with me, and I will make sure mywyer makes you pay for everything that you owed her.¡±


    ¡°The fuck?! no scum will mess with me, I will ruin you!¡± Everett was forced to walk away, his friends followed as two more security guys were called by Ro.


    ¡°Let me put some ice on your hand, don¡¯t worry Bree, you¡¯re safe, Hazel will be too. I give you my word.¡±


    Bree nodded, she wasn¡¯t sure how to react. She wanted to be saved, she wanted everything to be okay. Bree just wanted to live a peaceful life but it seemed that the universe had more in store for her.

 25. To be Cared for

    The ice helped, and the hugsforted her, but him being there when she needed the most was the one thing Bree appreciated from Gage.


    Her wrist was bruised, but she covered it well with makeup and Gage didn¡¯t like the fact that she was a master at covering bruises.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that, I just don¡¯t like Hazel seeing my bruise.¡±


    Gage took her hand and kissed her knuckles. ¡°I¡¯m going to ruin the man, hiswyer is going to stop representing him and I¡¯m going to make yourwyer confesses his measly effort despite the amount of money you¡¯ve given the man.¡±


    ¡°Did you find anything on mywyer?¡± Bree was curious, she had a feeling that she was being duped but with no one to confirm her suspicion she couldn¡¯t do anything but keep paying the man for his so-called services.


    ¡°Yeah, not good, the man is such a bastard for taking your money. I¡¯ll take care of him.¡± What Bree didn¡¯t know was that Gage, with his business dealings, he knows people. He did purchase Babes from the most nutritious Russian Mafia in the city.


    And Gage didn¡¯t lie when he said he was going to call hiswyer. It was the first thing he did after he made sure his girlfriend was feeling better the next day. Bree was forced to take the day off when Gage sneakily told her so in front of Hazel.


    The little toddler shrieked with joy when Gage told her that they were going on a road trip. ¡°Um¡­ what¡¯s a road trip?¡± she paused, holding her teddy bear, still in her pink pajamas.


    ¡°A road trip is when we took a long trip by car, spending hours on the road before we reached our destination. I¡¯m thinking the beach?¡±


    ¡°Yes! Yes! Yes! Mommy, can we go?¡± Hazel asked but she was being all too sweet already when she crawled up to snuggle by Bree¡¯s side telling her that she misses her mommy.


    The three of them had spentzy mornings like that, in Gage¡¯s bed with Hazel sneaking between them. The first time it happened was when Hazel knocked on Gage¡¯s door looking for Bree in the early morning hour when she couldn¡¯t find her mommy in her bed.


    The little toddler didn¡¯t care that it took a long time for them to answer the door. But Bree and Gage were fully dressed when he opened the door to Hazel. She didn¡¯t say anything but climbed into bed between them and since then Gage was deeply in love with his little impromptu family setting.


    ¡°You should lower your hours at Babes, you can do those work from home and be with Hazel at the same time. Mrs. Mancini will still care for Hazel and you will have your privacy while working.¡± Gage started the conversation when Hazel was drinking her juice in her favorite sippy cup while watching her cartoons and Bree was packing their snacks for their road trip, their bags were already packed.


    The young mom was still overwhelmed with the unnned road trip where Gage easily made ns for them and insisted on spending a couple of days by the beach. The guy didn¡¯t even check his schedule, he kept telling her that work will still be there tomorrow.


    He was the stark opposite of her ex-husband and she wanted nothing more but to forget aboutst night and Gage did exactly that without even telling her to. The man just dragged her and her little girl into his world.


    After the day she had, she was weing the interruption. Bree was letting Gage take charge of the situation, hell¡­ Bree didn¡¯t think anything could get any worse.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°It¡¯s so blue mommy,¡± Hazel whispered in amazement as she gazed outside her backseat window. Gage had parked his car on the driveway of the seaside bed and breakfast. The ce was beautiful, and Bree was surprised when one of the employees rushed to him and greeted him by his name.


    ¡°Mr. Huxley, wee, we will have your room ready within an hour. Please follow me and we will provide refreshments.¡± The man took his car keys and told him he¡¯d arrange for their belongings to be sent up to the suite.


    ¡°Thank you, Randall. I¡¯ll be staying with my guest, Bree, and her daughter Hazel. Does Alice still deliver from her shop?¡±


    ¡°Oh, she¡¯s merging her shop with her new hubby Archie, from Novelty? you remember him? and yes, we have her cupcakes always on disy.¡±


    Gage smiled at Randall, he always loves the seaside town and their smallmunity where people know one another. That was why he bought the bed and breakfast, it was supposed to be his getaway ce for him and his family years ago.


    But when he looked at Bree holding Hazel and the little girl holding her teddy both looking out into the ocean, Gage thought it would be wonderful if he could bring them there more often.


    ¡°I will visit Novelty, I think the girls would love it there.¡±


    ¡°I think they will,¡± Randall nodded as he saw them, there was some understanding in his eyes but knowing that Gage likes his privacy the man excused himself saying that he was going to prepare for their stay.


    ¡°Let¡¯s sit outside.¡± Gage took Bree¡¯s hand in his while Hazel walked in front of them towards the outside dining area, she looked back a couple of times making sure that the grownups were following her.


    ¡°Mr. Huxley, wee back. We will serve tea and coffee in a short while.¡± The young waiter greeted them and she helped Hazel with the restaurant¡¯s high chair and she seated Hazel¡¯s teddy bear next to her and the little girl thank her with a toothy grin. ¡°And what can I get for the little princess?¡± the young waiter asked politely.


    ¡°Mommy, can I have tea too?¡±


    ¡°Of course. Can you make one for Hazel, that¡¯s not too hot?¡± Bree asked with a smile.


    ¡°Yes, we can.¡±


    The waiter was gone momentster. Then the three of them were taking in the view, the seaside air was refreshing and Hazel looked so happy saying she couldn¡¯t wait to y on the sandy beach.


    ¡°You came here often?¡± Bree asked opening their conversation once their drinks and snacks wereid out on the table. Breeughed when Hazel was making a mess as she eats the adorable-looking cupcake.


    ¡°I bought the ce years ago, I love the quiet seaside town¡­ thinking it¡¯ll be a good ce for vacationing with the family.¡± He took her hand and kissed her cheek.


    Bree was a bit startled by his answer, she knows Gage owned properties but she didn¡¯t think he¡¯d owned a beautiful bed and breakfast by the beach. It was a very romantic and intimate building with a cozy environment and the most beautiful seaside view Bree had ever seen before.


    She didn¡¯t want to stir old memories, she wanted to keep the joyful feeling around them, so she decided to ignore his saying about family holidays.


    ¡°Wow, I didn¡¯t think you¡¯re the romantic kind. This ce is beautiful, Gage.¡±


    ¡°Yeah? what kind of man do you think I am?¡± he asked smirking while raising an eyebrow, quietly challenging her.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯d say you¡¯re the broody cowboy, a loner who¡¯d walked into the sunset when the day ends. So yeah, I¡¯d pegged you to buy one of those Vegas hotels with Elvis chapel in the cornerplete with a drive-thru for added money value.¡± Gageughed so hard, some of the waiters turned around to see their mysterious boss having a good time with his guests.


    ¡°Nope, I¡¯m Gage, the romantic kind, and you haven¡¯t seen the bedroom. But you¡¯ll see thatter. Come on, I want to take you and Hazel for a stroll around town and if you¡¯re nice I¡¯ll introduce you to some of the locals.¡±


    Bree pped his arms yfully but stood up and helped Hazel down from her high chair when she was finished with her cupcake. The little sunshine was too excited for a nap and Bree was letting her have her way since it was their long-needed holiday away from the city.


    ¡°So, why did they call you Mr. Huxley? I thought you only wanted to be called Gage to all of your employees?¡± Bree asked as he led them down the pathway directly to the beach side walkway, Hazel was in the middle clearly enjoying her surroundings and not at least bit interested in their conversation.


    ¡°I tried, but Randall said it¡¯s not out of respect, something about the hospitality industry and he didn¡¯t want the staff to start calling their guests by their first names.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Randall seemed to know what he¡¯s doing.¡±


    Gage chuckled and stopped to kiss her cheek spontaneously, Bree blushed but Hazel just kept on walking her little feet, not at all tired. ¡°Come on mom! Gage!¡± Hazel called out when she saw a beautiful man-made walkway leading to what looked like the town¡¯s square with a decorative fountain in the middle.


    Gage put his arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple before they followed Hazel, who then stopped while her hands signaled them to follow her. They all stood in front of Novelty, the book store that had been converted into a small book cafe with scrumptious cakes on disy.


    Hazel¡¯s hands were t against the store window, her face was busy looking at the cakes making Gage chuckle and he grabbed Bree¡¯s hands in his. ¡°Come on, Bree, we¡¯re not letting her drool in front of a window store.¡±

 26. A Beachy Day

    They all went into Novelty, Gage was greeted warmly by the older couple and he introduced them to Bree and Hazel.


    ¡°You remembered those cupcakes you ate earlier?¡± Gage asked the cute toddler beaming with energy.


    ¡°I doooo¡­ it¡¯s delishhh!¡±Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Gageughed wholeheartedly before continuing, ¡°Well, Alice here makes them.¡±


    Hazel made a big theatrical jaw drop that make the four of themugh.


    ¡°I love you!¡± Hazel hugged Alice and it made the older woman hug her back.


    Aliceughed and told Bree that Hazel was the most beautiful little girl. ¡°And for loving me you will get to pick a cake for your mommy and Gage, oh¡­ and also for yourself!¡± Alice ushered Hazel to the cake disy while Archie led Bree and Gage to the little seating area in the back of the book store.


    ¡°You don¡¯te here often enough,¡± Archie said while pouring tea for everyone.


    ¡°Yes, a mistake I will soon adjust.¡± Gage smiled while hezily stroked Bree¡¯s hand under his. It was a simple gesture that didn¡¯t miss by Archie.


    ¡°I sure hope not, anyway Bree. This guy is one of the good business owners here and he¡¯s not being involved in themunity. You need to convince him toe here more often.¡±


    Bree smiled at Archie and blushed a little thinking that she didn¡¯t think she has the power to make Gage do anything that he didn¡¯t want. But she wanted to be polite to the nice older man, so she nodded and told him that she will certainly try.


    ¡°I like her,¡± he smiled and nodded suggestively at Gage which made him smile at him then at Bree. His hand was still on hers, not wanting to let her go anytime soon. Gage noticed that he liked people hinting at a future between himself and Bree, and he liked it more knowing Bree was not objecting to their words.


    They talked about the quaint little town before Archie poured his attention on Bree¡¯s little sunshine who was strolling around the children¡¯s book section.


    ¡°Do you want to browse the books here?¡±


    ¡°I guess it¡¯s okay to browse,¡± she smiled and took his hand in hers. Bree didn¡¯t want to buy any books, she would let Gage buy Hazel a book, knowing there¡¯s nothing that she can do to stop the man from doing what he wants. Besides Bree thinks that it was cute that Gage wanted to be on Hazel¡¯s good side.


    ¡°Bree, I know what you¡¯re thinking. We talked about this, please this is me taking care of you.¡± Gage knew that Bree started to withdraw to her former self because ofst night¡¯s incident with her ex. He was trying to understand her, he was trying to be patient with her and Gage wanted Bree to forget about what happenedst night. He was truly hoping that by getting her to spend a couple of days at the seaside town she would feel better.


    Bree sighed a bit too harshly and from there he knows that she was letting his words sink in. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll buy some steamy books, maybe I can make you blush in front of Archie with my book choices?¡± Bree managed to make himugh and his little town friends never knew that the man could even pull a smile that wide. Archie would surely call Randall at Gage¡¯s beach inn and gossip about the woman Gage brought to the beach town. Because like any other small town, the gossip was inevitable since there was only so much that you can do in the peaceful little seaside town.


    Less than an hourter they were done with shopping at Novelty, Hazel picked two picture books with princess-themed stories, Gage got himself some thriller and mysteries books, while Bree was true to her words when she picked out some steamy books with BDSM plots all twisted into a mini series, yup, she didn¡¯t just get one. She put three in their basket. Gage raised his brow when he saw it, but Bree smiled sweetly at Gage which then made the young man at the register quickly scanned the barcode so he can put the smut books into the bag. Thenky teenager surely knows what kind of books Bree was buying when the barely adult young man blushed profusely.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s shop for some swimwear.¡± Gage took Hazel in his arms and open the small boutique ss door for Bree with his other hand. He let Hazel roam the shop but still kept an eye on the little girl.


    ¡°Get something sexy to wear, I¡¯ll be with Hazel¡± Gage teased and nudged her to the sexy bikini disy in front of them. Sheughed and let him kiss her cheek then leave her alone in the women¡¯s section. Gage quickly grabbed the navy swim trunks that were just his size, then he went to apany Hazel as she looked around the shop.


    ¡°What do you got there, little lemon?¡±


    Hazel giggled from another of many nicknames that Gage managed to call her with and she told him that she wanted the pink princess one-piece swimsuit which has a matching tule tutu attached to it. Gage smiled and told her that she will look beautiful in it. He called the shop assistant making sure that they have one in Hazel¡¯s size then Gage added beach towels and some flip-flops for the three of them thinking they might as well go to the beach after this since Hazel looked very eager to take her new swimsuit for a swim.


    ¡°Hey beautiful, why don¡¯t you get that navy piece, it¡¯ll match mine,¡± Gage kissed her cheek and Bree pouted when she saw the very skimpy navy bikini on disy.


    ¡°Gage we haven¡¯t even unpacked,¡± Bree retorted after Gage told her that they should all go to the beach. Exining to Bree that Hazel was so antsy to go swimming with her new tutu swimsuit.


    ¡°The bags will still be thereter,e on Bree. We need to get the little ballerina here to wet her new swimsuit.¡± Gage said loud enough making Hazel giggle and her smile reached Bree¡¯s inside and warm her up instantly.


    Bree took the Navy one-piece swimsuit instead of the two-piece, just to irritate Gage. She told the young shop attendant her size and luckily they still have one that¡¯ll fit her just right.


    Gage also grabbed arge beach bag, a bottle of sunscreen and two pairs of adult sunsses, and a toddler size one in pink for Hazel, thinking the shades would be great to rx and read at the beach.


    The makeshift family changed their clothes at the boutique and were wearing their beach gearplete with their sunssesing out of the little shop in their flip-flops and headed towards the beach.


    Bree giggled when Gage snapped photos of the three on them with his phone, she never felt this free, ridiculously silly, and happy at the same time. Nope, never in her entire life before. She kept looking at how adorable Hazel was in her new pink tutu swimsuit, her pink sunsses, and pink kiddy flip-flop. While Gage was rocking his new swim trunks, a in white t-shirt, andpleting the look with his new flip-flops and cheap sunsses.


    Bree was not looking bad herself as she was wearing her new Navy one-piece swimsuit under her see-through beige outer beach dress, of course with matching cheap sunsses as Gage and the same store-bought flipflop as his.


    They look very touristy and Bree was loving it. Gage was right, she needed this. They set up at the beach after a veryte lunch at the beachside seafood restaurant since they were all stuffed with Alice¡¯s cakes this morning.


    The sun was not too hot, it was a cloudy breezy afternoon perfect for swimming and ying at the beach, though Bree intended to read instead of swimming.


    She was an hour into her book, until her little sunshine yelled for her, ¡°Mommy!e swim!¡± Hazel called out giggling from the water where Gage had put her on his shoulder, dipping her repeatedly in and out of the sea level as he lowered himself and made his gorgeous chest visibly wet.


    Bree gave into her baby girl¡¯s wishes and she took off her new outer and showed off her perfect silhouette. She could see Gage¡¯s intense gaze at her and she tugged her lips yfully and went to them. The water was perfect and they yed in the water for another half an hour before Hazel noticed the bruising on Bree¡¯s wrist.


    ¡°Mommy, what happened?¡±


    Bree forgot about the concealer on her wrist that must¡¯ve rubbed off from their little ytime. But she was surprised when little Hazel turned to Gage as if she was using him of Bree¡¯s bruises.


    ¡°No, baby, this is not because of Gage. I¡¯m sorry, I know I should be honest with you. But Gage was there and he did make Daddy go away.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like my daddy,¡± Hazel¡¯s eyes looked sad, ¡°can Gage be my new daddy?¡±


    ¡°Oh, sweety, why don¡¯t we get back to our room and take a nap?¡± Bree held the little girl in her arms and little Hazel rested her cheek on her mom¡¯s.


    Bree saw the look in Gage¡¯s eyes, he did not flinch or give any hint of annoyance. Instead, he told Bree to take her, but not before he kissed the top of Hazel¡¯s hair and told her that he loves her. ¡°I¡¯ll gather our stuff and we¡¯ll go back to the Inn. I think we should take a nap before dinner time.¡±


    Gage didn¡¯t expect the words toe from Hazel. But he liked it, in fact, he liked it a bit too much and he started nning on getting closer to them over the next couple of days.

 27. Loving you

    Hazel was tired after her mom helped her with a quick shower and changed her to wear herfiest clothes for herte afternoon naptime. Hazel could barely open her eyes the moment they entered therge suite.


    The room was beautifully designed with light beach color furniture, and the high ceiling made the space look even more spacious. Since their arrival, that morning the Inn¡¯s manager, Randall, had made sure that the suite was tidied to perfection. Gage had also texted Randall to make sure that the bed for Hazel was moved to the wall and he also asked him to buy a railing suited for Hazel¡¯s bed.


    Gage was not disappointed when he saw the single bed was covered in a plushforter and was equipped with a bed railing and pushed to the wall so she won¡¯t fall from the bed.


    ¡°You remembered,¡± Bree said smiling as she saw the perfect room to stay in for Hazel.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Gage smiled back at her, he remembered the first day when he made Elvis go back to Bree¡¯s apartment and get Hazel¡¯s bed railing.


    ¡°Come on, it¡¯s time for our shower.¡± He kissed her once they were inside the master bedroom.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about earlier.¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Which was?¡± Gage asked knowing her answer already but he still wanted her to say it.


    ¡°About Hazel wanting you to be her daddy.¡± Bree¡¯s voice was barely heard, she was too nervous. Everything between them was still new and they were moving at a lightning speed. But Gage shuts down her mindpletely when he cupped her face and put his lips on hers.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind Bree. I didn¡¯t lie when I told her that I love her, and I¡¯m falling for you too, have been for a while, I just don¡¯t know if you¡¯re ready to hear it yet.¡±


    Gage didn¡¯t wait for her answer when he kissed her and told her that she didn¡¯t have to say anything and so she didn¡¯t but she kissed him back instead with all the feelings she harbors for the man. The sweet and kind man that she knows she¡¯d only fail him in the future.


    He carried her to the adjoining bathroom and slowly stripped her clothes off, then he get naked while she watches. He took her hand and guided her under the shower. Their kisses resumed, then paused as he poured the liquid soap and started washing the saltwater from her body and Bree mimicked him making Gage groan as his dick started showing interest in their sexy activities.


    He wrapped up their shower kisses and move to a more steamy session in the bedroom. Bree was feeling the romantic vibe, Gage was all attentive and sensual as he took her to bed. He kisses her shoulder, taking a long time to lick and suck her nipples while he hovers above her and grinds his cock. His hands were caressing her thigh and her slim waist, then grunted when Bree raked her short nails on his back and move her hips wanting more friction.


    ¡°Bree,¡±


    She kissed him and spread her legs wider, inviting him, urging him to go deeper making him quickly reach for the condom. Their bodies merged like perfect pieces of puzzles, he picked up the pace when she moaned his name lowly not wanting to wake up her little Hazel.


    The back of her thighs molded perfectly under his chest, she was squished and eager to feel him go deeper, stretching her insides, reaching deeper, and hitting her in all the right ces. But she wanted more, she wanted to feel him tomorrow. So she pushed him and moved herself to get on all fours. The way she presented her beautiful backside and leaned lower for him made him growl.


    Bree turned to see his face and told him to fuck her seductively, her throaty voice made his dick twitch. ¡°Hard, I want you to hold me and fuck me hard. I want to feel sore tomorrow.¡± She didn¡¯t know where her shameless confession wasing from but she wanted him to know, she wanted the man so bad. She wanted him to pound her hard until she was a puddle of goo.


    ¡°Gage, oh¡­ fuck yesss¡­¡± she whimpered each time he mmed his cock into her wet pussy. His fingers dig deep into her ass cheeks both hands squeezing them as he thrusts hard before he backed away and do it all over again. And when her legs trembled he told Bree to hold herself.


    ¡°You asked for this my little vixen. Hold yourself, I want to feel you clench my dick when I burst inside you.¡±


    ¡°Gage¡­¡±


    ¡°Ssh¡­ just feel me,¡± his chest was t on her back when he huskily say it. Bree was sexually hungry for him and moaned for him to go slower because she wanted it tost. But the man did not listen, instead, he slipped his hand under her and pinched her clit. His other hand was to her mouth, possessively crossing her chest and shutting her louder moans. Bree was thankful because she did scream when she climaxed after he told her exactly not to.


    The man chuckled sexily which made her shudder and pulsate while her hands were holding onto his arm across her chest.


    His dick was still inside her when he raised himself to kneel and made her back rest on his chest. ¡°You¡¯ve been bad, very bad.¡± He huskily said while bitting her ear and starting teasing her clit, his other hand was busy pleasuring her nipples.


    ¡°No¡­ no¡­ Gage¡­¡± Bree pleaded but then moaned louder when his knees spread her wobbly legs wider and he started thrusting again, slower this time, making sure she was feeling his girth in agonizing slow strokes.


    ¡°Fuck yesss¡­ Gage, I¡¯m¡­¡±


    ¡°Ssh¡­ don¡¯t make me p your needy clit,¡± he yfully bit her neck, carefully not to bruise her. Gage did it just with enough force that she melts in his arms. She climaxed once more when he gave her clit too much pleasure. Her legs gave up on her and heid her on her back and indulged himself between her legs.


    His strong hands hold her thighs in ce and she never felt so sexy in her entire life before. No one had ever wanted to pleasure her so much that she felt the high, deep inside her heart.


    He pulled her to the side and spooned her as he fucks her from behind, then hey her on her back and hold her ankles apart as he mmed hard inside her. Positions after positions, he made sure he have her in every way. Knowing if he stays too long in one position he was going to burst.


    His dick was so fucking hard, he was yearning for his orgasm but he was making sure that he follow through with her wishes. Because Gage knows, he¡¯d do anything she asks him to do. And if she wanted to feel sore tomorrow, that what was he was going to give her.


    Bree was not counting her orgasm after her third and she can hear his low growl when he decided to end his y and let himself have his release.


    The sound was too erotic for her ears and she purred knowing she was the one who cause Gage to let out his inner beast. ¡°I¡¯m going to fuckinge,¡± he kissed her shoulder and sucked her nipple hard then continue to roughly grab her legs and wrapped them around his waist.


    ¡°Hold me with your limbs, I want to feel every inch of you on my body.¡± His hips moved erratically until he stilled and kissed her lips, then all hell broke loose. Gage knows that he loves her, he had told her that he was falling for her and he didn¡¯t want to scare her away. Instead of saying what he really feel for her at the very second he climaxed he took her caresses and give her kisses. Lots and lots of them.


    I love you.


    Gage couldn¡¯t help whispering the words in his heart, he never know he¡¯d fall for another woman but there was something about Bree that wanted him to have her for himself. And Hazel, of course, he adored the little princess.


    And he wanted them to be his family.


    As soon as possible.

 28. Confession

    The next morning Hazel was more than excited when Gage announced that they were going to go to the beach after breakfast. Bree was feeling like she was living a dream, she was happy,ughing and giggling with Hazel and Gage during the day. Then when night came the man would pleasure her like crazy, the multiple orgasms were beyond her wildest imaginations.


    It was day four, they had been staying at Gage¡¯s Inn for three nights, and tomorrow they were scheduled to go home. It waste in the evening, Hazel was sleeping, too tired from the day¡¯s activities. Bree was leaning on his chest, sitting on Gage¡¯sp while they rxed on the outside balcony of the master bedroom. They were looking out the beach, hearing the wave of the oceanzily hitting the beach.


    ¡°Myte wife was Sally¡¯s best friend. She still meets up with her family from time to time. Sally invited me a couple of times but I couldn¡¯t, the memory had been¡­ still too much sometimes.¡± Gage was trying to exin his sister¡¯s Sally behavior as to why she was cornering Bree at theirst family dinner.


    ¡°Gage, you don¡¯t have to justify her questions to me,¡± Bree tried to cut his words but he just kept on talking.


    ¡°No, I should¡¯ve had your back that day, but I didn¡¯t want to make a scene with Hazel in the next room,¡±


    ¡°Hey,¡± Bree sit up and looked into his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s in the past, I¡¯m building my hard exterior here, Gage. I¡¯m sure in the future I¡¯d meet more judgemental people,¡± this time it was Gage who was trying to interrupt, but Bree kept on talking. ¡°Hazel is going to grow up, I don¡¯t even know what her childhood is going to be like, the parents of her school, the teachers, maybe even my future neighbors would think about her single mom busy working and too busy to iron her clothes for school.¡±


    Gage moved in his seat, he straightened himself up, he was not amused by the story that she painted. The man had ns for Bree, he loves her and he was upset that she didn¡¯t include him in the future she was describing him.


    ¡°You¡¯re not serious, right? where am I in your future Bree?¡± he finally asked feeling left out of her life.


    ¡°Gage, I¡¯m sure your family would set you straight and you will find a beautiful woman and live the rest of your life happily.¡± Bree was giving him the hard truth, family is everything and with two judgemental siblings, it would only take time until his parents hated her too. Then eventually Gage would despise her for creating a rift between him and his family, though he said otherwise she was not ready when the dayes.


    Gage was not sure where he went wrong in thest couple of days. He thought he was making progress, but now Bree was thinking the opposite. He cursed on the inside, but not before he suddenly had the greatest headache he had ever experienced before.


    ¡°Gage?¡± Bree looked at him in concern, ¡°are you okay?¡± she asked helping him get up, ushering him inside the bedroom, and gently helping him toy down on the bed. ¡°I¡¯ll make you some tea, why don¡¯t youy down?¡±


    The man groaned but he did what was asked of him, while in reality, all he wanted was to set her straight, telling her that he loves her and that he would be there for years toe. Because honestly, he does love her, too fucking much. And he knows that he was seeing their future, already imagining their wedding. Just yesterday, he even imagined what it was going to be like to see Hazel all grown up, bing a beautiful youngdy, and how he was going to be one of those dads who¡¯d threaten their daughter¡¯s dates.


    ¡°Tell me?¡± he finally asked minutester when his headache was almost nonexistent and he was sipping the cup of tea that Bree made at the little corner coffee and tea station in the living room suite.


    ¡°I¡¯m just keeping things real, I really don¡¯t like to get my hopes up, you know¡­ being realistic?¡± she half questioned her own words, surely she was not confident with the situation and Gage thought with her past and her ex he could understand her. But it doesn¡¯t mean that he liked her conclusion of what she thought she meant for him.


    And the man was getting too old for uncertainties, so he did the most logical thing to do next. He asked her to marry him, he had always been a straightforward man after all. But what he didn¡¯t expect was for her to reject him.


    ¡°No Gage, I¡¯m sorry.¡± She put her dainty hand on his face caressing him gently. It felt like a p on his face, his heart was strangely feeling the invisible stabbing sensation and he took a deep breath, pulled her into his arms and he said nothing. They didn¡¯t make love that night, and Gage slipped out of the bed when Bree was asleep an hourter.


    The man was preparing himself for when they get back, he had a very bad feeling about how their situation was going to change. He knew Bree, though only for just a couple of months he already knew that she would want to move out of his ce because she felt bad that she had rejected him.


    And he was right because that was how it exactly ys out days after they got back. The positive side was that Hazel seemed to take it well, she believed everything her mom said about the need to go back to their sleazy apartment now that thendlord had gotten rid of the mold in their ceiling and he also pped in new paints and fixtures making sure that Bree would keep quiet of the past situation that had caused her little girl to be hospitalized. Bree was relieved and d when Mrs. Mancini greeted them, Hazel hugged her tightly and her smile broadened when she presented little Hazel with her favorite chocte cake.


    Dayster, things between Gage and Bree were awkward, they didn¡¯t exactly break up but the wide gapping distance of whatever kind of rtionship they had was there. Gage felt like he had taken steps backward and fell down the snake anddder board game. He felt like he was going to work on their rtionship all over again.


    Luckily for Bree the moment they were back from the seaside town Gage¡¯swyer updated them about the situation with her ex and how Bree will be able to expect her alimony and child support in the future. And luckily for Gage, the news didn¡¯t make Bree want to quit her daytime job with Jojo. Her excuse was simple, just as he had expected, stability, she wanted to have savings for Hazel.


    It was the same excuse that he still couldn¡¯t get his head wrapped around, knowing she would definitely have stability once they were married. At least Gage¡¯swyer made sure he had a restraining order for Bree¡¯s ex, the image of her exing by her apartment was not a pleasant one. Gage had also made sure that Rockford canvased her neighborhood for any potential threats.


    The boss man licked his wound by working hard on his other businesses, he seldom went to Babes for the next few weeks. He went out of town a lot though still keeping in touch with Rockford, Ro, and Jojo just to make sure Bree was well taken care of and the club was running smoothly.


    He med the headaches on his heartbreak and his parents noticed his behavior the moment he came by for one of their Sunday lunches.


    ¡°So, where¡¯s Bree?¡± Sally was the first one to ask when they were having coffees after their family lunch and the kids were ying with Duke outside.


    ¡°You should be please,¡± he said in irritation to his younger sister.


    ¡°Me, why?¡± Sally asked confused.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I proposed and she said no.¡±


    ¡°Gage,¡± his mom put her hand on his, she worried when she noticed that Gage looked tired and sad. And Edith knew that it had been years since Gage even had someone he truly loved.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay mom, we¡¯re working it out. She moved back to her rundown apartment, I think she¡¯s going to be okay financially, I had mywyer pull some strings and made sure her ex pays alimony and child support. Hell, maybe I am too old for her. I¡¯m just too fucking tired,¡± Gage finally said, not at all sorry for the curse word he used in front of their parents. He massages his scalp feeling the headache wasing back strong.


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s for the best?¡± Marvin tried to cheer him up but the man just shrugged at his brother.


    ¡°Yep, look I have a meeting in half an hour, I should go.¡± Gage lied, he didn¡¯t want to be there and the headache was making it worse.


    Sally looked upset but she didn¡¯t say anything when Gage walked out of his childhood home and knows that he wouldn¡¯t being back for dinner and brunches anytime soon. He needed some space, he needed some time alone to think and rectify his situation.


    He still wanted Bree.


    He wanted Hazel.


    And that were thest thoughts he had when his car crashed and he ckout out in the middle of the road.

 29. Independence sucks

    Bree was not happy when she rejected his proposal, she could see how much she had hurt the man. Gage had done nothing wrong but help her, love her, taking her in when she was in need. And he had loved her. Maybe he still does, but Bree was keeping her foot down, she wanted independence.


    His timing was all wrong, Bree had gotten out of her shitty marriage with her husband and had just managed to live on her own. Deep inside Bree was not sure if she was ready to be married again though she cares deeply about Gage. It was still too fast too soon.


    The days after the dreamy seaside vacation was bad, she was sad a lot. But she managed to keep her smile for her little Hazel. Though Bree was not fooling Mrs. Mancini, her neighbor had told her to reconsider Gage. ¡°Look, I¡¯ve lived long enough to know what love is when I see one. I can see it in his eyes, honey, the man practically has cartoon hearts over his eyes, and you too, though you pretended not to.¡± She tried to cheer Bree and knocked some sense into her when Hazel was napping and they were conversing over coffee.


    And her co-workers were telling her the same thing, more or less. Cassidy, Dee and Jojo, even Ro, then there was Elvis saying in his brute clumsy ways that she should get back together with Gage. ¡°He¡¯s a good man, you should¡­ um, you know kiss and makeup.¡± Rockford pped his shoulder and told him that he needs to work on his words.


    ¡°What he¡¯s trying to say is that you should evaluate your situation, and yes, I think both of you haven¡¯t been in a good state of mind without one another. You should assess your feelings and regroup.¡± Rockford¡¯s words were not better and it would make Breeugh if she was not too sad.


    Hazel had been the only one who was putting sunshine in her life, andtely, she has been asking about Gage, and Bree had been distracting her with their short shopping excursions. Though Gage¡¯swyer had managed to make her ex pay alimony, Bree was still careful about their spending, she mostly bought food, clothes, and well-needed educational toys for Hazel.


    ¡°You looked like shit, woman. And I hate it when mommy and daddy are fighting.¡± Cassidy was the perfect reminder that people were still watching her and they surely noticed that Gage wasing less and less to the club. At least the term mommy and daddy for both Bree and Gage was cute.


    ¡°He did not flee when things didn¡¯t work between him and Jade, you know,¡± the young med student fed her information that Bree didn¡¯t need nor want, but she kept on talking anyway.


    ¡°Boss man must¡¯ve loved you,¡± Cassidy paused to study Bree¡¯s face and then gasped when she noticed it. ¡°Oh, shit, he did¡­ you¡¯re the one who¡¯s going to make him drop to his knee aren¡¯t you?¡± then she gasped louder when she saw it. ¡°Damn it, woman! what is wrong with you?!¡±


    ¡°What? what?!¡± Dee whispered loudly as she reached their table moments after entering the small coffee shop, arrivingter than scheduled between the three of them.


    ¡°I think Bree here, has a confession to make.¡± Cassidy squinted her eyes as if her action could make Bree blurt out the truth.


    But it did, or maybe Bree was getting tired of keeping it to herself.


    ¡°I need both of you to make this stay between us, obviously ended at Ro,¡± Bree looked at Dee knowing she couldn¡¯t keep a damn secret between her and her bartender boyfriend. But Bree trusted them, they all had helped her in the past and they had be her best friends and she knows that they deserved the truth.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I rejected his proposal, that¡¯s why things have been a bit rough between us.¡±


    ¡°Girl, you¡¯re making us take sides, that¡¯s what you did,¡± Dee huffed, though only slight irritation was shown. The girls could never really get mad at Bree, she was too sweet of a woman to be mad at. Dee exined her words, referring to her little fights with Ro because he was taking Gage¡¯s side and Dee was taking Bree¡¯s side, both blindly doing it without knowing any truth behind the rift between the said mommy and daddy.


    ¡°So? what now?¡± Cassidy asked but her question remained unanswered when Dee rudely make a call on her phone.


    ¡°What? it¡¯s Ro, he texted saying it¡¯s urgent.¡± Dee rolled her eyes as if she needed to start exining further to both of her besties. But her further exnation wasn¡¯t demanded when she whispered for Bree and Cassidy to hear as Dee recited Ro¡¯s words from the other line, ¡°Gage has been in an ident, he¡¯s in a hospital, Rockford was called in for Gage¡¯s emergency contact then he called Ro.¡±


    Bree paled immediately, her heart pounding so fast and she could feel her eyes burning with unshed tears.


    ¡°He¡¯s still in emergency care, it was a single ident, his seatbelt saved him,¡± Rockford exined to all of them when the women arrived at the county hospital where Gage was taken. His family was nowhere to be seen and Bree was d because she was not ready to face them.


    Five hourster Bree was still in the hospital with Cassidy and Rockford, she had called Mrs. Mancini and told her about what happened. Bree made her promised not to worry Hazel with the news. Then Dee assured her that she¡¯d drop by her apartment and check on little Hazel with Ro before their shifts.


    ¡°They¡¯re running scans and more tests, he should be moved to intensive care soon.¡± Rockford ryed what the doctor had exined to him less than five minutes earlier. But Bree was too distraught to care, the guilt was digging deeper into her mind.


    ¡°Tell me, Rockford, why are you his emergency call?¡± Bree wanted to know if she was too presumptuous when the time came for her to visit him. Would Gage want her to be there? her mind wonders and Rockford managed to see right through her.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t want his parents to be upset should anything happen to him, both of them had a history of high blood pressure, and he said he didn¡¯t want to worry his siblings. The man trusts that hiswyer and I would do what¡¯s best with any emergency.¡±


    From then on Bree knew that Rockford wasn¡¯t just his bodyguard, he was someone more than he lets everyone believe he was. Bree was going to reconfirm her thoughts but Cassidy hadn¡¯te back from her coffee run yet.


    ¡°But he would want you to be by his side when he wakes up, Bree.¡± Rockford put his hand on her shoulder while he also told her that he had called his family and they were going to arrive in the next couple of hours. Before Bree could think Rockford was gone then he came back momentster saying that he was going to take her to see Gage.


    Her hands were cold, she was a nervous wreck, barely able to put one step over another but she followed Rockford anyway up until she saw him. Her visions blurred and her heart pained to see the love of her life bruised face and hooked up to machines and his veins pumped with IV fluids. Yes, Bree finally confessed to herself right there and then that she loves him, that she was d that he was alive.


    The guilt was weighing over her head, Bree was still not sure about being by Gage¡¯s bedside with her previous rejection that created the gap in their rtionship. But she bravely put her hand on his and Rockford quietly stepped out of the room when Bree saw Gage opening his eyes and that¡¯s when the wounded man saw her cry.


    ¡°Bree¡­¡± his thumb caressed her hand, she had entwined their hands and put them against her lips. Her eyes were red, tears traced down her cheeks.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, I love you, I love you so much that I was too afraid to ruin everything.¡± The sudden fear of losing him made her confess, her mind was taken back to all the good times they had, how he had shown her so much affection and how she had taken it all for granted. But not anymore she was going to be there by his side, be there for him like he had done for her many times before.


    ¡°Tell me,¡± his voice was so scratchy that she lowered herself down and kissed his forehead telling him what he needed to hear. Gage had not expected to be in an ident, but if him being hurt was making Breee to her senses, he would certainly do it all over again.


    ¡°I love you, Gage, I¡¯m so sorry that I was too scared to admit it.¡± She wiped her tears and kissed his knuckles.


    And still as stubborn as ever Gage wanted her to exin what happened.


    ¡°Maybe we should wait until you¡¯re better?¡± she replied and he couldn¡¯t hide his disappointment at her words. Gage didn¡¯t want to wait, he waited too long for someone like Bree toe into his life and with the possible tumor in his brain that his doctor had just exined earlier he knows he needed to know now.


    Hisst headache was so sudden and severe that the extreme pain had caused him to ckout in the middle of the road and his car hit a tree. There were no life-threatening wounds on his body except the one that was on his brain.

 30. Confession and Reality

    ¡°Tell me,¡± Gage uttered his words, insisting on her one more time. Then he waited patiently for Bree to exin everything and she did not disappoint when she blurted out all her concerns in between her sobs. Maybe it should make him feel bad to force her into the confession but he did not care. Days and weeks that they were apart had made him miserable and in all selfishness he wanted her to feel the same way too.


    Gage wanted her to know that being apart was a bad idea.


    ¡°So?¡± his single word holds a lot of questions. His headache was under control but the effort was still too much for him to articte his words.


    Will they get back together? will Bree move back in and finally said yes to his proposal?


    ¡°I love you, I missed you, I¡¯m so so sorry.¡± She kissed his knuckles again, she thought back to a few hours back when her heart ached so bad at the possibility of losing him, how she was going to regret the rest of her life for rejecting his proposal and most likely denying Hazel of having the perfect dad. ¡°And yes I¡¯ll marry you if you still want me, it¡¯s so crazy that I¡¯m doing this but I¡¯m so happy that you¡¯re okay.¡± She was smiling and crying at the same time and Gage thought it was the most beautiful view he had ever seen.


    ¡°Of course I still want you.¡± They both smiled and she leaned down and kissed his lips.


    But just like a bad TV show one, of his doctors decided that it was the perfect time to enter the room. Gage had talked to a team of specialists earlier, his MRI and CT scans showed a mass of cells in his brain and after reading the results they were going to drill into his head and take a sample of the mass that had been causing him severe headaches in the past couple of weeks.


    ¡°Congrattion Mr. Huxley and future Mrs. Huxley,¡± his neurosurgeon cleared his throat before announcing his arrival with his congrattory expression. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to interrupt your private moment,¡± the older man smiled at both of them then he asked Gage if he wanted to have the conversation in private.


    ¡°Neurosurgeon?¡± Bree asked in confusion when he introduced himself to Bree as Dr. Durst, a neurosurgeon. She thought that Gage just had some bruises and would being home in the next couple of days. She tried not to panic thinking Gage probably bumped his head and the doctor was making sure everything was alright, but he¡¯s the freaking neurosurgeon, not the neurologist, the title means that the man performs surgery on his patients¡¯ brains. Then Bree¡¯s mind went wild thinking that Gage might have swelling in the brain, or bleeding and they need to operate. She was on the verge of panic when he rubbed his thumb on her hand and took her attention back to Gage.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be okay from now on,¡± Gage assured her, he was on the top of the board game already, and he didn¡¯t want to snake down and start all over again. He was confident, he needed to be confident that Bree was all he needs and everything would be okay.


    Everything is going to be okay, Gage silently prayed.


    ¡°We had MRI and CT scans, our team of specialists had taken a look at the results¡­¡± The doctor was exining everything with a trainednguage and knowledge, but Bree was too shocked to take in his words until the word craniotomy made her snap her head to Gage¡¯s doctor.


    Specialist, she repeated the word in her mind. Bree felt like her heart just swooshed down the floor, she felt like she was going to lose another loved one to the deadly disease all over again. There was nothing good when Dr. Durst said that they have a team of specialists. ¡°We¡¯re talking about a biopsy?¡± Bree had an aunt with brain cancer when she was growing up and it took a toll on everyone. She was still in high school and she had adored her aunt and cried for her when test after test was done and everything was leading to herte stage of brain cancer. All of her family members stood by her aunt bravely to face the imminent future and Bree didn¡¯t know how she was going to be strong for Gage.


    ¡°When?¡± Bree asked knowing they were going to drill a hole in his skull as soon as they can. She still remembered everything all too well, all the risks and all the possibilities, a mass in the brain was nothing to joke about and she suddenly remembered about his headaches and connected everything down to his recent ident.


    ¡°We will monitor Mr. Huxley but we would like to do this soonest seeing the size of the mass.¡±


    ¡°Will you try to remove it while doing the biopsy?¡±


    ¡°Yes, with the position of the mass¡­¡± the doctor looked at Gage and then back to Bree silently asking if she had gone through a simr situation as he exins further about the procedure.


    ¡°My aunt, brain cancer. Is it a tumor? has it spread?¡± Bree gripped his hand tighter hoping for the best, she wiped her tears but waited for the doctor¡¯s answers as her heart was beating erratically as if it was threatening to jump out of her ribcage. Dr. Durst said that they had performed an MRI, Bree was wishing like crazy that it hasn¡¯t spread and that it was just a tumor.


    ¡°It¡¯s a tumor, we believe it hasn¡¯t spread,¡±


    Her heart just swooshed again, as if she was on the highest rollercoaster ride. The feeling as the word left the doctor¡¯s mouth got her hopes up, but then another valley mountain of the rollercoaster ride was making her heart start beating furiously.


    ¡°with the biopsy, we¡¯re going to determine if it¡¯s benign or malignant.¡±


    The neurosurgeon finally left and told them that the neurologist will visit him today for a consultation, Bree already know since Gage was bound to the bed all the doctors will need toe to visit him and assess his emergency situation.


    ¡°Bree?¡±


    ¡°I will be here, I¡¯m here for you.¡± Her voice was shaky, but she was trying to put up a brave front. She still remembered how her parents told her to be brave in front of her aunt and she was trying hard to do the same to Gage while all the risks that Dr. Durst just said lingered in her mind.


    ¡°Everything is going to be okay,¡± Gage tried to assure her but he could see it in her eyes that the news broke her heart greatly. Gage cursed, hoping there was something that he can do to let all the worry away from her.


    ¡°I know, it¡¯s a tumor, not spreading, now I¡¯m hoping that it¡¯ll be benign and they can remove it easily.¡± Bree recited the information more to convince herself than to assure Gage.


    ¡°I love you,¡± Her lover said as he took her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles trying to get rid of her bad thoughts away.


    ¡°I love you too.¡± Bree leaned down and softly put her lips on his. Bree didn¡¯t want to think about the risks, she will love him for as long as she can have him. The back of her eyes once again stings with her unshed tears, but she refused to be sad, she wanted to be strong for him, she wanted to help him, to be there for him just like he did many times before.


    Bree loves him and she will do her best to love him and makes him happy.

 31. Family Support

    It waste in the evening when Gage¡¯s family arrived at the hospital, Rockford had gone back to the club after a private conversation with Gage when Bree took a quick coffee break.


    Bree was alone by his bedside when his parents, Edith and Graham greeted her. ¡°Bree, thank you for waiting on Gage.¡± His mom put her hand on Bree¡¯s shoulder as she said her words.


    ¡°He¡¯s asleep,¡± Bree turned to face his mom, ¡°I¡¯m going to wait outside for your privacy.¡± She didn¡¯t want to stay around, Bree was not sure how much Gage wanted his parents to know about his condition. But before she could get out of the room his mom put her hand on her arm to stop her and pulled her in for a hug.


    ¡°I know you love my son, thank you for being here for him.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee,¡± Bree blinked to rid of her unshed tears, ¡°I¡¯m going to get some coffee,¡± Bree said softly and Edith finally let her go and joined her husband by her son¡¯s bedside, the older couple looked broken Bree wanted nothing more to do but give themfort but she has been putting up her brave front all afternoon and she was getting tired.


    Her legs took her to the public restroom and she entered the stall before she finally breakdown and sobbed, hard. Her chest was tight, her heart was breaking, she was shattering, her hands were shaky, tears rolled down easily and tissue after tissue was discarded.


    ¡°Bree?¡± Sally, Gage¡¯s brother greeted her as she got out of the stall to wash her hand. Her face was sad and looked like she wanted to say something when Bree cut her off, she didn¡¯t need Sally¡¯s bad vibe. ¡°I need to check on Hazel.¡± She took out her phone and quickly exited the bathroom. The corridor was not enough, she was suffocated and felt a great worry for Gage as she was reminded of the procedures that her aunt went through, the same steps that were going to be taken to the man that she loves.


    ¡°Mrs. Mancini, hello¡­ how¡¯s Hazel?¡± she asked trying to not let her shaky voice out.


    ¡°Oh, honey, she¡¯s sleeping, don¡¯t you worry about her. Your friends Dee and Ro stopped by with treats for hazel, and we talked¡­¡± Bree smiled as she was listening to Mrs. Mancini¡¯sforting voice, she said she had packed an overnight bag for Bree and Elvis was going to drop it off by the hospital after his working hours.


    Bree smiled at the thought of her friends who made sure that everything was taken care of. Jojo even called her hours earlier telling her to take some days off and take care of their boss, her words made her smile, and realized that she needed her friends more than she realized.


    With coffee in her hand and phone on the other, Bree gazed off onto the white hospital walls. She heard her stomach growled and she started drinking the coffee, Bree was too consumed with Gage¡¯s news that she was not ready to function and nourish her body knowing she needed it. Her thoughts were contemting all the scenarios that might unfolds days from now.


    ¡°You should eat, how long have you been here?¡± Marvin was to her side, Bree didn¡¯t even notice when the man took a seat beside her.


    ¡°A couple of hours?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, nice try, the nurse said you¡¯ve been here since this morning.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re checking up on me?¡± Bree muttered, she was not in the mood for details with Gage¡¯s annoying brother, she just wanted to be left alone.


    ¡°Shit, sorry, I didn¡¯t mean that. It¡¯s just that you looked awful¡­¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± she cut his words and the man cursed once again for using the wrong words to say.


    ¡°I saw a diner across the hospital,¡± Marvin was trying to be nice to her since he noticed that he was wrong and that Bree truly care about his brother after all.


    Gage¡¯s younger brother felt like a dickhead for using her to be a gold digger while Bree obviously cared about his brother. Marvin had nosily asked one of the nurses about Bree and another nurse who was about to go home told him that she saw the pale-lookingdy hours before and that she had been there since morning and hadn¡¯t left his side unless for getting shitty coffee from the small stand down the hall.


    ¡°Come on, just a quick bite while my parents stay with him.¡±


    ¡°Maybe I should eat,¡± she said as her stomach growled for attention.


    Once their food arrived, they both didn¡¯t eat much though the meals looked delicious. Bree managed to finish half of her burger and fries before she decided she had enough. Marvin finished his coffee and bought five more coffees to go before they got back to the hospital and he gave one to Bree.


    They saw Edith crying by Gage¡¯s bedside. Bree realized that he must¡¯ve told them about the tumor, and Gage looked at Bree the second she stepped into the room with Marvin following behind her.


    ¡°I took her for dinner across the street, how are you doing brother?¡± Marvin asked his brother when he reached Gage bedside. His mom leaned onto her husband for support and Bree suddenly felt out of ce when she just stood there, trying to assess the situation.


    ¡°Thank you, Marv, I will be fine. Bree, you should go home and rest.¡± Gage looked at her from head to toe, there was no dismissal in his voice. Bree felt he just wanted her to go home and rest. She knew he meant well, but she didn¡¯t want to go home, she wanted to be by his side.


    And being dismissed in front of his family made her feel more out of ce so she walked back towards his door.


    ¡°Bree¡­¡± she could hear him call out her name making her turn around and smile at him, she knew he wanted to know that he was not dismissing her, but still¡­ she wished he had told her to stay with him instead.


    ¡°Be with your family.¡± That was all she said as she continued to walk out of the room.


    Bree sits back in the far corner of the waiting room and waited until Elvis arrived with her small overnight bag. ¡°Why are you waiting here in the waiting room?¡±


    ¡°Gage¡¯s family is in there, I don¡¯t want to interrupt.¡±


    ¡°Oh, okay, do you need anything else? snacks, water?¡± the beefy man looked at her in concern.


    ¡°I¡¯m good,¡±


    Elvis watched her pale expression, Bree didn¡¯t look so good and the man reminded himself to talk to Ro and Cassidyter about Bree since he wasn¡¯t known to be sensitive to other people¡¯s emotions. Though Elvis was sure that Bree should have someone to check on her tomorrow. The big man didn¡¯t stay long, he went home after he was sure that there was nothing else that he could do for Bree.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Meanwhile, inside his VIP room, Gage was struggling with his family. He wanted them to go back and leave him alone with Bree. Gage was sure he recognized her expression. The man didn¡¯t want to burden Bree with his illness, but he was confident with his doctor and he wanted to convince Bree that he was not going to go anywhere.


    ¡°Son?¡± his dad took him back from his thoughts.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry dad, I¡¯m just a bit tired, I should rest.¡±


    ¡°Right, we should probably go, we¡¯ll be back here tomorrow.¡± His mom kissed his forehead as if he was still seven years old.


    Gage¡¯s family finally left and Bree made sure that they didn¡¯t see her. It was not until hourster that she slipped into his room and sleep in the ufortable chair by his side, and Gage smiled when he woke upte that night and felt Bree¡¯s cheek on his healthy hand while she sleeps quietly taking all of his worries away.

 32. Engaged

    Bree woke up from the most ufortable sleeping position ever, but then she smiled when she feels him looking at her waking up by his bedside. ¡°Morning,¡± Bree greeted him with a shy smile.


    ¡°Morning, beautiful,¡± Gage moved his thumb to caress her warm cheek. ¡°I thought I sent you home to sleep in a bed, is Mrs. Mancini with Hazel?¡±


    Bree blushed before she straightened herself in the hospital chair. ¡°Hazel is with Mrs. Mancini, I intend to go back home when you¡¯re in surgery and recuperation. There will be nothing I could do while they do your biopsy and then you¡¯ll be resting afterward.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve done this before?¡± Gage asked, his voice was throaty and Bree helped him with his water then she reaches for her bottled water in her overnight bag.


    ¡°Two times with my aunt, she had cancer, they tried everything, another sample was taken when her pathologist needed more to diagnose.¡± Bree hoped that Gage¡¯s doctor was better and that his team of specialists will care for Gage with their best abilities.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry that you have to go through this again.¡±


    ¡°You will get better, you have to.¡± Bree took his hand and hold it tight in hers, she was about to say more when there was a knock on the door. It was Rockford, he brought Coffee and bagels for Bree as instructed by Gage yesterday feeling that Bree would spend the night. And the man was right, and he also asked Rockford to do another errand for him when his loyal employee pulled out a little box and gave it to Gage.


    ¡°Alright, I should get going and give you two lovebirds some privacy.¡± The man smiled at both of them and smoothly exited the private hospital room.


    ¡°Gage, we don¡¯t have to do this right now,¡± Bree knows what the small box was about, she was surprised that Gage had prepared a ring. But she didn¡¯t want it, at least not until Gage was better. ¡°I want to focus on you, we can do thister, I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡± Bree kissed his forehead but the man took her hand and slipped his ring on her finger regardless. It was beautiful, the ring was subtle. The smaller diamonds circled the gold band and arger aquamarine-colored diamond rest beautifully in the middle.


    ¡°The day you said no to my proposal I decided to buy a ring. I had made up my mind that I was going to repeat the process over and over again until you said yes.¡± The man took her hand to his lips and kissed her ring finger.


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful, I like the color,¡± Bree lowered herself down and put her lips on his.  Bree loved the ring, it wasn¡¯t extravagant as herst one where her ex wanted to show her ring as a symbol of his wealth, but Gage¡¯s ring was blue and she knows exactly what the color represents.


    ¡°We will always have our seaside adventure, it was easily one of the happiest days of my life.¡± He cleared his throat as if the words suddenly held more meanings than what he had thought about before.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Bree leaned down and kissed him again.


    ¡°No, my love¡­ thank you for loving me.¡± He said it with a smile and Bree took a deep breath before she blinked her eyes but couldn¡¯t help it when happy tears rolled down her cheek.


    Their intimate moment was interrupted when his parents arrived with cups of coffee in their hands. ¡°Bree, you didn¡¯t go homest night?¡± Edith asked looking at the overnight bag under her chair and the wrinkle on her blouse though it was a different color from yesterday her jeans looked the same.


    ¡°I stayed, I¡¯ll be going back in a few hours..¡± Bree was trying not to draw attention to her new ring but his mom noticed her son¡¯s thumb that kept on rubbing her ring finger mindlessly.


    ¡°Oh¡­ my¡­ God¡­¡± she put her cup on the side table and pulled Bree into a hug, tighter than she intended to but it made Gage chuckle while his dad was still not sure about what was going on in front of him. ¡°Congrattions Bree, Gage, I¡¯m so happy for you, son. Graham,e here congratte these two, they just got engaged¡­¡± then his dad looked at Bree¡¯s ring finger and he smiled wide and pulled her in for his fatherly hug, then he leaned to gage to kiss his forehead lovingly.


    The room was full of joy, they forced Bree to eat her bagels and drink her coffee as they all talked about the how and the when. Bree was mostly quiet, but she chipped in on the conversation whenever she thought Gage expected her to. But Edith was not the kind of pushy parent that wanted to know every little detail, she was satisfied with their exnation and Bree was d that they did not ask about her past or her ex.


    Theirughter was silenced when Gage¡¯s team of doctors came into his room, Bree was about to excuse herself when Gage put his hand on hers and introduced her as his fiancee. More congrattions were expressed before the talk changed quickly into a serious discussion about Gage¡¯s biopsy.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    After taking care of the administration and release forms, his parents left them for an early lunch. Gage was scheduled for surgery preparation in two more hours and he wanted to spend more time with Bree.


    ¡°When I get out of here, I want you to move back in. We¡¯ll take in Mrs. Mancini if you want or hire a nanny so you can work from home¡­¡±


    ¡°Hmm, slow down Gage,¡± she smiled sweetly and kissed his forehead softly, ¡°I want nothing more than to be with you. We¡¯re engaged, we will live together. Until your health is taken care of, I don¡¯t want Hazel to be aware of your illness. I know you missed her, but¡­¡±


    Gage looked at her, and he saw nothing but sadness. He knew she lost her aunt to cancer and the treatment had exhausted her entire family. Hepletely understood why she didn¡¯t want Hazel to see Gage in his weak state. He knew she was still too young to understand and should anything goes wrong¡­ Gage cursed on the inside, he had been selfish. The man just realized that he had put Bree on the edge of the cliff, vulnerable should anything happens to him.


    ¡°Bree, I¡¯m so sorry. God, I just realized, I fucking want you so bad that I didn¡¯t think this through¡­¡±


    Bree shook her head and put her finger on his lips. ¡°Ssh¡­ I¡¯m here for you, whatever you need me to do. I love you and I know I¡¯d regret not taking the leap and falling in love with you.¡± Bree kissed him again, this time Gage put his healthy hand on the nape of her neck, keeping her still while he slipped his tongue and seduced her until she moaned in their kiss.


    Take what he offered, Bree, anything could happen in the next couple of hours.


    Bree said to herself and let out a little moan. Her hand cupped his warm face and she break their kiss with a blush on her face.


    ¡°Your parents cane in at any moment.¡± She whispered, kissing his lips one more time before she rest her forehead on his.


    ¡°I love you, Bree.¡±


    ¡°I love you too, tell me you¡¯lle back to me.¡± Bree knows it was wrong to ask for his promise, anything and everything could go wrong in the next couple of hours that¡¯s why she needed toe home and be with Hazel. She didn¡¯t know how to cope with hours of waiting for Gage while he was going through his biopsy.


    ¡°I will try my best, I won¡¯t let you down.¡±


    Bree smiled at him, it was all that she could offer as she leaned down and hugged him. She was proud of herself for not sobbing on top of him, though it pained her, she managed to keep all her feelings inside up until it was time for him to be wheeled out for his procedure.


    Bree was going to leave the hospital, politely telling his parents that she needed to check on Hazel. His siblings had just arrived, Sally and Marvin were still talking to Gage when Bree silently slipped out of the room. It is not until she reached her car that she put her head on the steering wheel and cry. She poured out all her feelings before she straightened herself back up and drove out of the hospital parking lot.


    He¡¯s going to be fine. Just fine. And we¡¯re going to be alright. Just alright.


    Bree chanted her words all the way back to her apartment.

 33. Broken

    Bree was right when she told him that she should not go back to his house just yet. She hated that she was right because when she stepped into his recovery room she realized that it was going to take all her strength to pull through whatever deep water Gage had blindly and unintentionally dragged her into.


    The expressions shown by his family say it all, one of his doctors was walking out of the room and nodded politely at her. Bree didn¡¯t even remember what the doctor specializes in. She reached his bedside while Sally and Marvin were talking to Gage, they both smiled at Bree. She was getting nervous about the oue of the biopsy, there were numerous things that could go wrong when he wake-up, his mom pulled Bree in for her warmest hug and his dad rubbed her shoulder as if her cat had died.


    What the hell is going on? she asked herself, and she got her reply when she faced Gages and saw nothing. The man looked at her and said nothing.


    Oh God, no¡­ no¡­ no¡­ not memory loss. Bree had never sent out a quick prayer in her life before, but she did just that knowing she was facing the inevitable.


    ¡°And who are you?¡± Gage asked and Bree felt like her chest had been hit by a truck. His dad¡¯s arm nted firmly on her back holding her up while his mom took her hand and showed Gage Bree¡¯s ring finger. Both Sally and Marvin gave her a pitty look, their parents must¡¯ve told them about his proposal. Bree was stilled and couldn¡¯t say anything as her emotion was storming inside her heart.


    ¡°I¡¯m engaged? what happened to Jade?¡± His face told Bree that he was not ready to face the news, he didn¡¯t show that he remembered her, but he did not make her feelfortable either. The mentioning of Jade¡¯s name had all his family members in shock, and Bree¡¯s world was crumbling down around her. The man remembered his ex, but not her, not his less than twenty-four hours fiancee.


    Bree was wiping her tears and quickly excusing herself out of his room. She had witnessed it years ago when she talked to one of the cancer patients¡¯ wife as she was apanying her aunt for chemo. The woman talked about her husband who woke up after brain surgery and didn¡¯t remember his wife of twenty-five years.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    At that moment Bree knew how devastated the woman must¡¯ve felt. Although she had only felt Gage¡¯s love and affection for a fraction of the timepared to the woman who was forgotten by her husband. Still, it hurt her, so damn bad that she knew she needed to get away from him. Bree couldn¡¯t face the only man she ever loved deeply and watched as he couldn¡¯t even remember her name.


    Edith walked out of the room and was to her side momentster. ¡°The good news is they got all the tumor out, they¡¯re still going through with the whole procedure and make sure if the tumor is benign or malignant. But at the moment Gage has a partial memory loss, he remembered everything fromst year but nothing after that. The doctor said that with time might get his memory back. And¡­¡± Gage¡¯s mom put her arm around Bree, while she kept on rying what Gage¡¯s doctor exined earlier when tears trickled down Bree¡¯s cheeks and she wiped them away with her shaky hands.


    ¡°I hope everything is going to be okay, Gage is a very kind and loving man,¡± Bree said, finally taking the stand to leave the hospital but his mom held her back.


    ¡°Bree, don¡¯t back down now, my son has never been as happy as he was with you. I may sound selfish, but you can help him remember, the doctor said so,¡± her voice was full ofpassion and maybe just a bit of desperation since she too wanted what¡¯s best for her son.


    ¡°I¡­ I just need some time to let this sink in,¡± Bree said softly and let Edith put an arm around her shoulder and give her the warmth she needed. But then it felt like a stabbing reminder that Bree neededfort from the one person who couldn¡¯t even remember her.


    Bree was torn about her decision, she wanted to be by his side. But she couldn¡¯t stand his gaze when he looked at her as if he was looking at a stranger. She wasn¡¯t sure how weing Gage would be for letting a stranger stay by his bedside and try to take care of him. Bree wanted to help him remember and at the very least return the good deeds he had given her months back with all of her troubles. But her fucked up mind formed a conclusion that his memory loss was some kind of sick way that the universe was letting Gage off the hook and let Bree set him free to find a better woman. Her insecurity andck of self-worth yed to her mind once again.


    His mom left her to ponder her situation, telling her that she was going to check up on Gage. She also told Bree that she was wee to join her, but the fragile woman just shook her head and told her she was going to sit in the waiting room for a few moments.


    ¡°Everything was too good, I know somethings gotta give.¡± She whispered her words to herself, she was too tired to deal with her life right now. Her fingers were fiddling with her ring, she had barely worn it for twenty-four hours. Luckily she kept it hidden when she came back to Hazel so Bree didn¡¯t have to exin anything to her or Mrs. Mancini.


    ¡°Bree? Is everything alright?¡± Cassidy and Dee just stepped out of the elevator and into the recovery floor when Bree repeatedly wiped her tears away.


    ¡°I¡­ Gage¡­¡± she didn¡¯t know what to say, then her repeated action made Cassidy see her diamond ring.


    ¡°Oh, Bree, if a diamond ring made you this sappy¡­¡±


    Dee cut Cassidy¡¯s voice with her loud gasp. ¡°Oh, my ¡­ Bree, congrattion!¡±


    It was then that her sobs broke and both of her best friends quickly sat by her sides, arms wrapping around her shoulder as Bree told them everything.


    ¡°Oh no¡­¡± Dee exhaled and kissed her temple.


    ¡°No shit¡­¡± when Bree told them that he didn¡¯t remember her but he did ask for Jade.


    ¡°Wait¡­ wait, what are you doing? why are you taking the ring off?¡±


    ¡°Can¡­¡± Bree took a deep breath before continuing, ¡°can you please give this to his mom? please¡­ it doesn¡¯t feel right for me to hold on to it when he couldn¡¯t even remember me¡­¡±


    ¡°Bree, honey,¡± Dee was trying to convince her otherwise when Cassidy told her that she was going to give it to his mom and that they were going to take her home.


    ¡°No, I can¡¯t let Hazel see me like this.¡± Bree¡¯s hands were still shaking, ¡°please¡­¡± she put her ring on Cassidy¡¯s palm.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m going to give Gage¡¯s ring for his mom to hold for a while. We can get back to my ce or Dee¡¯s I¡¯ll tell Jojo about your situation. I think you deserve a day off, she¡¯ll understand and she won¡¯t ask questions.¡± Cassidy exined and then got up from her seat to go to the room where Bree pointed out where Gage and his family were at.


    ¡°Oh, honey, everything is going to be okay, we¡¯re here for you¡­¡± Dee still had her arm around her, she rubbed her back lovingly and kissed her temple as a sister would. Bree never felt that kind of connection in her entire life before and she was grateful that her two best friends were there for her since she wouldn¡¯t know how to deal with everything Gage was throwing at her.

 34. Lingering Feelings

    It has been six weeks since Gage was released from the hospital. He received his result, his tumor was benign and his team of doctors had managed to take it all out. Now, he was struggling with his memory loss. His parents, especially his mom insisted on staying at his ce for the first few weeks and even went far as taking Duke with her to let the dog give him morefort in Gage¡¯s daily life.


    Edith had read somewhere that a family pet can reduce stress from memory loss. Gage had been seeing his neuropsychologist, he had done a full evaluation for Gage¡¯s cognitive rehabilitation. He had endured a series of interviews and psychological tests, some his parents were there to take part and helped his neuropsychologist learn about his behavior before and after the tumor surgery.


    Gage would sometimes still have problems concentrating, and miraculously his brother Marvin had been stepping up to help him with his businesses. He has been very patient with his brother, Marvin had been helping him organize his daily tasks, writing down Gage¡¯s ns and appointments, and making sure all of his daily to-do-list were on track.


    Marvin had been feeding Gage¡¯s assistants with hisst-minute changes and he went to Gage¡¯s business meeting with him and filled him in on the information should his brother forget about some important points of the business discussed in the meetings.


    Marvin did not treat him as if he was a disabled person and Gage had a new kind of appreciation for his brother. The one thing he remembered about Marvin was theck of work motivation from his side since his brother¡¯sst love life went poof just before his eyes.


    Meanwhile, Bree was hurting on the inside every time she looked at Gage talking and flirting with Jade at the club. Bree didn¡¯t want to be there, but Gage¡¯s mom and even Marvin had told her to be patient with him. So she kept on trying to do just that.


    ¡°He still doesn¡¯t remember you, Bree, I can¡¯t imagine how it must¡¯ve felt to be you. But I saw how happy he was when he first introduced you to us.¡± Marvin was sitting in front of her while she was busying herself with more administration stuff. She¡¯d rather not hear about Gage, but his mom also insisted that Gage needed her when the timees.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I was a jerk back then, my personal feelings towards women in general were to me, but I hope I¡¯m a better person than I was back then,¡±


    Cassidy entered her office as it was time for their coffee break before she started to get ready for her shift. It was still early and it was the only time her girls can make time for her before their routine schedule.


    ¡°You are better Marvin¡±, Cassidy decided to add, ¡°especially now Bree is no longer working the floor, am I right?¡± her bestie was still on edge with him, thinking all girls who strip in his eyes were gold diggers just like his ex.


    ¡°Look, I¡¯m trying to be a bigger person here, Cass¡­¡±


    ¡°I know, I¡¯m just saying you can do it earlier in the days¡­¡±Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Cass,¡± Bree warned her to back down and the med student sighed and asked if she was ready for their coffee break.


    ¡°Yeah, I got to pick up Hazel after that, is Gage still¡­¡± Cassidy nodded when she opened the door, she knows what Bree was asking without even finishing her sentence. It has been a few weeks since Gage was back at Babes and suddenly in those few weeks, Gage was back to getting chummy with Jade.


    Though Marvin had reeled him back to his office to do actual work, seemed that Jade¡¯s allure was too strong for Gage to resist. All of her friends told her because he was still stuck in his memory and Marvin also told her that his therapist said that patients would most likely retreat to the people they most feltfortable within their state of mind, which was his memory of Jade.


    ¡°Bree, they broke up, surely if it¡¯s meant to be¡­¡± Marvin started but then realized where Bree¡¯s mind would conclude his words.


    ¡°Shit, Marvin, don¡¯t finish it. Look, Bree, what he¡¯s trying to say is, if your future is with Gage then it¡¯ll happen.¡± Cassidy cut his words and waited on Bree¡¯s side until she gave up and turned off herputer then gathered her stuff to end her day at the club.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go out the back.¡±


    Bree followed Cassidy but not before seeing Gage put his hand on Jade¡¯s waist as theyughed by the bar. Her eyes sting with her unshed tears and with just her luck she stumbled on a console table making a ruckus that made their eyes meet and Cassidy cursed and start dragging Bree by her arm out of the back door of the club.


    But Gage saw her, he didn¡¯t know what he thinks of the fragile woman. Since his mom showed his ring on her and told him that she was his fiancee, he had been racking his brain and hated that he couldn¡¯t remember anything about her. He could see her ssy eyes, he realized that he had hurt her. Gage knew that she was about to shed her tears and he quickly pulled his hand away from Jade¡¯s waist when he saw that was where her eyes darted when she saw them.


    ¡°I should go back to my office, I need to get some work done,¡± Gage said when he quickly excused himself.


    Jade gave him her smile, the woman was ttered that Gage was back to being friendly with her, although she had no intention of getting back with him the notion of another man wanting her had ttered her. It had been so long and she missed having his full attention on her, Gage was one of the rtionships that she wanted to happen but knows she couldn¡¯t. She had tried and failed.


    ¡°She saw me didn¡¯t she?¡± Gage asked his brother the second he came into his office. The older brother saw that Marvin was getting out of the small back office that Bree shared with his other employee, Jojo. Gage had talked to Jojo when he first came back to the office, he knew and remembered that he trusted the woman. He had asked her what she thinks of him and Bree and her answer just made him feel guiltier. Jojo told him that she never saw two people in love with one another, and she hoped that Gage would get her memory back with his therapy.


    ¡°She did, but this is the process, right? you do what you do to remember and Jade is part of your past, these are exercises in your therapy¡­¡±


    ¡°I know, I know, but I can¡¯t stop feeling the guilt. I¡¯m fucking hurting her, Marvin!¡± Gage ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, then he decided to pour himself a drink. Marvin looked like he does not approve, but Gage couldn¡¯t give a damn and instead of telling Marvin to fuck off the big brother poured Marvin a ss of his finest malt and told him to sit.


    That afternoon Gage talked out his frustration with Marvin and once again his little brother was stepping up. This time he listened, and just quietly take in all his big brother¡¯s frustration.


    ¡°You can do this, Gage. You¡¯re the strongest person I know and by her sadness I know Bree loves you and right now, she¡¯s giving you space to get better.¡±


    Gage nodded, he truly hoped that Marvin was right because Gage was getting tired. He wanted his life back, whatever life it was. But deep down he knew that Bree somehow yed an important role in it and Gage knew he had to act on it.


    Amidst his memory loss, he did remember Jade, he recall that they used to be intimate with each other. Not that he wanted to reconnect with her. But Gage realized that it just feels nice to talk to someone aside from his family, and talking to Jade was easy. She made him feelfortable with himself.


    Now, if only he can remember the other woman, life can be better. His gut tells him so.

 35. Action and Reaction

    ¡°Gage?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sorry Jade, pleasee in.¡±


    Gage and Jade had been dancing around each other since the first day he was back working in his office at Babes. Not that Marvin hadn¡¯t been doing a good job there, but Gage needed to see some familiar faces in his environment and Jade was the person that he had felt most intimate with since his memory loss.


    Though Gage seemed reluctant to move forward with Jade, cause he didn¡¯t want to start something he knew he had ended before. That afternoon he finally called in Jade to find out why. Hopefully, she could tell him the reason they broke up, if not then he¡¯ll think of something else. These past couple of weeks Gage felt like he had done too much thinking.


    The dark-haired woman with decorative tattoos on several parts of her body gave him a smile before she took her seat in front of him. Gage decided to stay behind his desk, thinking he felt less awkward with some distance for their talk since he didn¡¯t want to jeopardize the good friendship they have after their break up.


    ¡°So, you know I was in an ident and now I have partial memory loss?¡±


    ¡°Yes, you had a tumor, Gage, you didn¡¯t just bump your head.¡± Jade, knew exactly what happened thanks to Cassidy who ry everyone at the club. She was surprised when he remembered her and not Bree. Jade knew they were getting extra close and she was wishing the best for Gage.


    The rtionship between them had faded with time and they had been friends afterward, he had been nothing but nice to her and her son, Chase.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Yes tumor, hmm¡­ anyway, I¡¯ve been meaning to ask you, why did we break up?¡±


    ¡°We were notpatible, months after we started dating everything just went nd.¡± Jade fiddled with her fingers showing off her nervousness. In her head, she was battling her wants to be back to being the center of attention of Gage. But she remembered how disappointed Chase was knowing his mom was dating other men instead of his dad. Back then at the age of four Chase was a very receptive child, but he could never like other men his mom brought to meet him. That included Gage, and since then Jade was had unwillingly self-sabotaging their rtionship.


    ¡°Gage, as much as I like your attention, I can¡¯t do this to Chase. I¡¯ll forever be your friend, but¡­¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯m not the one.¡± He whispered as he slumped back to his seat, his fingers massaging his temple, feeling a numbing sensation after a slight headache he had earlier.


    ¡°Are you, okay? do you need me to get Marvin?¡± Jade felt bad, but she knew she had to let him know the truth before she let herself fall for him again. And she was not in a ce where she wanted to do it again, she was getting better at handling her life without any man by her side. She got Chase and her job, and Jade was good, she was happy. At least that was what she kept on telling herself.


    Gage smiled and assured her that he was fine. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, can you send Bree in? I need to talk to her before I go back home.¡± It was only four in the afternoon, but he knew she was scheduled to go home in an hour.


    ¡°Sure, and Gage?¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°You can always talk to me, as friends,¡±


    ¡°As friends, got it. Thank you, Jade.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee,¡± she smiled before she exited his office.


    Gage was about to take his medication for his headaches when Bree knock on his door.


    ¡°Come in, please have a seat,¡± Gage continue to pop his pill and emptied his ss of water. ¡°Sorry, I need to see you before I leave,¡±


    ¡°You still have headaches? you¡¯re not driving, right?¡± Bree blurted out her questions then quickly put her hand on her mouth knowing she had asked the question as if she had the right to ask him. The man didn¡¯t even remember her. Once again she felt her chest tighten, she blinked her eye a few times trying to clear her tears away. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, my mom was upset though, she really likes you and your daughter, Hazel?¡±


    Bree knew Edith had talked about her and Hazel to Gage. She had met her when Marvin took his mom to meet Bree a couple of weeks ago for a coffee break. They talked, mostly it was Edith telling her to be patient with Gage. And because of the deep feelings she still feels for Gage she had said yes. Though she didn¡¯t know how long, Bree promised her anyway.


    ¡°She did, we went to your family dinner and she loved Hazel.¡±


    ¡°How is she?¡± Gage asked and Bree didn¡¯t know how to answer without saying that her little sunshine had been asking for Gage. Hazel had been upset thinking that Gage didn¡¯t want to be her daddy and the thought of that finally made her feel crushed and all the pent-up sensation made her emotion burn inside her. She should be patient but honestly, seeing him with Jade made her jealousy and disappointment re in her heart.


    ¡°Hazel has been asking for you, and I¡¯ve been lying to her. God, Gage, I don¡¯t know if I can do this anymore. You and Jade¡­¡± Bree got up from her seat and was ready to leave his office.


    Gage also got up, he still needed to talk to her. Somewhere in his gut something was telling him that he wanted her to stay, he still needed to find out more about both of them, ¡°Me and Jade are friends, and I¡¯m trying here, Bree, it¡¯s not like I asked for a tumor either!¡± the man finally let out his frustration on her and Bree trembled from his loud voice. His demeanor was taking her back to the time when her ex used to shout at her seconds before his hands would make contact with her skin and out of instinct she crosses her arms in front of her face like she always did.


    ¡°Shit, Bree, I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to scare you,¡± he pulled her in his arms, he felt her body shake like a leaf and he hated that he scared her like that. His gut told him that there was something more behind her reaction, and he hated that he could not remember, did he use to frighten her? all kinds of scenarios yed in his head.


    And in that same moment she melted into his arms, it had been so long and Bree missed being in his embrace, though she didn¡¯t dare move an inch, afraid that the slightest stir would make Gage pull away from her.


    ¡°Can I get to know you again? will you give me the chance?¡± the man put his thumb on her chin, tilting her to face him and she felt her eyes moisten when she said her yes.


    Bree didn¡¯t give it a second thought, she replied yes, instantly, and she was finally confident enough to put her hands on his chest and let him rest her head on his shoulder. The warmth of his body made her rx immediately and she stopped trembling.


    Bree hoped they could work it out.


    Bree hoped that he would fall for her again.

 36. All over again

    They both stay still not wanting to break the silentfort, but Gage can only hold her for so long before things got ufortably awkward. ¡°I have your number on my phone, can I call or text youter?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± She said almost instantly making him smile warmly.


    ¡°Can I take you out for coffee, or maybe lunch?¡± Gage thought dinner will have to wait, coffee or lunch sounded safer. At least that was what the man thought.


    ¡°Of course,¡± her smile grew wider, he could see she hesitated but he couldn¡¯t help but feel happy for both of them.


    ¡°Thank you, Bree, for giving me a second chance,¡±


    ¡°Thank you for wanting it,¡± Bree said sweetly to him.


    Gage took her hand on his and rubbed her knuckles with his thumb, not sure about kissing her, though he did want to. Again it was another thing that he needed to wait for.


    Slowly, he thought, he was going to take it slow with her.


    The sparks of happiness he had minutes ago were different from the way he felt when he was around Jade. Gage was only with Bree for minutes and the high of watching her smilested way until Marvin drove him home.


    ¡°Well, you look happy. Care to share?¡±


    ¡°Not yet. Anyway, thanks for dropping me off. Rockford should be back driving me around by tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Gage, don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Marvin left his driveway and Gage went into the house greeted by Duke, the dog woofed in excitement while Gage feels bad for leaving the dog alone in the house for a long period of time. He kept on thinking about getting Duke back to his parents so he wouldn¡¯t be alone in the house when Gage goes to work. But when night came and Duke snuggled by his feet he was reluctant in calling his mom to execute his n.


    Instead, he called Rockford and asked about his whereabouts.


    ¡°I¡­ well, I¡¯m taking care of things on your behalf.¡±


    ¡°Which is?¡±


    ¡°I know you don¡¯t remember, but before your memory loss, you asked me to be on the lookout for Bree. So, I¡¯m going through her neighborhood right now, checking in with my contacts and I know you didn¡¯t ask, but I might as well report that everything is good, no threats.¡±


    ¡°There were threats?¡± Gage didn¡¯t like the thought that Bree¡¯s life was ever in any danger and he knew he had to dig out the information from Rockford.


    ¡°She had a client from the club stalking her, and her ex-husband,¡±


    ¡°Shit,¡±


    ¡°Eh, yeah, but she¡¯s okay now, boss.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that, I¡¯m not your boss and you know it. I don¡¯t get why you¡¯re so stubborn with your identity. No one has been able to find you, I think it¡¯s time you climb up thedder. I could always find someone to drive me around.¡±


    Rockford sighed, he was d that Gage remembered him and the situation he had himself entangled with. Running from one of the most notorious biker gangs in the country was not what he had envisioned for his future. But Rockford will just have to deal. He was thankful when Markov, the country¡¯s most dangerous mob boss graciously agreed to make him disappear with a new identity and a new job as Gage¡¯s right-hand man.


    There was something shady going on between Markov and Gage knowing the mob boss wouldn¡¯t just sell his business to amoner. But Rockford was not stupid enough to ask questions, he was thankful that he made it out of the biker¡¯s gang privatepound alive.


    Since then everything had been quiet with just a couple of bumps here and there. One of them was Bree who seemed to attract bad men where ever she went. Thetest being her loser ex-husband.


    ¡°What time do you need me tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking morning, around ten. I need to visit my downtown office then lunch before going to Babes.¡± They both talk for a while longer before he felt Duke stir under him and let out a little whining sound. Gage said a quick goodbye knowing the dog could sense that a headache wasing. The man groaned when the first wave of headache hits him.


    His doctor had warned him about the headaches after the craniotomy hence why he was not allowed to drive and operate heavy machinery. Gage almostughed at the thought of him operating any heavy machines, but then he cursed at himself when he almost burned his hand while operating his coffee machine the second one of his headaches struck hard. Lately, they don¡¯t sneak up on him that often and Gage did thank Duke for giving him warning signs.


    It was almost eleven when he decided to rest on his bed, he set his phone to charge and that was when he remembered Bree. Somehow his wanting to get to know her better made the man nervous. Deep down he didn¡¯t want to disappoint her, they were supposed to be engaged.


    Some might say having a memory loss and getting back to your current life was like riding a bike. But Gage knew better, though he lost one year of his entire life, it seemed that the memory was the most crucial for his future. He couldn¡¯t just pick up where he left off, he didn¡¯t have any memory recollection of Bree. The thought made him feel shitty and ording to his doctor, the headaches were also contributed by his wary state of mind.


    Rx, Gage, and let the memory flow.


    He chanted the words, his neuropsychologist had discussed the issue with him and he needed time to heal. But Gage had never been a patient man. He browsed through his phone too many times already and read the text exchange between himself and Bree dated months back before the memory loss. He was familiar with his words and style of texting, yet he was irritated that he did not remember anything about them together.


    There were I love you stated in those texts, then there were pictures. God, he had seen their pictures together. In some, he posed together with Bree and an adorable-looking toddler that he assumed to be her daughter, Hazel. Gage hated that he couldn¡¯t even remember what she sounded like. Gage did not erase those text and pictures, he kept them and was still not sure what to do with them until he made a big decision that day and he was going to follow through with it.


    ¡°Hello, Bree, I hope I did not wake you?¡± Gage did not text, he decided to call her instead. He had hurt her, they had shared too much, and every picture and text on his phone confirmed so.


    ¡°Gage? is everything, okay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m okay, sorry, I shouldn¡¯t have called you thiste. Maybe I should call back tomorrow morning?¡±


    ¡°No, no¡­ it¡¯s okay, what¡¯s on your mind?¡± her voice was soft and it suddenly calmed him down.


    ¡°I¡­ um, was thinking we should get coffee or lunch, I want to apologize.¡±


    ¡°Gage, you don¡¯t have to apologize but I¡¯ll meet you for coffee. How¡¯s your headache?¡±


    The man smiled from the other when Bree was still concerned and asked about his headache. ¡°Coffee it is, how about morning before your shift at Babes? and my headache is manageable, ites and goes.¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow¡¯s my day off. I was nning to go to the zoo with Hazel in the afternoon. So, coffee should be in the morning.¡± There was a slight pinch in Bree¡¯s heart. Hazel would love to have Gage take her to the zoo and Bree hated that her voice was a bit croaked showing off her emotion that she was trying hard to hide from Gage.


    ¡°What did you say to Hazel about me not being there? I¡­ I saw our pictures on my phone, the three of us seemed happy, but I can¡¯t remember any of them.¡± It was Gage¡¯s voice¡¯s turn to croak. ¡°Shit, Bree, I messed up didn¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°Gage, no, you did not and you were right, you didn¡¯t ask for the tumor. And I didn¡¯t mention being engaged to Hazel and Mrs. Mancini, she¡¯s my neighbor who babysits Hazel. But yeah, she¡¯s been asking for you. I just said you were sick and needed time to heal.¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t tell her about my sickness?¡±


    ¡°Do you want me to exin it to her? right now, she¡¯s probably ming me for your disappearance and honestly not knowing what the future holds for us¡­ I, I did not correct her or feed her more information.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to have coffee with you tomorrow morning and maybe I can convince you to take me to the zoo with you and Hazel?¡± Gage was not sure where the thought came from, but he did not back away from his words. He did not want to back down from his intention, Gage had read their text and looked at their pictures too many times before to know that he looked so damn happy with them.


    Time had passed too long and he had wasted too many weeks without reaching out to her. Surely if she and Hazel made his face look that happy in the pictures they must¡¯ve made him so freaking happy.


    ¡°Coffee, let¡¯s say around nine? we can talk and as you said before, you¡¯re going to get to know me again, and maybe Hazel.¡±


    ¡°Yes, thank you. Rockford and I will pick you up¡­¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯ll meet you at the coffee shop. I don¡¯t want Hazel¡­¡±


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± Gage agreed with Bree to meet at the local coffee shop around the corner from Bree¡¯s apartmentplex and they ended the call momentster.


    He felt lighter when their call ended, then he texted Rockford for the change of ns, and his phone buzzed with a confirmation from the man.


    That night Gage slept better than he ever had in the past couple of weeks.

 37. Coffee Date

    Bree was nervous when she was getting ready this morning. Mrs. Mancini was in the kitchen with Hazel baking cookies, trying to give the single mom the privacy that she needed.


    A couple of days after she found out about Gage¡¯s tumor, she had told the older woman about his condition. Bree cried on her shoulder and then both agreed to keep Hazel from the truth for the time being. Mrs. Mancini had sympathized with Bree and wished everything to go back as they were once before.


    That was why she came to keep Hazel busy when Bree told her that she was going for a coffee date with Gage.


    ¡°You look nervous,¡± Mrs. Mancini stated when Bree came out of her room in herfiest pair of jeans and baby blue blouse. It was one of her favorite blouses, Gage had told her that she looked beautiful in it months ago and Bree wears it just because he said so.


    ¡°I am,¡± she bit her lip while her eyes roamed their small living room, then she smiled when she sees Hazel sitting on the floor and making a mess of herself decorating cookie dough before they go into the oven.


    ¡°Have faith in Gage, the man has a kind heart. Though he may not remember you, yet, his heart is the same. I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll be only time until he falls in love with you all over again.¡± Mrs. Mancini hugged her and Bree had to blink her eyes a couple of times, making sure that she was not going to cry, not in front of Hazel.


    ¡°I hope so too.¡± She smiled and then went to Hazel¡¯s side telling her that she was going out for a bit. ¡°I¡¯ll be back for our little trip to the zoo, make sure you make lots of cookies for our snacks in the carter.¡±


    ¡°I wish Gage can go with us,¡± the little girl sighed and Bree looked at Mrs. Mancini. She didn¡¯t know how to answer her baby girl with all the feelings that are already swirling dangerously into a big tidal wave. Bree did not want to flood herself with emotions, perfectly knowing that she wouldn¡¯t be able to walk out the door with her nerves already all over the ce.


    ¡°I think Gage is busy doing his boring adult stuff, why don¡¯t we add more pink drizzle onto the cookies? do you want to make the unicorn batch now?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes!¡± she giggled in excitement, and just like that all thoughts about Gage were temporarily forgotten and Bree quickly slipped out of her apartment before Hazel gets back to talking about him again.


    Bree quickened her steps until she reach the coffee shop. She was early and she was thankful for the situation, at least she couldpose herself before Gage arrived. Or so she thought before the only man in her mind walked into the small coffee shop and smiled when he saw Bree sitting by the window.


    ¡°Hey, I thought I was early,¡± he greeted her, looking handsome in his dark jeans and un-tucked id shirt with rolled-up sleeves showing off his casual day outfit that Bree loves so much. ¡°Hold that thought let me get us coffee, what would you like?¡±Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Hot carameltte.¡± Her voice was soft, as she reminded herself that surely he would not remember her preference for hot coffee.


    ¡°So, how are you this morning?¡± he took the seat opposite hers and put her coffee cup in front of her minutester.


    ¡°I¡¯m good, and you? do you still have headaches?¡± Bree knew she should not be asking the private questions the second the words spilled out of her mouth. ¡°I¡¯m, I didn¡¯t mean to¡­¡±


    ¡°Bree, it¡¯s okay. I¡¯m okay, headachese and go. But look, I¡¯ve been thinking, I know my condition could not be any easier for you and I haven¡¯t been sensitive about your¡­ our situation,¡± Gage corrected and he looked into her eyes and saw a slight sheen of tears that she blinked away within seconds. Not wanting to get caught up in the moment, Gage knew he needed to get his feelings out of his chest.


    But what words he had carefully scripted in his head, somehow it all fades away when he got lost in her captivating eyes. He had never seen a pair of eyes that looked so sad yet enchantingly beautiful at the same time. His mouth froze, his mind was not cooperating with his wishes to tell Bree about his intention to apologize to her.


    ¡°Gage?¡± Bree asked thinking he was pausing his words because he had another headache.


    ¡°Sorry, your eyes, they looked¡­ you¡¯re beautiful, Bree. Damn¡­ sorry, I had all these words formed in my head but now¡­¡± the man smiled when he saw her blushed making her look even more beautiful.


    ¡°Yeah, okay, let me try this again, tell me¡­ about us,¡± Gage decided that he wanted to get to know more about what they had instead of trying to exin what he was feeling or in this case what he forget to remember about his feelings towards her.


    ¡°Um, well¡­ it felt like years ago,¡± Bree started then paused to drink hertte suddenly feeling the need for the hot coffee before she told him about how they met. ¡°My car broke down, then Ro mistook me for one of the applicants for the pole dancer, stripper position,¡± she shifted in her seat obviously feeling ufortable with herself, but she continues knowing that Gage needed to know this. If he could not remember, Bree was going to have to remind him of their meet.


    It took them two cups of coffee and two muffins before Bree ended her story, thest being their seaside getaway and Gage was entertained in some part of the stories and he liked it when she tells him the story of how they spent time with his old buddy Archie and his wife Alice.


    ¡°What do you think about telling your daughter Hazel the truth about what happened to me?¡±


    ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t like lying to her and I don¡¯t want to burden you with her expectation.¡±


    ¡°Expectation?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Bree decided to go all out, it was time she thought. The woman had waited long enough for Gage to want to know the truth and from the looks of it, he was not running away from the situation. Bree was even surprised when Gage ordered both of them a second cup of coffee and two bottles of mineral water, and then two muffins. His action told her that he was not avoiding her, it showed her that he does want to hear more of Bree¡¯s version of their rtionship.


    Gage was showing off his calm, demeanor while on the inside he was stunned several times by the nature of his behavior. From Bree¡¯s stories, it sounded like he was truly in love with her, he had even insisted on Bree and Hazel moving in with him and Gage remembered that he did not even go that far with Jade.


    Bree tried to phrase the words when he asked about Hazel¡¯s expectation and she took a deep breath before telling him all about it.


    ¡°I told you that you took me and Hazel to the seaside town to cheer me up since my ex saw me at the club.¡± She paused and waited until Gage nodded his head, ¡°Well that night, he tugged and bruised my wrist,¡± Gage winced, he knew that her ex abused her and at that moment he was feeling the need to protect her, badly.


    ¡°I had put concealer on my wrist, but it washed off when we were sshing around in the water. Hazel thought that you had hurt me then I told Hazel that it wasn¡¯t because of you, that it was her daddy¡¯s doing. And from there she wanted you to be her new daddy telling us that he hated her real daddy.¡± Bree took another deep breath knowing she was overflowing Gage¡¯s mind with too much information.


    ¡°And then, what did I do?¡± the man asked without any hesitation.


    ¡°You kissed her hair and told her that you loved her.¡± Bree blinked her eyes, forcing her tears to fade away while Gage finished off his coffee and took her hand on his.


    ¡°With your permission, I¡¯d like to tell her about what happened to me, I don¡¯t want her to think that I had abandoned her. Aside from where our thing is heading, I think I¡¯m wise enough to not let Hazel down.¡±


    ¡°I think she needs to know the truth,¡± Bree agreed and soaked in all the feelings that Gage gave her when his fingers subtly rubbed her knuckles and erased all her worries away.

 38. Zoo Day

    ¡°Gage!!¡± Hazel ran to the man and he instinctively scooped her up for a big hug. ¡°I missed you! where have you been?!¡± her little hands wrapped around his neck and he smiled brightly at Bree.


    ¡°Hazel honey, why don¡¯t you take a seat, Gage is going to join us at the zoo but he would like to talk to you first.¡± Bree ushered both of them to the living room then she followed Mrs. Mancini as she was headed out the door wanting to give the three of them privacy.


    ¡°oh-oh¡­ was it because I asked you to be my daddy?¡±


    Bree took a deep breath and backed away when tears were threatening to roll down her cheeks. ¡°It¡¯s okay Bree, believe in him, believe in yourself,¡± her neighbor put her hand on Bree¡¯s shoulder, assuring her. ¡°I¡¯ll be next door if you need anything, okay?¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± She said putting a smile on her face and toughening herself up. Bree locked the front door after her neighbor, then join Hazel and Gage in the living room.


    ¡°Mommy! mommy! Gage was sick, didn¡¯t remember us, me, that¡¯s why he never came.¡± Hazel shouted from the living room, Gage got her sitting on hisp while he was showing her his scalp. ¡°Oh, no¡­ does it hurt?¡± He was putting her chubby hand on his skull. His hair was still short from the operation but the scar was not visible from afar.


    ¡°You should ask mommy to kiss it, she always kisses my wounds and it gets better!¡± she giggled when Gage yfully raised his eyebrow as if he didn¡¯t believe her one bit.


    ¡°Kiss it, mommy! you love him, right? he will be better in no time!¡± the little girl had known about Bree¡¯s love for Gage since their beach getaway and with her innocence, she had assumed all things were back to normal with Gage¡¯s exnation.


    It was Bree who blushed and Gage was pleasantly happy seeing their dynamics with her little toddler.


    ¡°I do love him, sunshine, but,¡± she looked at Gage but he just smiled as if telling her silently to do what Hazel told her to do and make the kid happy. He was surprised that Bree was not hiding her love for him from her baby girl. Knowing so, made him happy that she still loves him after all that he had put her through.


    ¡°Well, I guess he needs to get better, do you want to get better, Gage?¡± Bree asked, wording her question, sneakily asking his permission to kiss his scarred skull.


    ¡°I do,¡± his voice was deep and suddenly scratchy, he didn¡¯t know why he was so nervous about letting Bree kiss his head. But hearing Hazel pping her hands excitedly made his worry turn to dust and he gave Bree his yful smile and she pecked his head while resting her hand on his shoulder just to have something to hold on to. It has been too long and Bree¡¯s hand lingers a couple of seconds longer after the kiss.


    ¡°Better?!¡± Hazel asked loudly breaking the trance between the once engaged couple.


    ¡°Better.¡± Gage cleared his throat feeling the brief familiar intimacy, and¡­ also acknowledge that his dick was starting to harden between his legs.


    ¡°Can we go to the zoo now?¡± the little girl asked as if they hadn¡¯t been parted at all.


    ¡°Of course, let me go to the restroom first,¡± he said to Hazel, then faced Bree waiting for her to show him the bathroom. Her face grew a shade darker when she saw that he was trying to hide his erection tenting in front of his pants.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, this is the first time my little guy get excited after the ident.¡± He exined the moment they were in front of the bathroom and out of Hazel¡¯s hearing distance.


    ¡°Mm¡­ okay,¡± Bree couldn¡¯t help herself to giggle.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Come on¡­¡± she teased. ¡°your little guy is far from little, Gage. Just hurry up and rub one out before we leave.¡± She giggled one more time, couldn¡¯t believe her bold words. She was smiling freely, the first she¡¯d done it since the day Gage lost his memory.


    The man had never gotten hard from listening to a woman¡¯sughter, well, maybe he had and just didn¡¯t remember. Because hearing Bree¡¯sughter just made his dick seeking for attention. The man decided not to be a pervert by rubbing his hardening cock to climax while Hazel was anxiously waiting for her zoo time. Instead, Gage took deep breaths and controlled his needs, thinking boring ounting stuff until he was no longer hard.


    It took them less than an hour to get to the city zoo, Gage hadn¡¯t been there since his elementary years and he had to admit that the ce was way better than he remembered. The enclosures were tidy and looked natural, the animals were amazing, some cute, others were big and far from cuddly, rather making him think of the great wild majestic animals.


    After hours of walking from enclosure to enclosure, they had lunch in one of the jungle-themed restaurants and Gage wasughing with Bree as they both look at Hazel as she try to soak in the atmosphere and eat quickly telling her mom that she wanted to watch the dolphin show. Bree put several attempts to pay for the tickets, then their meals but Gage refused sternly telling her that it was his treat for Hazel.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t been this happy in a while, Bree, let me pay, okay?¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she finally said and bit her lip when Gage took her hand in his when Hazel break away from their hold,taking a few steps before them wanting to see the dolphins closer.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you find our seat? I¡¯ll go get Hazel, the show is about to start.¡± Gage let her hand go, Bree felt the loss of his hold and tried not to be disappointed.


    Bree looked at Hazel holding on to Gage while one of the female staff talked to them and then they both smiled at Hazel¡¯s expression of seeing the dolphins swimming inside their tanks.


    When the show ended Gage took Hazel backstage, ¡°Come on Bree, we need to take pictures.¡± He said happily and scooped Hazel into his arms to get her away from the crowd that was ready to go backstage as well.


    ¡°Hello there beautiful girl, you can stand here with daddy, and smile for mommy.¡± The female staff dressed in her wetsuit said giving us her trained megawatt smile and ushered Hazel and Gage to the edge of the dolphin pool. Her straightforward words almost made Bree drop her phone when she was getting ready to take their pictures. But they didn¡¯t have a chance to react when the female staff put her hand in the water, sshing and calling one of the dolphins to the edge of the pool.


    Hazel shrieked excitedly when the dolphin suddenly appeared from under the water and its beak touched her chubby cheek. Bree snapped their pictures when Gage knelt and had his arm around her baby protectively. Bree was about to take another picture when a male staff offered to take it and urged Bree to be in the picture. ¡°I¡¯ll take it, you can pose with your husband and your adorable girl.¡± Bree blushed and was about to say no when Hazel call for her.


    Gage did not correct the staff and Hazel was too busy swallowing the experience while Bree was letting herself go. The heart-warming experience ended when Bree decided that it was time to go home when she saw Hazel was getting tired, but not before having an early dinner at the jungle restaurant and stopping at the gift shop where she lets Gage buy Hazel thergest dolphin stuffed animals.


    The little girl slept on her way back, Rockford pulled up at the apartmentplex and helped them with their stuff meaning Hazel¡¯s since Gage decided that he was buying the little girl more than one item from the zoo¡¯s gift shop. Bree invited Rockford into her apartment but he said he was meeting a friend in her neighborhood and be back when Gage needed him to take him home.


    Gage had the honor to tucked Hazel in after Bree cleaned her and changed her into her pink pajamas. He settled beside her and read her the new dolphin adventure book that the man bought earlier. It didn¡¯t take long before hershes touch her cheeks and Hazel was fast asleep.


    ¡°Thank you for today,¡± Bree said when he joined her in the kitchen as she was pouring coffee into two cups.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    The zoo excursion was an eye-opening experience for Gage and he had been wanting to wrap her in his arms all day long. And coffee was thest thing on his mind when he put her cup down and put his hand on her waist and pressed his lips on hers.


    After days and weeks and months of missing him, she finally gets to taste him again, her inside burst with happiness and she couldn¡¯t hold her moan when his tongue danced with hers. ¡°I miss you, so much.¡± She whimpered when his hands hold her small waist possessively.


    ¡°I like you, Bree, I like your little girl too,¡± he said when he broke their kiss. ¡°Thank you for giving me the chance,¡± he looked into her eyes, his hand wrapped around her neck and his thumb caressing her swollen lips. ¡°I¡¯d like to take you to dinner tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, too soon?¡± Gage didn¡¯t want to waste his time, if she was already engaged to him and she was still in love with him he realized that he could too. The way they easily spend time today was showing him that he could really see their future together.


    ¡°Tomorrow¡¯s perfect.¡± She smiled and let him give her more toe-curling kisses before he went back home with Rockford.

 39. Dinner Date

    ¡°I¡¯m so nervous, this feels like our first date all over again.¡± Bree shared her concerns with Dee and Cassidy over their afternoon coffee before they begin their shifts.


    ¡°Think of it this way, you already knew what happened on your first date. He¡¯s the same man, so you have an advantage here. He¡¯ll most likely do the same thing on his previous date with you.¡± Cassidy answered looking a bit smug with her conclusion.


    ¡°You think you¡¯re so smart aren¡¯t you?¡± Dee retorted then smirked telling Bree that Cassidy was right.


    ¡°Yeah, I guess, but still¡­¡±


    ¡°Drink your coffee, honey, it¡¯ll be over soon and who knows you might get something sexy out of your first date,¡± Dee added making Bree blush and Cassidy giggle.


    ¡°Oh, shut up Cass,¡± she pped her arm yfully and continued to giggle. The girls made her feel better, she was more confident about her date than she was before. When she went back to her ce after work, Bree spends time with Hazel and then talked to Mrs. Mancini before she told Bree to go get ready for her date.


    ¡°Go on, put something nice, be pretty for your man, I will take care of your little girl.¡±


    Bree thanked her and went to her room to take a quick shower and put on Gage¡¯s favorite choice of dress. Heplimented her on the dress months ago, Bree hoped he would still like it.


    Her smile grew wider when she opened the door for him an hourter and his eyes were scanning her from head to toe, then told her she looked beautiful in the dress. Bree blushed and told herself that she was going to thank Cassidy for her afternoon pep talk.


    The man arrived on time, he startled her with a peck on her cheek and gave her a beautiful bouquet of red roses.


    ¡°Gage!¡± an excited shout came out from the living room before Hazel ran to join her mom and greeted Gage with her toothy grin.


    ¡°Hello there beautiful girl,¡± the man kneel and gave Hazel a smaller bouquet of pink roses making her smile widen and she hugged him while Bree looked at him with a new fondness.


    Her little girl giggled when he started ruffling her hair and then kissed the top of her head. ¡°Will you be good while I take your mom for a date?¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Yes!¡± she answered happily while holding her pink flowers and smelling them like it was the most precious thing in the world. Hazel then said goodbye to her mom telling her to eat a lot, making Gage chuckle and Breeughed at her little girl.


    ¡°My phone is always on, call me for anything.¡± Bree briefly mentioned as she said goodbye to Mrs. Mancini. The older woman practically shoved her out the door and told Gage to take good care of her. Bree blushed once again, the date started with a lot of pink hues that made him feel good about their night already.


    Gage decided to take Bree to one of his favorite restaurants, it wasn¡¯t somece fancy but the quiet atmosphere would ease their conversation and he knows that Bree would appreciate the dessert he had already thought to get the famous chocte cake to go for Hazel. The man was still amazed at how he had enjoyed spending time with both Hazel and Bree. How a simple trip to the zoosted for hours and he was nowhere bored when Bree decided to go home the moment she saw Hazel was getting tired.


    ¡°This is a nice ce.¡±


    ¡°d you like it.¡± He smiled and mentally patted himself for picking the right ce for their first date. Deep down he felt that the first impression of their date would mean a lot for Bree.


    ¡°How¡¯s your day?¡± he asked once the waiter left with their order. They were seated in the quietest corner of the restaurant. Gage had called earlier and reserved a private table giving them more privacy.


    ¡°Honestly, I¡¯ve been nervous about our date.¡±


    ¡°Yeah? I should be ttered then, but since you had been honest, I was also nervous about tonight too.¡±


    ¡°You were?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I mean you¡¯re my fiancee and I can¡¯t even remember you. But yesterday felt so right, you know? I can¡¯t remember having that much fun, well maybe we did¡­ but, you know,¡± he pointed at his head silently referring to the obvious reason.


    ¡°We did have fun yesterday, and Hazel was so happy. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me, Bree, it feels like I owe you a lot. I¡¯m slowing whatever we had going on between us. I talked to Ro and Rockford, they said a lot about me and you and¡­¡±


    ¡°Gage, you didn¡¯t ask for this.¡± Bree put her hand on his and he smiled and rubbed her knuckles.


    Their conversation was interrupted when the waiter was back with their dinner. Bree and Gage enjoyed their meal and continued their talk, up until it was almost closing time. Gage didn¡¯t realize time flies easily every time he¡¯s with Bree.


    When they reached her ce he walked her back to her front door and she invited him in. Gage waited as she thanked Mrs. Mancini and walked her out the door. Bree continued to put Hazel¡¯s chocte cake in the fridge for the little girl to enjoy tomorrow.


    ¡°Hey,¡± she was startled when he was behind her when she closes the refrigerator door.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Gage had followed her to the kitchen and he couldn¡¯t help himself to want her more when he pushed her back against the refrigerator door.


    Bree gasped from the sudden coldness on her back as it touched the smooth surface, but her front was feeling the heat when Gage didn¡¯t provide any distance between the two of them. Bree held her breath when he lowered himself down for a kiss.


    Her mouth opened instinctively and she let his tongue taste her deeper, then she moaned from the familiarity that she craved for so long. Her hands grasped his crisp white shirt and his hand cupped the back of her neck, keeping her still as he tilted her head and sheplied easily, making him groan.


    ¡°Gage¡­¡± his name slipped from her plumped lips and he parted her legs with his knee, bunched her dress up while his hands moved to gather her wrists and put them on each side of her head. She shuddered from the cold surface but let him have his way with her, fearing that the moment will break once she moved away from him.


    ¡°Beautiful,¡± Gage whispered, trailing his kiss to the crook of her neck. His hot breath fanned below her ear making her shudder in delight. His hands let go of her wrists to entwine their fingers.


    ¡°Bedroom?¡± his voice was sexy and heavy with lust.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± he asked knowing he was not one hundred percent certain of his feelings towards the woman in front of him. He wanted her so fucking bad but he didn¡¯t want to hurt her even more.


    ¡°I missed you, please¡­¡± Bree was feeling desperate, she knew she was selfish enough to want this from him after all he had done, she needed to feel him one more time. Just in case he decided that he didn¡¯t want to be with her. She needed him even if it was only for onest night.


    Bree didn¡¯t think twice when Gage loosen his hold on her wrists. She took his hand in hers and led him to her bedroom, locking the door behind her after she peeks into Hazel¡¯s room making sure she was deep in her sleep.


    Gage practically growled when Bree stripped her dress off in front of him, leaving only her bra andcy girly panties showing off her perfect round ass cheeks her patch of wetness showed her arousal perfectly.


    ¡°You¡¯re too good,¡± his fingers dug deep into her waist and he walked Bree to her bed and nudged her to sit on the edge of the bed. He asked her one more time if she was sure before he started stripping naked in front of her eyes.


    Bree gazed at him with need and she sits up when his cock was hard and leaking precum teasing her to touch it when he was standing between her legs and his cock was inches from her mouth. She did what she had done many times before, Bree looked at him and started stroking him before taking his length down her throat, just the way he likes it. Her hands caress his thighs, keeping it steady while his fingers weaved in her hair then keeping her still for his thrusts.


    She adored him when his lust took over his needs and he grunts before getting her up and pushing her back to the bed and roughly pulling down her panties, spreading her legs then it was his turn to devour her pulsating heat.


    ¡°Oh, Gage¡­ please¡­¡± she whimpered softly, not wanting to make more noise and wake Hazel up. And she knew exactly that her needy soft plea made him crazy with desire.


    It didn¡¯t take long before she climaxed and he put on a condom and then pushed inside her without giving her time to go down from her high. ¡°Bree, oh baby, you feel so good,¡± he picked up the pace, Bree knows he was close when he pulled down her bra and started sucking on her nipples, hard.


    ¡°Fuck, baby, this feels so right,¡± he moaned her name a couple more times before orgasms hit them both simultaneously.


    Bree couldn¡¯t help the tears slipping from her eyes when she whispered that she loves him. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Bree,¡± he pulled her close after quickly discarding the condom. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry for everything, baby,¡± he tilted her face and kissed her tears away before he kissed her lips.


    ¡°Please stay?¡±


    Gage should not have stayed, but he knew it feels so right to have her in his arms. She feels so good and he knew he didn¡¯t want to let her go, even if he could not remember her. Gage suddenly determined to make new memories with her.


    She said that she loves him and he wiped her tears again which looked at the same time saddening and joyful. As if she finally has him back and she didn¡¯t want to let him go. Her hold on his body told him so.


    Gage¡¯s heart stirred, he was starting to feel something for her when he pulled her to his chest and kissed her hair telling her to sleep.

 40. Perfect Day

    Gage got up when he heard knocking on the door, it took him seconds before he smiled and realized that he was still at Bree¡¯s and Rockford had probably headed back without him when Gage didn¡¯te out of Bree¡¯s apartment hourster. Another knocking sound took him back to the present and Gage turned on themp on the side table then swiftly pulled on his pants and undershirt before telling Bree to sleep when she was about to wake up.


    ¡°Sleep, I got this.¡± He whispered and kissed her forehead and the woman smiled at him before she drifts off to sleep again. Gage had exhausted her, they had just fallen asleep maybe for an hour or two after all the sexual activities that they had. Bree needed her rest, she was probably going to be sore in the morning and the thought of that made him hurry himself to the door and closes the door behind him.


    ¡°Hazel, mommy is sleeping. Come on,¡±


    ¡°Gage,¡± she pouted when it was not her mom who answered the door, but then giggled when he carried her princess style back to her bedroom.


    ¡°Nightmare? do you want some warm milk? I can read you a story?¡±


    ¡°Story, please¡­ my dolphin book.¡± She burrowed herself under the covers once she was back in her bed.


    Gage didn¡¯t make it till the end of the book when Hazel¡¯s steady breathing was heard. The little girl was leaning on his shoulder her hands wrapped around his arms keeping a tight hold. He was feeling all the possessiveness towards the little toddler. Hazel made him fall back to the memory of him losing his wife and his unborn baby, the baby that should be Hazel¡¯s age by now. Maybe this was his second chance, Gage thought, and the man still has it in his mind when he carefully slipped out of Hazel¡¯s hold and back into Bree¡¯s bed.


    He woke up before Bree, it was still early, and Gage stayed up until the morning sun cast its soft light onto Bree¡¯s naked back and she stirred, her beautiful eyes fluttered open and she smiled when she saw him looking down at her. Gage was resting his head on his hand, leaning sideways,zily gazing at her figure as if he was memorizing every inch of her body.


    ¡°I should¡­ what time is it?¡± Bree asked sleepily.


    ¡°Seven, Hazel is still asleep, what¡¯s your schedule for today?¡±


    ¡°I should get up, she will be up in minutes,¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make coffee,¡± Gage offered, but then he stilled. He was not sure that Bree wanted Hazel to see him there in the morning, he remembered that it was one of the issues Jade had with him.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be out in a couple of minutes. I need to get Hazel ready for her day.¡± Her easy and quick words were easing his mind and Gage got dressed, and with a lighter step, he walked out of Bree¡¯s room and went straight to the kitchen.


    ¡°Gage! you¡¯re still here.¡± Hazel walked out of her room and was about to go to her mom¡¯s when she saw him in the kitchen making coffee. Her smile was contagious and he smiled back and helped her up to her baby chair by the kitchen ind. He felt as if he¡¯d done this before. It felt so natural. Rockford had told him that Bree and Hazel went to stay at his house for a while, so that should exin thefortable feeling he has around both of them.


    ¡°Of course, I am, so, pumpkin, what should I make you this morning?¡±


    ¡°You remembered! mommy, Gage remembered! he called me pumpkin!¡± Hazel was all too excited. The little girl had been disappointed when Gage exined to her about his illness and the fact that he didn¡¯t remember both of them. But watching her all happy and smiling wiped all the guilt away from Gage.


    Bree smiled brightly as she watched her two favorite people together in the kitchen just like they did months back in Gage¡¯s house. Bree was taken back to the current situation when Gage looked at her with a question in his eyes.


    ¡°You used to call Hazel all kinds of nicknames, I think you should stick to pumpkin, it¡¯s too cute,¡± Bree told him while walking over to Hazel and giving her little sunshine a kiss on her chubby cheek. ¡°You want pancake?¡± she asked her baby girl.


    ¡°Yes! and I want Gage to make them.¡± She giggled knowing that Gage had always made a mess in making pancakes, the shape will be in ruins but he makes it up with syrup, lots and lots of syrups, and that what make Gage¡¯s pancakes the best in Hazel¡¯s opinion.


    ¡°Uh, are you sure?¡± the man looked worried and it made both of themugh.


    ¡°Yes, you will know what to do, let¡¯s try it out?¡± Bree pulled out the ingredients while he still looked unsure of himself, but he mixes the pancake batter with eggs and start making them. As expected it turned out to be messy pancakes and he did not forget to add lots of syrup. Hazel ate them with her morning appetite and Bree followed making Gage smile at them. He never felt so damn good with his cooking skill before, but seeing them eating his crumbling creation made his heart feel so much more that he wanted more mornings just like it.


    The perfect morning ended when it was time for Gage to go back home and get ready for his day. Rockford had texted Gage, informing him that he had arrived at the parking lot. Gage said his goodbye and Hazel gave him the warmest hug, and so did Bree. He left her apartment with a good feeling, now he knows there was definitely something between them.


    He knew Bree and Hazel meant something to him, there was nothing he could do with the memory that he lost but he was determined to follow his gut and spend more time with them and create new memories.


    He had meetings all morning, and when lunchtime arrived he decided to text Bree and pick her up for lunch from Babes. Jojo was there and she smiled at him and told them to have a nice long lunch. Bree looked hesitant and told him she only have time for a quick lunch but he ignored her and told her that she work for him. ¡°We can call it a work lunch and I¡¯ll make excuse for you beingteter,e on,¡± he took her hand and entwined their fingers as they walked out of the club. It felt right, it felt perfect.


    He took her to his favorite ce, a cozy family Italian restaurant. They were just finished ordering their meal when he saw his parents walk in. ¡°Gage, Bree what a nice surprise,¡± his mom was the first one to greet them. Bree blushed and smiled at them, Gage got up and kiss his mom¡¯s cheek and gave his dad a brief manly hug.


    ¡°Join us?¡± Bree was relieved that Gage was nice to his parents, she did not know what to expect since the thing between her and Gage was still rocky at best. She still didn¡¯t know where she stood with him, a lover, a friend, an ex-fiancee? but Bree weed his mom and dad with a brief hug and let the parents sit in front of them after they all move to a bigger table.


    ¡°So, Bree, how¡¯s Hazel? I miss the little girl, when are youing by for our family dinner? Gage, honey, you should invite her¡­¡±


    ¡°Edith,¡± his dad warned his mom not to push Bree and Gage. Bree was tensed, she didn¡¯t want Gage to feel obligated to bring Bree and Hazel to his family dinner, not when she was still not sure about their rtionship. If there was one.


    ¡°Sure, how about next weekend, Bree? I don¡¯t remember thest time, but if Bree said yes then we will go.¡± All eyes were on Gage, how he speaks easily startled her a bit, no one expected him to reply so swiftly and so freely. His mom looked so happy and his dad was stering a smirk on his face as if he told his wife I told you so. Then all eyes were on Bree when they wait for her decision.


    She smiled, took a drink from her ss of water to ease her nerves, then told them she can be there next weekend. Because in honesty she loves Gage and she wanted to be with him. With all that had been happening, she needed it. She needed whatever he would offer her. The months that they were apart had been hell for Bree and she was not going to say no when his parents weed her into their home. Though she was not sure about his brother and sister, the matter will be dealt withter when needed.


    For now, she was content in eating lunch with Gage and his parents while they talk about mundane stuff and caught up as Bree told them about Hazel and her current activities. The man she loved would gaze at her every now and then. She knows she was being watched, whether it was his attention as she was talking or his adoring stare to which his mom looked fondly at the couple before her.


    Lunch was perfect, breakfast had also been perfect and then Gage told her that he wasing over with dinner and that just made Bree¡¯s day even more perfect. The man was not slowing down, after all that had happened Gage felt slowing down was a shitty thing to do. He was moving forward, fast, and to the point where he would steer clear of anything that blocked his way.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.

 41. Happiness

    Two monthster Bree was falling all over again for Gage when the man told her that he loves her. He hadn¡¯t got his memories back but he was making new ones. They moved back into Gage¡¯s house and Hazel was over the moon when she got the princess bedroom, mermaid themed with dolphins giant stickers stered all over her bedroom wall.


    Bree was happy, she was in love and Gage was where he wanted to be.


    Two weekster she was by his side when he visited his doctor to do his routine check-up and once again he was dered clear of his tumor. Thenter that same afternoon Gage got down on his knees and proposed to her in the privacy of his home with little Hazel as their witness.


    ¡°Bree, I love you, I love Hazel and I want to be a part of your future and Hazel¡¯s. I know I¡¯ve put you at my worst and I can¡¯t promise that I won¡¯t make any more mistakes but I hope you will guide me back again. I love you, Bree, will you be my wife?¡±


    Bree¡¯s eyes were ssy then teary when his proposal ended, she couldn¡¯t string the words so she replied with a shaky affirmation.


    ¡°Yes¡­¡±


    Gage put her ring back on, he got it back from his mom the first night Bree and Hazel went to his family dinner after they got back together. Bree had given the ring to his mom at the hospital, the same day he lost his memory. Edith didn¡¯t say anything she just shoved the ring in his hand and told him to get on one knee for Bree when the time is right.


    ¡°And you, my little pumpkin, I love you as my own,¡± Gage was still on his knee and now he moved to face the little girl who was supporting her toothy grin. ¡°¡­ will you be my daughter?¡± he pulled another velvet box and opened it, there was a beautiful little gold bracelet with dolphins, pumpkins, and three hearts charms on it. Gage had it custom-made especially for the little girl.


    Hazel was now smiling wider and looked at Bree then screamed her yes when Bree nodded and the little girl wrapped her chubby hands around his neck. ¡°Can I call you daddy now?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes you can.¡± Gage¡¯s voice cracked a bit from her words but then he got up, lifted, and wrapped her in his arms. He kissed her forehead and pulled Bree in for a group hug and kissed her on her lips.


    ¡°Now, we should wipe all these happy tears and get ready for dinner at grandpa and grandma¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°I have grandpa and grandma now too? best day ever!¡± Hazel¡¯s excitement made Gage and Breeugh and he pulled them one more time, a bit tighter, and told them both that he love them.


    Two hourster they arrived at Gage¡¯s parents, whatever doubt, Sally and Marvin had months ago with Bree, it all had toned down to a warm greeting. Marvin who knew her work at the club acted friendlier around her, while Sally still thinks that Bree should quit her job at the club even if it was administrative work.


    Bree had actually wanted to talk to Gage about that, she had saved up her money from her ex¡¯s alimony and her sry. Bree wanted to open up a pole dance studio ss for moms. She had talked about this with Dee and Cassidy and they think it was a great idea. Maybe in time, Bree can open more sses, such as yoga and ptes. The options are endless once she grows bigger and can easily employ instructors for the sses.


    ¡°Gage is going to be my daddy!¡± the little girl announced, showing off her gold bracelet the moment Edith open the door for them.


    ¡°Is he now?¡± Edith¡¯s eyes sparkled with happiness and she couldn¡¯t help herself to look at Bree¡¯s ring finger.


    ¡°And my mommy is going to marry my new daddy.¡± She continued smiling wider tipping on her toes rocking back and forth from her excitement. ¡°anddd¡­ daddy said we¡¯re having dinner at grandma and grandpa.¡±


    Edith finally sank to her knees and hug the little girl and shower her with kisses before she get up and congratte Bree and Gage with her hugs. ¡°I know you will get back together,e on let¡¯s tell everyone the big news.¡±


    Once they entered the living room everyone was there and sure enough, they heard Hazel¡¯s announcement and they were all congratting them. Sally¡¯s husband was present and he couldn¡¯t be happier for both of them despite the issue that Sally might still have with Bree.


    Dinner was perfect and they went home with leftovers and a promise to attend the next family dinner to discuss their small wedding celebration dinner party. Bree had told them that she did not want a big wedding since it was both their second marriage. Bree said that they will privately discuss it and will let everyone know at the next family dinner. Edith seemed happy with that, though Sally was not convinced and honestly Bree didn¡¯t know how to interact with her anymore. Bree knew that Gage¡¯ste wife was Sally¡¯s best friend, so she leave it at that.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about Sally,¡± Gage said when they finallyy in bed.


    It took longer for them to get Hazel to sleep because she was too excited about what was going on in her life. And Duke, the family dog that was back at his parents, should take all her excitement away. They had spent the longest time rolling around the living room floor of his parent¡¯s house.


    It was not until Gage promised to take Hazel to a shelter and find a suitable pet for her, did the little girl finally rx and closed her eyes when Bree and Gage read her favorite dolphin book.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, but now I¡¯m worried about you promising Hazel a pet. She¡¯s still too little and we will end up taking care of her pet,¡± Bree pouted and Gage chuckled, telling her that it was tomorrow¡¯s problem.


    ¡°Now, I¡¯m thinking about you and me, stripped naked, and doing some hot sexy stuff.¡± He said dropping his voice to the point of what was supposed to be perversion but he only made Bree giggle more.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Oh Gage, you¡¯re so not going to getid with that pick-up line. Luckily, I agreed to be your wife and that means for better or worse and that line is¡­ so¡­ so worse that I say we should strip naked and do the hot and sexy thing.¡±


    Their quietughter quickly turns into moans the moment they were both naked and Bree was under him. She was wearing nothing but his ring and she never looked more beautiful in his eyes. The man cherished her with kisses, his hands touching her in ways that only can be described as adoration to his future wife. She never felt happier in her entire life before, she loves Gage and Hazel. That was all she needed in her life.


    Her happy ending.

 42. Exposed

    Cassidy¡¯s one of the people who value self-worth. It was weird for someone who grew up with money where they value people based on their worth. But her parents were not one of those rich snobs, Cassidy would remember them as the good phnthropists. Sadly her dad died from a sudden heart attack, then her mom followed not long after. They said it was because her love for him was so great that she lost her will to live. Though young Cassidy believed otherwise, her mom loved her children. It was just God¡¯s will.


    Cassidy was the oldest of three, her twin brothers Dillon and Edmond were still in private school. They live in a dormitory, fully paid from their parents¡¯ insurance money. Not long after her parents passing, Cassidy was left with her family finance to deal with. It didn¡¯t take long for her to decide to rent out their huge house since there was no way Cassidy wants to live there alone and not to mention the maintenance and the workers. At neen she was already responsible for handling her parents¡¯ business after a year of looking after her mom¡¯s health soon after the death of her dad.


    Her mom was a mess, their familywyer was not very good at his job. His dad tends to do everything by himself, and though he had funds stored away for his children, the amount of money slipping away because of the family¡¯swyer¡¯s ipetence was rming. And Cassidy knows she needs to get back to the issue sooner thanter, but with her school and what happened with her mom, she was at a breaking point.


    They didn¡¯t have aunts, uncles, not even grandparents, no other rtives aside from close family friends who looked at them as the orphan kids who were deeply loved by their parents. Cassidy now lived in her small studio apartment, she didn¡¯t need a bigger one. With her family¡¯s financial mess, Cassidy decided to downsize, she had to think about her little brothers¡¯ college education. She wanted what was best for them and therefore she decided to put funds away for them, not that they didn¡¯t have enough, but she needed to feel safe. Just in case things decide to get worse.


    Aside from school, Cassidy loves to dance. She loved it when people looked at her while dancing on stage or on the dance floor. Then it was one of those freak coincidences when a bunch of her girlfriends from campus decided to head out to a strip club and dance their asses off at one of theirpetition nights. It was nice, they can dance, strip, and not be pressed by unwanted bodies grinding their dicks like they were asking for it. Because Cassidy and her friends just wanted to dance, wanted the attention. And after that memorable day, she slipped back into the strip club the next weekend and asked if she can work there part-time.


    It was the stress release that she needed, between school, the twins, and the web of family finance. She started finding freedom at Babes. Her co-worker never knew the truth, she was hiding it well. Up until one day when Rowan Madden the hot silver fox decided to entertain himself by walking into Babes and feast on scantily d women twirling around the pole, dancing sexily to the beat of the music.


    Cassidy almost fell on her heels when she saw him. Her legs were wrapped around the pole, she was still fixated on the sexy beat of the song when she felt his eyes on her. It was a miracle how she was able to finish her routine before Jade was filling in after her ce.


    The med student was hiding in the changing room when Dee walked in and told her she had ap dance request. ¡°He¡¯s waiting at the VVIP room, the silver fox is hot.¡± She giggled and quickly sauntered out of the changing room, telling Cassidy that her routine with Jade was up next.


    Cassidy knew who was waiting for her and she wanted to say no, but Dee was already gone. She sighed and face the inevitable. Years ago she used to have the biggest crush on Rowan, up until he was married to a high-end fashion model. The couple looked perfect together when Cassidy saw them both at her parents¡¯st anniversary dinner.


    Her mind was thinking of different scenarios when she walked to the VVIP room. Cassidy was asking herself why would Rowan visit the establishment when he has a gorgeous wife waiting for him at home. Her question remained unanswered when she stepped into the booth and his eyes scanned her body from her beautiful long hair to her glittery stripper heels.


    There was a different expression stering his face, but before she allowed him to say anything she closed the door behind her and pressed y on the music yer and the surrounding walls start to thump with the steady beats of the seductive music. ¡°You can swipe your card there,¡± Cassidy was liking the new payment system Gage had made to the club where they just need to swipe in their member card for every transaction in the club and pay the bill when they decided to leave. It makesp dancing easier than letting men slip in bills to your g-strings before you take it off, only to have to gather them again after you finished with your routine.


    ¡°Cassidy Rhodes, don¡¯t pretend you don¡¯t recognize me.¡± The man stayed seated on the chair, with his eyes glued on her body while Cassidy started swinging her hips to the music while her hands linger sensually on her body.


    ¡°Well, hello Mr. Rowan Madden, how is Mrs. Madden?¡± she asked sweetly with every intent to make him feel guilty for looking at other women while his wife was probably at home, maybe staying with their kid. Damn, Cassidy sure hates the idea of Rowan having kids with the gorgeous model.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°There¡¯s no Mrs. Madden I¡¯m divorced, been over six months now.¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Cassidy quickly filed the information into her already jumbled-up brain. Within her study, her little brothers, and her family¡¯s financial situation, now she needs to think about her divorced silver fox hunk sitting in front of her waiting for hisp dance.


    She was a stripper, an exotic dancer, a pole dancer whatever terms people call it and she was it. Cassidy had no business to even thinking about the handsome man. So, she danced, she smiled and she give him her best moves but she stopped when his hand grabbed her wrist most likely to stop her tease.


    ¡°Rules, camera, no touching the dancer.¡± She winked and pointed at the camera. The security measure was also why she chose Babes, she feels safe at Babes. Her dance is her release, she needed the routine despite what people may think.


    ¡°Cass, why are you doing this? Is it the money?¡±


    Sheughed and kept to her routine, the song was almost over. The barely there attire wille off at thest minute, giving men the satisfaction of seeing her naked body before the song ended.


    ¡°Stop this!¡± Rowan practically growled and stop the music. And as expected one of the men that was on floor duty that night knocked on the door and Cassidy answered.


    It was Rockford, it was a pretty slow night and their boss Gage was probably at home snuggling with Bree. Rockford must be on duty, the man was no doubt circling the floor and making sure the girls were not being harassed.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay, I know him,¡± Cassidy assured the big guy and closed the door again. She didn¡¯t turn on the music again, but she gave the camera her thumbs up telling everything was good.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want ap dance you should go. Your time is up.¡± She shrugged, she didn¡¯t want to send him away but she was on the clock.


    Cassidy sighed when Rowan swiped his card twice, knowing that it¡¯ll earn him two songs. But instead of turning on the music, he shook his head.


    ¡°Talk.¡±


    Cassidy sighed and told him that she wanted to dance at the club. ¡°I¡¯m safe, it¡¯s safe for me to dance here rather than in clubs. There are no random guys who¡¯d slipped drugs here, no unwanted men grinding me when I don¡¯t want to.¡±


    ¡°There must be some other ce, dance studio?¡±


    Cassidyughed. ¡°Why do you care?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a Rhodes, my best friend¡¯s daughter.¡±


    She winced at the thought of that, it was true he was her dad¡¯s best friend. Though Rowan was a couple of years younger than herte dad, he was still too old for her, ording to society. She should not have fantasized about him years ago, it was not right, but still, the image of him had her climaxed many times before.


    ¡°What time are you done here?¡±


    ¡°In about an hour?¡±


    ¡°Charge my card for the rest of the hour, you¡¯re going home.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    He got up, Cassidy can see the tightness on the front of his pants but she quickly diverts her eyes and concentrates on the card that was in her hand. She was supposed to say no but Rowan was not taking no for an answer when he left the room and headed out straight to the bar.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait at the bar, go get changed. I¡¯m taking you home.¡±


    It was supposed to be a slow night, she was supposed to dance then go back to her apartment, do her homework and have a quiet night to herself.

 43. Hurtful Facts

    ¡°Cass, is everything okay?¡± Rockford asked before she managed to slip into the changing room¡¯s hallway as swiftly as she could.


    ¡°Yeah, no¡­ my dad¡¯s BFF. I need to exin some stuff.¡± She grunted and sighed while Rockford moved out of her way.


    ¡°You want me to kick him out?¡± he asked carelessly and looked ready to throw the guy out.


    Cassidyughed but she felt defeated already. ¡°No, it¡¯s okay, I just need to tell him the truth.¡± She shrugged and thanked Rockford for his offer and close the door behind her.


    Twenty minutester she was makeup free, wearing her normal clothes, and her books were packed in her backpack.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready, let¡¯s go.¡± She huffed when she was in front of Rowan.


    ¡°Cass?¡± the bartender asked when he saw her dressed and clearly ready to go back. The man couldn¡¯t help questioning her knowing his girlfriend will need details once she knows Cassidy was going home with a man before she was supposed to be done with her shift.


    ¡°Hey, Ro. Tell Dee I¡¯m going home early. He paid for myst hour.¡± She exined her situation with a reckless attitude making Ro aware that the man was paying for her time. He arched his brow but she didn¡¯t say anything more. Cassidy wasn¡¯t even trying to be polite and didn¡¯t introduce Rowan to her friend Ro because she was annoyed.


    ¡°Come on,¡± Rowan put his hand on her elbow wanting to take her away from the club as fast as he could. His mind kept on thinking of all the possible reasons why would his best friend¡¯s daughter degrade herself and dance naked for strangers in the shady strip club.


    They didn¡¯t talk in the car aside from Cassidy giving him the direction to her apartment building, and when reached the parking lot he was still quiet.


    ¡°The hell, what do have in here? steel stripper heels?¡± he grunted when he almost dropped Cassidy¡¯s backpack. The weight surprised him as Rowan insisted on helping her with her bag when she was busy fumbling with her apartment keys.


    ¡°School books,¡± she shrugged when she finally opened her door and let him in.


    ¡°Are you having money issues? what do you major? what university?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not, I told you, I like to dance.¡± She didn¡¯t give him more information, feeling she was still too fucking annoyed by all of his questions. He didn¡¯t have the right to drag her ass home, and she didn¡¯t even know why she was letting him do that.


    She took two water bottles from her fridge and give one to Rowan. Cassidy continued to pull out her heavy textbooks and put them on the coffee table beside her notebooks andptop. The man took a peek at her book and raised an eyebrow while she smirked and continued to take off her sneakers, crossed her legs, then sat on the sofa.


    ¡°What?¡± she asked when he kept on looking at her like she had just grown two heads.


    ¡°Nothing, it¡¯s just that I still couldn¡¯t figure out why.¡± He rested back on the sofa and start flipping on her textbook as if he was going to find hidden books under the covers.


    ¡°I¡¯m a med student and I like to dance. It clears my head.¡±


    ¡°Well, you need to stop dancing there.¡± He grunted, somehow feeling ufortable with her easy attitude towards being a stripper as an outlet for her stress.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Why?! do you think your parents would agree with your extracurricr activity?¡± his voice escted, he started pacing and ran his finger through his silver locks in frustration. It was one thing to be fazed by her decision, but looking at her, seeing her dance, and watching thenky teenage girl turn into a beautiful sexy woman twirling practically naked had him utterly baffled. He was still trying to calm himself down, it felt so fucking wrong to want your dead best friend¡¯s daughter. Rowan was still appalled that he was hard just from watching Cassidy dance.


    ¡°They¡¯re not here,¡± she retorted with a loud huff and would probably puff if she didn¡¯t just drink a gulp of water from the bottle.


    The man continued to pace when she got up and headed to her small kitchen, suddenly feeling the need to keep her hands busy. Cassidy was feeling his intense stare and she didn¡¯t want to start acknowledging her urge to want him. It was wrong, the man clearly still thinks of her as her dad¡¯s daughter.


    ¡°Cassie, stop doing stuff and listen to me.¡± He closed the refrigerator door and was suddenly inches from her. She could feel his gaze and when she tilted her head to face him, it took all of her will not to m her lips onto his. She hadn¡¯t heard her childhood nickname for a while and she almost sighed when she heard it rolled out of his tongue for the first time in so long.


    ¡°You should go,¡± her voice was a bit throaty from her nerves and she nced away from him a bit too quickly.


    ¡°This is ridiculous, you didn¡¯t just dance to let your stress out, you¡¯re stripping naked, God, Cassie, what were you thinking?!¡± the irritation was obvious, and her pulse beats faster from the annoyance and her needy desire, God, she wonders how the hell she stayed virgin all of these years.


    ¡°Why?¡± she demanded, ¡°why the hell should I stop, just because you told me to?¡± her question was heated with spite, and suddenly Rowan moved closer and closer. He didn¡¯t even think when he wrapped his fingers around her neck and pressed his lips on hers. It was pure passion, lust and forbidden desire mmed into long deep kisses not one of them seem to want it to end. Not even to breathe.


    Cassidy let out a soft moan while her fingers curled, fisting his shirt. His hand tightened around her neck and his other hand hold her waist keeping her in ce.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± he cursed, taking a big breath and putting his forehead on hers. He was hard, so fucking hard that he needed to step back and took another breather. ¡°This is not how it is supposed to¡­¡± his words interrupted when Cassidy looked into his eyes, lust was clouding her judgment when she pulled him down and started kissing him. She wanted him, he had been her crush since she was in high school, it felt wrong but oh so right. She moaned and he groaned. Rowan tried to pull back but she took his hand and put his hand on her ass.


    ¡°Stop it.¡±


    ¡°What if I don¡¯t want to?¡± it was her turn to raise an eyebrow, challenging him.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ fuck Cassie, you¡¯re still in school.¡± He eventually managed to untangle himself from the little vixen.


    ¡°I¡¯m a college student, an adult, old enough to vote, drink, and paid my lease. Even managing the family finance with our familywyer.¡± Rowan¡¯s words hurt her, she didn¡¯t think he¡¯d say the obvious but there it was.


    ¡°I¡¯m too old for you.¡± His resignation was visible and Cassidy hated that she still wanted him.


    ¡°I need to do my homework,¡± she forced her words out, she reminded herself of the amount of stuff that she needs to do. By next semester she will need to cut down her club hours and most probably stop dancingpletely.


    ¡°Right, I¡¯m going to go.¡± He was about to walk towards the front door when he asked, ¡°Your familywyer is still Ferguson?¡±


    ¡°Yep, he¡¯s not that good but I¡¯m not spending money for services I won¡¯t be needing. He will be adequate for me and my brothers.¡±


    ¡°The twins, how are they?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re still in private school, four more years before college. I called themst week, they¡¯re happy.¡±


    ¡°And you?¡±


    ¡°Rowan, what are you trying to establish here? You watched me dance almost naked, we kissed, then you insisted that we stop, now you¡¯re asking about my brothers?¡±


    ¡°Why are you making this hard Cassie? I know your parents, they¡¯d want their kids to be happy.¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a kid anymore and you¡¯re not my guardian.¡± She spat her words. It might sound vindictive, but she was angry toward him.


    ¡°Just stop dancing at the club.¡±


    Cassidy didn¡¯t reply, instead, she walked to the coffee table and started opening her heavy textbook, started up herptop, and ignored him. She was letting him make his choice, shutting him out, letting him walk away. She had been okay with her life after her parents passing. She was independent. Cassidy didn¡¯t need him dictating to her what to do.


    And her heart sank when she heard the click of her front door closing after Rowan walked out of her apartment. The rejection was eating her on the inside and minutes passed before she walked away from her books to pull out her secret stash in the far corner of her kitchen cab.


    A bottle of cheap wine was perfect for lonely nights when she needs to forget about her life. She poured the first ss and start working on her homework. The study, she needs to finish her major, though after the death of her dad she had lost most of her motivation.


    Two hours and two sses of wer she decided to end her night and poured onest ss to help her sleep. Loneliness was closing in on her, suffocating her and she hugged herself to sleep just like any other night she had before. Alone.

 44. Jealousy and Rejection

    Cheerful on the outside, lonely on the inside that was how Cassidy goes about her days. It was her defense mechanism months after her dad, then her mom passed away.


    She would adore her twin brothers whenever they visited her for holidays, she loves them and they care for their big sister the same way. Cassidy had insisted that they stayed in a private school where their dad had enrolled them in, where Cassidy had gone throughout her younger days.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Four more years and they will be together again unless they wanted to study somewhere else and that was fine with her cause she loves them and she wanted them to be happy. With all that had happened in their life, her little brothers deserved to be happy. While Cassidy, well¡­ Cassidy will make sure she¡¯d make everyone happy. She just needed to dance and let herself go.


    It was two weekster when Rowan was back at the club and the man looked pissed that Cassidy was still twirling around the pole the second he entered the high-end club. Rowan watched as her legs were tightly wrapped around the steel pole, and his mind was quick to imagine how would it feel to have her legs wrapped around his thighs and let her climb all over his body just like she did on the pole.


    The man groaned but took a seat at the bar when Ro greeted him. ¡°Come on, sit down, you¡¯re not the first person to have let her sink her hooks on you,¡± Rowan smirked and decided to entertain himself with the bartender, it seemed that he had a lot to say.


    Being the youngest of four and having three older sisters who gossip while they¡¯re breathing, made Rowan recognize the signs when someone was the biggest gossip. And he could tell that the bartender was it.


    ¡°Ro,¡± he offered his hand and Rowan was no snob that he would decline the friendly gesture when he offered back his name knowing Cassidy would probably tell the guy already anyway. Thest time he was there, Ro didn¡¯t introduce himself since Rowan was too shocked to find Cassie there that he wanted to get her out of the club immediately.


    Rowan knew he had an in with Ro being one of Cassidy¡¯s friends at the club. He didn¡¯t have to like it, but he needed to y nice with her friends if he wants to get to know her better. He cursed when the stop himself, that was not how it was supposed to sound in his head. He should forget about her, he went back to Babes for a release it has been a tough couple of days at the office.


    Hmm¡­ Maybe I should go for the blonde woman sashaying her way between tables offeringp dances for the men.


    His thought was abruptly interrupted by the man behind the bar, ¡°She¡¯s watching you dude. Huh, that¡¯s new, I think she¡¯s jealous that you¡¯re watching Ivy¡­ Bourbon?¡± Ro offered, remembering hisst drink at the bar when he waited to take Cassidy home.


    ¡°Yeah, thanks.¡±


    ¡°Shitty day at the office?¡± Ro asked eyeing Rowan who was still in his white shirt and tie.


    ¡°Shitty week.¡± The week had been dragging him down. Having three clients snatched from under his nose by hispetitor tends to do that to Rowan. He owned a financial advisorpany, which was one of the biggest ones in the country. Rhodes used to be the first, but since he passed away, Rowan had been reeling in Rhode¡¯s unsatisfied clients and business had been good. It was all because Rhodes¡¯pany was taken over by his under-qualified partners and since then their business had been suffering. Badly.


    No one was as good as his mentor, yep he had been under his wings when Rowan was younger then he started his ownpany when Orson Rhodes urged him to, seeing that he had never been good enough in following his boss¡¯ order. And now Rowan was feeling guilty, maybe if he stayed at Rhodes their business wouldn¡¯t suffer and little Cassie won¡¯t be stripping naked for no man.


    ¡°You¡¯re not the only one, I think someone has been pouting for thest two weeks since you forcefully dragged her home that night.¡± Ro blurted, cing Rowan¡¯s ss of Bourbon in front of him. It looked good enough to drink down in one gulp. But he decided to take a slow and sip the drink wanting to keep the conversation flowing with the chatty bartender.


    ¡°Yeah? she looked happy though,¡± Rowan eyed Cassidy at the stage. ¡°I specifically told her not to go back here.¡± He knew he said the wrong thing the moment Ro¡¯s smile dropped.


    ¡°Why would you do that?¡±


    Rowan wondered if he should tell him the truth and asked more about when she started working there, and what excuse did Cassie use when she interviewed for the job.


    Weighing the consequences, thinking that it would do nothing but benefited his mission in stopping her from stripping for strangers, Rowan decided to tell him the truth. Well, a small part of it. He didn¡¯t want the guy to gossip about Cassie¡¯s private life.


    ¡°She¡¯s my best friend¡¯s daughter, her parents passed away months apart and now I¡¯m ming myself for not checking up on Cassidy and her little brothers. They wouldn¡¯t want her to do this, you know?¡± Rowan sighed, thinking maybe the bartender didn¡¯t care about Cassie¡¯s reasons to dance at the club and he was right when the guy shrugged telling her that the dancers all have their reasons and he never pry.


    Ro paused their conversation to go to the other end of the bar where three men wereughing and ordering their drinks. In the meantime, Rowan was checking his phone when the blonde woman that he spotted earlier was by his side and put her hand on hisp.


    Rowan felt the goosebump rising on his nape, he did not like the flirty touches. That was why he opted to go to a strip club rather than a sex club. The touches reminded him of his ex-wife, she was the A-grade queen bitch, the trophy wife that he dly disposed of after finding her riding their pool boy.


    ¡°Though day? How ¡¯bout a private dance?¡± she winked, biting her lip then moved her hand to call Ro. She knew Rowan was checking her out, and he was upset about Cassidy, so if Ro said she was jealous of the blonde then Rowan thought he¡¯d milked the situation.


    ¡°Sure,¡± he smirked putting his ss after drinking it down and burning his throat sweetly while doing so.


    ¡°I¡¯m Ivy,¡±


    ¡°Rowan,¡± he replied and let her usher him to one of the booths assigned for him.


    ¡°Just dance for me,¡± He slid the card and let her charge him for the dance.


    The song was too fast, her body was too curvy, her hair was too blonde, and her sway was too sultry. Suddenly Rowan felt that Ivy was too much of everything and it took every part of him not to take his phone and insult the woman by faking an emergency.


    Three more minutes, he thought. He can go through with this. He was still thinking about ways to spend the longest three minutes of his life when Cassidy emerged by opening the curtain dramatically. Rowan stilled, his dick was suddenly hardening at the sight of Cassie¡¯s half-naked body.


    ¡°Um, I¡¯m sorry to barge in, Ivy. Rowan, I need to talk to you. It¡¯s an emergency.¡±


    Ivy looked at her with a shrug, ¡°If you know him, I¡¯m cool. He already swiped. But if you stop now,¡± she said winking at Rowan, ¡°you¡¯ll need to swipe again, you still have less than three minutes.¡±


    But Rowan was already up, thanking her, telling Ivy that he was done with the dance.


    ¡°What is it? is it your brothers?¡± he seemed to appear truly concerned and that just made Cassidy feel guiltier, but the mess was already done.


    Cassidy was boiling with anger, she still didn¡¯t understand why the moment she saw Ivy lead Rowan to the private booth. Cassidy didn¡¯t even think twice when her on-stage routine ended. She walked straight to the booth revealing Rowan who was sitting casually, gazing at Ivy with hiszy eyes.


    Cassie didn¡¯t even think of a reason when she interrupted Ivy¡¯s dance. But luckily Rowan was giving her an out, and she dly took it and ended Rowan¡¯s privatep dance right there and then.


    ¡°So, there was no emergency?¡± Rowan asked, smirking when they reached Cassidy¡¯s apartment.


    ¡°Um no,¡± she blushed feeling the embarrassment.


    ¡°So, you know you owe me apdance, right?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Cassidy looked at him, not believing his boldness.


    ¡°Ivy was going to strip for me when you interrupted, with a fake emergency.¡±


    ¡°Seriously?¡± she was shocked, certainly not expecting her to rece Ivy¡¯s remaining session of the dance.


    ¡°Or, admit that you¡¯re jealous that I picked Ivy.¡± Rowan, the hot silver fox was feeling generous. And also because he didn¡¯t want to start whatever he was going to start with Cassidy by asking her to strip naked. He thought at least he needs to take her out on a proper date first, and obviously stop her from dancing at the club.


    ¡°Okay! I was jealous,¡± she huffed and slumped down to the sofa. Rowan joined her and out of spontaneity, he pulled her to sit on hisp which made her yelp while he chuckled and boldly continued to kiss her on the lips.


    His mind kept on telling him to slow down, but he told himself that it was just a kiss. His hand cradled her slender neck and she opened her lips and moaned as their kiss got hotter by the second.


    ¡°I want to date you.¡± He stopped and backed away from the kiss.


    ¡°Huh? Why?¡±


    ¡°Why? Am I not dating material?¡± Rowan was still going back and forth in his mind regarding his decision in wanting to date her. He was too old for her, yet she was too beautiful and too alluring to let go. He intended to take everything slow and see where it goes from there. But he was not ready when it was her who questioned him.


    ¡°I, um¡­¡± Cassidy thought she might just get it over with tonight, she did want him badly enough that she thought she wanted to try sex from the first time in her adult life. ¡°I don¡¯t have time to date.¡±


    Her flimsy excuse and rejection hit him hard, ¡°You don¡¯t have time to date, but you have time to strip?¡± he was up before she could exin and he was out the door, mming the door shut behind him in frustration.


    Cassidy exhaled and rest her head back on the sofa. Her head was pounding, she still has her homework and she has an early ss in the morning. On top of that, she needs to have a chat with Gage to cut her hours at the club. Exam week ising up and she needs to catch up on her study to pass her sses.

 45. A Day of Opportunity

    ¡°You don¡¯t have a fucking clue! you signed the divorce papers, you signed the prenuptial agreement. You knew you won¡¯t get anything aside from alimony should you cheat. He was the freaking pool boy!¡± Rowan couldn¡¯t help but yelled at his ex when Heather decided to show up at his office and demanded that she should be given the small house by the city limits and one of the cars for all the three years that she had been his wife.


    Rowan should¡¯ve not yelled at her, she would have sufficed by being told that she should have herwyer looked into it, but his frustration was through the roof. He hadn¡¯t slept muchst night since he came back from Cassie¡¯s. He kept on convincing himself that it was all for the better, but his dick had other thoughts. Rowan finally fell asleep after he jerked off imagining his best friend¡¯s daughter giving him ap dance. When he came and soiled his hand he regretted it, and felt like a damn pervert for wanting someone as young as her.


    The week just got shittier by the day and looks like it¡¯s going to stretch to next Monday when his assistant told him that one of his associates decided to resign and with that excuse he knew, he fucking knew that the loser just got hijacked by hispetitor with the notion of more money, obviously.


    ¡°Get the team together, we need to re-group.¡± He told Kaitlyn then dived back into his mountain of work.


    Rowan was tired, he was tired of working so hard without having the time to even enjoy himself. He couldn¡¯t even rx at a strip club. As soon as his mind wandered to the club, Cassie¡¯s face was back. Then one thing led to another, he had an epiphany.


    ¡°Kat, hold the meeting, move it to next Monday. I may have a solution. Cancel my lunch with mywyer and clear my schedule for the rest of the day.¡±


    Being the CEO of hispany had note without a consequence, Rowan worked harder than anyone in hispany, and he had no social life. He regretted the day he married Heather. But he did so knowing that marrying her will make him look like amitted man. Which came in handy when he needed to be trusted in business affairs, he would also need a spouse for gs and dinners where he spends most of his timeworking and obtaining new clients. Though by the time he came home, making love was thest thing on his mind. It had always been a quick fuck with Heather, a simple stress reliever since Rowan was too busy or needed to get up very early the next morning for work.


    Not wanting to dwell on his pathetic issues further, he decided to call Rhode¡¯s partner. Adler, the other mentor who was losing clients faster than hispany was now.


    ¡°Jordan Adler, this is Rowan Madden. It¡¯s been too long, how are you?¡± his words were gentler, friendlier knowing the man was his senior and he needed to be in his good graces if he wanted to continue with what he had in mind.


    ¡°Rowan! God, it¡¯s been too long. I thought you¡¯d forgotten about us with your face all over those financial magazines.¡±


    Rowan let out a soft chuckle, remembering how those articles did boost his performancest year. But since then, since his marital issues, since his fucked up personal life, he shamelessly admits that his life has been going sideways.


    He was out of his office door telling Kat to reach him on his mobile. The meeting with Adler took most of his afternoon, they meet up for lunch and then continue to catch up with a round of golf.


    ¡°Are you sure you want to get involved in our down-spiralingpany?¡± Adler asked while he sipped on his ice tea. The weather was nice and warm when it was time for them to rx and enjoy the golf course view.


    Though Rowan couldn¡¯t manage to rx, he was feeling a bit annoyed listening to Adler talking about his former employment so easily. Rowan knows the man had other ventures, but Rhodes¡¯ children depend on thepany¡¯s financial flow. Well, maybe Orson had funds tucked away for them.


    ¡°Do you still keep in touch with Rhodes¡¯ children?¡± Rowan couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    ¡°Um, no¡­ they¡¯re all busy with school, we do keep in touch with theirwyer for the financial reports and stuff.¡±


    ¡°Right, so here¡¯s what I¡¯m proposing. I¡¯ll buy out half of thepany, became a silent partner to the public knowledge, and consolidated our resources.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ you will build back thepany. It¡¯s a good gesture, we can surely use the money but honestly, the drive in making this work is too much for my taste. And Rowan, I¡¯m not getting any younger. I actually wanted to retire sooner thanter.¡± His former mentor took another sip of his drink before he continued.


    ¡°I know you wanted a quick take over and build your empire. You¡¯re young and driven and you¡¯re trained by one of the best. I know you¡¯re worried that ourpetitor will get too big when they steal the rest of our clients. But I¡¯m proposing that you buy out all Rhodes, if you agree I¡¯ll set up an appointment with ourwyers and we can discuss it further.¡±


    ¡°Oh, hell, I did not see thating. You¡¯re barely sixty, Adler.¡±


    ¡°I know that¡¯s why I want to enjoy my retirement. I don¡¯t want to go on an elderly cruise, I want to go to the wild African safari.¡± The older man gazed out the golf course as if he was imagining his future retirement vacation.


    Rowan shook his head, smiling and smiling at him. ¡°I need to know the figures first and make sure I have the capital to do so. I was nning for half, I didn¡¯t expect a full takeover.¡±


    Saying it didn¡¯t deter his mind to think about how his involvement would save thepany. Then he groaned when his mind suddenly thought that Cassie would appreciate his effort as the flow of money would increase, at least Rowan was confident that he¡¯d do a better job than Adler.


    The chat ended with scheduling another meeting. Tomorrow, Rowan was to be expected at Adler¡¯s office where he would take him to tour the old office before meeting with theirwyers.


    Rowan was heavy with thoughts when he reached his townhouse. He changed to his favorite pajama bottom and rested his naked back on hisrge sofa. He was mentally cursing himself when he saw stacks of paper that Rowan needs to finish. It was still early, but he decides to have an early dinner while digging through his financial statements and putting his brain to work.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    The leftover Chinese food barely satisfied his appetite, and Rowan continues to munch into his dessert pie left by Mrs. Dawson who dly doubled as his personal chef knowing that he¡¯d eat junk food every day if she didn¡¯t cook for him.


    It was almost midnight when Rowan was satisfied with his calction. It¡¯s not that he didn¡¯t have the funds, but he needed to make sure he was spending his money to insure his future, not to lose them.


    Tomorrow¡¯s meeting will justify his decision, he needs to see Rhodes¡¯s financial statements and analyze how deep he needs to shuck his pocket and make sure their current client won¡¯t walk away to hispetitor.


    Rowan knew with the takeover he¡¯d be continuing the Rhodes legacy, hopefully saving it for Rhodes¡¯ sons if Cassidy didn¡¯t want to take part in the business. He knew Orson Rhodes, his mentor and best friend would appreciate it if his children continue his legacy.


    Thinking about Orson sadly took him back to Cassie¡¯s, and that¡¯s when decided to call her. He knew he shouldn¡¯t but after all, day talking about Orson¡¯spany he felt he needs to check up on her. Hoping at least she was not dancing at the club, he really didn¡¯t want to get out and dragged her sexy ass back to her apartment.


    Rowan waited patiently until the fifth ring when she finally pick up his call.


    ¡°Hello,¡±


    ¡°Cassidy, are you drunk? why do you sound like you have just woken up?¡±


    ¡°Because I was, I overslept, I should¡¯ve been studying. Fuck¡­¡±


    ¡°Right,¡±


    ¡°Wait, how do you get my number?¡±


    ¡°I have my ways.¡±


    ¡°Are you stalking me? Where are you?¡± Cassidy sounded alert, and Rowan couldn¡¯t help but chuckle from the other end.


    Rowan got her number from herwyer, he called earlier telling him that he wanted to get in touch with Orson¡¯s children and check up on them.


    ¡°I¡¯m not stalking you. Maybe I¡¯m at Babes looking for you?¡±


    ¡°Huh, or¡­ are you picking up when you left off with Ivy aren¡¯t you? Men.¡± She exhaled loudly making himugh.


    He ended the call only to switch to a video call when he got into his bed. Rowan was not disappointed when he saw her bed hair and looking sexier with an overused oversize t-shirt that showed the outline of her nipples. He smirked when she obviously was checking him out. To tease Cassidy further Rowan rxed back to the headboard giving her a show of his perfect sculpted pecs and abs.


    ¡°Um,¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m not at Babes.¡± He smirked and was happy as a teenager when he saw her blushed for using him earlier.


    ¡°So,¡±


    ¡°So, tell me what are you studying?¡±


    ¡°Oh, damn¡­ I really need to study.¡± Her eyes were frantic looking at the messy coffee table in front of her.


    ¡°Okay, what time do you get out of school tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Two, why?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up. We¡¯re having ate lunch, coffee, whatever. I need to see you.¡±


    ¡°And how do you know about my campus? Should I be worried?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a good guy, I will tell you more when I see you tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°But,¡±


    ¡°No but¡­ unless the sexy ones attached to your behind.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay, I need to work on my jokes, got it? I¡¯ll see you tomorrow Cassie, don¡¯t study toote, have a nice dream.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± that was all she said after she gave his naked chest another once over and ended the video call.


    Rowan felt like he was smiling from ear to ear, the day had suddenly got lighter and he knew that he¡¯d fall asleep easily.

 46. Lunch Talk

    Cassidy was nervous the whole morning, she was tired from studying and only got three hours of sleep. Her veins were infused by coffee.


    A cup of coffee and cream when she woke up, two shots of espresso at eight, atte by eleven, and now arge ice americano just minutes before two. Any other person would be jittery by now, but Cassidy was used to coffee, she might not bounce around from the caffeine but her eyes and brain were alert for the next couple of hours.


    She wanted to wait for Rowan by herself, but Wren, the smartest guy in the ss decided that he would apany her until her rides arrived.


    ¡°So, waiting on your boyfriend?¡± the okay-looking guy smiled a bit too friendly people might think he¡¯s a pervert. Cassidy cursed on the inside, she wanted nothing but to get away from him, but Wren had always been the nicest guy, ready to help her out with the notes and assignments. So she let him be.


    ¡°He¡¯s not my boyfriend.¡± she shrugged and gripped her backpack tighter, feeling the weight already. So she decided to put it down on the bench next to hers and checked on her phone. Though she didn¡¯t have to wait long when an unfamiliar car too posh for campus stopped in front of her.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Woah, nice ride, Bentley continental GTS. I see I stand no chance with you.¡± Wren chuckled and wave her goodbye.


    ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡± Rowan asked when she got in the car.


    ¡°Well, hello to you too, Wren is a friend.¡± Her lips tightened when he asked her like he needed to know everything about her. She was having second thoughts about the lunch date with Rowan already, and they haven¡¯t even left the campus ground.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s with thevish car?¡± she likes all the finest things in life, the car was exquisite in its way but one that she won¡¯t be able to afford, at least not until she became the best surgeon in the country. And with the way she was struggling with her studies she doubted that she¡¯d make residency. She felt like she was drowning already, maybe she should change her major.


    ¡°I was out with a business partner.¡± Rowan did not exin further, he was still pissed that a guy was standing too close to Cassie. The possessive surge was all too new for him and he was not sure what he feels about it. Yet.


    ¡°So, where are we going?¡±


    The conversation was light and meaningless, Cassidy was a being awkward since she doesn¡¯t date a lot. Obviously not with an experienced and sessful, recently divorced older man. Though she rxed when Rowan pulled over in front of the valet then Cassidy reached for her phone from her backpack and followed him out of the car, leaving her book bag in the car.


    It was a cozy older feel kind of restaurant, she was liking the atmosphere. It was the kind of exquisite restaurant her parents would take her and her brothers to on special asions.


    It was well over lunch hour so the ce was quitter, and Cassie let Rowan usher her to one of the corner tables.


    ¡°Your first time here?¡± Rowan asked once they were seated and waited for the waiter to bring them the menu.


    ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s good here?¡±


    ¡°Have you had lunch yet?¡± he asked after thanking the waiter when she presented them with the menu.


    ¡°No, you said you wanted to take me to lunch. I had Snickers and coffee.¡± She said as she opened the heavy leather bind menu.


    ¡°Their steaks are good, you want to try it?¡± Rowan smiled, seeming that he had forgotten all about Wren already.


    Twenty minutester, Cassidy was trying not to moan while taking a bite of the juiciest steak she had in months. She usually had the half-ass steak where the meat was too dry or the blood was still present on the inside. But the steak on her te was heavenly, the mashed potatoes were creamy and soft, the veggies were sweet and delicious, and the man in front of her was not too shabby, she thought.


    That afternoon Rowan was wearing tailor-fitted pants and a work shirt, the navy tie matching his expensive-looking baby blue shirt, he left his suit jacket in the car but still looked like he just stepped out of a business magazine. He rolled up his sleeves showing off his Omega watch perched perfectly on his manly wrist, slightly veiny and dusted with sexy arm hairs. The man has expensive taste down to his polished leather shoes.


    He looked fine and Cassie imagined that he fitted perfectly in his finance world with all the other posh people. She knew those kinds of people, her parents were one of them, she used to love watching them get ready for dinner parties. Her mom would look so beautiful and her dad would match her polished look with his overpriced Armani suits.


    ¡°Cassie?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Rowan took her back from her thoughts and she blushed for getting carried away while the man arched his neat brow, still waiting for her answer to whatever question he had asked earlier.


    ¡°I want to discuss your dad¡¯spany with you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, why?¡± she asked after another bite of the steak, reminding herself that she¡¯ll take the twins there when they visit her next.


    ¡°Um, because it¡¯s yours?¡± he tilted his head in confusion, maybe he thought Cassie was being careless for not involving herself in their dad¡¯spany.


    ¡°It¡¯s me and my brothers and since the passing of our parents, dad¡¯s partner has been taking over. Ourwyer coveys me the details.¡± She dismissed his question, well¡­ at least she tried to.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve been talking to Adler, your dad¡¯s business partner. I was proposing buying half of thepany but as we kept on talking he offered a buyout saying he wanted to retire early.¡± He didn¡¯t mention that thepany was failing under the man, Rowan was convinced that herwyer will disclose the situationter on, he just wanted her to know first and get it out of the way.


    Rowan took a bite of his steak while waiting for her thoughts on the matter.


    ¡°Huh, I thought thepany was failing, why do you want it? did at least Adler give you all the details and offer you a calction for thepany¡¯s worth?¡±


    At her words Rowan was left speechless, she would at least be happy that someone would take over thepany, not telling him to take a second look at its worth. ¡°I was your dad¡¯s apprentice actually. Then I started my ownpany and we became great friends. A selfish part of me wanted to expand my business, but another part of me wanted to nurture thepany back to its previous glory.¡±


    Cassidy looked at him for what felt like the longest time until she nodded and continued eating the side dish.


    ¡°So, I assumed your parents had set aside a fund for your future regardless of how thepany was doing?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, they did, insurance money and all and at the moment our childhood home is being rented out, I just couldn¡¯t deal with the upkeep, the maids and the boys live in a dormitory anyway, so it¡¯s just seemed like a waste of space for myself.¡±


    Rowan liked her practicality, she moved out to a studio apartment and let theirwyer handle the other properties and get more money pouring into their bank ounts.


    She gave him her vicious re when he asked, ¡°So, why do you keep on stripping?¡±


    Cassidy took another bite of her steak, prolonging her answer and making Rowan feel annoyed. ¡°I¡¯m thinking of changing my major, but I still couldn¡¯t figure out what. I¡¯m in medicine, I wanted to be a doctor since I was a kid, dad encouraged me, but now¡­¡±


    ¡°Now, you lost your motivation?¡± his eyes went soft on hers and she broke their too intimate eye contact with a shrug.


    ¡°Something like that,¡± Cassie was disappointed but the feeling did not make her appetite go away, she was happily finishing her steak and washing it down with a ss of fancy water.


    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s why you dance,¡± Rowan hid his smirk behind a ss of red wine.


    ¡°I told you already,¡± she groaned and Rowan chuckled finally realizing that she was struggling with her studies and wanted to let herself go by dancing in the club. Though a bit excessive, he still thinks it was better than if she did drugs. At least now he knew how to stop her from stripping at the club.


    ¡°Well, change your major then and quit the stripping.¡±


    ¡°Maybe I will, we will see.¡±


    ¡°Cassie, just do this, I¡¯m sure your dad would approve just as long as you stop stripping.¡±


    Their conversation revolved around her choices of school subjects and his demand for her to stop dancing at the strip club. When they finally finished with their second dessert, she was finally d that the talk was over.


    ¡°So you¡¯re going back to your apartment?¡± Rowan asked, clearly ready to take her back home when lunch was done and they were back in his car.


    ¡°Yeah, then to the club, I wanted to talk to Gage, he¡¯s the owner. I¡¯m thinking of cutting down my schedule¡­¡±


    ¡°What? Haven¡¯t we established that you¡¯re quitting the club?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know, I always get flimsy with my decisions. And that¡¯s when I get the urge to dance again.¡±


    ¡°Cassie, why can¡¯t you just buy a goddamn pet?¡± Rowan asked but drove her to the club regardless.


    ¡°Hey, I need to get my stuff from the apartment to work tonight.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to work there anymore, I¡¯m taking you there and going talk to this Gage guy. I¡¯m sure we can reach some agreement.¡±


    ¡°Rowan! you¡¯re not my guardian, you don¡¯t get to¡­¡±


    He stopped the car abruptly at a stop sign and cupped her cheek then pressed his lips to hers. She gasped and he wickedly smile and deepened the kiss. She was about to moan when he abruptly pulled back, satisfied with himself for making her lips plumper and cheeks pinker.


    She was quiet on their way to the club. Her mind was going in circles thinking about what the fuck just happened and where the kiss came from.


    Cassidy was not ready when he parked his posh car and walked with her into the club. Even Elvis drooled when he saw the sleek sporty car and forgot to not let Rowan in since the club hadn¡¯t exactly open to the public. She was cursing on the inside, but then her lips were still tingling from the kiss and now that he kept their fingers entwined, she felt swooned. Maybe it was the steak, she convinced herself as they walked to the bar and asked Ro if Gage was in.


    She just hoped Rowan would stay at the bar while she talk to her boss. Though she knew he wouldn¡¯t, she still wished for it.

 47. Screwing up

    ¡°Cassidy, Ro told me to wanted to talk?¡± Gage opened the door for her after he kissed Bree and let her out of his office, her face looked so goddamn happytely it was making Cassidy envy.


    ¡°Um, yes.¡±


    ¡°And who¡¯s this?¡±


    Rockford stood behind Rowan ready to escort the man out should his boss deny him froming into his office.


    ¡°I¡¯m Rowan Madden, a family friend, and I would like to discuss further her employment issue.¡± Rowan offered his hand and like a businessman meeting for the first time they shake hands and Gage turned to Cassidy silently asking if she was in trouble. The young college student shook her head, Gage nodded, walked inside his office, and dismissed Rockford.


    ¡°I would like to¡­¡±


    ¡°Cassidy would like to concentrate on her studies and end her work at the club,¡± Rowan cut her words and Cassidy rolled her eyes at the man. She slumped back to her seat and was too annoyed to fight the man, thinking she could always go behind his backter if she had the urge to dance again in the future.


    ¡°Cassidy, do you need to speak about this privately?¡±


    ¡°No, what he said.¡± She uttered sounding a bit defeated, ¡°Look Gage, I appreciate the opportunity but I think it¡¯s time for me to concentrate on my studies. I will be taking a break from dancing for a while,¡±


    Cassidy was not done talking when Rowan interrupted. Again.


    ¡°You¡¯re not taking a break, you¡¯re quitting, this is yourst day. I¡¯ll pay for any penalties.¡± Rowan stated calmly as he looked at her boss with azy expression as if being there was boring for him and he needed to end the conversation because he had a more important ce to be.


    Gage¡¯s eyes locked with Cassidy with a questioning look but she just smiled. She hated that Rowan stepped into her business. She had been fine all these years without his meddling, her parents were gone, her brothers were fine, she has friends and she was doing okay.


    The sooner she¡¯s out of Gage¡¯s office the better, she thought. She just wanted this to be over with, she was getting more and more annoyed with Rowan. Doesn¡¯t matter how good-looking he was, she was starting to hate him for trying to control her life.


    Cassidy hated that she had kissed him back, at that moment she didn¡¯t want anything more than to go home and shut the door in his face.


    And that was exactly what she did when she arrived at her apartment. After the conversation at Gage¡¯s office, she left the club with a bit of regret. She still didn¡¯t understand how easy it was for Rowan to make her quit her job at Babes. She had friends there and she loved her time dancing there.


    ¡°Cassie, you¡¯ve got to be kidding. Let me in.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m tired. I did what you wanted. You should go home.¡± She could hear him cursing from behind the door, but she stood her ground.


    Rowan hated how the day was turning out, they had a nice lunch date. He kissed her, she liked it, he thought they would spend some more time together before he goes back to his empty house. He didn¡¯t expect her to m the door soon after they reached her apartment.


    But he cursed and he cursed some more before he decided to let her cool down and he went back home. He paced around his home office, trying to let off some steam by working but his head was not in a ce to concentrate.


    Rowan had never met someone so difficult in his entire life before, but what he couldn¡¯t fathom was the fact that she wiggle her beautiful self into his head and stayed there. His mind kept reying how bad the day went, remembering that she did as she was told but then have a tantrum because she didn¡¯t like being told to. She was acting as if she was still a kid, a bratty one. It was making Rowan wants to take her on his knees and spank her ass. Hard.


    He shook his head and tried to clear his head. Cassie was one of Orson¡¯s children, his best friend, he shouldn¡¯t even be thinking about spanking her. Hell, he shouldn¡¯t even kiss her. He was too old for her, with his greying hair he should be ashamed of himself for wanting the beautiful young woman.


    It was early morning when he finally was able to sleep and his rm clock woke him up a couple of hours afterward.


    Rowan was not in a good mood when he arrived in the office that morning. His PA, Kaitlyn decided that it was a good thing to tell him so. ¡°Did Heather decide to grace you with her presence again?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying it as if my ex-wife was a divine spirit, nope, she¡¯s a freaking subus who inhales my emotions and money for her sick and sinful pleasure,¡± I grunted but took the coffee she puts on my desk.


    Kaitlynughed. She never did like Heather, Rowan knew that she was a good judge of character.


    ¡°Is Ferguson still on for this morning¡¯s meeting?¡±


    ¡°Yes, ten thirty, you¡¯ll be meeting him with Legal, then you have a whole day meeting with the senior teams.¡±


    Rowan nodded knowing that he¡¯d be meeting the Ferguson again after all these years. He knew the man hadn¡¯t been good at his job and Ferguson was one of Orson¡¯s loyal friends, he was capable and qualified, just not as driven. At least Ferguson was the kind of man who was loyal. He just needed directions, he was never good at taking initiative. His good friend Orson had taken him under his wing and made use of his finewyering skill by feeding him a to-do list.


    While Rowan was busy with his business day, Cassidy was heading to campus and then meeting up with Dee at their usual coffee shop near Babes.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re quitting Babes, spill.¡±


    Cassidy rolled her eyes and choose to ignore Dee¡¯s greeting and walk straight to the barista, ordering her coffee instead. She waited for her dose of caffeine and then goes to sit at the little table by the windows in front of her stripper bestie.


    ¡°Ro is such a gossip,¡±


    ¡°Well, at least someone was telling me about it.¡± She looked pissed as she drank her coffee while she waited for Cassidy to talk.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Rowan the silver fox wanted me to quit,¡± she shrugged as if it was not such a big deal, but Dee knew better.


    ¡°But you love to dance! you practically live at Babes. I¡¯m starting not to like this Rowan the silver fox guy.¡±


    Cassidy smirked at herst words before continuing, ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know Dee,tely, he¡¯s been getting into my head. And between my school and Rowan telling me stuff, I just feel like I need to cut down on my dancing. Let¡¯s just see how it goes?¡±


    Dee still looked at her with curiosity, she took another sip from her cup but say nothing more.


    ¡°Okay, at least tell me if he¡¯s that good.  The man looked so yumm,¡±


    Cassidy finallyughed at her and told her that it was none of her business.


    ¡°Oh. My. Fucking. God! You haven¡¯t screwed him, haven¡¯t you? Damn¡­ he must be that good.¡±


    Cassidy giggled, the way that they kept on referring to Rowan as a silver fox was indicating his maturity level. Cassidy always like older men, though she never dated them. But if she were to date, Rowan the silver fox would be it.


    She couldn¡¯t help herself. Though on the inside she was secretly thinking that he would still see her as the bratty teen that she was years ago. Her insecurity level was through the roof when they had their lunch date.


    Cassidy also thought that she might just miss her chance with Rowan when she mmed the door in front of his face afterward cause she knows that was not how sessful the date went. He might think that she was such a hassle that he¡¯d just given up on her. Hell, she¡¯d find someone else if she was in his shoes.


    There was a bit of regret inside of her, but she knows that there was nothing that she could do but toughen herself up. It was probably for the best she thought. Maybe this way she could focus on her education.

 48. Sweet Surprise

    It was two weekster when Cassidy meet again with Rowan, unexpectedly. She had just finished having a nice lunch with Wren, yes the nice guy from her ss who was helping her with her schoolwork.


    Cassidy hadn¡¯t changed her major, and it was slowly drowning her in more work. Though thatte afternoon her patience was thinning, and she was getting frustrated by how easily Wren told her to step up her game. Cassidy was not in her best state of mind, she hadn¡¯t been able to concentrate on her school work since she was called by the twins¡¯ headmaster telling her that they were acting up.


    The words acting up were too subtle for saying that her little brothers almost burn down their room when they were caught smoking cigarettes and panicked. She had spent two hours trying to convince the headmaster that her little brothers will not repeat the same mistake.


    Then she spent the next two days with them after they were sent home with her. Cassidy tried to discipline her little brothers who were still looking at her as their nice older sister. So when Dillon and Edmond finally went back to their dormitory, she was beyond exhausted and mentally drained. Cassidy was tired, she couldn¡¯t let out her frustration by dancing, and on top of all that, she needed to finish her homework that didn¡¯t make any sense to her.


    She was on the verge of crying when Wren left telling her that he had somewhere else to be. Her work was far from done and then Edmond texted, telling her that Dillon was caught kissing a boy so she should be ready for another call from the headmaster.


    Cassidy was breaking apart when she saw Rowan walk into the little restaurantughing with a beautiful-looking woman. The silver fox looked stunningly handsome and the woman by his side looked sophisticated with her business suit and stilettos.


    The failing med student tried to gather her stuff quickly after paying her bill, she needed to get out of there before Rowan sees her. Before he noticed what a failure she was, but with her luck, he did see her. His eyes stared right at hers and Cassidy was frantically pushing her books into her backpack when he whispered something in the woman¡¯s ear and she smiled sweetly at him before she followed their waiter deeper into the restaurant. Of course, he would have an intimate reservation in the secluded part of the restaurant.


    The man was out of her league.


    ¡°Cassidy, are you alright?¡±


    There, her full name, not Cassie, just Cassidy. It was as if he was trying to hurt her, intentionally getting back to her for mming the door in front of his face. Her name slipped out of his perfectly shaped lips, the lips that she had enjoyed kissing and had kissed her back.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, busy week, go¡­ enjoy your date.¡± She spat in a hurry, she was not proud of the way she handle the confrontation. But then the universe seemed that she needed more embarrassment when Wren was back for his tablet that she didn¡¯t even notice he left behind.


    ¡°Forgot my tablet.¡± He smiled, ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow in ss, don¡¯t forget the notes, it should be easy if you put your mind to it.¡± The young man swiftly kissed her cheek and quickly left, without even noticing Rowan behind him.


    There it was another word that should sound encouraging but to her, it sounded that she had been half-assing her study the whole time and failing. And, Rowan was there to watch her fall apart.


    ¡°You¡¯re not fine,e on.¡± Rowan acted on instinct when he grabbed her heavy backpack and took her out of the restaurant and into his car.


    ¡°Your date¡­¡±


    He cursed and pulled out his phone, ¡°Kaitlyn, I had an emergency, put your lunch on thepany¡¯s card. We¡¯ll talk tomorrow, I¡¯m taking the rest of the day off cancel my meetings and email me the details.¡± He ended the call after saying a few more yeses.


    ¡°Where¡­ where are we going?¡± Cassidy hated how her voice trembled when she asked the moment they passed the street to her apartment building.


    ¡°My house, I¡¯m not letting you m the door in front of my face again.¡± He sternly said as his eyes darted back to the road in front of him.


    It was half an hour of dreadful silence that felt more like hours until Rowan finally pulled into the driveway of his house. The house was big, almost as big as her family home. Cassidyy heart was pounding harder when he opened the garage door and she saw three more cars inside.


    Her mind was wondering if his ex-wife was still living with him. But the thought disappears instantly when she thinks why would it matter, the silver fox was never going to be hers. The man was having a lunch date with a beautiful woman.


    Yes, a woman, looking so fine that she barely noticed Cassidy¡¯s jeans-d legs and a ratty tank top underneath her oversize denim jacket. Her favorite Gi ts were the only thing fancy she was wearing that day. Cassidy had always been a shoe collector since her mom bought her her first sets of designer ts on her tenth birthday.


    ¡°Leave the bag,¡± Rowan said when he opened the passenger door for her and like a good little girl was to her dad¡¯s best friend she followed the man inside his house.


    The ce was nice, it looked homey, something she didn¡¯t expect from him. Rowan went to the fridge and made himself a sandwich and told her to sit by the kitchen ind.


    ¡°I was having lunch with my PA, Kaitlyn, she loved the restaurant. I don¡¯t usually go there with my dates.¡±


    Of course, Cassidy thought. The restaurant would be too shabby for him and his dates. And that concluded why she shouldn¡¯t be thinking about him, out of her league, she thought once again.


    While on his mind he was trying to tell Cassidy that he was indeed going to a casual lunch with his PA and that Kaitlyn was trying to cheer him up with the lunch before he continue working trying to forget about the beautiful young woman he shouldn¡¯t even invite back to his home in the first ce.


    ¡°Speak,¡± he demanded once again after biting into his sandwich. He had offered to make one, but Cassidy told him that she had eaten, then his blood boil as he took a big bite of his sandwich remembering the young man who kissed her on her cheek. ¡°Did the guy hurt you?¡± he open the refrigerator door and pulled out two bottled water and put one in front of Cassidy.


    ¡°What? Wren? Uh no¡­ he was helping me with my school work. He had another ce to be, I was going back home. It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s been a rough two weeks. The twins have been acting up at school, I¡¯m behind in several of my sses, and I¡­ I¡¯m just tired, being in my apartment, and school, and taking care of my brothers, convincing their headmaster, taking them back and forth from my ce and back to their dorm. Then Edmond texted telling me that Dillon was caught kissing a boy.¡± Cassidy took a deep breath as her body shuddered and she quickly wiped her tear and get up from the kitchen stool trying to control her overwhelmed feelings.


    What she didn¡¯t mention was that in between those two weeks her mind kept on going back and forth to the time she mmed the door in front of Rowan¡¯s face. Cassidy hadn¡¯t intended to do that, it was her frustration. She had liked him and she hated that within those two weeks Rowan hadn¡¯t even reached out to her. The date that she thought had meant something for both of them turned out to be a one-sided thing.


    Cassidy had liked him, and she hated how easy it was for her to fall back into his arms the second he finishes his sandwich and drink his bottled water. He didn¡¯t say anything about her problems he just kissed her forehead before letting her out of his embrace and putting his hand on the small of her back. ¡°Come, I have something to show you.¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Cassidy followed him as he ushered her to the second floor, then open the door to one of the rooms. ¡°You got me thinking a lot after that night. I want you to have an outlet for your frustration. It¡¯s like going to the gym for some men, right?¡± He smiled as he caresses her back and slightly nudge her deeper into the room.


    The lighting was dimmed, but you couldn¡¯t miss the single dancing pole situated in the middle of the room. The mirrors surrounded the room and Cassidy looked at him and he looked back at her with a great longing on his face.


    ¡°I have this installed a couple of days after I got you to quit the club. I was not sure you still wanted me, us, so¡­¡±


    Cassidy put her finger on his lips then she wrapped her arms around his shoulder and pulled him lower for a kiss. ¡°Thank you, I thought¡­¡±


    ¡°No more thinking?¡± he smiled and kiss her back. He pushed her back t to the pole, raised her hands, and hold her wrists while he dominated the kiss. She was panting, her chest heaved from her ignited passion between them. She arched her back, wanting to feel the warmth of his body.


    ¡°How about a private dance?¡± she offered seductively as she pushed him to sit on the only sofa in the room a few feet away from the pole.


    His smile widen and Cassidy¡¯s heavy thoughts and emotions were momentarily gone as she decided that she was taking in the moment between them. The private moment that she thought she had lost.

 49. Private Show

    Rowan was half hard when he followed her to sit on the sofa. Her sly smile was intoxicating when she pulled out her phone and connected it with the speaker situated on the only console table in the room.


    ¡°You fitted the room for me?¡±


    He chuckled and told her that he was not taking any pole dancing lessons in the near future. ¡°And, you can use it anytime you want.¡±


    ¡°Really? I can put my stripper heels here?¡±


    The man nodded and visibly swallowed his saliva as if he was trying to calm himself down. He was already envisioning her here dancing for him with her stripper heels, for his eyes only.


    Cassidyughed softly obviously noticing his reaction and she started to sway her hips to the first thumping beat of the music and slowly took off her denim jacket and threw it on the polishminated wood flooring that was installed perfectly under the pole. She could already imagine how nice it would feel when she stepped and danced on it.


    She put her lips on his, cradling his manly jaw and deepening the kiss, slipping her tongue in and abruptly pulling back when he was about to reach for her body.


    ¡°Mm¡­ keep your hands to yourself, this is my dance space. You had the pole installed for me, right?¡± Her smile grew when he nodded and back to resting on the sofa.


    Cassidy was back to swaying her hips before unzipping her jeans, wiggling her sexy ass out of them, and toeing her ts at the same time. Rowan let out a small grunt when he saw her wearing simple white cotton panties and made it look provocatively sexy to the point that he was fully hard for her.


    ¡°You can make yourselffortable if you like,¡± she winked at him and gestured for him to lose his suit jacket. Rowan took off his jacket feeling the heat of the situation, he rolled the sleeves of his shirt while not leaving his gaze from the sexy vixen.


    Cassidy never had anyone did stuff for her after her parent¡¯s death, and Rowan set a pole for her to dance on and surprised her with it. The slow and flirtatious beat of the song makes it easier for her to tease the man. She snaked her leg back to the pole while taking her ratty tank top, leaving her in the matching simple cotton bra.


    She was pleased when Cassidy saw how the underwear made Rowan look at her like she was going to rock his world. Though she bit her lip while thinking that he would surely rock hers.


    Closing her eyes and feeling the cool sturdy pole on her spine was making her heart beat faster. Her hands trailed higher on the pole before she pulled herself up and her muscles started to stretch deliciously and making her body hum and rxed.


    It was the easiest yet sexiest dance routine that she was giving to Rowan since she hadn¡¯t been dancing in weeks. She didn¡¯t want to fall and hurt herself and see him drooling watching her part her legs then swiftly wrapped them around the pole as she descend provocatively.


    ¡°Fuck,¡±


    Cassidy smiled when she heard him curse and saw him shift in his seat. She watched as the heel of his hand rubbed over his evident erection. She had seen this many times with men as she danced for them in the private booth, but she had never felt the strange kind of flutter on the inside. As if his lusty gaze made her happy, made her feel truly wanted for the person that she was and not just the exotic dancer who was performing in front of him.


    Wanting more, Cassidy abandoned the pole and strutted towards the hot silver fox sitting with his legs parted. She stood between his legs and seductively moved his legs wider while she lower herself down giving him the front seat view of her cleavage. The kiss was sweet and slowly got deeper when Rowan moved back giving space for her to straddle him.


    He groaned when her fingers loosen his tie and threw it to join his suit jacket. Cassidy¡¯s mind was swimming with desire, every movees naturally to her as she sits on hisp and wrapped her hands on his shoulder. She shuddered when his hands caresses her back and expertly unsped her bra.


    She was nervous, she knew where this was going and she didn¡¯t want to tell him thinking he might stop because she didn¡¯t want to. She wanted him, for the first time in her adult life she wanted to be with a man, a man who she fantasized about growing up.


    Cassidy moaned when his hands gripped her waist and directed to grind his hard dick. She could feel herself getting wet, her moans got louder when he supported her back to lick and sucked on her nipples, slowly giving attention to each one.


    ¡°Rowan,¡± she whispered his name in pure lust, her hands were quick to unbutton his shirt and fanned her hands once the skin of his chest was visible. She had never felt chest hair before but she knew she was going to be addicted to his when her fingers ran through them and the man groaned as if her touch fueled him with more desire.


    The moment he shifted and pulled out his wallet for a condom that was when reality hit her. She bit her lip and he stopped when he realized her hesitation.


    ¡°Cassie?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    Cassidy didn¡¯t want to say anything, she wanted to go forward and experience it with Rowan but she was scared. She felt stupid for feeling it because women younger than her had sex and they enjoy it. She shouldn¡¯t be nervous, but the more she thinks about it the more nervous she gets. What if she was bad at it, what if Rowan didn¡¯t want her again afterward?


    ¡°I¡¯ve never done this¡­ sex, I mean¡­¡± she decided to tell him, because in her defense she could honestly say it was her first time should she sucks at sex.


    ¡°You¡¯re a virgin?¡± he asked looking straight into her eyes, his gaze was half confused and half amazed.


    ¡°Um yes,¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re dancing naked and you¡¯re a virgin?¡± he asked making sure once again, and that made the lust fades inside her. She pouted and he finallyugh and it confused her even more.


    ¡°Come on we¡¯re not doing it here, your first time should be in a bed.¡± He got up, kissed her forehead, and took her hand in his.


    He took her a couple of doors down into what looked like a master bedroom, his master bedroom. The walls were soft beige with warm-colored furniture of different shades of brown. He sat on the edge of the bed after taking off his shoes and join her barefoot in the room.


    ¡°I should not want you this bad, you¡¯re so irresistible, so beautiful,¡± he said tucking the strands of hair to the back of her ear. Cassidy let out a raspy moan when his lips travel lower and start giving her love bites strong enough to make her shudder but not too strong that it¡¯ll leave a mark.


    ¡°Rowan,¡±


    ¡°Lay back on the bed,¡± he urged as he gets naked and Cassidy watched with tant interest.


    Things escted quickly from there, and she weed every kiss and every lick, but when he reached between her legs she yelped and instinctively tried to close her legs.


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve never been kissed there,¡±


    Rowan raised his eyebrow in great interest, he smirked before telling her to spread wider and let him suck her off. His non-filtered words somehow made her blush deeper but she parted her thighs and let his tongue stroke her insides making her let out sounds that were foreign to her ears.


    Rowan¡¯s hands hold her thighs harder when he felt that she was on the verge of her climax. Honestly, he had never felt the need to work hard for his sexual partner, it was all about the release but with Cassie, he knew that he wanted her to feel the experience. He wanted her to want more, to crave and be addicted to hispany.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    With her climax on the tip of his tongue, he sucked harder when she screams out his name as she reached her high. He sucked and licked her onest time before he trail his kisses upward and ask her if she was sure.


    He did want her to give her virginity to him, but he didn¡¯t want her to regret it when things didn¡¯t work out between them. But just the thought of it made him growled, he wanted her, he wanted her so bad that he was going to make it work.


    ¡°Yes, please, I want you, I want this.¡±


    Her plea was what it took for him to reach for the condom and sheathed himself as she watched. He was not small and he didn¡¯t want to hurt her, he had never been with a virgin before. It was not just her that was giving her first, she was also giving him his first experience with a virgin.


    ¡°Tell me when it¡¯s too much, we¡¯ll go slow.¡± He lowered himself down and kissed her plumped lips, his dick was grinding her and she was moaning in no time. It took every bit of self-control when all he wanted was to slip inside and thrust hard and fast.


    ¡°More¡­ please,¡±


    He was feeling the barrier, and her hold on his arms was getting tighter but her plea was also getting desperately needy.


    At that moment he knew that someday he¡¯d fall for her, and he knew that he¡¯d fall hard.


    ¡°Damn, baby you¡¯re so damn tight,¡± Rowan¡¯s ragged voice came out as he finally pushed through and let her insides adjust to his girth. And when she started to move under him he knew that it was time for him to take the lead.


    ¡°Rowan,¡± his name came out numerous times, she pleaded for him to go faster but the man was taking his time, making sure that she would be okay. He didn¡¯t want to hurt her.


    ¡°Rowan, please¡­¡±


    Minutester when he was sure that she was stretched for him, he hold her body and move his hips vigorously, she wrapped her legs around his waist and let him take her higher with each thrust.


    Cassidy was crazy for him, she knew that he was the one, and she also knew that he was the one that was going to break her heart one day. Though at that very moment all she wanted was her climax. And when she did she reaches another high the second Rowan growled and climaxed after her. She felt his dick pulsates inside her as he thrusts deep a couple of more time and pumped his cum into the condom.


    ¡°Thank you,¡±


    ¡°No, beautiful, thank you.¡± He said it after he was back from discarding the condom in the bathroom where he noticed a trace of blood on it. The man smiled and took the small damp towel to clean her.


    ¡°Rest, I¡¯m filling the tub, a warm bath should make you better in the morning.¡±


    She hummed and snuggled closer and he smiled in her hair and wrapped her tighter in his arms.

 50. Weekend Stay

    It was Saturday morning when Rowan called Kaitlyn telling her that he won¡¯t be attending the monthly meeting for the corporate strategy team. He had never canceled his attendance, the fact made Kaitlyn pause for a couple of seconds before she asked him, ¡°Are you sick? do I need to go there and bring you some soup?¡±


    Rowanughed and told her that he was fine. ¡°No. I havepany, I¡¯ll see you Monday.¡±


    ¡°Uh, wait, the young woman from the restaurant?¡±


    ¡°Kaitlyn¡­¡± he didn¡¯t want to discuss Cassidy with his PA because she was not one of his conquests. He had never felt so strongly towards a woman, Cassie means more to him and he wanted to shield her from Kaitlyn¡¯s gossipy tendencies.


    ¡°Okay, okay. So, I¡¯ll see you Monday, submit the minutes meeting and let the guys know that you won¡¯t being this morning. Or will you at least do a video conference? Do you have an important issue that you want Connor to discuss with the team? I¡¯m sure that the guy would ask questions, I think he might be intimidated by you not being there.¡±


    Rowanughed telling his PA that the guy was always paranoid. ¡°I think he still couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that not everyone ising to get him. He should rx, and start doing his work. I¡¯ll personally call him and give him some pep talk.¡±


    ¡°Aw¡­ Boss, you¡¯re the greatest.¡± Kaitlyn cooed annoyingly making Rowanugh. They talk some more before he ended the call minutester, then he continued to call Connor and talk to him about the meeting and what Rowan wanted the guy to do, how he wanted Connor to lead the team for the meeting.


    Rowan went back to busy himself by the kitchen counter after the calls. He took his ck coffee and decided to fix a cup for Cassie.


    The sun was shining on her back when Cassidy wriggled in the fresh sheets. She couldn¡¯t believe that Rowan took great care of her. She felt like a princess in his arms, and she felt disappointed when she woke up alone in his bed.


    ¡°Hey, you¡¯re up.¡±


    Cassidy flushed when his eyes roamed her naked front, her hands grabbed the sheets instinctively trying to cover herself which only make him let out his sexy chuckle.


    ¡°I already saw everything, and you¡¯re beautiful. Don¡¯t cover your beautiful figure from me.¡± He shook his head, smiling thinking that the woman who stripped naked for strangers can act like a true virgin after their first sleepover.


    But the thought of her stripping made the anger inside of him bubble, his skin shimmering with annoyance.


    ¡°Thank you,¡±


    Her words snapped him out of his early brooding state when she took the fresh cup of coffee from his hand.


    ¡°Um yeah, so, what are your ns for today?¡± Rowan move to sit on his side of the bed, he was in his pajama pants and white undershirt. He smirked thinking about the stark difference between his fully clothed body to the naked young woman by his side.


    ¡°Do my homework,¡± she shrugged, her posture showed that she was not at all wanting to go through what she had nned for today.


    ¡°Have you thought of another major you¡¯d like to switch to?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t, I was just trying to get through the week. One day after another. After mom and dad were gone things seemed more meaningless¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± Cassidy felt it months back when the subjects were getting too much for her when her brothers were acting up at school when she found out that theirwyer was not doing his work properly.


    ¡°I¡¯m just trying to be there for my brothers, and I¡¯m tired, sometimes. Even too tired to think of a whole other major and start fresh,¡±


    Rowan didn¡¯t like thinking that Cassidy was going through this alone. But he likes it when Cassidy put her cup down and scooted closer to where he was sitting. He finished his coffee and put his cup aside.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we have a rxing morning then? I¡¯ll apany you with your homeworkter in the afternoon after a nice lunch, while I catch up on my work.¡±


    After his ex-wife Rowan carefully distanced himself from women, he didn¡¯t do sleepovers until Cassie. He didn¡¯t do the morning after, but everything feels right with her.


    ¡°And how do people have this rxing morning?¡± Cassie was being cheeky, she still couldn¡¯t believe she lost her virginity to the man she got the hots for forever. She was happy, she wanted the feeling tost, she was even prepared to cram her homework until thest minute just to spend more time with Rowan


    ¡°By ordering dinner for breakfast and eating them while bingeing on zombie apocalypse series. Tell me, what¡¯s your favorite dinner meals, pizza, seafood, steaks?¡±


    ¡°Seafood? for breakfast?¡± Cassie couldn¡¯t help herself tough but grinned widely wanting to be adventurous and silly at the same time. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s have a big seafood tter, get some scallops and ms and get messy while watching zombies eating people. We¡¯ll see how you cope. I hope you¡¯re not squeamish.¡±


    ¡°Challenge epted, I¡¯ll order breakfast.¡± Rowan got up to get a fresh t-shirt and boxers from his drawers. ¡± Here, you can wear this while I put your clothes in the washer and dryer, you can use the bathroom, there¡¯s a new toothbrush by the sink.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Cassie took his t-shirt and boxers and waited for Rowan to get out of the bedroom before she slipped into the adjoining bathroom.


    Cassidy took care of her morning dder, wash her face, and continued to brush her teeth. Then she watched her reflection and smiled, she looked happy, and even her bed hair made her appear sexier.


    She adjusted Rowan¡¯s boxers and rolled them up just to make them fit better. His t-shirt was still too big for her but she liked it, she never did wear a man¡¯s t-shirt. She watched movies about girls wearing their boyfriend¡¯s stuff and she bit her smile looking at the mirror all dolled up in Rowan¡¯s clothes.


    Her gaze was wandering when she bumped into Rowan on her way to the living room.


    ¡°Hey,¡±


    ¡°Fuck! don¡¯t do that!¡± Cassidy yelped when Rowan was suddenly in front of her. Well, he actually walked to her front but Cassidy was too busy looking out the windows when he startled her.


    ¡°Like what you see outside?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t see the pool yesterday.¡± Cassidy liked pools, she enjoys sunbathing and reading by the pool. She had to let that go when her family home was rented out, she never did like to go to public pools. Maybe people would think of her as a snob, but she enjoyed her privacy. She also misses having the privilege to sleep thete afternoon away and having quiet nights by the pool.


    ¡°Come on, I¡¯ll give you a tour while we wait for our seafood breakfast.¡±Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°There are seafood restaurants open in the mornings? wow, people do eat seafood for breakfast.¡± She shook her head and Rowan let out his deep sexyughter which made her inside hummed with needs. Cassidy couldn¡¯t believe she was wanting him again afterst night, she thought she¡¯d be sated but the craving was still there.


    Rowan put his hand on her waist as he made her inched closer and kissed her temple softly. Adored, this was what she always imagined being with an older man. College guys don¡¯t do gentle affection, or at least that¡¯s what she thought since she never dated one.


    ¡°This is nice, I like it.¡± Cassidy more than likes the almost Olympic-size swimming pool. The lounger looked inviting and Rowan noticed her longing when he decided to take her hand and invite her to sit in one of the sunken pool loungers.


    ¡°I wish I bring my swimsuit.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll go out and buy one after lunch, your clothes should be done by then. We can do our work here,¡± Rowan pointed at the outdoor dining table and sofas by the wallplete with side tables.


    ¡°I really need to get back to my ce.¡± She hesitated with his n.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you back, get your stuff and you can stay another night here. I¡¯ll take you to school on Monday.¡± He blurted out his words without thinking, Rowan was baffled by himself. He didn¡¯t know where he had the mind to invite her for another sleepover, though he found himself anxiously waiting for her answer.


    Twenty years of age difference, he practically watched her grow up. He shouldn¡¯t, but he wanted her. Rowan knew his big sisters were going to lecture him when they find out.

 51. Getting Intimate

    Cassidy never thought she¡¯d enjoy studying, but turns out she did when herpanion was Rowan. It was weird but the way he kept quiet while working on his MacBook made it easy for Cassidy to focus on her subject. Or maybe it was because of the rxing morning they spent watching people running away from zombies while sharing a seafood tter as their breakfast meal. Rowan even praised her perfect mix of ice lemon tea to go with their meal, telling her it had the perfect bnce of sweet and sour.


    ¡°I need another coffee, you want anything?¡± Rowan asked looking like he needed a break from hisptop.


    ¡°Just water, I¡¯m thinking of having a swim break after this.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, fuck it, I¡¯ll join you. Maybe a quick swim will clear my mind.¡±


    They didn¡¯t go shopping for a swimsuit, but they did go back to Cassie¡¯s apartment and grabbed her books, clothes, and swimsuits, yep she snatched her one piece and a pair of sexy bikinis for daytime wear, perfect for study break she thought earlier.


    Cassidy grinned at Rowan and typed her assignment faster, she was almost done, just a couple of summaries left then she could take a break before continuing to another subject. She didn¡¯t think she¡¯dplete the work this fast, yet she amazes herself when she did. This was the first time Cassidy had been pumped in doing her work, and somehow when she squinted and worked her brain harder she made it, she understood and easily finishes her work before it was even dark.


    The weather was nice and cool when Cassie got changed into her baby blue bikinis. The pale color fit perfectly with her mood. She was calm and feeling better now that she was one assignment away for Monday. It was an easier one, she felt smug when she thought that she can do it in under an hour.


    But her thoughts vanished the moment she saw how hot Rowan was in nothing but ck swim shorts. The expensive kind ones, probably Versace looking at the Baro prints on it. She was used to seeing longer boardshorts on guys, but this was shorter than Rowan¡¯s mid-thighs and the thing was snug. They clung to his ass perfectly, entuating his abs and dark hair trailing down to his happy trails.


    Cassidy had to force her eyes away from his shorts, though it was hard since he smirked knowing that she was practically salivating, watching the man oozing with confidence in only his swim shorts.


    ¡°Like what you see?¡±


    ¡°Um yeah, nice shorts,¡± she blushed but took the bottled water he offered. She moved her towel to her shoulder to hold her bottled water while her other hand was holding her lotion and phone just in case there was another call from her brothers¡¯ school.


    ¡°So, though time at work?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, got one of my best guys stolen by apetitor, well not exactly stolen he moved for more enticing offers, better bonus and such.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± she hummed and took her seat on the sunken pool lounger. Cassidy kept quiet while putting on her lotion not wanting her pale skin to get sunburned.


    ¡°Sorry to nag you, this was supposed to be your break time from your study.¡±


    Cassidy shrugged, gulping her water before she continued putting on her lotion. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I used to overhear dad talk shop with mom. Sometimes he just needed to vent you know?¡±


    It was true, Rowan knew about this. His mentor, Cassie¡¯s dad used to tell him about histe-night talk with his wife. It was one of Orson¡¯s advice he gave years ago, the one that also convinced him to find a wife and get married. It was supposed to be good to have someone in your corner rather than keeping the thought bottling down in his mind. But obviously not with his ex.


    ¡°Yeah, your dad was a great man, your mom too. You must¡¯ve missed them a lot?¡± Rowan asked while his eyes roamed greedily at Cassie who was making her skin all glowing and creamy from the lotion. He shook his dirty thoughts away while he tries to connect with her.


    ¡°I do, sometimes, nowadays I get easily distracted by other stuff.¡± She took another gulp of her water before she dived perfectly into the pool. ¡°Come on, the water is perfect.¡± She waved Rowan into the pool and he didn¡¯t hesitate when he jumped in and swim to her side. They did a couple ofps before she rests on the pool steps.


    ¡°This house is big, don¡¯t you get lonely?¡± She asked abruptly when Rowan reaches her side.


    ¡°No, I liked it. I used to think it was too big before I got married, then my ex held parties, and sometimes it gets too much. But then after the divorce, it became peaceful.¡±


    ¡°Heather was it?¡± Cassidy asked as her name carved deep into her memory of when she used to be jealous of her perfect model-like figure. They looked so perfect together when mom introduced the said ex years ago at one of the gs.


    ¡°Yeah, she was terrifying. I¡¯m just d it¡¯s over.¡± The man shuddered visibly making herugh.


    ¡°Seriously you¡¯re a man, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re scared of your ex.¡±


    ¡°Hey, she¡¯s one scary witch. Just make sure you avoid her in the future, you¡¯re better off without the evil queen. Trust me.¡±


    Sheughed off his hatred towards his ex and yfully pped his chest. But then she stilled when he held her hand over his heart, pressing her palm onto the space of skin that houses the heart.


    Cassidy was trying to keep it cool, she was feeling a lot of stuff toward the man, but she didn¡¯t want to fall like a fool. She knew herself, she was not stupid to think that he was going to fall for her too. Too? yep, she was¡­ already falling for him, inching closer to the edge every damn day just waiting for the free fall. Still trying to convince herself not to fall for the man, and that she was just a rebound affair after his ex.


    Rowan put his hand on her waist, he liked her eagerness and pliant lips when he pressed his together with hers. Seeing her in the bikinis was a great temptation, to begin with, then when she puts lotion on and it was like she was teasing him on another level. He already adjusted himself a couple of times in between the rxing swim.


    When Cassie straddled him he wanted more, he pulled down her bra and started licking and sucking on her nipples, showing them what his talented mouth can do. He groaned when her hands wrapped him, keeping him closer to her, and then she started moving her hips, sensually grinding him.


    ¡°Cass, don¡¯t, you¡¯re still sore.¡± He was actually not sure,st night he made sure he was not too rough with her. Rowan took his time ensuring that she was enjoying her first experience.


    ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± she pulled back looking embarrassed that she was pushing for sex.


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t,¡± he interrupted and put his hand on her neck, wrapping it possessively and keeping her still as he deepened his kiss and moved her back to the sunken lounger.


    Her little bikinis were easily stripped off and she let out a yful scream when he parted her legs and started eating her like he had been starving for weeks. Her back rested on the back of the lounger, her thighs were on his shoulder and his hands hold her waist as he indulged in her most private part.


    ¡°Fuck, Cass, you¡¯re so fucking delicious,¡± he groaned like she truly was and tten his tongue expertly and licked her hard. Over and over again, then abruptly switched to dipping his tongue deep and started sucking her as if his life depends on it.


    ¡°Rowan, oh god¡­ oh god¡­ so good¡­ so damn good,¡± she was too horny when she wrapped her legs tighter around his back and shamelessly pull him closer as if it was even possible.


    ¡°Look at me,¡± Rowan pulled back when she closes her eyes looking like she was about to climax.


    ¡°Oh damn, damn¡­ damn¡­ I¡¯m going to¡­¡± she opened her eyes and looked at him. His muscled back strained under her legs and his strong hands draped over her waists keeping her still as the handsome man¡¯s face was between her legs. His lips were glistening from her arousal the second he pulled back to see her. His sexy smirk just made her insides clenched to nothingness and she hated it, she wanted him, she wanted him inside her.


    Desperately.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.

 52. Family

    ¡°Let¡¯s get cleaned up,¡± Rowan helped her out of the pool and ended their sexy time. He knew exactly that he was teasing her when she whined as she didn¡¯t get to climax. But Cassidy let him take her hand and led her to the outdoor shower by the pool house.


    Rowan stopped her annoyed thought as they started kissing again under the shower. The man grunted when her hands slipped under his shorts and feel his naked ass. Cassidy was too horny to care, she wanted to feel him naked against herself when she pulled his shorts down and feel his thick cock on her hand.


    ¡°Fuck, Cassie, baby, slow down,¡± he pushed her back to the wall and kneel wanting to prolong their y, wanted to taste her sweet arousal, and made her climax with his mouthtched between her legs.


    He could feel her legs trembling from the need to let go. He took it further when he turned off the shower, put her thighs on his shoulder, and slowly stood up while her back was still t on the shower wall.


    ¡°Rowan, oh, fuck¡­¡± her desire melted away when she saw the confidence in his eyes. It was too goddamn sexy when he held her firm on his shoulder and started having her as if he knew that she wanted him so fucking badly.


    What Cassie didn¡¯t expect was for him to make her climax a couple of feet above the ground. He embraced her once her feet touched the floor and she was in his arms enjoying the touchy-feely. But not for long, not when he carried her inside after wrapping her in himself with their towels.


    ¡°We should probably take a proper shower but then we will only get messy again,¡± he throw her onto his bed, revealing her naked body when he tugged off her towel. Cassie bit her lip then bravely did the same to Rowan¡¯s as he gave her a sexy smirk, and continued by pushing her up to the headboard.


    The sex was too good, they were both chasing their lusts, bodies pressed tight against each other¡¯s, lipstched, tongues tied and moans filled the room.


    Orgasms hit them both simultaneously after many thrustster, then Rowan whispered sweet words that Cassie was too rxed to even hear what he was saying.


    Every day she thought if only she could be this rxed with Rowan every day she¡¯d surely finish her assignments faster and graduate on time.


    They had just finished dressing up, getting ready to go out for coffee before continuing with herst assignment when Cassie¡¯s phone buzzed. She hurriedly reached for it and went to the living room for privacy.


    Privacy which Rowan was curious about and he went and followed her pretending to search for his car keys and taking his sweet time with it while listening in on her phone conversation.


    ¡°¡­ understood. No, no¡­ there won¡¯t be any problem. Yes, I can do that, I¡¯ll go right now.¡± She hang up and stared at the windows before she look at Rowan.


    ¡°So¡­ um, raincheck on that coffee. I need to go to my brothers.¡±


    ¡°Come on, I¡¯ll give you a ride.¡± Rowan didn¡¯t ask, he just offered.


    ¡°No, you don¡¯t have to.¡± Cassidy was already grabbing her bag, herptop, and her books. She was ready to end her sexy weekend and get back to reality.


    ¡°Cassie,e on¡­ so, who¡¯s in trouble? Dillon or Edmond?¡±


    ¡°You remembered?¡±


    ¡°Of course, here¡­ let me,¡± Rowan grabbed his keys and took her bag, and carry it for her straight to his car. He asked her for the address of the school and put it on their destination map.


    ¡°So what happened?¡±


    ¡°Edmond told me days ago that Dillon was caught kissing a boy so I should get ready for a call. Well, that was the call. I didn¡¯t get the notion that the school was bothered by them being gay or exploring their sexuality or else they would call me sooner. I think this was about boundaries, still not sure, I guess I¡¯ll find outter.¡± The singr use of the indication that Rowan was not going to be included in the meeting somehow didn¡¯t sit well with him.


    He knew that it was a bit too much, too soon. But Rowan simply didn¡¯t want Cassie to deal with the situation alone. Rowan didn¡¯t say anything until they arrived at the school parking lot.


    ¡°Thank you for taking me, I¡¯ll¡­¡± Rowan turned off the car and get out of the driver¡¯s seat after telling Cassie to leave her stuff in the car. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°What does it look like? I¡¯ming with you.¡±


    ¡°Uh, no you¡¯re not.¡± Cassie was about to grab her stuff when Rowan pushed the passenger¡¯s door closed.


    ¡°Yes. Yes, I am, do you want me to find Dillon¡¯s dormitory attendant alone?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not in a capacity to do so. I¡¯m his family, his sister.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a close family friend, I¡¯m sure Dillon still recognizes me.¡± He shrugged and was ready to walk into the school with full-on confidence.


    Cassidy cursed lowly and grunted knowing that Dillon and Edmond actually liked Rowan when they were kids. Though now that they¡¯re older she was not sure, she was worried what her brothers might think when they saw her with Rowan.


    What would she say? her mind kept on wandering as she led him towards the hallways until they reach the administrative office and the attendant, Mr. Whitlock, greeted her and Rowan before she even had the chance to knock on his door.


    ¡°Ms. Rhodes, thank you for meeting me.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Whitlock, thank you for calling. This is Rowan Madden, a family friend.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Madden, thank you foring.¡± Whitlock rxed further when Rowan started his small talk about the school and asked questions as if he was actually interested in the school¡¯s educational system.


    Cassidy and Rowan entered Whitlock¡¯s office and started discussing Dillon and Edmond. About how Dillon was caught kissing another student in the basement, which was off-limits for students. ¡°I get that they¡¯re teenage boys and hormones y a part, but we wanted them to focus on their studies here. And I¡¯m really d that you¡¯re here Mr. Madden, I think the boys can use some male guidance.¡±


    Cassidy sighed and rest back in her seat feeling like a failure already like she had failed her parents in looking after her brothers. ¡°Can I see the boys? will they being home with us?¡± she asked wanting to get everything over with.


    ¡°Um, actually we don¡¯t have anything scheduled for this weekend. I can give them a weekend pass if it means that you will talk to them.¡± Whitlock smiled politely, but his expression didn¡¯t hide the big relief, imagining that the boys would stop acting up once Rowan talk to them.


    ¡°Thank you. We¡¯ll get them back here by Monday morning. or does it have to be Sunday evening?¡± Rowan got up and politely waited for Cassidy as they followed Whitlock to the boys¡¯ room.


    ¡°Monday morning would be fine if you can get them half an hour before school starts.¡±


    ¡°I will make sure of that.¡± Rowan shook his hand when they reach the twins¡¯ room.


    ¡°Cassie!¡± Edmond greeted her with a hug, while Dillon stayed back and looked guilty for causing trouble. But in seconds he came to her and hugged her, then the twins got quiet when they saw Rowan entering their room after he finished talking to Whitlock.


    ¡°Mr. Madden?¡± Edmond tilted his head in confusion.


    ¡°Edmond, Dillon. I was with Cassidy when Mr. Whitlock called.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Dillon was the first to step forward and demanded an exnation.


    ¡°Okay! So, let¡¯s get you boys home and we can talk there.¡± Cassidy sped her hands, trying to get their attention off Rowan and minimize their questioning.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Cassidy verbally groaned when Rowan decided to interrupt and exined. ¡°I¡¯m dating your sister.¡±


    Cassidy stared at Rowan, she couldn¡¯t believe his words. He shouldn¡¯t be saying that his her boyfriend when all they did was fucking. It was all too soon.


    ¡°Wait, what? But you¡¯re¡­ you¡¯re dad¡¯s friend.¡± Edmond stated the obvious which made Cassidy blush.


    ¡°I was, still consider myself as a family friend, and Cassidy is an adult.¡± He stated firmly.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°But¡­ you¡¯re old.¡± Dillon rolled his eyes and rested his back on the wall behind him, crossing his arms, making him look more deviant.


    ¡°I¡¯m forty-one, yes¡­ I¡¯m older than Cassie, but I like her and she likes me. I think that¡¯s all you boys should know for now. It¡¯s still new.¡± Rowan exined in a clipped voice. His maturity did make the boys slow down with their interrogation. ¡°Come on, get your bags, we should leave now and get ate lunch before we go back.¡±


    The twins gave Cassidy their questioning gaze, but she was too tired to care. And she leaned back to Rowan when he pulled her closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Cassie felt better knowing that someone was there and help share the heaviness of her problem though only by putting an arm around her shoulder.

 53. Older Boyfriend

    ¡°You¡¯re married,¡± Dillon¡¯s voice broke the silence after a long awkward quietness in the car.


    ¡°Divorce, no kids, been over six months. Cassidy and I just started seeing each other less than a month.¡± Rowan answered easily while Cassie rolled her eyes when he backtracked their meet at Babes. Rowan chuckled when he saw her expression and tantly took her hand to his lips and kissed it.


    ¡°Eww, PDA much?¡± Edmond fake gagged and was suddenly busy with his phone, which made Cassidy smile, and then silence surrounded the car once again.


    ¡°So, how¡¯s school?¡± She asked after minutes passed, trying to switch the conversation from her thing with Rowan.


    ¡°Good, finals will be in a couple of weeks. I¡¯m still in the chess club, and Dillon is swimming his heart away in the swim team.¡± Edmond snickered and then told us that his smooch buddy was the captain of the swim team. The teasing tone was given with brotherly love and Cassidy was d that Edmond had no issue about Dillon¡¯s attraction to boys.


    ¡°So this captain, does he has a name?¡± Cassie asked peering into Dillon¡¯s eyes through the rearview mirror.


    ¡°Jett, and he¡¯s not my boyfriend. We¡¯re just hooking up.¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯re gay? bi?¡± Cassie asked lightly, trying to dig into his mind but not wanting to probe him too much.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m young, maybe gay, we¡¯ll see. Still notfortable withbels.¡± He shrugged then back to tapping on his phone again.


    ¡°So you¡¯ve been told that the basement is off limits for students.¡± She made sure he knew that she had discussed his situation with Mr. Whitlock.


    ¡°Yep,¡± he cut her next words then Cassie directed the conversation, asking about Edmond¡¯s chess club thinking she¡¯d discuss the issueter when they arrive at the house.


    They stopped and had ate lunch at the small and trendy Italian ce where they enjoyed pizza and sodas. Cassidy watched as Dillon took a couple of pictures of his pizza and then started smiling at his phone. The smile, Cassidy hadn¡¯t seen that in a while. It made her look at Edmond, he nodded and mouthed boyfriend at his sister giving her a wink with an all-knowing expression for his twin.


    Rowan noticed the silentmunication and he let the siblings be and continue to enjoy his pizza. They all kept the discussion nice and simple, avoiding sensitive topics like the gue thinking they¡¯ll talk it out at home.


    But home was the ce they didn¡¯t go to when Rowan passed her street.


    ¡°Rowan?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the weekend, and my ce is bigger.¡± He dropped the bomb just like that and she gasped, Cassidy couldn¡¯t believe that he was making a decision for them already.


    He must¡¯ve sensed the tension when he put his hand on hers and his thumb easily rubbed circles between her knuckles. The sensation was confusing enough that Cassidy pulled her hand away not wanting to let a moan slip from a simple hand rub.


    ¡°So, do you boys remember my ce? I think you¡¯ve been there a couple of years back.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I remembered, your wife was there.¡± Dillon¡¯s eyes met Cassidy¡¯s, silently asking her what she was doing with the older guy. But she stayed quiet and this time it was her turn to y with her phone.


    ¡°Ex-wife.¡± Rowan reminded him.


    The awkwardness stayed until they reached his ce and Rowan helped Cassidy with her bag.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re staying with him?¡± Dillon was pushing it with his questions and Rowan stopped to look at him when they were all inside the house and Edmond was peeking at his collection of books in the living room.


    ¡°She will stay in the guest bedroom.¡± Rowan didn¡¯t like the sleeping arrangement but he didn¡¯t want to parade their sexual adventure in front of her little brothers.


    ¡°Just like she didst night? I see her stuff was packed already.¡± Dillon guessed correctly, though neither Rowan nor Cassidy confirmed it. The older twin was being a pain in the ass with his questions and Rowan was starting to get annoyed.


    ¡°Do you really want the answer to that?¡± Rowan challenged him. Dillon just shrugged while Edmond looked at Cassie and Rowan like he was waiting for either of them to give them the truth.


    ¡°Your rooms are down the hall, you can put your bags there. And before I put your sisters¡¯ bag in the other guest room, are there any more questions for me?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re twenty years older than Cassie. Is this one of those midlife crisis things? Why can¡¯t you just buy one of those shy Cadics?¡± Edmond finally popped the big question and suddenly Dillon was to his side as if he too was curious about how Rowan would answer him.


    ¡°I¡¯m old enough to know that I want your sister. She¡¯s a smart, beautiful woman. She will not be a ything. I will treat her with respect. But yes, I am a man who knows what he wants.¡±


    Cassidy couldn¡¯t blush a deeper shade of pink which made Rowan¡¯s hands itch to touch her but refrain to do so.


    ¡°Oh God, okay¡­ okay, we got it,e on Edmond stop asking, the mental image of them together is already hurting my brain,¡± Dillon grumbled and Edmond finally backed off, Cassidy was still biting her lip thinking how did the day was turning messier by the hour.


    But boys being boys their attention span was easily distracted the moment their eyes caught the backyard view.


    ¡°Woah¡­ look at the pool, dude you should¡¯ve brought your swim shorts,¡± Edmond said to his twin as he peered out to the Olympic size pool in the backyard.


    ¡°There are some swim shorts in the pool house if you boys want to take a dip, the weather is nice. There should be some sodas and snacks there too.¡± Rowan uttered to the twins, his hand circling around Cassidy¡¯s waist then he nted a kiss to her temple casually as if he¡¯d done it thousand times before in front of the brothers.


    Whatever issues the twins had earlier with Rowan seemed to be forgotten when the boys ran outside to the pool house forgetting their bags and then within minutes cannonballing into the pool.


    ¡°Do you want to join them?¡±


    ¡°Maybeter, let them y. They missed their pool at the house, the school pretty much takes the fun out of ying in the pool Edmond once told me. Thank you for this.¡± Cassie turned to face Rowan, and slithered her arms around his torso, pressing hers onto his. She was feeling the warmth and smile when he rubbed her spine and his other hand caressed her lower back with such tenderness.


    She didn¡¯t think she¡¯d feel it but his closeness and easiness towards the twins was making her feel lighter and it seemed like the burden she had earlier was gone.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you put your bag in the upstairs guest room while I locked your yroom? I don¡¯t want them to wander around and find the pole.¡±


    ¡°Upstairs guest room huh?¡± she teased but grab her bag anyway then follow him to the only bedroom located across the master bedroom.


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re going to sneak into my room tonight. I¡¯m not sleeping alone, not with you under my roof.¡± He tilted her head and demanded a kiss which she willingly and enthusiastically gave him.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Right, okay,¡± he cleared his throat when the kiss got too heated and got dangerously arousing. ¡°We should continue thister. I¡¯ll join you in an hour or so. I need to do some adulting, office stuff.¡± He peeked at his wristwatch and knew that he needs to check on his business emails from his overseas clients before focusing on spending the rest of the day with Cassidy and her brothers.


    Rowan also thought that an hour would be enough time for Cassie and her brothers to discuss their school situation and the new rtionship thing between her and Rowan. Because honestly, he was telling the truth when he said that he wanted her.


    It had been too long since he feels the kind of attraction towards women. Thinking back, he wondered if anyone had ever made him want them as badly as Cassidy.

 54. Heart to Heart

    Cassidy decided to change into her one-piece swimsuit and join her brothers in the pool, she thought might as well have the talk while Rowan was busy with his work.


    ¡°Cassie!¡± Edmond yelled out and told her to jump into the pool and so she did, cannonballing just like she¡¯d done when they would y in their pool. Theyughed, even Dillon ssh her and yfully drown her just like he would when they were younger. It had been too long she thought. Her mind was remembering the days when everything was easy when their parents were still around when the burden wasn¡¯t hers alone to bear.


    They yed and sshed around,ughing till their eyes were teary and they all got too tired. Cassidy decided to rest by the poolside, her brothers joining her and they finally had the talk.


    ¡°So, you and dad¡¯s friend? I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen you date a guy before.¡± Edmond asked when Dillon hurriedly grabbed three cans of soda and then took his seat next to his twin.


    ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s going on there? there are more than seven billion people in the world and you decided to date him?¡± Dillon continued with more probing questions.


    ¡°Rowan and I¡­ we¡¯re just starting. I don¡¯t know, but he¡¯s nice and I still need to study and he doesn¡¯t really take up my time.¡±


    ¡°Huh? what kind of excuse is that?¡± Dillon peered after taking a big gulp of his drink.


    ¡°Hmm, I don¡¯t know what¡¯s your excuse with Jett?¡± Cassidy challenged him.


    ¡°I told you we¡¯re just hooking up.¡± He mumbled, his eyes wandering anywhere else aside from his sister¡¯s.


    ¡°Right, my teenage brother is hooking up. God, Dillon are you even being safe?¡±


    The moment she asked, that was when she remembered she was not. They didn¡¯t use a condom during theirst sexual intercourse. She gets that she was new to sex, but she didn¡¯t expect that she¡¯d be that stupid.


    ¡°Hold that thought, I need to pee.¡± Cassidy lied then quickly got up and wrapped herself with her fluffy towel.


    Dillon looked relieved, while Edmond watches her with a raised eyebrow as if he knew that she was lying. Fuck it she thought, but she was walking away from the pool and went into the house looking for Rowan.


    She ran and was out of breath when she found him in his home office.


    ¡°Cassie, is something wrong?¡± he got up from his chair and crossed the room when he saw her, thinking something had happened outside.


    ¡°Yeah, we¡­ we didn¡¯t use a condom on ourst¡­ you know. And¡­ uh, damn it,¡± she cursed when panic started to get to her. In her mind she was counting her days, she just had her periodst week so she shouldn¡¯t be ovting just yet. She should be safe. There was a chance that she was not going to get pregnant, but¡­ ¡°fucking hell Rowan, you¡¯re the older one here, I thought¡­ I can¡¯t get pregnant, not now,¡± she shuddered, her mind was busy thinking that she was going to be one of those single moms she befriended with at the club. Cassidy remembered all the troubles of bing one, they alwaysined about money, about their kids, about not having a spouse when they were too busy working and how a kid easily shifted their life path and their goals.


    ¡°Cass¡­ Cassie¡­ Cassidy!¡± Rowan shook her shoulder and forced her to look at him. ¡°Look at me, if you are¡­ I will take care of it.¡±


    ¡°What?? Fuck no! I¡¯m not going to kill a baby.¡± Her hands were to her belly, instinctively.


    ¡°Hey, no¡­ no¡­ that was not what I¡¯m implying. I¡¯m telling you I¡¯d be responsible,¡± suddenly the thought of having a baby didn¡¯t repulse him as much as when Heather suggested it. Yes, they talk about having one or two or three, they even picked a house with more guest rooms than they needed. Rowan wasn¡¯t ready tomit to the baby idea, he went back and forth with his decision for the longest time until he found out about Heather¡¯s affairs.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    Rowan grabbed Cassidy and pulled her in for a tight hug when she started biting her nails and pacing in front of him. ¡°I won¡¯t kill a baby, no that¡¯s not what I¡¯m saying¡­¡± He kissed the top of her head and whispered that he¡¯d take care of both of them.


    After her first time, he just assumed that she was on the pill since she didn¡¯t stop him from going bare and he was too horny to pull out and put a condom on. But she was right, he was more experienced. He realized he was an idiot for assuming stuff, he was never that stupid. Never. But when ites to Cassidy something always made him do things that he couldn¡¯t exin. Well, maybe he was just too fucking horny for her. But that shouldn¡¯t be an excuse for him since he made sure he always put on a condom every time he was with Heather. Every time.


    ¡°I¡¯m saying, whatever happens, I¡¯ll be by your side, supporting any decision you¡¯d make.¡±


    ¡°Right, okay then¡­ so three weeks more or less we¡¯ll know by then. Um, I should get back to my brothers. I just told them that I¡¯m going in for a pee break.¡± Cassidy tried to straighten herself but he was still not letting her go, instead he cupped her face and kissed her, telling her that everything was going to be okay.


    It took Cassidy another few minutes before she managed to calm herself down and left his home office.


    Rowan took a deep breath, it was his turn to calm down moments after Cassidy left. The scare was still there, he did not expect the day to be such a mess but when he thought more about it, he wouldn¡¯t change it any other way.


    Not when he looked at the big smile stered on her face. Rowan tugged his lips when he gazed out the windows and saw Cassidy ying in the pool with her brothers, looking carefree and happier than he¡¯d ever seen before. Considering the pregnancy scare before, she was hiding her feelings beautifully.


    Rowan finished answering emails twenty minutester and he decided to go get change and join Cassidy and her brothers by the pool.


    She was the first one who saw him and when he noticed the way her eyes roamed his naked chest it made him smirk and take a perfect dive into the pool.


    ¡°Well, okay sis, I think I¡¯m definitely gay. I like boys and men now.¡± Dillon said dreamily at his sister, his eyes glued to Rowan¡¯s perfect body. Cassidy even thought she saw him drool which made her roll her eyes and Rowanugh freely.


    ¡°Thank you, I do take my time to work out.¡± He grinned, put his arm around Cassidy, and kissed her temple like he had been doing it for years. Dillon sighed audibly and Edmond sshed him, telling him that Rowan was definitely too old for him.


    ¡°I¡¯m telling Jett,¡± Edmond teased.


    ¡°Go ahead, hey Mr. Madden do you think I can get a picture with you?¡±


    ¡°Damn, dude, are you not moving fast enough?¡± His brother shook his head but quickly get out of the pool and took their picture anyway. Rowan went ahead with their little mischief and possed closer with Dillon, but keeping Cassidy by his other side, still with his arm around her.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m tagging this to your Instagram. I know your boyfriend will start asking questions.¡±


    And sure enough, less than five minutester Dillon¡¯s phone started chiming with notifications. ¡°Okay people, I¡¯m done here. See youter.¡± He was out of the pool in seconds then grinned widely making Edmondugh.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m done too, hey do you mind if I browse your book collection?¡±


    ¡°Yeah sure, I have Netflix too if you want to watch something and help yourself to snack and drinks in the kitchen. Make yourself at home, and Edmond, do call me Rowan and tell Dillon too.¡±


    Edmond got out of the pool. He watched his sister and Rowan then nodded. He was still not sure about how he felt about his older sister dating an older man, but he decided to leave the situation for now. Though Edmond was delighted to see his sister with a smile on her face, a genuine one. It had been too long, he thought.

 55. Friendly Reminder

    Monday came too soon, the boys were dropped off at their school as scheduled and Cassidy was back at her apartment almost an hourter.


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to youter.¡± He stepped closer, breathed his words inches from her ear then his lips hovering on hers before he gave her a sweet kiss, too short to be sensual but it didn¡¯t stop Cassidy from wanting more.


    She sighed, resting her back on the door after closing and locking it behind her. Cassidy spent the next hour rxing, getting her mind focused before she leaves for campus.


    The assignments were turned in, and Wren the TA greeted her warmly and asked about her weekend. He conveyed his sympathy about having to spend the weekend with her little brothers which made Cassidy shake her head andugh softly.


    ¡°Siblings¡­ this is why I¡¯m thankful that I¡¯m an only child. Come on, you shoulde to our mid-week party.¡±


    ¡°You start making things for us, seriously, midweek party?¡±


    Heughed and told her is a good way to get pumped about finishing the rest of the week. Which then only makes herugh more. Cassidy doesn¡¯t mingle much as a student, but whenever there was a party she was usually there. She liked the ambiance, she knew the students and they were usually tame. And most of all she liked the dancing part.


    So naturally, she said yes when she got invited.


    ¡°Great! I¡¯ll text you the detailster. I need to finish this up.¡± His hand tapped the stack of papers under it, Cassidy winked then leave the TA to his work.


    The rest of the day was as expected, she even smiled when she received texts from her brothers telling her that they enjoyed spending time with her yesterday though still on the fence with Rowan. Well, to that note she was also feeling the same all while her mind kept on thinking about the possibility of the changes that might happen to her life.


    It was a slim chance but she needed to talk about it with someone, she have to get it out of her system. Dee¡¯s phone call came in just as she was about to check in with her.


    ¡°You have got to be kidding me, am I that disposable to you? Is that silver fox really that good in bed that you forget about me that easily?¡±


    Cassidyughed hearing Dee¡¯s questions topped with nothing but care for the girl who brightens up her days whenever she was feeling down. ¡°Dee! I was just about to call you.¡±


    ¡°Mm¡­ hmm,¡± she hummed as if she didn¡¯t believe one bit of Cassidy¡¯s words.


    ¡°No seriously, I was about to ask you to have coffee with me. This afternoon, how about at four, are you working today?¡±


    ¡°Well, you would know that if you haven¡¯t been AWOL from the club. I mean you did quit but you didn¡¯t have to stoping. You know that right? I thought we were friends?¡±


    Cassidy told Dee that she was sorry and Dee forgave her instantly, just because she loves their friendship more. ¡°Okay for four, and no this is my day off but I promised Ro that I¡¯d have dinner with himter so you don¡¯t get to have me all night.¡±


    Cassidy giggled and told her that she wouldn¡¯t dream of it.


    When four came rolling by Dee surprised her with Bree. It felt like ages ago but she hugged her two friends from Babes with such fierceness that both Bree and Dee instantly knew there was something wrong with her.


    ¡°Okay now that we have coffee in front of us, you better start talking. Starting with where the hell have you been doing without us? wait, okay maybe I should rephrase that¡­ who have you been doing?¡± Dee was already being cheeky with Cassidy and that was why she missed her badly.


    Her campus friends were all about studying and partying harder, none touched depth with her. So much different from Bree and Dee.


    ¡°Cass?¡± Bree put her hand on Cassidy¡¯s when she saw her hesitate. Bree got worried since the med student never hesitated, she was always been a ball of fire ready to cheer their days or just be there for them. But the uncertainty seeping from her face showed them all that Cassidy was not doing fine.


    ¡°Hey, we¡¯re here for you, tell us.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I might be pregnant.¡± Her words were soft as if she was unsure about telling them. But once she did, Cassidy drinks her coffee and repeated her words.


    ¡°Okay, you need to back up a bit, we haven¡¯t even heard about how you lost your virginity and now you speed up miles ahead and tell us you might be pregnant?¡± Dee put her hand on Cassidy¡¯s shoulder and gently shook her as if she would tell her a different story if she did.


    ¡°Yeah, um¡­ I lost it, and the second time we did it, he went bare. I¡­ it was all too fast, and years of pent-up sexual energy was too much that it was making me stupid. I think my brain melted under him, God, Dee, I was so fucking stupid.¡±


    ¡°Ehm¡­¡± Dee cleared her throat, she didn¡¯t expect Cassidy to actually look like she was almost in tears. ¡°Okay, first thing first, were you ovting?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve counted the days, I don¡¯t think I¡¯m at risk, but freakier stuff had happened.¡±


    ¡°Right, you¡¯ve been spending too much time with the single moms¡¯ team,¡± Dee stated while Bree look as calm as ever and she shrugged when Dee asked her about her opinion.


    ¡°If there¡¯s one thing I learned from what happened in the past few months between me and Gage is that everything happens for a reason.¡± She rubbed Cassidy¡¯s hand trying to soothe her feelings though she know that Cassidy was the only one that was capable of doing so.


    ¡°Bree, you¡¯re not helping her here.¡± Dee interrupted after sipping hertte.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m just telling her the truth, she may or may not have gotten pregnant. But I think the big picture is¡­ after all these years, it was Rowan that you give it to. I just think it¡¯s sweet.¡± Bree said dreamily, like a woman in love. She was indeed very much in love with Gage, she was heading for her happily ever after and which made Cassidy suddenly envy her.


    The gagging sound from Dee took her back to her current situation.


    ¡°Yeah, okay, not helping, certainly not giving Cass here any solution. But hey, let me give you some tips on being sexually active.¡± She reached into her purse and pulled out a strip of condoms which made a group of men whistles from the table a few feet away across theirs.


    ¡°Dee!¡± Cassidy hurriedly pushed the condoms back in but Dee was quicker and pushed them into Cassidy¡¯s purse instead.


    ¡°Cass, you¡¯re young, beautiful, and smart. Don¡¯t let a dick cloud your mind, protect yourself and take this purse on your sexy adventures.¡±


    Breeughed and Cassidy join in until they were all teary.


    ¡°God, I couldn¡¯t believe I managed to stay away from both of you.¡±


    ¡°Me too. I was truly convinced that no man would evere between your legs, um¡­ I meant between us.¡± Theyughed it off, but then Dee gave Cassidy her warm sisterly hug and she sighed in her arms telling her that she missed all of them.


    ¡°Okay, now that we get that out of the way, tell us¡­ step by step how your silver fox wooed your virginity.¡±


    They all giggled and Cassidy felt better already, Bree was right, she needs to see it as the bigger picture. Cassidy will try, at least for the next couple of weeks. Whatever happens, she will figure it out eventually. And with her friends rooting for her, she knew she¡¯d be alright, and she¡¯d get through it just fine.


    Hopefully.

 56. The Party and The Ending

    The mid-week party was pushed back to the end of the week and Cassidy decided to go when a couple of her girlfriends from her ss offered to pick her up and go to Wren¡¯s together.


    The TA¡¯s apartment was much bigger than she thought. The party was lively and she was dodging Rowan¡¯s call as she was dancing andughing with her peers.


    Rowan and Cassidy had been in touch throughout the weekdays, he was busy with work but would call her nightly before he went to bed. And obviously, he meant to do so on the night she went to Wren¡¯s party.


    ¡°You know your phone keeps on glowing right? Come on, I¡¯ll show you to my room you can answer it there.¡± Wren offered when he saw it peeking through her jeans pocket, the TA was circling the room, being a good host for his party.


    Cassidy sighed and pouted, she didn¡¯t want to talk to her boyfriend, not yet. But in her mind, she knew he wouldn¡¯t stop calling until she picked up. At least she can get it over with and continue to enjoy the party with her friends.


    ¡°Okay, lead on,¡± she grumbled, took out her phone, and followed Wren to one of the rooms at the end of the short hallway. ¡°Thank you, Wren,¡± she said when they entered the room.


    ¡°You owe me one dance,¡± he smiled warmly, put his hand on her shoulder, and smiled before quickly slipping out of the room, eagerly getting back to his party.


    When Cassidy answered her phone, she didn¡¯t realize it was a video call until he told her to back away from her phone.


    ¡°Where are you? Why is the music so loud.¡±


    Her eyes were glued to his naked chest, and her mind went nk. Rowan was sitting, resting his back on the headboard and covered waist down by a nket.


    ¡°Cassidy¡­¡± he almost growled, when he called her name.


    ¡°Yeah, sorry, I¡¯m um¡­ at a party, Wren¡¯s,¡±


    ¡°The TA who kissed you at the restaurant? Are you in his room?¡± Rowan sounded angry and she was a bit surprised because of it.


    ¡°Yes and yes,¡± she shrugged looking around his room, ¡°he said that I can use his room, my phone had been glowing all night with notifications which apparently were all from you.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s because you didn¡¯t tell me that you¡¯re going to a party.¡± Cassidy watched his expression, the man seemed agitated but she was helpless in trying to decipher the older man. She was sure that he told her that he was busy so she didn¡¯t want to bother him and decided to go be young and enjoy the moment with her friends.


    ¡°You said you¡¯re busy with work, so here I am.¡±


    ¡°Text me the address, I¡¯m picking you up.¡±


    ¡°Um, why?¡±


    ¡°Because you¡¯re my girlfriend Cassidy. You¡¯re not going to these parties alone.¡± The man¡¯s temper was escting and Cassidy was a bit ttered by his possessiveness. No one had ever said that to her before.


    ¡°Oh okay, I¡¯ll text you. You can tell me when you¡¯re at the lobby, I¡¯lle down to you.¡± She ended the video call with a smile, her blush was nearly non-existent with the dim lighting but she felt it, warm and tingly straight up to her cheeks.


    Almost an hourter, Cassidy was dancing andughing with Wren, still waiting for Rowan¡¯s call when all of the sudden there was amotion at the door.


    ¡°Cass, yo! your dad is here.¡± One of the guys from her ss yelled out her name.


    ¡°Babe, her dad had passed away.¡± The womantched to his side pped his chest and shook her head.


    ¡°Oh, who¡¯s he? is she a sugar baby now?¡± the drunken man whispered to his girlfriend not so quietly.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Cassidy didn¡¯t have the time to react properly until he heard him.


    ¡°I¡¯m not her dad,¡± the tension of the familiar manly voice made her curse lowly. She¡¯d seen jealousy among couples enough times that she knew Rowan was not going to be civil. She was ttered but still, she didn¡¯t like to make a scene.


    ¡°Fuck, Wren, I got to go.¡± Wren who was half wasted shook his head, telling her that the best part of the song ising and she owes him one dance before she leaves.


    ¡°You promised one dance before your boyfriend pick you up.¡± He gave hiszy drunken grin and twirled her seconds before he let out his cringey dance moves, making herugh at him.


    But the moment didn¡¯tst long when Rowan was to her front, immediately cutting her dance with Wren.


    ¡°I called, but you didn¡¯t pick up your phone. Come on, you¡¯reing with me.¡± He growled in her ear, though it sounded more like a perfect purr since his voice was perfectly low and heavy. The voice that had been filling her nights for the past week since both were too busy to meet.


    Wren was about to protest, but he suddenly raised his hands in surrender when Rowan seemed like he was about to fight him for her.


    Well, Rowan looked like he was going to fight everyone, and Cassidy didn¡¯t want him to get hurt. Almost all of her college buddies were drunk already and things could get pretty messed up if she didn¡¯t go with him. So she said her goodbyes and told her girlfriends that she was going back with her boyfriend.


    Rowan heard her use the word, and it seemed to ease his tension down, but the silence was thick when they got inside his car.


    ¡°You¡¯re jealous?¡± Cassidy decided to ask and see what he had to say for himself.


    ¡°Yes,¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because you¡¯re mine.¡±


    The possessiveness does something to her insides and she poked further wanting to get to know his mind better.


    ¡°But I didn¡¯t even drink,¡±


    ¡°You dance.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a party,¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°With Wren,¡±


    ¡°I owe him a dance, I told him you were picking me up, and he asked for one dance. I can¡¯t say no, the guy helped me with my schoolwork.¡±


    ¡°He likes you.¡±


    ¡°Maybe,¡±


    ¡°Will you fuck him?¡±


    The usation had her blood boiling instantly and she didn¡¯t like it.


    ¡°What? No!¡±


    ¡°Good,¡±


    They stopped talking, the eerie silence was making the tension thicker.


    ¡°You¡¯re taking me to your ce?¡± Cassidy finally asked when she realized that he was driving them to his house.


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    A few more awkward minutes passed before she talked. ¡°Look, I¡¯m sorry that I didn¡¯t tell you about going to Wren¡¯s. I¡¯m still new to this dating thing.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Were you really mad at me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not mad, I¡¯m¡­ disappointed and upset.¡±


    More silence until they finally arrived at his house. Rowan parked the car in the garage and led her into his house, straight into the living room.


    ¡°Okay, how do fix it?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Look, Rowan, I¡¯m new. I don¡¯t know how to do this. If you¡¯re just going to get mad at me I¡¯d prefer that you take me home.¡±


    ¡°Please sit down, I¡¯ll make coffee.¡±


    Cassidy sat on the sofa and waited for him, reaching for her phone and dropping her purse from the coffee table at the same time. Her gasp made him look and he immediately took the condoms from the floor.


    ¡°Exactly what are you nning with this many condoms?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ this was¡­¡± she blushed, Cassidy shouldn¡¯t blush she was an adult old enough to have sex and use protection.


    ¡°If it¡¯s not Wren then who?¡±


    ¡°Wh¡­ what?¡± Cassidy truly didn¡¯t know what to think, was the guy really think she was going to a party and have a fuck fest?


    ¡°Let¡¯s see, you¡¯re going to a party, with condoms in your purse. I think that sums it up don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s it, I¡¯m going home. Damn you, Rowan! If I wanted them I¡¯d lost my virginity a long time ago! And for your information, I¡¯ve never wanted anyone so much until you! Yes, you! You dumb fool! And now you¡¯re using me that I was going to fuck guys at a party? Seriously?!!¡±


    ¡°Cass¡­¡±


    ¡°No, don¡¯t you fucking stop me! not now.¡± Cassidy was trembling with anger, she had never had anyone using her of being a slut, not even back when she was a stripper. ¡°I¡¯m leaving, you should think about your words. And these condoms were a gift! Dee thought I should be smart enough to have condoms in hand just in case my boyfriend forgets!¡±


    ¡°Here take these!¡± She threw the condoms to his face and grabbed her purse and started walking to the door. But Rowan was faster and he blocked her from the door.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Shit, Cassie, stop¡­ please. It¡¯s Heather. She messed me up. She¡¯d go parties and fucked strangers,¡± Rowan rambled, seeming defeated, she felt the emotion when he took her into his arms. Cassidy let him hold her, his breathing shuddered, but his hand rubbed her spine tenderly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry that I thought you¡¯d do the same. I just¡­ I care about you, okay.¡±


    Cassidy was mad, but by then she was mad at his ex. She hated how Heather had made him feel, how her affairs had scarred him emotionally without him even noticing it.


    ¡°I¡¯m not her, I didn¡¯t even drink alcohol, I was um¡­ you know, just in case. Rowan, look at me¡­¡± She moved back a step, cupping his stubbled jaw, liking the roughness and the warmth of his skin. ¡°I like you, and I care about you too.¡±


    Cassidy moved closer and kissed him, he groaned, deepening the kiss in seconds when she opened up to him and mimicked his hold on her and held him tighter.


    ¡°And you should know that my friends are calling you my sugar daddy from now on.¡± She smiled yfully, feeling perfectly content in his arm when she reached out to caress his silvery strands of hair.


    ¡°It¡¯s gics, I¡¯ve been graying since myte twenties. Good for business though, more mature and stuff.¡±


    She wrapped her hands around his shoulder and kiss him again telling him that she missed him.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s been a long week.¡± He said resting his chin on her head, not ready to let her go just yet.

 57. Pretty Woman

    Yesterday was one of the best Saturdays she had, they ended up going back to Cassidy¡¯s for her clothes, her books and herptop then spent the morning with coffee and breakfast at the little cafe at the corner of her apartment building.


    Cassidy was staying at Rowan¡¯s and spent her weekend there, they video-chatted with her brothers checking in about Dillon¡¯s situation. The familiarity of theid-back situationforted both of them as they worked side by side typing on theirptops silently focusing on their tasks at hand.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°I like this,¡± Rowan nuzzled and nted a kiss on the crook of her neck. Sheughed softly and kissed his cheek then continue typing on theptop. ¡°I like it even more if you make coffee, oh, and I¡¯m hungry, maybe we should take a break.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make coffee, you pick dinner.¡± They¡¯ve been working nonstop since after lunch he was feeling it on his back and she shook her head andughed when he actually moved and heard a cracking sound from his back.


    ¡°Fuck, I¡¯m getting old.¡± He ignored herughter and got started on the coffee machine. He made a fresh batch and pulled out his phone telling her to order dinner as he opened an app from his phone.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want me to make dinner?¡±


    ¡°Mmm¡­ no, I want to make out while we wait for dinner.¡± He nted his hand on her hips and put his lips on hers, Cassidy didn¡¯t give any resistance when she opened her lips and kissed him back. She moaned lowly and he groaned pressing her against the kitchen counter.


    ¡°Okay then, point received. Go make coffee, I¡¯ll order dinner.¡± She pecked his lips and started scrolling through menus on the restaurant¡¯s app. She mentioned a couple of starters and main courses to Rowan before they both agreed and dinner was ordered. Coffee was sipped in between their sweet kisses and caresses.


    She was on hisp when he asked her toe to thepany¡¯s event next weekend. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, I want you to be my plus one, so you will go with me and technically it¡¯s still a Rhodes dinner thing and you¡¯re a Rhodes.¡± He ended the discussion and started kissing her neck, pushing Cassidy for her approval.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have anything to wear.¡± She tried to give him an excuse.


    ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up on Wednesday after school. you don¡¯t have a full-day ss on Wednesday right?¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t, but¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s settled. Wednesday, I¡¯ll pick you up and we¡¯ll find you the perfect dress.¡±


    Cassidy hated that he easily made arrangements for her, though deep down she was also curious about spending more time with him outside of his home. She did genuinely like him, he was her first crush and she still couldn¡¯t believe that he was her first sexual partner. It was too perfect she thought.


    The next few days passed by easily, she stayed at Rowan¡¯s since he insisted, and Cassidy didn¡¯t put too much fight to his demand since she enjoyed the orgasms and the cuddles.


    When Wednesday arrived, Rowan picked her up at the campus parking lot with his sleek, ridiculously expensive car. It turns heads, making her blush. Whispers of her being a sugar baby were heard as she walked to the passenger¡¯s side and she was giggling when he opened the door for her.


    ¡°What?¡± Rowan asked, smiling feeling amused by her as he watched her bubbly mood.


    ¡°I¡¯m feeling very Pretty Woman right now. I heard the word sugar baby tossed around when they saw your car and the dashing silver fox behind the wheel.¡± Cassidy exined, grinning, and Rowan couldn¡¯t help but to reach for her neck and kiss her pink lips.


    Rowan knows she was far more beautiful than Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman the movie. She was also not a hooker and certainly, his Cassie didn¡¯t have money issues. Definitely not a Sugar Baby. But aside from that, he did want to spoil her rotten and buy her the prettiest evening gown so he could show her off as his date. Marking his territory and such, he thought.


    ¡°Well, we should go and doll you up then,¡± He smirked and patted her jeans-d thigh.


    Sheughed and they talked easily about their days until they reached the high-end boutique shops where Cassidy¡¯s mom used to take her when she was younger. Cassidy took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar scent of rosemary, the clean crisp air of luxury rxes her senses and elevates her mood. Cassidy didn¡¯t realize that she missed shopping in luxury boutiques, not that she couldn¡¯t afford it, more like she didn¡¯t need to buy designer dresses, diamond-crusted clutches, and high-priced heels.


    ¡°Oh my god, I missed this,¡± Cassidy wrapped her fingers on his arm, just like her mom would when her dad apanied them shopping.


    ¡°You don¡¯t shop?¡±


    She huffed telling him she didn¡¯t have the time. ¡°You know, shopping took hours, these days I¡¯ve been doing them online and being here,¡± she sighed as if she was filling a void in her soul, her eyes wandering to the mannequins wearing the newest designer collection dresses. ¡°¡­ being here reminded me of mom and how dad used to sit and watch while she tried on different dresses.¡±


    ¡°Well, what are we waiting for then? Let¡¯s do that.¡± He pecked her temple just as a saleswoman greeted them and offered them her assistance.


    ¡°Yes, we¡¯re looking for an evening gown. Subtle but sexy, without showing off too much skin. I want designer, luxury, the very best.¡± Rowan pointed out his demands, ignoring Cassidy¡¯s wants to peruse the boutique.


    The salesdy put on her warm smile and ushered them to the back of the store where she offered them drinks. Five minutester she appeared with two sses of champagne. Behind her a younger female boutique staff, probably her store assistant trailed behind her with a rack of beautiful dresses.


    Cassidy enjoyed her sip of champagne while Rowan was at her side watching the salesdy showing them the array of dresses, pointing out colors, fabrics, and names of designer brands.


    ¡°Cassie, would you like to try the ck Dior one?¡± He pointed out and she smiled at him, putting down her ss, taking off her denim jacket, and resting it on the sofa where she was sitting beside Rowan earlier.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she smiled at him and let Brenda, the salesdy, ushered her into one of the changing rooms. Cassidy sighed happily when more floral fragrance hinted at the air as she stepped into the well-lit space with a floor-to-ceiling mirror. The small little details brought back memories, and she easily smiles and starts stripping to her underwear before Cassidy slipped into the beautiful ck Dior dress. She loved how the softce feels against her bare skin and the beautiful tulle framed her waist perfectly.


    Cassidy stepped outside and she blushed when Rowan watched her like he was ready to pounce. ¡°Stunning,¡± his smile grew predatory, she giggled and did a little twirl giving him the beautiful view of her backside that was framed exquisitely by the intricatece design.


    ¡°This may be the winner, but I want to see you in the baby pink princess dress, the Valentino one,¡± Rowan said as he took a sip from his sszily, trying to hide his fascination for Cassidy.


    Brenda smiled and told him that he had excellent taste, probably cause the Valentino dress was among the expensive ones and she was already calcting hermission in her head.


    But Cassidy had to agree with Brenda when the salesdy handed her the pale pink strapless dress. Her cleavage looked sexy enough but not too slutty, her neck and shoulder made her seem like she just walked out off the runway. Cassidy had the perfect figure and the dress showed her finest assets.


    Five dressester, they finally agreed on the ck Dior for the uing event, but Rowan also bought her the baby pink Valentino dress too just because she was beautiful in it. Shoes and clutch were next, and they finally leave the ce almost four hourster.


    ¡°My God, haven¡¯t been this exhausted shopping in my entire life. Seriously I don¡¯t even know how those professional socialites do this every day and call it a hobby.¡± Cassidy rested her head on the passenger seat of his car and hummed in contentment when he put the car in first gear and driveway from the parking lot.


    ¡°It¡¯s a passion, or maybe even a kink?¡± Heughed, feeling like he was really enjoying his time with Cassidy. It had been so long since he was content with his feelings. He loves working buttely, the feeling of responsibility toward his employees outweighs his drive for taking chances in making decisions.


    So, no. Rowan hadn¡¯t felt this happy, not even in the first month of his marriage to his ex, heather.

 58. Judged

    Cassidy felt uneasy since morning came, she wasn¡¯t feeling confident about the formal dinner that Rowan was taking her to that night. Everything seemed over her head though Rowan convinced her otherwise.


    When the evening arrived, she was dressed in the ck Dior gown, styling her hair and putting on her makeup to perfection. Her mood was still on edge. Her mind kept on wondering if she made the right decision by agreeing to apany Rowan.


    And her insecurity was reflected in her expression when Rowan saw her. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°Um, I don¡¯t know, I¡¯m really not sure about tonight. You know, you bring me as your plus one, and everyone knows that I¡¯m a Rhodes.¡±


    Looking at Cassidy, Rowan could see that it was more than that. ¡°There¡¯s more, tell me?¡± Rowan nted a soft kiss on the crook of her neck while looking at her through the mirror where she nervously straightened her already perfectly fitted dress.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to embarrass you. People know Heather, she was perfect. I used to envy her whenever I saw you with her. She was so beautiful, people admired her looks.¡± Cassidy hated that he now knew what she thought of his ex.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s not what I think, and in your mind which opinion matters? mine or other people¡¯s?¡± He trailed kisses to the side of her neck, ¡°Cassie, you¡¯re better than her, in every way. Don¡¯t you ever forget that.¡± Rowan whispered huskily in her ear, putting his hands on her waists, stepping closer, and kissing her cheek from behind. She shuddered and closed her eyes for a second when she felt his warmth on her back.


    Cassidy gasped when he surprised her by pulling out a velvet box from the inner pocket of his tailored designer suit. He opens the box and takes out a simple diamond-encrusted ne. ¡°Oh, Rowan, it¡¯s too beautiful. I didn¡¯t know you have such nice taste.¡± She thanked him for the lovely ne and couldn¡¯t help but tease him.


    ¡°Wait, I¡¯m not done yet,¡± he smirked and pulled out a smaller matching velvet box.


    ¡°Oh my, you have magical pockets,¡± she exaggerated her gasp, giggling feeling better already.


    When they finally left his house Cassidy was happier and more confident. Her fingers touched the thin diamond bracelet. She never had anyone giving her jewelry, she was still too ttered when Rowan bought her gowns. Cassidy was already feeling spoiled, but when he gave her the ne and bracelet she never felt so adored in her entire life before.


    The hotel venue was decorated beautifully, the people were dressed to perfection. Cassidy was a bit shy when she was introduced to a couple of his colleagues, but she held her own and stood by him making small talk with his friends. She took thepliments about her beauty, and she smiled shyly all while feeling the warmth of Rowan¡¯s hand on her waist.


    Jordan Adler, her dad¡¯s partner was there and if he was surprised seeing Cassidy in Rowan¡¯s arms, he didn¡¯t say anything but talk about business with him.


    Her familywyer, Ferguson, was there with his wife. Cassidy smiled, he greeted both of them and his wife hugged her and they talked about her brothers for a while. Cassidy was feeling more at ease, as she took another ss of champagne from Rowan.


    ¡°Rowan, I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d bring a date.¡±


    Cassidy flinched at her voice, she recognized her condescending tone. The woman hasn¡¯t changed one bit, still beautiful, stillced with venom. But she didn¡¯t expect Heather to remember her.


    ¡°Well, look at that, if it isn¡¯t little Rhodes girl. Hello Crissy,¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Cassidy, and be nice Heather, she¡¯s my date and what are you doing here?¡± Rowan interrupted, he was irritated that out of all the people he had to meet her.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m here with my date, I don¡¯t know if you¡¯re still sore about losing him to yourpetition.¡± She smiled wickedly before tapping a man behind her. ¡°Hoyt, honey,e meet your old boss.¡±


    Cassidy could see the situation was not in her favor, Rowan looked like he was about to explode, but his face was nk the second an attractive man, probably a couple of years younger than Rowan turned to face us.


    ¡°Mr. Madden,¡± He smiled and held out his hand, Rowan smiled back and they both politely shook hands.


    ¡°Please call me Rowan, I know you got a promotion. You deserve it, Hoyt, you¡¯re a bright man. I just need to let you know that you wouldn¡¯t find any insider secrets about my ex. I never divulged nor discussed any work-rted matter. Though she might know a thing or two about our pool boy.¡± He smirked and Hoyt¡¯s calm facade dropped for a couple of seconds before he was back to his happy-ass-kissing-self¡­ Rowan was watching Holt under his intense re then within seconds, he shoved his feelings away.


    Heather flushed pink, the anger was visible in her eyes as if she was throwing dagger with her gaze. Cassidy was sure that her champagne ss could break at any given moment, she saw Heather was gripping it with a bit too much force. Probably trying to calm herself down. Who the fuck care.


    ¡°Oh, we¡¯re not¡­ I just need to bring a date,¡± Hoyt chuckled, clearly didn¡¯t have any consciousness about hurting his date¡¯s feelings, or he was just the type of guy that like to save his own ass. Who knew?


    Heather continues to groan and muttered that she was going to the bar for a drink,pletely disregarding Cassidy who stepped closer to Rowan and was d when he draped his arm around her shoulder. Her date smiled and he introduced her to Hoyt.


    ¡°Actually Rowan, now that I have your time, I¡¯d like to discuss a possible¡­¡± Again the guy clearly didn¡¯t have any regard for dating etiquette, no respect for his date or other people¡¯s. But Rowan did, and he kept Cassidy close, telling Hoyt that business talk can wait until tomorrow, if not feel free to discuss it with Cassidy among them.


    Hoyt was happy to discuss business in front of Cassidy, to which she stayed and listened as the guy kept on talking. Hoyt¡¯s new endeavor was good. The opportunity for both of them to close the deal sooner than him going in as a single contender for the bid was way better.


    ¡°I appreciate your spirit Hoyt, why don¡¯t I meet you tomorrow at the golf course and discuss it further?¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± he beamed with excitement and nodded with a wide smile on his face.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Yes, really,¡± they talked some more before Rowan excused themselves telling Hoyt that he had other people he wanted to talk to before he go back.


    Cassidy excused herself to go to thedies¡¯ room, and she cursed lowly when she saw Heather was fixing her lipstick and gossiping with another woman in a short dress, definitely too short for the event. Heather¡¯s back was to Cassidy, she didn¡¯t notice when she was obviously talking about her.


    ¡°¡­ he¡¯s getting in her pants for her money and her family¡¯s name. He¡¯s a slut for money and power, he¡¯ll throw her away once he achieves his goals and in the end, he wille crawling back to me, and when he does¡­¡±


    Cassidy didn¡¯t listen to her words as Heather was spreading gossip about her. It had started and Cassidy didn¡¯t like it. This was the part she hated at gatherings, people talked, and society judged.


    ¡°Can we leave now?¡± she put her hand on Rowan¡¯s arm, pulling his attention to her as he was still talking with another couple.


    ¡°Cassie? is everything okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m just tired.¡±


    ¡°Alrighty then, I guess that¡¯s my cue. I¡¯ll shuffle my calendar and I¡¯ll have my PA contact yours and we¡¯ll set up a meeting.¡±


    They leave the venue in less than fifteen minutes. Cassidy was back-tracking her mind and remembering all the words Heather spitted out. One thing was for sure she needed to go home and process everything.

 59. A New Day

    Last night they were supposed to have a lovely night out, but it ended badly because Heather decided to show up and mess with Cassidy¡¯s head. Rowan tried to calm her down and helped Cassidy open up. He tried to make her talk to him, but he failed and ended up having to let her have her privacy after numerous tries to find out what Heather said when they were alone.


    He knewst night Cassidy left his house with a positive attitude, he actually thought they were going to have a nice date night. All was going well, up until he saw his ex. He knew that Heather was vicious, she could bring anyone down, and that was just how she was.


    Heather even admitted years ago that she felt smug after she made the chairman of one of her woman¡¯s associations cry. Thinking back years behind, Rowan remembered that Heather was doing it just because she wanted to be the center of attention.


    And sincest night Cassidy was the center of his attention, there was no doubt that Heather said something that upset her. At least she lets him cuddle her and they both sleep better knowing they were in each other¡¯s arms.


    ¡°Cass? Cassie? Open the door baby, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Rowan tried to open the bathroom door, but it was locked from the inside. He tried to open it again, then started knocking when her sobs were heard from his side of the door.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right out,¡± she shouted from behind the door, but secondster she popped her head out. ¡°I¡¯m okay. Just give me a minute and uh, can you get my big handbag? I¡­ um, need to get my pads.¡± Cassidy¡¯s cheeks tinted pink, her eyes were red from all the crying while she smiled shyly at him.


    ¡°Oh¡­ oh,¡± the realization dawned on him and he quickly search for her big handbag and brought it to her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make us some coffee,¡± he said as he gave her the handbag. She nodded and thanked him, after telling him that she¡¯d join himter.


    Cassidy looked more rxed after she took a shower, she smiled at him and walked into his embrace the second he saw her and opens his arms.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I thought I was, but then I¡¯m not¡­ it was a weird feeling. But then maybe it was my hormones messing with my mind, I don¡¯t know¡­ just, just hold me,¡± she said resting her cheek on his chest and letting him rub circles on her back, soothingly.


    ¡°What do you want to do today?¡±


    ¡°Mm¡­ I need to get pads, then a visit to my Obgyn for birth control pills.¡± She took the cup of coffee from his hand and sighed happily as the bitter-sweet coffee taste invades her taste buds. ¡°Then I have a brunch with my girls from Babes,¡±


    ¡°What time do you want to leave? I¡¯ll take you there, then I¡¯ll pick you up after brunch?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to, I¡¯m sure you have stuff to do. I can get there by myself you know.¡±Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    ¡°You can, but I want to. Let me take a quick shower then I¡¯ll be your driver for the day.¡± Rowan leaned down for a quick kiss on her lips before he leave her to enjoy her coffee. He was already making a mental note to get her a driver since the distance between her campus and his house was longer than her apartment. He definitely does not want her to go back to her apartment, having her at his ce feels right and he wanted to take care of her. He wanted to make sure she had someone looking after her, someone like him.


    Cassidy pouted when he dropped her off at the lovely diner and decided to apany her since she was the first one to arrive.


    ¡°You know I¡¯m perfectly fine waiting on my friends alone, right?¡±


    ¡°I know, I just wanted a quick breakfast before leaving you with your friends.¡± He shrugged, not at all bothered by her annoyance. Though deep down Cassidy was liking his caring side, she never did have a boyfriend. She paused at the thought of him as her boyfriend, the feeling was all new, and afterst night she desperately needs her friends.


    Rowan was sipping his second cup of morning coffee and had just finished off his pancake breakfast when Bree and Dee entered the diner. Both women looked surprised that a man was with Cassidy and not just any man, he was the talk about silver fox. So Cassidy was not at all shocked when she heard giggles from her girlfriends.


    ¡°Ohe on, you got your guys, stop with the schoolgirl attitude and stop being sickening flirty.¡± Cassidy greeted them with warm hugs then she introduced Rowan to them, not that they didn¡¯t know who he was already.


    ¡°Just so you know, we really appreciate that you take care of our girl. But know that if you hurt her, I will personally hunt you down.¡±


    ¡°And then what Dee?¡± Cassidy rolled her eyes and sits down on her chair.


    ¡°I have ways, don¡¯t underestimate my ability that¡¯s all I¡¯m saying. Right, Bree?¡±


    ¡°Um right.¡± Bree smiled, still a bit awkward and she nodded her agreement making Cassidyugh. She missed her friends and she misses being at Babes.


    ¡°Alright, I think I¡¯ll leave you girls to talk more about me. Cassie, text meter and I¡¯ll pick you up.¡± Rowan got up and gave Cassidy a quick kiss on her lips which made Dee sigh exaggeratedly and make Breeugh a bit too loud for the tranquil morning vibes.


    Rowan was out the door when Cassidy slumped in her chair and Dee on her like a dog with a bone. She just wouldn¡¯t let go and Bree kept on giggling, almost choking on her ss of water.


    Both women put on their order then Dee was the first to p her hands looking a bit too giddy for Cassidy to spill.


    ¡°So, tell me, he good?¡±


    ¡°Oh, my god,¡± Cassidy felt the regret already, as she let out another eye roll which made Bree giggle again.


    ¡°Damnnn¡­ that good huh?¡± Dee smirked telling her that she had made her very proud.


    ¡°I¡¯m not telling you anything,¡± Cassidy insisted which only made Dee nod in eagerness waiting patiently for the sexy details caring nothing about properness.


    ¡°Uh-huh¡­¡± Bree chimed in shamelessly, maybe it was the proximity but she was undoubtedly vibing with Dee.


    ¡°Oh my god, this is why I kept on avoiding both of you. And I¡¯m not pregnant by the way.¡±


    Both women sighed and rxed bain in their chairs. ¡°Cass, we¡¯ll take whatever crumbs you throw at us. It¡¯s the age thing, girl let us live vicariously through you, but please take a pill, a condom, anything.¡± Dee sipped her morning chocte milkshake, then pause to smirk and lick the maple syrup off of the fork of her pancake scandalously.


    Cassidy shook her head until she finally gave up and told them to listen and listen well. ¡°Okay apart from the great sex, the age thing is a bit of a struggle. Likest night, he took me to hispany¡¯s event, introduced me to people then his ex showed up with a younger guy as a date. But the point is I bumped into her I¡¯m thedies and she was talking shit about me, I mean I know, she¡¯s a first-ss bitch and Rowan knows about this and told me to stay away from her, but still,¡±


    ¡°Oh, fuck.¡± Bree cursed her anger showing on her flushed cheeks.


    ¡°Who¡¯s this bitch?¡± Dee questioned, her words were cold as ice.


    ¡°She¡¯s the marry-rich bitch, she marry Rowan and is now pissed off because he divorced her.¡±


    They dissed Heather-bitch for the next three hours then ended their brunch with a promise to meet up again next week. Cassidy felt better, she needed that. She needed her best friends.

 60. Awakening

    Since Cassidy decided that she needed her friends in her life without Babes, she talks and texts Bree and Dee almost daily since theirst meet-up. And her bestie amodated her andpletely understood her longing for Babes even just to gossip. The next couple of days after she got home from campus she twirls around and dancesin her private stripper studio.


    Cassidy did work the room, without any audience her music was loud and the beat of her heart was pushing through her ribcage like a mad lion. But she kept on dancing and dancing and dancing until her feet felt numb and her thighs and calves were feeling the strains.


    She dropped herself on the wooden floor panting, body covered in a thin sheen of sweat. Cassidy didn¡¯t know where it came from but the rush of emotion surged through her insides making her sob, cry and choke from her tears. It took a while until she calm down and breathe normally.


    ¡°Shit. What was that?¡± She surprised herself and got up from the floor, walking to the adjoining bathroom in the master bedroom. The maid had just finished cleaning the room and she took a quick shower and headed downstairs, straight to the kitchen for some food.


    Maybe it was the hunger she thought since she hadn¡¯t really eaten anything since morning. Her assignments had busied her like crazy, and with her current schedule she was d that she didn¡¯t have her shift at Babes, cause though it was highly rewarding for herself, she was also drowning in her school assignments.


    Cassidy had to admit that thest few weeks life had been great. She hadn¡¯t been back to her apartment and Rowan had stubbornly provided her with a car and a driver making her live her life easily thinking nothing but her education.


    ¡°Hello, Mrs. Dawson,¡±


    ¡°Ms. Cassie you look¡­ oh dear, have you been crying? did you hurt yourself from that death trap?¡±


    Cassidy giggled at her words since she meet Rowan¡¯s housekeeper, Mrs. Dawson they¡¯ve been chatting, Cassidy would apany her while she was cooking or cleaning and she did the same while Cassidy was doing her assignments. Rowan was usually busy with work, he would check up on her but aside from that, he left her alone in his house enough time that Cassidy was content with thepany of Mrs. Dawson.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°No I¡¯m not hurt, Mrs. Dawson,¡± Cassidy giggled when she started touching her hand, forcing her to get up from her seat and turn Cassidy around checking her for any visible wounds.


    ¡°But your eyes, you¡¯ve been crying. Is it Rowan?¡±


    Cassidy rolled her eyes, she hated that Mrs. Dawson wouldn¡¯t call her by her first name but she called Rowan by his first name. She kept on saying since she knew him since he was a teenager she was privileged to do so. But Mrs. Dawson did give her hope that she would do it when she wasfortable enough around her. So Cassidy didn¡¯t argue with her excuse, instead, she would throw her annoyed expression and give her eye rolls every now and then.


    ¡°It¡¯s not Rowan, maybe I¡¯m just tired, the dancing, the song, yeah probably the song. Thest Rihana song was so good, yeah probably that.¡±


    ¡°You sure?¡±


    Cassidyughed and gave her the sweetest smile. ¡°I¡¯m sure.¡± Well, she wasn¡¯t, but she did feel better with Mrs. Dawson around the house. It was like the old days all over again, huh¡­ maybe it was sentimental, she used to takefort in her old nanny and as she got older, her parent¡¯s death and her moving out of the house she didn¡¯t realize that she needed thepanion.


    Living alone in her apartment used to make her miss the old days, but she squashed those feelings with dancing, doing chores around her apartment, and working on her education.


    ¡°I know you skipped breakfast and it¡¯s four already, you should eat. I made you those grilled cheese sandwiches that you like so much, also some homemade chips, and to top it off my family recipe of gooey marshmallow brownies.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Mrs. Dawson I can¡¯t wait until the boys get here, they will forget about me and cherish you for sure.¡± Cassidy grinned and started taking bites of her sandwich.


    ¡°You know you should really take care of yourself, skipping meals is not good for your body.¡± Yup, Mrs. Dawson was worried about her. The older woman liked her, she didn¡¯t expect her when Rowan introduced her to Cassidy one day. But after getting to know her, she started seeing Cassidy for what she truly was.


    Mrs. Dawson was old enough to know that Cassidy is a kind and caring young woman, she was delighted that Rowan had chosen her because she hated Heather, wholeheartedly. She never said it in front of his face, but deep down Mrs. Dawson knew that Rowan understand her deep hatred for his ex.


    And then, out of nowhere, Cassidy scream in pain, holding on to her stomach like she was in great pain.


    ¡°Oh, no, see this is why you should never skip your meal. Stay, no put on your shoes, I¡¯ll get your jacket and phone, we¡¯re going to the hospital, I¡¯ll get Maurice to get the car.


    ¡°Arghh¡­¡± Cassidy groaned, she was in immense pain and she wasn¡¯t going to argue with her. Cassidy knew, she had assumed that it was her appendix. She thought she could handle it, she thought it was not that bad but obviously, she was wrong cause it feels just like it was going to burst.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± she cursed when she couldn¡¯t even get up to put on her shoes.


    ¡°Come on sweety, I got you.¡± Mrs. Dawson hold her up and help her with her ts, she helped her put on her denim jacket and ushered her out of the house. Maurice was already waiting for them, the car was parked in front of the house.


    ¡°Call Ferguson, he¡¯s ¡­ mywyer, he will¡­ damn it¡­¡± Cassidy breathed heavily, her stomach was killing her, and she was sweating and shivering at the same time. ¡°He¡¯s my emergency contact, in my phone,¡±


    Mrs. Dawson took her phone but she was already calling Rowan telling him that they were taking Cassidy to the hospital. She said something about emergency, though Cassidy was not listening since the car movement was causing her nausea, she wanted to vomit but couldn¡¯t. Luckily it didn¡¯tst long since the car stopped as they arrived at the emergency bay of the hospital.


    Cassidy was holding her lower abdomen, the pain was too great that she was tearing up when they move her from the car straight to the gurney. ¡°My appendix, I think¡­¡± She was asked questions, the nurses took her vitals and the emergency doctor was shouting instructions while feeling her abdomen. When the hurt was bing unbearable, Cassidy knew she needed her appendix taken out.


    She didn¡¯t know how long, everything was a blur after she was wheeled into the OR. She thought she saw Rowan, or maybe it was Ferguson, damn, it could even be Maurice. She was in and out of consciousness until Cassidy open up her eyes and saw her surroundings.


    She was in a room, in a bed, in a hospital gown. She assumed she survived the horrific event and had her appendix taken out.


    ¡°Cassie?¡± Rowan greeted her with a worried expression.


    ¡°Hey, you looked terrible.¡± She smiled at him, her mind was still foggy but she was saying the truth.


    Rowan chuckled, did looked terrible because he hadn¡¯t slept a wink. The man was worried, from what the doctor told him she had a case of acute appendicitis that was possibly life-threatening. He was worried throughout her surgery, and then there was aplication. But now that she was awake he felt like a weight had been lifted and he can finally breathe.


    ¡°The doctor said¡­¡±


    ¡°Wait, why did the doctor say anything to you? where is Ferguson?¡± Cassidy stared at him knowing the doctor should talk to her first before divulging any kind of information without her consent.


    ¡°I sent Ferguson home, I might¡¯ve told them that you¡¯re my fiance, and um¡­ the doctor, he recognized me from my financial articles.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Cassidy almost sits up but rests back when her right side hurts. She groaned and let Rowan get her some water for her very parched throat.


    ¡°Anyway, he said that the rupture could be avoided if you recognized the signs. The hell, Cassie, you¡¯re a med student, I thought you know these things?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡­¡± She should¡¯ve known about it, she did feel it, and she was being a brat for skipping meals and not eating her much-needed fiber.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the nurses gave me the aftercare instructions and you are going to do as you¡¯re told. Mrs. Dawson will make the arrangements for your diet and we will make sure that your recovery will be fast.¡±


    Cassidy sighed in defeat, she knows he was right. ¡°You look old,¡± she smiled putting her hand on his tired face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡±


    ¡°I am old, and I think I aged ten years waiting for you toe out of surgery.¡±


    ¡°Well, your silver strands look good on you.¡± She smiled when he took her hand and kissed her knuckles.


    Rowan never thought he¡¯d cared for Cassie as much as he does but the thought of losing her scared the shit out of him. And remembering the time he was pacing in the waiting room waiting for her, he knew he was falling for her.

 61. Nursed

    ¡°You will not get out of bed unless to go to the bathroom and for meals.¡± Rowan nted a sweet kiss on her cheek. The man was dressed in his working attire. He needed to leave for his meeting, but he kept oning back to tuck Cassidy under the covers.


    ¡°I will be fine, Mrs. Dawson will be here at nine, she was just running a bitte because you insist on her buying groceries for me when I told you that we can have them delivered like we usually do.¡±


    ¡°But I want them to be fresh, you¡¯re in recovery¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay, enough said. You¡¯re going to bete.¡± She shooed Rowan towards the door and giggled when he actually huffed like a petnt kid.


    It was an hourter when Mrs. Dawson arrived at the house and she went straight to check up on Cassidy and was content to find her still resting.


    The older woman called Rowan and told him that she was at the house and Cassidy was sleeping. ¡°I¡¯m going to get her breakfast ready and make sure she took her medication afterward.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Dawson, I really appreciate this.¡±


    She smiled from the other line thinking she never found him putting this much effort towards caring for a woman before, not even with his ex. He was different with Cassidy, maybe it was the age gap she thought. But looking at Cassidy, she knows that the younger woman was way more mature than his ex-trophy-wife regardless of her age.


    Yes, that was exactly what Heather was to him, Mrs. Dawson knew just by watching their interaction with each other. The was no love among them, very little care andfort exchanged between them throughout their short married life.


    It was noon when Cassidy¡¯s friends Dee and Bree stopped by for lunch. Mrs. Dawson set them up by the second-floor family lounge so that Cassidy didn¡¯t have to go downstairs.


    ¡°Oh, my god¡­ Okay, I might re-think about getting myself an older man,¡± Dee whispered not so quietly when her eyes darted through the room as if she was inhaling all the fancy-ness hoping that it¡¯ll reflect onto her future. Her two best friends giggled and Cassidy demand their intention with a loud p of her palms making them groan.


    ¡°Are you kidding yourself? You love Ro to death.¡± Cassidy said honestly, cause for as long as she knows Dee. The woman had seen her lovesick face and made her jealous every time.


    ¡°I do love him,¡± she sighed as if the thought of him made something heavy stir inside of her.


    ¡°Anyway, I almost lost it when a man picked up your phone telling me that you were in surgery. What the hell Cass?¡±


    Cassidy smiled sheepishly telling them that she was sorry but the appendicitis was long ignored until it makes itself known. ¡°I did give my phone to Rowan just in case my brothers call, I didn¡¯t want them to worry. But he called them after I was out of surgery and told me that they¡¯re going to visit this weekend.¡±


    Rowan¡¯s forward thinking in telling her brothers about her condition made her recognize the small little details that he had done for her and her little family, or what was left of them. He made her inside all gooey with feelings that she was afraid of.


    Since losing her parents it was hard for her to get close to anyone, and now that she was feeling deeper affection toward Rowan, she was scared. Scared for her future. Scared of losing him. Cassidy didn¡¯t want to start falling in love with someone, knowing that one day she could lose him too.


    ¡°Oh. My. God. You love him, don¡¯t you?¡± Dee stared at her as she had finally found the lost unicorn.


    ¡°I do not.¡±


    ¡°You do too.¡± Bree giggled and hold her ss of water raising it for a toast. She clinked her ss with Dee in mischief, ¡°To Cassidy and her silver fox.¡±


    ¡°To Cassidy and her Roo-Roo.¡± Dee teased and clinked her ss to Cassidy¡¯s holding her hand, making sure her ss stayed still enough for her to toast with.


    ¡°We¡¯re not calling him Roo-Roo, he¡¯s not a kangaroo,¡± she rolled her eyes but there was definitely a smile on her face though she shook her head in disagreement.


    ¡°To Rowan,¡± Bree said clinking her ss one more time with two of her best friends.


    ¡°Alrighty¡­ alright, enough about me. Tell me thetest club gossip and put me out of my misery.¡±


    ¡°Eat, and I¡¯ll start stalking,¡± Dee said in between her bite of the steamed chicken and mashed potatoes. She was not convinced at first when she saw the lunch spread, but she did take a bite thinking she should respect Cassidy and eat the samefort food as her because she was recuperating. But the taste melts through Dee¡¯s tastebuds and she almost moans from the softness of the meals alone.


    ¡°Oh god, this is too good¡­ I should start eating my lunch here.¡± She grinned and took another bite of the tender chicken meat.


    ¡°Please, you¡¯re always wee! I¡¯ll be bored for the next couple of days, Rowan had me on bed rest. This is as much excitement I¡¯ve had in days.¡±


    Breeughed, then the womenughed with her.


    ¡°Okay, so do you remember Sindy with an S?¡± Dee was too energized to share thetest scoop on the women at the club.


    ¡°Barely, she was new when Rowan yanked me out of the club.¡±


    Bree giggled and Dee sighed dramatically.


    ¡°Anyway, this girl is so limber for her own good right? And do you remember her feet? I¡¯ve heard horror stories about ballerinas but that was before I saw those toes.¡± Dee shuddered as if she was having a hard time reliving the image and it was my turn to give her a dramatic sigh.


    ¡°So she¡¯s a ballerina?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, like the professional kind. Center stage kind.¡±


    ¡°Prima ballerina.¡± I corrected Dee.


    ¡°Yeah, that. Anyway,¡± Dee paused to moan after taking another bite. Bree was quiet beside her, munching away peacefully while listening to the conversation. ¡°The prima ballerina had eyes on her like she was being watched, guarded. I mean dangerous men waited for her every closing hour. And Sindy went home with them. I was under strict order from Ro not to mess with her.¡± Dee paused her words to give us the of-course-I¡¯m-not-going-to-follow-his-order eyes.


    ¡°There was something about the prima stripper, she always declinesp dances. So I was d to take her clients away from her. Who knew people have fetishes with ballerina figures? Anyway, yesterday one of those dangerous men in suits brought another man, he acted and looked like he was their boss, you know¡­ he was acting all order-y to his minions. Oh, and the diamond-encrusted watch also tipped him off.¡±


    Again she let out another moan after a bite. Cassidy shook her head and told Dee to swallow quickly and continue the story.


    ¡°So, with that bling watch, all I could see was getting more tips for rainy days, am I right?¡±


    Bree and Cassidy nodded simultaneously, waiting in suspense though they really shouldn¡¯t have.


    ¡°But before I could snatch the big boss for a privatep dance session, the prima was off the stage and led him into one of the VIP booths. I wanted to wait for something dramatic to happen, but then Ro snapped his fingers telling me to cover for Sindy.¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    Cassidy waited for the rest of the story when Dee raised her hands telling them to be quiet then took a big gulp of water before she continues.


    ¡°He fucking snapped his fingers at me, I tell you, that man is toofortable with me. I should smack his ass more for snapping fingers at me in public.¡±


    ¡°Wait, does that means he snapped fingers at you in private? damn, Dee, you go girl.¡± Bree¡¯s words wereced with mischief.


    ¡°Huh? That¡¯s not the point here. It¡¯s Sindy, we¡¯re talking about Sindy¡­¡± Dee looked a bit flustered and they bothughed though Cassidy ended up holding her stomach for the stab of pain that follows. Luckily it was not that painful.


    The women gossiped through dessert and coffee, then Bree and Dee went back with a promise to visit Cassidy again for lunch in a couple of more days.


    Rowan arrived just in time for dinner, he freshen up before he joins Cassidy at the balcony where she asked Mrs. Dawson to set up before she went back home.


    ¡°You know, I feel bad about Mrs. Dawson. She had to stay longer just to serve me dinner when you can buy some takeout and serve it ourselves.¡±


    Rowan lowered himself down to kiss her forehead. ¡°She gets paid extra for staying longer, besides she loves you. She wanted to nurse you to health.¡±


    ¡°I know, but¡­¡±


    ¡°No buts, why don¡¯t you ask her tomorrow? If she said okay, then I¡¯ll nurse you to health myself, bring you dinner, and more.¡± Rowan teased, telling her he can be a sexy delivery guy, to which she giggled and let him usher her to the balcony to have their quiet romantic dinner on the balcony of the master bedroom.


    Life couldn¡¯t get better than this, both of them thought seconds after gazing at their dinnerpanion.

 62. Ruined Afternoon

    When Saturday arrived Cassidy was bored out of her mind. She had been staying in bed for days, and between Rowan¡¯s busy schedule and getting to know him better through Mrs. Dawson, Cassidy was thrilled when her younger brothers arrived after Maurice picked them up.


    ¡°Cass, tell Rowan he did not have to send his driver to pick us up. We can order a car, we know the address.¡± Dillon the older twin only by minutes greeted her as they reached the foyer.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Aww¡­ my little brothers are all grown up,¡± Cassidy cooed and gave them her weing hug,plete with the sweet smothering sister affection.


    Edmond weed her hug and embraced her back while Dillon gave her a fake gag that make Mrs. Dawsonugh softly. The boys paused their greeting when they noticed the older woman.


    ¡°Oh, boys, I want you to meet Mrs. Dawson, she¡¯s in charge of this household. So don¡¯t do anything funny, but if you want to dig dirt on Rowan she¡¯s cool enough to share them if you managed to get in her good graces. So¡­ be nice and respectful.¡±


    From a very young their parents had taught them to be respectful of the people working and assisting their daily life. Their mom had educated them that they were financially privileged to have people employed to make their day-to-day life convenient. So the boys were already nice to Maurice without being reminded by Cassidy, and they both gave Mrs. Dawson their biggest smile before thanking her for the chocte cake that she baked for them.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you put your bags in the guest bedrooms,¡± Cassidy nodded when Dillon asked if it was the same room as theirst stay. ¡°Yes, the ones where you stayed before,¡±


    They were off to the stairs within moments, and Edmond was the first to return to her side. ¡°So, how are you feeling?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m better, thank you for asking.¡± She grinned at him as he took his seat beside her on the kitchen ind. Mrs. Dawson smiled at him while she makes him a ss of iced tea.


    He thanked her and started asking questions about his sister and how she was recovering from her surgery.


    ¡°Jezz, Edmond, I¡¯m right here. And I told you I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°Mmhm¡­¡± he replied wittily, and from there Mrs. Dawson knew that she was going to like Cassidy¡¯s brothers. At least Edmond, but studying the twin earlier, she¡¯d think that Dillon won¡¯t be much different.


    ¡°Yeah, if you stay close to him you might think he¡¯s the older one just because he¡¯s no fun to be around.¡± Dillon chimed in, walking directly towards the kitchen. The boy was still typing on his phone, miraculously not bumping into anything in front of him, as if he has his personal sonar system.


    ¡°Said the guy who¡¯s being sneaking around with his boyfriend and kissing behind the bleachers.¡±


    ¡°As I said, I¡¯m the fun one.¡± Dillon grinned at Mrs. Dawson and once again asks her about his sister, clearly ignoring Cassidy¡¯s protest.


    ¡°Oh. My. God.¡± Cassidy groaned but Edmond hug her and decided that she had enough. Her brother kissed her temple, telling his big sis that they both love her.


    There were more banter andughter throughout the afternoon. Thete lunch was served and the boys praised Mrs. Dawson¡¯s cooking afterward, making her cheeks tinted pink. Cassidy smiled at her brothers and then continue drinking her ss of water after finishing her lunch, she was d that she finally had her appetite back days after the surgery.


    Rowan¡¯s Saturdays had been early since Cassidy stayed with him, he likes spending the weekend with her. He did not go to meetings on the weekends anymore, not unless it was really necessary. So when he did arrive home after his meeting, the boys greeted him with yful gagging noises the second hey a kiss on their big sister¡¯s lips.


    ¡°Aww¡­¡± Dillon sighed exaggeratedly but then couldn¡¯t stop himself with the tease and fake gag the second Rowan kisses Cassidy longer. ¡°Stop it, enough, we know you love each other.¡±


    ¡°E¡­ You guys are worst than Dillon, there¡¯s no one protecting the young here.¡± He scooted closer to Mrs. Dawson and sheughed along with Rowan.


    ¡°Dude, you¡¯re minutes younger than me.¡± Dillon scowled while he kept busying himself with the chocte cookies that Mrs. Dawson just pulled out of the oven.


    ¡°Uh-huh, and you¡¯re acting as if you¡¯ve just discovered cookies. You just ate three slices of chocte cakes for dessert, you¡¯re going to swim your ass off or your dearest captain of the swim team will know what you did this weekend.¡± Edmond smiled wickedly, already tempting him for one of their brotherly wisecracks.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare,¡± he said still munching on the cookie. Mrs. Dawson was smiling widely, she almost couldn¡¯t stop herughter while Rowanugh freely and draped his arm on Cassidy¡¯s shoulder.


    Rowan was happy, and Cassidy was too. Mrs. Dawson could see it in their eyes. She couldn¡¯t wait for Rowan and Cassidy to be a real family. But, the perfect afternoon got interrupted when there was a knock at the door and she excused herself to greet the guest.


    Mrs. Dawson did not expect her, she tried to tell her that Rowan was not home. But hisughter carried through the air and Heather the-ex raised an eyebrow, ¡°Really? You¡¯d lie tantly now? I knew that you never like me. Let me in or I¡¯m calling him.¡± The bitchy ex pulled out her phone and was ready to call Rowan. A few secondster she smirked when Mrs. Dawson moved back to let her inside the house.


    ¡°Wait here, I¡¯ll get him for you.¡±


    But Heather never listens to her, so she goes past Mrs. Dawson and goes straight to the source of the voices and happy waves ofughter leading her to the spacious modern kitchen.


    ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t expect you¡¯d adopt the whole Rhodes into the house. That was quick.¡±


    Cassidy tensed in his arm when she heard her voice, the hatred in Rowan¡¯s eyes can cut through the air in the kitchen alone. But the boys, the boys looked at Heather like she was their next roast.


    ¡°Wow, who¡¯s the lovely MILF, beautiful, but you should tone down on your make-up dear and that dress is a bit too clubwear don¡¯t you think?¡± Dillon was the first to start, the boy did not go down easy and Cassidy could see the almost smile on Mrs. Dawson¡¯s lips.


    ¡°Rowan, is she your aunt from your far side of the family? I think I saw her from somewhere, but I can¡¯t remember, maybe it¡¯s the cakey makeup?¡± Edmond continued, while Cassidy couldn¡¯t look more horrified than ever. She was not sure of Rowan¡¯s reaction to her brothers¡¯s words. She knew they would defend her to theirst breath and they know about the vengeful ex-wife from their talk about Rowan.


    ¡°Oh, you two little¡­¡± Heather¡¯s was fuming, her face was flushed and the boys couldn¡¯t look happier at her response.


    ¡°Heather, don¡¯t, go to the office. We¡¯ll talk there.¡± Rowan moved away from Cassidy, but not before he leaned down to kiss her hair telling her it¡¯ll be just a couple of minutes.


    ¡°Mrs. Dawson you can start making dinner and set it up by the pool. I won¡¯t be long.¡± Rowan calmly said and followed Heather who was already on her way to his home office as if she still owns the house.


    ¡°How much will it take for you to disappear from my life forever?¡±


    ¡°You really hate me that much, don¡¯t you?¡± She couldn¡¯t believe her eyes, she didn¡¯t like seeing how happy he was minutes ago. The man neverugh so freely when he was married to her and it shocked Heather to the point that her eyes stung with regret.


    ¡°You¡¯re really asking me this? You¡¯re not wee, we are done, don¡¯t make me get a restraining order against you. And stop with the tears, they don¡¯t work anymore.¡±


    ¡°You know what?! keep your cheque. I¡¯ll talk to mywyer and we¡¯ll figure this out.¡± She huffed angrily and her hand was on the doorknob when he made her turn around with his parting words.


    ¡°Just let this go, Heather. We were married, but never in love. You know this. I will tell mywyer to call yours but this is thest time, the judge¡¯s order was clear. This is me being nice and I hope you¡¯ll reciprocate.¡±


    Rowan saw how she quickly wiped her tears away, maybe he was being too rough on her but she needs to see what she made him do. She needed to know that it was done. That they¡¯re done.


    After Heather left, the situation gradually improved. The boys were back to their banters, then they spend the rest of the afternoon by the pool where Dillon swim the chocte cakes off and Edmond quietly read his graphic novel. Mrs. Dawson excused herself and went home after dinner was served.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± Rowan asked once they ended their day. He got them settled in his bed, tucked in warmly under the cover. He hated that Heather ruined their perfect day, but at least Cassidy¡¯s brothers were there to cheer her up.


    ¡°Better now that you¡¯re with me.¡±


    ¡°You know that Dillon was right,¡± Rowan said pulling her closer under the cover, spooning her from behind, and smelling her hair like she¡¯s the essence he needs to breathe properly.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°What he said this afternoon when I kiss you, the moment I saw youughing with your brothers and Mrs. Dawson. You looked so beautiful and perfect in my kitchen.¡±


    Cassidy knows what he was saying, but still, she was afraid.


    ¡°I love you, Cassie. I want this, I want us.¡± He gave her sweet kisses along her shoulder. Her cotton tank top barely hides her supple skin.


    And when she decided to let go and fall for him, she knew she was screwed. Cassidy realized that he had ruined her for other men. She knew that he was the one, and when he decided he had enough and let her go, Cassidy knows it¡¯ll be hard if not impossible for her to forget about him.


    ¡°I love you too.¡± She finally gave up and whispered when she thought he was asleep.


    And Rowan smiled in his sleep, spooning her with his love for her.

 63. Dare to Dream

    Two monthster Cassidy still feels like she was in dreand. She was going to have the best vacation with her brothers in years. Yes, Rowan was gifting them the holiday that they used to have with their parents, away from the city, staying in a house by theke with thefort of a small town nearby.


    A two weeks stay at ake house. He was loving her to the fullest as she was head over heels for him.


    When the boys mentioned their uing school break Cassidy thought of spending the time with her brothers at Rowan¡¯s. Maybe a couple of days at the beach or the mountains just like they used to. They never stay more than three days since her brothers would usually have ns with their friends. There was nothing she could do to persuade them, but then Rowanes along with the idea of spending holidays at theke house. Hiske house. Yes, he has a beautifulke house that he rents and which miraculously was empty at the same time as the twins¡¯ school break.


    ¡°Two weeks? You¡¯re going to stay with us at yourke house for two weeks? Can you even get that much downtime?¡± Cassidy was not sure about the length of time, it was a perfect amount of days when they were younger and spending the holidays with their parents. But now? Now, they have friends and a busy schedule. And after months of sleeping in his bed, Cassidy was not sure that she liked the idea of sleeping alone.


    ¡°I can, beautiful. I can bring my work, delegate, and set up some video calls while there.¡± He caressed her cheek and then continue eating his breakfast.


    Cassidy had a full day of ss afterward, she and Rowan were already dressed for their day. They were having breakfast when he told her about his n for the twins¡¯ holidays. And she brightened instantly to the thought of having Rowan to herself for two whole weeks, uninterrupted with work. Well, probably for a couple of hours daily. But still, the thought of waking upte in the afternoon with him by her side made Cassidy feel giddy already.


    ¡°That¡¯s great! But¡­ I have to tell Dillon first, he might want to spend some of that holiday time with his boyfriend.¡±


    ¡°Invite him to theke house, there are some great activities for the boys. And it doesn¡¯t hurt for you to get to know his boyfriend doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    Cassidy grinned and told Rowan that he was the best.


    ¡°Baby, I know I am.¡± He teased, then finish his coffee.


    That day Cassidy video-called her brothers and told them about Rowan¡¯s n. As expected Edmond was thrilled, while Dillon was quiet in the background before telling her that he was going to meet up with Jett, his swim captain boyfriend.


    ¡°Well, I have expected that and Rowan told me to invite him to theke house. There¡¯ll be lots of fun activities for you, lots of small restaurants, you can have a nice walk by theke, and I¡¯m sure there are plenty of picturesque kissing spots.¡± at the end Cassidy was teasing him with more possibilities and Edmond was fake-gagging while Dillon¡¯s smile grew wider to their uing holiday ns.


    ¡°You don¡¯t get to break up with Rowan, not until we spend our holiday at hiske house.¡± That was all Dillon said while Edmond look bored but said that he was liking the n, saying it has been a while since he paddled board. Cassidy giggled and said she was not nning on letting Rowan go before she ended the video call.


    So when the time arrived they were all excited to leave for theke house, the twins have seen pictures of the house and a list of activities they can do at theke and in the touristy small town.


    ¡°Oh, Mrs. Dawson! I¡¯m so excited that you¡¯reing with us for this trip!¡± Cassidy looked too giddy and she released her excitement by thanking Rowan with a wet kiss on his lips making the twins groan from behind them and hurriedly got into the other car and joined Maurice with their bags.


    Cassidy was going in Rowan¡¯s car since he decided to take two cars there, that way the boys will be free to do anything they want with their time. Dillon¡¯s boyfriend will be joining them a weekter for a full-week stay. Jett¡¯s parents were nice enough once Rowan talk to them and assure them that there will be no wild parties at theke house and that they were wee to visit anytime.


    Thetter made Cassidy raise an eyebrow at her boyfriend, but Rowan just shrugged at her. ¡°Jett is still their teenage son, and Dillon really wanted this vacation time with him.¡±


    At least Jett¡¯s parents had embraced their son¡¯s sexuality and gave the young man some freedom to spend the holidays with his boyfriend.


    ¡°His dad feel like an ass when he knew that his son was gay and he was trying to make it up with Jett. They didn¡¯t exactly handle the news well at that time.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡±


    ¡°Yep, don¡¯t worry, love, everything will be perfect. I promise you.¡±


    So yeah, Cassidy rxed and let Rowan take the reign and took her little family onto his littleke house. Though when they arrived there was nothing little about the ce. Well, they did see photos, though they were never an assurance since photos lie, and angles matter.


    ¡°Oh, wow, this house is so big!¡± Edmond was the first to get out of the car and was hot on his heels racing Dillon onto the porch. Both boys wanted to call dibs on the perfect rooms, although Rowan had said that the guest rooms have the same size andyout and the master bedroom was his and that includes Cassidy by default. Her face flushed adorably hearing his words which only makes him take her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist softly.


    ¡°Oh. My. God. you guys are gross! Just open the door and spare us from the sight.¡± It was Edmond, Dillon was being the perfect young man since he was too happy that he was going to spend the whole next week with his boyfriend.


    ¡°You know you have to talk with Dillon before Jett arrive, right?¡± Rowan said the moment they reach the master bedroom and have their privacy.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Um, do I? I thought maybe you can do it, I mean it¡¯s the perks of having an older boyfriend right?¡± She asked sweetly while walking around the room. The master bedroom wasrge and inviting, Mrs. Dawson had been to theke house a couple of days earlier to clean the house with a couple of their staff and now the bed looks inviting and the air smells fresh. She even put fresh flowers in the adjoining master bathroom.


    ¡°And what exactly does this older boyfriend get out of this arrangement?¡± He locked the door behind him and walk towards Cassidy in a predatory way that made her bite her lip and her toes curl.


    Last week Rowan had been busy trying to finish his work before they all leave for theke house, and the week before that Cassidy had her period. Since they had just begun to know each other and just gottenfortable with the intimacy they usually have sex every day or every other day, so when they hadn¡¯t had sex in two weeks their sexual tension was high.


    Cassidy knows from past experiences that Rowan will ravage her after days without sex and she would expect that he¡¯d make their first holiday intimacy unforgettable, at least for the next couple of encounters before they topped their experience with other ones.


    Months ago she wouldn¡¯t dream to be at this stage of happiness but now being in the arms of the man she loves and spending the holidays with her brothers she couldn¡¯t ask for more.

 64. Intimacy and More

    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you.¡±


    ¡°You always say that after a week of celibacy, and you just had two.¡± Cassidy giggled when he finds her soft spot and started licking and kissing her on the crook of her neck, telling her that they won¡¯t being out of the room. Not until he was done with her.


    She shuddered just from the anticipation alone. His voice was low and heavy, his touch was slow and gentle, and his kisses were deep and moan-worthy. Cassidy wrapped her arms around his shoulder and let him tug her close and feel his erection.


    ¡°Two weeks is too long, I feel like I¡¯m going to burst anytime soon.¡± He grabbed her ass, easily pick her up, and ravish her lips when she wrapped her legs around his waist.


    Her naked back was to the bedroom wall the second he stripped her top off and throw it onto the console table by the wall. She was grinding his erection and moaning louder when his lipstched onto her nipples, taking them to his mouth one after another, yfully licking and sucking while Cassidy arched her back and offered him more.


    ¡°Please,¡± she begged, kissing him back, her arms wrapped around his neck, her fingers gripping his strands in desperation.


    ¡°So fucking delectable,¡± he sucked her neck and licked her throat. His hand unbuttoned her jeans and slipped under her panties. Rowan groaned when he felt her hot and wet pussy begging to be licked.


    And when he carried her to the bed,y her on her back, and let her legs hang on the edge of the bed, Cassidy whimpered and he was instantly rockhard. Rowan stripped her jeans off and the man looked smug when he saw the wet patch on her panties. ¡°Open those legs, slip your hand under your panties, and let me watch those dainty fingers y with your clit.¡±


    After two weeks of not having sex he was going to take his time, he wants to watch her. Every expression on her face, every breathy gasp, every strain movement, and all the pleading and moaning, he was going to provoke them from her.


    Rowan slowly undress, letting her watch as every piece of his clothing ended up with her jeans on the bedroom floor. He joined her on the bed kneeling just above her head, taunting her with his presence. And just like that their eyes met, and the mischief in his eyes was evident.


    His boxer briefs showed his erect cock. Cassidy bite her lip when she couldn¡¯t peel her eyes off of him, watching and touching herself as Rowan stroked himselfzily. His eyes roamed down, watching how her fingers move under her panties, how her hips bucked slightly, how her lips parted and moaned and how her breath was heavy with lust.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    ¡°Strip naked, I need to taste you,¡±


    Rowan did more than taste her, he strip naked and fed her his cock while he feast on her, grabbing and spreading her legs as if he couldn¡¯t get enough of her.


    And when her moans got louder, and she was eagerly sucking him off, he knew she was closing in on her climax. ¡°On all four, I want to see you dripping with my cum.¡± He flipped, positioned her, then kneel, spreading her legs wider, and push the small of her back until her breasts were touching the cool sheets.


    Her ass was up and he yfully smack that sexy butt cheeks hard making Cassidy whimper and her insides throbbed with needs. ¡°Please¡­¡±


    He pped her twice on each cheek, they pinked beautifully and he groaned when she asked for more.


    ¡°My little vixen, so pretty in pink.¡± He cooed with his deep manly voice. Then he continues with more ps on each, then four more in quick session spreading the heat so it¡¯ll give her maximum pleasure without the constant pain in one area.


    She was about to climax when he thrust hard once, then out, then in, then out, hard and deep every time. It was not long until Cassidy climaxed. Her legs gave up on her but Rowan keep her close to his front, one of his hands wrapped around her small waist and made her stay still as he continue to get his dick wet. Cassidy was moaning louder, shamelessly telling the whole world that she was being passionately loved by Rowan.


    The man finally let go when Cassidy clenched him tighter and he couldn¡¯t hold it any longer. His fingers circled her neck, not allowing her to inch forward as he pumped his cum deep inside her.


    ¡°So, so¡­ beautiful,¡± he leaned in to kiss the tip of her nose minutester. Cassidy settled into his embrace after he help her clean herself with a damp towel then she drifted off to a peaceful nap.


    It waste in the afternoon when theyughed at Dillon who scowled after he tripped and fell into the water the second he loses his bnce. He looked at the abandoned jetski and swim to it. Edmond held out his hand to help him, only to be pulled into the water which make Cassidy¡¯sughter even louder.


    Mrs. Dawson smiled as she was setting up their afternoon coffee and tea spread,plete with snacks and cakes, then she quietly excused herself to get started on their first dinner at theke house.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Cassidy said as she leans to kiss his jaw.


    ¡°For?¡±


    ¡°All this, the vacation, you and me, everything.¡± She kissed his lips softly and he knows it meant so much more than those kisses full of heated passion that they shared. He pulled her closer wanting to kiss her back when his phone buzzed.


    ¡°Oh, hell,¡± he picked up his phone after telling her quickly that it was his sister. Rowan got up looking annoyed at the caller ID on the screen and Cassidy was feeling curious about his demeanor.


    ¡°Baby brother!¡±


    ¡°Sister one,¡± he growled at Erika¡¯s sunshiny tone, scowling, knowing they couldn¡¯t see him doing so. Yep, they knew, he looked at his wristwatch and remember the day. Family dinner. He had purposely been absent since his divorce, he didn¡¯t want them to slice open and examine his failed marriage and then give their unwanted opinion.


    But years ago, he did go to the family dinner, sometimes only to escape from his situation with Heather at that time. Mom would be very upset with him for bailing out on his sisters, but since she has dementia sometimes it hurts to visit. Losing their dad triggered mom¡¯s high blood pressure, her doctor said it was a chain reaction in her body. Sometimes he thought maybe it was good for her not to remember losing the love of her life. But sometimes he wonders if she ever remembered how much he loved her.


    ¡°Ro!¡± Edith, sister two, called him out.


    ¡°What? I¡¯m here,¡± he answered, snapping his mind back to reality.


    ¡°Dear brother, I got a notification, actually we all got it. You¡¯re taking two weeks off, you¡¯re scaring us, which hospital are you in? Cause I¡¯ve been looking and you¡¯re not in any, and your PA was too good. Wouldn¡¯t even take a bribe!¡± Sister three, Erin was giving him the rundown of what they know.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay, I¡¯m at theke house.¡± He finally admitted.


    ¡°You¡¯re what?¡± sister one chimed from the other line.


    ¡°He said he¡¯s at theke house,¡± sister two repeated.


    ¡°Pack your bag girls!¡± sister three pped her hands, she sounded as enthusiastic as she always does when a road trip was involved.


    They allughed, all but Rowan as he look to the boysughing by thekeside and Cassidy still waiting for him and seeming anxious about the phone call.


    Two minutester the call ended and he sits at her side taking her hands before kissing her forehead. ¡°My sisters invited themselves here, I will tell Mrs. Dawson, I don¡¯t like to worry but they can be quite abrasive, mostly because they¡¯re nosey but they mean well. Maybe.¡± He chuckled nervously, trying to exin to her about his very outspoken and gossipy sisters.


    ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t know how they will react to all this. But I guess, with anything involving my sisters it is better to get it over with sooner thanter.¡±


    ¡°Mm¡­ okay,¡±


    The high she felt before was gone exchanged for low anticipation and dread of what¡¯s to going to happen.


    Rowan kissed her lips briefly before he went into the house to find Mrs. Dawson and told her to prepare for three additional people. He told her that his sisters wereing and will arrive about dinner time more or less. Knowing his sisters he could already imagine them packing their bags and out of the house in the next ten minutes. Calcting the drive he knew they were going to arrive in a couple of hours.


    Then all hell will break loose.

 65. Siblings

    ¡°Edmond! Come here you dumbass!¡±


    ¡°Boys! Language!¡± Cassidy reminded her sixteen-year-old brothers just as they were about to get back into the house to take a shower. She still couldn¡¯t believe they were big enough to swear, time seemed to fly by as they grow up.


    ¡°He started it!¡± Dillon was upset about something that Cassidy was not sure she wanted to know what it was all about. All she knows that dinner time was a couple of hours away and that she was nervous as hell about meeting Rowan¡¯s older sisters. Yep, all three of them in one dinner. Rowan had given her the summary of what to expect from his sisters and honestly, Cassidy felt a bit too overwhelmed.


    So, the second Rowan went for a swim in theke, Cassidy moved to the kitchen and decided it was best to talk to Mrs. Dawson, if he grew up with her as his nanny then she must¡¯ve known his sisters too. They might have several nannies over the years but Cassidy did hope that Mrs. Dawson can give her some insight about the sisters.


    ¡°Well, they were older by five to ten years old than him. Rowan was the surprise baby, so as expected he was babied a lot by them.¡± Mrs. Dawson said in such fondness that Cassidy could almost see cartoon hearts popping from her head.


    ¡°Erika, Edith, and Erin. Erika is the oldest by ten years, Edith by seven years, and Erin by five years. They¡¯re all wonderful, sessful women both in family and business, all married with children.¡±


    Thest sentence was enough to make Cassidy run for the hill and never look back. Oh, how she wished she was staying alone without her brothers that way she could just up and leave with some flimsy excuse to Rowan. But no, dodging the bullet was out of the question. There was nothing she could do but face the uing downfall of her future with Rowan. Though she hope it wouldn¡¯te to that because she actually likes him, well, love him and he loves her too. So, that should mean something. Right?


    ¡°Did they like Heather?¡± Cassidy needs to satisfy her curiosity by asking questions about his ex-wife. Cause if they like the gold-digging bitch Cassidy was going to be scrutinized as she was the exact opposite of his ex.


    Mrs. Dawson chuckled. ¡°Even I didn¡¯t like her. So, no they hated her. Heather is something else, but I have a feeling that you will fit in just fine.¡± The older woman patted her hand and then poured Cassidy another ss of iced tea.


    She listened some more but then decided that maybe knowing too much can make her more nervous so Cassidy decides to take a bath and calm her nerves instead.


    That was exactly where Rowan found Cassidy an hourter, looking deliciously rxed in her bubble bath. He decided to join after rinsing theke water off his body.


    ¡°So, Mrs. Dawson said you¡¯ve been preparing yourself for my sisters?¡± He asked the moment he was settled in behind her and she let him wrap her in his arms. Her body nestled perfectly against his, her back to his chest and she wished they could stay like that forever.


    ¡°Curious to what I might be subjected toter, yes, I did,¡± Cassidy replied, her voice was smooth and rxed.


    ¡°You have nothing to worry about.¡± He assured her and kissed her temple.


    ¡°That was what Mrs. Dawson said.¡± Cassidy smiled and turned around to face him, she cupped his jaw and press her lips on his then slowly deepened the kiss, wanting more from him. It was another way to assure her that she had nothing to worry about, that Rowan was all she needs.


    More kisses and one quick encounterter, Cassidy was finally rxed when it was time to get dressed and get ready to greet his sisters.


    Cassidy checked up on her brothers and make sure they had showered and dressed. She knows the boys would take forever to shower as if getting clean was a really hard chore that they¡¯d kept on postponing until thest possible minute. But she was d when Dillon and Edmond were in their jeans and not in their graphic shirts. The twins were wearing their nice polo shirts which made her wonder and they bothughed.


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re not that impressive. Mrs. Dawson assured us that this dinner is important to you so she picked the shirts.¡± Edmond grinned while Dillon offered her his nicest smile. But then his eyes were back to his phone and fingers tapping wildly on the screen.


    ¡°You boys, I love you.¡± She hugged them, not caring that they were too old for hugs from their big sister. Cassidy just needed them to know that she was thankful for the twin brothers.


    ¡°You¡¯re awesome sis, don¡¯t think about it. They will love you.¡± Edmond said as he returned her hug with his own.


    ¡°And we like Rowan, we like thiskehouse. So, no worries, we got your back.¡± Dillon smirked and give her an assuring pat on her shoulder which only made herugh.


    When the sisters finally arrived Cassidy was adorably nervous and Rowan pulled her close, draping an arm around her shoulder before pulling himself free to greet his sisters.


    ¡°Aww¡­ look at our little brother,¡± Erika pinched his cheek which made the twins bite their lips trying hard not tough. Edith and Erin followed by giving their brother hugs before they move their attention to Cassidy and her brothers.


    Erika looked a bit startled, but quickly schooled her face and greeted Cassidy then her twin brothers, Edith and Erin mimic their oldest sister while Cassidy kept on ncing at Rowan until he stood next to her and put his arm around her once again. Cassidy visibly rxes and the sisters noticed it though they didn¡¯t say anything but study her more.


    It felt like minutes, though it was actually seconds when the boys finally breaks from their formation and went to Mrs. Dawson who was standing by the kitchen ind for some snacks.


    ¡°It¡¯s like a western showdown, everyone kept on sizing the other side. Okay, now they¡¯re talking,¡± Edmond whispered scandalously to Mrs. Dawson and she smiled and shook her head while pouring the boys some iced teas and denying their request for cookies not wanting to ruin their appetite for dinner.


    ¡°We¡¯re growing boys, energy oozes out of our pores as we talk. Come on, Mrs. Dawson,¡± Dillon whined, which made herugh softly and finally relent. She pulled out a fresh batch of cookies from the oven and put several on their tes.


    ¡°This is better than reality TV, wait this is reality live,¡± Edmond snickered, munching on his cookie while the three of them watched quietly from a distance as their sister was in deep conversation with Rowan¡¯s sisters.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    ¡°I feel bad for her,¡± Dillon sighed but quickly took a bite of another cookie, all while keeping his eyes on their sister.


    ¡°She¡¯s a big girl, she needs to woman up,¡± Edmond muttered, then took a big gulp of his iced tea.


    ¡°We should do something,¡± Dillon whispered between them, and Mrs. Dawson giggled and poured them more tea.


    ¡°We should,¡± Edmond agreed with his twin but both boys did not move an inch. Instead, they took another bite of their cookies and kept on watching as their sister was being questioned by Rowan¡¯s siblings.

 66. Girlfriend Material

    Erika decided that she liked Cassidy the second she saw how happy her brother was. Rowan never looked as content when he was still with his ex, and now seeing him grinning as he wrapped his arm around Cassidy¡¯s shoulder, Erika wondered if he realized that she might be the one for him. She could see their eyes filled with love, only time will tell when they will take the next step toward marriage.


    Rowan¡¯s oldest sister had to admit that Cassidy was younger than she and her sisters had expected. They shared nces and were a bit worried for the first couple of seconds until they all met his eyes, then they know. They perfectly know that Rowan looked peacefully blissful with his younger girlfriend by his side.


    Pleasantries were tossed around until Erika noticed how Cassidy¡¯s twin brothers moved to the kitchen, each one on each side of Mrs. Dawson while quietly munching on cookies and drinking their iced teas. All three were watching them as if they were waiting for something to go bad, while all they did was make small talk.


    Edith and Erin wereplimenting Cassidy on how brave she was when she single-handedly took care of her twin brothers. It made her blush and Rowan let out another lovely sickening grin before pulling her closer and giving his girlfriend a quick kiss on her temple. The sisters let out their exaggerated oohs and aahs, then Erika was t-out honest when she told Rowan that he was being cute as fuck.


    ¡°Erika, stop it,¡± he whispered, his cheeks were tinted pink and that made the sisters erupt with their raucousughter.


    ¡°Why? we could all see that she¡¯s good for you and you just fucking blush, little brother!¡± Erin teased him. Growing up, Erin was the closest to Rowan since she was the youngest of his sisters, she used to bully him to apany her to tea parties with her dolls. And Rowan sighed but let her get away with it, since he loved her, hell, he loved all of his sisters. Standing at his side, Cassidy¡¯s heart warms to the scene in front of her where she witnessed the siblings¡¯ closeness.


    ¡°Now the next question is, how much does Cassidy want her brothers to sweat thinking we¡¯re all here trying to size her up andpare her to that trashy ex of yours?¡± Edith whispered, her tone full of mischief. Being the middle sister, Edith grew up as the naughty one. Knowing her, Rowan just shook his head and told his sisters that they should move the conversation to the dining area and that dinner was waiting.


    ¡°Um¡­ wait,¡± Cassidy was intrigued. There were moments when she cursed her brothers, especially the second they had easily abandoned her. The little brats had convincingly told her that they¡¯d have her back when the sisters arrived.


    Edith grinned when Cassidy took the bait though Rowan kept his girlfriend close, telling her not to get pulled into the dark side. ¡°We should start dinner, the food¡¯s getting cold.¡±


    ¡°But the little devils¡­ ugh, you know what¡­ Rowan¡¯s right, we should probably get on with dinner. Plus, there¡¯s always tomorrow.¡± Cassidy give her sweetest smile to Edith and sheughed, pulling her for a smothering sister hug.


    ¡°Oh, Cassie, I agree! we¡¯ll get them when they least expected.¡± Edith¡¯s eyes were wide, looking a bit too excited for the future prospect of messing with the little brats.


    ¡°Oh, god, sometimes I still can¡¯t believe that you¡¯re a mom. You have a problem with¡­¡± Rowan tried to step in only to be cut in the middle of his sentence.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m a very cool mom, thank you very much, my kids said so.¡± Edith¡¯s smile was too full of herself, but she continue with her words anyway, ¡°By the way your nieces and nephews miss their uncle.¡± She patted Rowan¡¯s cheek while Erika and Erin sauntered off to the dining area to take their seats.


    ¡°So, how did you all manage to get here at lightning speed? I did not expect all of you to abandon your family and work for me.¡± Rowan asked when he took his seat at the table and Cassidy joined him to his left side while the twins take their seats near their sister.


    ¡°You should know by now that we¡¯d do anything for you, and that includes warp-speeding to thekehouse to meet your new little family. But, yeah, our husbands are on mom¡¯s duty, they knew that we¡¯ll reward them once we all get back.¡± Erika said winking at her two sisters making Rowan groan telling them they have minors on the table. But Cassidy¡¯s cheeks redden when Erika referred to them as Rowan¡¯s little family.


    The rest of the dinner went great, Mrs. Dawson even smiled at Cassidy as if she was silently telling her ¡®I told you so¡¯ which only made her cheeks tinted pinker.


    The boys excused themselves when the conversation got boring and they wanted to retreat to their room. The sisters stayed for coffee where they talked more about their families and kids, phones were passed around showing pictures of their children and their devoted husbands.


    It was almost eleven when everyone got back to their rooms. Rowan took Cassidy¡¯s hand and cuddled with her on the sofa situated on the balcony outside of the master bedroom.


    ¡°They love you.¡± He said kissing her cheek lovingly.


    ¡°You think so?¡±


    ¡°I know so,¡± Rowan chuckled and kissed the top of her head, his hand wrapped around her side pulling her closer until her back rested on his chest. ¡°It¡¯s their way of showing me that you¡¯re the girlfriend material.¡±


    ¡°Mmhm, so, what¡¯s the ns for tomorrow?¡± Cassidy asked, deciding to ignore hisst words. As much as she wanted to get a feel of what his sisters really thought of her, Cassidy couldn¡¯t help wanting for tomorrow to be as wless as the time they spent at dinner. She wanted to stay that way until the sisters leave. A good impression, yeah, she didn¡¯t know why but she needed it to happen. Besides she kinda knew that his sisters did not hate her, theyughed and talked a lot. So, Cassidy was good with that. For now.


    ¡°Tomorrow? Hmm, how about I wake you up with my tongue between your legs? I think that¡¯s the perfect way to start the day. What do you think?¡±


    Cassidy giggled, pping his hand yfully but she was liking the idea. She could already imagine it and she bit her lip not wanting to let the little gasp that was threatening to slip out of her pretty lips.


    Rowan was feeling her, he knew Cassidy too fucking well already that he turned her to face him and then pulled her onto hisp. She was straddling him, her sundress rolled up her legs, his hands trailed her naked thighs, then higher sneaking under her dress until he cupped her sexy ass cheeks.


    ¡°Rowan,¡± Her breathy voice traveled to his ear as she nibbled on his neck, slowly kissing, sucking, and licking him. The man shivered and he groaned when he grabbed her to stop grinding on his cock.


    Rowan easily lifts her and walks her into the privacy of their bedroom where they stripped naked and made love. She felt so at ease with him, she rxed and enjoyed the way he cherishes her body with his kisses and his touches. And when he pushed inside her, Cassidy knew that one day¡­ one day she wanted him to fill her with his cum. To fill her with his seeds, his babies.


    Damn, she was whipped and she knows it.

 67. The Past and The Future

    When vacation ended the sisters departed first since they couldn¡¯t stay longer at theke house. There were lots of hugs and promises for family dinners and the boys were on their best behavior making Cassidy proud. But then again Dillon was happy since his handsome boyfriend had popped in and stayed for the rest of the vacation days.


    The sisters seemed to wee the swim captain, by teasing the young couple more often than necessary which then leads to a silly grinning Edmond feeling good about himself.


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯m with them,¡± Edmondughed at his brother, taking the sisters side. ¡°I¡¯m part of the alphabet, E for the win,¡± he winked but apparently Edith was cashing in on her and Cassidy¡¯s discussion on the first day and left Edmond on a tinynd in the middle of theke.


    ¡°Edith, you can¡¯t be serious?¡± Edmond red at her, his hands resting on his hips though his stance meant nothing to Edith as she turned the jet ski around and headed for the maind yelling that it was part of the initiation, weing him to the E family. They allughed until Cassidy felt sorry for Edmond then went to get him half an hourter.


    It waste when dayster Cassidy and Rowan arrived at the house. They have dropped the boys back at their dormitory and both were looking forward to a quiet night where there were only the two of them.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re taking another day off from work tomorrow, I think spending another day with just you would be really nice.¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± Rowan kissed her temple before continuing, ¡°I will be working on my emails for an hour or two just catching up on some internal messages from my PA for any emergencies then you¡¯ll have me for the rest of tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take that, I think I¡¯ll dance in the studio while waiting for you.¡± Cassidy already knew what wasing and then she heard it. His sexy groan spilled out of him and she giggled.


    Though when morning came, Cassidy found herself alone. Rowan¡¯s side of the bed was still warm, seemed that he had just gotten out of bed. She sighed hoping that she would wake up in his arms, burrowing under his warmth, and stayed a little while longer under the covers.


    Cassidy got up and went straight to the master bathroom. She could hear his voice from the other side of the door, she shook her head thinking his office must¡¯ve called him. So she let him be while continuing to do her morning routine, followed by washing her face and brushing her teeth.


    She joined Rowan in the kitchen, taking a seat on the kitchen ind, and waiting for Rowan to pour her a cup of coffee. It was their morning habit in the kitchen and she was liking it, a lot. But his expression made her frown.


    ¡°Rowan? do you need to go to the office?¡±


    ¡°Um, no¡­ I just got a call, from Erika, about my mom. She¡¯s¡­ she¡¯s not well.¡±


    Rowan had told her about his mom, about her dementia, and that she was staying in an assisted living facility. Not wanting to assume the worst, Cassidy waited for his exnation.


    ¡°I know you want to stay home today, but would you apany me to see mom? It won¡¯t take long, I just¡­ Erika said she misses me.¡±


    ¡°Rowan, of course, I will.¡± Sheid her hand on his chest and tipped her toes to reach up and put her lips on his.


    The drive there took them just over an hour. Cassidy was nervous, but she had no expectations in meeting his mom. Because this time she did note prepared, she didn¡¯t have an inside perspective of his mom and what her personality was like, or is there a chance that she might hate her?


    ¡°Stop overthinking it, Cassie.¡± He smiled at her, ¡°Mom is mom, she¡¯ll like you. Since dad passed away she had been a little bit lost. But she cares and she¡¯s the glue that holds us together. Even to this day.¡± Rowan led the way to the entry and the administration nurse greeted him a bit too friendly until he visibly stepped back not wanting to make things awkward for Cassidy.


    ¡°Ah, Mr. Madden, she¡¯s been feeling better and now waiting for you in the garden.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, this is Cassidy Rhodes, my girlfriend. She¡¯ll being with us.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡± Cassidy was caught off guard by the girlfriend title. She knew she was one to him, but didn¡¯t understand why he should dere it to the assisted living staff.


    Rowan didn¡¯t give her time to say anything when he took her hand and then moved to rest it on her back, iming her. He smiled sweetly and Cassidy felt like his whole attention was only on her, she could¡¯ve melted right there and then if the surrounding was not that cold. Instead, she shivered and Rowan took off his jacket and put it on her.


    They headed through the french doors opening to the outside where his mom was sitting in a wheelchair looking at the beautiful rose garden.


    ¡°Hi mom,¡± he greeted her and softly kissed her forehead.


    ¡°My son, it¡¯s about time you brought your wife with you. Oh, honey, she¡¯s beautiful.¡±


    Cassidy blushed, but Rowan corrected his mom and introduced her as his girlfriend. Though his mom waved him off, telling a beautiful girl like Cassidy should be imed soon.


    ¡°I can already tell that you¡¯re going to be happy with her. This time you made a good choice, I could see you truly love her. I¡¯m so proud of you, Rowan.¡± She puts her hand on his cheek the second he sits on the bench next to her.


    Cassidy joined Rowan and sat next to him, she tried to keep her feelings at bay, but for someone who had dementia, Mrs. Madden surely honed in on very selective memory. But then as if her thoughts were said out loud his mom¡¯s expression turned nk as she stared at the rose garden in front of her.


    Cassidy could feel his hand on her, then shook her head when he mouthed sorry.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Rowan.¡±


    Mrs. Madden must¡¯ve heard her when looked at Cassidy and smiled, she gazed at their joined hands and a drop of tear rolled down her cheek.


    ¡°Mom,¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m happy for you, Rowan, you two are going to give me beautiful babies. Now, tell me again how you proposed to her, and wheel me to my room, it¡¯s getting cold out.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    Cassidy stayed quiet, she was there for him and she would listen to anything his mom was going to say. At least the woman didn¡¯t hate her, she thought.


    On their way to her room, the three of them passed another nurse and his mom chuckled and told Rowan how the nurses were going to be jealous of his new wife.


    ¡°I think I want to lie down. Help me to my bed, son.¡±


    Rowanplied and did as she wishes. But as she closes her eyes it was Rowan¡¯s turn to quickly wipe his tears when he heard her say, ¡°I¡¯m not going to live much longer Rowan, you¡¯re my only child. I need you to give me grandbabies.¡±


    ¡°Mom,¡± Rowan sat on a chair next to her bed. Cassidy let go of his hand, knowing that he needs to be closer to his mom. When he stilled, Cassidy said nothing, she puts his hand on his mom¡¯s and the older woman smiled at her.


    ¡°You need to convince my boy to stop working so hard.¡±


    ¡°I will,¡± Cassidy assures his mom, her eyes are already ssy from the exchanged words between the mother and son.


    ¡°Now let me tell you a story of young Rowan,¡± his mom patted a space by the side of her bed, inviting Cassidy to sit while Rowan was still holding on to his mom¡¯s hand.


    They allugh as Mrs. Madden told stories of little Rowan¡¯s shenanigans. Cassidy finds it weird that she didn¡¯t once talk about his sisters growing up. Rowan kept on wiping his tears away while hearing his mom. Memory regression and hallucination, Cassidy thought. She watched documentaries and movies about the disease. Knowing that his mom just forgets about his sisters shows how bad of a stage she was in.


    They left after his mom suddenly fell asleep in the middle of a story. Rowan didn¡¯t talk much and Cassidy didn¡¯t want to interrupt with whatever thought he was having in his head. She wanted him to process what was going on with his mom.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you call one of your sisters and talk about what happened with your mom? I¡¯m going to set up a warm bath for you.¡± Cassidy said as they entered the big empty house.


    He nodded, as he still felt numb. He was just d that Cassidy didn¡¯t bombard him with questions like Heather did the first couple of times he took her to see his mom. Cassidy seemed to know that he needs to talk it out with his sisters and she did not feel offended that he went all quiet on her on their way back.


    That night after his bath they had a quiet dinner, then it was her turn to tuck him into the bed. She wrapped her arm around him and stayed quiet until he fell asleep.


    It was the first time she witnesses his fragile side and she couldn¡¯t help but feel protective of him. She wanted him to feel her love for him, she wanted him to know that she¡¯ll be there for him.


    For as long as he needed her to.

 68. The Shift

    ¡°Come on, Rowan, you can¡¯t tell me that you¡¯re not thinking that she¡¯s the one?¡± Edith challenged him. After Erika called herst night and filled her in about her brother¡¯sst visit to their mom, Edith decided to kidnap Rowan for a quick lunch, shed intervention.


    Between them, Edith knew that he¡¯d listen to her. They were always close, and she understands him better than their other sisters. Rowan worries, the man knew how to run his business, he had instincts. But rtionship-wise, he was a disaster waiting to happen.


    Edith wanted nothing more but to p him in the head for not seeing what was right in front of him.


    ¡°But she¡¯s so young, and I¡¯m her first. You can¡¯t seriously suggest that I get down on my knee and propose just because mom told me to?¡±


    ¡°You love her?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡±


    ¡°And she loves you?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡±


    ¡°So? What¡¯s the problem?¡±


    ¡°Edith,¡±


    They paused when the waiter arrived at their table with their food.


    ¡°Ro¡­ you¡¯re not getting younger,¡±


    ¡°Geez, thanks for the reminder,¡±


    ¡°And she¡¯s an old soul, she loves her brothers they¡¯re a handful but she loves them and the boys adore their sister. Tell me if you prefer women like your Gold digging ex?¡± Edith asked before she started poking at her chicken sd.


    ¡°Damn, you know I hated Heather, I¡¯m still trying to get rid of her.¡±


    ¡°Wait, what do you mean by that?¡±


    Rowan chewed his steak and washed it down with water before he told her about Heathering to the house demanding more.


    ¡°Bitch.¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh, but I called mywyer and threaten her with a restraining order if she came unannounced again.¡±


    ¡°Good¡­ good, we never did like her.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡±


    They carried on with the conversation where she was back to grilling him about Cassidy, then they shifted to talk about their mom. Edith reminded him about the next family dinner before they ended their lunch and Rowan promised her that he would give more thought about marriage with Cassidy.


    On the other side of the town, Cassidy was having an early coffee date with Dee and Bree where she talked about theke vacation and then about her apanying Rowan to visit his mom.


    ¡°Oh God, Cassidy, I really wish he asked already,¡± Bree stated dreamily while Dee almost choked on her icette.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    ¡°You know he¡¯s her first, right? I think it¡¯s too soon, I think you need to consider all the facts, hell, consider making a pro and con list. This is your future we¡¯re talking about, and you still have school. What if you get pregnant, he¡¯s older he would want babies? I mean his mom told him so.¡±


    Cassidy did think about it, she had spent the day yesterday thinking nothing but her future. She knew she wanted him and she didn¡¯t want to lose him. But Dee was also right, Cassidy didn¡¯t know if she was ready to be a mom and she blurted exactly that and Bree sighed happily.


    ¡°She didn¡¯t say no to marrying him.¡± Bree pointed out smugly and Dee shook her head but smiled at her bestie.


    ¡°Girls, please, I¡¯m so way over my head. What if he didn¡¯t want to marry me? Did you girls ever think that? I know that he loves me, he sure does love his mom, but does he love me enough to marry me?¡±


    ¡°I vote yes,¡± Bree confidently pointed out, while Deeughed at her.


    ¡°God, can we please talk about anything else? How¡¯s the club?¡± Cassidy was feeling frustrated and thought a change of subject will be better, at least for a short while.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ here it goes, the plot is thickening¡­¡± Bree rolled her eyes and Cassidy leaned in closer wanting to hear whatever juicy gossip that was not her own. Obviously, the gossip line was hot and ridiculous when it had Bree rolling her eyes.


    ¡°Shush! you know my bartender boyfriend hears everything. With Ro behind the bar and me in the locker room, we make a very good team.¡±


    Cassidy snickered knowing it to be true, she had never found a couple as gossipy as them. If that was even a word.


    ¡°Come on spill already,¡± Cassidy said with less patience now that she was amped to hear what Ro and Dee had been gossiping about.


    ¡°I told you about Sindy, the striper ballerina.¡± Dee started, her eyes darted back at Cassidy with a twitch as if telling her the gossip was like spilling the state secret to a rival country.


    ¡°Yeah, so get this¡­ Ro saw her and Rockford making out. Not that we¡¯d judge them, but she had people watching her. Then a couple of days after their intense make-out session Rockford was back at Babes with a broken nose and a broken wrist.¡±


    ¡°Woah,¡±


    ¡°Right? That was exactly what I said to Ro. But my man didn¡¯t want to push when Rockford offered nothing when he poured the man a drink.¡± Dee shrugged, telling me that it was the end of the story.


    ¡°What? that¡¯s it?¡±


    Breeughed telling Cassidy those lovebirds are sealing their lips. But, knowing Rockford, Cassidy realized that it was exactly the kind of thing he¡¯d do. He was always freakishly quiet and very secretive.


    They talked about other girls at the club for another hour then said their goodbyes with a promise for a lunch date one weekter.


    Cassidy arrived at Rowan¡¯s just as Mrs. Dawson was leaving, she thanked her before heading up to her studio. After talking with her girls about thetest gossip at Babes, Cassidy wanted to dance. And that was how Rowan found her after he got back from work.


    His impromptu lunch with Edith had screwed with his brain, he struggled to focus on his work but managed to finish up and went home on time. Now, watching silently as Cassidy wrapped her legs around the pole and slid down sexily, Rowan was back to thinking how he was going to take her youth and marry her, tying her down to him, having babies, and the whole housewife-themed future. Will she regret the future? will she despise him for settling down earlier? having babies¡­


    ¡°Rowan?¡±


    ¡°Hey,¡± Rowan was lost in his thoughts, his eyes roamed her body as she walked closer to the sofa where he sits waiting for her to finish.


    Cassidy straddled him, sitting on hisp. Her hands draped on his shoulder, asking, ¡°What are you thinking about?¡±


    ¡°Stuff,¡± he retortedzily, ¡°How¡¯s your coffee date with your friends?¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± she grinned and kiss his lips. Cassidy missed him, but she wants to shower first before doing anything sexual with him. ¡°Why don¡¯t I tell you about it in the shower?¡± She abruptly got up and took his hand, smiling seductively while leading him to the master bedroom and straight into the shower.


    Rowan stayed still, watching her strip naked before getting under the shower. He watched as she teased him with her drenched naked body. He snapped out of his daze and followed her, getting naked then joined her in the shower.


    Her moans were what it takes for him to get hard, and she puts her head on his shoulder and then wrapped her arms around his back. She sighed delightfully when he poured body wash and cleans her. Rowan turned her around and started cleaning her back then pulled her to rest her back against his chest.


    ¡°Rowan,¡± his name passed through her lips in the sexiest way and he guided her to press her back against the shower wall then he kneels under her, spread her legs apart, and dipped his tongue into her pussy. She was warm and inviting and he groaned when her fingers threads his hair and keep him close.


    He sucked and licked, and hold her steady until she falls apart. Rowan kneads her ass cheeks and slowly gets up trailing his kisses higher to her belly and then her nipples. She squirmed when he gave them too much attention and his fingers dipped between her legs wanting to drawl out another orgasm.


    ¡°Let¡¯s move this to the bedroom,¡± he whispered huskily and helped her out of the shower and towel both of them dry.


    The lovers fell into bed and he quickly aligned himself above her while she wrapped her legs around his waist, opening herself, letting him push his hard dick deep inside her. He grunted when she bucked her hips asking more, then whimpered when he took her wrists and hold them above her head. His kiss was scorching hot and she let him mold her to his liking, pounding hard and fast, folding her in half, holding her bent knees t to his chest.


    ¡°Rowan¡­¡± another desperate moan left her lips and he flipped her and then pushed her to kneel. His chest was to her back as he positioned himself behind her, wrapping an arm around her body while another arm slid and teased her clit.


    ¡°Rowan,¡±


    ¡°Ssh¡­ you¡¯ll get there baby,¡± he held her wrists tighter and sucked her neck while he parted her stance wider and pushed into her pussy with one hard thrust. Cassidy bucked forward but he hold her still, he grunted and slowly pulled out only to push harder inside her. This time she stayed, she moaned louder and he kept giving what she needed, what she didn¡¯t realize she needs.


    ¡°I¡¯m too close,¡±


    ¡°Give me, my love,e for me,¡± he pinched her nipple and rubbed her clit all while he thrust deep and hard. Her knees trembled when she screamed out her climax. Rowan swiftly let go of her nipple and held her throat, then he swat her throbbing pussy taking her to another high until he finally let go and filled the condom with his cum.


    Cassidy felt like jelly when hey her on the bed and she raised her eyebrow looking at the condom. During her sexual frenzy, she didn¡¯t even notice that he was wearing one. They had stopped wearing a condom when she told him that she was on the pills.


    Cassidy should¡¯ve felt relieved that he was looking out for her, but instead, she felt that something between them had shifted and she was not sure if she liked it.

 69. All In

    A couple of days after theirst sexual encounter, there was an awkward silence between them every now and then. It was as if the two of them knew something was wrong but didn¡¯t want to be the first to point out the elephant in the room.


    Cassidy thought since he was the mature one he should¡¯ve discussed whatever is going on with them, more so because she was worried that she might overthink it. But in Rowan¡¯s mind, he thought if Cassidy had any qualms she should ask him, and since she didn¡¯t ask any questions, he ended up talking about everything else to steer clear of the issue.


    It was stupid, he knows that he should talk about it. But in his mind, he really didn¡¯t want to lose her if he pushes too fast. He never felt so in love before that he knew he¡¯d be lost without her. It was pathetic and so fucking sappy he thought. But the truth was that he just wanted to be with her, to love her for however long they can be together.


    Rowan knows his heart wants what it wants, and Cassie was it.


    ¡°Earth to boss man, Sir, I really need you to sign off on these,¡± Kaitlyn, his PA interrupted his thoughts when she came into his office. She obviously knocked, though he must¡¯ve failed to hear her.


    ¡°Kaitlyn, yes, tell me what I need to sign?¡±


    ¡°The new PR campaign, you talked about it at thest meeting. This is the budget approval from River, the CFO?¡± Rowan shook his head when she exined who River was as if he had forgotten their only CFO.


    ¡°I know who River is thank you, Kaitlyn, and don¡¯t think I know what you¡¯re trying to do there,¡± Rowan said when he opened the folder and glimpsed at the document. He read it carefully onest time before he signed his name on it.


    Rowan continued his day while his mind kept on going back and forth to Cassie. It was ridiculous that he finally had enough, he decided that he needed to talk to her. Seriously.


    And so he did, that evening when he reached home he was ready to talk with her when he was surprised by a candle-lit dinner and Cassidy was waiting for him looking like a beautiful angel under the dimmed lighting.


    ¡°Hey,¡± she greeted him nervously.


    ¡°Hi,¡± he dropped his suit jacket on the kitchen counter along with his briefcase and walked towards her. ¡°So, you¡¯ve been busy,¡± Rowan put his hand on her waist, pressed his lips to hers, and deepened the kiss before slowly pulling away from her.


    ¡°Mrs. Dawson helped,¡± she blushed sexily, ¡°I thought tonight we could talk.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Rowan cupped her cheek, tilting her face to his. ¡°I should¡¯ve taken the time, I swear though I was going to make us talk tonight.¡±


    She smiled at him and let him kiss her again. ¡°I love you,¡± she said and he replied with the same affection.


    ¡°You want to talk first or have dinner first?¡± She asked thinking he might be hungry after work.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we make it easier by talking while we eat?¡±


    She nodded and let him lead Cassidy to her seat. He poured her wine and took the seat next to her before he poured himself a ss.


    Cassidy took a big gulp and then started the conversation. ¡°I realized after losing my parents that life is short,¡± she said while fiddling with her sd. He nodded in agreement and sipped his wine slowly.


    ¡°I¡¯m saying I want you, Rowan, I want us,¡± she put her hand on his and forgets about her sd.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Oh, god, I can¡¯t believe how relieved I am hearing you said that. I¡¯ve been in such a mess after you apany me to visit my mom. Everything was moving faster than before.¡± He entwined his fingers with hers, and continued, ¡°It¡¯s like the only two speeds with you are, fast and faster and somehow my gut telling me that I couldn¡¯t even care even if I crash. Cause I know it¡¯ll be worth it and I know I will do it all over again.¡± He took her hand and kissed her knuckles.


    ¡°Rowan,¡± she squeezed her hand in his, her eyes were ssy, and her emotions were feeling everything from happy to worry but she stayed still and let him interrupt her chain of thoughts.


    ¡°I love you, Cassie, I knew that we were supposed to talk, I knew we¡¯re really new at this rtionship thing, and I knew you¡¯re too young for me. But¡­ somehow I also knew that you¡¯re the one for me, and there¡¯s only one direction to go where we¡¯re heading in the future. So, seeing that we¡¯re going too fast already¡­¡± Rowan releases one hand to reach down his pants pocket for a small velvet box.


    Cassidy was barely seeing Rowan the moment she saw the ring when he opened the box. The ring which Rowan bought on his way back home. Seeing the billboard for the jewelry store, he took it as a sign. And the man had settled his decision to move forward, go all in and throw his heart into the abyss of uncertainty.


    Her tears fell when he asked her.


    ¡°Cassidy Rhodes, you¡¯re beautiful and have an even more beautiful soul. I love you and I want to marry you, make you my wife, and be the man who will cherish you for as long as you¡¯ll have me. Will you be my wife?¡±


    It took all her strength not to say yes in the spur of the moment, but Cassidy needed him to listen. ¡°Rowan, I realized today that I want to be with you. The hell with consequences, and you¡¯re right, after meeting your mom it felt like the floodgate was opened, and when it rained it poured¡­ but I still want you, so yes, if you want me, I want to be your wife.¡± Cassidy didn¡¯t know how she was able to blurt out the words but she was shaky afterward. Then Rowan held her hand firmly and slipped the pink diamond on her finger. It was beautiful, and modest but showed just how cherished she truly was.


    After her parents¡¯ passing, she knew she would never take anything for granted. There¡¯s always no guarantee with everything in life, she wanted everything with Rowan, with no regrets. And if he wants babies, she will have them dly, they will make it work.


    People marry while they¡¯re in college, they even have babies. It was ridiculous to think she wanted to wait when all she wanted was to jump into the adventure that is Rowan. There was no happily ever after for her, she learned that the hard way with her parents¡¯ death. So she was taking it as they came, whether it was slow or fast and faster, just like Rowan pointed out before.


    ¡°We¡¯re fucking doing this aren¡¯t we?¡± Rowanughed and pulled her to sit on hisp, Cassidy wrapped her arms around his neck and told him yes. Happy tears roll down her cheeks and he kisses them away, then catches her smiling lips with his own.


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes, I¡¯m doing this, we¡¯re doing this. I want to wake up next to you every day, I want to have a life with you. Whatever future we¡¯ll have, I want it all.¡± She held his jaw and gave him one deep lovely kiss.


    ¡°So, who do we tell first? the twins of the gossip sisters.¡±


    ¡°Can we keep it to ourselves for tonight and think about it tomorrow? I still can¡¯t believe what you did.¡±


    ¡°Hey, you agreed to it too.¡± He defended, his voice sounded yful, though his face tells it all, he was grinning so wide his teeth might dried up.


    The lover finished their candle-lit dinner with a happy conversation about their future and about their ns to tell their siblings.

 70. Announcement

    Cassidy and Rowan decided to tell his sisters first and then tell the twins over the weekend. Turned out that living in their bubble, and keeping their news to themselves was nice but they realized quickly that they wanted to share their happiness with their loved ones.


    Cassidy was a bit nervous, sometimes her mind would go back to her being not good enough for him. But when he put his hand on her back, all of her worries disappear. She knew that he¡¯d support her, that he loves her, and that no matter what people say their love conquers all. As sappy as it sounds, Cassie knows that it was true. And when she rewinds her memory to theke house, she remembered that his sisters liked her, and she realized that she was being silly for even doubting herself.


    ¡°Oh. My. God. I can¡¯t believe you finally did it, little brother! I¡¯m so proud of you! Congrattion, Cassidy!¡± Erin hugged Cassidy then Rowan, then gave him a loving pat on his cheek.


    The sisters were meeting them at their favorite fancy restaurant, leaving their children and spouses at home for a short break from family life and treating themselves to fancy food and siblings bonding time. Rowan was d that he didn¡¯t have to expose Cassidy to their spouses and their children yet, he wanted to ease his sisters when he told them about their engagement before everyone else.


    ¡°I know you said some secret announcement on the phone but you¡¯re making me lose a hundred bucks.¡± Erika was opening her purse and slipped the bills into Edith¡¯s palm, then Erin did the same while Edith was grinning smugly like she was proud to have the insider scoop on our secret.


    ¡°Honestly, I didn¡¯t think he¡¯d do it so soon. But hey, I trust my baby bro, he¡¯s always been smart. Well, not with Heather, but I forgave him.¡± Edith exined as she gathered her winnings into her purse after she paused from perusing the menu. ¡°So, when¡¯s the wedding?¡±


    ¡°Well, we decided on a long engagement, maybe a year from now, Cassidy is still busy with her study, but she¡¯s moving in permanently,¡± Rowan took her hand and kissed her ring finger.


    ¡°Yes, what he said,¡± she replied and continued to look at the menu, totally avoiding the sisters¡¯ gaze though her blush gave her away, which makes Rowan sappily and adoringly kiss her cheek.


    ¡°Aww¡­ you guys are just the cutest.¡± Erika chimed from her seat across theirs.


    They were talking when Erin gasped as her eyes darted to the entrance of the restaurant. Then Erika and Edith joined her sister¡¯s gaze as they all looked where Heather was waiting to be seated. She was there with a man, a much older one than she was. Cassidy thought at some point that Rowan¡¯s ex was dining with her dad and she was going to get caught up in the family drama.


    Her fear was tested when Heather must¡¯ve sensed the sisters¡¯ gaze and looked their way. The cold stare was evident and Rowan sighed as if he was waiting for the said family drama.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen her family in years. But someone tells me, that¡¯s not her dad, right? not when he¡¯s putting his hand on her ass and practically drooling for her boobies.¡± Erin asked while Cassidy tried to sneakily see the hand of the much older man while trying not tough at the word boobies and the image of the old man lusting for them.


    Cassidy was almost disappointed when she couldn¡¯t manage to sneak a peak when Heather turned around to whisper something to the older man before she walked towards their table.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Ugh, here we go,¡±


    ¡°Drama, iing¡­¡±


    ¡°Gah, I need a stronger drink,¡±


    The sisters each had something to say the moment they noticed that Heather wasing to their table.


    ¡°Rowan, I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d be here,¡± Heather started to say, smiling sweetly it was too sickening to watch.


    ¡°That¡¯s because he didn¡¯t tell you, why would he?¡± Erika cut her off and smirked.


    ¡°Erika, Edith, Erin, I see that you¡¯re¡­¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re celebrating Rowan¡¯s engagement to Cassidy.¡± Edith grinned then gave Cassidy her adoring sisterly smile.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Heather¡¯s cheeks pinked when she looked at Rowan¡¯s hand and his entwined fingers with Cassidy¡¯s showing off her pink diamond engagement ring.


    ¡°Does Hoyt know you¡¯re dining with his boss, his much older boss, the actual founder of the decades-oldpany?¡± Rowan asked revealing them all with the identity of her date, letting out her opportunist, social climbing nature surface.


    Heather¡¯s pink cheeks grew a shade deeper and she shook her head obviously lost for words. ¡°I¡­ it doesn¡¯t matter what Hoyt thinks,¡± she defended herself while the sisters all gave her their unison eye rolls. ¡°You don¡¯t get to judge me, while you¡¯re engaged with someone half your age, you practically watched her grow up. Pedo much?¡±


    He growled when her venomous words spilled out of her red lips. ¡°Go back to your table Heather, you¡¯re not wee here.¡±


    Cassidy squeezed his fingers, silently telling him not to make a scene. But before she could put her thoughts into words Heather directed her hatred toward her. ¡°I¡¯d say congrattion, but I don¡¯t want to lie to you. Best to consider your option,¡±


    The younger woman had had it with her haughty attitude when Cassidy turned to face her and squinted her eyes as she scanned the wanna-be trophy wife with boobs practically spilling out of her too-tight and too-short dress for her age. ¡°You should go back to your sugar daddy before he naps on your table, it¡¯s going to be bedtime soon for the elderly.¡±


    The sisters snorted andughed making Heather huff and puff before telling Rowan that he was making a mistake. Then Heather dramatically headed back to her table only to hold out her hand to her date. They were out of the restaurant leaving Rowan and everyone on the table the well-deserved peace and quiet.


    ¡°You have words, Cassidy, remind me to have you on my team,¡± Erika told her with such fondness and both Edith and Erin smiled nodding in agreement.


    Rowan shook his head and waved the waiter to order everyone well-deserved drinks. Dinner went great afterward, the sisters were happy about Cassidy and Rowan¡¯s engagement and agreed with their n to wait and take the time to leisurely n their wedding. Before they parted Erika said that the whole family should regroup on theke house when the twins have their holidays and Cassidy beamed with happiness in Rowan¡¯s arms when she said that she loves their suggestion.


    Two hourster Cassidy and Rowan arrived at the house. ¡°You have my permission to redecorate our home, Cassie.¡± He pulled her to his chest and gave her a deep sensual kiss where her knees went weak and her heart was mushy from the loving feeling.


    ¡°Maybe I will,¡± Cassidy kissed him back, feeling brave as she pushed him against the living room wall and started unbuttoning his shirt. She slipped her cool hands when she couldn¡¯t wait to touch his bare chest andy her cheek on the crook of his shoulder. ¡°I love you,¡± she moaned when heid his hands over the smooth material of her dress and reach for the zipper that he had helped her with earlier that night.


    Cassidy was kissing the side of his neck, stripping him of his jacket and shirt when he easily unzipped her dress and let it fall to the living room floor, leaving her with only the plum-colored lingerie.


    ¡°This weekend we¡¯re spending time with the twins, but next weekend you¡¯re mine. I¡¯ll pick you up and we¡¯ll leave straight from campus and I¡¯m not going to tell you where.¡± He grinned mischievously and cupped her butt cheeks, kneading them with his strong hands, slipping his fingers between her legs when she parted them eagerly for him.


    ¡°I love you, Cassie, so much more,¡± his other hand was on her slender neck when he kissed her again, letting his feelings known, not just with his words but also his affection. Cassidy was smiling in between their kisses. Her body hummed with delight, as she was looking forward to her future with the man that she loves. This was it.


    Her happy ending.

 71. The Ballerina

    The sun was shining through the heavy curtains when Charlotte woke up. She was tired from working at Babesst night. At the age of twenty-three, she was feeling like an old woman with creaky joints. She was too pale and too skinny, she lost weight easily after her future was ripped apart from her grasp.


    Charlotte was once the prima ballerina at one of the country¡¯s prestigious ballet houses until her dad¡¯s embezzlement case came to surface. Not long after that, her mom passed away from a heart attack after months of struggling for her life in a hospital bed. All while her dad¡¯s trial was going on, until the day he was sentenced and imprisoned for the biggest financial fraud the country had witnessed in thest decade.


    She was humiliated, her friends abandoned her, and she was burdened with the huge debt of her mom¡¯s medical bills. Homeless and jobless, Charlotte was entangled with a stranger, a man who took her into his mansion of a house where he let her stay to pay off her mom¡¯s hospital debt.


    Her dad¡¯swyer had arranged for her to do so, telling her that Seamus Braddock is an old family friend. Her dad confirmed so when she visited him in prison, a week after she moved into Braddock¡¯s house.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    Though she tried to stay positive and be strong for her dad, Charlotte was not convinced how she was going to clear her debt any time soon. It¡¯ll probably take her years seeing the staggering amount of the hospital bill.


    It has been almost a month since she stayed there and the homeowner, Seamus Braddock, had been giving her the hot and cold treatment. He did not agree when she told him that she was going to be a stripper at Babes. But she insisted since it was the only ce where she could dance and make decent money to pay off her debt to him. When she started working at Babes, one of the only establishments in town that would employ her since her family news went viral, Braddock had treated her with such disgust. But she ignored him, she had one goal on her mind, which was to pay her debt.


    It was not like she wanted to dance in the club, but that was all she could do, dancing was all she knew growing up. She had reached her goal of being the prima ballerina, as short as her career was, Charlotte was happy on stage.


    Everything was going as nned, untilst week when Rockford kissed her. Charlotte had watched as Seamus gave her the coldest stare, basically telling her to stop being a slut.


    She almostughed at the thought of it, his words couldn¡¯t hurt any worse than that. She had never let a man near, not after the sexual assault that made her lose her virginity back when she was starting as a prima ballerina.


    But Rockford had been nothing but sweet to her since she started working at Babes. Charlotte was finally letting her walls down and letting him kiss her. He was the second man she ever kiss, the first man that she ever let kiss her lips willingly.


    Tears ran down her cheeks just like every other morning since the assault. No one knew about it but her parents, now only her dad. As bad as her dad was in the eyes of the public, she believed him when he said that he was innocent in the case. He had told her that he was framed and that Charlotte needs to stay at Braddock¡¯s until he got out. Charlotte obeyed her dad, just like the good daughter that she was. She wanted her dad to survive in prison, she didn¡¯t want him to worry about her, though on the inside she was falling apart and she was tired of crying every morning.


    ¡°Good morning, Ms. Sullivan,¡± The maid greeted her when she entered her room to tend to her almost-healed sprained ankle. She had twisted her ankleing down from the stage when she saw Braddock at the club. He had never seen her dance and Charlotte was so shocked seeing him there, that she didn¡¯t see the end of the step and fall. Since then she was on a break from dancing, Charlotte had beening to the club to help out Jojo doing administrative work at the back office to make sure that Gage, the club owner, didn¡¯t fire her.


    A breakfast tray wasid on her king-size bed and she thanked Marjorie, the young beautiful maid for her assistance.


    This was one of the kindnesses that puzzled Charlotte from the first day she arrived at Braddock¡¯s mansion. The huge house was guarded with actual armed guards and the man had assigned Marjorie to provide Charlotte with anything she needs, he even provided her with a driver. He was providing for her needs when Charlotte had been nothing but an unwanted burden for him.


    ¡°Marjorie, thank you, but I think I¡¯m better today,¡± she wiped her cheeks dry while the rest of her words caught up in her throat. She wanted to dismiss her, she wanted more time alone to ponder on her life. She missed her mom, and she worry for her dad.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to visit your dad today, Mr. Braddock reminded me to help you get ready and make sure you eat your breakfast. Burke will be waiting for you to take you there.¡±


    Small little details informing her that Seamus was looking out for her were screwing up her feelings. But the mention of her dad made her eyes teary all over again.


    ¡°Oh, Ms. Sullivan, I didn¡¯t mean to upset you,¡±


    ¡°Marjorie, it¡¯s been weeks, I told you to call me Charlotte when we¡¯re alone.¡± She reminded the young maid again, Marjorie was three years younger than Charlotte and her family had been working for Braddock since forever ording to the young woman.


    ¡°Charlotte, please, you have to eat. You don¡¯t want your dad to worry, right?¡±


    She smiled at her and nodded. An hourter Charlotte was dressed and her ankle was wrapped with the stic bandage.


    That early afternoon Charlotte watched as Seamus Braddock escorted a woman out of his room, a beautiful voluptuous woman still wearing her club wear attire while he was looking perfectly handsome in his designer pajama pants with matching robe revealing his fine hairy chest and very defined masculine torso. And no Charlotte didn¡¯t want to stare but he was like a ma for her since the first day she arrived and he weed her into his house.


    He was her forbidden fruit, it doesn¡¯t matter how much she wanted him, the man was off limit since he hated her. She knows this from when she identally heard him talking on the phone telling the person on the other line exactly that. Charlotte heard him exin to the other person that had to take Charlotte in, that she was a burden, and that she needs to pay off her mom¡¯s hospital bills.


    And with the kind of money she was making at Babes, Charlotte knows that she¡¯d be staying there for years. Now, after a month of living there, she was ready to move out and she was going to tell her dad exactly that, the moment she sees him.


    ¡°Dad, oh my god, what happened?¡± Charlotte gasped when she saw the bruise on her dad¡¯s face, his right eye was swollen shut and his nose was a bit crooked under the purplish bruise.


    ¡°A fight broke out and I was caught in the middle. I¡¯ll be okay, kiddo. Things like this happen and one of Seamus¡¯s men was there to help me out of the chaos.¡± This was also the thing that made her need to stay at Braddock¡¯s, the gratitude and guilt. Her dad had told her to stay with the arrogant yboy who had different women in his bed every week. The man who judged her as a slut for dancing at a strip club and kissing the security guy, while he paraded his femalepanion in front of her.


    ¡°So, you said that you wanted to talk to me about something?¡± Her dad asked smiling like her presence was the highlight of his week there at the maximum security prison. Her heart broke for her dad, she wanted him safe, and seeing him hurt and in prison for a crime that he was framed for, made her teary instantly.


    ¡°Oh¡­ Charlotte, my little ballerina. It¡¯ll all be okay in the end. We¡¯ll get through this, mom is watching us, she won¡¯t let anything bad happen to us, okay?¡±


    ¡°I love you, dad,¡± she sniffled, quickly wiping her tears away.


    ¡°I love you too, kiddo,¡±


    Charlotte didn¡¯t tell him about her intention to move out, not when Braddock had his men guarding her dad from the inside of the prison. They talked about everything but her work and her current situation with Rockford. She lied and told him that she was still unemployed and looking for jobs. Charlotte didn¡¯t have the heart to tell her dad that she was working at a strip club and he told her that Braddock will wait and that he had assured her dad that paying him back was not an urgent matter.


    A family friend her dad had told her, though she felt nothing but hostility whenever Seamus was near.

 72. Family Friend

    The first time Seamus Braddock heard about the situation regarding Cormac Sullivan, he was certain that someone had done the man wrong. Because Braddock knew him, and the Sullivan he knew wouldn¡¯t put his family in a dire position, let alone dare to embezzle millions of his client¡¯s funds, and the news even talking about foundations being tangled in the scheme.


    Braddock was not aware of what was happening to Sullivan until it was toote, thinking that he has his ways to get out of his mess. But then Sullivan¡¯swyer called him for a favor. The old family friend wanted him to take in his daughter, hiswyer had exined that during his trials Mrs. Sullivan had passed away due to a heart condition, leaving his daughter and a significant amount of hospital bills. Bills that Sullivan was not able to pay since his ounts and assets were seized by the government.


    Seamus¡¯s dad was close with Sullivan, in the first year of Sullivan opening his office, his family had done lucrative business with him. The Braddock hadundered their money, effectively and efficiently. Being on the shady side of the business it was always good to fly under the government radar and to do so Sullivan had helped them to put their money and invest in shellpanies. That was in the beginning, now, thanks to Sullivan¡¯s hard work his family was well off and never had a near miss with any government agencies.


    And when Braddock Sr. announced that he was going to retire, Seamus took over his dad¡¯s role in thepanies. From there he had the pleasure of handling Braddock¡¯s businesses with Cormac Sullivan. Seamus had decided that he was very good at his job, the man was meticulous and seemed to have everything in control. That was until the whole fiasco where Sullivan¡¯s alleged embezzlement case went viral. It even made Braddock¡¯s involvement with Sullivan needed to be handled. Immediately.


    The week after the news went viral Seamus gathered his team and went through every possible loophole. And after what felt like hundred hours of meetings and skimming through their shellpanies with their legal, it seemed that Braddock was going to survive the thorough investigation that was conducted by the government anti-fraud agency against Sullivan¡¯spany.


    Then, when his dad told him about the favor his mind was taken back to the conversation he had with Sullivan¡¯swyer. Cormac was cashing out favor with Braddock Sr. and Seamus was to adhere to his request.


    The file on Charlotte Sullivan was on his desk a couple of hourster, his PA hadpiled them from every inte search she could find on the Prima Ballerina. Charlotte was twenty-three years old, twelve years his junior and he was determined to leave her and her problems alone by putting her in the furthest room in his enormous house. He did not have time for her, he was a busy man with a busy schedule.


    When the day of her arrival came, Seamus was expecting a snobbish brat, self-entitled, young, skinny ballerina that was going to pout and cry all day, whining about her misfortune and giving him the attitude. But instead, he was faced with a beautiful, lean, and very pale-looking redhead that made him want to grab her, hold her, and told her that everything was going to be okay.


    Charlotte didn¡¯t talk much when thewyer introduced them in the foyer of his house. Yes, Seamus hade home early to greet her as per his dad¡¯s request, and being the good son, he relented to his dad¡¯s wishes while he was vacationing to god knows where with mom.


    ¡°Charlotte, this is Marjorie, she will assist you with all of your needs, and Burke will be avable to take you anywhere you need to be. I¡¯vee to know you¡¯re dad, he¡¯s a good man, and I hope everything will get sorted out soon.¡± Seamus tried to make his voice as weing as possible, because looking at her that was all he wanted to do. He wanted to take all her troubles away, and maybe, just maybe, put a smile on her face. Though he shook thest thing away, it was not in his ce to do so. He was only to give her shelter until her dad was able to take her back.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Two words were all she said, so he let Marjorie usher her to the guest bedroom that was prepared upon her arrival. Seamus didn¡¯t see her for the rest of the night as he continued to work at his home office.


    The man didn¡¯t tell her about his n to look into her dad¡¯s case, he didn¡¯t want to get her hopes up. But knowing Sullivan, and seeing his daughter in her fragile state it was the least that he could do. He had the means and the money to do so and might as well help a colleague out. His dad would be so proud of him.


    The next day Charlotte went down for breakfast, and she blushed when she saw him bare-chested wearing only his pajama pants. Seamus looked amused, thinking being a ballerina she should¡¯ve ustomed herself to men in leggings and naked torsos. She should not flush pink seeing him in his morning attire.


    Charlotte was an anomaly, Seamus had dated a ballerina years ago for a while. He had met her friends, and most of them were just like his ex. Seamus thought that he might be wrong in pping her with prejudice, thinking all ballerinas were the same. Charlotte was not a snob, he could see that she was nice to Marjorie. Charlotte was far from his ballerina ex who was a narcissist, selfish, gold-digging, social media addict, and highlypetitive person who¡¯d do anything to seed. He had broken up with his ex and ended the toxic rtionship with a big relief.


    After an awkward greeting between her and Seamus, Charlotte sits down and then thanked Marjorie for the breakfast spread, before the young maid left them to their privacy.


    ¡°What are your ns for today?¡± Seamus asked after finishing his first cup of coffee.


    ¡°Looking for a job¡­ I¡¯ve been getting rejections email for days now. So I¡¯m going to take Burke and see the town if that¡¯s okay?¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure¡­ I told you, Burke will be at your disposal. Look, Charlotte, your dad is a good friend of our family and you will stay and consider this as your home.¡± He exined while he carefully studied her expression and bodynguage. ¡°And you don¡¯t have to worry about getting a job so soon, get limated first, take your time,¡±


    ¡°We owe you too much, I need to start earning to pay for mom¡¯s hospital bill.¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    Her guilt was shown, she looked burdened by her situation and Seamus didn¡¯t like what he saw. But he didn¡¯t want to push, he didn¡¯t know her well enough to suggest otherwise. So he stayed quiet and let her talk.


    ¡°I¡¯m already staying here, eating your food, being served by your staff, I need to contribute.¡± She paused to drink her orange juice.


    That day she went out with Burke and Seamus was sticking to his schedule, working, and attending a couple of meetings then arrived back home just after dinner time. He had been doing it on repeat for the past several years since his dad had slowly made him take over his positions as the head of thepanies that the Braddock owned.


    Seamus had never been so furious the day Charlotte announced that she finally got a job as a dancer at Babes. It was a strip club, he knows it, though a high-end one, still¡­ it was a strip club. They argued until he realized that she was a stubborn woman who insisted that she wanted to pay for her family¡¯s debt. He should admire her traits but he didn¡¯t, he hated it, he hated the thought that she was going to dance, twirling on a pole almost naked, smiling at half-drunk sleazy men.


    ¡°Why are you doing this? you can work at my office, I¡¯m sure we can work something out if you really insisted on paying the debt.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not an office worker, I love being on stage. I love dancing, it¡¯s all I¡¯ve done since I learn to walk.¡±


    He didn¡¯t want to tell her that he also owns a club, it was his, not his dad¡¯s. It was his passion to own a gentleman¡¯s club, a nice exclusive ce where people with the same interest gathered. He could employ her there, but there was no dancing, just singing. Though maybe she could sing, or she can manage a new dance routine. But then he didn¡¯t want all those rich men flocking by the stage, drooling all over her performance. Nope, not a good solution.


    Somewhere along the way, he had developed feelings for her. Possessive, protective feelings, that he thought he shouldn¡¯t have. She was young, twelve years too young for him. Charlotte was too sweet for him. She couldn¡¯t handle him sexually. He was certain of it.


    Seamus was ruthless in bed, he needed women who werepatible with him, women who  will give him exactly what he wanted. God knows he wanted Charlotte since the first time heid eyes on her, he wanted to strip her down, bound her to his bed, and do stuff that¡¯ll make her blush.

 73. Sindy

    The moment Burke told him that she took the job he couldn¡¯t focus on his work. Seamus wanted to yank her off the stage and lock her in her room until her dad could take her back.


    And when she fights him on the idea he finally relented and thought that he let her do it. She wouldn¡¯t probablyst a day at the ce, not with her gentle nature. Seamus had known from her file that she had been sheltered all her life by her parents. She was an only child, and her parents loved her dearly.


    But then weekster, she was still dancing at the club and seemed to make friends there making Seamus more frustrated. He put her at arm¡¯s length and let her do what she wanted to with her life while he carried on with his. Seamus was working and bringing different women home on the weekends, just to make sure that she saw them thinking it¡¯ll put the necessary distance between them.


    ¡°I heard you¡¯re settling in, in the club?¡± He heard so much more actually, he also heard that she was getting extra friendly with one of the guards at the club. That made Seamus threading on the edge, he was too emotionally invested in Charlotte when he needed to let her be. His brain told him to do so, but in the heat of the moment, he had Burke stage an attack to scare the man. He was punched in the face, which then made Charlotte furious at him. She knew it was his doing, didn¡¯t know how, but she knows.


    ¡°Look, I said I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t know that he¡¯s your boyfriend.¡± He said the B word in spite, but he needed to apologize. Seemed that she does like the man. And ording to Burke he handled the attack quite well, he waspetent and didn¡¯t even try runaway. Seamus hated the fact, he hated that the staged brawl was making Charlotte even closer to her boyfriend.


    ¡°He¡¯s not my boyfriend, we¡¯re¡­ new, he¡¯s nice and it was just a kiss,¡±


    ¡°And you let nice people kiss you? What the hell Charlotte?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Charlotte talked back at him. ¡°And don¡¯t act all gentlemen with me, you brought home different women on weekends!¡± She shouted, her face was scarlet, she was mad, oh boy, she was really mad.


    ¡°I am me and you¡¯re you!¡±


    ¡°What the hell does that supposed to mean?!¡± Seamus yelled back. ¡°Argh¡­ I can¡¯t deal with this right now. I¡¯m going to work.¡± He said again in frustration.


    ¡°Go! I¡¯ll be going to work also!!¡±


    He gave her the coldest stare before he left his breakfast untouched and headed straight to his bedroom to get ready for work, then left the house half an hourter.


    That was the most intense argument they ever had, Seamus didn¡¯t mean to lose his temper but he couldn¡¯t help himself whenever he was around her. Even Marjorie who identally heard them was shocked by Seamus¡¯s rage.


    Two dayster when Seamus had calmed down he decided to visit her at work, he thought he¡¯d see for himself and find out why Charlotte likes it so much there.


    ¡°Can I get you anything to drink?¡± The bartender who then introduced himself as Ro poured him a shot of the top-shelf whiskey when Seamus asked for his best whiskey, neat.


    Ro left him to enjoy the surrounding when he saw Seamus direct his gaze onto the stage. The man didn¡¯t move to sit closer to the stage, he was too mesmerized by the woman¡¯s performance.


    Charlotte was exquisitely breathtaking, she was pale and dressed scantily in prettyce covering her privates. The music was slow and seductive, her body moves to beat perfectly. Seamus couldn¡¯t take his eyes off her when Charlotte¡¯s slender leg wrapped around the pole and her hands pulled her body upwards, taking her body weight effortlessly. The twirl of her body around the pole was eye fuckingly erotic, he was feeling his dick giving appreciation to the performance.


    It wasn¡¯t the first time he saw her dance, he had privately watched several of her ballet performances that were posted on YouTube. But this, this¡­ was the kind of dance that was equally beautiful. She was taking stripping on stage to another level and he had to remind himself to pick his jaw off the floor when Ro offered to refill his drink.


    ¡°Um yeah, same, please, so¡­ the dancer, is she avable for a private performance?¡±


    Roughed and told Seamus that he had to wait in line since Sindy never takes private requests. ¡°She tried on her first day, but back out when she realized that she couldn¡¯t do it.¡±


    ¡°Sindy?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, the newbie onstage, she used to be a ballerina that¡¯s why she moves like a fairy, you see? those men are throwing bills still hoping to get to see her naked.¡±


    Seamus twitched, and anger bubbled inside him. Maybe going into the club was not a good idea he thought, but he took another gulp of his drink and let the smoothness of the whiskey wash his anger away.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    Sindy¡­ well, she did move sinfully delicious, Seamus thought to himself with a smirk on his face. The man settled his bill and decided to go home, thinking that it was better if she didn¡¯t see him there. But when her dance routine ended and the stage lightning died, she gazed out at the audience with a smile as she wasing down from the stage. That was when she saw Seamus and tripped on her stripper heels before letting out a painful scream.


    Seamus was quick to run to the stage, though he was held off by a big guy with a bruise on his face who he recognized immediately as the nice guy who was not Sindy¡¯s boyfriend.


    ¡°Sir, please go back to your seat.¡± The man gave him a stern warning while he had his hands on Charlotte¡¯s sides trying to help her up. But her eyes were on Seamus as she watched him with a surprised expression.


    ¡°I¡¯m here for her. Charlotte, you¡¯re done for tonight, I¡¯m taking you to a hospital.¡±


    ¡°Do you know this guy?¡± Rockford asked her with a gentle tone, too gentle that Seamus didn¡¯t like it. Not at all.


    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s¡­ he¡¯s my housemate, I¡¯m staying at his ce. Rockford, this is Seamus Braddock.¡±


    Rockford nodded, he still try to help her but Seamus was faster. He took off his suit jacket and put it on her while telling Rockford to get her clothes and shoes so they can go to the ER. Rockford nced at Sindy who he now knew as Charlotte, silently asking if she was okay with Seamus¡¯s n for her.


    ¡°Please Rockford, if you don¡¯t mind getting my stuff? Or I can go back for it tomorrow. It¡¯s a sprained ankle I¡¯ve had this before. I¡¯m a dancer, I¡¯ve had worse.¡±


    Rockford nodded and quickly went to the changing room. While he was gone, Charlotte red at Seamus and demanded why he was stalking her.


    ¡°I¡¯m not stalking you, I want to see you at work, and this is not a safe environment for you. You should stop working here.¡± He pulled her to sit on hisp the second he was seated on the top of the stairs, right where she fell minutes ago. Charlotte never sits on anyone¡¯sp before, but he makes it feelfortable and safe, and strangely she was liking the attention that he was giving her.


    As if he truly cared about her.


    Charlotte didn¡¯t say anything about hisment, she was busy trying to suppress her pain and she was relieved when they finally arrived at the hospital. She thanked Seamus when he helped cover her half-naked body with her clothes, and once again when he carried her bridal style though she insisted that he should get her a wheelchair instead. But then he argued that carrying her was faster, and she finally agreed when her foot was suddenly throbbing with pain.


    She didn¡¯t know what strings he pulled at the ER but they were out of the hospital an hourter. Her ankle was wrapped with an stic bandage and she was happily drugged with high dosage pain killers.


    ¡°I told you to forget about the x-ray, but nooo you just have to make me endure more waiting time. I¡¯m a pro at sprained ankles, I know my body.¡±


    Seamus winced at the thought of her hurting in the past, then suddenly angry when his mind started asking who was the guy taking care of her back then.


    ¡°You should rest, it¡¯ste and Marjorie is off the clock but I¡¯ll get her to help you in the morning. Come on,¡± he lifts her easily out of the car when Charlotte is getting sleepy from the meds.


    ¡°You can get my car tomorrow, Burke, it¡¯ste,¡± Seamus told the driver as they got out of the car, but the man insisted on getting his boss¡¯s car from Babes since he drove himself there that night. ¡°Okay then, and be here in the morning just in case Ms. Sullivan needs you, though I highly doubt it,¡± Seamus said after he nced at the woman who was fast asleep in his arms.


    Burke helped him with the front door before he went back to park the car in the garage and go back to Babes for Seamus¡¯s car.


    Minutester, Seamus had tucked Charlotte under the cover, still in her clothes since Charlotte was asleep and he didn¡¯t want to get her to change only to wake her up and caused her more pain than necessary.


    He went back to his room, showered, and got changed into his pajamas. He was about to go to bed when he remembered to check on Charlotte. He stopped to get her a ss of water before heading to her room, thinking she would want to take another dose of pain medicine if she woke upter in the night.


    The lights were still off and Seamus did not expect her to be awake and crying. She didn¡¯t even make a sound, as if she didn¡¯t want anyone to know.


    ¡°Hey, are you in pain? have you taken your pain meds?¡± He put the ss on her side table, while she wiped her tears away.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay, bad day,¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± He kneels beside her bed, tucking a strand of hair to the back of her ear, and wiped a rouge tear trailing down her cheek with his thumb.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure,¡± Charlotte insisted.


    Seamus was not convinced. He sensed that her tears were from another kind of sadness. But he decided to let her go, she needed her privacy and he was not going to push. So he got up, cupped her cheek, and kissed her forehead, gently telling her to have a good rest.

 74. Hot and Cold

    Hot and cold Charlotte thought. She was done crying, for the time being anyway. She remembered when Seamus was kind to her after she got back from the hospital the night she sprained her ankle. But now weekster he was back to being a cold housemate, thinking only the worst of her, making her hate him with great passion.


    ¡°Why do you need to go back to Babes? You should find another ce to work where you don¡¯t have to parade half-naked.¡± Seamus said after he overheard her conversation on the phone telling the person on the other line that she was going back to Babes the next day. His eyes were on her as she put her phone down on the table and joined Seamus for breakfast, sitting in front of him just like she usually does.


    ¡°I¡¯ve had the clear with my doctor. And I would, soonest I find another ce to work. I told you this before.¡± The younger woman rolled her eyes as if she was tired of having to repeat the same answer over and over again.


    ¡°Why do you insist, you¡¯re being stubborn. I¡¯m not pushing you to pay me back, I¡¯m urging you to wait until you find a better job. Do you seriously think your dad would approve of your current employment?¡± Seamus knew that he was ying the dad card, but he really wanted her to stop dancing there. It was part jealousy, part possessive, and all kinds of emotions that he didn¡¯t want to attach himself to the beautiful ballerina in front of her. If he couldn¡¯t have her, at least she should save herself for someone she deserved. Someone better than him, and obviously better than Rockford.


    The moment Seamus mentioned her dad, Charlotte went stiff. Her eyes were ssy, her shoulder tensed, her fists curled and her mouth opened then closed secondster as if she didn¡¯t know how to answer his question. She knew that he was right, Charlotte knew that her dad would not approve of her current employment. And she hated that Seamus could read her easily.


    ¡°You don¡¯t¡­ just¡­ I¡­¡± She stammered, her brain fogged with desperation, debt, sadness, and humiliation, all rolled into one huge fuckery where she was handling it all alone. She had never felt so alone in her entire life.


    Charlotte didn¡¯t want to tell him that she was propositioned yesterday by her former mentor. Yes, Yanis Morozov, the man who had sexually assaulted her had learned that she was desperate for a job. He had offered her to be his assistant, then insinuated that she would be staying with him for the job. She was hearing his degrading tone, and he was right, it was desperation that didn¡¯t make her hang up on his call. Charlotte had been shaken to the core the moment he ended the call.


    She was barely twenty when he forced her to her knees. Charlotte had been too busy for romance, too busy honing her ballet skill, and who at that moment had trusted her mentor unconditionally. She had let him take advantage of her, telling her that she should stop being naive, that she must learn how to quickly progress if she wanted to be the next prima ballerina. The mentioning of the title had made her endure the darkest hour in her life. She had sumbed to his lust and was left broken and devastated.


    ¡°Charlotte?¡± The man in front of her sounded concerned when he put his hand on hers. Their fingers entwined over the dining table, their breakfast forgotten.


    ¡°I don¡¯t¡­ have a better offer,¡± she cleared her throat and blinked her eyes repeatedly trying to chase away her tears. Though she failed when tears rolled down her cheeks and she cursed while quickly wiping her tears away. Her mind was instantly taken back to the day when the snowstorm hit and she was trapped in the studio alone with her predatory mentor.


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s okay,¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t, I¡¯m not okay, this is not okay, nothing in my life is okay,¡± she jerked her hands away, her shoulder slumped and she almost stumbled back as she stood abruptly and her chair almost made her fall.


    Seamus was at her side instantly, but when he crowded her with his presence her mind short-circuited and she jerked away from him, almost pushing herself back. He didn¡¯t understand what was happening to her, but he recognized fear when he saw it and Charlotte looked terrified, though he couldn¡¯t understand why.


    One moment they were talking, the next second she acted like she was having a panic attack.


    ¡°Charlotte, look at me¡­ you¡¯re not okay, but you will be. Your dad made sure of it, he¡¯s trusting me to keep you safe.¡± Seamus stepped closer, and when she didn¡¯t pull away he rested his hand on her shoulder, giving her a rxed touch, silently telling her that he was there for her.


    And when Charlotte slowly stepped closer to him, he was taking it as a sign and swiftly pulled her into a tonic embrace, carefully holding her in his arms. He didn¡¯t want to scare her away, and when she shuddered he cooed in her ear and rubbed her back softly, telling her that he will keep her safe.


    There was more to her panic that she was letting on, he will dig deeper into her pastter, he thought. But at that moment, Seamus didn¡¯t let go of her, he did take her back to her room. And when it was she who was reluctant in letting him go, he stayed with her,ying beside her on the bed while shey on his chest until her sob faded and was reced by a gentle sound of regr breathing indicating that she was fast asleep.


    Did she even sleepst night? the question lingered in Seamus¡¯s mind. Charlotte did look a bit tired. And the moment it was safe for him to get out of her bed, he slowly shifted his weight and positioned a pillow for her to hug.


    Once he was back in his home office, Seamus called his PA and told her that he was going to work from home. Minutester he got in touch with his friend Bruce, who owns a securitypany, and gave him Charlotte¡¯s name and brief detail. Seamus told him that he wanted detailed past events that might¡¯ve spooked her and gave the scare.


    It was lunchtime when he was out of his home office and decided to check on Charlotte while taking his lunch break. She was not in her room. When he found her, she was sitting on the back terrace. Her hand was holding a book but her gaze was far away beyond the manicured backyard.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡±


    She raised her gaze to Seamus and blushed beautifully. ¡°Better, sorry for the little meltdown earlier.¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever say that, but if you want to talk I¡¯m here, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡±


    ¡°So, do you want to talk? or how about lunch?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not hungry,¡±


    ¡°Right, how about you apany me for lunch, Marjorie had the chef prepare your favorite.¡± It wasn¡¯t aplete lie, it was him that had told Marjorie to tell the chef to prepare her favorite food. Seamus wanted to make sure she eats, he wanted her to keep her strength and not wallow in issues that had her crying to sleep hours earlier.


    Seamus couldn¡¯t help feeling overly protective of her. Though he tried and measurably failed, just like so many times before since Charlotte invaded his personal space.

 75. Confession

    Charlotte felt relieved for getting out of the house as Seamus had been watching her a bit too closely for herfort. Charlotte was the first to arrive at the coffee shop near Babes where she was going to meet Bree and Dee before they started their shift at the club.


    While waiting for her friends she fills her time by checking her email on her phone. Her eyes skimmed and started deleting spam emails, but then stopped and froze when she saw his name.


    ¡°Heya, Sindy.¡± Dee greeted her with a dash of her usual morning attitude. She was always the cheerful one out of the whole girls at the club. Bree always said that it was Dee¡¯s personality, which was annoyingly happy. And theyughed about it, but at that exact moment, Charlotte hoped that she could be as positive as her friend.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Dee asked when she saw Sindy looking paler than she usually was. And at that exact moment, Bree arrived and noticed something was not right with the stripper Ballerina.


    ¡°Oh, Sindy, hey¡­ What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ no, just a past that¡¯s trying to catch up with me. I¡¯m just deleting his email. Yep, okay, now I¡¯m good.¡± Charlotte smiled at her friends and tried to hide her nervousness by drinking her still-too-hot Americano.


    Luckily, Dee was a great diversion for them as she start gossiping about how her boyfriend¡¯s family was trying to push them to get married. She was babbling about their youth and their freedom and how they wanted more time for themselves.


    Between the two of them, Charlotte managed to catch up on the club¡¯s gossip. And Dee did ask her about what¡¯s going on between Rockford and her. ¡°I¡¯m still waiting for your two men to start fighting for your attention. I¡¯m mostly mad at myself for not being there at the club when it happened and Ro kept on retelling it as if the guy was front and center when it happened.¡± Dee babbled, not clear whether she was talking about Charlotte¡¯s kiss with Rockford or the one time she sprained her ankle.


    Charlotte gave her an awkward smile. ¡°Well, I¡¯m still trying to start dancing again, though Jojo kept on telling me that I¡¯m needed at the back office.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, about that. I¡¯m sorry if you¡¯ll miss the dancing on stage. But I¡¯m cutting back my hours at the club. Meaning, Jojo will need someone to help her out since I¡¯ll be spending more time with Hazel. Gage thinks our little girl is acting out, between her new school and new friends, I think Gage¡¯s right. So, we will see.¡± Bree put her hand on Charlotte¡¯s shoulder and she smiled apologetically.


    ¡°Well, I know that my housemate will be happy knowing that I¡¯m not dancing for cash. Yet.¡± Charlotte smiled back with a yful wink.


    ¡°Ugh, that sounded positively possessive. So much potential drama to be expected from their meeting. I¡¯m so jealous.¡± Dee gave Charlotte her exaggerated sigh and Bree giggled.


    They talked andughed for two more hours before Charlotte say goodbye and told them that they¡¯ll be seeing her tomorrow for her shift with Jojo.


    When she arrived at the house, Charlotte took a short nap. Then before dinner time, she went to sit on the back porch scrolling through her phone,zily wasting her time before dinner. But her phone slipped out of her hand when a new email notification came from the one person she loathed the most. Charlotte went pale.


    ¡°Charlotte, is everything okay?¡±


    No¡­ no it¡¯s not¡­


    Charlotte thought to herself. Her hand slightly trembled, and her heart raced. It erratically beating, making her ears numbed to her surroundings.


    Seamus looked at her with a puzzled expression, then he retrieved her phone. It was cracked, but he could still see the screen. It was an email. He didn¡¯t want to invade her privacy, but at a nce, he could read the sender¡¯s name. Yanis Morozov.


    ¡°Who¡¯s Yanis Morozov?¡± He asked as seconds ticked by and she didn¡¯t say anything when he gave back her phone and Charlotte put its cracked screen facing down on the small table by her side.


    ¡°My old mentor,¡± Charlotte said coldly, though there was something in her tone that made him push for more.


    ¡°And you dropped your phone because he emailed you? The inbox was still unread.¡±


    ¡°Oh, God, I need to¡­¡± Charlotte quickly got up. She ran for the bathroom, suddenly the mentioning of his name made her want to throw up.


    Seamus went after her and held up her hair when she dry heaved as her body produced no vomit. Charlotte hadn¡¯t eaten lunch and she was thankful because of it. But then, her stomach hurt and her throat felt sore.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you rest, and I¡¯ll get you some tea. I¡¯ll tell Marjorie to prepare soup for dinner.¡± Seamus left her to rest on her bed, pulling the covers, and insisted that shey down.


    Charlotte was sitting down, resting her back against the headboard, and wiping her tears away when Seamus got back with her tea and bottled water. ¡°Move aside,¡± he told her and sat next to her. The man put his arm on her shoulder, pulling her to rest her head on his chest after he made her drink the tea.


    ¡°Now, tell me, who¡¯s this Yanis Morozov is, and don¡¯t bother lying to me. I don¡¯t want you to and I have the means to dig deep into this acquaintance of yours.¡± He muttered then mindlessly kissed her temple and Charlotte couldn¡¯t ignore that it felt nice. So nice that she decided that he was right, he will find out sooner orter. With that in mind, sheopened the floodgate.


    ¡°Yanis is my old mentor. It happened when I was still young and naive. He¡­ molested me, raped me, and convinced me that I was not the only one doing it to get ahead and secure my position at the balletpany.¡±


    For a long minute, Charlotte could feel him tense beside her, his hold on her was firmer and she could hear him cursing lowly under his breath.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of him. Don¡¯t open his email. On second thought,¡± he paused to reach for her cracked phone then quickly essed her email and forward Yanis¡¯s email to himself before deleting the bastard¡¯s emails from hers and blocking him from her ount. Charlotte watched Seamus without protest and she visibly rxes when he takes care of her problems.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± She put her arm across his abdomen and burrow deeper into his chest. She didn¡¯t say anything else, Charlotte just closes her eyes and finally falls asleep after feeling like one heavy burden had been lifted off of her.


    After what felt like hourster, she woke up. They were still in the same position when she falls asleep. Seamus¡¯s hand was still holding her, but his eyes were shut and his breath was steady. The man was sleeping she thought, but he woke up as soon as she shifted in his hold.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake, feeling better?¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Better, thank you for the tea.¡± She replied though he knew that she meant for everything else as well. Charlotte closed her eyes once again the second he pressed his lips onto her forehead as if she was basking and wanting to cherish his affection and his attention toward her into her memory.


    ¡°You know I¡¯ll take care of you, Charlotte. You just have to tell me about it.¡± Earlier, when Charlotte confessed and then fell asleep after what he¡¯d assumed was exhaustion, he texted Bruce. He asked him to dig deeper, if her father knew, he might bury the incident knowing it¡¯ll jeopardize her career and Charlotte wouldn¡¯t want that.


    ¡°I just want to forget about it.¡± She said when he helps her up and leads her to the dining room.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to talk about it, but I will take care of it. You don¡¯t have to worry about that scumbag. You have my protection.¡± The moment he said that finishing his sentence with confidence Charlotte knew that she liked him, feelings were blossoming inside her. She liked his attention and his protectiveness and that was wrong, so¡­ so wrong.

 76. Payback

    It has been days since her confession, and the tension was high. While Seamus was tiptoeing his every move around her, Charlotte was overthinking every gesture she put out.


    After her shocking confession and the facts that Bruce gave him, Seamus was beyond livid. He was aware that she needed his assurance that nothing had changed, but at the same time, his feelings for her were all over the ce. Seamus knew that vengeance will be the strongest one until he deal with the rapist bastard.


    Charlotte on the other hand wanted nothing but to forget everything that had happened. So, she worked with Jojo at Babes, then went straight back to Seamus every day. With her strange working hours, she would be home and he would have retreated to his room. In the morning she¡¯d grab a quick breakfast just because she wanted to see him, but each morning Seamus was busy on his phone or with his tablet that they don¡¯t spend much time talking.


    Charlotte hated that she misses him, she hated that she wanted him when he looked like he was too busy to spend time with her. She needed to be patient, he¡¯s a busy businessman, she thought. Though deep down, she worries that her confession days ago might make Seamus thought of her as damaged goods.


    Dayster when she had her day off, she was happy that she was going to visit her dad. The sky was clear, and traffic was sparse. She even had a nice chat with Burke and found out that he had a thing for young Marjorie. Charlotte teased him about it, and the man actually blushed. But he promised her, that he was going to ask Marjorie out on a date.


    The happy bubbly feeling soon died when she saw her dad. Charlotte was almost in tears, he looked skinny and his skin was pale. ¡°Charlotte, kiddo, don¡¯t cry¡­ I¡¯m fine. I know I look horrible, but I¡¯m fine. I just caught the flu.¡±


    She nodded, blinking her eyes repeatedly, wanting to rid of her tears and trying to be strong for her dad. ¡°Is the doctor treating your flu? do you get medications?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s just the amodation. I¡¯m an old man you know, and my back sometimes hurt. But the rest is all good. I¡¯m getting limated with my surroundings, and staying out of trouble.¡±Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Have you talked to yourwyer?¡±


    They both carried on with their conversations until the visitation hours were over, and Charlotte said goodbye to her had. Her eyes were ssy and her tears finally poured when she reached the car. Burke stayed silent and peeked at her through the rearview mirror. He was all business, though the man knew that he was going to report this to his boss. Yes, Mr. Braddock would want to know about his ballerina that was crying her eyes out after meeting her dad.


    And Burke was right, Seamus Braddock did not like it when Burke told him about how upset Charlotte was after she came back. Seamus cut his working hours early, told his PA to rearrange his schedule then went straight home.


    Once he was home, he went straight to the guest bedroom and found Charlotte sitting on her bed with tissues discarded and crumpled around her. His heart broke for her, the second she looked at him with desperation in her eyes.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Charlotte?¡± He sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. From what Burke told him and what his men were reporting to him from inside the prison walls, was that old man Sullivan was sick. They said that it was the flu, but Seamus suspected that the living condition and the stress were not making it easier for him.


    ¡°Visited dad this afternoon, he looked terrible Seamus¡­¡± Charlotte paused to wipe her tears, plucking fresh tissue from its box. ¡°He shouldn¡¯t be there, I don¡¯t want him to die there.¡± She sobbed harder and let him hold her in his arms.


    ¡°You know I have men looking out for your dad, right? Charlotte, look at me,¡±


    ¡°Y-yes,¡± her eyes met his when he tilted her chin and wiped her tears with his thumb.


    ¡°Also, I didn¡¯t want to tell you this, since I don¡¯t want to get your hopes up¡­ but, I have mywyers and private investigators on your dad¡¯s case. As I said before, your dad is a family friend. He¡¯s a good guy. So, please stop crying. we¡¯re trying to move him to a minimum-security prison. With his condition, we¡¯re hoping the plea can go through sooner.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­ how to¡­¡±


    ¡°Again. I don¡¯t want to get your hopes up, but we¡¯re pushing his case, Charlotte.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Her eyes were still on him and she blushed, suddenly feeling their closeness was a bit too much. But he was not letting her back away, instead, his hand rubbed her back as he took her back into his embrace.


    ¡°No need to thank me, you just need to stay strong for your dad. I don¡¯t want you to get sick from too much crying. Now¡­ how about dinner?¡±


    ¡°Will you hold me?¡± Charlotte asked as she burrow deeper into his arms, she was taking in his warmth and put her hand on his chest, her leg was against his side pushing herself t to him.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Seamus kissed her head and joined her on her bed after he swiftly took off his suit jacket and shoes along with his socks and rested them under the sofa bench by the foot of her bed. His silk tie was ced on her side table and he rolled his sleeves then rxed back to the bed taking Charlotte to rest back in his arms. She sighed as she gotfortable in his hold, then it didn¡¯t take long before she was feeling the need to get closer.


    Much¡­ much closer.


    ¡°Help me forget?¡± She asked bravely, but in a very timid tone as if she was unsure of herself. Seamus could see the shock in her eyes like she didn¡¯t believe what she asked of him.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m¡­ I didn¡¯t mean¡­¡±


    Seamus had been keeping his distance from her because the temptation was one of the reasons he couldn¡¯t get intimate with her. It was wrong, with her experience, Seamus knows that he was not the perfect man for her. Though it didn¡¯t stop him from wanting her.


    The kiss was gentle when Seamus abandoned his judgment and pressed his lips against hers. And he groaned the moment she opened her mouth and let him in. He shouldn¡¯t be kissing her, he thought. But the urge to give her pleasure was too great, besides, he wanted to help her forget.


    Yeah, right.


    He thought to himself. It was more like he took what he wanted, and at that moment, what he wanted was her.


    ¡°Tell me what you want from me?¡± he asked when he stopped kissing her, giving her an out.


    ¡°I want you to have me,¡± she blurted out.


    ¡°Charlotte¡­¡± Her name spilled from his mouth with a warning tone.


    ¡°Please? I¡¯ve never, I mean, not since¡­ and I¡­ you¡¯re¡­¡± The hesitation was making her blush with the deepest shade of red.


    He didn¡¯t say anything when he pushed her toy on her back and his lips were back on hers in seconds. Charlotte whimpered when his hand was holding her waist, she could feel his strong hand and the heat of his body engulfed her like a safety.


    ¡°So beautiful,¡± he whispered in her ear.


    ¡°Seamus, please, I needed you,¡±


    There weren¡¯t a lot of things that Seamus was afraid of, and letting her down because he rejected her was one of them. Hell, everything about Charlotte was a sure thing, he¡¯d say yes to anything she wanted. That fact should be a red g for him, it should deter him from getting close to her. But she was like a ma to him, always drawing him near and there was nothing he could do otherwise. The heart wants what it wants. Well at that moment, his body wants what it wants. He craved her, so much that it hurt, inside and out.


    So, he did what he did best, which was giving Charlotte what she needed by continue kissing her and slowly undressing both of them until she was in herce underwear and he too was in his boxers briefs. He didn¡¯t want to call back her trauma. Just because she said she wanted it, doesn¡¯t mean that she was ready for it. And Seamus was taking his time, he can, and he will be patient with Charlotte.


    Because she didn¡¯t back away when he licked and flicked her nipples with his tongue. He knew that she was ready. She moaned his name louder and bucked her hips shamelessly. Her cheeks were flushed and her nipples were perky when he took off her bra. Her nails dug deep when his hand reaches under herce panties. His fingers trail between her legs making her whine, begging him for more.


    ¡°Tell me if you want me to stop okay? We¡¯re doing this at your pace.¡± He kissed her forehead and she cupped his jaw and pull him down for a kiss. It was sensuously arousing and he was throbbing with needs. And as if she can read his mind, her other hand was stroking him over his briefs.


    ¡°Fuck, baby, you need to slow down.¡±


    But she didn¡¯t, Charlotte wanted him. She wanted him to make her forget.


    ¡°I want you, please¡­¡±


    Again, he could not resist his beautiful housemate, and he relented when he tugged her panties down, and get between her legs. She gasped when she felt his tonguepping her like she was his favorite ice cream vor. He parted her thighs, sucked, licked, and devour her until her legs trembled when she climaxed without a warning.


    Charlotte was flushed, looking more beautiful than ever when he kneels, stroking his cock to her warm wetness. He did not enter her, he wanted to go slow. ¡°Ssh¡­ no pration, not this time,¡± he whispered lowly and she shuddered, letting out a little moan as if the friction was giving her another kind of pleasure.


    He smiled in his kiss when he recognized that she was going for her second orgasm. Though he was so close to his climax, he waited for her. He moved sensually, giving her friction while his hand guided his cock not wanting to slip inside her knowing how much he wanted to.


    ¡°More¡­ faster, like that¡­ please¡­ please¡­ please¡­¡± she panted sexily, and that was all it took for him to give her what she needs until she shattered to another orgasm.


    Seamus followed seconds after her and he soiled her soft belly with his cum. Thest time he¡¯d done it was back when he was anky teenager, but honestly, the act had trumped years of his adulthood sexual acts.


    Careful, he thought. But his mind was deep in the gutter when he was already nning his next sexual endeavor.

 77. Payback

    For the next two days, Seamus left Charlotte alone in the house. The confusion in her heart was obvious, she had never done intimacy before and what she felt with Seamus was way beyond her expectation of it. Was she wrong to want him to be there with her the next day? What do people usually do for their morning after? Surely the man didn¡¯t leave the woman for his impromptu business and flew out to New York leaving her for a couple of days?


    Yeah, right, she thought.


    The story of her life, she ponders.


    What Charlotte didn¡¯t know was that he went to New York to find Yanis Morozov. He made sure he got the facts before he flew to New York where the bastard lived. Bruce was there, apanying him, also to make sure that he didn¡¯t do anything stupid like kill the guy and leave incriminating evidence of himself. Yep, apparently, Seamus Braddock was too valuable to be implicated in the murder of some ballet instructors even of the most prestigious ballet house in the country.


    It was dark when one of Bruce¡¯s men dropped them off at avish apartment. Bruce with all of his resources managed to pull some strings and get them both in. His men made sure that the in-house CCTV was jammed and looped, and their arrival was not recorded even from the outside traffic cam.


    They strolled to his apartment easily, having key card ess on their arrival from the concierge who was apparently working for Bruce. The man had many resources. Seamus nodded his head, and Bruce didn¡¯t have to interpret that Seamus was impressed with his performance, so far.


    Bruce and Seamus arrived in time when they found him with a young woman in tears. They could hear her whimper from the hallway, and Seamus¡¯s anger bubbled onto the surface. He was nowhere near calm.


    The lithe woman looked terrified when she saw them, and she gave out a horror expression. She looked like she was barely legal and that made Seamus want to slice Yanis open, gut him and throw him out of the high-rise building.


    ¡°Who the hell are you guys? How did you get in?¡± The lean man who looked old enough to be the girl¡¯s father came rushing towards her. But he failed when Bruce carefully grabbed her, telling her, that we were there to rescue her.


    ¡°Get the fuck out and leave the girl alone!¡± He yelled like a petnt little kid who didn¡¯t want to share his toys.


    It took all of Seamus¡¯s strength to hold off his anger for a whole two minutes, but he finally burst and punched the guy in the face. ¡°That¡¯s for Charlotte Sullivan. Stop contacting her, or I will put more bullets in you.¡±


    ¡°W-what?¡± He looked confused surely because he hadn¡¯t been shot, aside from his face that was starting to throb with pain, he had no other injuries.


    ¡°Oh, right, here¡­ let me,¡± Seamus pulled out a gunplete with a silencer and shoot Yanis Morozov in his right foot. ¡°There, you¡¯d live but I¡¯d doubt you¡¯d be dancing on your tippy toes anytime soon.¡±


    ¡°You. Fucking. Idiot! You have no idea who you messed with. I¡¯ll leak every little detail on your little stripper. I have videos, it¡¯s in¡­¡± Another shot, this time was to his thigh.


    ¡°Bruce, would you help me make sure this stupid asshole doesn¡¯t die too soon? I might actually enjoy putting bullet holes in him.¡±


    Bruce instructed the girl to look the other way and get herself back into her clothes and wait. Bruce called two of his men from downstairs. One was to retrieve the girl since it seemed that Seamus wanted more ytime with his rapist bastard, and the other one was to help them with the mess.


    ¡°Where the fuck is it?¡± Seamus asked the second Bruce tied the injured foot to stop the bleeding, then move up to tie the bloodied thigh.


    Yanis was pale, he was desperate enough to plead for his life when he told them where the videos were. The room was small but it was all there, disyed in a room full of his collection of private porn. Organized in alphabetical order and when he found Charlotte¡¯s Seamus was quick to destroy it Bruce was already on Yanis¡¯s PC and started typing and connecting the server to his best hacker employed as staff.


    ¡°My guy had deleted the could, but he¡¯s still working on all of the links and backtraced all of his ounts, just in case.¡±


    Seamus nodded coldly before he grabbed Yanis¡¯s hair and asked him if there was anything more that he should know. But the man shook his head frantically, no doubt he was losing blood and feeling the pain though his adrenaline was on high. Hell, two bullets shot wound and a punch in the face would do that to you.


    But Seamus didn¡¯t expect Yanis to retrieve a letter opener from his table and stabbed him in his stomach. He cursed and yanked Yanis¡¯s hair and punched him again in the face. Seamus took out his handkerchief and put pressure on the wound, carefully not to pull out the letter opener.


    ¡°Make him suffer, keep him alive, for a few hours then when he¡¯s dead you can stage it for hmm¡­ how about single vehicle ident?¡± Seamus said like he had not just been stabbed. Because no, it was not his first rodeo. He had been stabbed with a bigger knife in more dangerous ces and he knew the guy didn¡¯t even stab him deep enough to punch an artery. But he could never be too careful.


    ¡°We can do that.¡± Bruce agreed while the rapist whimpered, tears tearing down his face when one of Bruce¡¯s men shut him up by lightly pressing the sole of his shoe to his injured foot.


    Seamus usually used his guys for these kinds of things but he didn¡¯t want to risk it with his men. Not when he had other jobs lined up for them. But Seamus knew Bruce, and he knew the guy would get the job done. Meticulously. Just like how he liked it.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s get you fixed up before you bleed to death,¡± Bruce told him that he knew a good surgeon in the city and they were going to make a quick detour before going back home.


    Okay, maybe it was time he branches out to security and invests money into Bruce¡¯spany for future dealings. It was a talk for another day he muses, now he needs to wrap this up and headed back home.


    He was exhausted when he got back home two dayster. Turns out Braddock senior wanted him to attend a g dinner and be the face of the Braddock family business. He even had a date set up for him, but Seamus was too tired to say no to his dad. His stomach was still annoyingly throbbing with pain, but he kept walking around smiling as he put up his fake mask and trotted around the ce. ying the friendly Braddock junior was not pleasant, not when he was wounded and all he wanted to do was toy in bed with Charlotte.


    When he entered the house, the n was a bust when he found out that Charlotte was working. So, he decided to have a quick dinner followed by a long shower and tending to his wound, then he waited in her bedroom.


    ¡°Seamus¡­¡± Charlotte¡¯s hand was gently shaking his shoulder, the man didn¡¯t realize that he falls asleep waiting for her. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Mmhm, Charlotte, sorry I¡¯ve fallen asleep.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s okay, you¡¯re tired. So, uh¡­¡± Charlotte looked at him in hisfy pajama set and she was getting nervous. Who knew, a fully clothed Seamus ready for bed was as arousing as the half-naked Seamus she would encounter at breakfast time?


    Minutes earlier, Charlotte had found the man sleeping when she got into her room. She decided to clean up and get ready for bed. Hoping that when she was done with her nightly routine, he would wake up. But the man was still asleep, all handsome looking, making her heart beat a bit faster.


    But she was supposed to be mad at him. Charlotte saw the woman thattched onto his arm when she watched the headlines on the New York business g set for the rich. Okay, she was not sure what the exact point of the g was when she clearly ignored the news headline when her eyes found the perfect couple looking beautiful and rich and content with their life. Ugh¡­


    Tonight was not going to go well.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    Nope, not at all.


    Charlotte thought then suddenly she didn¡¯t know what she was about to say to Seamus.

 78. Explained

    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Charlotte finally had the words put together and asked him.


    ¡°What do you mean? This is my home, people alwayse home after days of working.¡± He replied, raising an eyebrow while his mind was thinking that maybe going into the privacy of her bedroom was a mistake, even though they had been intimate just a couple of days ago.


    ¡°Right, work, the work where you attend gs with models attached to your arm?¡± Charlotte questioned him, her jealousy was almost too cute that he wanted to smile widely. But he obviously didn¡¯t as he kept his expression schooled instead.


    ¡°You¡¯re watching me?¡± He sat up straighter on the bed, intrigued.


    ¡°What? No, that¡¯s absurd,¡± she said sounding offended and a little bit nervous. ¡°I¡­ I watched the news, it covered some g then I saw you with¡­ a woman,¡± she shrugged, trying to appear careless. Yet, she miserably failed.


    ¡°The woman was my dad¡¯s doing,¡± he said, then held out his hand for her. She was reluctant but couldn¡¯t make herself resist him. Her hand was on his and he sat on the bed, by his side. Though she looked a bit ufortable, he was content with it. For a moment.


    ¡°I was about to go home when dad called and told me to attend the g. Telling me that it was a family duty and more, then he set me up with a date, telling me that it was for exposure. Sometimes I don¡¯t follow his thinking, but I just wanted to get it over with. I wanted to go home, to you.¡± He paused to kiss her temple, then smiled when he felt her sighing in contentment. ¡°We met there and parted there too. She¡¯s a lovelydy, but Charlotte, she¡¯s not you.¡±


    Her cheeks pinked when he said the words, and his insides warm when he visibly sees her body rxes. ¡°Come here,¡± he scooted to the other side of the bed, and she joined him. He managed to position her to straddle him and lower her down to kiss him.


    ¡°God, I miss you.¡± His words poured with his kisses and she kissed him back. Timidly at first, but then within moments, things were heating up and she returned his kisses with more vigor. Her moans were getting sexier and he was getting harder by the second.


    He winced and hissed when her hand identally pressed on his wounded side. It had been morning since he took his painkiller. He had forgotten about it until her hand was on his side, and his stomach throbbed with pain-stabbing feelings.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± She asked and instinctively peeked under his sleep shirt and gasped when she found his abdomen was bandaged. ¡°Seamus? What happened?¡± She pulled up his shirt and threw it on the floor recklessly, her eyes were too busy scanning his bandage trying to figure out how he had injured himself.


    ¡°Well, I got hurt in New York while throwing out the trash. But it¡¯s all good now, you¡¯re safe,¡± Seamus trailed his fingers to her chin and he could see that she slightly trembled from his touch.


    ¡°Throwing the trash? Is that some code? Of course, I¡¯m safe, I¡¯m staying at yours. Seamus, tell me, I¡¯m a big girl, I can handle it.¡± She blurted out, while her mind was thinking of all the possibilities. And the only thing she knew that was in New York about her, was the ballet house. And¡­ oh, hell no¡­


    ¡°Seamus, tell me you didn¡¯t do anything to Yanis.¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t you want me to do anything to him? Do you have feelings for him?¡± Jealousy invaded his thought and it was not a good feeling.


    ¡°Did you kill him? He hurt you didn¡¯t he? Is that why you killed him?¡±


    A lie should¡¯ve been an easy way out for him. But he had no idea why the man couldn¡¯t lie to her when he finally told her the truth. ¡°He did hurt me. He did lose his life, and I am d that the scumbag will not hurt any more girls.¡±


    ¡°Anymore? He¡¯s doing it again?¡±


    ¡°He was. A girl was with him. She¡¯s safe now and we¡¯ve destroyed every piece of evidence.¡±


    ¡°Evidence?¡± Her voice was small and sounded stressed. Seamus didn¡¯t like it, he was d that Yanis was dead.


    ¡°Homemade movies,¡± he uttered, then continue, ¡°yes, yours included and I made sure I destroyed yours myself,¡± by that time Charlotte was trembling and sobbing.


    He was holding her tight in his arms. Seamus couldn¡¯t care less about the hurt he was feeling from his abdomen. He kept his hold on her and she kept on straddling him, her arms tightly circling his shoulder as she leaned in into the crook of his neck and let her tears fall.


    Seamus rubbed her backside, slithering his hand under her loose t-shirt and feeling her cold skin. He kept on moving his hand up and down her back, while his other hand hold her waist possessively. ¡°It¡¯s okay. You¡¯re okay now. I told you, I¡¯ll take care of you.¡± His hand move to cup her finely define jaw and he told her to stop crying.


    ¡°I hated Yanis, I¡¯m d that he¡¯s gone. T-Thank you.¡± She said, looking straight into his eyes. She stuttered in the end when he slip his thumb past through her trembling lips.


    ¡°Do you want me to help you forget? Make you stop crying? I don¡¯t think you should cry for him, I don¡¯t want you to feel bad that he¡¯s gone.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not, my tears are not for him. I¡­ I¡¯m d that he¡¯s dead and it¡¯s all over. I just, I couldn¡¯t believe anyone would do it for me.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    ¡°Charlotte, you wille to know in the future, that there¡¯s maybe not much that I won¡¯t do for you.¡±


    ¡°But why?¡±


    ¡°Because you¡¯re you? Because I like you?¡±


    He kissed her and she let him, she was opening up for him and let him deepen their kiss. His hand was on her neck, greedily holding her to devour and get drunk on their kiss. His other hand was on her hip sensually moving her to grind his crotch.


    Charlotte moaned when she felt his erection rubbing through his pajama pants and her flimsy shorts, she could feel her panties soaked already. Her nipples were aching for attention and she pushed herself toward him.


    ¡°Seamus,¡± she broke away from their kiss, pulled back to see his face then moved her hands to the end of her t-shirt, and without hesitation, she took it off, ¡°make me forget, please¡­¡±


    The man groaned and wrapped her naked back before he flipped her to gentlyy her on her back. Their lipstched onto one another as he stripped thest of their clothing and she parted her thighs easily, making room for him without a second thought.


    ¡°You¡¯re too beautiful, Charlotte,¡± he said kissing her ear, down to her slender neck and shoulder. She arched her back when he yed with her nipples, he sucked, licked, and pinched while she begged, and writhed under him.


    Her legs were propped on his shoulders locking her in ce while he ate her out. She squirmed, her fingers fisted the sheets, and she was screaming his name when she climaxed and he licked her clean. But he was not done with her when he got on top of her and kissed her. Seamus was making her taste herself and Charlotte moans letting his tongue sensually dance with hers.


    His cock was aligned to her wet pussy, and he was stroking his length with her wetness. The man grunted while he kept on kissing her, cradling her neck, controlling her movement while he move his hips, letting the friction between their legs make him high on lust.


    ¡°Seamus, please, I want you, inside me¡­¡±


    ¡°No, my beautiful ballerina, not tonight,¡±


    She whimpered and squirmed under him when he propped his elbow beside her head. His other hand holds his thick cock and shifts it to tease her clit, up and down, then hard, then sensually slow, driving her crazy with the tip of his cock while he was breathing heavily near her ear. Thebination was too fucking sexy that she was panting, and her hand was holding onto his biceps while her hips were shamelessly thrusting upwards.


    He chuckled and told her to be patient. ¡°I¡¯ll take you there, baby, I¡¯ll always take care of you.¡± His eyes found hers and the back of her eyes suddenly went hot from his words. Because she knows now, that he meant it. Her vision was suddenly blurry when he kissed her and told her that he¡¯d be there for her, that he¡¯d kissed her tears away. And when she shed them, he did as he said before, he kissed her tears away, all while taking her legs to wrap them around his waist.


    ¡°No more sadness, you¡¯re too beautiful for sorrow. I¡¯ll fuck it out of you. My cock will please you, and make you forget.¡± He whispered, licking and sucking her neck, hard, then he bit her earlobe, gently tugging it before he whispered that she¡¯d be too tired from her climax to be sad, and she¡¯d be sticky with cum to worry about anything else.


    The profanities should deter her from being aroused, but strangely it was doing what he was suggesting. Charlotte was already seeking her high again, she was a whimpering mess when she begged for her release.


    But no matter how hard she begged he didn¡¯t fuck her. No. He did not. He was savoring her like a true delicacy. He told her that he wanted to wait because he knew that he needed to wait.


    With his kind of appetite, it wouldn¡¯t be long until she was ravished and thoroughly fucked into the bed. Because there was nothing more that he wanted aside from binding her in leather cuffs, and making her scream his name while he takes her apart and put her together again.


    Seamus will wait. He will wait, knowing the reward will be great. After all, she¡¯s Charlotte. She¡¯s basically a virgin and he needed to go slow. Really slow.


    That night after more desperate pleas, she came hard and he followed by smearing his cum all over her belly. The sight was so lovely that he kissed her nice and slow until she fell asleep from pleasure alone.

 79. Dom

    Another coffee date with the girls was what Charlotte needed on her day off. Yes, she was getting agitated when three weekster Seamus was still treating her like she was a fragile being. She wanted him, and she knew that he wanted her too. But he kept on holding back on her, and she was at a stage where she longed to have sex, prative sex.


    She didn¡¯t want to impose knowing how good he was towards her. Charlotte knows that he meant well, but¡­ ugh, maybe he kept pushing sex back because she was being a little brat who wanted things that she shouldn¡¯t have, just yet. Charlotte insisted that it was all because Seamus kept on denying her. And she was getting tired of it.


    ¡°You know, I just want to find out what the fuss was all about.¡± Charlotte sighed dramatically and rest back in her chair. She had told Dee and Bree that she had never had sex before, it was the easiest. She wasn¡¯t technically lying, she hadn¡¯t had sex, what she experienced was assault and she refused to call it otherwise.


    Maybe she should spend hours talking about it with a psychiatrist, but back then, she didn¡¯t have the time. Or maybe she refused to do so because deep down she didn¡¯t want to acknowledge that it had happened to her.


    ¡°The fuss is great, sex is great when done with the right person, with love and respect,¡± Bree told her, saying it as if she knew what it truly meant. And of course, she does. Between her and Gage their love was too sickeningly sweet, which evokes jealousy whenever Charlotte saw them together at the club. She wanted what they have, she longed to have that special someone.


    ¡°Oh honey, sex is great, making love is so soooo much better. You should skip sex and get right on the love train.¡± Dee pointed out, making Bree giggle.


    ¡°Oh. My. God. You¡¯re so cheesy.¡± Cassidy intervened the second she reached their table.


    Dee had introduced Charlotte to Cassidy when she first joined Babes, though the young med student had been absenttely since she was busy with school. Thenter, she was busy with her man, the love of her life. Cassidy once said. And Charlotte believed her, she looked happy. Well, to tell the truth, Bree and Dee also looked happy with their men. And Lately, since sex was off the table, she had been thinking about her life, her dad, and how long it had been since he had been staying in prison.


    Dee¡¯s scandalousughter brought Charlotte back to their little conversation. Bree was telling Cassidy about Charlotte¡¯s little issue. And lo and behold Cassidy was a virgin until she was with her one true love, Rowan.


    ¡°Oh honey, trust me it¡¯ll all be great in time. I know you might get frustrated, but it¡¯s not just you. Maybe it¡¯s also him. Have you ever thought of that?¡± Cassidy asked her quietly once she was back with her coffee order and seated herself next to Charlotte.


    ¡°Well, um¡­ I never think of it that way.¡± Charlotte confessed, then thought Cassidy might be right.


    ¡°Wow, never think of it that way too. But Cass, you might be right on point.¡± Dee said in agreement.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s have that rxing spa day,¡± Bree said when they were done with their coffee time. They have arranged their girls¡¯ time so that they have the same day off. Well, Bree didn¡¯t have to, since she¡¯s with Gage who owns Babes. And Cassidy was no longer working at the club. But that day Dee and Charlotte had arranged to have the same day off so that they can have their quality time.


    It was almost six when Charlotte arrived at Seamus¡¯s. She was rejuvenated as the beautician had promised. And her friends were right, she felt lighter and sexier. She was waxed and trimmed, manicured to perfection, treated literally from head to toe and she smelled amazing. And just like Dee said, if Seamus didn¡¯t appreciate her spa day, at least Charlotte had a well-deserved girls¡¯ time.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    The man had juste home. He was still standing by the foyer when she walked into the house. Seamus greeted her with a raised brow when he saw her, and Charlotte couldn¡¯t help but think if he could see the difference. Though she didn¡¯t have to wonder for long when he said, ¡°You look beautiful,¡± he put his hand on the small of her back, and kissed her cheek. At the same time, he couldn¡¯t resist inhaling her scent. ¡°You smell nice, did you have fun with the girls today?¡±


    Seamus knew about her ns. If she didn¡¯t tell him, Charlotte knew that he would find out from Burke. So there was no point in not telling him that she was meeting with her friends from Babes.


    ¡°I did. We had coffee, gossiped, and had lunch. Then went to the spa where we got massages, nails, and hair done, also waxed.¡± She winked yfully and Seamus shook his head in amusement, but he didn¡¯t let her go. Instead, his other hand cupped her neck and he kissed her lips telling her not to taunt him.


    ¡°Me, taunting you? Never!¡± She act as if he was using her of the most ridiculous thing. Which only made himugh.


    ¡°Charlotte, I know I made you wait and I told you I need to¡­¡±


    ¡°Look, I get it. It¡¯s not me, it¡¯s you. Cassidy had enlightened me. So, I¡¯ll wait. Whenever you¡¯re ready, we¡¯ll take it to the next step.¡± Charlotte looked at him with determination and heughed. The man never had a goodugh andtely, Charlotte seemed to be causing him to experience them more often. His staff even noticed it.


    The foyer was quiet when he pulled her t to his body. Charlotte whimpered and molded perfectly onto his body.


    ¡°Charlotte, oh¡­ the things that I want to do to you¡­¡± He kissed her deeper, thoroughly and he grabbed her ass squeezing them to his delight.


    ¡°You can have me,¡± she breathed out. ¡°Any way you want.¡±


    ¡°I want to bind you to my bed,¡± he pushed her to the nearest wall and gathered her wrists in one hand. And let his other hand mold her breast, kneading, then seductively pinching her nipple. ¡°I want to undress you, slowly,¡± he grounds his erection on her needy body. ¡°I want to lick you, taste you, and make you squirm,¡±


    Charlotte whined, and pleaded louder. She didn¡¯t care that they were in the foyer where any of his staff can walk in on them. ¡°Please¡­¡± She begged, and he growled in her ear, sending sinful feelings throughout her body. She wanted him, she wanted him in any way he wanted her to. Charlotte was getting desperate for his desire.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re wet for me, I know when my hand reaches between your legs, you¡¯re going to be drenched with the need for my cock to be buried inside you.¡± He whispered huskily, trailing kisses on her neck, licking and sucking her throat. Then, without any care, the man ripped her blouse sending small intricate buttons scattered around the floor.


    Charlotte gasped, she should be horrified but instead, she moaned louder as his action heated her with a desire she never thought she could conjure. She tried to close her thighs, didn¡¯t know why but she just needed to reach for something without knowing how. His deep rumbling chuckle tickles the back of her spine when his leg propped between her inner thighs. ¡°Against my leg, beautiful, go on¡­¡± He nipped her ear lobe urging her to grind his leg. It was supposed to be degrading, but she was too far gone to care. Her plea was getting needier the second his lipstched onto her aching nipples. Sucking, biting, and tugging them with his expert mouth.


    ¡°Oh, baby, you¡¯re killing me.¡± He confessed, trying so fucking hard to control himself while moving his free hand to unbutton her jeans and dipped deeper to feel her wetness.


    Charlotte bucked her hips and whispered his name, pleading for more. And she lost it when he roughly pulled her hands down and put her wrists behind her back, telling her to keep them there. Seamus kneels and tugs her jeans along with her panties down her thighs and devours her wet and bare pussy, having her like she was hisst meal.


    Her knees almost gave out on her when his tongue licked and his mouth sinfullytched on her, taking her higher and higher, not caring that they were at the entrance of the house. Charlotte screamed his name when she climaxes while he sucked and licked her clean.


    ¡°I¡¯m a Dom, Charlotte, a daddy. I need you to know this before we¡¯re going forward.¡± He said, getting off the floor and then mming his lips onto hers, making sure she tasted every bit of her desire that he had just drank. ¡°I like to y with my girls, good girls who would do as I say and beg for me to bind them to my bed to please. I, and only I will take you to not just your climax but subspace. I will be possessive, and I will be demanding. But most of all I will care for you, in every sense of the way.¡± His words were hot in her ear and she couldn¡¯t believe that she was wanting all of him.


    ¡°I want you toe, and I want to treasure you, unlike any other women I have in my bed before. I want you to forget everything and let me be your daddy. Let me take care of you in every aspect of your life.¡± He paused and look at her deep into her eyes.


    ¡°Will you let me do that? Will you let me be your Dom?¡±


    Out of the possibilities that hovered in her mind, Seamus iming himself as a Dom and wanting to be her daddy was never one of them. The thought of Seamus wanting her to be his submissive had never crossed her mind, not with the way he patiently handled her. And surprisingly she was entertaining the idea to let go, to have someone take care of her. To someday let go, and just be.

 80. Date-Talk

    Two days after Seamus¡¯s confession Charlotte was still browsing the inte on what is the meaning of a Dom, a Daddy, and what was expected as a submissive. And the definition was way more than what Charlotte was expecting. There were a lot of Doms and varieties of kinks, from the Daddy caring type to the hardcore ones who like to smack their pretty little subs into submission.


    Apparently, there were safe words, so many of them. There were also contracts, then part-time and full-time submissive. There were so many scenarios, from Daddy y with their sub dressed in leather, Daddy Doms putting their sub on contraptions, and those who have their Subs whipped till they¡¯re crying and drooling from their ball gags.


    Hourster, when Seamus found her deeply entrance on herptop, he had scared the shit out of her that she shut herptop quickly. Too quickly, to appear to be working on anything but searching for the meaning of the Daddy-Dom rtionship.


    ¡°I¡¯d assume you¡¯re working on something I didn¡¯t want to see?¡±


    ¡°Um yeah, so¡­ you¡¯re home early?¡± Charlotte asked looking guilty though she tried hard not to.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    Seamus did get back half an hour than usual, thinking that he¡¯d invite Charlotte for a dinner at his favorite restaurant. He¡¯d thought he had given her enough time to ponder on his word, about his sexual preference and how he wants to be her Daddy in all aspects of her life. Seamus needed to talk to her, exining how he wanted the rtionship to be and if she could handle it. It had taken all his will not to have prative sex with her. God knows he wanted it, so fucking much. But he wanted to do it right with her, so he waited.


    Looking at her past assault, he was walking on a fine line with his kind of sexual preference. He wanted to give what was best for her. It would be so easy for him to go vani on her. But he realized that it would only satisfy him for so long because he had experienced enough to know what he wanted in a rtionship. Seamus hadn¡¯t wanted a woman to submit as much as he wanted Charlotte, and he was not just thinking about the sexual part. Seamus wanted all, he was greedy that way. Though he never did with any woman, deep down he knew Charlotte was the one.


    ¡°I want to take you out to dinner, I assumed you did your homework on what I shared with you two days ago?¡±


    ¡°About you being a Dom, a Daddy¡­ yes, I did¡­ but,¡± Charlotte blushed prettily and he couldn¡¯t help but feel contentment on his inside. He couldn¡¯t wait for her to be his submissive. He wanted to break her and take her to subspace. He wanted to take care of her and give her his true meaning of being a Daddy.


    ¡°Come on let¡¯s take a shower and get ready for our date.¡± This would be their first date, he had taken her out to dinner and lunches but not a romantic one. Tonight, he was going all in. Seamus had reserved a private table,plete with a six-course dinner where they would have the time to talk about everything and answered any question that she might have.


    The shower. It wasn¡¯t the first time they took a shower together, but Seamus decided that it was time for him to start taking care of her when he helped her undress and ushered her under the shower after he stripped himself naked. ¡°Stay still, let me wash you,¡± he cupped her neck and gave her a deep moan-worthy kiss that made her shudder.


    Charlotte blushed deeper when he cleans every inch of her body. His touch was light, he was teasing her to the point that she moans when he slipped his fingers between her legs. ¡°You¡¯re so beautiful, so responsive and I couldn¡¯t wait to be inside you,¡± his words were dripping with need when she felt his hard dick on the side of her thigh. Charlotte whined audibly when Seamus was using his hands and fingers just to clean. The man kissed her shoulder and she felt his smile when he told her that everything will happen. ¡°All in good time, my precious beautiful girl.¡±


    Charlotte¡¯s insides sing from his praise. She had never had anyone praise her as Seamus did, and it strangely made her crave more. Her mind was thinking of ways to be on his good side, just so he could give her more praise. There was no orgasm, only pure intimacy happened while Seamus took care of her in the shower. She let him take care of her and they both get dressed and he waited as she puts on her makeup and brushes her hair. They were out of the house half an hourter. Burke drove them in silence after he told the man the name of the restaurant.


    It was a fancy ce, Charlotte had never been there before. She liked the ambiance and she liked how Seamus¡¯ hand possessively stayed on the small of her back as they both followed thedy who greeted Seamus by hisst name the second she saw him. There was a bit of jealousy along with her familiarity, thinking this was the ce where Seamus had taken all his women before her. But Charlotte quickly put her feelings aside thinking that it was ridiculous. She managed to convince herself that she was the one who was there with him, not them. Deep down Charlotte knew that there was something deeper going on between her and Seamus because he hadn¡¯t brought any women home since they kissed.


    Seamus and Charlotte talked about her friends and his job. They would talk more about the nature of the rtionship. But they were finally getting serious when they finished their dessert.


    ¡°Tell me, Charlotte, what have you learned about the dominant and submissive rtionship.¡±


    ¡°There was too much on the inte, I don¡¯t dare ask any of my friends since they would start fussing and giving me advice.¡± Seamus was listening to her exnation, how she had browsed, and what she had concluded from reading about Dom and Daddy rtionship.


    ¡°All that you¡¯re saying are right, there are so many variations of Dom and Sub rtionship out there. But what I¡¯m proposing to you right now is a Daddy-Dom rtionship. I am a Daddy, but I¡¯m also a Dom.¡± He paused when a waiter came to serve their coffee.


    ¡°I want to take care of you, Charlotte, that means all aspects of your life. I don¡¯t know if this is something that you¡¯d want to do. But I would like you to try.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to make me stop working at Babes, aren¡¯t you?¡± Her eyes met him, she was already doubting his Daddy side already.


    ¡°Tell me, you already know that your dad won¡¯t be pleased when he found out that you¡¯re working at a strip club, right? and don¡¯t you want to respect your father¡¯s wish by quitting? He put you under my care, Charlotte, and I¡¯m giving you the freedom to do as you wish, but that doesn¡¯t mean that I agree with your decision to work there.¡±


    ¡°When you put it that way¡­¡± Charlotte¡¯s shoulder slumped and she felt bad, suddenly she felt that she had disappointed her father and she knew that Seamus was right.


    His hand was on top of hers in seconds, ¡°Look at me, precious,¡±


    Her eyes were ssy when she looked at him, Charlotte hated that she felt like she had let down the two most important men in her life, men who wanted nothing but to take care of her.


    Her mind was busy with her thoughts, she wanted nothing but to let go. The blogs and the articles on Submissives intrigued her in some ways. The one thing she liked was to let her mind go, yes, she wanted to try that.


    Charlotte had been so tired since her mom was sick, then she passed away, and not long after that, her dad went to jail. She had pushed herself to make tough decisions when all she wanted was for someone to make that decision for her.


    ¡°Would you let me be your Daddy and help you?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I want to try, but¡­ what about your Dom preference, what do I need to know?¡±


    Seamus smiled warmly and continued with his exnation of his Dom preference. ¡°I am a Dom, I like to be in control in the bedroom. Sexually, I want my partner to be my Submissive, trusting me that I would please them. There will be safe words, but I want you now know that I will be pushing your boundaries, and you might get ufortable at some stage. But that is when I want you to let go and let yourself trust me to give what¡¯s best for you.¡±


    Again, Charlotte blushed another shade deeper, and it amuses Seamus that he was getting unbelievably hard between the legs though he hadn¡¯t even kissed her. God, how he wishes that she would agree with him and let him take care of her in every aspect of her life.


    ¡°So, with my brief exnation, do you think you want to try this with me? we will talk if you have any difort in the future. I will exin and we can change the rules. Yes, there will be rules. I will not forbid you to socialize with your friends from Babes, I just want you to stop dancing there. We can find you a job in my office, or I can help you find jobs that are more suitable for you.¡±


    ¡°Do I have to call you Daddy?¡± Charlotte blurted out and the man¡¯s smile grew wider.


    ¡°I want you to befortable calling me by the title. It¡¯ll please me to a great extent once you decide to honor me and refer to me as your Daddy.¡±


    Charlotte sit up straighter, his exnation was much better than she was anticipating and she knew she wanted to try. Most importantly she wanted to go all the way with him. She was too eager to do so, from the orgasms that he had managed to coax out of her.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Another blush and that was when Seamus took her hand and kissed her knuckles. Her insides fluttered, all mushy and longing to be home wanting to sit on hisp and let him hold her.

 81. Subspace

    The second Burke put the divider up between them, Seamus put her on hisp. He kept on holding her mmy hands and gave her adorable little kisses on her knuckles, her shoulder, her cheek, and the top of her head. His words were soothing but she felt her heart pounding harder, almost deafening to her ear, that she might not hear everything that he said.


    Charlotte was nervous when they arrived at the driveway. Burke parked the car and hurried to open the door for Seamus, who then holdout his hand for Charlotte. She felt a bit lightheaded from the rush of adrenaline and was relieved when his hand was strong against her back.


    ¡°You¡¯re nervous. We won¡¯t be doing anything sexual tonight, not with your state of mind. Why don¡¯t I help you get change then we can cuddle and talk some more.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Charlotte eximed, she wanted the sex, needed it, craved it, since the first orgasm he gave her.


    ¡°No?¡±


    Instantly, Charlotte regretted how she defy his suggestion, which was obviously his way of taking care of her. She had read it in the ¡°Daddy¡± rted articles, saying that Daddies would subtly advise their Boy or Girl to do stuff and expect that they would follow his words. Charlotte didn¡¯t understand the meaning of the statement at first, but when she saw the disappointment in his eyes she knew.


    ¡°I mean, I wanted it, have been for a while,¡± Charlotte bit her lip as her nerves were all over the ce. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m so nervous, dinner took so long, and my head¡­ I¡¯m such a mess. I don¡¯t even get how you wanted me. Maybe I should¡­¡±


    ¡°Charlotte, baby¡­¡± Seamus put his thumb on her lips and she freezes. ¡°Let me take care of you, and when you have settled down, we will see. I will keep sex on the table for tonight, we¡¯ll get back to it when you¡¯re ready.¡±


    Charlotte was almost in tears, her eyes were ssy she had to blink a couple of times to shoo the tears away until she took a deep breath and hoped that her insides will calm the fuck down. Her shoulder slumped until he took her in his strong arms and she rest her head on his chest easily.


    It wasn¡¯t a hardship when he lift her and carry her up to his room. He undressed her to her bra and panties and tucked her under the covers. ¡°Rest, for a couple of minutes. I¡¯ll get us some water.¡±


    The second her head touched the soft pillow, her eyes closes. Though she fought hard not to fall asleep. But her mind went quiet the second Seamus turn off the light and only keep the bedsidemp on, so she could rest while he went to the kitchen.


    He stopped in front of his bed, the beautiful ballerina was sleeping peacefully in his bed. Her hair spread on the pillow framing her face. There was pure innocence about her that drew the daddy in him, making him want nothing more than to take care of her. He shook his head and smiled before putting her ss on her side of the table, and drinking his before setting it down on his side table. Seamus stripped to his boxers and then join Charlotte on the bed.


    Feeling the bed dip, she opened her eyes and found Seamus beside her. He was wearing nothing but his boxers and she was pulled to his side while she lets him wrap an arm around her.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m sorry, I must¡¯ve fallen asleep.¡±


    ¡°You can rest, we will pick up where we left off tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°But I¡­¡±


    ¡°Ssh¡­ sleep, beautiful,¡± he softly said, tilting her chin and kissing her lips longer than he was nning to. Charlotte let out a low whimpering noise when she pushed her body t against his. She wanted to climb him like a tree, instinctively she felt that he was safe and she couldn¡¯t wait until tomorrow¡­ she wanted him, and she wanted him right there and then.


    ¡°I want you, now.¡± She whined and he held her close and kissed her deeper.


    ¡°I should spank you for not listening.¡± He growled and pushed her under toy on her back. Charlotte let out another whimpering sound when he possessively hold her waist and his knee part her legs to amodate his body.


    ¡°Are you ready for me, Charlotte?¡±


    ¡°I am, please¡­¡±


    ¡°Hands above your head, wrists crossed, keep them there. I don¡¯t want to bind you. Not tonight.¡± Seamus wanted nothing more than to bind her to his bed and have his wicked ways with her. But she¡¯s not ready, not yet.


    Charlotte was struggling with her hands positioning, and he had to hold them a couple of times while he kiss her lips thoroughly and his other hand reaches down to her ruined panties. Oh¡­ she was wet, drenched with arousal that he decided that he was going to up his introduction for her to the lifestyle.


    ¡°Will you trust me? Will you let go, and let me take care of you tonight?¡±


    ¡°Yes! Yes! Please¡­ Seamus, I need you,¡± she moaned louder, her hips move, she thrust upwards wanting more of his hand and when he pulled away, she blushes beautifully.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Bad girl,¡± he cooed, scolding her in her ear. ¡°I want my precious ballerina toy still, hands above your head, and keep them elegantly crossed. I will put you into position, beautiful, and you will stay put. Can you do that? Or will I have to restain you to keep you in ce?¡± While saying the words, Seamus rearranged her wrists and brushed his hardening cock along her belly, teasing her, and making her squirm.


    He was not done, Seamus had just started when he raised her knees, theny them t to her sides, opening her wider, showing her drenched panties, naughtily. The tip of his fingerszily stroke the wet patch then put pressure and teased her more. ¡°Is this what you want? The tip of my fingers on your pussy? You¡¯re so wet, baby.¡± He teased, slipping the tip of his fingers under her panties, feeling her sticky mess, and putting more pressure.


    Seamus watched as her hips move desperately to get more friction. He pushed her panties aside and licked her, his tongue expertly diving deeper while his mouth kiss her as good as he kiss her lips moments ago. Charlotte was getting careless with her self-control, she tried to maintain her position but her knees tried to mped the moment he added fingers as he suck on her bud. That made him pull back within seconds, and she whined like a little brat feeling agitated after almost reaching her high.


    ¡°Do you really want me to stop?¡±


    ¡°No, please¡­ please, please¡­¡± She whined louder and get back into position, but then he told her to grab her knees and part them. Charlotte felt so naughty that she couldn¡¯t believe she was getting herself wetter while her insides pulsated with needs. She clenched to nothing and she whimpered.


    ¡°Bad girls get spanked,¡± Seamus looked deep into her eyes as he sits back and admire her beauty. Hands under her folded knees, legs wide open, panties drenched, still halfway showing off her bare wet pussy. Seamus kneels and took his time to watch her as she flushed pink from being exposed to him. ¡°Do you want to get spanked?¡± He watched her, not her face, but how her wet cunt clenched at the words. He grunted when he move her panties before he smack her bare pink pussy twice, then twice more when he got hard hearing the wet smacking soundbined with her sexy moans.


    ¡°Do you even want my cock inside your tight little pussy?¡± He thrust two fingers and his thumb y with her sensitive bud.


    ¡°Please¡­ please,¡± he watched as her hands tremble while holding her knees apart.


    ¡°Are you tired, beautiful? Do you want me to help you keep your knees parted?¡±


    Charlotte strangely wanted to please him, so she held herself wider and shook her head. She was almost teary with her need for his cock to be inside her. She was close, too damn close. And when she saw Seamus was getting into position she almost lost it the second his sheathed tip teased her throbbing pussy. She didn¡¯t even realize that he had put on a condom.


    The moment he pushed inside her she knew he would be her everything, she knew she¡¯d want to please him even if her body quivered with needs, even if her mind was going wild with his debauchery. She wanted it, and she wanted him badly.


    She screamed his name when he was all the way in, pulled back, and thrust hard inside her. He was ruthless and she was liking it, up to the point when he savagely made her hold back her orgasm and y with her nipples. He was sucking, licking, and tugging them and she pulsated with more needs. He smacked her pussy a couple of more times before giving her delicious kisses, tormenting her to climax.


    But not just yet.


    Charlotte was a mess, her head was dizzy, her eyes watery, her legs trembled, her pussy throbbed, and ached for his cock. She wanted him, and she screamed louder when he thrusts back inside her. In and out while his hands held her lithe body possessively.


    ¡°Do you want your release, my pretty ballerina? Do you want to climax, precious?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes¡­ Seamus, please¡­¡± Her mind was running for his words, her body was as tight as a string being pulled ready to snap.


    ¡°Daddy!¡± She cried out desperately.


    The name-calling made him start to pound harder and his hold was bruising her waist and she knew, that was it. And when he told her toe, that one single word made her mind go nk and she saw white spots from the sheer intensity of her climax. She throbbed, pulsating, and clenching his cock inside her when he came merely a second after her. Charlotte felt flowy, never in her mind had she felt this high from sex.


    Her adrenaline was high, reluctantly dazeding down from her shattering orgasm, and she looked peaceful. Seamus know she was in subspace when her eyes were miles away though she was gazing straight at him.


    She was perfect. Too fucking perfect, he thought as he cleans her then gathered her back into his arms and under the covers.

 82. Falling for Him

    When morning arrived Charlotte was snuggling closer under the cover. She hummed softly when Seamus kissed her temple. ¡°Morning, precious. How are you feeling today?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ tired, happy, need you to stay with me. In bed. Like all day. What time is it?¡±


    ¡°Almost nine,¡± Seamus said, checking his phone and cuddling her closer. ¡°I¡¯ll get my assistant to clear my schedule. Are you off today? I was thinking we could have azy morning, maybe have breakfast in bed.¡±


    ¡°I could be, I¡¯m still thinking about what you said. I need to talk to Gage if I¡¯m going to quit. I need to know that Jojo is going to survive without me helping her with the administration work at Babes.¡±


    Seamusy in bed, watching Charlotte bber about her situation. Her face showed that she was seriously contemting her decision. He was happy that she was considering quitting her job. He got up from the bed and kissed her forehead. ¡°I¡¯m going to get our breakfast, Marjorie should have something set up for us already.¡±


    Charlotte hummed. ¡°That sounds perfect.¡± The second he was out the door she hurried into the bathroom to empty her dder and then brush her teeth. She dived back under the covers, as soon as she was done.


    As Charlotte gets herselffortable, her mind was wondering how he gets her. They had only been intimate for a short period of time, but she already knew that she wanted to spend more time with him. The man was smart and intimidating at the same time, she remembered when he was back from New York. How he got hurt and how she found out that he had ¡°take care¡± of Yanis. Knowing so, strangely she was not scared of him.


    Though she worried about how he wanted to take care of her by being her Daddy, Charlotte wanted to try, God¡­ afterst night, she wanted to try. Badly.


    They spent the next hour curled up in bed, eating waffles and having their first cup of coffee of the day. They chatted about their favorite music and movies. Seamus couldn¡¯t help but appreciate how easy it was to talk to Charlotte. They seemed to have so much inmon, and he loved the way sheughed at his jokes. He didn¡¯t even realize that his jokes were even that funny.


    As they finished their breakfast, Seamus took a deep breath. ¡°Charlotte, baby,¡± he said, reaching for her hand. ¡°Now, since we both have the day off, how about we go somewhere? is there anywhere you¡¯d like to go?¡±


    ¡°Why? Your bed is sooofortable.¡± Charlotte finished her coffee and set the cup aside. She rested her other hand on his neck and pulled him close for a kiss.


    ¡°I know,¡± heughed softly and kissed her back. ¡°But, we will need to get out of bed at some stage. And I¡¯d really want to take you out on another date.¡±


    ¡°Um, how about going to the bookstore and then catching a movie.¡± Charlotte seriously didn¡¯t want to get out of bed, but she knew that he was right. They could probably cuddle for another hour or maybe two, then they¡¯d be bored.


    ¡°Get lunch in between, then coffee?¡± Seamus added.


    Charlotte looked up at him, her eyes bright with happiness. ¡°That sounds wonderful.¡± She liked how they agreed easily and made a simple n to spend the day. Charlotte knows that it¡¯ll be a great day already since she was going to spend it with him.


    Seamus hadn¡¯t felt this excited to spend the day with a woman before. For a long time, he had given up on rtionships, thinking he was too busy for women. With his line of work and women who were too demanding of his time, it was easier for him to just have one-night stands. Rtionships had been too much work for him, but everything changes the moment heys his eyes on Charlotte.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Today was it, he thought. Today was the perfect time to spend the day together, and afterst night, he wanted them to try another level of intimacy, not just in the bedroom. ¡°Great,¡± Seamus uttered, trying to keep his voice rxed. ¡°We can get to know each other better. We can talk aboutst night. What do you think about our first time?¡±


    Charlotte giggled. ¡°Are you fishing forpliments?¡±


    ¡°I know I did goodst night, but hearing you say so, will stroke my ego and boost my morning vibe. Significantly.¡± He boasted and sheughed. Seamus felt a huge grin spread across his face as he leaned in to kiss her.


    ¡°Okay then, mister-I-know-I-did-goodst-night, how about we take a sexy shower before we start our date?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ a sexy shower does sound nice.¡± He kissed her and she yelped when he grabbed and lifted her on his shoulder, caveman style. One hourter after lots of kisses and sexy touches, he painted her back with his cum and he gave her another great orgasm. She was squeaky clean, rxed, and ready to start their date.


    Charlotte didn¡¯t think she¡¯d missed going to the bookstore. It had been so long since she went to one, she used to love going to the bookstore with her mom. But then her mom got sick and everything was forgotten. Charlotte didn¡¯t even have the drive to read. And the moment she saw all those pretty books, she couldn¡¯t help but feel like she wanted to start reading again.


    She could feel his arms around her waist as Seamus was to her back and kissed her head. ¡°Find anything you like?¡±


    ¡°Maybe, I need my dose of psychopath along with my sexy romance books. How about you?¡±


    ¡°I still have my TBR pile on my Kindle, lots of them. I¡¯m going to skip buying it for now. But I¡¯m going to help you carry yours?¡± He offered. Charlotte couldn¡¯t help herself to swoon at his sweet gesture.


    ¡°Aww¡­ are you trying to win some brownie points with me?¡±


    ¡°Precious, brownie points are definitely not my goals. This is me taking care of you, baby.¡±


    His voice dropped low and she couldn¡¯t help but let out a soft whimper in the middle of the bookstore. He smirked deviously before kissing her cheek and left her to browse more books while she ponders his words. Yeah, Charlotte was losing her concentration, so she decided to pick up a few books from the best-seller shelf and be done with it.


    Charlotte decided to skip the movies, since being in the dark with mischievous Seamus was thest situation she wanted to be in. The manughed knowing her reasons, and he took her straight for lunch at the nearby restaurant instead. They had the perfect lunch date apanied by good wine and great steaks. The conversation flowed easily and Charlotte had a great time with Seamus. As they sipped their wine and chatted, Seamus felt a sense of contentment washing over him.


    ¡°Charlotte,¡± Seamus started, thinking he needed to broach the subject and fill her in on her dad¡¯s case. ¡°I know this might be a little sudden, but there¡¯s something else I wanted to talk to you about.¡±


    Charlotte looked at him, her expression curious. ¡°What is it?¡± she asked.


    Seamus had just read the email from hiswyer that morning, he needed to meet with them. Preferably sooner thanter. It was urgent, and he didn¡¯t want to miss the window or the opportunity.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s regarding your father,¡± Seamus said, he took a deep breath and continued, ¡°As you know, I have been working with mywyers. They have taken a look at your dad¡¯s case, investigating mostly. This morning I just received an email from them. It seemed that the judge that was assigned to your dad¡¯s case was taking bribes, and we think his taking bribes for your dad¡¯s case too. Also, my team ofwyers thinks that there might be a bigger yer tangled in his case.¡±


    Charlotte¡¯s eyes lit up, but then quickly frowned. ¡°Oh God, I know my dad is innocent, and now, I don¡¯t know how I can help him.¡±


    ¡°I will help, baby. I have started the investigation a couple of days after you arrived. As I said, your dad is a good man. I do believe from the start that he was innocent.¡±


    As Seamus started exining, Charlotte felt a sense of anticipation building within her. Her world had just exploded and the possibility that she might get her dad freed made her so happy that her heart just sinks further. At that moment looking at the handsome man in front of her, she knew that she was falling for him. Charlotte trusted her instincts and she was going to let herself fall and think about everything elseter.

 83. Girlfriends

    The next day Charlotte went to babes to resign from her job. She wanted to speak to Gage before she tells Jojo that she was going to quit both dancing and working behind the desk helping with administration stuff, for the older woman.


    Charlotte didn¡¯t have to wait for long when less than ten minutester Gage arrived and Charlotte knocked on his door.


    ¡°Come on in. Hello, Charlotte, how are you this afternoon?¡± he opened their conversation casually as he start sipping his drink from his tumbler. It was probably coffee that his wife, Bree had made for him before he goes to Babes.


    ¡°I¡¯m good, better,¡± She replied as she takes the seat across his desk. Gage was the person that knows everything about her. The man had been super nice since the first day she interviewed for the dancer position at his club. Gage has a way about him that makes someone want to open up and share their life story. He was practically a psychiatrist and a boss rolled into one.


    ¡°Good¡­ good, so¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, um¡­ so, I¡¯m resigning from the club.¡± Charlotte decided to let the bomb drop just as is and she waited a couple of heartbeats, then rxed when the man gave her a friendly smile.


    ¡°And what brings up the sudden decision?¡±


    Charlotte knows that Bree and Gage talked, and whatever she told her girls, Bree would most likely share it with her man. Though she¡¯s not a bbermouth, Charlotte thinks Gage has an idea of what was going on with her, personally, though he wanted to appear like he didn¡¯t.


    ¡°My boyfr¡­ my guardian, the man that my dad had chosen to watch over me, Seamus, he reminded me that my dad would be upset if he found out that I was dancing in a club, or working in one. And I¡¯ve been thinking about it and I think for the time being it¡¯s best for me to resign while I look for another job.¡± Charlotte blurted out her words and secondster, she felt the guilt. Gage had taken her in when no one wanted to hire her, and he had been lenient about respecting her wishes for not fully stripping on stage.


    ¡°You know that you¡¯re one of the best dancers out there, even when you don¡¯t strip bare. Your performance made our patrons crazy, and wanting more.¡± He said with a friendly smile.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Charlotte blushed, as she always does when Gage was being blunt with his assessment. Though she knew that he does this with the other girls, still building a career in her previous world was the opposite of what she was facing at Babes.


    ¡°Do you think you could hold on working with Jojo until I find your recement? you don¡¯t have to go on stage. At the moment, Bree is busy with Hazel and I want her to focus on our girl since she just started her new school.¡±


    ¡°Actually I¡­ ¡± Charlotte wanted to make Seamus happy, and she knows that he¡¯d be happy once she told him that she quit her job. But she couldn¡¯t leave Jojo when Bree was busy and Gage had been nothing but nice to her. So, she decided to wait. ¡°¡­ okay, I guess, I can keep working with Jojo, for the time being.¡±


    ¡°Great, it¡¯s settled then. I will let you know once I have someone for the position hopefully it wouldn¡¯t be longer than a week or two.¡± Gage smiled at her before taking another sip from his tumbler. That was the cue, and that was when Charlotte got up from her seat and thanked him before walking out of his door and straight to the back office to join Jojo and get lost in her work until it was break time.


    Jojo greeted her with a warm smile, the second she saw her. ¡°Hey, you look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulder. Do you want to talk?¡± she asked from her side of the table, her hands had stopped typing on the keyboard.


    ¡°I just talked to Gage,¡± Charlotte decided to tell Jojo about her ns, she needed to vent and Jojo had always been a good listener. She knows about her dad, about her housing situation, and now she was telling her about Seamus and her n to quit working at the club. ¡°I¡¯m going to quit working at Babes. Seamus is right, dad ced me under his care and I know he¡¯d be upset if he found out about Babes.¡±


    ¡°Well, as long as you¡¯re not pressured to stop working that is fine. But when you¡¯re having to second guess yourself, I¡¯d say that you need to rethink your decision.¡±


    Charlotte smiled back, grateful for Jojo¡¯s understanding. ¡°Thank you, Jojo. I¡¯m waiting for Gage to find my recement, then I will look for another job.¡±


    After their conversation, they get back to their work. Together, they worked on various administrative tasks, and Charlotte found herself enjoying the quiet vibe that it gave her mind. Until it was time for her break.


    Bree and Dee were already waiting for her at the nearby diner. Cassidy was there too. If Charlotte had to guess, Bree probably knew from Gage about her resignation attempt, and she had texted everyone to have a meal together.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Charlotte greeted her three friends.


    ¡°Hey, so¡­ sit, order then tell us everything.¡± Bree greeted her with her warm smile.


    ¡°By everything we mean, everything,¡± Dee piped with her mischievous smile.


    ¡°to thest detail of what you and your hunky man did to convince you to want to resign.¡± Cassidy finished for the three of them.


    ¡°Gosh¡­ and here I thought we were going to have a nice quiet lunch.¡± Charlotte shook her head, but grab the menu and call for the waitress.


    Minutes after the waiter left with her order, Charlotte started talking about her meeting with Gage before she was interrupted by Dee.


    ¡°Okay, hold on, we need to hear from the very beginning. Like how good is the sex? I¡¯m guessing it was epic since it managed to make a life-altering decision for you.¡±


    ¡°Dee, quitting Babes isn¡¯t exactly life-altering.¡± Charlotte tried to defend her decision.


    And just like on cue the three women gasped as if she was saying someone was killing someone¡¯s favorite pet, which none of them had. But the news would surely make the three of them gasp scandalously, in unison.


    ¡°Young woman, you take that back,¡± Dee said quickly it was almostical. Charlotte could see that Bree was holding off herughter and Cassidy was trying to keep a straight face.


    ¡°Babes is life. I¡¯m telling you as the longest person working there.¡± Dee said proudly and Bree was still trying to appear as serious as she could with a heavy nod. Cassidy was biting her smile and finally brought her cup to hide her smile.


    ¡°Okay¡­ the sex was awesome, he¡¯s good. Damn good. Like good-good¡­ so fucking good that I was teary from all the good sex stuff.¡± Charlotte blushed, but good was all that she coulde up with. She couldn¡¯t possibly say that she enjoyed all the sexy filthy stuff that Seamus did to her or the way she screamed out and called him daddy.


    ¡°Oh. My. God. she got the good sex, the good-good sex,¡± Cassidy chirped happily and Bree put her hand on Charlotte¡¯s as if she was congratting her and it made her blush deeper.


    ¡°Hot damn¡­ he¡¯s that good. You¡¯re like tomato red my dear, here¡­ drink some water. Might need holy water, but we¡¯re not in the vicinity,¡± Dee pushed her ss of water and watched in amusement as Charlotte drank it almost finishing the ss.


    ¡°Girls, give her a break,¡± Bree scolded them as she tried to give Charlotte time to calm down and continue her story.


    Bree did want to know about it since Gage told her that the ballerina was quitting. Her husband had thought that it was because of the man who had the altercation with Rockford, back when Charlotte had sprained her ankle. Gage always worries about his employees. He never wanted to interfere with Charlotte¡¯s love life, but he had always been protective of his employees. And though Charlotte had only been at Babes for a couple of months, she had made an impression. Not to mention Bree who would talk about Charlotte since they¡¯d have coffee and gossip as friends.


    When Charlotte finished her water, Bree had steered their conversation into a lighter subject. She talked about Hazel and how perfect her little angel had been with her new school. Cassidy also talked about her brothers, and how they were going to visit her again the following weekend.


    But when her turn to speak was up, Charlotte slowly opened up and told her girls about her and Seamus. She left out their intimate details as much as possible since it was private and she wanted to keep it that way. Her friends didn¡¯t ask further, as they clearly respect the boundaries that she created.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s sweet. You have a good man, Charlotte. He wants to take care of you, and your dad. I think you don¡¯t have to work if he insisted. And that would mean more time for you to pursue anything you¡¯d like. He doesn¡¯t care about the money, your dad will pay him back once he¡¯s cleared and his funds are essible again.¡± As always Bree was the voice of reasoning, and Dee, and Cassidy both agreed with her.


    ¡°Ugh, what I¡¯d give to have a sugar daddy,¡± Dee whispered dreamily, making the rest of themugh.


    ¡°Dee, you¡¯re in love with the hottest bartender in town who matches your gossip fetish, and that man adored you like you¡¯re the only woman on this earth made for him. No one gets to have it all. Don¡¯t be greedy.¡± Cassidy pointed out, and they all giggled when Dee let out another exaggerated sigh.


    Their meal time ended when Charlotte needs to get back to work and Bree had to pick up Hazel. Dee and Cassidy stayed behind since they still have time to waste. But Charlotte did feel better after she vents to her girls, she talked to them about Seamus. They all supported her when Charlotte told them that he wanted to take care of her. It was good to spend time with her girls, and she did feel better when she came home to Seamus hourster.

 84. Feelings

    When Seamus said that he was helping with her Dad¡¯s case, Charlotte was over the moon and she was still smiling the day she visits her father in prison. Though her smile ttered when she saw how skinny her dad bes. He looked pale and underweight, her heart ache as Charlotte sat across from her dad in the prison visitation room. He looked tired and stressed, and she could tell that he was struggling to stay optimistic.


    ¡°Charlotte, darling, you look happy.¡± He smiled and she wanted nothing more but to hug him longer, she misses him so much. Charlotte hated that the prison implemented these rules with the inmates¡¯ visitation. He was her father, and she hated that they treated him like a criminal when he was wrongfully used.


    ¡°Dad, what¡¯s the matter? I thought Seamus had men protecting you from the inside.¡± Charlotte asked in a hush manner, and her father didn¡¯t miss her tone when she said his name. She sounded different, and he was quick to pick up on it.


    ¡°He does, and they¡¯ve been doing their job. It¡¯s the stress I guess. I want to get out of here, Charlotte. I need to be out, to take care of my daughter. But it looks like Seamus is taking care of you.¡± Cormac Sullivan has always been good at reading people, and he excels at reading his daughter. Something was going on between her and Seamus and he was not sure how to react to it. He knew that Seamus Braddock was a yer, but deep down Cormac also knew that Seamus was a good man just like his dad.


    Charlotte blushed at her dad¡¯s words. She knew that he was going to know about her and Seamus the second his name was mentioned. There was no intention from her side to hide her rtionship with the man. But Charlotte didn¡¯t want her visitation about her, she wanted to know more about her dad¡¯s case since Seamus was not divulging much and she was curious if her dad was well informed.


    ¡°So, how¡¯s the case going?¡± she asked, trying to sound upbeat.


    Her dad let out a sigh, the frown on his face was evident. ¡°It¡¯s not looking good, Charlotte. Mywyer says that the evidence is stacking up against me, even though I didn¡¯t do anything wrong. They framed me, and they¡¯re covering every corner and making sure that there¡¯s no loophole.¡±


    Charlotte felt a knot form in her stomach, she had always known that her dad was innocent, and it was frustrating to see him being punished for something he didn¡¯t do. Her shoulder slumped and suddenly she wished that she was back living her old life, where her mom was still alive and her dad came home every day after work. ¡°But thewyers are still working on it, right?¡± she asked, hoping to hear something positive.


    Her dad nodded. ¡°Yes, we do. Braddock¡¯swyers are teaming up with mywyer, they have been working hard to build a case, and they think we have a chance of proving my innocence if we can poke holes in the prosecutor¡¯s evidence. But it¡¯s going to be a tough battle, a long one for sure.¡±


    Charlotte could tell that her dad was trying to stay strong, but she could sense the fear and uncertainty that he was feeling. ¡°Dad, I know this is hard. But you have to keep fighting. We¡¯ll get through this together.¡± It was easy for her to say so, but her eyes betray her when she was trying to be strong for him.


    ¡°Charlotte, please don¡¯t cry. Know that everything will be okay. Mom would want you to be strong.¡± Her dad gave her a small smile. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re here with me. Seeing you always makes me feel better.¡±


    As they continued to talk, Charlotte could feel her determination growing. She persist to be there for him in any way she could. She knew that they would get through this together, no matter what. She puts on a brave front until the visitation time ended.


    Charlotte couldn¡¯t hold her tears from falling the second she reached the car and Burke open the door for her. The man didn¡¯t ask why she cried, he knew because this happened to Charlotte every time she was done visiting her dad in prison. And every time without her knowing, Burke would send a text to his boss, Seamus Braddock, informing him of her state of emotion just before he starts the car and leaves the parking lot.


    The ride back home was spent in silence, Burke would sneak a peak through the rearview mirror and check on Charlotte before his eyes were back on the road.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    The moment Charlotte walked through the door, she was greeted by Marjorie who tries to cheer her up. They would talk over a cup of tea and wait for Seamus toe home. The afternoon had been the hardest for her. Seeing her dad getting beat up was one thing, but she knew that it was preventable with Seamus¡¯ men. But seeing him mentally exhausted and eating his body weight, it hits her hard. It was like seeing her mom losing her will to live all over again.


    Seamus could tell that something was wrong, the second he saw her. She looked tired and sad, and he could see the worry in her eyes.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s going on?¡± he asked, hugging her and kissing her softly.


    ¡°It¡¯s dad,¡± Charlotte said, her voice cracking. ¡°I saw him today. He¡¯s losing weight and I¡¯m worried, Seamus. It¡¯s like he¡¯s losing hope, and I hate seeing him so skinny.¡±


    Seamus felt a pang of sympathy for Charlotte¡¯s dad. He knew that he was a good man and had always found him to be a kind and honest person, it was unfair that he was being punished for something he didn¡¯t do.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, precious,¡± Seamus said. ¡°But you have to remember that your dad is innocent, our team ofwyers is working on his case. The truth will transpire, and he¡¯ll be exonerated.¡±


    Charlotte looked at Seamus skeptically, her wary was high since she met her dad and saw the state he was in. ¡°But what if it doesn¡¯t? What if thewyers fail and the prosecutors had solid evidence against him? He could be facing years in prison, Seamus. I don¡¯t know if he can handle that. I don¡¯t know if I can handle that.¡± Charlotte finally breaks and her tears fall freely.


    Seamus put a hand on her shoulder, caressing her, trying to soothe her. ¡°Listen to me, baby. I¡¯ve been following your dad¡¯s case closely, and I¡¯ve read all the news articles and court documents. The evidence against him is good, but mywyers are better. I was assured that ourwyer has new evidence, and there¡¯s a good chance that he¡¯ll be acquitted.¡±


    Charlotte looked at Seamus, hope starting to blossom in her chest. ¡°Really?¡±


    Seeing her face light up, Seamus would make sure that hiswyer had the evidence. The man was not afraid to y dirty, and if that was what he needs to get her dad out of prison, then that was what he was going to do.


    Anything for his beautiful ballerina.


    ¡°Really,¡± Seamus said, giving her a reassuring smile. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t want you to worry about stuff that would get sorted out in the end. I will call mywyers and we¡¯ll get your dad informed with the updates on his case, just to give him better peace of mind. We¡¯ll fight for him and support him, no matter what.¡±


    Taking in his strong determination, it did make her feel better. Charlotte felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She was so grateful to have Seamus, always there to offerfort and support when she needed it the most. Just like he said he would.


    ¡°Thank you, Seamus,¡± she said, hugging him. ¡°You always know how to make me feel better.¡±


    Seamus hugged her back, feeling a sense of satisfaction. ¡°Always, baby,¡± He was d that he could be there for Charlotte, and he was determined to do everything in his power to help her dad in his time of need.

 85. Getting Help

    Seamus sat at his desk, staring at hisputer screen. It has been two weeks and the situation was progressing too slowly for his liking. He knew that he had to do something to help Charlotte¡¯s dad, Cormac Sullivan. It wasn¡¯t fair that he was being punished for a crime that the man didn¡¯tmit, and Seamus was determined to do everything in his power to clear his name. To make his beautiful Charlotte smile again.


    He picked up the phone and dialed hiswyer¡¯s number. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s Seamus Braddock. I need to talk to you about Sullivan¡¯s case.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Mr. Braddock,¡± hiswyer replied. ¡°How can I help you?¡±


    ¡°I need faster progress for the case Cormac Sullivan case,¡± Seamus said. ¡°I want you to send me all the evidence you have on the judge who¡¯s handling the case. I have a feeling that there¡¯s something fishy going on there, and I want to find out what it is.¡±


    Hiswyer hesitated for a moment. ¡°Mr. Braddock, are you sure you want to get involved in this? It could jeopardize the legal stature you¡¯ve been building your image around.¡±


    What Seamus¡¯swyer was trying to convey was that he knew how he had been covering his family¡¯s shady side of the business. And hiswyer knew that the man will have a lot of work in his future if his client was going to take matters into his own hands.


    But Seamus still nodded knowing hiswyer couldn¡¯t see him from the other line. ¡°I know what I¡¯m getting into. But Charlotte is my woman, and Cormac is the only one she has left. I can¡¯t sit by and do nothing while they suffer. I need to help them, no matter what it takes.¡±


    Hiswyer stayed silent for a couple of seconds before he continued. ¡°Alright, sir. We need to do this right. We don¡¯t want to make things worse.¡±


    Seamus thanked hiswyer and ended the call. He knew that this was just the beginning of a messy takedown, but he was ready for whatever interference he needed to do, to clear Cormac¡¯s name and make Charlotte happy again.


    It took him seconds after the call to hiswyer then he called his trusted right-hand man. ¡°Yes, Keegan, I want you to start n B in Cormac Sullivan¡¯s case.¡± Seamus had talked to Keegan in thest two weeks and he was equally agitated as he waited for the next instruction from his boss. ¡°I¡¯m going to send you the details needed by today. I want you to do what you¡¯re good at, I¡¯m sure he¡¯s hiding something. I want you to find it and we¡¯ll continue from there.¡±


    What Seamus didn¡¯t say on the phone was that he wanted Keegan to find dirt on the judge, to ckmail the old man. Keegan had been known for his ability to dig up dirt even from the most religious person. He knew everyone has a secret.


    Seamus Braddock is the Irish mob boss, he can be ruthless when he wanted to be. And he had been dead set on making sure Charlotte¡¯s dad was dered not guilty. He¡¯d destroy many lives to make sure his woman will always be happy.


    The next call he makes after Keegan was his dad. Aside from taking matters into his own hands, he wanted to think of another way to push from other angles. Legally and ethically, well slightly. Seamus was confident that his father would help.


    Seamus¡¯ father is a well-connected man in the city, with many contacts in the legal and political spheres. He has a reputation for knowing the right people in high ces, and Seamus knew that his dad will help him out.


    ¡°Hey, Dad,¡± Seamus said after the call was connected. ¡°I need to talk to you about something important.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Seamus,¡± his father replied, giving him his full attention. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about Cormac Sullivan,¡± Seamus said. ¡°I¡¯m sending you the file to your office. I¡¯ll have one of my guys be there in less than thirty minutes. I was hoping that you can help out by giving us the right person, your best acquaintance suited to get Cormac out of the mess. He needs to be out.¡±


    ¡°Is this about Sullivan¡¯s pretty ballerina daughter?¡±


    ¡°You knew?¡± Seamus sighed. Of course, his father knew. The man didn¡¯t get to the position he was in right now, without being meticulous.


    ¡°Son, there¡¯s nothing much that I don¡¯t know about you.¡± The older man chuckled in a caring manner and Seamus couldn¡¯t help but feel his father¡¯s love. He knew that this was what his father does and he was not put off by it, because he knew his father could always figure things out every time he was stuck and needed an answer.


    ¡°I¡¯m assuming you are going through with your other n while I work my contacts from another angle?¡±


    ¡°You know me so well, dad.¡± Seamus smiled though his dad couldn¡¯t see it from the other line.


    ¡°You have to bring her for lunch at the house. Introduce her, this is not like you to go the extra mile for a woman.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, she¡¯s not just any woman. Charlotte is perfect, dad, and when she¡¯s ready I¡¯ll take her to meet you and mom.¡±


    ¡°Good, your mom has been waiting too long to see you settle down, son.¡± Seamus¡¯ father nodded thoughtfully. ¡°And I do have some contacts in that area,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ll make a few calls and see if anyone knows something about the judge.¡± But Seamus, you need to be careful. Getting involved in someone else¡¯s legal case can be dangerous, and it could damage your reputation.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not the first one to tell me that,¡± Seamus huffed and his father let out a softugh.


    ¡°Yourwyer?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡±


    ¡°Well, he¡¯s not wrong.¡±


    ¡°I know, dad. But I need to do this for her.¡±


    ¡°The knight in shining armor, hopefully, no guns needed,¡± there was a bite in his voice. Seamus¡¯s father knew that he was the third call of the day. Because he knew, that it was the exact sequence of how he¡¯d do things to get someone out of trouble.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to help Cormac, make her happy, even if it means putting myself at risk. But dad, you know me. I¡¯m good at what I do.¡± I couldn¡¯t help to smirk, because I do. It might seem cocky but I¡¯ve dealt with worse and dealing with Sullivan¡¯s case, it would only be a matter of time. I already regretted that I didn¡¯t trust my instincts and do this sooner.


    ¡°You know I do son, this is me, telling you to be careful. I¡¯ll make some calls and see what I can do.¡± The older man said, proud of his son¡¯s determination and self-confidence.


    Seamus promised, thanking his father for his help. He left for his next meeting feeling hopeful that everything will get sorted before the week ended.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    And he was right,ter on that evening, Keegan had gotten back to him with several incriminating pieces of evidence against the judge. And he went further by sending more detailed evidence against other judges who might rece the current judge should the man back down from his duty.


    ¡°Very good, Keegan, go¡­ shake the bastard and tell him what we want, and make sure that Cormac Sullivan will be a free man. Tell him I want it to happen fast if he didn¡¯t want evidence of his debauchery affairs with his men out in the open.¡±


    The judge was taking bribes for cases, he already knew that from Keegan, and his father also confirmed it. But that was not juicy enough for the kind of ckmail he had in mind. Then, Keegan had gotten back to him about his affairs with men. He even got Seamus pictures of the judge being strapped down and whipped by them, looking like he was having a really good time doing it. All while appearing to stay in a happy marriage with his third wife. That kind of juicy secret was the nail that was going to seal the deal.


    ¡°Will do, boss.¡±


    Seamus left the office with a lighter step than when he came in the morning. He was ready toe back home and tell Charlotte about the good news.

 86. Hostage

    It was dark when he reached the house, and Charlotte was already asleep. He wanted toe home sooner but when his father called, Seamus was quick to get back to the office to find out what his father had uncovered.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    His father was not kidding, what he found was something that he could benefit from. Something very significant that he will surely use against the judge, together with what Keegan had found, Seamus was convinced that Cormac will be released sooner than he expected.


    Seamus was too tired when he arrived at the house. He had been working too hard for the past couple of weeks, while also impatiently trying to wait out on getting Charlotte¡¯s dad legally freed. So, instead of talking to Charlotte that same night, he decided that he¡¯d tell her the next day.


    But when morning came his phone was buzzing, demanding his attention. It was a text from Keegan, telling him that he was out front. Seamus who was already dressed thinking that he¡¯d spend a quiet breakfast with Charlotte had to groan and realized that she will have to wait. For Keegan to be at his residence that early in the morning, Seamus knew that it must¡¯ve been something important.


    Grabbing his phone and wallet, Seamus was already nning his next steps. He might have to re-think about going to the office but still, he knots his tie and put on his suit jacket before heading out of his bedroom door.


    ¡°Morning, beautiful. I¡¯m sorry, but I really need to go. I¡¯ll see you in the evening, okay?¡± He kissed her forehead, but then decided for more when he kissed her lips drawing out a soft moan from her. Feeling satisfied with the kiss he left Charlotte by the dining table while Marjorie¡¯s eyes widen in surprise.


    The happy feeling quickly dissolved when he found Keegan behind the wheel of his ck SUV and invited Seamus into his car.


    ¡°What happened?¡± He knew something was seriously wrong when Keegan decided to show up at the house.


    ¡°McKinney insisted that he wants to talk to you, telling me that he only wants to discuss terms with you. He knew I worked for you, know your name. He also knew your parents, boss.¡±


    Seamus¡¯s jaw tightened. It was supposed to be a very good morning, but now he was annoyed and irritated. He growled when he told Keegan to drive and take him there.


    He pulled out his phone and call his assistant to rearrange his already packed schedule.¡°Just put everything for next week. I think I will have this week full of personal stuff to tend to,¡± Seamus continue to give instructions before he ended the call and have his attention back on Keegan.


    ¡°Where did you keep him?¡±


    ¡°One of our empty warehouses on the south quarter,¡± Keegan replied as he speed up his car. He told his boss everything that went downst night, and how everything was going as nned until the slimy bastard told Keegan that he had info on Seamus and his family. McKinney told Keegan that if he died, the information about his boss was going to be leaked to the press.


    ¡°The fuck does he thinks he¡¯s messing with? No one threatened my family and gets away with it.¡± Seamus was furious to the point that he couldn¡¯t wait to face the guy.


    ¡°Yeah, I thought you might want to confront the guy and have your fun.¡± Keegan smiled darkly and turned left before heading south and merging into the morning traffic.


    When they reached the empty lot of the warehouse, Seamus already took off his suit jacket and tie. He untucked his sleeves making himself ready to meet the judge.


    Seamus looked pleased when he saw the state of their hostage was in. The judge was on his knees on the dirty cement floor, wearing nothing but his boxers. His face was smeared with dirt and traces of tears were visible on his wide cheeks. Judge McKenney¡¯s eyes met with Seamus¡¯s, his tense body was decorated with fresh wounds from the leather whip Keegan had gotten his hand on.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ did you make him submit to your wishes, Keegan?¡± He smirked and Keegan scowled at him while the battered Judge McKenney slowly raised his head as if he was trying not to look as defenseless, though failing miserably.


    ¡°It¡¯s me Seamus Braddock, judge McKinky, I was told that you asked for me.¡± Seamus spat the words with dark humor in his voice. Then the man groaned when he instinctively move his hands. It was a lost cause when his wrists were cuffed and strapped to the dirty wall of the warehouse.


    ¡°Unchain me right now, you¡¯re a fool foring after me. You don¡¯t know how much power I have above you and your dad. I know all about your¡­¡±


    He didn¡¯t get to finish his words when Seamus whipped the guy¡¯s chest and draw blood. ¡°Ssh¡­ we won¡¯t tell anyone, we¡¯ll drop you off at your club and deposit your dead body and convince the coroner to sign a false report stating that you got a heart attack while trying to get off when ying scenes with your boys.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ you can¡¯t,¡± the horror was shown on McKinney¡¯s face. His captor had tortured him with just a leather whip and he just realized how it¡¯ll all connected. The whip had looked simr to the ones they used at the club he frequently visited. Earlier, McKinney was d that the guy did not punch him in the face, but now he knows why.


    ¡°Yes¡­ yes, I surely can, my dearest judge.¡±


    McKinney cried when another p of the whip hits his chest.


    ¡°I have your wife¡¯s therapy session with her psychiatrist telling him about how you came home with whip marks all over your body.¡± Seamus paused just to see the reaction on Judge McKinney¡¯s face. This was what he got from his father, and Keegan looked at his boss with a smile as he shook his head, as if he knew Seamus always has more tricks up his sleeves.


    ¡°D-don¡¯t, please don¡¯t¡­¡± McKinney pleaded desperately.


    ¡°Now you¡¯re begging?¡± Seamus¡¯sughter filled the empty warehouse and the judge¡¯s shoulder slumped, looking like he was defeated already.


    ¡°There you go, now tell me, do you still want to live?¡±


    ¡°Y-yes¡­ please, I¡¯ll do anything.¡±


    ¡°Tell me, who was involved in the whole mess for Cormac Sullivan¡¯s case?¡±


    ¡°Anything but that, I¡¯ll free him today, but anything but that.¡±


    ¡°See there, judge McKinky, I don¡¯t think we have a deal. Just yet,¡± Seamus went to his side and told Keegan to pull the chains higher making the man yell out in pain.


    The guy pleaded for his life, crying like a baby, but Seamus was dead set on torturing the guy since he just ruined his perfect work schedule for the week.


    ¡°I bet, your wife didn¡¯t even notice you were gone. She probably thinks you¡¯re staying with your boy toy, isn¡¯t she? I bet she didn¡¯t even look twice at your battered body. Yeah¡­ I know I¡¯ve heard her tapes with her psychiatrist.¡±


    The man sobbed uncontrobly, probably from the shock. So Seamus decided to leave him be for a while and went outside to talk to Keegan while waiting for the judge to relent and give him the name. Seamus got time on his hand and the man will patiently wait.


    The negotiation went on for another hour until McKinney finally gave up and gave him a name, it was the chief of police, Jeff Gannon.


    ¡°Heundered money, their pension fund to be exact and Cormac Sullivan found out. He was going to cause trouble¡­¡± his voice sounded exhausted and in pain but Seamus kept on listening while Keegan stood behind Seamus letting his boss question their hostage.


    Twenty minutester, McKinney was done and Seamus got his confession secretly recorded on his phone. Then, Keegan took over and help the guy get dressed. When Seamus talked outside with Keegan earlier, he had told his right-hand man to drop McKinney off near his house. Seamus wanted the man alive for leverage. Just in case.


    Now. They will wait for McKinney¡¯s office to call hiswyer and grant Cormac Sullivan¡¯s exoneration. The judge had promised that the call will be made by tomorrow afternoon at thetest.


    With his clothes slightly dirty from his workday, Seamus went home after he had his driver pick him up near the warehouse. He was feeling better. Much, much better.

 87. Love

    Charlotte was bored with nothing to do but paced around the house. She was still concerned about her dad, though there was nothing to do wait while worrying about his condition and the situation was driving her crazy.


    Yesterday morning Seamus left in a hurry, and though he gave her the best goodbye kiss, still she missed him. She had danced and then spent time at his home library reading books, though it was more like flipping pages since she couldn¡¯t read past a few pages of the books. Yes, she tried several books and nothing was interesting enough for her to continue reading.


    Then, when he was not back by dinner time, she grew wearier. She understands that Seamus Braddock is a busy man. Charlotte wanted to wait up for him but the stress was depleting her energy and she falls asleep sometime after nine in the evening.


    After an uneventful yet tiring day yesterday, Charlotte hoped that Seamus would have breakfast with her the next morning. But just like the day before, he was needed somewhere else. If Charlotte didn¡¯t know better, she would think that he was avoiding her.


    ¡°I really have good news, but I need to get to the office first.¡± He kissed her deep and passionately just like yesterday.


    ¡°What is it about?¡±


    ¡°Your dad,¡± he smiled widely and her eyes were teary in seconds. She almost dropped her cup of coffee.


    ¡°Really?¡± Her voice croaked with emotion and he reassured her with a soft kiss on her forehead.


    ¡°I promised you, didn¡¯t I?¡± He rubbed her flushed cheek and she nodded feeling way too emotional to use her words.


    ¡°Call me?¡±


    ¡°I will, beautiful. I will try to go home earlier today, and I promised we¡¯ll have breakfast in bed tomorrow.¡± He whispered hisst words and nted another moan-worthy kiss on her lips.


    Charlotte was still stunned by the news, the kisses, and the breakfast-in-bed promise he made for tomorrow. Though her mind was mainly on the news. She couldn¡¯t believe that he has good news about her dad. She¡¯d take any good news rting to her dad.


    She was still sipping her coffee and ignoring her meal, Charlotte was too excited to eat her breakfast when Marjorie pulled her out of her thoughts. ¡°You should go out, and spend time with your friends. I¡¯m sure Mr. Braddock is taking care of everything, you heard him. You have nothing to worry about.¡± Marjorie was trying to convince her, just like she did days ago.


    Charlotte did take Marjorie¡¯s advice and go out with her friends for a coffee meet, hoping they would give her enough distraction.


    ¡°So, your boo is going to free your dad. That¡¯s sooo romantic.¡± Bree was the first toment and Dee was not far behind when she told Charlotte that she deserved it.


    ¡°It¡¯s bound to happen, it¡¯ll be all sunshine from here on out. You¡¯re going to set off for the sunset with your Prince charming.¡± Dee told her dreamily and both Bree and Cassidy were giggling while Charlotte rolled her eyes.


    ¡°You always say stuff like this, Dee, I don¡¯t want to jinx it okay?¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t Charlotte, your man is the hot stuff. Ro told me that Braddock is one of the big guys that control the city. Whatever that means, I just think it¡¯s hot.¡±


    ¡°Eh, I still think is weird that you and your BF are talking about another woman¡¯s man,¡± Cassidy spoke up and got a casual shrug from Dee.


    ¡°It¡¯s what keeps our romance alive,¡± she dramatically said while giving the girls her adorable kissy face.


    They allughed and continued their conversation. Charlotte did have a good time with her friends, they did put things into a better perspective. At least she had Seamus, she didn¡¯t know what she¡¯d do if her dad didn¡¯t arrange for her to stay at the man¡¯s house and have him help with her dad¡¯s case.


    Before dinner, Charlotte decided to have a rxing bath and Seamus surprised her when he stepped into the bathroom. He was looking all handsome in his working attire. Charlotte always admires his physique in it.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    ¡°You¡¯re back early.¡± Charlotte pointed out with a sweet smile on her face.


    ¡°I told you I will try, though I¡¯m sorry that I didn¡¯t call. I had emergency meetings, and I wanted to go home to you. Fast.¡± His smile grew wider before he leaned to kiss her forehead. ¡°So, how¡¯s your day?¡±


    ¡°Coffee with the girls, then do a bit of ballet.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ it¡¯s been a while since you dance for me,¡± he kneeled and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand softly. His eyes roamed her body that was visibly naked through the warm bath since Charlotte puts rxingvender oil in the bath water instead of having a nice bubbly bath.


    ¡°It has, do you want to join me?¡± Her hand bravely reached out to his handsome face and pulled him closer for a kiss. He broke their kiss momentster, only to strip naked while she watches. Then he dipped into the spacious tub and gets behind Charlotte before he wrapped his arms around her body.


    They stayed like that for a while before he started talking about her father. ¡°Your dad¡¯s paperwork is done this afternoon, he was supposed to be out today. But there was a formality administration mixed up and it was taken care of by mywyer already. Your dad had been put into better amodation, a separate cell, and tomorrow morning you can join me to pick up your dad.¡±


    She moved to face him immediately, tears were flowing freely from her eyes, her hands were shaky and she was smiling and crying at the same time. ¡°You mean it?¡± Her voice wasced with happiness and a bit of sadness at the same time.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, beautiful?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ it felt like forever, but¡­ t-this was the first time he¡¯d be with me without mom.¡± Her dad was already getting tangled up in his case when Charlotte was busy taking care of her mom in the hospital. ¡°And I¡­ he¡­ he loves her so much, I don¡¯t know how¡­¡± She started sobbing and Seamus pulled her in his arms while his hand rubbed her naked back.


    ¡°Everything will be okay baby, we¡¯ll get through this together.¡±


    ¡°I love you,¡± she sobbed and scooted closer into his naked wet embrace.


    ¡°Oh, my beautiful Charlotte, I love you too.¡± There was no hesitation in his words and she looked at him wearing all of her feelings in her eyes, though her face was red and blotchy from all the crying.


    He leaned closer and pressed his lips against hers and she opened her mouth and let him in as she climb on hisp and straddle his legs. Her breasts were t against his chest and she moaned when his arms wrapped around her back in his possessive hold.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to take care of you, Charlotte, I promised.¡± He whispered the second he backed away from their kiss. Then she smiled and wrapped her arms around his shoulder and im another kiss from him, all while her inside sang from joy and love.


    ¡°Charlotte,¡± Seamus groaned when he felt her fingers wrapped around his erection.


    ¡°Shh¡­ now it¡¯s my turn to take care of you.¡± Her words were seductive as she started stroking his length t on his impressive abs while she moved and then shamelessly grind herself on his muscr thigh.


    Seamus grunted from the friction and then move his leg higher, giving her a better angle as she pleases herself on his thigh. Her moans echoes throughout the bathroom and it was taking him so much closer to his climax. Damn, she was taking him back to his teenage years ago when he could burst easily from being touched alone. And when he felt her as she was taking pleasure in getting herself off, it enhanced his sexual urges ten folds.


    Their lipstched onto one another and the feelings were getting hotter, their climax was inevitable. She cried his name as she orgasmed then slumped on his shoulder seconds before he burst and tainted the bath water with his cum.


    They kissed and stayed in their bubble ofbliss before he helped her under the shower to rinse. The couple ended their night after another round of sexy shower orgasms that left her legs feeling like jelly. Seamus carried her to the bed after toweling dry both of their bodies.


    Seamus took her under the covers and wrapped his arms around her as sheys naked, her hand resting on his chest inches away from her face.


    It was perfect, he couldn¡¯t end the night better. Though they woke upter that night hungry for skipping dinner and staying too long in the bathroom.

 88. Free at last

    It was not the kind of breakfast in bed she was expecting. This was the kind of breakfast where she was the main course. Charlotte was writhing under him as Seamus moved under the cover. His hands were all over her body, and his sinful mouth somehow kept on devouring her until she saw stars.


    ¡°Seamus!¡± She cried his name the second her climax hits. Charlotte was blushing profusely when he dragged her body toy on top of him.


    ¡°Morning, beautiful.¡±


    She smiled and let him snuggle into the crook of her neck. Theyy together while his hand rubbed her backside and she practically blissed out from her orgasm.


    ¡°Don¡¯t baby, I can take care of myselfter. This is for you.¡± He whispered when her hand started stroking his erection.


    ¡°I know, but I want to take care of you too.¡± She said sweetly as she kept on moving her hand up and down his cock. The man groaned knowing he couldn¡¯t say no to her. It didn¡¯t take long for him to smear his warm cum on her thigh and she giggled when he had to get up to get some tissues to clean his mess.


    Half an hourter Seamus did stay true to his promise and he did stay with her for breakfast. They had their meals together when he told her that he was taking the day off.


    ¡°We will leave in two hours, I already asked Marjorie to set up a room for your dad.¡±


    ¡°God, Seamus I still can¡¯t believe we¡¯re going to pick him up, that he¡¯s going to walk away a free man.¡± She squeezes his hand while he gave her another kiss on her temple.


    ¡°Believe it, baby. Your dad is going to be so happy to meet you.¡± He took her hands and engulfed them with his. ¡°Now, I want you to take it easy on him. Let him do what he wants, if he wants to rest in a clean bed and be alone, you should give him the space.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I think he¡¯d want to visit mom¡¯s grave.¡± Charlotte looked at him, her eyes were all misty with unshed tears.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll apany him.¡± He pulled her up to hisp and lift her chin and kissed her lips.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°You can do this, the worst had passed.¡±


    ¡°You sound just like Dee,¡± sheughed softly and wrapped her arm around his shoulder.


    ¡°Well, why don¡¯t we finish our breakfast and then go get changed.¡± He smiled and was d that her friends were all there to get her through her hardships.


    ¡°Um¡­ about the bedroom arrangements, I think I should get back to the guest bedroom.¡± She blushed when she said it, thinking what her dad might think when he found out that she¡¯d been sleeping at Seamus¡¯s.


    The man understood what she was saying without even putting it into words. ¡°I will have a conversation with your dad, but if it¡¯ll make youfortable you can move back to the guest bedroom for tonight.¡±


    ¡°I think that¡¯s best.¡± She nodded firmly, though her body tensed.


    ¡°Charlotte, you understand where our rtionship is heading right?¡±


    ¡°Huh? I¡­ I don¡¯t think I¡¯m following you,¡± she raised her eyes to look at him.


    ¡°I¡¯m serious about you, about us. When you¡¯re ready I want to ask you to marry me.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    He looked at her, amusement was obvious on his face. ¡°Tell me, what are you thinking right now?¡±


    She stayed quiet, biting her lip, feeling unsure of herself, and suddenly didn¡¯t know what she wanted. What she knows for sure was that she was grateful that Seamus was able to get his dad out of prison. And that thought made her feel like she had to say yes to him.


    ¡°I¡¯m feeling grateful, thank you¡­ for getting my dad out of prison. I love you, and yes, when the time is right, I will be your wife¡­¡±


    It was not the answer he expected. Though it made him happy that she was epting his proposal, somewhere between the lines he felt something was off. Maybe he should word the proposal differently, it was not as romantic as she deserved but he was being practical. Deep down he knew she was the one for him, he knew that he loves her, and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about thister, right now we should finish breakfast and then get ready for your dad. We don¡¯t want to get stuck in traffic.¡± He put his feelings aside and decided to tackle one task at a time. Seamus loves her, he wanted what¡¯s best for Charlotte and to take care of her. But first, they need to pick up her dad, then he needed to talk to Cormac regarding his case. Maybe after that, he¡¯d get a feel of what Charlotte felt about their future together.


    After an hour of a silent car ride, they arrived at the state penitentiary. Hiswyer was already there and he greeted both Seamus and Charlotte professionally. She was still quiet, visibly nervous though she let Seamus hold her hand and stood close to her. She listened as both men talked and they all waited for her dad. Her eyes wereser-focused on the door across the room. It felt like forever.


    Everything was so surreal to Charlotte, she thought she could hear a pin drop when she shuts everything out. Then, the whole world around here came back to life when she hear the loud opening of the door she¡¯d been watching. Then, she saw her dad walk out in his normal clothes. She instantly got up and hugged him, she cried, sobbed, and kept on telling him that she loved him. Over and over again, until she felt Seamus¡¯s hand on her shoulder she let go of her dad.


    Cormac¡¯s eyes were wet with tears. He still couldn¡¯t believe that they managed to get him out. ¡°Thank you,¡± he croaked out, still feeling too emotional but he knew he had to say something to Braddock.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee, but I say it¡¯s unnecessary because I should have tried harder and gotten you out sooner.¡± Seamus let the man hug him, he felt sorry for him. Uneasiness crept into his inside as he felt the man¡¯s body under his touch. His muscle mass was gone, and he recognized that Cormac did lose significant weight since thest time he saw him.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s move this reunion back home.¡± Braddock¡¯swyer finally said as he put his hand politely on Cormac¡¯s shoulder.


    The ride back was equally silent. Hiswyer had parted ways and Seamus decided to sit in the front next to his driver, letting Charlotte rest on the back seat together with her dad. She looked so fragile, she¡¯d still wiped her tears a couple of times as she talks to her dad. The man¡¯s soothing voice seemed to calm her down and they both smiled when they finally reached Braddock¡¯s residence.


    ¡°They had released all of my assets, yourwyer is damn good at his job.¡± The older man praised him and Seamus nodded.


    ¡°Marjorie had set you up in one of the guest bedrooms upstairs. I¡¯d figure you¡¯d want to rest and take a nap before dinner time. I¡¯ve taken the liberty to provide you with some clothes also,¡± Seamus said when Marjorie appeared in the living room.


    ¡°Yes, thank you. I might just take your offer. In prison, it¡¯s¡­¡± He sighed before continuing, ¡°it¡¯s hard for me to rx, I kept on thinking about my daughter and everything that I should¡¯ve done differently.¡± The man looked tired and needed the rest.


    ¡°We can talk it over when you¡¯re well rested. Charlotte, you can show your dad to his room, Marjorie can help you if you need anything more. I¡¯m going to leave you to your privacy.¡± Seamus held out his hand, but Cormac pulled the guy in for a hug and quietly say thank you and patted him on his back.


    ¡°So, where¡¯s your room?¡± Her dad asked as Marjorie exited the guest bedroom after they assured her that everything was perfect.


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay honey, you¡¯re an adult. I know something is going on between you two.¡± He took a seat on the small sofa, and Charlotte sits next to her dad.


    ¡°I¡­ we¡­ I did stay at his, but I¡¯m moving back to the guestroom across from yours.¡± She decided to be honest with him, though her face was red enough that made her dadugh as if her confession amused him.


    ¡°Well, thank you for respecting your old man. Your mom would be very proud of you.¡±


    The mention of her mom, histe wife made both of them teary once again.


    ¡°God, today is so emotional.¡± Her dad wiped his tears, taking the tissue from the small table by the sofa.


    ¡°We can visit her grave tomorrow morning.¡± Charlotte offered, and her dad nodded wiping her face with a fresh tissue like she was still seven years old.


    ¡°Dad¡­¡± She whined when he carelessly dabbed her face and then told her to blow her nose.


    ¡°Okay, okay¡­ so, I will take my rest. You should also rest, then I will need to talk to Braddock about your sleeping arrangement.


    ¡°Oh my god, daaaad,¡± she whined but there was no anger on his face, as he smiled at his only daughter.


    ¡°My child, I love you. I¡¯m d that he takes care of you. But I need to hear his intentions, I know him. He¡¯s a good guy, but men like him¡­ look, I just need to know that he¡­¡±


    ¡°I love him,¡± she blurted out, ¡°and he loves me, and said that he¡¯d marry me,¡± somehow the need to defend her lover was strong and she blushed and then blow her nose when she struggled with her emotion once again.


    ¡°Oh, honey,¡± he patted her shoulder and pulled her in for another hug. ¡°I wished your mom is here, she¡¯d love to see you all grown up.¡±


    They both cried again, she sobbed harder than before. Then, there was a knock on the door.


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± Seamus entered the room, looking concerned. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I heard your cry from the hall,¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes¡­¡± Cormac replied wiping his tears quickly. He got up, holding out his hand to his daughter. Charlotte was on her feet before hugging him one more time.


    ¡°I think I¡¯d like to rest now, honey, why don¡¯t you let Seamus take care of you and we will talk againter at dinner time.¡±


    With his words, Seamus put his hand on her waist and she rests her back easily on his front and melts into his arms. Her dad smiled, looking content that his daughter had found someone to take care of her. He closed the door behind them and took a deep breath before hey on the bed and try to close his eyes.


    It was going to be hard for him to sleep. After months in prison, he thought he craved sleeping in a big bed with fresh expensive linens. But then his mind drifted to the one woman he loved and how he missed sleeping next to her. Sleeping in their bed.


    He needed to go home. His home.

 89. Parents

    When it was almost dinner time, Charlotte decided to put on makeup. Her eyes were still red and all puffy. She looked like a mess but then decided to let go of the makeup and put on a damp towel over her eyes instead.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    She was resting on her bed when Seamus entered her room with a ss of hot tea to soothe her nerves. ¡°I¡¯m still red and blotchy, I can¡¯t believe your parents will being for dinner.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry baby. But I couldn¡¯t say no to my dad, since it was because of him that I managed to have the leverage to persuade the judge to take another look at his case.¡± The lies spilled perfectly out of his mouth. Well, part of it anyways, because his dad did help him out.


    ¡°Now, I¡¯ve said to you before that they¡¯re going to re-open the case. But, I don¡¯t want you to worry about the details, since there¡¯s nothing that loomed over your dad¡¯s anymore.¡±


    Seamus gave Charlotte her tea and waited for her to drink it before he sits beside her on the bed. His back was on the headboard just like she was. Then he pulled out his phone to check on his emails when she put her cup by her nightstand and put the damp towel back over her eyes again.


    ¡°I know, I¡¯m so thankful. It¡¯s just that my feelings are all over the ce, and my period is not making my emotional state any better.¡± She was surprised to find that she had gotten her period an hour ago. Though she understood why she had been so emotional and moody for thest couple of days.


    ¡°How about we go outside to the back terrace to rx after dinner? Just the two of us, we¡¯ll get some nkets and we¡¯ll have a quiet snuggle time. I¡¯ll light up the firece and we can talk about anything you want.¡±


    ¡°Ugh, I¡¯m done talking and crying. Can we watch a movie instead? Outside is good, just get aptop and we¡¯ll stream some boring old movie. I want to cuddle.¡± Charlotte huffed before she lifts the damp towel and then smiled when she saw that Seamus who was sitting next to her was quietly scrolling through his phone already picking the movie.


    It was nice that they have fallen into this domestic bliss. She never thought that she could experience a such calming state where she¡¯d have this kind of rtionship.


    ¡°Just rx, my parents will love you. And, that¡¯s my cue to talk to your dad informing him about the additional dinner guests before he got ambushed by his best friend and client.¡± Seamus winked as he got off the bed but not before giving her a soft peck on her forehead.


    When dinner time arrived Seamus was still amazed that Charlotte could manage to look beautiful in less than half an hour. She only wore minimum makeup, barely covering her emotions and surprisingly, it only enhanced her beauty so much more. Wearing a simple navy knee-length dress with matching color navy ts, Charlotte looked like a fragile princess, all pale and regal with delicate features that he wanted to cherish and protect with all his power.


    ¡°You look beautiful,¡± her dad stole the words from his mouth and he let him. The man deserved to praise his daughter and Seamus decided to let him escort Charlotte to the dining room when Marjorie announced that his parents had settled in the lounge waiting for them.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go greet them, see you both in a bit,¡± Seamus said and he ced a quick peck on her cheek in front of her dad which left her startled. But he quickly walked away with a smile on his face, happy that he had rattled herposure in front of her dad.


    ¡°Mom, dad, wee,¡± he hugged both of his parents warmly. His mom kissed his cheeks and his dad gave him his fatherly hug.


    ¡°I¡¯m d today went well.¡± His father said and he getsfortable in his seat as he poured a ss of the champagne that was already prepared on the table as they waited for dinner.


    ¡°It went perfectly, Braddock my old friend. You looked good.¡± Cormac Sullivan greeted. His voice was still rough from the emotional afternoon he had, but he look much better, well-rested.


    ¡°Oh, damn, you tough old man, you¡¯re not so bad yourself.¡± His dad pulled him into a hug, they were all smiling while Charlotte looked like she was unsure of herself.


    ¡°My dear, you must be Charlotte. I¡¯m sorry, but it seemed that my son can¡¯t stop staring at you to introduce you to his mother.¡±


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯m sorry,¡± he smiled at her, ¡°This is Charlotte, Charlotte my love, this is my mom, Erin.¡± he pulled her to his side, took Charlotte¡¯s hand, and kissed her knuckles before he put his hand on her waist, iming her, holding her like a man in love.


    His mom looked at the couple with affection in her eyes, she was happy. Delightfully happy that her son had finally found someone to love.


    ¡°Mrs. Braddock,¡± Charlotte was about to greet her with a handshake, but his mom put her hands on hers and then pulled her in for a warm hug.


    ¡°Erin, call me Erin. Oh, Seamus, she¡¯s beautiful.¡±


    Charlotte blushed and Seamus gave her his handsome smirk and she felt her heart fall to her stomach. Then, he makes her more flustered by giving his lover a quick kiss on her cheek and her heart went back up to beat a thousand miles per hour.


    ¡°You two are adorable,¡± his mom cooed and the dads join in then Seamus start to pass the sses of champagne before they all toast for the release of Cormac Sullivan and also for the new lovebirds. The acknowledgment only made Charlotte hide her embarrassment behind the ss of champagne which she finish quickly.


    Dinner was going great. In between the main course and dessert, Seamus¡¯s dad had offered Cormac a brand new office and employment within one of hispanies, just in case he didn¡¯t want to go back to his old one.


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking of taking a step back and getting back to my hobby. I¡¯ve been writing back in prison, and I¡¯m finding back passion. Thinking back, I¡¯ve wasted too much time working, and not enjoying the family I have.¡± His hand reached out to Charlotte¡¯s and she was teary all over again. She didn¡¯t let go of his hand until he does and a few wordster, they get back to enjoying their dessert while talking about safer topics.


    When it was time to say goodbye, Erin told Charlotte that she wanted to get to know her better, maybe over lunch in the next few weeks since she will leave with her husband for one of his business trips soon.


    ¡°Your mom is nice, though I¡¯m still overwhelmed when she said that she wanted to do lunch with me.¡± The young couple was rxing at the back terrace, his parents had gone back home and her dad had retreated to his room.


    ¡°My mom likes you,¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯m not sure there¡¯s aparison. She said I¡¯m the only woman you ever introduced.¡±


    ¡°Well, not exactly, I have date s, women, but none that I imed as my love,¡± he took her hand and kissed it. His words made Charlotte a puddle of goo all over again.


    ¡°You¡¯re such a sweet talker,¡± she joked and pouted. But he was having none of it when his hand cupped her face and pressed his lips against hers.


    ¡°I love you, baby,¡± he kissed again, ¡°this is not me sweet talking you, this is me professing my love for you. I will wait for you, but I will ask you now¡­ will you, marry me one day? Will you want to be my wife? I want to put a ring on your finger, I want to im you as mine, I want to live the rest of my life with you.¡± He asked while facing her, kneeling on one knee as she was still seating on the sectional sofa, overlooking the manicured lush backyard.


    ¡°Oh my god¡­ I really need to rest my tear duct. Seamus, you¡¯re going to make me cry all over again¡­ yes¡­ yes¡­ yes, I¡¯ll marry you.¡±


    This time he was sure. This time he knew nothing was off from her answer. Her emotion gave it away. He knew she loves him back and he knew she does want to marry him.


    Now, on to their happy ever after.


    But before that, he had to make sure no threats were looking over their heads. Not after the kind of threatening email he received this afternoon.

 90. Framed

    The next day Seamus decided to have a chat with Cormac before they left for the cemetery.


    ¡°I want to ask your permission to marry your daughter,¡± Seamus said while they waited for Charlotte toe down and join them.


    ¡°Yet, you¡¯ve asked for her to marry you already.¡± He replied with an amused smile on his face.


    ¡°Yes, yes I have. It was too spontaneous but I want to make this right. I know she loves you very much and your blessing will mean so much for her and also for me. For both of us.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a good man, Seamus, you got my blessing.¡± The younger man looked rxed before Cormac continued. ¡°What I¡¯ve heard about her in prison made me almost lose it. But yourwyer had convinced me that you had nipped the issue and taken care of her.¡±


    ¡°What exactly did you hear?¡± With all of the earlier issues with Charlotte and her work, he didn¡¯t know that Cormac had learned anything about his daughter while he was in prison. This was news to him and he was really clueless as to what it might be.


    ¡°Um¡­ about her dancing in some shady club. Stripping?¡± He looked unsure until Seamus got up and paced around the living room.


    ¡°Who told you?¡±


    ¡°One of the inmates. It was actually why I got into a fight. But then your men were there, to fight back for me. Thank you for that, I don¡¯t think I¡¯d survive a prison fight if it weren¡¯t for them.¡±


    Seamus sat down again before he started exining further. ¡°It was when she first stayed here. She couldn¡¯t find a job, and she didn¡¯t want to owe me anything. You¡¯ve raised a very independent and proud young woman. It took a lot from me to persuade her not to work there.¡± He said remembering what felt like years ago.


    ¡°But the club was not that shady, yes it was a strip club, but more to the exclusive kind of joint. Anyway¡­ She quit and that¡¯s all that matters now.¡± Seamus exined, hoping that it would be enough and not entice more questions. Because that was the one chapter in Charlotte¡¯s life that Seamus didn¡¯t want to revisit.


    Cormac nodded in agreement. ¡°Come on we should go, I need to pay my respect to myte wife.¡± He uttered the moment Charlotte entered the living room.


    ¡°Dad,¡±


    Seamus watched as she greeted her dad. The older man gave her a warm-felt hug and told her congrattions on her engagement and that they both have his blessings. Charlotte blushed and Seamus was at her side to give her a peck on her forehead.


    The drive to the cemetery was short and lovely. Cormac spent time talking over histe wife¡¯s tombstone while Charlotte rested her head on Seamus¡¯s shoulder while they wait for her dad to finish hisst word.


    But then Seamus saw Burke hurried his steps towards him. He knew something was up when he saw the emergency burner phone in his hand. Seamus quickly excused himself from Charlotte to take the call. He knew something was wrong when Burked handed him the phone.


    ¡°A call, sir.¡±


    Seamus nodded and answered the secure line immediately.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    ¡°Dad, is something wrong?¡± Seamus asked when he heard his dad¡¯s voice from the other line.


    ¡°I have information that you¡¯re wanted for the murder of Judge McKenney. He was found dead in a car ident and now you¡¯re being framed. I¡¯ll arrange everything. You know not to talk unless ourwyer is there, I¡¯ll send two of my best ones and tell Charlotte and Cormac not to talk also they might be questioned if they produced enough evidence against you. I will havewyers ready for both of them as well.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Dad. I got a rather cryptic email yesterday. I was not sure who sent it but now I know what it was all about.¡± Seamus pinched the bridge of his nose, knowing now is not the time for this matter to pop up. Charlotte was still wary and he couldn¡¯t help to imagine where would her mind go when she witnessed his arrest.


    ¡°Son, the chief of police may construct false evidence against you. But I¡¯ve been in this game far longer than him and I know more people and have lined more pockets to take the bastard down. It¡¯ll be over before you know it.¡±


    Seamus trusted his dad and he knew that everything was going to end soon.


    ¡°Alright, Dad.¡± He answered calmly. ¡°I need to talk to Charlotte now. I know you¡¯ll take care of everything. Will you and Mom be at the house for Charlotte?¡± He couldn¡¯t fight the nagging feeling that she¡¯d be better with his mom around because she would act all tough in front of her dad. And Seamus knew that his mom would take good care of her.


    ¡°Of course, son. She¡¯s practically family. We¡¯ll be going to your house as soon as I¡¯m done making some calls.¡±


    Seamus thanked his dad before he ended the call and walked back to Charlotte who was looking at him with worry in her eyes. He took her hand and led her towards Cormac before he faced both of them and told them what his dad informed him minutes ago.


    ¡°W-what? But it wasn¡¯t even your fault. They¡¯re framing you. They can¡¯t just arrest you? Dad?¡± Her eyes were already ssy and he couldn¡¯t help to put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close.


    But as time stood still, her dad did say that everything will be alright. And confirmed to Seamus that neither he nor Charlotte will speak without awyer by their side.


    ¡°Mom and Dad will be at the house soon as they can. I just need you to take care of Charlotte for me.¡± Seamus added when he spoke to Cormac. As finished his words, sirens were heard then Charlotte¡¯s tears started to fall and she was quick to embrace him with all her desperation.


    ¡°Hey, baby, everything will be okay. I didn¡¯t do it. Look at me?¡±


    But as he said it, men in uniforms started to walk towards them. Clear instructions were shouted and he could see Burke puzzled expression as he stepped towards themotion.


    ¡°Sir?¡± Burke asked, clearly waiting for his guidance in handling the fucked up situation.


    ¡°Take both of them back home. Tell Keegan to call Bruce,¡± Keegan was Seamus¡¯s right-hand man. He knew about the security details, but Seamus realized that Charlotte would be morefortable with Bruce around and the man could provide them with female guards for her. Seamus understood that it might be a bit too excessive since he will be released soon enough,  but he was not looking forward to any more surprises.


    ¡°My dad knows about this. He¡¯ll take care of everything.¡± Seamus added. He could see the tension fades from Burke¡¯s face and his driver nodded and ushered both Charlotte and her dad into the car while Seamus was being read his rights and his hands were handcuffed.


    ¡°I love you,¡± she hugged him onest time and he kissed her forehead telling her that he loves him too. Not caring that the cops were snickering behind him and one of them decided to tug him back and force Charlotte to release her hold on him.


    ******


    It took his dad¡¯swyers an hour to arrive after Seamus was transported to the police station and shoved into an interrogation room. Seamus had said nothing to the detectives in charge and hiswyer answered all their questions for him by telling them that their client had an alibi and they didn¡¯t like the spections that the detectives were throwing at their client.


    He was denied bail, he was to stay overnight at the station. It was as expected, his dad¡¯swyers said they were trying to make it harder for him. They will overrule the decision by morning. Seamus was not worried. Though He did worry about Charlotte and he was relieved when he was granted permission to call her.


    She was crying from the other line, but he assured her that he¡¯d be back home by tomorrow and that managed to calm her down.


    Seamus understood that he was being framed, and the chief of police was going down so hard when his dad found out about the sneaky way he had put Seamus with other offenders. When morning came Seamus was badly beaten, his gut was punched so badly that he was having difficulty walking. He knew that he had a broken nose and his right eye was swollen so badly that he can only see with one eye.


    His dad¡¯swyers were already pressing charges against the police department the moment they saw him. They continued to quickly assist him to be released immediately though he was still under house arrest with the impending trial. Seamus trusted that his dad would pull through and the case will be dropped sooner thanter.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, that I couldn¡¯t bail you out sooner.¡± His dad hugged him carefully the moment he saw his battered son.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay dad, it¡¯s been a while since I got beaten up. It¡¯ll heal, but I need to clean up first and maybe get my nose fixed before going home. I don¡¯t want Charlotte to see me like this.¡±


    ¡°Come on, I know just where to go.¡±


    His dad¡¯s smile brightened as he asked one of hiswyers toe with them to the ER to take borate pictures of how Seamus was beaten up in the police station.  He smirked and knew that everything was going to be just fine with his dad beside him. And soon with Charlotte once again in his arms.

 91. Home

    When Seamus got arrested, Charlotte was a total mess. But after he called her, she calmed down for a little while deep inside she still felt some uncertainty over her future husband.


    As Seamus predicted, her dad watched how Charlotte was acting all though in front of him. And Cormac felt bad when he wasn¡¯t able to help her. He could see on her face that she was falling apart on the inside.


    Seamus¡¯s parents arrived at the house a couple of hours after they did and it was a good thing because her dad was not getting through to her.


    ¡°Come on my beautiful child, let¡¯s leave them to talk it over while you and I can make some cookies and mini sandwiches for their afternoon tea. Tell me, how does your father drink his tea?¡±


    ¡°Um, hot? I usually see him drinking coffee.¡±


    Charlotte looked unsure but Erin just smiled at her and put her hand on the crook of her arm as she ushered Charlotte to the spacious kitchen.


    ¡°That¡¯s alright, dear. Come, help me prepare.¡± Erin patted her cheek warmly and led her to the front of the cupboard before passing her the beautiful delicate tea set that Charlotte didn¡¯t even know Seamus owned.


    Marjorie was there but Erin shook her head at her. ¡°We won¡¯t be needing you in the kitchen, I¡¯m keeping Charlotte busy with tea. Maybe you could run other errands and help uster for dinner?¡±


    Marjorie smiled, nodded, and excused herself from the kitchen. Momentster Erin got busy exining to Charlotte what they were going to be making. The simple activity of making tea and snacks for all of them was nice. Their togetherness continued as they have a nice small conversation about daily urrences, Charlotte¡¯s love of ballet, and even the weather. Later, Erin ushered her back to the kitchen to prepare


    dinner. Marjorie helped them and for a couple of hours, Charlotte managed to keep her mind off Seamus.


    Still, when night came, Charlotte was quietly crying on the bed that she shared with Seamus. She held his pillow, resting her cheek and her tears sipped into it until she finally falls asleep.


    *****


    Charlotte had little sleep the day before, Seamus¡¯s parents and her dad helped keep her mind off Seamus. But when morning arrived she was back to being agitated. Her nerves were all over the ce and she kept on looking at the front door anticipating his arrival.


    ¡°Seamus!¡± Charlotte ran to her lover but stopped in her tracks seconds after she saw his bandaged nose bridge and swollen right eye.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m okay. Just a bit bruised, but nothing that couldn¡¯t be fixed with your hug. Come here.¡± He opened his arms and she carefully hugged him. Seamus took in her floral scent, the soft contour of her body, and felt like he was finally home.


    ¡°Wow, you¡¯ve been there less than twenty-four hours and have battle wounds already. You must have really pissed off the wrong man.¡± Cormac put his hand on his arm, weing him home. ¡°Anyway, your mom is in the kitchen. They stayed the night and she¡¯s been feeding us constantly.¡± He chuckled and told his best friend, Darren Braddock that his wife had been a very goodpanion to Charlotte and he really appreciate it.


    Darren pped the man¡¯s shoulder and told him that he¡¯s family now and it¡¯s what family do for each other. ¡°Now, let us retreat to the home office in a couple of hours. I¡¯ll give you kids some private time to catch up while Cormac here will apany me for coffee.¡± His smile spread with a hint of amusement looking at the now flustered Charlotte who still has her hands on Seamus¡¯s waist.


    ¡°Charlotte please take Seamus to Erin first, and tell Marjorie to send our coffees to the back terrace?¡±


    ¡°Yes Dad,¡± Charlotte replied swiftly.


    ¡°My son is going to be so spoiled. Erin hadn¡¯t even seen him. Come, let the women dote on Seamus while we talk about yourst business partner and his corrtion to the Chief of police.¡± Charlotte heard Seamus¡¯s dad says to hers. She could imagine how both men rxed on the sofa as her dad started telling him about how he found out that the Chief of Police was embezzling retirement funds. Yes. She heard a glimpse of the storyst night and how it was all tangled up with Seamus and from there her future husband became an easy target for the framing. Just as her dad did.


    Charlotte realized yesterday that Darren had some of the details, but her dad managed to fill in some important information about the funds. She saw how Darren had made notes on his phone most likely to discuss with Seamus and theirwyers afterward.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    ¡°How do you feel?¡± She asked after they met with his mom and now they were in the confinement of their bedroom. Charlotteid the palm of her hand on his face and gently caressed his battered feature.


    ¡°Better, now that I have you in my arms,¡± Seamus locked his gaze on hers and stepped closer to assure her that he was not going anywhere. He leaned down and kissed her, and he felt her tense body rx further in his hold.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like sleeping alone in our bed.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t tonight.¡± He rested his big hands on her ass, pulled her tight to his body, pushed his crotch, and showed her his hardening member.


    ¡°Seamus, I think we should take it slow tonight.¡±


    The manughed sexily telling her that it was his nose that was broken but his dick was functioning. ¡°And it needs some tender loving care.¡± He cut in. Sheughed and pped his chest adorably. Her yful side turned sensual in mere seconds when he needed her now more than ever.


    They will have their time together before dinner and Seamus didn¡¯t care if their parents can see right through them. He needed her to feel safe. He needed her to express his love and assured his beautiful ballerina that he was not going anywhere anytime soon and that everything will be okay.


    ¡°So beautiful,¡± he praised as he trail kisses to the crook of her neck up to her cheek then have her mouth as if he had been starving for her lips for months. Her hands roamed his chest greedily and she whimpered when he slipped his hands to the waistband of her jeans, cupping her sexy butt cheeks.


    ¡°Seamus,¡±


    ¡°I know my love, I¡¯ll take care of you,¡± he expertly unbuttoned her jeans and took her top off, and throw them to the corner armchair. He winced when she pressed her body right where it hurts. He was on painkillers, but he was still tender on his stomach. Charlotte quickly pulled away and took off his shirt and she gasped when she sees the prominent bruise.


    ¡°Babe, it¡¯s fine. The doctor said so. My dad was there, you can double-check.¡± He smirked knowing that she will most definitely do thatter. And he loves her more because of it. Never had he ever had a partner that loves him so fiercely.


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    Her hesitation was gone the moment he started kissing her and gently lying her on their bed. He stripped naked and she didn¡¯t have time to worry about his condition when his erection was pressed against herce panties. She shuddered and moaned his name when he tugged her panties off and slipped inside her. She was wet and she clenched him hard. They both moaned louder and he rested her legs on his shoulders and thrust deeper inside her.


    Her legs trembled from the sheer intensity of his thrusts, in and out, each time taking her higher than before. She was breathless when he pounded her, keeping his pace until he was getting closer and she was begging him for more. When they both finally climaxed she hold on to him like he was her breath of fresh air. He leaned down and kissed her again, this time pulling her bra and licking her nipples, all while she wasing down from her high.


    They stayed in bed for a while longer until his cock softened and he pulled out and took off the condom she didn¡¯t notice before.


    ¡°I love you,¡± she pressed her lips on his before he said that he loves her too.


    They didn¡¯te down and join their parents until dinner time. They decided to give Seamus and Charlotte more time knowing that she needed him tofort her. When they did sit down for dinner Charlotte expressed that she was not happy that he was on house arrest. She was telling everyone that there was still a chance that Seamus could get back to being arrested.


    ¡°He might think himself as street smart, but the Chief didn¡¯t know that we are the street.¡± Darren pressed his opinion on Charlotte. He looked mighty confident in his son¡¯s situation and it did make Charlotte feel much better. Because of that l, Seamus looked at his dad and nodded telling him with his eyes that he thanked him for everything.

 92. Intruder

    Seamus¡¯s parents went home after dinner. Charlotte¡¯s dad retreated to his room not long after, and the young couple went to theirs to rest for the night.


    Everything in the house was quiet and peaceful as Seamus wrapped his arms around her under the covers. He had taken his pain pills and Charlotte had drifted off to sleep minutes ago while he was still watching his beautiful soon-to-be-wife.


    He let himself close his eyes after kissing her forehead. It felt like he had slept only for a few minutes when his phone buzzed from an iing call. He grunted but was alert immediately when he saw Keegan¡¯s name shing on his screen.


    ¡°Yes,¡±


    ¡°Boss, there are people inside the house. We¡¯re on our way. Get everyone to safety.¡±


    ¡°Shit,¡±


    ¡°I got you, just hide. We got this.¡± Keegan reassured him and he acted quickly rather than asking questions. Seamus ended the call and started pulling up his pants then woke Charlotte after reaching for his gun.


    ¡°Charlotte baby, you need to get up and get dressed I need you and your dad in the safe room.¡±


    Charlotte¡¯s eyes widened when she saw Seamus was handling his gun making sure there were bullets inside it. ¡°W-what¡­ what¡¯s happening?¡± She asked shakily when she moved to wear her sleep robe over her flimsy pajamas.


    ¡°I need to get to your dad,e on,¡± he quickly ushered her into the safe room secretly hidden behind the armchair where their clothes were thrown carelessly earlier.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go, you can¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°Your dad. Baby, I need to get him here. We need him safe, yeah? Keegan and his crew are on their way, I¡¯ll be okay. There¡¯s a camera, don¡¯t open the door for anyone. I know thebination. I love you.¡± He kissed her hard, ignoring her tears as he urged her inside and locked her in the room despite her strong protest.


    Seamus made his way to the guest bedroom where Cormac was probably sound asleep. And he was right, his door opened moments after he knocked. He was d that the man was a light sleeper.


    ¡°Seamus, what¡¯s happening?¡± Cormac asked, his gaze eyed the gun he was carrying. He was about to ask about his daughter when Seamus said that Charlotte was already in the safe room. ¡°I need to get you there, let¡¯s g¡­¡± his step halted when he heard heavy footsteps ascending the stairs. He¡¯d hoped that it was Keegan but there was a bigger chance that it was the intruders.


    ¡°Shit, get behind me,¡± he whispered signaling him to keep quiet. ¡°Into the bathroom, lock yourself in.¡±


    ¡°I can help, give me another gun.¡±


    Seamus cursed but he got another gun anyway from behind the hiddenpartment in one of the drawers. ¡°Here, now get in the bathroom. Keegan ising, I¡¯ll be okay.¡±


    But Cormac was stubborn and he wouldn¡¯t leave and stay behind Seamus. He shook his head when he heard the steps getting closer. ¡°Come quick, don¡¯t do anything stupid.¡± He muttered and moved to open the door and start opening fire as he leads Cormac to his bedroom. They ran as quickly as possible while shooting back and tried not to get shoot back.


    ¡°Run, a couple of more steps!¡± He nudged Cormac to run in front of him straight to the open door of his bedroom. But Seamus did not expect another intrudering in from the window across his bedroom door. He ran and shoved Cormac towards the room. The hit to his flesh stings like hell, but he kept on shooting, then dreaded when he heard the click of his empty gun.


    ¡°Mother fucker,¡± he cursed and pushed the code, shielding Cormac from the shooter. Another shot hit him from the back but he managed to get in after pushing Cormac, mming the door behind them, and locking them all inside.


    ¡°Seamus!¡± Charlotte screamed when his bloodied body came into her view. But Cormac was faster when he told her to look for the first aid kit.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ fuck,¡± he took a deep breath before continuing, ¡°it¡¯s in the bottom self,¡± Seamus pointed with his gaze while Cormac was to his side inspecting his gunshot wounds.


    ¡°Your arm, it¡¯s a through and through. But not your shoulder. There¡¯s no exit wound.¡±


    Seamus let Cormac continue to help clean his wounds and try to stop the bleeding. Charlotte was tearing apart in front of his eyes, but he needed to keep his eyes on the cameras. There were at least ten men inside the house. Seamus ignored the feelings and continue to watch the video feeds. His hands were scrambling through the small drawer under the only desk in the room and reached for a burner phone.


    ¡°Boss,¡± Keegan¡¯s voice answered him from the other line.


    ¡°Master bedroom, we¡¯re fucking surrounded. I got shot, and need a doctor. Fast.¡± He could already feel his stance getting woozy from the loss of blood. He knew thest bullet was nicking his artery and he was d that Cormac was putting pressure on the back of his shoulder. It fucking hurts, but he needs to ignore the pain and make sure to keep them all safe. He needed Keegan to reach them, he was not sure how long they can be safe there. He needed those people gone, preferably before the intruders manage to wreck the steel door and get to them.


    ¡°We¡¯re here, on our way up.¡±


    Seamus could hear shoutings from the other line. The flesh wounds hurt so bad and he kept wearing his brave expression though he knew that he was probably paled already. He could feel his body getting queasy and he finally gave up and sat back on the only bed avable in the room.


    ¡°Keegan is downstairs, he¡¯d be here soon. I¡­ I just need to lie down.¡± Seamus¡¯s words were getting raspy, his body was weakening and Charlotte was sobbing while holding him. His blood seeped through her robe when she wouldn¡¯t let go of him.


    Commotions were heard outside the room and when the burner phone rings Cormac answered it and finally open the door for Keegan. His team of two men assessed the situation inside the room and one of his men went to Seamus and started working on his wounds while Cormac saw the bodiesying dead outside the safe room.


    Seamus¡¯s vision went dark when he saw Keegan and his crew arrive. He knew that it was safe for him to close his eyes and let his men take care of them.


    *****


    When he woke up, sunlight was peeking through the curtains and Seamus could feel her eyes on him.


    ¡°Did you even sleep? Or have you been watching me all night?¡± Seamus tried to joke, but it fell t when he saw her tears and snuggled in closer to his side.


    ¡°Keegan got a doctor to take care of you. He didn¡¯t want me to take you to the hospital. I don¡¯t like him.¡± She pouted. Seamus was still too weak to exin to her that Keegan did the right thing. So, he did what he could do and entwined their fingers with his and told her that he was feeling better. A bit of exaggeration since he still feels like shit but she calms down hearing his words.


    ¡°I don¡¯t approve of you dying, just so you know.¡± She huffed and rest her head inches from his pillows. ¡°And your parents areing here. So I really need to shower now,¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Seamus whispered and let her hand go and watch her ditch the smeared robe and get into the adjoining bathroom. Keegan had put them in another guest bedroom since their master bedroom looked like a warzone. He had heard Keegan recap the whole situation as he was in and out of consciousness. He will need Keegan to retell the situation again once he feels better.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    All and all Seamus was satisfied that neither Charlotte nor her dad was hurt. For now, all he could do was enjoy Charlotte¡¯s way of caring for him while he recuperates and let Keegan and his dad handle the matter.

 93. Secrecy

    It had been more than a week since the attack and Seamus was getting better. He was still weak but pretended that he was healed then got sneaky by popping painkillers for his shoulder. He didn¡¯t get to a hospital for an operation but he did get the friendly local doctor well known in the underground crime organization to illegally operate on his shoulder in the privacy of his own home. Just like the good old days, his dad told him after he was awakened from his anesthesia.


    That day Charlotte was as white as sheet, one might think she also had gotten shot. Her eyes were puffy and her hands were so cold when he touched her. But she smiled only for a couple of seconds before she was back to pouting and ready to demand assurance from her fiance.


    Two days after the incident Charlotte started having nightmares. She would wake up sweating, shaking, and screaming so loud that Seamus¡¯s heart ached every time he cuddled her until she got back to sleep. And almost two weeks in she was still having nightmares every night. Seamus felt bad for her that he convinced her to see a doctor and get him to refer her to a sleep specialist.


    ¡°The same doctor who treated you with your gunshot wounds in your bed without proper instruments and probably ignored more protocols than a good licensed doctor would ever do to jeopardize his career? But yeah sure go on and call him, might as well talk with the man and see if he can prescribe me the same pills that you popped when you think no one noticed.¡±


    There, it was more words than Seamus had ever thought Charlotte would throw at him. He knew that she was frustrated, but he didn¡¯t know that she would be this frustrated.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, this all happened, baby. But I love you and I want you to be okay.¡±


    Sheughed softly with disappointment in her eyes and moved to the opposite of the room. Her eyes gaze out to the peaceful garden outside of his mansion. ¡°Well, I¡¯m not okay, if that frustrates you I hate to break the news that it¡¯s how I felt since that night. After you got beat up in jail and shot twice in your own home.¡± She wrapped herself in her arms and rest her back on the wall after she turned around to face him.


    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s okay to lie to someone who loves you? Someone who saw you get hurt, someone who will probably see you get hurt again in the future? That same someone who paced in the same room while some crazy doctor operated on you and everyone assured me that everything would be okay? Tell me, would that someone be okay and not have nightmares every damn day because she thinks she might lose the love of her life?!¡± Even the veins on her neck looked equally frustrated with him and his shoulder slumped knowing that he does owe her an exnation.


    ¡°You know they can¡¯t admit me to a hospital. There will be questions for a man of my stature, it could be used against me in the future¡­¡±


    ¡°I thought so too. So no, I don¡¯t want to go blurt out that my fiance got framed by the chief of police, jailed, beat up, and his house was raided by unknown people who get shots while I was shoved into a panic room almost suffocated from worrying about the love of my life. No, I know my triggers, I don¡¯t need some doctor to hold my hand and tell me everything is going to be okay. Because it¡¯s fucking NOT okay!¡±


    ¡°Charlotte¡­¡± Seamus tried to reach out to her but she pped his hand away from her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t, I¡¯m going out with my girls. I need to vent.¡±


    Seamus was about to tell her not to share too much with the girls when she shook her head at him. ¡°I¡¯m not stupid, Braddock. I know my girls. I won¡¯t out you. This is what I¡¯d do for you. Now, you have to let me do my thing.¡± She let him hug her, but she didn¡¯t hug him back. Her heart was fucking up with her mind, she felt betrayed, feeling belittled, and needed her friends to help her center her thoughts.


    Charlotte was puffing her cigarette thirty minutester. Everyone was still on their way, she knew she was way too early but she just needed to get out of the house. Charlotte was too agitated to order alcohol not wanting to let anything slip. So she went to the small convenience store and buy a pack of cigarettes. It was an old habit she started picking up again after she start having nightmares. Along with her Anorexia which she thought she had managed to stop doing since ballet school. Back then she was doing it for her figure and some of her friends were doing it also. It was pretty harmless, she thought. But now, she was back to her old habit because she needed to control her life since it was suddenly out of her hands. She understood that with her emotional rollercoaster, she needed to stop and start eating healthy again, but first, she needed her friends. She was tired, too tired for her mental state of mind.


    ¡°Sindy?¡± Her stage name made her head turn to see Lexie carrying what looks like bread and instant ramen peeking from her grocery bag.


    ¡°Lexie, hey¡­ it¡¯s Charlotte. Sindy¡¯s my stage name.¡± She finished the shitty cup of convenience store-bought coffee before dumping it in the trash can along with her cigarette bud.


    ¡°Are you okay, Charlotte? I know we¡¯re not friends but you look like you needed someone to talk to?¡± The red-haired woman didn¡¯t mention that Lexie was not her real name too. But in this town, no one knows her real name, just like no one from her past knows that she has a son and she intended to keep it that way.


    Charlotte let out a tiredugh telling her thank you. ¡°We should be friends if you¡¯re willing to stop and talk to me with groceries in your hands.¡±


    ¡°You want to sit down somewhere?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m actually meeting Dee, Bree, and Cassidy but I¡¯m early¡­ um, I know I¡¯m early. I needed to get out to smoke.¡±


    ¡°You can smoke again if it¡¯ll make you let out some stress.¡±


    ¡°Are you a smoker?¡±


    ¡°Used to, I stopped since I had my son,¡±Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t then,¡± Charlotte smiled at Lexie and she put her pack of cigarettes in her small designer sling bag and they both walk one block to the coffee shop where she was going to meet her friends.


    ¡°People do damaging stuff to their bodies, mine was alcohol and cigarettes. Others do pills, some even cut themselves. I go to meetings and still do to this date though not quite as often. Sometimes there¡¯s something liberating about talking it out with strangers, you know?¡± Lexie paused to give her order to the barista after they entered the coffee shop. She then resumed when they both sat down with their cups of coffee in front of them.


    ¡°The talking, you can join us if you¡¯re interested. No details are necessary, just your feelings. I don¡¯t like prodding questions from some Doctor. With other people around, it soothes me, thinking that I¡¯m not alone and listening to their problems grounded me.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, I think you sold me on that,¡± Charlotte¡¯s shoulders visibly rxed after days of tension from the nightmares and the stress.


    ¡°You want toe with me to the next one?¡± Lexie asked with a warm smile and they exchanged phone numbers as she told her that she wanted toe and see before shemits to anything. But the way Lexie exined everything Charlotte knew that she finally knew how she was going to talk her feelings out.


    Lexie stayed until her friends arrived then she excused herself telling everyone that the babysitter hour was almost up and she needed to get back to her son. Charlotte and the rest of her friends catch up about their lives. She did share about meeting up with Seamus¡¯s parents but nothing beyond that.


    The little talk she had with Lexie triggered her need to connect with strangers. She had made up her mind to go to one of the meetings. Maybe when she hears someone else¡¯s problem she would realize that everyone¡¯s had their issues and she should suck it up and be a big girl about it.

 94. Anonymous

    Charlotte drags another puff of her cigarette before putting it out in the nearest bin when she saw Lexie walking towards her. It was three days after their impromptu meet in front of the convenience store that Lexie had invited her for one of the sharing sessions held at the town¡¯s public library.


    ¡°So, how are you today?¡± Lexie asked with a kind smile as they walk towards the building.


    ¡°I¡¯m still hanging in there.¡± She said not wanting to overshare with Lexie.


    ¡°I hope you feel better after tonight.¡±


    ¡°I hope so too.¡±


    There was a small group of people already gathering in the open space in the library. Charlotte saw chairs lined already, not in a circr shape but like in a traditional ssroom. She already knew that she was going to take the back seat and just listen. Charlotte was feeling better already because earlier she was not sure about visibly exposing herself in front of strangers.


    Three chairs were in front. On the side of the room was a long table with drinks and snacks. People were talking, hovering around each other before someone greeted them.


    ¡°Lexie, it¡¯s nice of you to join us. And who¡¯s this?¡± An olderdy with a kind smile on her face greeted both Lexie and Charlotte.


    ¡°I¡¯m Charlotte, her friend. I¡¯m here to¡­¡± She hesitated for a second before the older woman stepped in and introduced herself.


    ¡°Well¡­ Charlotte, I¡¯m Gabby. I¡¯m here as a counselor from Dr. Walter Hayes¡¯s clinic. What we are having here is a casual gathering, where we respect everyone¡¯s privacy.¡± She paused to put her hand on her shoulder, calming her nerves. ¡°There¡¯s no pressure. We don¡¯t need you to exin anything to us, some people just like listening to others. You can be one of them. We¡¯re here to support everyone.¡±


    Charlotte felt relieved immediately. Gabby, the older woman put her hand on her arm and ushered her to an empty seat since they were about to start. Charlotte was d that she was sitting on the back along with Lexie who was chatting with another woman on her other side. They were whispering and Charlotte knows not to eavesdrop as she concentrated to listen to the speaker up front.


    ¡°Okay people, please have a seat.¡± Gabby waited for everyone to take their seats before continuing. ¡°We have several neers joining us today. Once again, I¡¯m Gabby, and I¡¯ll be leading tonight¡¯s sharing session since our brave leader Walter is having much-needed family time. Please, don¡¯t repeat my words to him.¡± There wasughter from the group. Charlotte felt a sense of genuine camaraderie among them and her smile grew. Her body was already less tense as she made herselffortable in her seat.


    ¡°Okay, so who wants to start the first confession?¡± She drew another wave ofughter, but then momentster the room went quiet when a man in maybe his thirties stood up and walked towards the empty chair in front of them. Gabby gave the man a friendly hug and told him to take a seat.


    ¡°He lost his daughter to an ident three years ago, his wife divorced him and now he¡¯s a recovering alcoholic,¡± Lexie whispered beside her when the sad-looking man introduced himself to everyone. Charlotte nodded, she appreciates Lexie¡¯s exining the man¡¯s situation in order for her toprehend his words.


    The hours went by easily, the tight-knit group cheered for every speaker, and one after another individual spoke out their feelings in the confession chair. Charlotte knew that it was not what it was called but it seemed like one. Maybe one day she¡¯d be able to take that seat and talk about her feelings.


    *****


    Two monthster, Charlotte still has nightmares. She was trying to stop smoking and still ate very little. She was losing weight, and depression was slowly creeping in. Her dad had moved back to their childhood home and she had been going back and forth to see him. Mainly because her rtionship with Seamus was at a standstill. She needed time and he was keeping himself busy with his dad and their effort to take down the chief of police. Charlotte didn¡¯t want to know. She just wanted everything to end. Though she was not convinced that everything will go back to the way it used to be when it all ended.


    Weeks after the incident, she knows what Seamus¡¯s family business was all about. Yet, she still loves him unconditionally and she hated herself for that. She didn¡¯t want to let him go. And it frustrated the hell out of her.


    Without a job and nothing to do to upy her time, she was getting bored with her daily life. She still meets up with her friends, though they were getting busy with their lives and sadly Charlotte had too much time on her hands. Her dad provided for her since his funds were essible again. He had paid what he owed Seamus and gave Charlotte an allowance so she won¡¯t need to get a job.


    With her dream of being a professional ballerina still in the gutter, she had been texting Lexie and getting to more meetings. She had befriended Gabby and some of the regrs. She even met Dr. Walter Hayes. The man didn¡¯t evenment on her weight. She knew she had an unhealthyplexion yet the doctor never asked for details aside from small encouragement that she should try the snacks every time they met by the long table for a chat.


    Two weeks ago Charlotte did her first brave effort when she stepped forward and told her story. Well, the filtered version of it. She confessed that she was a smoker and was struggling with Anorexia. In another session, she shared that she had trust issues with her fiance and struggled with nightmares after a home invasion incident.


    She felt like a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulder and she did feel better. Afterward, she listened to the others and recognized that she had it good, better than others. Her life was slowly getting back on track. Her dad was free, he was healthy and happy, and they were financially settled. She should be happy too. But the void was still inside her as if she was missing something in her life.


    Then one day Gabby asked her toe one hour earlier before the meeting, telling her that she wanted to talk. Charlotte was worried, did she say something wrong in herst confession?Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    Lexie had assured her that there won¡¯t be any judgment and told her not to worry about Gabby wanting to meet with her. Lexie said to go ahead and do it, and get things over with.


    ¡°What¡¯s the worst that can happen?¡± Lexie said by the end of their call and Charlotte knows that she was right.


    So there she was, arriving earlier to meet up with Gabby before the scheduled anonymous meeting.


    ¡°Charlotte, thank you foring. I could tell that you¡¯re nervous.¡± Gabby put her hand on Charlotte¡¯s shoulder before telling her to take a seat. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I make you second guessing yourself, so I¡¯m just going to get it out there.¡± She smiled and put her hand on hers.


    ¡°Walter and I have been talking about you and we would like you to be more involved in the meetings.¡±


    It surprised the younger woman. Nothing had prepared Charlotte for that, but Gabby onlyughed softly at her.


    ¡°Dear Charlotte, I couldn¡¯t believe it myself either. When I first saw you I knew that you were going to be one of the toughest ones to crack. I could recognize the walls you built around yourself. But I believe that one day you will talk. You were so brave when you decided to do it, and now you even looked healthier.¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯m still struggling. I still have a hard time convincing myself that I need to eat. I¡¯m not sure, I can be what you expect me to be.¡±


    ¡°Charlotte, honey, as I said on the first day that we met, there¡¯s no pressure. But I noticed that you like being around people, and you are a good listener. This is an unpaid position, volunteer work that we offered people who might be interested, who we think are suitable for the job. More so, Walter was sure that by giving you this responsibility we might keep you busy and finally focus on your recovery.¡±


    Charlotte kept on listening, her palm was getting damp as she tried to keep her anxiety low. But there was something more budding from inside her. Curiosity. A new chance. A job prospect?


    Seeing the sparkle in Charlotte¡¯s eyes, Gabby continued talking. ¡°Doctor Hayes is a man with very few words, but he knows how to read people and he¡¯s rarely in the wrong. So, what do you say? Do you want to give it a try?¡±


    Doctor Walter Hayes who Charlotte learned from Lexie had a beautiful small family of four. He¡¯s married to a beautiful younger woman who has six sense abilities. The good doctor preferred to be called Walter. He worked in a big hospital downtown as a well-known psychiatrist. He had a small clinic and established a reach-out program for people who didn¡¯t want to be listed as patients but needed a support group.


    Walter, the brave leader Gabby mentioned to everyone on the first day she attended the meeting had talked to her. He too didn¡¯t pressure her into speaking out. Charlotte liked him because of it and she feelsfortable to keeping back regrly to attend the meetings.


    ¡°W-what would I do?¡± Curiosity got the best of her.


    ¡°Well, helping me get people settling in on every meeting. Introducing yourself to new people. Nothing hard, just be your weing self and listen to other people like you always do.¡±


    She can do that, she thought.


    That day, for the first time in what felt like a very long time, she came back home with a genuine smile on her face.

 95. Sweet Charlotte

    Seamus was at a stage where the first time in his life he didn¡¯t know what to do with his rtionship. He was walking on eggshells around his fiance. Charlotte had the right to be pissed off. But he loves her too much and has the most caveman urge to protect her. She was his and he was going to do everything to protect her.


    The young Irish mob boss kept himself busy with their n to pin down the chief of police. The man was proven tricky to handle and both Seamus and his dad have been working to dismantle his power with each passing week.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be long now, son.¡± His dad uttered after he reminded him about the neat n that they both had constructed months before. The father and son duo was talking in Braddock senior¡¯s home office where Seamus was called in for updated details on their n.


    The Chief of Police was going to fall and he was going to fall hard on his ass, where no one was going to help him. Not after the humiliation that he was going to be put through. He will be stripped of his power and put in jail with the rest of the scumbags, where Seamus and his dad had arranged his execution after a couple of months of torture, of course. After all the shit the man had put Seamus and Cormac through, the bastard deserved it.


    ¡°I do not doubt your ability, Dad. Now, if only you can make Charlotte be her sweet self again.¡± Seamus mumbled to his dad and the older manughed and gave his son an affection pat on his shoulder.


    ¡°Every rtionship has it¡¯s up and down. You will get through this. You just need to talk it out. This is the one thing that you need to learn to navigate. But I trust that you¡¯d make the right decision. Charlotte is a sweet young woman, you both deserve each other.¡±


    ¡°Do you think¡­ I¡­ I have men following her,¡±


    His dad chuckled as if he would be crazy not to. ¡°Of course you do, we have to protect our women.¡±


    ¡°Right, so¡­ she¡¯s beening to this gathering at the town¡¯s public library. My men assured me that I have nothing to worry about. But, the thing is¡­ she¡¯s talking to these strangers. Not me¡­ them,¡± Seamus looked defeated and his dad poured him his best Whiskey and they both took a moment to appreciate their drinks.


    ¡°I think you should pop in there. Secretly, but then let her see you when she¡¯s ready to go back. Just act casually as if you were picking her up after your working day.¡±


    Seamus gave his dad his brightest smile, thinking the n might actually work cause he had been thinking of listening to her talking. ¡°I think that¡¯s what I¡¯m going to do. I wanted to be there for her, to listen to her. I don¡¯t want to make her resent me, but these days that was all I¡¯m getting from her.¡±


    ¡°She loves you,¡± His Mom chimed from behind Seamus when she interrupted them with one of their maid carrying assorted snacks and afternoon cake.


    He didn¡¯t reply to his mom until the maid left the room and leave them to their privacy. His mom poured herself a cup of tea before she continues. ¡°Both of you are going to be fine. Take a vacation after everything is done, somewhere you know she loves. How about you check out the ballet performance schedule and make a night out of it.¡± She smiled easily and she knew just by seeing her son¡¯s face lit up that he was truly considering her input.


    ¡°Dinner, performance, rxing weekend away at the Markov hotel. That hotel chain had the spa done to perfection. You should try their private couple massage.¡±She winked at her husband and heughed knowingly.


    ¡°Anything for my queen, we can go whenever your busy schedule allowed you to.¡±


    Seamus shook his head and smiled at his parents because he wanted what they have. Their marriage can be rocky at times, but more often than not his parents are usually so happy and sickeningly sweet for a couple who had been married for decades.


    ¡°Alrighty then, I think that¡¯s my cue to go home and talk to Charlotte.¡± Seamus got up and hugged his mom then let his dad give him another hug and a pat on his back.


    When he arrived at his house Seamus couldn¡¯t find Charlotte and when he called her driver Burke he told him that she at the town¡¯s library. ¡°We arrived half an hour ago. She went straight into the library as usual.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Burke. Keep an eye on her. I¡¯ll see you soon.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Sir.¡±


    Seamus ended the call, grabbed his keys, and went out the door. When he arrived at the parking lot, Burke was there and he greeted his boss and took him to where the meeting was taking ce.


    ¡°I¡¯ll stay in the shadows for now. Thank you, Burke. You can go back to the house. I¡¯ll be taking her back once she¡¯s finished here.¡±


    The driver nodded, then left Seamus at the small entrance of one of the meeting spaces in the library. Then his eyes zoned to Charlotte¡¯s figure in the front. She was talking and everyone was listening to her. She looked happy as she was exining their schedule and something Seamus didn¡¯t even bother to listen to. Because when he saw her, all he saw was the Charlotte he once knew and more. She was confident, poised, and calm at the same time.


    There was a slight hurt in his chest, thinking she looked happy in front of strangers than she was in front of him. Then, jealousy hits when a man a couple of years older than him whispers something in her ear that made her face shine brighter than he¡¯d seen her since the day he got arrested.


    ¡°Seamus!¡±


    He must¡¯ve made a sound when he stumbled back and decided that he couldn¡¯t witness her happiness anymore. He needed to do something, maybe kill someone. But he just couldn¡¯t confront her, not right now. Maybeter, after he had channeled his rage. Yes, it¡¯ll definitely be safer when he¡¯d calm himself down.


    He was almost at the door when Charlotte managed to catch up to him and grabbed his arm. She could feel him vibrating with anger when she released her hold on him.


    ¡°Seamus, what are you doing here?¡± Her voice was soft, hesitant, and carefully uttered as if she didn¡¯t want him to get angry. Once again Seamus hated that she needed to be like this with him.


    ¡°It has been months, Charlotte, I¡¯ve kept my distance. But here you are, happy, in front of all these strangers, while you¡¯re¡­ are you afraid of me?¡± His eyes focused on hers, he needed the truth. He loves her with all his heart. But he will let her go if it¡¯ll make her happy again.


    ¡°No, Seamus, I love you.¡±


    He shook his head feeling defeated already. How does his dad do this, he thought. ¡°No, beautiful. I love you. Too much that I¡¯m considering letting you go,¡± his smile was weak but when he saw her tears falling he just couldn¡¯t help but pull her into his arms.


    ¡°I will let you go, you just need to say the words then I¡¯m gone from your life and you can be happy again.¡± He kissed the top of her head before pulling back and cupping her cheek, wiping her tears away.


    ¡°You¡¯re jealous, aren¡¯t you?¡± An understanding flickered in her eyes, and she gave him the sweetest smile. ¡°His name is Walter Hayes. He¡¯s the doctor who runs this meeting. Well, Gabby, his assistant does. But he¡¯s behind the whole thing. He¡¯s also a well-known psychiatrist in his field who has a wife and two beautiful children.¡± Charlotte kissed his cheek and told him she loves him. ¡°I don¡¯t want you to let me go. You don¡¯t need to be jealous. Actually, I¡¯m d you¡¯re here. I want to introduce you to him and Gabby.¡± She didn¡¯t wait for his reply when she took his hand and entwined their fingers and led him back into the room.


    ¡°Ah, the man himself. Charlotte talked about you. A lot.¡± Gabby blurted, there was an amused smile on the older woman¡¯s face. The meeting had ended and they were talking by the long table.


    ¡°And this is our cult leader Dr. Walter Hayes, though he goes by Walter. Two sybles like Batman.¡± Gabby proudly introduced the man and Walter chuckled as he warmly greeted him with a handshake.


    The introduction finally got Seamus tough. He could already feel that he was being stupid for his jealousy. It was clear that this was a very safe environment for Charlotte and Gabby reminded him of his old nanny growing up. Yes, his mom had done a great job taking care of him, but when she was too busy with her social life, he was stuck with his nanny.


    ¡°Gabby, you always think too highly of me. Now, Mr. Braddock,¡±


    ¡°Please, call me Seamus.¡±


    ¡°Seamus, thank you foring here. I¡¯ve been waiting to meet the man behind the name. And yes, Charlotte talked a lot about you,¡± he paused with a genuine smile on his face and he couldn¡¯t help but smile back at him. ¡°A lot.¡± He added, then both Gabby and Walter chuckled when they saw Charlotte roll her eyes.


    It didn¡¯t take long before the four of them fell into an easy conversation. Up until Gabby dragged Charlotte back into the group to do her duties.


    ¡°She¡¯s been a great help, Seamus.¡±


    Seamus looked puzzled thinking that she was here to get help not for giving help.


    ¡°Wait, I¡¯m not saying this right, am I? Walter asked when he saw confusion in his eyes. ¡°Look, she¡¯s been doing voluntary work with us. I personally think it¡¯ll get her to focus and deal with her health issues. Mentally and physically.¡±


    ¡°W-what?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how much she¡¯s telling you, but she¡¯s getting better. And in my professional opinion, she needed to talk it out and learn to deal with her mental health. For some reason, she doesn¡¯t want to talk to a professional. But helping others seemed to help her cope with her issues. Keeping busy made her feel better.¡±Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    Seamus was still processing Walter¡¯s words when Charlotte walked towards them and he looked at her features, carefully. He noticed the prominent corbone and her slightly hollow cheeks. She was losing weight and he didn¡¯t even notice.


    It was hard not to me himself though Walter told him not to. On their way back to his car, he couldn¡¯t help noticing the fragile grip of her dainty fingers as he reached for her hand. Guilt gnawed on his insides but he kept quiet.


    Patience. His dad told him to slow down and take care of her. Seamus intended to do so. Whatever it takes. He wants her back. His sweet Charlotte.

 96. Closer

    ¡°Thank you, this is perfect.¡± Charlotte let him put her hand on his as they took their ce on the premium seats in the front rows. She still couldn¡¯t believe that he had booked a ballet performance for their date. It was their first real date. With everything that happened they hadn¡¯t spent time like a normal couple.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe that you actually arrange all of this.¡± She smiled brightly at him and that was all Seamus needed to feel closer to her. Though she wanted to skip their early dinner, he was d that she didn¡¯t say no. He wanted to feed her, he wanted her healthy weight back.


    ¡°My Mom is to be med for all of this, she gave me the idea.¡± He took her hand and kissed her knuckles once they werefortable in their seats.


    ¡°Well, then¡­ I¡¯ll be sure to thank her.¡±


    ¡°And how about me? I¡¯m taking you here aren¡¯t I?¡± His easy smile was teasing her, He felt good. He hadn¡¯t felt that good in months.


    ¡°Oh, you wanted me to thank you too?¡± She gave him a littleugh and he couldn¡¯t help the wide grin spreading on his face.


    ¡°Yes, please.¡±


    She spontaneously kissed his cheek and squeezed his hand.


    ¡°Best date ever.¡± He sighed exaggeratedly and sheughed before resting back on her seat.


    After two hours and fifty minutes of watching people twirling in tights, Seamus finally yawns by the end of the performance. Though repeated touches from his fiance caused him to watch every jump and twirl that Charlotte seemed to be fixated on, he was utterly bored. He doesn¡¯t understand ballet and since Charlotte was not on stage, he couldn¡¯t feel the fascination for the performance.


    ¡°I still can¡¯t believe you yawned watching Swan Lake.¡± She uttered the moment they reached back to his car.


    ¡°Baby, believe me when I say that you¡¯re my favorite ballerina.¡± He said with a yful glint in his eyes as he drove the car seamlessly into the evening traffic. ¡°And the only performance I longed for is the one where you dance only for me.¡±


    ¡°Seamus,¡± she blushed and pped his hand away from inching higher up her thigh. ¡°Wait, where are we going?¡± She asked when they passed the turnabout that he was supposed to take to get to his house.


    ¡°Well, I had a room booked for us. Marjorie had packed an overnight bag for us and I had Burke deliver them to our suite. We¡¯re extending our date into a sleepover at the presidential suite which I was told to have the best view of the city. What do you say? Do you think I¡¯ll be getting lucky tonight?¡± He grinned and she couldn¡¯t help butugh at her fiance.


    ¡°Oh¡­ God, you¡¯re so cheesy. I can¡¯t believe I said yes to you.¡± She giggled and Seamus felt so deliriously happy, he felt like hended on the moon. Yes, cheesy at its best.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a yes, buckle up baby, it¡¯s going to be a long night.¡±


    Charlotte let out another giggle. It took all of his wills to keep his eyes on the road and not let his eyes wander to the perfect beauty by his side.


    When they finally arrived at their suite he popped open a bottle of Champagne and was content that room service delivered his request for a cake. They did suggest going with Vani cake telling him that it¡¯s the most favorable taste to go with the champagne.


    ¡°Wow, you went all out. I feel so pampered.¡±


    He chuckled knowing that he still have another surprise for her tomorrow. But tonight was going to be just the two of them.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ yes, and I¡¯m feeling lucky for sure.¡± Seamus rest his face on the crook of her neck and kissed her softly. Charlotte was looking exquisite in her beautiful off-the-shoulder ck dress. His arms circled her waist and with his other hand, he guided her dainty fingers to the small knife and entwined their fingers together cut the cake.


    ¡°I feel like we¡¯re cutting corners and now we¡¯re fast-forwarding to champagne, wedding cakes, and honeymoon suite.¡± Her tone was full of amusement and Seamus had never been happier in his whole life before.


    ¡°See, I¡¯m the luckiest guy tonight for sure.¡± He chuckled then grab a spoon and feed her the cake. He pulled her to sit on hisp while he spooned her the tasty vani cake in between sipping their champagne.


    ¡°I love you, Seamus.¡± She suddenly said, her serious facial expression made him put their ss down and listen to what she had to say. Charlotte was giving a confession vibe and he was determined to focus on her words. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I was difficult to be within the past few months. But I¡¯m better now,¡±


    He wanted to keep his mouth shut, but he hated that she med herself. Everything that happened was not because of her. ¡°It¡¯s okay, it was not your fault, you¡¯re not saying sorry for anything that was not your fault.¡±


    ¡°I know that now, I talked to Gabby, then Walter. But most of all I heard others. These couple of months I kept on thinking about the bad that had been happening to me, but I didn¡¯t focus on the good.¡± She ended thest word when her hand cupped his chiseled jaw and her thumb caressed his cheek.


    ¡°Dad was out of prison because of you. You¡¯re good for me. You¡¯ve been nothing but good to me. You were always there. And I love you so much that it hurt seeing you get hurt. But I¡¯m learning. I¡¯ll do better.¡± She lowered herself down and pressed her lips to his.


    It had been months since he had this kind of closeness with her. Hell. He didn¡¯t think that he¡¯d ever been this open to anyone. It was like she was ripping his heart apart, stitching it up with her sweet tender love, then closing his chest with her soft peppery kisses onto his lips.


    ¡°And¡­ you¡¯re right, you are getting lucky tonight.¡± She said as she unzipped the back of her dress and Seamus was presented with her perfect breasts. His hand reached out to them instinctively and it made herugh. But then she takes it further when she slowly got up and shimmied out of her dress and showed him her sexy ckce panties and nothing else.


    Seamus grunted sexily when she held out her hand and led him to the bed where she continues to kiss him until they were both breathless. She straddled him while untying his tie after helping him out of the tailored dark grey suit jacket that he wore for their date. His perfect white shirt was next and she sighed when her hands traced his sculpted torso decorated with scars that she never gave a second thought of before. But recognize the ones that he got from protecting her and her dad. She touched them and kissed them. ¡°I love you,¡± Charlotte whispered before she trailed up feeling more than eager to fuse her lips with his.


    ¡°I love you more.¡± He said lowly in between his kisses that were not gentle but not exactly rough. It was the perfectbination of pressure that she needed to feel from him.


    ¡°Love me, make me yours, Seamus¡­ please,¡± she nibbled on his ear and moaned when she felt his strong hands squeezing her thighs before they part her wider and she felt the rest of his clothes stripped away from his body.


    He was naked, she could feel his erection digging between her thighs, the friction was driving her crazy. She was getting wet while he grunted and kept her hips still with his two strong hands.


    She yelped and bit her lip when he easily flip her onto her back. ¡°Seamus, panties, off¡­ now,¡± she was desperate to feel more of him, she wanted to feel him stretch her insides and make her feel full.


    He wanted to stuff her with his cum. Seamus wanted to be with her forever and seal their love with an eternal bond. A baby. He wanted her to have his baby. It was a thought that he never entertained before, but now seeing her love him so easily and purely, it was the only thing that nagged the urges crawling under his skin. He needed it.


    ¡°Charlotte, my beautiful Charlotte¡­¡± He kissed her while his hand slipped between them and take off thest piece of clothing between them.


    ¡°Inside me, I want you¡­ every part of you,¡± she said looking into his eyes. He stared back at her, his eyes searching for something but all he could see was love, and her need to be cherished.


    And so he did.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Seamus pushed inside her and she parted her thighs wider for him. Their hands were all over each other and mouths peppering hungry kisses to ces they could reach. His hips mmed into hers and she moaned louder, holding onto him harder, and clenching her insides tighter. Their moans filled out the room and the sexy sounds of flesh pping against each other echoed throughout the suite.


    It was hot, so fucking hot that she came without a warning. She screamed out his name but he kept on thrusting in and out of her, grabbing her trembling thighs to wrap around his waist leveling her higher, making him go deeper while he muffled her scream with his mouth.


    His deep hard kiss shut her up real good and she was breathless by the time he decided toe up for air and she had her second orgasm. He was drowning for sure, their love was deep and lulling him like the deepest darkest sea that he couldn¡¯t get out of. He¡¯s happily in love with her as he chanted her name like she was his newfound religion when he climaxed and poured everything he had inside her. Seamus was stuffing her with his length, holding her legs locked on his waist, making sure that he was not spilling cum anywhere but in her. He knew that she was on the pills, he knew nothing he was doing would result in anything, yet he didn¡¯t care.


    ¡°Marry me tomorrow, have my babies,¡±


    The beautiful content smile on her face was all he needed to feed his longing for her love. This was it, they will struggle, and nothing good everes easy. But knowing that Charlotte will be there with him at the end, Seamus knew that everything will be worth it.

 97. Future

    Charlotte couldn¡¯t believe what she just heard. She thought she was dreaming it, that maybe it was the two consecutive climaxes that had her imagining Seamus wanting to get married tomorrow. They were already engaged, though they never talked about their wedding date.


    Since he said the words, she just had to know. Because honestly, the crazy thing was Charlotte might be okay with his suggestion, wait¡­ was it a suggestion, a question, or another proposal? Everything was too hazy for Charlotte, her brain had short-circuited from all the highs her future baby daddy had given her.


    But yeah, she definitely remembered when he asked her to have his babies. His babies, her babies, their babies. She was smiling like a fool. Her insides were puddles of the gooiest goo that ever existed. All while her perfect man was sleeping soundly beside her.


    Maybe she has been spending more time with Lexie then meeting her adorable son Harley, maybe talking with mothers at the meetings had evoked her nurturing side. Or maybe she was just desperate for something, or in this case, someone to ground her. To make her mind at ease. She wanted to think that taking the next step, getting married and having children would somehow unknot her confused mind. Order. Maybe she needed that. Not wanting to have babies as an experiment, her mind started to wander, and before she knew it her eyes fluttered shut and sleep had taken over her.


    When morning came, her cheek was warm above his chest, his big arm rested on her slim waist, and her hands wrapped around his well-defined torso. It felt so yummy that she didn¡¯t want to stir, but the morning urge was too much when she finally gave up and slowly got up showing off her nakedness as she went into the ensuite bathroom to do her morning business.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Seamus greeted with his sexy morning voice, still naked under the covers while he watched as she came back from the bathroom wearing one of his sleep shirts and nothing else.


    ¡°Hey, so¡­ what is our n for today?¡± Charlotte decided to ask when she slipped back under the covers, wanting to know the truth aboutst night.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°Today we¡¯re getting married.¡± He said in full confidence as if he knew that she¡¯d agree with him.


    ¡°Huh¡­ so,st night was real? I thought I was imagining stuff,¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s real.¡± He grinned. ¡°I¡¯m thinking we should do it today. I want you, I want us as a family, as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°You want me to have your babies?¡± Charlotte asked cheekily, clearly not opposed to his want.


    ¡°Yeah, that too.¡± Heughed, wrapping her closer in his arms.


    Their morning talk of getting to the city hall and getting married ended just before lunch.


    ¡°Okay, so¡­ turns out that getting married today won¡¯t be doable,¡± Seamus said while Charlotte was getting dressed after her shower. ¡°Um¡­ mom found out about it, turns out she has a friend who has a friend whose daughter works at the city clerk¡¯s office and told her about seeing our names and requesting our marriage license. Now, Mom is on her way here.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Charlotte blushed and fumbled with the zipper of her simple designer dress that she was going to wear for her intimate wedding with Seamus. She felt stupid thinking it could be one of those quick Vegas weddings she saw in the movies and they could be done by this afternoon.


    ¡°You look lovely by the way,¡± he kissed the tip of her nose and tilted her chin to kiss her properly.


    ¡°Thank you. So, I guess I¡¯ll tell Marjorie to prepare tea for your mom.¡± Charlotte mumbled nervously. Somehow it felt like their little bubble of happiness disappeared and she felt a bit disappointed that they couldn¡¯t get married today.


    ¡°Hey, baby, we can still do it today if you want.¡±


    ¡°No, no¡­ of course not, I¡¯m sure your mom had ns for you¡­¡±


    ¡°You mean us,¡± his hands rubbed her back soothingly.


    ¡°Of course,¡± she cleared her throat and stepped back after she kissed his cheek. ¡°I¡¯ll wait for your mom while you shower and get dressed.¡±


    Seamus was still in his sweats after theirzy breakfast in bed and he let her go downstairs while he gets ready to meet his mom who will no doubt bring his dad and ready with her speech. He could already hear her scolding him for not giving his future wife the perfect wedding and he knew that made him selfish. And of course, she always knows best.


    Almost an hourter Erin arrived with her husband who looks like he was ready for a show. He seemed to enjoy himself and then told Charlotte that her dad will join them shortly. ¡°He¡¯s on his way. We¡¯re going to make this day a celebration,¡± he winked while Charlotte looked a bit confused, but then Seamus understands what his dad was talking about when he gathered all of them to the living area and turned on one of the news channels.


    The headline and running text were telling them that the Chief of Police was being arrested for the pension embezzlement and on top of that, there were scandalous pictures of him looking intimate with several young women in some clubs. Charlotte¡¯s and his mom gasped while his dad grinned at his son. His Dad¡¯s eyes were telling him that there was going to be more celebration at his wedding than just the love between the young couple. Seamus sighed knowing that they were going to postpone their wedding. Though hopefully not for months.


    Seamus didn¡¯t know why but he itched to call her his wife. And as if his dad knows him too well, the older man chuckled. ¡°Rx, son, I already told your mom that whatever extravagant wedding she was going to throw for you and Charlotte it needs to be quick.¡±


    Seamus nodded and started to rx as he watched how his mom was talking to Charlotte and she was listening to her with a smile on her face.


    ¡°So,¡± his mom pped her hands when Charlotte¡¯s dad finally joined us. The man looked happy when he saw how the news anchor described Jeff Gannon was also being used of orchestrating the murder of Judge McKenney on top of the embezzlement case.


    ¡°Now that Cormac is here and cleared of all charges we¡¯re going to make your wedding also as a small wee back gathering for your dad and his colleagues,¡± His mom put her hand on Charlotte¡¯s as she was getting teary and happy for her dad, ¡°We¡¯re getting the best nner for your wedding and get it all done by next month since both of you are so eager to get married without us.¡± Erin pouted which made her husbandugh.


    ¡°Erin, darling, they¡¯re young and crazy in love. Of course, they¡¯d want to get married as soon as possible, but I think one month is enough to get everything done. I want all of our friends and family to be there, and obviously Cormac¡¯s since it¡¯ll be the perfect opportunity to show them all that he was indeed framed by McKenney and Gannon.¡±


    Cormac had his arms around Charlotte¡¯s as she hugged him, d that everything falls into ce perfectly.


    ¡°Mom would be happy seeing you in a beautiful white dress. Take the one month, and be the perfect beautiful bride. Make us all proud.¡± With her dad¡¯s words her tears fell easily as she nodded and let her dad hug her and hold her knowing that at that very moment, she needed his warm fatherly love.


    After a long family lunch and an afternoon conversation with the wedding nner Charlotte was tired and she was d that Seamus was there when everything was done for the day.


    ¡°God, I still couldn¡¯t believe that your mom had the most sought-after wedding nner in the city on her speed dial.¡±


    ¡°She knows everyone, and don¡¯t be surprised if the guy had owed her a favor or two and she¡¯s cashing it for our wedding. I mean he got us the best venue, right?¡±


    Charlotte smiled at him and let him position her on hisp. Her head rested back on the crook of his shoulder while she takes in his warmth. His scent soothed her and she pressed her body, taking his hands to wrap around her as she curled cozily into his embrace.


    ¡°Best venue, best of everything, but most of all¡­ the best future husband.¡±


    ¡°Aw¡­ baby, you say the sweetest thing.¡± Heughed and gave her kisses after kisses until they were both breathless, and needy, and finally move their intimate cuddling into their bedroom.

 98. Bridesmaids

    It was the day when Erin had Oakley, the wedding nner arranged for Charlotte and her bridesmaid to find dresses for the wedding day. Time was limited, but Oakley handled everything like the professional that he was. The man was sure that they will have their dresses picked out before their second appointment of the day. Charlotte was not worried, she knew Erin would only hire the best and she knew money was never going to be a problem with her future inws.


    Dee, Bree, Cassidy, and Lexie were there two hours ago patiently waiting for Charlotte to pick her wedding dress all while they were shown their pick of their bridesmaids¡¯ dresses.


    It was an easy pick for the women since Oakley has excellent taste. He had chosen several racks of dresses that might be to their liking. All had color schemes that would mix perfectly with the flowers, decoration, and theme of the wedding. The bridesmaids all settled on the matching French blue-colored ones with different styles of necklines.


    But then all of their attention was back to Charlotte where she was stepping out of the spacious changing room to let her best friends see the dress.


    ¡°Okay,dies, give us your best review for this dress. Though seeing the bride-to-be megawatt smile I¡¯d assume she had found the one.¡± Oakley beamed at Charlotte, the cute pristinely dressed wedding nner smiling extra wide showing off his pearly whites at the bridesmaids. Dee, Cassidy, Bree, and also Lexie were all looking at her like the beautiful bride that she was. The dress fit her perfectly.


    ¡°Oh. My. God. I¡¯m so jealous! You look so beautiful in it!¡± Dee practically screamed when she saw Charlotte in her fifth choice of wedding dress. The rest of the women gasped, followed by big smiles on their faces. All nodding and telling her that it was the perfect dress.


    It has been two weeks since her first meeting with the wedding nner and Charlotte had been working on getting her healthy weight back. She was feeling better mentally and still helping out with Gabby and Walter regrly. She was happy and really looking forward to her wedding day. Also, she was d that Seamus¡¯s mom insisted that they do the traditional wedding.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Okay, now¡­ quick, let me Facetime Erin and see her reaction.¡± Oakley went to Charlotte¡¯s side after helping her with the dress making sure it was falling perfectly for the dramatic effect, just like everything that depict the wedding nner.


    ¡°Oh, my! Charlotte honey, you are so beautiful! You will give me beautiful grandbabies! Oakley darling, superb as always!¡±


    Charlotte blushed as Seamus¡¯s mom practically cooed and praised her in front of her friends. She could already hear them giggling in the background.


    ¡°Thank you, Erin. I believe we have the one. I¡¯ll be seeing you in two hours with thedies for the cake tasting. My assistant already provide you with the address, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Yes. Thank you, Oakley, oh my god Charlotte is going to be the most beautiful bride.¡± Erin¡¯s eyes were teary and that made Charlotte teary too, then her besties were handing out tissues to one another before Oakley smiled and ended the call a few minutester.


    There were happy tears as they look at Charlotte. She was smiling and feeling extra happy with her best friends surrounding her on one of the happiest days of her life. Lately, there have been many of those. But then their moment of happiness was distracted by Lexie who was looking very pale when she was back after she excused herself to take a call just minutes before.


    ¡°Lexie? Is it Harley? Is everything okay?¡± Dee was the first one to notice and naturally, she asks about Lexie¡¯s son while Charlotte was still busy getting fussed over by Oakley and one of thedies who was attending to the fitting of her perfect dress.


    ¡°I¡­ I need to go back. My son,¡± She stuttered but tried hard to calm herself down. ¡°Oakley, you have my measurements, right?¡±


    Oakley looked at Lexie with a concerned face but nodded regardless. ¡°Yes, dear, they have already taken everyone¡¯s including yours. It¡¯s okay if you need to leave early. I¡¯ll text you what you missedter. But, is everything okay?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s okay, I just need to go, right now.¡±


    ¡°Lexie? What¡¯s wrong.¡± Now, Charlotte was getting worried seeing the panic set on her new best friend¡¯s face. Yes, Charlotte and Lexie have been getting closer and she had invited her into the mix of her besties from Babes. And though sometimes Lexie couldn¡¯t make their coffee dates, Charlotte would still meet her at the library and they¡¯d talk.


    Charlotte knew something was bothering her and she knew Lexie had a dark past behind her. Though she respect her privacy and never ask about it, now Charlotte wished she had so she¡¯d know what had bothered Lexie.


    ¡°Are you sure? Do you need to call someone? You can take Burke, I¡¯ll get Keegan to pick us upter.¡±


    ¡°N-no I¡¯ll be fine,¡± Lexie didn¡¯t look fine, she looked like she was about to break down. Bree hurriedly came forward and hugged her, then within seconds Lexie just fell apart.


    ¡°Oh my god, I¡¯m so sorry¡­ this is your day, and I¡¯ve ruined it.¡±


    Charlotte didn¡¯t reply to her, but she called Burke toe and get Lexie before she gathered her dress and told Oakley to help her out of it. ¡°This is the one, I want this dress. Get one of thedies from the store to get this off me I need to do something about Lexie.¡± She half-whispered while Lexie looked like she was about to have a panic attack.


    Oakley was quick to help her and Charlotte was back in her clothes within minutes while he carried her wedding dress carefully and arranged everything with the boutique staff to get the dress altered to Charlotte¡¯s size before it is delivered to Seamus¡¯s residence.


    The girls huddled around Lexie while they wait. But instead of Burke, Keegan was there in less than ten minutes since strangely he said that he was around the neighborhood.


    ¡°Keegan, thank you for getting here so soon.¡± Charlotte pulled Keegan aside before she continued. ¡°It¡¯s about one of my best friends, Lexie. I think something bad is happening. I need you to protect her, I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s her husband, boyfriend, or some crazy neighbor. She never tells me anything. But she worries about her kid. He¡¯s at school and she needs to pick him up. Can you please help her?¡± Keegan didn¡¯t say anything as he absorbed everything that Charlotte was telling him.


    He looked at the red-haired woman, who seemed like she was about to fall apart while the rest of the women tried to calm her down, assuring her that everything was going to be okay.


    ¡°You need to stay here until I say otherwise. Burke is not your guard. He¡¯s your driver. I¡¯ll get another guy to cover for me. Promised me.¡± Keegan looked Charlotte in the eyes and she huffed before nodding quickly agreeing to anything as long as it was Keegan who was going to take care of Lexie. Charlotte wanted the best man for the job and Keegan was it. She felt better if Keegan was looking out for Lexie.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait here, promised. I¡¯ll call Seamus myself, but please¡­ take care of her.¡±


    Keegan nodded quickly and let Charlotte introduce him to her best friend the second the three women around her parted. By then he realized that he knew her. A long long time ago. It took all his got to school his face and look unfazed.


    Her eyes. He could never forget her sad eyes. Even when they were kids she would look at him the same.


    But she was not Lexie to him. She was the one that he failed to protect. She was the one that he left behind.


    ¡°Keegan?¡±


    He nodded not revealing her true identity since Charlotte knew her as Lexie. Whatever mess she was in, he was determined to let himself in. He was not a kid anymore. This time he can save her. This time he will save her.


    ¡°You know him?¡± Charlotte was a bit taken aback but Lexie stuttered her reply.


    ¡°I¡­ um¡­ we¡­¡±


    ¡°We dated, a while back.¡± Keegan lied easily and her face let out an awkward smile, filling the strange tension between them. ¡°Give me a minute then I¡¯ll escort you to where you needed to. I¡¯m going to call Burke and Seamus to arrange someone to fill my post.¡±


    Charlotte knows that Seamus always had someone watching over her every time she left the house, though she thought it was always Burke. But Seamus had been extra cautious since Gannon was arrested telling her that he might retaliate. Charlotte also knew the kind of business his family was in and she assumed that he had enemies that might want to hurt him and people around him.


    ¡°Alright then,dies, let¡¯s continue our day and onto our next appointment,¡± Oakley herded all of them once Keegan was out the door with Lexie and Charlotte had ended her call to Seamus.

 99. Day of Love

    Charlotte never imagined that her wedding day will be happy and dreadfully sad at the same time. She missed her mom to the bones, it ached painfully when her dad hugged her.


    ¡°Charlotte sweety you look beautiful, all grown up,¡± Her dad wiped her tears away, smiling warmly, telling her that her mom would be happy for her.


    Charlotte nodded though her mind wandered to the serene and elegant ambiance of her wedding arrangements, that she knew her mom would love. She imagined how her mom would cry watching her walk down the aisle. Charlotte¡¯s tears fall knowing her mom was not there for the most important day of her life.


    ¡°I missed her,¡± Charlotte confessed to her dad. It was time for her dad to walk her down the aisle, but Charlotte was crumbling.


    ¡°I know, but sweety, she¡¯s watching you and she would want you to be happy. This is your day¡­ your future, it¡¯s the beginning of your happiness. The love of your life is waiting.¡± Cormac took her hands on his and kissed her forehead after wiping her tears away.


    ¡°Oh no, honey, here¡¯s your water.¡± Dee burst into the bride¡¯s room and was at her side in seconds. She gasped when she saw her tear-streaked face. ¡°Bree! get your ass over here. Charlotte is ruining her makeup again!¡± She whispered -hissed to Bree the second she entered the room with Cassidy behind her.


    Cormac moved back when Bree ushered him to sit while Dee and Cassidy swooped in to take care of his daughter. ¡°Please, Mr. Sullivan, here, have a drink. Thank you for talking to her, Oakley had warned us about the possible wedding jitters.¡± Bree smiled, resting her hand on his before giving Charlotte¡¯s dad bottled water.


    It took the bride another hour to pull her strength, fixed her makeup, and put a smile on her face. She was done crying, she felt a lot lighter after crying her eyes out. Her dad kissed her temple before he puts her hand on the crook of his arm.


    Oakley was pacing about in front of the bride¡¯s room and was about to go and get her himself when Dee finally immerge out the door telling him that Charlotte was ready.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why I kept on doing this to myself.¡± The wedding nner mumbled in between running his fingers to his hair, the man looked frustrated before he put on a perfect mask and became the professional nner that he had been earlier.


    Oakley shook his shoulder, took a deep breath then stered on his smile before walking straight to the bride to escort her and the father of the bride to the end of the aisle.


    Cassidy was giggling in the back, she was on her third ss of champagne already. Yup, she was not good at dealing with teary bridezi and decided that it was better for her to hydrate herself with some bubbly.


    ¡°Cassidy, oh god. You know it¡¯ll be only time until it¡¯s your turn to be the crazy bride.¡± Dee scolded her.


    ¡°Um¡­ I still have time, it¡¯ll be Bree first, then probably you. I¡¯m taking my time with Rowan.¡± She looked at the crowd and grinned when she saw her fiance sitting amongst the guests. Rowan gave her a wave. His face was giving her the love vibe that made her shudder happily though they were meters apart.


    ¡°Ugh, I hate how you can be all that lovey-dovey even when he sees you half drunk.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my superpower, Dee. He knew we¡¯ll be having great sex the second we¡¯re alone and¡­¡±


    ¡°Too. Much. Information.¡± Dee looked like she was ready to flee if not for the cue that Oakley was giving them to get to where they were supposed to be standing.


    ¡°Right¡­ right,e on Bree, you¡¯re with me. Dee will follow us¡­ um, have you seen Lexie?¡±


    ¡°Oh no¡­ I thought she was with you, I thought she was getting more drinks. Oh, Keegan is going to flip again.¡± Bree whispered a bit too loudly that an olderdy sitting at the back was shushing them, telling them that the ceremony was about to start.


    ¡°Okay,dies, you heard her¡­ get in line and I¡¯ll go look for Lexie.¡± Oakley pped his hands herding the women to their position and getting ready for the wedding ceremony to start.


    ¡°Now, if only I can find Lexie, oh¡­ wait, where is she going?¡± Oakley looked like he was going to have a panic attack when he saw her walking out, looking pale as a sheet with Keegan holding her elbow rushing her out of the room.


    ¡°Let her be,¡± Bree told him. ¡°Charlotte told me that Lexie is having personal issues and Keegan is looking out for her. The bride said to me that Lexie was not to be bothered, saying Keegan will be with her.¡± Bree sternly told the wedding nner and Oakley sighed audibly before he let Lexie go to handle her issue with Keegan while he focuses on other matters at hand. One bridesmaid was gone and there was nothing he could do anything about.


    Aside from Lexie ducking out of the wedding hall minutes before it started, the ceremony went smoothly as nned. Keegan was nowhere to be seen but Burke had informed Seamus that everything was okay and everything was being handled.


    Charlotte looked happy, as happy as any bride could be in the arms of the man she loved. They were having their first dance as husband and wife while their friends and families watched then joined in minutester. Dee danced with Ro, Cassidy was with Rowan, and Bree was swaying in the arms of her fiance, Gage. The bridesmaids were happilyughing and talking when Charlotte joined in and asked about Lexie.


    ¡°She¡¯s with Keegan. I saw her earlier with him.¡± Cassidy told her in between her ss of champagne that was being taken away by Rowan. The young woman pouted but she didn¡¯t fight her fiance, she just simply asked him to get her some water if she wasn¡¯t supposed to drink more champagne.


    Charlotte looked at Seamus silently confirming what Cassidy was telling her and the man nodded, affirming her that he was aware of the situation that was happening with Lexie.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°She¡¯s not in danger. Keegan got her back, and they both will have the help of my other men should they need them. Stop worrying, baby. It¡¯s our wedding day.¡± He kissed his new wife and rest his hand on the small of her back, iming her, possessively holding her closer to his front.


    Two hours after the reception Seamus hadn¡¯t heard anything back from Keegan and he was starting to get antsy. His dad had told him not to worry once he shared his concern with him. The older man promised him that he¡¯ll let his son know once there was any news. Seamus trusted his dad with the matter and decided to enjoy his wedding night with his beautiful new wife.


    ¡°I don¡¯t feel right, I think something is going on with Lexie. What if she¡¯s in trouble?¡±


    ¡°Charlotte, baby, I have my best man Keegan by her side and my dad is also handling the issue. Tonight is our wedding night, so¡­ if you think you can leave Lexie in their capable hands, I¡¯d like to cherish you.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ and how are you going to do that? My new husband?¡± Charlotte teased him, and let Lexie be taken care of by morepetent men. Surely there was nothing she could do even if she wanted to.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to strip you naked, licked every inch of your body, and make you scream my name.¡± His hands roamed her body until he finally find the zipper under the little intricate button that Charlotte told him to find.


    The wedding dress falls easily and she was left in her wedding lingerie making her new husband practically growl as he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to their bed where Charlotte screamed his name the second she climaxed and he thrusts hard inside her, filling her while his fingers bruised her hip from the tight grip of his hands.


    ¡°I love you, husband,¡± she whisperedzily and Seamus kissed her.


    ¡°I love you so much more, my beautiful wife.¡±

 100. Problem

    A couple of weeks ago Lexie didn¡¯t think that her new life would bepromised, not in the near future. She thought she¡¯d have time at least until Harley finishes kindergarten. She thought they were safe. Well, she felt like they were safe. He was not supposed to be out yet. She imagined she¡¯d have years before she needed to start watching her back.


    Lexie nned that they were going to pack up and move before the new school year started. She was thinking three towns over. Being a runaway, she learns not to get attached to her environment. Still aiming for big cities where she and her son Harley can blend in perfectly. The homeschooling system can be easier to manage in bigger cities. The key was knowing someone that can fake their paperwork. No one would think twice about finding out that their neighbor has a school-age kid who wasn¡¯t at school during weekdays. Harley still needs to y with kids his age, she wouldn¡¯t dream of keeping him hidden all day.


    ¡°Can I be Cody again when we move? Mama always calls me that, I know you¡¯re my new mommy, but I miss my mama.¡± His sad eyes looked at Lexie, they started getting teary and she rushed to hug him, telling him that she misses her too. ¡°You can go back to Mara, you have a cool name, it was better than Lexie.¡± He scrunched his nose in disdain.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, baby, not for the next town. But I tell you what, how about you pick out your name? It can be from the characters of the books or cartoon shows you like?¡±


    ¡°Really? I can be Pooh?¡± The little guy sounded so excited that she couldn¡¯t help butugh and that got him tough too, thinking he just made the funniest joke.


    ¡°Pooh huh? And what name should I get?¡± She grinned, teasing the little guy, secretly wanting to shoo his tears away.


    ¡°Ooo¡­ you can be Robin! like Christopher Robin, I know a girl named Robin.¡±


    They both giggled and settled into a rxing conversation. ¡°Let¡¯s see, how about you be Christopher and I can be Robin.¡± The little boyughed and told her that he liked that.


    Lexie was a runaway, maybe even a fugitive, she was not sure. She didn¡¯t stick long enough for her stepdad¡¯s legal status and the social service. Her son was actually her half-brother that she took from step-her dad after he beat up their mom. Harley was almost four when it happened. He had been crying for hours when Lexie found him hugging their mom¡¯s dead body. Her stepdad slumped drunk off his ass with a broken bottle in his hand smeared with blood.


    Their mom¡¯s blood.


    She knew her stepdad was trouble the day her mom told her that she was pregnant with his baby and that he was going to marry her. Lexie and her mom used to be happy, though they did struggle financially after her father¡¯s early death. Life had been tough on them, but it gets tougher the day her stepdad shows his true colors.


    Lexie stopped wearing shorts and tank tops around the house, no matter how hot the weather was or even if the air conditioner was broken. The douchebag would gaze at her in a predatory way, more time using being drunk as his excuse. Lexie stayed out of the house for as long as she could when her mom was still alive. She had been thinking about leaving her mom and her new husband. But when he started abusing her mom, Lexie realized that she couldn¡¯t, she needed to take care of both her mom and her younger brother.


    The day of the incident she had called the cops and told them what happened. And since they live on the bad side of the town where crime rates were the highest, domestic abuse was everywhere, and because her mom was already dead it took a while for the cops to reach them.


    The EMT arrived seconds after the cops. They removed her mom¡¯s body from the kitchen floor then hauled her still drunk step-dad into the back of the police car after taking pictures and did a sloppy job of dusting for prints from the cheap liquor bottle and bagged it in an evidence bag.


    They have given a preliminary conclusion that the husband did it. It was that fast and that easy, it didn¡¯t settle well with Lexie. They had told her to stay put, that someone from social service will call ande by in a couple of hours. The cops stated that because Lexie was eighteen, meaning that it was okay for her to take care of her little brother while waiting for the social workers to decide what they were going to do with Harley.


    She didn¡¯t miss the snarky mumbling of the officers as they look at their surroundings. Small, cramped house with peeled walls. Kitchen appliances from twenty years ago, and a television that looked like it belonged in a museum. Everything screams poverty, a typical reason to induce domestic abuse. They will probably send both of them into the system if Lexie was below eighteen.


    Realizing that they might have taken her brother away she needed both of them gone. It was time. Lexie had been saving her money, waiting until one day her mom would open her eyes and see that he was a bad man. That it was not okay to be pushed around and be his punching bag.


    That was exactly what they did two years ago. They packed up and left. Lexie managed to relocate both of them to a city where she worked as a waiter, bouncing around a couple of diners before she decided to be a dancer at Babes to gather more money and eventually move on to the next city, hoping to get a better job.


    What Lexie didn¡¯t dare imagine was having friends. Good enough friends that she would be appointed as one of the bridesmaids. Yes, Lexie was getting closer to Charlotte. Her old life was far in the back of her mind. Finally able to appear as a shadow of their past, though she hoped to be forever gone, she knows that she still needs to be cautious.


    Getting the call from her neighbor, tipping her that her stepdad was out was a big wake-up call. Mrs. McNally, her nosy ex-neighbor told her that he got out based on a technicality and stupid damn luck. She told Lexie that he had a publicwyer assigned to review his case and that guy managed to find a loop in his case that sets the guy free. And now he¡¯s on a mission to find both of them.


    Since the call from Mrs. McNally, Lexie had been jumpy, and on that same day, she packed their go-to bags the moment she arrived at their small one-bedroom apartment. When she picked up Harley an hourter from Jade¡¯s ce she decided that she was not going to go to work and will need to call Jojo, their office manager to rearrange her schedule.


    The next day when she danced at Babes, she kept on lurking out to the audience. Lexie also peeked at the CCTV, checking out her client before entering her private booth. Her emotion was all over the ce and by the end of the week she was tired.


    Too tired that when the day of the bridesmaid¡¯s dress fit-out came, she broke down when a call from an unknown number managed to rattle her. The caller said nothing but creepy deep breaths that spooked her to tears.


    ¡°I n-need t-to go, H-Harley,¡± Her hands were shaking when Dee held them and Bree was telling her to sit down.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Lexie? Talk to us,¡±


    Lexie couldn¡¯t reply when suddenly she was hyperventting. Cassidy was giving her water but she couldn¡¯t even hold the ss, then she could hear Charlotte start calling someone. All Lexie could do was just sit there, crying, trying to calm herself down but couldn¡¯t. She can¡¯t, not until she gets Harley and herself out of town.


    During the chaos, she saw him. Finding Keegan was a big surprise to Lexie. She wasn¡¯t sure whether it was a good one or a bad one.


    ¡°Keegan?¡±


    The man nodded as if he knew that Lexie was not her real name. He recognized her. Somehow fate had made her find him four years toote. Lexie did appreciate that he didn¡¯t reveal her real name since he definitely heard Charlotte call her Lexie.


    Keegan was twenty-one at that time, too old for the sixteen years old Lexie, so he said. He was visiting his grandparents and by the end of the summer, he decided to leave town and back to his college life, abandoning their young love easily. She had confided in him. She had told him about her stepdad, but he left anyway. That day she learned a very valuable lesson. She would never trust anyone. Ever again.


    ¡°You know him?¡± Charlotte was a bit taken aback but Lexie stuttered her reply.


    ¡°I¡­ um¡­ we¡­¡±


    ¡°We dated, a while back.¡± He lied easily. It was many years ago and they barely kissed. He was adamant to keep the thing between them tonic, telling her that she was too young. Yet, she was falling helplessly in love with him every time they met behind her house and he took her out for a movie and an ice cream to take her mind off her family problems.


    When he held her hand and ushered her to his car, she knew that she was dangerously close to another heartbreak.


    Just like he had done years ago.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

 101. Old Friends

    Keegan didn¡¯t understand what was happening. He was suddenly faced with Lexie who he recognized as Mara, the beautiful young woman that took months for him to forget. She was too young for him back then, he had told her so. Hell, if he was to be honest with himself, he would stillpare other women to his sweet innocent Mara, had been since he could remember.


    Years ago, Mara had told him about her family issues. He knew it was bad, but he was young and stupid. Driven by his need to prove himself to his parents, he left her with her problems. He decided to focus on his study and football schrship. He knew that she was special, and some nights he allowed himself to fantasize about what could¡¯ve been between them.


    But now he was regretting his decision.


    ¡°Tell me everything,¡± Keegan demanded when he got her into his car and she told him where her son was.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do anything, just get me to Harley¡¯s school.¡± She gave him the address. It was more of a house than an actual school. Lexie had found the perfect small nonprofit daycare with an early education system that was perfect for Harley.


    ¡°Mara¡­¡±


    ¡°I go by Lexie now, look, you don¡¯t have to pretend that you care. I just¡­ I just need to get to Harley. I¡¯ll be out of your town by tomorrow.¡±


    Keegan could hear the slight tremble in her voice, he saw how she took a deep breath and wiped the tear trailing down her cheeks.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    He respects her wishes and keeps quiet. For now.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay, everything is okay. I just need to get to Harley and pack up. I¡¯ve made ns.¡±


    She was definitely going to run, Keegan thought. He wished he had kept an eye on her after he went back to college. He didn¡¯t anticipate that it would get this bad. She was afraid. She mentioned a son, maybe it was her husband or her boyfriend. He cursed at himself but let her out of his car the moment they arrived at the address.


    ¡°Come on Harley,¡± It took less than five minutes for Lexie to get her son. The little guy looked adorable with his cute boyish jeans and t-shirt ensemble.


    ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Harley,¡±


    ¡°Hi Harley, I¡¯m Keegan. I¡¯m a friend of your mom.¡± He held out his hand and the little guy shook it proudly.


    She thanked Keegan and gave him another direction to her apartment. It took only another twenty minutes and they finally arrived at her apartment. There was no parking lot. But Keegan insisted on parking by the side of the road. ¡°I will escort you into your unit. I need to check the inside or Charlotte will tell Seamus then I¡¯ll be in trouble.¡± Keegan exined with a wink trying to keep the situation as friendly as possible. He kept his voice low, not wanting little Harley to pick up on her anxiety.


    ¡°Lexie, why do I have to go back early?¡± Harley asked with a whiny tone, the moment they reached inside the cramped apartment. He sounded disappointed about having to cut his school day short.


    The ce was tidy. Modest was a bit pushing it. The walls were peeling, the paint job looked like it was done over ten years ago and Keegan was suspicious of the very thin window panes. They didn¡¯t look insted, he could already imagine how cold it would be in the winter. Hell, Keegan was feeling the draft as he passed to check the locks on the windows.


    Keegan looked in the closet, checked all the window locks, then continued to the bathroom. The man even checked under the bed, making Harley follow him around like he was trying to be the good little helper.


    ¡°What are you looking for Keegan? Did you lose something?¡±


    ¡°Nah, your mom said she was scared and I¡¯m here to check for Boogeyman. But now that you¡¯re here I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll take good care of her huh?¡± Keegan kneels before putting his hand on Harley¡¯s shoulder. The kid grinned at him.


    ¡°You sure? But my sister is the bravest¡­¡±


    ¡°Your sister?¡± Keegan raised his question carefully.


    ¡°Oh-oh¡­¡±


    When Lexie heard it she gave a deep exhale. ¡°Okay, you catch our lies.¡± She pulled Harley close for a hug, telling him that it was okay. That Keegan is a good friend of hers and their secret is safe with him. ¡°Harley¡¯s real name is Cody and he is my little brother. Half-brother.¡±


    Keegan¡¯s mind went back to when they talked about her family. He seemed to remember that she hated her stepdad a lot, and there were times when she told him that the man would look at her in a bad way and that was why Keegan took her out on their little outings, to help her cope with her days.


    ¡°I love my old name. Cody. My mama gave me the name. But Lexie said we can be Christopher and Robin when we move next because she doesn¡¯t think that Pooh is a good name for a boy.¡±


    Harley¡¯s train of thought made him chuckle. ¡°Yeah, I think you¡¯re not chubby enough to be Pooh, and who would want to walk around with a shirt and no pants?¡±


    Harley giggled and told Keegan that he wouldn¡¯t want that.


    ¡°Harley, why don¡¯t you watch your cartoons while I make some snacks? I need to talk to Keegan for a minute.¡±


    ¡°Okay, will Keegan stay and have dinner with us?¡±


    ¡°I will if your sister says it¡¯s okay, buddy,¡± Keegan replied, cutting her from telling him otherwise since Keegan did want to stay. He wanted to help. He wanted her safe. Both of them.


    ¡°Okay!¡± Harley grins then skipped his steps all the way to their small living room area before settling down on the battered couch and reaching for the remote.


    ¡°He¡¯s not my son,¡± Lexie said as she moves to the kitchen to turn off the stove. She continue making their coffee and what looked like a chocte drink for Harley.


    ¡°I heard, so is this why you¡¯re nning to move?¡± Keegan rested his back on the kitchen counter waiting for her to exin further.


    ¡°Two years after you left, my mom passed away. She was a victim of domestic abuse. My stepdad, Cody¡¯s dad, hit her with an empty liquor bottle so strong that it shattered and she bleed out. When I arrived at the house Cody was on her, hugging her, all bloody and messy. My stepdad was so drunk that he fell asleep near her lifeless body.¡± Lexie¡¯s hand trembled after she manages to pour the hot water for their instant coffee and chocte drink for Harley. Keegan helped her with the kettle and put it back on top of the stove.


    ¡°I was eighteen and Cody was almost four. When the police came and finished doing their thing, I was told that I should wait for the social workers and since I was eighteen it was okay for me to care for Cody while they sort out their paperwork. But I could wait. I couldn¡¯t take the chance that my stepdad was going to go back and he¡¯d hurt either of us. So I fled with the money that I¡¯d been saving up. I had wanted to run away for a while leaving Mom with her new family. But not long after Cody was born the abuse started. When I saw the little defenseless baby, I know I have to protect him. I cared for him from day one. He¡¯d been like my precious baby, though he¡¯s my little brother.¡±


    ¡°And now?¡± Keegan pressed for more answers when he thinks that Lexie started opening up.


    ¡°Now we run. I heard from my nosy neighbor, Mrs. McNally, that my stepdad was back. He was released on a technicality and now she said that he¡¯s on probation. She also said that he didn¡¯t look happy when he saw that the house was empty.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t run. Stay at my ce. I will help you sort things out.¡± Keegan put his hand on hers, wanting her to take his suggestion knowing that he could not forgive himself if anything happens to her.


    ¡°Why? Why would you want to help me?¡±


    ¡°Because now I can. And will help you. I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m sorry for leaving you all those years ago. I wish I didn¡¯t, but I was young and you¡­ you¡¯re so much younger than me.¡±


    Keegan saw the change in her expression. His feelings ran deep and he felt like he was suddenly his young self again. Though this time he knew that he could help her. Being one of Braddock¡¯s most trusted men, he was the best at his job. He was sure that he could help her now. He was already nning on how to get her stepdad back behind bars. This time, he wanted him to stay there, for the rest of his life.

 102. Protector

    Lexie felt safe, she hadn¡¯t had that sense of security in a very long time. Not since her mom married her stepdad. Having Keegan in her space felt good, she could see the proof in Harley¡¯s calm demeanor showing her that her little brother likes him too.


    Keegan did stay for dinner if only to convince her more to move into his ce tonight. ¡°Pack your bags and Harley¡¯s too. Come on, it¡¯ll be safer than staying here, don¡¯t you think? I really don¡¯t want to leave you two alone tonight and running away to another city in the dark won¡¯t be a wise choice when you have a kid with you.¡±


    Keegan made her think, and naturally, she thought that he was right though she considered the offer to stay at his ce nheless.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help Harley get his coat and shoes. Go, get his nkie or stuffed animal anything he needs to sleep for the night. I¡¯ll get the rest tomorrow, send in a crew to pack the rest of your stuff. Listen, Mara,¡± Keegan called her by her real name and took her hand in his, her eyes stared at him while she watched him as he gets her full attention.


    ¡°I left you once, and I¡¯m not going to do it again. Let me help you.¡± He said firmly while her mind took time to let everything sink in. Then, his shoulder finally rxes when she nodded.


    ¡°Okay, now go get everything ready. I¡¯ll help Harley, we need to get to my ce before his bedtime.¡±


    Lexie got up and hurriedly find Harley who was back to enjoying his cartoons in the living room.


    ¡°Hey little guy, so¡­ Keegan had asked us to stay at his ce while I get things sorted out. It¡¯s time. We need to move.¡± Lexie said trying to exin the situation carefully. When the news hits him, his expression changes. Her little brother suddenly looked worried and Lexie quickly took him into her arms, hugging him while the little boy sniffled clearly trying hard not to cry.


    When Keegan found them in the living room he patted him on the back. ¡°Come on big guy, let me help you with your shoes and coat while your sister gets your stuff. We¡¯re going to have a sleepover at my ce tonight.¡±


    ¡°Really??¡± He utched himself from Lexie and adorably took Keegan¡¯s hand. Harley let the man usher him to get his coat. Keegan winked at Lexie and her heart melts a little. She knew that letting Keegan help them was going to cause trouble in the future, but she wouldn¡¯t back down from his invitation. Not when she saw how excited her little brother was. Not when she rationalized that it was safer to stay at his ce than hers.


    Harley was asleep when they got to Keegan¡¯s ce. It was a three-bedroom converted warehouse space that he had purchased a year ago, Keegan exin to her as they drove to his ce. And Lexie couldn¡¯t help herself to feel safer when he exined about the security system that he had installed there.


    ¡°This is a nice ce,¡± Lexie looked surprised to find the house was located just by the outskirts of the city. The neighborhood didn¡¯t scream suburban, it was located right in the middle of a mix of buildings of offices, restaurants, and retail stores. She thought it suited perfectly for a young tough guy like Keegan with a busy lifestyle.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± He said as he entered his private garage and exited his ck Land Rover. He was already opening the back door where Harley had curled up in the backseat of his car. She had appreciated how he had driven carefully telling her that he¡¯d get a car seat for Harley in the morning. He wouldn¡¯t take no for an answer when she told him that they were going to leave as soon as they could.


    ¡°Come on, I¡¯ll carry Harley and you follow me, I¡¯ll get your bagster.¡± Lexie shook her head and smiled telling him it¡¯ll be faster if she gets the bags. He relented not wanting to argue with her when they all could be in the house sooner rather thanter.


    ¡°I have three bedrooms, mine, my office, and one guest room. I¡¯ll get you and Harley settled into the guest bedroom,¡± Keegan spoke as he opened his door by entering codes before pushing his keys and letting her through the door.


    ¡°Wow,¡± Lexie was shocked when she entered his kitchen. It was sleek, ck, and modern the main focus of the kitchen counter was the big ass coffee machine that he proudly told her he got for himself on his birthdayst year.


    ¡°Okay, what¡¯s with that look? Are you amazed at my kitchen or secretly judging me for the stacks of dishes I left in the sink?¡± He teased, making the situation feel less awkward.


    She giggled when she was looking at the mountain of tes and cups filling up the sink.


    ¡°You¡¯d think one would consider buying a dishwasher with his expensive kitchen. But not me, I was a traditionalist my mom taught me to hand wash my dishes. But um¡­ things got busy,¡±


    She giggled more but followed him as they passed the kitchen and walked into an open floor nyout where therge living area was so spacious it opens up the house beautifully even though it was decorated with big and cozy looking leather sofas, dark-colored wooden furniture, and the biggest size television she ever saw mounted on his whitewashed wall.


    ¡°Over here,¡± he said standing in front of a door that Lexie had guessed was the guest bedroom. His other hand reached for the handle and Lexie followed behind him. She smiled at him when he rest her brother and tucked him in under theforter. The little guy stirred when he took off his shoes but he was back to sleep secondster.


    ¡°That¡¯s the bathroom,¡± he pointed at the ensuite door. ¡°You¡¯ll find extra toothbrushes, towels, and everything you¡¯ll need under the sink. I¡¯m going to leave you to settle in while I lock the house, okay? My room is by the end of the hall.¡± Keegan puts his hand on her shoulder and squeezes it gently. Old memories came back like a breeze. She remembered, just as it was years ago. The careful way that he would care for her. The simple littlefort that he gave just moments before he pulled her into his arms. Then, when he actually did she finally broke down and tears rolled out of her eyes in fat ugly streams.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    She felt his warmth as he let her cry it out. His strong hand held her and rubbed her back, providing thefort that she had long given up wishing for.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s not wake your brother, he had a very interesting day,¡± Keegan said softly whilst he guided her out, but not closing the door fully behind them just in case Harley woke up in a panic when he saw the new surroundings.


    ¡°How about a cup of coffee?¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡±


    Lexie watched him as he easily moves around his kitchen to make their coffee. She didn¡¯t expect how easily it was for her to fall back in his embrace and let her feelings out. She felt like Keegan wanted nothing but tofort her, as if wanted to give her the security that she needed. This time she hoped that he intended to follow through with his n to keep both Lexie and her little brother safe. At least until tomorrow or the day after.


    Because right now that was all she could hope for. Future heartbreak be damned.

 103. Memories

    ¡°The best coffee I¡¯ve had in a while.¡±


    ¡°Right?¡± Keegan grinned, proudly patting his coffee machine before sipping his coffee. He was happy, settled, and his insides never felt so right in so long. Not since the day he left her behind and went back to college.


    Keegan was twenty-one and was finishing off college at that time. He had his future in front of him, while she was sixteen and way too young for him. But when he did leave to finish his study he got injured while training. The incident terminated his spot in college football and at the same time shut down his chance to y professionally. His parents helped him finish college, but then they passed away in a tragic car ident which somehow directed him to work for Braddock Senior. Since then he never looked back.


    But tonight everything was falling back into ce and he intended to tell her exactly that.


    ¡°I felt like I¡¯ve been given a second chance with you.¡± His words were careful, not wanting to sound as if he wanted to take advantage of her situation and be the man she needed just because he was there.


    ¡°Keegan,¡±


    ¡°No, Mara, hear me out.¡± He walked to her side and cradled her hands in his. ¡°You know I have feelings for you all those years ago and I shouldn¡¯t have just left you like that. I should¡¯ve checked in on you. I don¡¯t want to give you excuses. But please know that I intend to help you now. I want to be there for you, keep both you and your brother safe.¡±


    He wanted to be her savior because he owed her for all those years he abandoned her, and also because it turns out that he still has feelings for her after all those years. Back then, the what-ifs woulde back when his mind drifted off and wonder about the beautiful sad-eyed girl he¡¯d left years ago. And now that he has her in front of him, in his house, perfectly safe andfortable, he was going to protect her. Keegan didn¡¯t care if she doesn¡¯t feel the same way about him when it was all over. At least he¡¯d try, she deserved to be free of her problems.


    ¡°Keegan, when you left¡­ I have no one. I waited for you, thinking maybe¡­ just maybe you¡¯de back.¡± She took her hands away from him and busied them on her coffee cup while Keegan didn¡¯t move, staying near, keeping her feeling safe just by being close.


    ¡°But when you didn¡¯t, that was when I told myself to stop thinking that someone would help. Since then, I have made myself able, and I take my baby brother with me. He was barely four when we left town.¡± Lexie got up, put their cups in the sink, and her hands started to move to do the dishes.


    ¡°Lexie, just leave it. I¡¯ll do it tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my thank you for taking us in tonight.¡± She smiled though there was still a glint of sadness in her eyes.


    In silence, Lexie washed the pile of dishes while Keegan quietly dry them once she was done. Together they finish the pile of dirty dishes and mugs. Lexie was still quiet when Keegan checked all the locks and activated the rms.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know what I¡¯ve done just to make sure my baby brother had milk on his diet. I¡¯m no saint, Keegan. And you shouldn¡¯t expect me to be the naive little girl that I once was when I was sixteen.¡± Keegan heard her exin. There was guilt, so much guilt oozing from his heart. Hearing her made him deeply regret that he didn¡¯t check in on her.


    They were still standing in front of the sink when he shared what he never thought he was not going to confess to anyone. ¡°I¡¯m not saying I am too. What you should know is that I¡¯ve done questionable things to deal with the loss of my parents. I had avenged their death and have no regrets about killing the people responsible for their ident.¡±


    ¡°Your parents are dead?¡± She was shocked. Keegan remembered that Lexie had met them once when they went out for ice cream. She did say that she liked his parents and that she wished her dad was still alive. She hated her stepdad. A lot.


    They moved to the sofa where he told her about what happened to his parents. Keegan had vaguely exined how he managed to track down the guys who ran his parents¡¯ car into a cliff because they made a mistake spotting their car from someone else¡¯s that they were ordered to kill.


    By the time he ended the story and she shared some of hers, Lexie was under his arm, cuddled to his side, and resting against his chest.


    Keegan looked at the beautiful strong woman Mara has be, he remind himself that he too had changed. All in the span of less than five years. He gazed at his surroundings. His house was expensive and very cozy, he had bought it at a really good price. It was way under the market price since the couple who lived there had died from a robbery job gone wrong.


    What his neighbors didn¡¯t know was that the former homeowners were involved in shady deals thatprised their living situation. They were caught in the middle and got executed. It was Keegan¡¯s men who did it and that¡¯s how he knew it was vacant and arranged everything to make the ce his.


    Keegan always lives a private life and never showed anyone his ce. Being the right-hand man of Seamus Braddock made him a lot of money which he kept in his offshore ounts. But he did splurge a little when he decorated his ce. And by decorating it meant that he wanted the ce to be a true man cave, just because of how rarely he usually spent time at the house.


    Not wanting to disturb Lexie¡¯s rest, he waited until another hour before he carried her to join her little brother in the guest bedroom. Just like her brother Lexie stirred before she settled back into her sleep when he tucked her under the covers.


    ¡°Good night, my beautiful Mara. Know that I will do anything to protect you. I promised.¡± He whispered knowing that she was asleep. He kissed her forehead before he walked out of the room.


    Keegan didn¡¯t go straight to bed, he went to his office which has a sweet setup for his needs. The man had be the right-hand man for Seamus Braddock not because he was the muscle. Keegan didn¡¯t fit into the usual type of football yer either. The man was smart, he¡¯s good withputers. Really. Really good. Keegan was a hacker and he went straight to work, digging into Mara¡¯s background. It didn¡¯t take long. He remembered her address. He hacked the police file in her hometown and found her stepdad¡¯s name and case file.


    And that was where everything gets interesting. ¡°Fucking police.¡± He grumbled when he found out the real reason why he was released earlier. It wasn¡¯t a coincidence after all.


    Keegan sends everything he found from hisputer to his phone, the address, hisst known contact lists, friends that would help him out, and of course, the corrupt police officers rted to the case. He didn¡¯t realize it took almost two hours before he shut down hisputer and go to his room.


    He was tired, he had been up since very early that morning and he badly needed his sleep. Stripping his clothes off he gets under the nket and rests his head on the pillow. That night, he slept easily knowing that he had started taking the steps to make sure that Lexie and Harley were safe.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

 104. Planning Through

    The next morning Harley woke up all excited to explore Keegan¡¯s ce. He had been sitting on the leather sofa, practically bouncing while he waited for Keegan to get out of his room.


    Until the man finally did, when the smell of bacon being fried entered his room.


    ¡°Okay, this is totally my new favorite way to wake up. Lexie, I am going to keep you forever if you put bacon on the menu for our breakfast. Everyday.¡± He went to her side and instinctively kissed her forehead. He couldn¡¯t help himself when he saw her in his kitchen, cooking in her cute pajama attire with pink bunny prints and her hair up in a messy bun.


    Sheughed nervously, but then got sidetracked when her little brother ran up to him with the biggest smile on his face. ¡°Can I please watch cartoons on your humongous tv?¡±


    That got Keegan to ruffle Harley¡¯s hair and picked him up by his waist and carried him sideways. ¡°Humongous, huh?¡± Her little brother giggled all the way to the living room sofa where Keegan picked up the remote and fumbled with the setting before he set up Netflix kids profile for Harley. Keegan even put his name on the screen and her brother beamed as he recognized it, smiling from ear to ear.


    ¡°Enjoy, little guy,¡± he left Harley to his cartoons when he picked the one with dragons and boys training them. ¡°I¡¯ll let you know when breakfast is done.¡± Keegan pressed a kiss on his forehead, just because he was the perfect little guy and he looked so damn happy. And that just made Keegan start his day in a very good mood.


    Harley nodded but his attention was on the movie already. Keegan was back in the kitchen and quick to steal a strip of bacon while he made his coffee. Heughed when Lexie smacked his hand away when he reached for a second.


    ¡°Keegan, if you kept on doing this, I will not make you bacon again.¡±


    They bothughed, but bacon was thest thing on his mind when his brain caught up with her words.


    ¡°So you¡¯ll still be here tomorrow?¡± He asked with the biggest grin on his face.


    ¡°I¡­ I mean¡­¡± Lexie was nervous, she wasughing when she saw his goofy smile. She was also conflicted about not wanting to depend on anyone ever again. But she was too goddamn tired to process everything.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    ¡°Stay, Lexie, I want you to stay for as long as you like. Actually, I wanted to talk to you about your dad. Butter yeah? There¡¯s nothing to worry about. You¡¯re safe here.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± she smiled back at him when they heard Harley giggling in the background. Too happy from watching his morning cartoons.


    When breakfast was ready, they all sat at the dining table. Harley was having difficulties because of hisck of height. But then, the door buzzed and Keegan was up and headed for the door. But not before putting his hand on hers when he saw her tensed. ¡°Rx, I¡¯m waiting for someone.¡±


    Keegan greeted the man with two big boxes on his front door. ¡°Right on time. If you could put those here.¡± Keegan signed the overnight deliveries that he ordered before he went to bed. He was pleased with their service and will surely give them the perfect ratingter.


    ¡°Your booster seats are here little guy. Come on, help me set this up for you.¡± He half yelled to the dining room, then closed and locked the door after the delivery guy.


    ¡°That¡¯s for me?!¡± He almost shrieked in excitement when he ran up to Keegan and sat on his ass, his legs crossed while he waited for Keegan to unpack the biggest box Harley ever saw.


    ¡°Keegan you shouldn¡¯t have, we can easily eat in front of the tv,¡± Lexie said when she joined them in the foyer.


    ¡°Yes, we can do that too on our dinner-movie marathon. But now, I have a dining table I barely use, now that I have guests I can finally have people eating at the table.¡± He grinned the ruffle Harley¡¯s hair again, this time Harley went up to him and threw his arms around Keegan¡¯s neck, and hugged him.


    ¡°Thank you! I never fit in big people¡¯s chairs before.¡±


    ¡°Well, you will be able to with this booster seat. We have one for the car too so you¡¯d be safe when your sister decided it¡¯s time for you to get back to school. Come on, let¡¯s try it out.¡± Keegan held the booster seat on his left arm and grabbed Harley by his waist and carried him sideways again making him burst with the most adorableughing sound Lexie had ever heard. Her little brother was happy. Keegan had made him so happy.


    Breakfast went great, Lexie said that Harley never had that much appetite for breakfast. He was even fast asleep while watching more cartoons a couple of hourster. Keegan carefully moves Harley to the guest bedroom letting him sleep it off, thinking he needed his rest after yesterday.


    It wasn¡¯t until then, that Keegan talked to Lexie about his finding regarding her stepdad. He spread it all on the coffee table. Everything that he had discoveredst night wasid out for Lexie, showing her how her stepdad managed to get out of jail so damn quickly.


    ¡°I will talk things out with my boss. I¡¯ll take a couple of weeks off and help you with this matter. I know people who owe me some favors and now it¡¯s time for me to collect them.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know Keegan, it seemed easier for me to skip town and just start over.¡± She said looking nervously at the printed papers. Seeing her stepdad in one of the papers made her visibly shudder. Keegan didn¡¯t waste time as he put his arm around her shoulder and caressed her, telling her everything will be just okay.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you to have to watch your back for the rest of your life. Wondering when he¡¯s going to pop up on your door.¡± Keegan exined and Lexie didn¡¯t respond. He knows that he was right. If she runs it¡¯ll be only time until her stepdad finds her and then takes Harley with him, most likely hurting her in the process.


    ¡°How long do you think¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to try to get it done as soon as I can,¡± he shrugged not wanting to promise her anything that he couldn¡¯t keep. ¡°But this I can confidently promise you, if you stay with me you¡¯ll be safe. You know I work for your friend Charlotte¡¯s fiance, right?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re on her security team. I still don¡¯t know why she needs security.¡±


    He chuckled and told her that Seamus Braddock is a very important person. ¡°His work demanded that he needs security, along with his family. And I am his right-hand man. Charlotte was that important to him. Now, today I¡¯ll stay here and arrange for everything because I need to get back to work tomorrow.¡±


    She went stiff when he told her that he was leaving her and Harley alone at his ce tomorrow.


    ¡°Hey, I told you I¡¯m taking a couple of weeks off right? But I need to delegate some stuff first before I can do that.¡± What Keegan need was to talk to his boss and ask if he could use a couple of their men when he needed them. He was going to tell Seamus everything and needed him to understand that he needed to do this. For years he has been working for Seamus Braddock and his father Keegan knows that they would help their crew. This was how the Braddocks earned their people¡¯s loyalty.


    ¡°Okay,¡± she pressed closer to his side when he rested back in his seat, Keegan had never felt at home in forever until he feels her under his arms. And when her eyes were on his and they were both drawn into each other for the first time, he didn¡¯t hesitate when he inched forward and kissed her.


    Her arms moved to his shoulder holding on to him while they kept on kissing. It was sweet at first, but it didn¡¯t take long before their kiss went heavy and they were both panting for air when Lexie break their kiss.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry, that was¡­¡± Keegan felt guilty for kissing her, he felt like he was taking advantage of her vulnerable situation.


    But then she interrupted and told him otherwise. ¡°That was perfect, I¡¯ve missed you.¡± He felt her hand caressing his jaw and he couldn¡¯t help but to lean into her touch. They kissed again, this time longer. Sweet passionate kisses, just like he¡¯d dream of every time he misses her.


    The rest of the afternoon they go about their own thing. Lexie prepared lunch and fussed over her brother, while Keegan called Seamus and informed him of the situation. Then he arranged for two of their men to get the rest of Lexie¡¯s belongings from her apartment. It wasn¡¯t much, so it didn¡¯t take long.


    Lunch and dinner flew by and they didn¡¯t discuss their kiss further until she had Harley tucked in for bed. Lexie took her time in reading his bedtime story. Keegan saw that he had fallen asleep after a couple of pages while Lexie decided to continue and he didn¡¯t want to interrupt so he leave her be.


    He went back to his kitchen to pour himself a ss of wine, leaving the bottle on the counter hoping that Lexie would join himter.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to think about my stepdad. Honestly, I¡¯m not looking forward to leaving town. I¡¯ve made friends here, have a job, and Harley loves his school.¡± Lexie confessed when she did join him for a ss of wine.


    ¡°Then, don¡¯t¡­ stay here, for as long as you like.¡± Keegan put their ss down and he cupped her cheek before kissing her. ¡°I mean it, Mara, I¡¯ll help you. I shouldn¡¯t have left you years ago.¡±


    He loved calling her by her real name, it was a beautiful name. It reminded him of the young teen that she was and the fierce woman she had be. He wanted her. Her wanted her to be his, but first, he needed her to be free of her problems.

 105. Work Day

    Lexie looked nervous when Keegan said that he was going to leave her alone with Harley at his ce when he¡¯s going to go to work. Keegan noticed that she didn¡¯t want to be a burden for him, he knew that she was masking her feelings telling him that she was going to have a movie marathon with Harley. Keegan had no choice but to trust that she was going to do just that.


    ¡°Harley, I¡¯m going to work today,¡± Keegan knelt before her little brother and took his hand in his. ¡°I¡¯m counting on you to be the man of the house and take care of your sister,¡± He smiled and her little brother who then puffed his chest and grinned at Keegan telling him that he¡¯d keep her safe.


    ¡°I know you will, and to do so I have a new watch for you.¡± Keegan reached out for a little box that arrived along with the booster seats. He had the watch programmed and the GPS activated, he listed his number, Lexie¡¯s, and emergency number for the hospital and police. Keegan didn¡¯t want to give Harley a phone, he needed a device that will be on him at all times and can be used to call him or Lexie. The GPS was perfect, he didn¡¯t want anything to happen to the little guy. Keegan would be able to track him down if anything went wrong.


    ¡°Keegan, thank you,¡± Lexie said from behind him, putting her hand on his shoulder as he put the wristwatch on and show Harley how to make a call and video call.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what your opinion is about young kids using mobile phones, so I got him this. It¡¯s waterproof, and the most shock-resistant one I could find in the market.¡± Keegan looked at Lexie and she nodded. ¡°Okay Harley, you¡¯re all set. Why don¡¯t you try calling me?¡±


    And so Harley did, heughed when Keegan sprinted to his bedroom to pick up the call on his phone and tested the rity of both voice and video call.


    When Keegan got back to the living room Harley was showing Lexie his new watch, babbling in excitement, telling her that he had her number in there too. ¡°And you have the emergency police hotline too just in case you couldn¡¯t reach my phone or your sister¡¯s if something bad happened or you just don¡¯t feel safe. Harley,¡± Keegan paused, wanting to make sure that he got the kid¡¯s attention. ¡°I want you to call me, anytime.¡±


    ¡°How about when I have a really bad nightmare?¡±


    ¡°Well, you can do that too. We can talk until you feel better.¡± Keegan added once he reached their side.


    ¡°Thank you, Keegan. You¡¯re the best.¡± Harley spread his arms and Keegan leaned down for his hug.


    ¡°Aw, kiddo, you¡¯re the bestest,¡± his voiceced with humor before he hugged Harley back and then ruffled his hair before he backed away. Keegan said his goodbye when he told both Harley and Lexie that he was going to go to work.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you both around four or five, you can call me anytime okay, Harley?¡± the kid nodded and gave him his biggest smile. ¡°I¡¯ll callter to check in on you,¡± Keegan said to Lexie when she followed him to the front door while Harley was back to busying himself with his activity book, doodling while sitting on the lush carpet.


    ¡°Go, we¡¯ll be fine. You showed me how to work the rm and I¡¯ll call if anything¡¯s wrong.¡±


    ¡°Good, okay. I don¡¯t want you running around town today. Text me if you need anything. I¡¯ll get it ordered and delivered to the house.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, you¡¯re going to work. I don¡¯t want to bother you,¡±


    ¡°Lexie, it¡¯s not a bother. I can multitask. Look, I¡¯ll set up an ount for you to shop. I¡¯ll send the linkter. You just need to download the app. Okay?¡± Keegan waited for her answer because he was dead serious about not wanting her to get out of his house. At least not for today, not when he hadn¡¯t had a grasp on what the situation with her stepdad was. He needed to find the guy. Fast.


    He cupped her neck, tilting her to face him then close their distance and kissed her lips. His other hand moved to her waist and tugged her closer to feel her in his arms. ¡°I¡¯ll see youter, make yourself at home.¡± He kissed her one more time before letting her go and letting her lock the door behind him.


    When Keegan arrived at Seamus¡¯s downtown office he went straight to meet up with his crew knowing that Seamus was away on his honeymoon. Keegan checked in with his boss and then continue to evaluate Seamus¡¯s and his new wife¡¯s security details before carrying on to delegate his duties for the next few weeks.


    ¡°Okay guys, while the boss and I are away, it doesn¡¯t mean that you get to ck on your work. I will be watching and will go to the office every now and then to check in, making sure that no one will be foolish enough to mess up their job.¡± The meeting continued with more nning and evaluations. There were several guys who still need a hands-on approach but more were capable of doing their job to his standards.


    Keegan has men under him, his most trusted men. Those who would do the job without asking questions. They may not all be the smartest, but they are most loyal to their bosses. Money would always be a good motivator, but aside from that, there was always been that special bond between them. It was exactly like in the movies, once you¡¯re in the mafia business you will never get out. Not unless you¡¯re dead.


    Seamus¡¯s father had taken him in when Keegan needed protection for killing the men responsible for his parent¡¯s death. Since then, Keegan never looked back, he had never questioned any task given to him. That was how he quickly climbed up thedder to be Seamus¡¯s right-hand man. Keegan had handpicked his most trusted men with the same method as Braddock senior, knowing people with much to lose are the people who would be most loyal to them.


    ¡°Keegan, I will need at least two more guys at the port meetingter,¡± Leonard said two hours into the meeting. He was the guy who deals with the port authorities. He was scheduled to handle the iing shipment of high-end liquor and cigar. They were cutting red tape, handling the shipment straight with the corrupted port authorities. Doing so didn¡¯t mean that there would be no trouble. The shipment would get into their hands faster and cheaper, and it can lure some stupid street gangs who would want to try their luck to get them not knowing who they were actually messing with.


    This was exactly why Leonard was asking for more men. It was not the first time and won¡¯t be thest. He must¡¯ve been tipped or heard from one of his men on the streets.Leonard was not stupid, he knew that Keegan didn¡¯t want the corrupt port authorities to get spooked. They wanted to keep doing business with them, it was imperative that Leonard need to take care of the intruders quietly.


    ¡°What time will this meeting take ce?¡±


    ¡°In about¡­ two hours,¡± Leonard informed after ncing at his watch.


    ¡°Damn Leo, you know we are stretched for men as is. I can give you one and I¡¯ll join you, with my gun expertise you¡¯d get two for the price of one.¡± Keegan smirked and the man snorted but thanked him anyway.


    ¡°How about we get some early lunch, I have a situation that may need your assistance with.¡±


    Almost four hourster Leo was dragging Keegan back to his car, opening the back seat, and was in the driver¡¯s seat in seconds. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare, Leonard,¡± He grabbed his hand forcing him to look at Keegan. ¡°I¡¯m fucking fine. It¡¯s a through and through. I¡¯ll wait in the car, just patch me up. I have a first-aid kit in the back, you know where it is.¡± Keegan huffed back to his seat, silently thankful that he was wearing his less expensive suit to work.


    ¡°Go, I¡¯ll be fine. I said go, Leonard, we don¡¯t want to lose this guy. It¡¯ll be a hassle to start all over again for the next shipment. We need this guy to remain in charge.¡± Keegan could feel sweat trickling down his spine, but he remains calm until Leonard nodded and get out of the front seat to reach for the first-aid kit. He helped Keegan only to be shooed away. ¡°I can fucking do this on my own,¡± Keegan grumbled after he helped him out of his suit jacket and his ruined white crisp shirt. ¡°Go. That¡¯s an order, Leonard.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay¡­ but we¡¯re getting you to the doc after this.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll call him and have him ready for my arrival.¡± Keegan reached for his phone and cursed when he saw a missed call from Harley.


    Keegan called Doc in front of Leonard before the guy left him, running back to the port authority office to get things done. Hopefully quickly, since Keegan was feeling a bit queasy.


    ¡°Hey, big guy¡­ sorry I missed your call. How¡¯s everything at the house?¡±


    Keeganughed when Harley told him that Lexie had almost flooded the bathroom when she forgot that she was running a bath for Harley. They spent the whole afternoon cleaning the bathroom, but Harley sounded like he was having fun doing it.


    ¡°Listen kiddo, I¡¯m going to be a bitte, but I¡¯ll bring home pizza for dinner, tell me do you like pineapple on your cheese topping?¡±


    When Keegan heard a long fake gagging noise from the other line heughed until he hissed from the pain. Luckily, Harley was too disgusted to notice him. But that made Keegan end the call with a promise of extra pepperoni and cheese on their pizza.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    After ending the call, all he needed was to go to the doctor and pick up their pizza before he goes home and everything will perfect.

 106. Passionate Kisses

    When the doc finally finished stitching up his wounded shoulder, Keegan called the pizza ce to order their pizza and a side of bruschetta for Lexie, hoping that she still likes them. And the moment he arrived, Keegan popped the pain pill and the antibiotic before he entered the house with pizza in his hand. He had to take a deep breath, taking in the pain before he continued to walk to the front door.


    Harley¡¯s face lit up when he saw Keegan and the little kid ran towards him trying to help him with the small bag of food while he greeted Lexie with a kiss on the lips, after setting their pizza on the kitchen counter. She blushed a deep shade of red and Harley giggled teasing his sister and then telling Keegan that Lexie never blushed.


    ¡°There was this one guy, she even pushed him away. I think Lexie likeeeees you.¡± Harley teased after he was settled into his seat. Keeganughed at his cheekiness, he liked that Harley was loosening up around him. He wanted the kid to befortable, knowing if Harley was happy then Lexie was most likely to stay longer.


    ¡°And you got her bruschetta! She only bought them on special asions. You likeeeee her too!¡± he almost squeaked and grinned from ear to ear, while Lexie hand¡¯s froze mid-air the moment she was about to reach for the bruschetta.


    ¡°Go on, the pizza ce is well known for its authentic seasoning.¡± He hid his smile behind his ss of water when he saw her reluctance. It was only for a second or two before her hand took one, then he watched as cheese-stringed bruschetta passed her sexy lips before she lets out a satisfied moan that sent a trigger down his dick.


    Before he chokes on his water, Keegan put his ss down and started munching on his pizza while he silently willed his erection to dete. Dinner go on without a hitch, Harley was loving it and they gathered around the living area afterward, watching more cartoons while having their ice cream dessert.


    Keegan was feeling the stiffness on his shoulder when it was finally time to end their night. Lexie and Harley had retreated to the guest bedroom. Keegan was struggling with his shirt, unbuttoning was the easy part but the shoulder wound was not making it easy. When he managed to get naked, he stepped under the shower and feel the hot water wash his day away. Keegan lets out more grunts as he struggled to change the wet bandage after his shower. He finally sighed and looked satisfied with the dry bandage over his shoulder wound. He put on his pajama pants and decided to forego his t-shirt. Keegan needed to check on his home security feed, then follow up with Leonard regarding what happened this afternoon. He will need to exin the situation with Seamus and to do all that he needed coffee to boost his brain for another couple of hours.


    When Keegan was satisfied with the feeds and his work situation, he was ready to go to bed. He let out another curse when his shoulder suddenly pulsates with pain. He needed to drink another pill. He opted not to take one after dinner not wanting to get sleepy afterwards. But now that his job was done for the night, he was going to check on his locks before going straight to his bedroom and sumbing to the pain pill.


    ¡°Keegan? Oh god, what happened? This¡­ you were badly wounded throughout dinner?¡±


    Busted.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s work, Lexie. And I¡¯ll be fine, I just need to drink my pain meds.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re bleeding¡­¡± She looked at him in great concern and without a second thought she tugged him into the guest bathroom down the hall and pulled out his stashed first-aid kit.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be okay, I must¡¯ve torn a stitches or two and it¡¯s a bit hard doing the back of my shoulder.¡±


    ¡°No kidding, it¡¯s like a kid trying to p a sticker onto your back. Damn, Keegan, next time ask for my help, okay?¡± Lexie muttered but she gets to work on his bandage, working on the one on the back of his shoulder. She ignored his protest when she redid the front side too.


    ¡°The front one was perfectly passable, now you just enjoy tearing up my hard work.¡± The man pouted and it was all it took for Lexie to finally cracked a smile.


    ¡°You are right Keegan, It was passable, and now it¡¯s perfect,¡± She smiled at him and he inched closer. His lips were on hers in seconds. She tried to back away only to have him cage her between his half-naked body and the bathroom sink.


    ¡°Keegan¡­¡± She breathed unsteadily, her desire was obvious and he was getting harder because of it.


    ¡°I missed you, all fucking day,¡± he groaned and put his hand on the waistband of her sleep shorts.


    ¡°You¡¯re hurt¡­¡±


    ¡°I had worse.¡± He replied in-between kisses. When she kissed him back he was more than eager to move their steamy encounter to his bedroom.


    She followed him helplessly, her desire matching his in equal pace, and her hands were on his body as his eyes roamed her body with such eagerness that she was making him sit on the edge of his bed while she seductively stripped herself naked.


    ¡°You¡¯re torturing me here, Mara,¡± he could see that using her real name enticed all kinds of feelings from her and he was feeling smug when he saw the attention was reciprocated by her standing between his legs, her hands fingering his hair softly. Clearly, she was confident about her body and that just made him more than eager to be inside her.


    Keegan¡¯s eyes were glued to her beautiful perfect body. The tattoos on her forearm ignite the curiosity inside him, thinking if she had a hidden one he could explore it intimately. He was not disappointed when he saw a big floral tattoo on the side of her hip down to her upper thigh.


    ¡°So beautiful,¡± he caressed her tattooed skin and kiss her naked waist, his hands nted firmly on her thighs keeping her still. He lunged forward moving from the tattoo on her thigh to her bare pussy and let the tip of his tongue taste her. ¡°Fucking delicious,¡± he groaned and she moaned tightening her hold on his hair, careful not to touch his injured shoulder.


    When his hands moved to cup her ass cheeks she mewled the second he pressed her lips between her folds and devoured her in a very debouched manner. Lexie let out the sexiest whimpering noises he¡¯d ever heard. He felt her legs tremble when she was about toe and he was quick to get up andy her on her back.


    His shoulder throbbed, but he was feeling the need for more attention to his southern region andpletely ignored his pain. He reached for a condom from his bedside table and sheathed himself before he was back between her legs. She bit her lip and he realized that she looked like the woman version of the sad little girl who used to make him wonder when he was back in college.


    The sadness was gone, under him was a sexy, willing, and perfect woman whom he wanted to please so badly that he was inside her within seconds. She moaned louder and he kissed her lips to drown her voice. ¡°Ssh¡­ we don¡¯t want to wake your brother,¡± Keegan whispered and the act of needing to be quiet surprisingly added more excitement to their intimacy.


    Her legs wrapped around his waist and she whimpered into his chest as he leaned in and thrust deeper and harder.


    ¡°Keegan,¡±


    He grunted when she shuddered and moaned his name. He could feel that she was getting close and he paced faster, bitting the pain away knowing he¡¯d popped another stitches or two. Keegan was too focused on her, he was whispering sexy words in her ear, telling her how sexy and gorgeous she was.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ so¡­ close¡­ Keegannnn,¡± her insides pulsed, and clenched his cock with a death grip that made him kiss her lips to drown their moans. He followed her and reached his climax not long after. He may or may not have bruised her waist with his grip. Between the pain from his wound and the thrill of his climax, Keegan eventually slumped to her side and know that he¡¯d stained his newly applied bandages.


    ¡°That was¡­ ah-ma-ziiiinggg,¡± he sighed, kissing her shoulder and regretted that he was wounded when they did it for the first time. But still, Lexieughed softly and move to his other size, and scooted closer to his healthy shoulder. ¡°Shit, Keegan you¡¯re bleeding again.¡±N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay baby, leave it until tomorrow, okay?¡±


    ¡°Nope, not when I¡¯m around.¡± She got up in all her naked beauty and strutted cheekily to the ensuite while grabbing her clothes from the floor and bringing them with her. She closed the door behind her only toe out back in her clothes with the first-aid kit in her hand before sitting at his side.


    Keegan¡¯s feeling was right, he did ruin the stitches again. Though he wouldn¡¯t have it any other way. When it was all done, she rested to his side and they cuddled until sleep takes over them.

 107. Found

    It was almost dawn when Lexie open her eyes and she realized that she was in Keegan¡¯s bed. She cursed silently, thinking that it was stupid of her to fall asleep in his arm. There will be no time for her to get close to someone. Not when she was running away from her stepdad. It was not wise of her to risk Harley¡¯s life. There was no time for her to seek romance, let alone from Keegan. The man had failed her once, most likely he was going to fail her again. Thest time it happened was when she was still sixteen. Back then she barely knew what to do with a rtionship, but Keegan was old enough to decide and he had decided to leave her behind.


    Harley was still asleep when she was back in their bed. It was still too early to start her morning activities so she decided to check on her phone and catch up on her emails which only reminded her of her impending bills, then she browse her text messages. There was only a couple of text that was waiting for her reply, mainly from her friends from Babes, and one from Harley¡¯s school asking about his return.


    Lexie replied to the text from Jojo, telling her that she will try toe to work today. Lexie knew that she had to think about money for the deposit and the first month of their new ce. It was almost the end of the month. She could at least dance for a couple of more days before she really needed to flee town. Keegan said he¡¯d keep them safe, at least she could take on his offer while she kept Harley safe at his. She needs to buy supplies and food before their long journey to wherever town she deemed appropriate for her and her little brother.


    Fifteen minutester, Lexie gave up on trying to go back to sleep and took a quick shower before heading out to the kitchen and started making coffee. It didn¡¯t take long before Jojo called, telling her that someone was looking for her.


    ¡°W-what do you mean someone was looking for me?¡±


    ¡°Exactly that, Rockford was there trying to calm the man down when he insisted that we were hiding you and his kid. Damn, Lexie, is he your baby daddy?¡±


    ¡°Fuck. fuck. fuck¡­ Did Rockford tell him anything? Shit! Did Ro say anything?¡±


    Jojo chuckled from the other line, as if people demanding their employee¡¯s whereabouts was an everyday urrence. ¡°Surprisingly no, I think Ro read his bodynguage and decided that the man was trouble. So, what I¡¯m trying to say isy low for a couple of days. You know we won¡¯t ask you to reveal anything beyond yourfort, but we also need to protect our girls. You understand, right?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Lexie¡¯s heart sank thinking about the money that she¡¯d lost, the money she needed to start her new life. She had savings, but it would only keep her and Harley for a month, she could probably stretch it to two if she skip breakfast and dinner, though she wouldn¡¯t do it to Harley. Her brother needed his meals, she would never subject him to such a thing. She would do anything for him.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    ¡°Look, Lexie. If you need anything, you know that you can reach out to Gage, right? Hell, you¡¯re close to Bree. That boss of yours would do anything his wife said.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I know,¡±


    ¡°I really need you to know that you¡¯re not in this alone, okay? asking for help is okay dearie¡­¡±


    That was the moment that made Lexie shed tears. She had friends and she was going to leave them. People who were willing to help her. People who cared about her. She took a deep breath before assuring Jojo that she¡¯d be okay, that she was staying with a friend, and that she was safe. Lexie promised Jojo, the admin sh manager was like a helicopter mom to all the girls at Babes.


    The sun was up when shedecided to start making breakfast. Harley was up less than ten minutester and his happy face fell the moment he saw sadness stered on his sister¡¯s face. Then, when she hadn¡¯t even had time to exin anything to Harley, Keegan joined them in the kitchen. He must¡¯ve felt the gloomy atmosphere when he asked if anything was wrong.


    ¡°Lexie?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sorry. It was work.¡± Lexie sent him a look, silently telling him that she was going to exin everythingter. Not in front of Harley. Keegan nodded and she focused her attention on her kid brother. ¡°Hey, kiddo, it was just work. I was a bit upset when work call, but then I realized that I can spend the day with you. We can watch cartoons all day! just like yesterday.¡± Lexie mustered up her cheerful side wanting to be anything but happy for the brother. Harley gave her his brave smile. It didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes, but she was taking all she could get. Lexie carried on making Harley¡¯s favorite grilled cheese and make the same for Keegan and herself though her appetite was long gone.


    When Harley was busy with his toys, Lexie drank her second cup of coffee. She knew that Keegan was waiting for her, and she had put off her exnation long enough.


    ¡°Jojo, the manager at Babes, the strip club where I worked, called me. She said that someone was looking for mest night. No one gave up anything, not even our chatty bartender, Ro. Jojo said that he sensed something off with the guy.¡±


    Lexie could see that Keegan was trying hard to be patient with her exnation and she ended everything when she finish off her version of Jojo¡¯s call.


    ¡°I will need to take a look at their CCTV footage, inside and outside the club. Can you schedule me as their security officer?¡±


    ¡°I can call Rockford and see what I can do.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you call him now, and put me on the line with him.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ okay,¡±


    When she got him on the line with Rockford, Lexie was fiddling with her hands. She was too nervous to even y with Harley. Lexie didn¡¯t want her brother to know that something was up and it was better that he was distracted by his ytime.


    ¡°Hey, everything is going to be okay. They got him on CCTV, but since we can¡¯t put a restriction order against him, you¡¯re the one that¡¯s going to stay put. I don¡¯t know how he found out about where you work, but I need to find out how. I need your contact for your fake ID. we need to get you a better one. It¡¯s the safest option for now. We need to end Lexie¡¯s and Harley¡¯s little adventure, effective today. No contact with anyone you know. Well, except Charlotte I guess.¡± He shrugged while Lexie was too stunned by his exnation.


    She sent Keegan the contact detail for her fake ID guy. And Keegan was already reaching into one of the kitchen drawers and pulled out what looked like a brand-new burner phone. ¡°I will need to screen your contact details. For now, you will have my number, Harley¡¯s watch phone, and Charlotte¡¯s. You can text or call her, telling her that you are safe but she is not to spread your number. She knows that you¡¯re staying with me¡­¡± Keegan kept giving her instructions and Lexie kept on listening. Her head was trying to process, she still couldn¡¯t believe that everything turned drastic in just a couple of days.


    Keegan left her just before lunch telling her that he was going to Babes and that he was meeting up with Rockford and Ro. He gave her specific instructions to not leave the house. He also told her that he had his men monitor the house. Apparently, Keegan was good at multitasking. ¡°You will be perfectly safe, but just in case, my phone will be on. So don¡¯t hesitate to call.¡± Keegan reached for her stray hair and tucked them back behind her ear before he pressed a kiss on her forehead. He left after a quick hug and a promise from Harley to take care of his sister.

 108. Planning

    It has been two days since thest time they went out. Keegan took them out to the park, they have revert their name to Mara and Cody until they decided on a new name for their new identity. Keegan said it was useless using their fake names since her stepdad had found out about her fake identities anyway. Keegan had pushed Mara¡¯s fake ID guy and had found out that it was him who gave out her name and helped her stepdad find Mara at her ce of work. The sleazy guy had identally recognized her dancing in the club when he visited Babes with a few of his friends a few months back.


    ¡°Mara, can we go out for dinner? I¡¯m bored.¡± Her half-brother, Cody, was getting antsy since theirst outing. It has been days since he yed with his friends. Mara knew perfectly well that her brother won¡¯t ask for more, he knew that they were in hiding and she hated that he had to be subjected in that manner.


    ¡°I will ask Keegan when he gets back, okay?¡±


    ¡°Can I call him? he said I can call anytime?¡±


    Mara realized that Cody was getting bored, she was at least d that he was being honest and not keeping things for himself. ¡°Of course, Keegan would want you to call, he said so, didn¡¯t he?¡±


    Cody smiled and he pressed the call button after finding his name on his watch-phone. Mara studied his expression as her precious brother called Keegan. The little boyughed when he said something back to him. Mara couldn¡¯t hear their exact conversation but she did hear that Keegan was setting a time and ce for tonight.


    Mara hadn¡¯t been working for almost a week and Cody was getting agitated though he knew of the dire situation, it still made him worry and Mara was not liking it. She didn¡¯t want him to be concerned. she wanted him to be happy. All the damn time. When they did go out for dinner that night, Cody kept on looking over his shoulder, although Keegan had assured him that he was perfectly safe. It was the small things, and Mara wish she could keep Cody away from the stress. Mara had asked Keegan and he said that he¡¯d help them get their new identities but he still hadn¡¯te through with his promise.


    Mara didn¡¯t like to think of being in the same city as her stepdad. She wanted out, though it felt like Keegan kept on holding them back with more promises. Though Mara enjoyed their intimacy, she was not fooling herself. She knew not to depend on others, especially not Keegan. She could still remember the feeling of being left by him and it was not pretty. Watching Cody getting close to Keegan was not ideal, she didn¡¯t like to imagine her little brother being hurt, it was only a question of when. They need to leave town.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°Do you remember your mother¡¯s side of the family?¡± Keegan asked when they were having their quiet time after she tucked Cody in for the night.


    ¡°Um, not really. I think I was five or six when I heard Mom talking about her parents with one of her friends. I couldn¡¯t remember ever seeing her friend before. And after that, Mom never really talked about it. Why?¡±


    ¡°Well, I think I found your grandparents and surprisingly they¡¯ve been looking for you and your mom.¡±


    The news shocked her, Mara didn¡¯t think that Keegan was going to dig into her past, let alone her mother¡¯s family. She wanted out of the city, not finding more trouble. She wasn¡¯t sure why her mom was keeping secrets, but Mara was sure that she had her reasons.


    ¡°Look, Keegan, I don¡¯t know where you¡¯re going with this, but what I do need is new IDs for me and Cody. I didn¡¯t ask you to dig up whatever horrible past my mom was hiding. Have you even found anything about my stepdad or where he¡¯s been hiding this whole time?¡± Mara was feeling defensive, she didn¡¯t want to open the can of worms, pandora box, or whatever people are calling in these days. She wanted Keegan to focus on her stepdad, if not, then she was going to take matters into her hand. Mara knew this was one of the reasons why she didn¡¯t want to depend on anyone, she was afraid that she had been wasting her time for thest couple of days. Mara didn¡¯t want to regret it but she did, and her chest tightened thinking that she had endangered her brother once again. She was tired. So fucking tired.


    ¡°Hey¡­¡± Keegan tried to get her attention, he was trying to exin what he meant by questioning her grandparents but Mara was not listening. She didn¡¯t want to.


    ¡°Damn it, Keegan, I just wanted everything to end. I¡¯m just so damn exhausted. I want my stepdad found, put him back in jail. I want Cody to use his real name, and not be afraid of his own shadow¡­¡± By this time she was breaking down, the back of her eyes was hot from her fierce emotional overload. ¡°I want to stay, I want my friends, I want Cody to have friends, and you¡¯re not making things better,¡± she eximed, frustrated with her situation. Sometimes she wished she would wake up from the long-time dream. Though she never did, and every time depression was creeping closer and closer. She didn¡¯t want to fall back into it, Cody was too young to understand back then. But he would surely understand now, and Mara didn¡¯t want to give a bad example.


    When Keegan decided to back off and leave her to ponder his question, Mara left him to go to sleep with her baby brother. Her mind was busy with scenarios as she ns. She was entertaining an idea, knowing it will be hard, but staying would be harder.


    When morning came, Keegan left before Charlotte arrived at Keegan¡¯s. It was going to be hard, but Mara was not seeing any progress with Keegan. This was why she invited Charlotte, the only person she ever considered her best friend.


    ¡°I still couldn¡¯t believe that Keegan haven¡¯t found him. But seriously Mara¡­ God, I¡¯m still getting used to calling you Mara and now you decide to flee town?¡±


    ¡°Ssh¡­ Cody doesn¡¯t know about this.¡±


    ¡°W-what?¡± Charlotte¡¯s face became puzzled as she waited for her best friend to exin.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ um, that¡¯s where you came in. I¡¯m tired, Charlotte,¡± Mara took her hand in hers and gazed back to the living room, making sure that Cody was still entranced by his cartoons. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t want to fall back into depression, cause I know it¡¯s going to happen. The drinking and smoking, I¡­ I need everything to be done, like yesterday. I get depressed, Charlotte, and it¡¯s eating me up from the inside when everyone kept on telling me to be patient.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ so what¡¯s next?¡± Charlotte squeezes her hand giving her best friend the encouragement she needed.


    ¡°I¡¯m going out of town. I¡¯m going to lure him out.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ Mara, you can¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°I can, and I will. It¡¯s my life, Charlotte, and I¡¯ve run out of patience. And I will need your help with Cody. I want him to stay with you. I know it¡¯s a bit too much¡­¡±


    ¡°No¡­ Mara, why don¡¯t both of you stay with me? Oh God, I¡¯m so stupid. I can¡¯t believe I haven¡¯t offered this. I¡¯m back from our honeymoon, you shouldn¡¯t be staying at Keegan¡¯s when you and Cody would be perfectlyfortable at our ce.¡±


    ¡°Charlotte, it won¡¯t solve the problem. I just need to do this on my own. It¡¯ll be faster. It¡¯s me he wants. I just need you to keep this quiet from Keegan and your husband. Look, I know my stepdad, he¡¯s a pretentious prick. He wouldn¡¯t be able to resist getting to me,¡±


    ¡°But¡­ but, you¡¯ll be in harm¡¯s way¡­¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t be for long. I¡¯ll get somewhere safe. Please¡­ I would never ask if I don¡¯t think I can do this. I¡¯ll call the police or Keegan when I know I got him on my tail.¡± Mara kept on pushing her, trying to convince her until Charlotte finally relent and nodded.In reality, Mara wanted nothing but to end the bastard. She wanted to make sure he won¡¯t trouble her brother in the future. Ever.


    ¡°I¡¯m giving you two days, then I¡¯m telling Seamus.¡±


    ¡°One week,¡±


    ¡°Three days, damn it¡­ Mara, I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m even agreeing to this. What do I tell your brother?¡±


    ¡°You worry about that to me?¡±


    ¡°How about Keegan?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle him.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like this n.¡±


    ¡°I know¡­ but I need you to trust me.¡± Mara knows that she was asking too much, but she just wants everything to end. Whatever the consequences, she knows that Cody would be safe with Charlotte and Seamus. That was all she could ask for.

 109. Deep Trouble

    It was almost ten when Keegan arrived home and Mara was waiting for him in the living room. Looking beautiful as always. He missed her all day, and seeing her lookingfortable on his sofa was a view he could really get used to.


    ¡°Cody¡¯s asleep?¡±


    ¡°Like a lump. He tried to wait for you though, but you took too long. Busy day?¡±


    It was a trick question, he knew, and Keegan was careful in answering just as he¡¯d done before.


    ¡°Busy, still trying to find your stepdad¡¯s whereabouts.¡± Keegan had some leads and he had knocked on doors and used his resources, but it was not something he was going to share with Mara, not yet. He didn¡¯t want to worry her when he knew that she was being patient enough with him.


    ¡°He¡¯s slippery, he probably go under different names if he had found me through my fake ID guy. How about the police, wasn¡¯t he let out on some kind of probation? there must be some trail, right?¡±


    Keegan sighed, knowing Mara was going to be persistent with her questions. It was not like she hadn¡¯t questioned it before. Keegan had to improvise every time because he was truly getting close, and he was working her situation from both angles. The first one was finding the stepdad and the second was to get close to her grandparents. Keegan wanted Mara and her brother to find their long-lost family and he wanted Mara not to worry about her future, financially. He couldn¡¯t bear to think all those years she was dancing at Babes and how all those sleazy bastards had been ogling her. He knew because he was one of them. Keegan would visit clubs to just get off. Everything was simple when money exchanged hands, with no strings attached. Working for Seamus hadn¡¯t exactly given him time for a rtionship.


    When he found out about her grandparents Keegan decided to give them a call telling them that he was a PI sent by Mara, their granddaughter. They were not the least excited to hear from Keegan, he thought with the kind of money that Mara¡¯s grandparents have, it was understandable that they¡¯d be weary. They must¡¯ve had people iming so. He didn¡¯t want to think about other people but in reality, it was what bad people do.


    ¡°I¡¯m working on it,¡± Keegan decided to give her the simple answer and distracted her with a kiss. She relented and let him position her on hisp.


    ¡°Mmm¡­ you need to work me with fewer clothes,¡± She winked at him and heughed, always loving when she gets cheeky with him. Since their first intimate session, there was no sign of her backing down and he was all for it. He loves sex, even more with the beautiful vixen on hisp and apparently, she does too.


    ¡°We should move this to my room,¡± He half grunted, picking her up while she wrapped her legs to his waist, holding on to him while he carried her towards the master bedroom. The kiss was getting more intense, and her hands circled tighter around his neck, pulling him down to deepen the kiss.


    Keegan closed and locked the bedroom door behind him before she utched herself from his body but kept on leaning towards him. Her hands were skillfully unbuttoning his shirt after she managed to loosen his tie and threw it down the floor, along with his suit jacket. Keegan had always dressed impably since he joined the Braddocks, Seamus¡¯s dad had practically instilled Keegan¡¯s mindset on work attire, telling him that first impression is what set them apart from the street tugs. He was sure that Braddock was in a different kind of business, far above street tugs, the moment Keegan came on a job then the older man put a bullet into hispetitor¡¯s head and ruined his thousands of dors worth of work suit.


    ¡°You are wearing too much clothes,¡± Mara said before kissing him back. She gave his broad chiseled chest an appreciative look before she continues to start unbuckling his belt and then unzipped his pants. Keegan¡¯s hands were not far behind when he easily took off her tank top and unsped her bra. He let out a content sigh when his hands slipped into the back of her sleep pants and caressed her ass under her matching panties.


    ¡°Thesecey underwear of yours is driving me crazy, I hope you know that.¡±Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    ¡°I do,¡± she winked then back to kissing him, pushing him against his bedroom wall making Keegan growl lowly.  He felt her hand reach into his boxer briefs and he let out a needy moan when she started stroking his length. His pants joined the rest of his clothes on his bedroom floor. And when she get down on her knees, she took thest piece of his clothing with her teeth making his dick spring into an eager salute.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± He hissed through his arousal when her lips wrapped around the tip of his cock before he watched as his length disappear into her mouth. His handsbed her strands and tugged her back when he needed a moment, not wanting to shoot his load too soon. ¡°Damn it, baby, you¡¯re going to wreck me for other women, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Mara replied with a wink and kept on bobbing her head enthusiastically, taking him deep into her throat while he let her suck his brain along with each gag that she made. ¡°Up,¡± Keegan practically demanded when he needed to be inside her sooner thanter. He pushed her front against the wall and ced her hands on each side of her head before spreading her thighs with his knees, roughly. Mara answered with a sexy mewl when he instructed her to stay still. ¡°I¡¯m going to buy you more panties,¡± he whispered sexily before he ripped her panties and let them fall to the floor. He bit the crook of her neck, licking and sucking carefully not to leave a mark while his hand slithered to her wet pussy and slipped between her folds. She moved her hips wanting more friction and he was giving into her demands, his fingers slid easily with her wetness while she moaned his name over and over again.


    ¡°Keegan¡­ I¡¯m close, baby,¡±


    ¡°Mmm¡­ not yet, hold it, I want you to tremble in my arms when youe.¡± His other hand circled her neck while he breathed in the scent of her favorite body wash. She gasped, instinctively closing her thighs only to have them spread wider by his knee again. ¡°Don¡¯t be naughty, I told you to stay still, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°Y-you¡­ you did,¡±


    ¡°Then, stay still,¡± he breathed and nipped her sensitive area just under her ear, making her shudder and he practically purred knowing he was getting the sexiest kind of reaction from her. When he left her to reach for a condom, she did stay still and he smirked when he saw how she bit her lip when she heard the crinkling sound of the condom wrapper before he sheathed his cock and positioned himself behind her and she let him pinched each of her nipples before he was back to licking and sucking her shoulder.


    ¡°Hands above your head,¡± he demanded when his hand moved to her hip, pushing her back as he eased between her legs and let her clench his cock with each thrust. His hand move to hold her slim waist and his other hand back to her neck. He continued moving in and out of her, deep and hard, while he felt the slight shudder of her legs and she was begging him toe. It was the sexiest thing he¡¯d ever heard.


    ¡°When I let youe,¡± his hand moves down from her neck to her nipple, twisting and tweaking it to her liking. ¡°I want you to be quiet, not even a whimper,¡± his hand move down from her other nipple to her gorgeous ass, squeezing them while she rewarded him with another moan. ¡°Not even a sexy moan,¡± He told her gruffly and he smiled wickedly when he saw goosebumps on her arms. ¡°Are you ready?¡± his hand move between her legs, teasing her pussy while he slows down his thrusts. ¡°Nod for me, baby,¡± and when she did he reminded her to be quiet once again while he picked up his pace and rubbed her with his finger giving the friction she craved for, along with his hard thrusts. They were making the most debauched sounds because of how wet she was getting. She was almost there, he could feel it, he studied her face, printing it into his memory when he finally told her to let go. ¡°Come, I want to see your legs tremble for me,¡±


    And she did. Her walls clenched his cock so hard that he came seconds after her. ¡°Fuck!¡± He cursed lowly while he filled the condom and stayed still while he listens to her heavy breathing. They both stayed still with him holding her from crumbling on her shaky legs.


    ¡°Damn, Mara, we haven¡¯t even reached the bed.¡± He slowly pulled out and turned her around toy a kiss on her sweet plump lips. She was still quiet when Mara gave him her satisfied smile, too boneless to move or even think, and replied to hisment.


    It was one hourter when Keegan¡¯s brain caught up and he learned that he was in deep trouble. The man was feeling all kinds of emotions as he hold her in his arm. He was watching her sleep, the peaceful expression she had made him aware of why he still couldn¡¯t shake his need to protect her. She was the one who he had left behind, regret was flowing in his mind like waves and he knew there was no turning back. He was going to protect her. He made himself a promise and he was going to do whatever was necessary to keep her safe.

 110. Left Behind

    ¡°What do you mean she¡¯s gone?¡± Keegan was half furious when he got home only to find a note from Mara, telling him that Cody was at Seamus and Charlotte¡¯s. In the note, she did thank him for his generosity in taking them in but in the end she was going to let her stepdad find her. Keegan had read the note, then read it, probably a dozen times before he checked the guest bedroom only to find that it was empty. Mara and Cody¡¯s belongings were all gone.Keegan looked at the tidy room and found that there was no indication of them having ever stayed there before.


    ¡°Exactly that, and no, I don¡¯t know where she is. She wouldn¡¯t tell me anything about her n only to say that she will let you know when it¡¯s time. Look, Keegan, now that you know¡­ why don¡¯t you do your best and find her?¡± Charlotte raised her perfect brow, silently judging him for not doing his job.


    Keegan grunted, while Seamus just shook his head, telling him silently that whatever he was going to say was going to be shared behind his wife. A dozen scenarios were crawling into his mind. Keegan had spent days going through her stepdad¡¯s footsteps and the man was nothing but tricky and devious. The man was smart and Keegan hade to know that he was eager to get to Cody because he was easier to control. Turns out that Mara¡¯s grandparents are loaded. They¡¯re old money, and her stepdad knew and was nning all along to milk money out of them. He hoped to live well for the rest of his life when he handed Cody. It was the breakthrough that Keegan finally got, he was about to tell Mara when she had gone missing. If only he was a little bit faster.


    ¡°Where is Cody?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s in his room, we got Marjorie to apany him. Mara had told him that she was going with you and he needed to stay here and wait for her.¡±


    ¡°So, I can¡¯t see him?¡±


    ¡°No, not without revealing that his sister had gone missing and looking for their dad all by herself. This was all Mara¡¯s idea. I told her that it was a bad one. But she wouldn¡¯t listen. I know that you¡¯d get it all sorted out in the end. I know you would, she just¡­ sped up the process. I guess.¡± Charlotte shrugged and Keegan wanted to shake her shoulder and told her that she most definitely not making things easier for him.


    ¡°Fuck. Fuck. Fuck,¡± He cursed when he realized that he was too fuckingte, and she might be in real trouble.


    Keegan stepped towards the foyer and Seamus followed behind him and led him out of the room. Out of his new wife¡¯s hearing distance. ¡°Keegan, you have our resources behind you. Use them. Clearly, Mara is Charlotte¡¯s best friend and she didn¡¯t want any harm to happen to her. We will be here, keeping Cody safe, at least she was thinking about her little brother. There is a reason why Mara is doing this, and you are going to find her by figuring it out.¡±


    The man took in Seamus¡¯s words, saying nothing back as he calmed himself. Keegan realized that he was not going to think straight when his blood was running on fumes. ¡°Okay, I need to disappear until I find her. I will meet up with the guys to¡­.¡±N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°Go, I¡¯ll take care of business until you¡¯re back. Let me know if you need anything else. You got this, Keegan. Just clear your head, you¡¯re getting too attached to your subject. You need to re-assess and look at everything from a different perspective.¡±


    Seamus was absolutely correct. His feelings were all over the ce. Keegan was worried about her, if only he spent all of those nights in front of hisputer instead of his bed with her under him, he would surely find the bastard already.


    Keegan listened and he nodded. He didn¡¯t have any words to say but to thank his boss and tell him that he was going to be back as soon as possible.


    When he was back at his ce, Keegan went straight to his home office. The first thing he did was fire up hisputer and start clicking on his keyboard. He cursed a couple of times until he finally had a location on her.


    The GPS on her phone was showing that she was near her previous rundown apartment. Keegan had tried calling her several times to get the precise location, but she was not answering and all of his text was unanswered.


    The next thing he tried was traffic cams, he took a big gulp of his energy drink before digging deeper into the web and started typing in codes. Keegan was tired, he needed rest, but he needed to pull through for Mara and Cody.


    It took him longer than the usual couple of minutes to finally get traffic cam feeds for the surrounding areas. His eyes squinted and he hunched down to see more clearly as he took another gulp from the can and cursed when he saw the thin older man instead of Mara.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Keegan was getting nervous, he should find her first, but now she was out there while he couldn¡¯t leave hisputer because the bastard was there too. He needed to keep an eye on him while trying to contact and warn her about him.


    Keegan did what he could and called one of his men to get to her side of town and be ready for his instruction. He didn¡¯t want to lose the old man. He needed to follow him, need to know where he was staying, and get to him before he got to Mara. Her idea of being a human bait did not settle in well with Keegan and she knew. Because it was exactly why she was doing it behind his back, because he was sure as hell won¡¯t agree to it the second she proposed the idea.


    ¡°Keegan, I¡¯m here. The man is staying at the roadside motel. I¡¯m on his tail. I got you, Seamus had cleared my schedule to be assigned to your stakeout.¡± It was Leonard that had been assigned by Seamus to shadow Keegan. And he was thankful that his boss would spare one of his best guys to help him out. Well, it was probably because Seamus didn¡¯t want to upset his new wife. He was making sure that everything runs smoothly as he was providing Keegan with the best resources avable. Manpower included.


    When the evening was nearing, Keegan was getting more nervous when he still couldn¡¯t find Mara. Her phone was showing the broader area since she hadn¡¯t used the thing and Keegan couldn¡¯t pinpoint her exact location.


    He was getting desperate when Leonard finally called, telling him that he was going to follow Mara¡¯s stepdad into the motelplex. Leonard was trying to find out the room number and possibly sneak in when the bastard decided to go out again. Leonard was a pro at breaking and entering, and of course, taking data, or in Mara¡¯s case finding out how the hell he was nning on getting to Mara.


    ¡°Oh shit!¡±


    ¡°What? What the fuck is happening, Leonard?¡± Keegan asked, his tone was heaving with worry and anticipation that he almost choked on his drink.


    ¡°Mara, she¡¯s in the same motel. She was subtly checking him out, she knew that he was near.¡± Leonard had been briefed about her and Keegan had sent pictures of her and Cody to his tablet. Deep down Keegan knew that Leonard was not making any mistake in identifying her.


    ¡°Fuck, I¡¯m on my way.¡± His fingers continued to type furiously on his keyboard, transferring all the data to his tablet before shutting it down and racing to his bedroom to get his guns before he was out the door.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m back. Tell me you still have eyes on both of them?¡± Keegan asked the second he put his phone on speaker and he was en-route to join Leonard.


    ¡°I do, but you need to hurry. I don¡¯t know what she¡¯s nning but I am not liking the situation. I need to get close in case something goes south.¡±


    ¡°Go, I¡¯ll find you. Just keep thems open.¡±


    ¡°Will do boss.¡±


    As soon as Keegan puts on his earpiece, he sighs when Leonard reports back that he was going to get closer to the target. From there Keegan Multitask by calling Mara again, hoping this time she answered his call.


    ¡°Holly sit!¡± he almost hit the car in front of him when Mara finally answered him.


    ¡°Keegan?¡±


    ¡°You are in big trouble, Mara,¡±

 111. Expect the unexpected

    ¡°B-big trouble?¡± Mara parroted from the other line. Okay, granted that she hadn¡¯t answered or replied to Keegan¡¯s many calls and texts, but she didn¡¯t want her focus to be sidetracked. Keegan would surely convince her to stay back and waited some more when he had enough.


    ¡°Yes, you ought to be proud of yourself that he has found you. He¡¯s in the same building as you.¡±


    ¡°He is?¡± Okay, now she sounded stupid for repeating his words. Mara had checked in the motel under her and Cody¡¯s aliases and she had been walking around town hoping to get noticed by her stepdad. It was an easy n and she had nothing to lose, not when she knows that Cody was in good hands. If anything should happen to her, her brother would be taken care of.


    He was young enough that he¡¯d forget about her when he reached adulthood. But when she heard Keegan¡¯s voice, she could hear his anger trickled with worry, yeah¡­ it was clear as day. Mara had recognized and could already have imagined his facial expression. She had lived with him long enough to understand him. Keegan has always been that obvious. Most of the time, anyways.


    ¡°Mara, did you even hear me? or are you just going to let me repeat myself?¡±


    She could hear his annoyance, but she was not going to apologize for her action. Instead, she kept quiet and let him speak.


    ¡°I have Leonard, he¡¯s on his way to your room. I¡¯m sending you his photo, do not open the door for anyone else. Then, I want you to go with him while I¡¯m following your stepdad, the bastard is still talking to the front desk guy.¡±


    ¡°But I¡­¡±


    ¡°Mara, I need you to let me do my job.¡±


    ¡°Okay. But you better get him, Keegan.¡±


    The man replied with a grunt. Keegan sounded angry and Mara knew that she was not going to get through to him. So she ended the call and let him handle the rest.


    Not long afterward, there was a knock on the door. Mara thought that it was Leonard. She checked through the peephole and the guy looked like Leonard in the picture that Keegan had sent.But when she utched and unlocked her door, her stepdad came out of nowhere and then shot the guy from the back. The man falls to the floor. She screamed but he silenced her by aiming a gun to her temple.


    ¡°Shut your stupid mouth, you little bitch. You¡¯re going to get us out of here, we¡¯re going to get your little brother and we¡¯re going on a road trip.¡±


    Mara was about to run. She was still in shock from watching him shoot Keegan¡¯s man. She was not going to let him near Cody, she¡¯d rather die. When she pushed away from him the moment she tried to run away, she realized that Leonard was still alive. He grabbed her evil stepdad, eagerly trying to push him down the stairs. There was a lot of cursing and yelling when they got outside the room. His handtched onto her wrist, while she was forcing herself to tug it free.


    Mara was finally able to pull away from him, but not before his gun fired and hit her in the arm. Mara didn¡¯t even feel the pain, maybe it was the adrenaline or the possibility that she was going to die without saying goodbye to her little brother. But when she saw the blood trailing down her forearm, she hissed from the pain. Her body slumped to the motel door while her eyes witnessed in horror how her stepdad fell down the stairs. On the bottom of the stairs, she could see his head was angled in a way that Mara knew he¡¯d break his neck from the fall and die.


    ¡°Mara!¡±


    It didn¡¯t take much for her to recognize his voice. There was distress in his tone, but the fact that her arm was throbbing from the pain made her head woozy. Luckily, Leonard was there and he grabbed her just before she fell and join the bastard at the bottom of the stairs.


    ¡°She got shot!¡± Leonard shouted beside her while Keegan quickly checked the body lying on the floor.


    ¡°You got shot too¡­¡± Mara interjected.


    ¡°I¡¯m wearing my vest, I¡¯ll be okay. It¡¯ll bruise like hell but I¡¯ll be fine.¡± Leonard said gently as he pressed on her upper arm with the small motel towel he grabbed earlier, trying to stop the bleeding.


    ¡°Ooo¡­ I think¡­ I think I should sit down, I¡¯m feeling a bit lightheaded.¡±


    ¡°Shit! you okay,¡± Keegan asked Mara, then he asked his friend, ¡°Leonard?¡±N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°My vest got knicked, I¡¯ll be fine. You should get her to the hospital. I¡¯ll take care of everything here. The front desk had probably called the cops, go¡­ I¡¯ll text you with the updates.¡±


    Mara was barely hearing the guys when her arm felt like it was going to fall off. Okay, it was an exaggeration, but she was hardly standing up when Leonard was practically holding her limped body. Mara was trying to stand though barely having the strength to do so.


    Keegan was at her side, he didn¡¯t waste any time when he hold her up while still putting pressure on her arm. He ushered her back to his car, but not before unbuckling his belt to strap it to the motel towel that Leonard used to stop the bleeding. Mara managed to get into Keegan¡¯s car and he helped with the seatbelt while she let out another painful grunt from the pain.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how you guys do this for a living. But this freaking hurt so bad!¡± Mara whimpered when he helped her out of his car the second they arrived at the Emergency bay of the nearest hospital.


    ¡°She was shot, lost blood, and felt queasy!¡± Keegan practically yell at the first female nurse that came to their side.


    ¡°Okay, sir, if you can help me get her settled over here¡­¡± she hurriedly led them inside, passing through several patients still waiting to be called. Then the older nurse shouted to another nurse, urging him to get the doctor while spilling more medical terms that they were not familiar with. All while leading both Keegan and Mara to a vacant bed. He helped her and stayed by her side, until Keegan was asked to leave, telling them that he needed to fill out some administration forms while she was being treated.


    Keegan had to lie, telling them that he was her fiance to make sure that he would be able to follow up on her condition. He should have gotten her to their usual doctor, but the hospital was closer and he could always have their doctor take over if there were going to be any problems, administration-wise.


    He would no doubt be talking to the cops because of the gunshot wound, it was not his first rodeo. Keegan had already called Seamus and got hiswyer toe to the hospital making sure that Keegan would not be taken away from her side. It was an arm wound, she should be okay, and he intended to be there for her when they move her to her recovery room.


    More than two hourster, after having a conversation with the cops along with Seamus¡¯swyer present, Keegan was finally taken to her recovery room. As Mara¡¯s fake fiance, Keegan had informed earlier to one of the nurses to let Charlotte into her room. Seamus¡¯s wife was there and she raised a questioning look, to which Keegan smirked in reply. He told her quietly that it was needed because she didn¡¯t have any close rtives. Charlotte nodded to his exnation and went on to go to Mara¡¯s recovery room.


    ¡°This was why I hesitated, I am not letting you go rogue in the future.¡± Keegan could hear Charlotte scold Mara for God knows how many times already. His beautiful lover looked guilty, or maybe she was still a bit high on the painkiller. Keegan decided to get closer, and when he does, he couldn¡¯t help to press a kiss on her forehead.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡±


    ¡°High as a kite. I didn¡¯t know that you¡¯re my fiance though and I think the nurses had had it with my pain tolerance and decided to let me enjoy the good stuff.¡± She grinned and Charlotteughed.


    ¡°Okay you guys, I can¡¯t leave Cody alone for too long. I only said that I was going out to get his ice cream, which I still need to get. I expected that you came up with an excuse for him, or tell him the truth¡­ whatever it is, he needs to know that everything is going to be okay.¡±


    Keegan put his hand on top of Mara¡¯s healthy hand, before convincing her that they would do exactly that. ¡°I will have our doctor expedite Mara¡¯s release for home care. Hopefully by tomorrow afternoon.¡±


    ¡°Good¡­ good, I will have her room ready,¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ they¡¯reing back to my ce.¡± Keegan quickly said while Mara stayed quiet, not trying to correct either him or Charlotte.


    ¡°Keegan, she just got shot. She will need assistance and you will need to deal with the aftermath. You should just stay with us too, Cody has been asking for you,¡±


    The man looked at Mara as if he was asking for her approval and when she nodded, he eventually shrugged and agreed, thinking it was the best solution at least for the time being. Charlotte was right, he needs to deal with Leonard and his other work that got pushed behind since he was busy with Mara¡¯s issue. Keegan also need to talk to his boss, who was still waiting for his reports.


    The day couldn¡¯t drag on longer, but at least he was content that Mara was safe and her issue with her stepdad was no more. Keegan wished everything was done, but there were still so many things that needed to be done.


    Tomorrow¡­ there¡¯s always tomorrow, he assured himself while he was back at Mara¡¯s side after Charlotte was on her way back to Seamus¡¯s with one of their guards.

 112. Options

    Mara felt pain coursing through her arm. She managed to open her eyes only to squint from the brightness of her hospital room. It took her a couple of seconds to get her bearings and reminded herself of where she was and why she was there.


    ¡°Hey, you¡¯re awake,¡± The heavy drawl of his voice made her turn to her side and immediately Mara was faced by Keegan.


    ¡°What time is it?¡± Mara tried to sit up and Keegan helped her when she winced from the pain.


    ¡°Nine in the morning. The nurse had your breakfast delivered, do you want to¡­¡±


    ¡°Ugh, I need to brush my teeth and I need to go pee. Can you get one of the nurses to help me?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you let me help you.¡± Keegan smiled at her. Last night Charlotte had Marjorie deliver Mara¡¯s toiletries and her change of clothes after Keegan told Seamus¡¯s wife that he was hoping that she would be discharged the next day.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    ¡°Come on, it¡¯s not like I haven¡¯t seen you naked before.¡± He grinned and watched how her face blushed from his words.


    A few minutester, Mara did let Keegan help her, but not without a few awkward moments from her side and how she then insisted that he closed the bathroom door as she does her morning business. ¡°I will call out for you once I¡¯m done, Keegan¡­ just¡­ just give me some privacy, okay?¡± Keegan kissed her temple telling her that he¡¯d be outside the door if she needed him.Mara bit her lip when she felt a throbbing pain as she identally moved her hand though she powered through and bit down her lip, trying to shove her pain to the back of her mind.


    Later that afternoon, they finally discharged her after Keegan had assisted her, and she signed all the necessary administration forms.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s best we tell Cody that I got hurt when you rescue me from his dad. I still don¡¯t know if it¡¯s best to tell him that the man had died, or¡­¡± Mara was worried that the new development was going to bring back Cody¡¯s nightmares. ¡°I think knowing that his dad died will bring him closure, but I have a feeling that I need to have him talk to a professional just to know his mental state¡­ Oh God, Keegan, I really don¡¯t want to mess up my baby brother. He¡¯s such a sweet child.¡±


    ¡°He is,¡± Keegan assured her, he put his hand on hers while not leaving his eyes on the busy traffic in front of them. The drive from the hospital will take about another half an hour and it was the half an hour that Mara could use to center her mindset. She wanted her little brother to see that she was getting better and that she will be alright, that they have nothing to worry about. Not in the near future.


    Mara didn¡¯t want to deal with what was going to happen next. She wanted to focus on Cody and she was going to take Charlotte¡¯s offer and stay with her and her husband until Mara was better, physically, mentally, and financially. The issue will need to be revisited when she was feeling better to weigh her avable options.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to stay with Charlotte.¡± She finally blurted out.


    ¡°Only until you¡¯re better, since I also need to catch up on my work and I will feel better leaving you knowing you will have someone to help you when I¡¯m not around.¡±


    ¡°Keegan¡­¡± Mara didn¡¯t want to owe him anymore. She knew they were intimate but she didn¡¯t want to be too dependent on him. She needed to be sure that she could handle her¡¯s and Cody¡¯s future should anything happen between them in the long run. It was a rational thought, and she needed her head to be on point and not to focus on her future with Keegan. He had left her once it had carved a very memorable impression in her mind and her heart.


    ¡°Mara, I need to do the right thing with you.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Her headache wasing back, and it was easier for her to end the conversation than to argue about what she thought about what he needed to do.


    ¡°Hey, are you feeling okay?¡±


    ¡°Headache,¡± Mara confessed.


    Keegan nodded and told her to sleep on it while he drive. ¡°Test back and sleep, it¡¯ll be a while with the heavy afternoon traffic.¡±


    When they finally arrived, Mara was tired and Cody¡¯s face was stered with worry when he saw Mara¡¯s arm wrapped in bandage and wearing a sling to lessen its movement.


    ¡°Hey, little man. How are you?¡± Keegan greeted after Cody hugged his sister. He became too quiet and Keegan wanted him to not dwell on his worry. A kid should not worry, he should be happy, like other kids his age. Like Keegan was when he was a kid.


    ¡°Is Mara okay? She doesn¡¯t look okay¡­¡± he half whispered when Marjorie greeted his sister, informing Mara that she had set up her room. Apparently, Charlotte had her stuff moved to another guest bedroom though still not far from Cody¡¯s. Charlotte came to greet them not long after Cody and she ushered them all to the living room where Marjorie had snacks and tea waiting for them.


    ¡°Your sister will be okay. She was hurt, but the doctor had sent her home, meaning that she¡¯s better and will recover soon enough.¡± His exnation had Cody smiling again. Then it wasn¡¯t long for the little guy to tell Keegan about his day and what he has been doing with Charlotte since Keegan was out with Mara.


    Seamus joined them almost an hourter when they were quietly enjoying their afternoon snack. He was quick to summon Keegan to his home office. He didn¡¯t want to part from Mara, at least not yet. But he knew that it was important for him to follow his boss. Keegan had been absent from his duties long enough, and he needs to dive back in, he owes his boss at least that.


    When Mara was alone with Cody, she told him that she loved her little brother and that everything was finally going to be okay. And that they won¡¯t be leaving town if Cody didn¡¯t want to. Then after dinner, Keegan left to do a job for Seamus while Marjorie helped Mara get Cody ready for bedtime.


    ¡°I want you to know that you¡¯re wee to stay here for as long as you want Mara. I mean it.¡± Charlotte said as they were talking over their chocte marshmallow drinks before bedtime.


    ¡°Thank you. I still don¡¯t know what I¡¯m going to decide and I need to see if I could get my old apartment back seeing we have no more threat on our lives. I would need to find new employment, I don¡¯t think is wise for me to stay at Babes. Cody will grow up and I rather not let him find out about my shady line of work.¡±


    ¡°So, nothing is going on between you and your fake fiance?¡± Charlotte goaded, smirking, as she took another sip of her drink.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to getfortable with Keegan, maybe he¡¯s changed or maybe he was just trying to fix his past mistake. Either way, I am not going to put my hopes up for him.¡± She shrugged and Charlotte didn¡¯t look convinced so Mara told her about her past and how Keegan had left her. It was about time that she finally told Charlotte about her past. She had opened her doors for Mara and Cody, the least that she could do was be honest with Charlotte.


    ¡°Well, in my opinion, you are doing the right thing.¡±


    Having known Charlotte for a while, Mara knew that she¡¯d be thest person to judge her. And Charlotte¡¯sst words told her so. There were no further questions, and Charlotte didn¡¯t scold her for wanting to get back to her previous drafty apartment. Though she still told Mara that she¡¯d always have a ce at her home whenever she needs one. ¡°Oh, and I¡¯ll dly babysit Cody for you when you found a new job. Marjorie loves your little brother and Seamus couldn¡¯t stop buying Cody toys and books. He alwayses home with something for Cody and I think it¡¯s the sweetest.¡±


    ¡°Well, I think he¡¯s ready for one of his own.¡± Mara teased and Charlotte flushed, already revealing her situation without saying a word.


    ¡°Oh. My. God¡­ you¡¯re pregnant aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°I am. I just took the test this morning. I¡¯m going to tell him once he gets back.¡±N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    And surprisingly at that exact moment, Seamus walked into the room and greeted both Charlotte and Mara. ¡°Eveningdies,¡± he greeted his young wife, kissing her on her temple. Then he greeted Mara telling her that Keegan was going to be a couple of hourste.


    ¡°Go¡­ tell your husband. We¡¯ll talk again in the morning.¡± Mara told her as she finished off her drink, got up, and ced her ss in the sink. Charlotte followed her, cing her ss in the sink before they parted. Mara went to Cody¡¯s room first, to check on him. He was sleeping peacefully and so she continued to her room before she rest on her bed.


    Sleep didn¡¯te easily for her, maybe because Mara slept too much while in the hospital. She swallowed her pain meds before going back to her bed, her eyes closed until she eventually drifted off to sleep. She dreamt of her future and Cody¡¯s, but most of all she dreamt that Keegan was there along with them.


    It was a beautiful dream, she did wish that maybe it could truly be her future one day.

 113. Loving you

    ¡°How long are we staying here?¡± Cody asked while his mouth was full of his favorite cereal. Marjorie was in front of the stove, making breakfast for the rest of us minding her task and trying to give us privacy.


    ¡°A couple of more weeks, or at least until I¡¯m better and get things sorted with our old ce.¡±N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°Oh¡­ I thought we were going back to Keegan¡¯s home.¡±


    Mara really didn¡¯t want to bother Cody with their future ns and she didn¡¯t like seeing the disappointment on his face. Honestly, she still hadn¡¯t figured out everything. Last night she was upte thinking about it. Well, part of her brain was trying to think while another was wondering why Keegan was not back. Or did hee back to his ce instead?


    Mara was still in the middle of thinking about it when the man himself joined them in the kitchen. He greeted Cody, tousling his hair and making her little brother giggle.


    ¡°How are you this morning, Cody? Sorry, I didn¡¯t see youst night. I had to workte.¡± He said then eyed Mara like he was going to say something but then Cody beamed and started babbling his morning away.


    ¡°I woke up starving! then Marjorie was ready with my cereal! But um¡­ I miss my friends.¡± Cody being like kids his age, easily moved to another topic before he looks at Mara and she puts her hand on his shoulder giving her brother an affectionate caress.


    ¡°I¡¯ll call your schoolter and see if we can fit you back into your previous ss. If I have time I¡¯ll call my friends and see if we can set up your usual ydate.¡± Mara exined and watched how Cody¡¯s smile grew wider from her ns alone.


    ¡°Thanks, Mara!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee!¡± sheughed and got up to nt her sickening sweet kiss on her brother¡¯s head. ¡°I love you,¡±


    ¡°I love you too!¡± then he was back on telling Keegan about what Seamus had bought him yesterday and how Charlotte get him the ice cream vor which in his words was ¡®out of this world¡¯.


    Marjorie had finished preparing breakfast when she ushered Cody to the living room for his morning cartoons before she was back to finish the rest of her morning errands. Mara was left alone with Keegan and it didn¡¯t take long for him to invade her personal space and cupped her cheek asking her about her arm.


    ¡°It¡¯s better, the pain meds help, and Marjorie assisted me with the bandage. As long as it¡¯s not moving, I barely feel pain.¡±


    ¡°Keep the sling secure then, so¡­ uh, you want to take a walk with me before I have to work?¡± Keegan finished his coffee and move to her side casually resting his hand on her waist.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Mara replied, instinctively she leaned to his chest and feel his warmth. She missed him. She let him hold her hand as he led her to the backyard. Seamus¡¯s house is big and has a beautiful garden where Keegan took her and they enjoyed the morning sun. The air was still cool and crisp and Mara was feeling a sort of bliss when he entwined his fingers with hers and his thumb rubbed her knuckles mindlessly.


    ¡°I want you to consider going back to my ce after your arm is healed.¡±


    ¡°Keegan¡­¡±


    ¡°No, Mara, listen to me, please,¡± She said nothing and the man continued. ¡°I care about you, and I want to take care of you. I think it¡¯s time for you to stop worrying about tomorrow, about Cody, and let me be there for both of you.¡±


    ¡°If this is your guilt talking¡­¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯m falling for you,¡± he blurted before he pressed a kiss on her lips. A light peck, perfect for his beautiful wonderful Mara. ¡°You were too young for me back then. My sweet innocent Mara. But no, this is not my guilt talking. Mara, tell me that you don¡¯t have feelings for me.¡± Keegan¡¯s eyes were on her when he moved to her front, taking her healthy hand and kissing it softly.


    ¡°I do, but¡­¡±


    ¡°Is there any chance that you might fall for me in the future?¡±


    Mara gazed at him, her heart squeezed with a familiar ache. She had fallen for him a long long time ago, and he had broken her heart once. ¡°I think the question that you should ask is if I might fall for you for the second time.¡± She finally replied. Her voice was soft, when she nced away, already feeling the burn in the back of her eyes.


    ¡°S-second time? you¡¯re saying¡­¡± his hand was on her jaw, lifting her gaze. He could see the pair of ssy eyes that were looking back at him.


    ¡°I loved you back then, back when you left and broke my heart. I don¡¯t know if I can do it for the second time and I¡¯m not your sweet innocent Mara anymore. I danced, stripped, and gave my body to strangers for money. You deserved better.¡± Her tears fell and he kissed them away. Keegan held her in his arms and her emotions flooded instantly. His hold on her was strong yet gentle at the same time, and when Mara¡¯s sob subsided he cradled her jaw and kissed her lips, longer and more intense.


    ¡°And now you just made me fall for you, Mara. I love you. I love every bit of you. You will and always be my sweet innocent Mara. I have every intention to care for you and Cody. I want you to go back with me when you¡¯re ready. I want to be there for you now if you let me.¡± She felt him kiss her forehead and wrapped her in his arms before he was back to fussing Mara about her arm.


    ¡°Let me get you back to your room, you should rest. Seamus is waiting for me. I need to work, but I¡¯lle and see youter tonight.¡± Keeganid another kiss on her head before taking her healthy hand back in his and they silently walk back to the house.


    The rest of the day was fairly boring for Mara. She took a quick nap, then spent time talking and ying with Cody. Charlotte talked to her and Mara told her about Keegan¡¯s offer for her to stay at his.


    ¡°He loves you, doesn¡¯t he?¡± Charlotte smiled at her and Mara smiled back telling her about their conversation and about her fears.


    ¡°Oh¡­ dear, but answer me this¡­ will you let your future self regret it if you don¡¯t try? I mean you loved him once, and I suspect that you still have feelings for him.¡±


    ¡°I do, Charlotte, but I don¡¯t know if I could¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, you know what they say¡­ the bigger the risk, the bigger the rewards, right? it¡¯s all or nothing. And I know Keegan is a very dependable guy, he wouldn¡¯t be Seamus¡¯s right-hand man if he wasn¡¯t. You know that right?¡± Charlotte sighed, but she gave Mara another hug before she needed to go with Seamus to her doctor¡¯s appointment.


    When night came and Cody was tucked away, sleeping, Mara was reading in bed. There was a knock at her bedroom door and she slowly got up and was surprised seeing Keegan holding a box of chocte and a single red rose. Instantly, her mind was taken back to all those years ago when Keegan would surprise her with a bar of chocte when they meet up.


    ¡°I have always wanted to give you flowers with those choctes. So here, sorry if it¡¯s years overdue.¡± Mara stepped back and let him into her room. He kissed her temple and then closed the door behind him.


    ¡°Thank you, so¡­ how was your day?¡± She took the single flower and smelled it, she smiled and took the big box of chocte and unwrapped the package before plucking one and biting into the little sweet delicacy.


    ¡°Oh.. maw gawd¡­ this is so gooood.¡± She said as she plopped down onto the bed and patted the space beside her before plucking another piece of chocte and put in his mouth.


    Mara had missed him and she had been thinking about him all day. Charlotte¡¯s words had been simmering making her wonder and finally decided to take the plunge. She kissed him, and let himy her down to the bed. Keegan ced the box of chocte by her nightstand and continue to devour her lips, careful not to touch her wounded arm.


    ¡°Keegan, I need you.¡±


    ¡°I need you too, I missed you so much.¡±


    ¡°Mmmh¡­ please, I need to touch you,¡± Mara begged when she realized that she couldn¡¯t unbutton his shirt with just one hand. And her cheeks were warming up when she basically told him that she needed him naked. Like Yesterday. ¡°Clothes¡­ off¡­ mine too,¡±


    Mara could feel the smile on his lips when he was peppering his kisses on her neck, shoulder, and down her vicle bones. His hands were quick to help her with her pajama buttons and her shorts joined the rest of their clothes in seconds. Their kisses became urgent along with their need to get close to each other.


    When Keegan¡¯s lips teased her nipples Mara was beyond horny for him. It hadn¡¯t been that long, but it felt like they were apart for years. Her legs instinctively open up for him and his cock slides and rubbed her wet pussy. They both moaned louder and he hurriedly struggled with the condom wrapper. His hands were suddenly too uncoordinated until he sexily tore the wrapper with his teeth.


    They both groaned when he pushed inside her, the friction was so good that she let out a needy moan telling him to go harder and faster. Keegan groaned, willing his load not to burst any time soon, because he was almost there. Their eyes connected and he pulled out before abruptly thrusting deep inside her and her legs move higher up to his shoulder, angling her to take his length deeper as he thrusts harder inside her.


    ¡°Keegan, so¡­ close, too damn¡­ close,¡±


    ¡°With me baby,e for me¡­¡± he leaned down and sucked the crook of her neck, while they pressed tight against each other. ¡°Now¡­ Mara,¡±


    She screamed his name in a breathless strangled voice when she climax. He followed with loud sexy moans when he emptied himself into the condom. Loads after load, until it was no more and he slumped on top of her.


    Mara never felt so rxed in another man¡¯s arms aside from Keegan. Her heart beats for him and she knew it. ¡°I love you, Keegan. I need you to take care of my heart because I know I can¡¯t keep it from falling for you.¡±


    ¡°I love you too and I¡¯ll take good care of you, both you and Cody.¡±

 114. Back at his

    It was one monthter when Mara finally moved back to Keegan¡¯s. They would¡¯ve done it sooner if not for the job that Keegan had to do for Seamus. He didn¡¯t want her to be alone at the house when he was out of the country. Her arm was getting better, but still, Keegan said that he felt unease leaving her alone with Cody. So they stayed longer at Seamus¡¯s.


    Cody was enrolled back to his school under his real name, giving a backstory that he was previously in danger and had to go under a false name. But kids being kids, Cody was epted in his social circle immediately. Mara¡¯s little brother was happy and enjoying his school time as if he had never taken the time off.


    Mara, with the help of Keegan, decided to tell the truth about his dad to Cody, but not reveal why the man had died. They both thought it was best for Cody to know as little as possible, though Keegan did get a copy of the ¡®official police report¡¯ of the incident that led to his dad¡¯s death should Cody asks when he¡¯s older.


    ¡°Hey, how are you doing?¡± Charlotte asked with a cheerful tone when Mara came back with her cup of coffee. She was meeting Charlotte, along with Bree, Dee, and Cassidy. While Mara was recovering, they have been meeting for coffee and lunches. Mara had shared her story with Bree, Dee, and Cassidy and the women have been extra kind to her. There was no judgment about her past only their support towards her future and Mara didn¡¯t think she could have found such better friends in them.


    ¡°Better, we¡¯re settling in at Keegan¡¯s, and as you predicted Cody was all cool with me sleeping in his room.¡± Maraughed softly and the women were giggling over her fuss weeks ago, thinking how Keegan insisted on their little room arrangement.


    ¡°That brother of yours is going to grow up into a very smart young man.¡± Bree grinned and was back to scrolling on her phone. Lately, she was worried about another employee of Babes that she was taking under her wing. Jojo had been texting her back and forth, and they have been discussing Ivy and her little girl Leia.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Mara replied before sipping her coffee.


    ¡°So, how is Keegan taking the news that you¡¯re going to start working at Babes again?¡± Cassidy asked telling Mara how Rowan had insisted that she quit working at Babes. ¡°Men are possessive, but we love them anyway, right?¡± she gave her signature cocky smile and they allughed.


    ¡°Um¡­ I haven¡¯t told him. I mean, I¡¯m sure he¡¯d be fine with it. I won¡¯t be dancing. I¡¯d be helping Jojo and probably Ro whenever he needed an extra pair of hands behind the bar. So, he shouldn¡¯t be having any issues with it. I needed money. So¡­¡± Mara shrugged and the girls nodded.


    ¡°Yeah, my man has beenining that he needed more bartenders. Since thest bartender resigned he had been juggling with training new guys, especially on weekends. At least I will have a friend to chat with when you¡¯re around. Ugh¡­ Ro had been deprived of recent gossip with his drink orders. He barely had time to chat on weekends.¡±


    ¡°Ro, gosh I can already imagine his hungry for gossip face. You know that you two are made for each other right? Cassidy giggled, making the rest of the womenugh. Their afternoon coffee time ended as it was time for Bree to pick up her little Hazle and Mara also need to get to Cody¡¯s school. Dee was off to Babes while Cassidy and Charlotte went back to their homes.


    When both Cody and Mara finished their dinner, Keegan was still not back from work. Her little brother hade to learn about the uncertainty of Keegan¡¯s working hours and he had stopped waiting for the guy when dinner time arrived.


    Then, when Keegan did get home Mara was usually in bed already. But because Mara remembered what Cassidy asked at their coffee meet, she decided to wait up. Mara was taking her rxing bubble bath after Cody was in bed. She was closing her eyes, taking in the calm while her mind was busy thinking how she was going to tell Keegan about going back to work at Babes.


    ¡°Hey,¡± His deep sexy voice greeted her before he kissed the top of her head. ¡°How¡¯s coffee with the girls?¡± Keegan asked while he started taking off his suit jacket, then put away his guns in the safety box on his side of the walk-in closet. Yes, Mara had learned that his job required him to carry guns. She had a vague idea of what kind of business Seamus Braddock was dealing and strangely she felt safe knowing that Keegan can make both her and her little brother safe.


    Mara was not ready to tell him about her afternoon, instead, she asks, ¡°Join me?¡± Mara stered on her sweetest smile and Keegan had no intention of saying no to her.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ you know you don¡¯t have to ask me. I know you like watching me take off my clothes.¡± He chuckled when he could see her cheeks pinked even in the dim lighting of his spacious bathroom. He smirked when he takes off his tie and unbutton his shirt. The rest of his clothes were thrown into theundry basket within moments and the man was naked, giving Mara an unobstructed view of his sculpted abs and muscles.


    She smiled happily when he join her in the bathtub, sitting behind her, with his legs to her sides. When he kissed her shoulder Mara let out a satisfied moan and snuggled to his naked chest while his hands embrace her from behind.


    ¡°I love you,¡± he whispered, kissing the top of her head.


    ¡°I love you too,¡± she whispered back. A month after their confession, they have been free to express their feelings, and the L word was thrown around a lot. Though they said it many times, they know that their feelings for each other were true.


    ¡°Keegan¡­¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to go back to work at Babes.¡±


    Silence.


    Keegan tensed but said nothing. Mara could already see his brain was trying to digest her little information dump.


    ¡°Keegan¡­¡± Mara utched herself from Keegan¡¯s embrace and turned around to face him. They were naked and the bubbles were barely covering her breasts. But she needed to look at his face for what she was about to say. Mara could feel the heat of her cheeks


    ¡°Why? Is it the money? why won¡¯t you take my money? I can pay for Cody¡¯s education.¡±


    ¡°Keegan, I¡¯m not going to dance anymore. I will be helping Jojo in the back office and probably help Ro whenever he needs a hand behind the bar.¡±


    ¡°I told you that I¡¯m going to take care of you? why won¡¯t you let me do that?¡± his tone was getting impatient and Mara was starting to get uneasy about the whole situation. Her mind was back to thinking if she had made a mistake by trying to work again and she had upset the man that she loves.


    She flinched when he put his hand on hers and he backed away at once. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, baby, I didn¡¯t mean to scare you. I love you, okay¡­ but you have to understand that Babes is not the kind of ce I want you to work at. Not that you needed to work, I told you that already.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ but I need to contribute to this household, Keegan. I can¡¯t just lounge around and do nothing all day.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying that you can¡¯t. I¡¯m simply stating that you should wait awhile, at least until you find a better ce of employment. In the meantime, you can spend more time with Cody and your friends. You have been working too hard before this, and you said yourself that with your previous job, you hadn¡¯t spent more time with your little brother.¡±


    The way that he exined it made more sense and Mara was starting to rx when he pulled her closer and tilted her face, pressing his lips on hers. ¡°Stay here,¡± he kissed, ¡°Take as much time as you need,¡± he deepened the kiss and Mara finally relent as she swooned and took all of his words when he positioned her to straddle him.


    ¡°Keegan¡­¡± she moaned his name when his cock stretched her insides. Her body melted to his front as their kisses were getting more intense.


    ¡°Fuck, you¡¯re so tight,¡±


    The friction was getting her high, she was rxed and needy at the same time while he couldn¡¯t get enough of her. The water sshed out of the tub until he tugged the plug, draining it, while he kept on thrusting from under her. Mara¡¯s back arched sensually and hetched his mouth to her nipple, lightly biting and sucking, making her clenched his cock tighter with every thrust.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°So close¡­ Keegan, harder,¡±


    The man groaned and he moved to her other nipple and she wrapped her hand around his neck, keeping his head pressed to her chest while her hips steadied by his grips. With each thrust, the bathroom was filled with heavy moans.


    When she finally let go, Mara leaned down to kiss him, drowning her moans of ecstasy with their slow sensuous kisses.


    He helped her up, rinsing before drying their bodies. Mara let him carry her to the bed and she forgot all about her work issues when her eyes were heavy and she was engulfed in his arms, under the fluffy cover, feeling all the love that he has for her.

 115. Fun Times

    It was his day off, Keegan had nned to surprise Mara¡¯s little brother. He wanted to pick him up, have lunch, then maybe go for an ice cream, or maybe even to the cinema since he saw a movie that he thinks Cody might like. But when he was about to book the movie tickets, there was an email from Mara¡¯s grandparents. Keegan gave the email a quick read and sighed when her grandparents did an investigation of their own towards Mara and Cody and they decided that they wanted to meet their grandchildren. Keegan knew that he was going to face a very emotional Mara, but he did not expect that she was going to be that confrontational.


    ¡°I told you already, Mara. Come on, baby, you gotta believe me¡­¡± Keegan pressed on when she uses him to have gone behind her back when he told her that her grandparents would like to meet her and Cody.


    ¡°Why, Keegan? I thought we were done with my family issues?¡± Mara sounded upset and Keegan felt bad, like really bad. But then again, he truly believed that he was doing it for her future. She deserves to know her grandparents, she may not realize it yet, but in the future, she might. Well, he hoped she would.


    ¡°Look, this was from when your stepdad was still alive when I was trying to find another solution instead of you running away to another town. I was just trying to help!¡± Keegan snapped, and he regretted it instantly.


    ¡°Fuck, so sorry, Mara, baby¡­¡± he tried to reach her hand but she stepped back. Keegan needed to remind himself that Mara was still jumpy every time he raised his voice in an argument. It was one of the things that he was still working on whenmunicating with her.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay¡­ I¡¯m just tired of all the problems. I just¡­¡±


    ¡°I know baby, I wish I can take away all your problems. I just want you to be happy. I want Cody to be a kid. Normal, happy, and have all the friends without being worried about having to leave town again.¡± Keegan exined before doing what he does best, he pulled her into his arms and let all her worries melt away. He wanted to take all her burden, he wanted to take care of her, and he wanted to be her protector. He loves her, he wanted her not to have to worry about a thing.


    ¡°Come on, we should go. It¡¯s time to pick up Cody.¡± Keegan said, kissing her cheek. Mara sighed and let him usher her to his car. Usually, Mara would pick Cody up from school and then go straight back to Keegan¡¯s, but whenever he was on his day off Mara knew that Keegan wanted to go with Mara to Cody¡¯s school.


    ¡°Keegan!!¡± the little guy practically called him out from across the yground, running with his backpack bouncing on his back.


    ¡°Hey there, I think that¡¯s the fastest one yet!¡± he grabbed Cody and hugged him as the little guy giggled in his arms.


    ¡°Can we go get ice cream?¡±


    ¡°Of course, lunch then Ice cream,¡± he took Cody¡¯s hand and Mara took his little backpack with her when they walked to the nearby diner and ice cream shop before they all settled in one of the booths.


    ¡°How¡¯s your day?¡± Mara asked when they were waiting for their orders.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Cody shrugged, looking a bit sad, Keegan noticed the contrasting change of behavior from seconds before.


    ¡°Cody¡­¡± Mara called him out. Keegan could see the silent understanding between the siblings. It was as if she told him quietly that she wanted Cody to tell her about what was bothering him.


    ¡°My shoes, it hurts. I can¡¯t run fast.¡± Cody hesitated when he looked at his sister, but then quickly rxed when she cupped his face before nting a kiss on his forehead.


    There was an intimate moment between the brother and sister. Keegan could already guess what the issue was all about. But, instead of taking things seriously, he decided to be dramatic and hoped to get a smile on Cody¡¯s face.


    ¡°Oh God, don¡¯t tell me your feet are growing?!¡± He eximedically and Cody started to giggle. Even the waiter paused and smiled at the three of them when she was back with their lunch orders.


    ¡°I¡¯m a growing kid, my teacher told me and my friends so. But, um¡­ it¡¯s okay, Mara, I can wait a little while longer,¡± He gave her his adorable smile, and before Mara could reply to her brother, Keegan cuts in.


    ¡°Well, you know your sister and I was going to take you to the mall after this.¡± He winked and Mara let out a small surprised gasp. ¡°I wanted to buy new socks, and maybe look for one of those fast-running shoes.¡±


    ¡°What? there¡¯s no such thing as fast running shoes.¡± Cody smartly said back in between his bite of chicken nuggets.


    ¡°Are you sure about that? maybe we should check it out for ourselves, then maybe we could all take it for a quick test run in the park. It¡¯s been years since I went for a run in the park. What do you say, Mara? Do you think you can beat my fast-running shoes?¡±


    ¡°Keegan,¡± she warned him softly but not replying to him. Keegan could see that Mara knew that it would upset Cody while she was trying to keep the afternoon enjoyable for her little brother.


    ¡°Shh¡­ don¡¯t say it just yet, why don¡¯t we finish our ice cream and head straight to the mall, then we can go for a run before dinner.¡±Keegan intentionally half whispered, loud enough for Cody and Mara to hear.


    Cody was practically jumping in his seat but then remembered to quickly finish his ice cream. Keegan could feel the stare from Mara, while he was pretending to look anywhere else but her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll pay for Cody¡¯s shoes,¡± Mara told Keegan when they stepped back as Cody let the sales assistant help him test his new sneakers. He watched her bit her lip when she saw Cody¡¯s bare feet as he was fitted into new thicker socks. There were small blisters here and there. Keegan could already see how Mara¡¯s heart breaks knowing Cody was too polite to tell her that he needed new shoes. Her eyes were ssy when Keegan put his hand around her shoulder, pulling her in for a kiss on the cheek. A politeforting gesture that she weed with a smile.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, I got discounts for this store and you and I are following through with my n.¡± He said when he ushered her to thedies¡¯ aisle while Cody followed beside them practically skipping in his new shoes. ¡°We¡¯re going to exercise, this can be another way you can spend more time with Cody, while you¡¯re taking some time off before you find a new job. Okay?¡± His smile was handsome and Keegan knew that she was not immune to it.


    Almost two hourster, after a quick stop to buy Cody a new backpack and matching lunch bag, they all headed to the local park a couple of blocks away from Keegan¡¯s ce. Cody was all bright with a huge grin on his face. The three of them were wearing their workout clothes and new running shoes, each holding their water bottle.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m going to be nice to you, Cody. I¡¯ll give you a few seconds¡¯ head start before I beat you with my fast-running shoes.¡±


    Cody giggled mischievously and he sprinted off before Keegan even gave him the go. Mara wasughing and following her brother¡¯s cue and Keegan was leftughing knowing that he had been yed by the siblings.


    ¡°Okay, you guys¡­ this sibling six sense is clearly banned in our next run! You guys cheat!¡± He yelled out,ughing, running after them at a slower pace, wanting Cody to win their race. It has been so long since Keegan was happy. Having both of them made him happy, they made him feel like he had a sense of purpose when he woke up in the morning.They made him want to have them both in his life, like forever.

 116. Insecurity

    Yesterday was a good day, Mara thought as she waited for Cody in the parking lot. It was still another ten more minutes before he was scheduled to go home. Cody was all ball of excitement the moment he woke up. He had never been so excited about school that he couldn¡¯t put on his new shoes and new backpack fast enough. Her little brother was even excited about the lunch she packed in his new lunch bag.


    It was not that she couldn¡¯t afford to buy him those, but things had gotten overwhelming with her stepdad that she had gotten used to spending the barest minimum on stuff aside from spending her ie on food, rent, and utilities. It was not until Cody mentioned it and she looked at Keegan that she could imagine what Keegan must think of her. It was weird since she never considered it before. Mara never cared what other people think about her buying second-hand stuff as long as she has the budget for it so she could spare more for when she needs to move away.


    ¡°Hey Cody, how¡¯s your day?¡± She grinned when he hugged her. His cheeks were pinked from happiness. Her heart sings delightfully seeing how delighted her brother was.


    ¡°Veryyyy good! I ran the fastest,¡± He giggled when he boasted that Keegan had gotten him the fast-running shoes.


    ¡°Come on, we need to get to the grocery store, I¡¯m cooking a thank you dinner for Keegan tonight.¡±


    ¡°What are you making? can we make a pie for dessert?¡±


    ¡°Only if you help,¡± She ruffled his hair when he nodded excitedly. ¡°Okay then, pie it is, you want blueberry?¡± Sheughed when he grinned and shouted his agreement.


    Once they were done with grocery shopping, Mara took Cody for lunch. While they were waiting, a guy came up to her and introduced himself as Brooks Langston. ¡°Do you mind if a interrupt you for a couple of minutes?¡±


    ¡°Well, we¡¯re actually about to have lunch. What is this about?¡± Mara was suspicious. She was about to say no to him when he mentioned that he was hired by their grandparents. But she sighed, knowing that Keegan had told her about them. At least she was in public, so she didn¡¯t feel threatened by his sudden appearance and Cody was busy with his lunch. She thought it was okay for him to take a moment of their time.


    ¡°I believe you have been informed about your grandparents¡¯ intention in connecting with both of you. Your mother was their only child, and they loved her dearly before she severed the bond between them. They lost contact and were made aware of both of you when Mr. KeeganByrne reached out to them.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Keegan had told me about them, but¡­¡± Mara paused when she saw Cody eyeing her. He was done with lunch and clearly wondered about the man who was sitting with them. ¡°Um, Mr. Langston, do you have a card? I will need to think about this. I¡¯ll call you once I¡¯m free. My brother and I would like to finish our lunch and get on with our day.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Brooks politely got up and gave her his card with his number on it. Mara waited until he left before she focused her attention back to Cody who was sitting quietly in his seat.


    ¡°Do we have to move again?¡± His question breaks her heart, his face fell and she put her hand on his little one and shook her head.


    ¡°No, Cody. I¡¯m sorry if the man scared you. But we¡¯re safe here. We have Keegan now, right?¡±


    ¡°But¡­ but he¡¯s not here right now.¡± He was on the verge of tears and she moved to his side of the booth and hugged him.


    ¡°Hey, we¡¯re safe, we¡¯re going home then cook dinner and you¡¯re going to help me with the pie. Okay? So, now¡­ why don¡¯t you call Keegan and told him toe home for dinner while I finish my lunch?¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    On their way back to Keegan¡¯s Mara did look several times through her rearview mirror. Though Brooks Langston¡¯s card looked legitimate enough, she still worries. She locked the door once they arrived and Keegan called almost immediately.


    ¡°Hey, how are you doing?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re good. We¡¯re home.¡± Mara smiled when she saw Cody was putting his new shoes carefully and taking his new backpack straight to his room.


    ¡°Cody told me about some guy talking with you while you¡¯re having lunch?¡± Keegan asked, his tone was careful and she couldn¡¯t help smiling thinking that he worry about them.


    ¡°His name is Brooks Langston, he imed to be the PI that my grandparents hired. He gave me his card when I asked.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m on my way home right now, I¡¯ll be there in about an hour.¡±


    ¡°Keegan, you don¡¯t have to leave early. We¡¯re okay. Safe. I activated the rm.¡±


    ¡°Good girl,¡± He praised and Mara preened from the two little words. She could already imagine the smirk on his face. ¡°Still, I¡¯m on my way. I¡¯m going to call the guy to stop harassing you.¡±


    They talked for a couple of more minutes before he ended the call and Mara felt a lot better knowing that he wasing home. She decided to start dinner after getting Cody settled in his little desk and letting him do his homework before Keeganes back.


    When dinner was in the oven and she was making the pie, Cody had made a mess on the kitchen counter, while helping her with the dessert. They wereughing when Keegan entered the house.


    ¡°Woah, what happened?¡± Keegan asked before he leaned in to ce a kiss on Mara¡¯s flour-covered cheek.


    ¡°Well, Cody happened.¡± She giggled while her little brother was washing his hands. She was holding him to get his hands clean under the running water over the sink.


    ¡°I help! Hey, Keegan, I made the best blueberry pie for our dinner.¡±


    ¡°Dessert, not dinner. The pie is for after dinner.¡± She told him and he pouted adorably. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go watch your movie with Keegan while I finish making dinner.¡±


    ¡°Come on, Cody, then you can tell me about your day.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right!¡± He brightened immediately and took Keegan¡¯s hand the second he was back on his two feet.


    After dinner and a very fulfilling dessert, Mara helped Cody with his bath before tucking him in for the night. And when he fell asleep she joined Keegan on the sofa. He was there with a chilled bottle of wine waiting for her. He poured a ss for her before patting the seat next to him where she sits and gets herselffortable.


    ¡°I called Langston and told him not toe and scare you again.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she said after drinking her wine. ¡°It was not that scary, we were in public, but still,¡± she shrugged and Keegan pressed a kiss on her forehead.


    ¡°I know, what do you say about having a driver?¡±


    ¡°Keegan, you don¡¯t have to,¡±


    ¡°This is not just for you, baby, it¡¯s for my peace of mind too. I felt better knowing one of my men is looking out for you.¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯m safe now.¡±


    ¡°Not to scare you, but your stepdad is not the only bad person out there.¡±


    ¡°I know, and I¡¯m being safe Keegan.¡± Mara tried to convince him, though she had to admit that the afternoon had left her a bit shaken.


    ¡°You know, I¡¯m very good at reading people, right?¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± she decided to tease instead of dwelling on the issue. Mara did want to forget about what happened that afternoon.


    ¡°If let¡¯s say¡­ ¡± Mara paused to finish her drink and set the ss aside. ¡°¡­ I let you assign one of your men to drive me around¡­¡± She moved to hisp and straddled him.


    ¡°I¡¯d be very happy.¡± He cut her words and groaned when she sensually moved her hip.


    ¡°So happy that you¡¯d take me to bed?¡±


    ¡°Mhmm¡­ I was thinking of taking a shower first, you wanna wash my back?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do yours if you do mine,¡± she lowered herself down and kissed his lips.


    Heughed and abruptly lifted her and carried her to the master bedroom then straight to the adjoining bathroom. It didn¡¯t take long before they got naked and his lips were to her neck. Licking and sucking while her hands were on his chest. Their backs were clean but still, they remained under the shower where she moaned his name and he groaned when her leg wrapped around his thigh and Mara rubbed needily to his throbbing cock.


    ¡°Baby, fuck¡­ you¡¯re so slick¡­¡±Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    ¡°I need you, now¡­¡± Her hands were on his shoulder, pulling him down for another hot sexy kiss until he pushed inside her and she moaned louder feeling his girth stretching her insides deliciously. ¡°Keegan, more¡­¡±


    ¡°Both legs¡­ on me,¡± He huffed and gasped when he thrust deeper the moment he lifted her and let her back touch the cool shower wall. Their kisses be hotter as his thrusts became faster and deeper. The friction was taking her higher and she wasing closer and closer to her climax.


    ¡°So close¡­ Keegan¡­ so¡­ so close¡­¡± She was about toe when he pulled out and set her on her feet. Her legs slightly trembled but she managed to stand seconds before she whined from the loss of his cock.


    ¡°I need to have you in bed.¡±He smirked knowingly.


    Mara looked at his eyes, there was something more than lust there. She let him wrap her in a towel and they both dry themselves before he started kissing her again, making her walk backward to the bed.


    She gasped when the back of her knee touched the end of the bed. Mara moaned when he pushed her back gently and spread her legs before kneeling andtching his lips between her legs.


    ¡°Keegan!¡± she cried his name and moaned when he sucked and licked her. Keegan was taking his time, over and over again, until he stopped as she was about to burst. He gave her a long tasty lick before moving up to her nipples and letting his hard cock rub her wet pussy. Her hands were on his hair, keeping him close while she parted wider to let him press t against her body.


    The friction was driving her mad and she was about toe when he was once again not letting her reach her high when he suddenly flipped her to her stomach. Her sexy behind was facing him and both of his hands nted firmly on her waist before roughly pulling her back to meet his groin.


    Keegan was inside her in seconds and she was once again stretched while enduring the sensual lovemaking until he finally told her to let go. ¡°Give me, my love¡­ let me catch you when you fall,¡± his sexy voice made her do exactly that and then she was on high, floating, as her body rxes once she reaches her orgasm and his name left her lips with a sexy shudder. At that exact moment, he fills her with his load, and pushes deep, making sure she milked him well.


    ¡°I love you,¡± he whispered before secondster she responded, telling him that she loves him too.

 117. Being friendly

    Last night they had sex and Mara was too horny to care when Keegan came inside her. Mara noticed it, but it was not her fertile date so she did not worry when she woke up the next morning. Keegan was still sipping his coffee when she greeted him in the kitchen after she was done helping Cody get ready for school.


    ¡°Morning, beautiful,¡±


    She blushed cutely when he watched her react to his words. Mara felt his hands wrapped around her waist when she circled the counter to prepare Cody¡¯s lunch. Her heart was thumping faster as he told her that he was going to miss her. Keegan was going on an out-of-state job for Seamus. Mara decided that she and Cody are going to stay at his when Keegan gave her the option to stay at his boss with Charlotte, not wanting Mara to get lonely.


    ¡°I won¡¯t get lonely, Cody won¡¯t let me,¡± she said yfully before continuing, telling Keegan that they have a get-together for a ydate at Bree¡¯s right after school. Cody was excited about that too and Mara was also looking forward to rxing with her friend while the kids y in the pool.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have in drive you and make sure you get to where you need. He¡¯ll be avable until I get back.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Mara decided that it was a good thing to have in when Keegan was not around. Though her stepdad was not an issue anymore, she still felt ufortable thinking that the PI guy might be watching her. Mara still didn¡¯t know what she was going to do with her grandparents.


    And as if Keegan can hear her thoughts he asked. ¡°So, have you considered what you¡¯re going to do with your grandparents?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ not yet, I think I¡¯ll discuss it with you again once you get back. If I do decide to meet him, I want you there with me.¡±


    Keegan smiled at her words and kissed her lips, right on time when Cody fake gag when he saw them kissing. They bothughed and Keegan ruffled his hair adoringly.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s your n for after dropping off Cody?¡±


    ¡°Meeting Charlotte for brunch, then as I said earlier ydate at Bree¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°So, a full day then,¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, I need to keep busy right? Being jobless and all¡­¡± She sighed before he leaned in and kissed her temple.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it, and it¡¯s temporary. You¡¯ll find a job. A better one with better working hours.¡±


    Mara nodded, though she wouldn¡¯t hope for much. She knew without a college degree her option was limited. She was hoping to work back at Babes assisting Jojo and Ro. Maybe when things settled between her and Keegan he woulde to his senses and see that working there is a good option.


    When she arrived at Silvio¡¯s, Charlotte was already there and her smile was so wide that Mara instantly caught on her happiness. Charlotte was one of her people. She felt close to her, though they weren¡¯t close back when they were working at Babes.


    ¡°Oh my God look at you, you look too damn smug and happy.¡± Mara settled in on the seat next to her and she was grinning from ear to ear. They paused when the waiter came to take their order.


    ¡°Yeah, Seamus got me a puppy! Ugh¡­ when you think he couldn¡¯t be more adorable. That man is spoiling me rotten.¡± Charlotte giggled before quickly opening her phone gallery and showing her pictures. It was the cutest golden retriever puppy. Charlotte was babbling that one of Seamus¡¯s friends was giving them for adoption and he thought of his wife immediately.


    ¡°Aww¡­ that¡¯s too cute, he¡¯s grooming you already.¡± Mara teased and Charlotte pped her arm yfully.


    ¡°Yeah well, maybe so, but I¡¯m notining. I¡¯m so not ready to have babies. I love kids, but I¡¯m too greedy for his attention.¡± Charlotte winked and that made herugh.


    ¡°Attention whore.¡±Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    ¡°That I am. I think all the girls at Babes are one. If not, we wouldn¡¯t be having so much fun on stage.¡±


    Maraughed, thinking they did have fun on stage. Aside from the money and the friendship, there was something about showing off on stage whether it was for a solo or a group dance. They all had fun moving their bodies to the music. Their skimpy outfit was another way for showing off, being the center of attention was truly fun and Mara did miss it.


    Their order came and they were busy taking bites of their meals in between their talk.


    ¡°Do you ever miss it?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I guess, but Seamus understands me too well when he surprised me with a dancing pole in one of the rooms, a few weeks after I moved in. So yeah, this attention whore is still givingp dances, although now I¡¯m giving them private ones, only for my husband.¡± She grinned before telling Mara she should surprise Keegan with her dance moves. ¡°Try it when he gets back, you won¡¯t need a pole. A simple sexyp dance should elevate your mood. I mean we love dancing and God knows how long it has been since yourst one¡­ ohhhh, we and the girls need to go out dancing, we should go to that club, yers, bring our guys or not. We can have a girls¡¯ night out. Oh my God, that will be so goodddd, the kids can have a sleepover at mine, Marjorie loves kids.¡±


    Mara thought about the idea, and Charlotte was right it has been too long since she danced with her friends. And Mara always loves spending time with her girls. ¡°Well, you know I¡¯m meeting Bree, Dee, and Cassidy. And the kids are going to have a ydate. Jade is bringing her son Chase, and Ivy is bringing Leia. Why don¡¯t youeter and we can discuss details and make ns?¡±


    ¡°Oh yes! This is what I¡¯m talking about!¡±Charlotte eximed and they bothughed.


    Mara drank her water before she started chewing on her greasy fries. The food was too good and thepany was making her forget about Keegan that was leaving for a three-day work, leaving her alone with just Cody. She knew she was going to miss him, but with her friends around she will feel less lonely for sure.


    Two hourster, Charlotte decided to stick by her side and went with her to pick up Cody from school before going straight to Bree¡¯s. in drove them there while Charlotte¡¯s driver went back to Seamus¡¯s. There was lots ofughtering from inside the house already, Chase and Leia were running, chasing Hazel who was giggling. Then they all stopped when they saw Cody. It took seconds before they were all running towards him and pulling him inside the house, then Hazel was yapping to her mom about pool time.


    ¡°Okay, kids!¡± Breemanded their attention and all the kids snapped their attention her way, including Cody. Mara couldn¡¯t help but smile at her other best friend when she heard her telling the children to go get changed into their bathing suits and warned them not to enter the pool until an adult is apanying them.


    Half an hourter, the kids were swimming in the shallow part of the pool while the adults gathered by the side of the pool, talking and sipping on Dee¡¯s mocktail. Snacks were abundant and some of the kids were snacking andughing, some were drinking their juice. When Dinner time arrived, the kids had showered and watched movies while eating their pizza.


    The adults were scattered around the dining area, and that was when Charlotte threw the idea of a girls¡¯ night out. Bree was excited, Cassidy too, and the rest followed with the same level of interest. They started talking about the dates, the when and where best to let the kids have their sleepover.


    It was almost nine when Jade and Ivy decided to go home, and the rest followed with the promise of following up with their ns. Mara dropped Charlotte back at Seamus¡¯s before in took her and Cody back to Keegan¡¯s. The man made sure everything was secure before leaving her and Cody until the next morning.


    Keegan called just before she went to bed. He asked about her day and they talked for an hour before ending the call with a promise that he will call again the next day. Mara smiled when she hugged Keegan¡¯s pillow. She inhaled his scent and rested her cheek before closing her eyes. She missed Keegan, but she did have a fun day where she and Cody managed to have a good time even without Keegan around.


    Two more days to go, Mara thought as she drifted off to sleep on top of Keegan¡¯s pillow.

 118. Grandparents

    It was the third day, and Mara was getting excited about weing Keegan back. She never thought she¡¯d miss someone this bad. But she did miss Keegan. No matter how she busied herself with her friends, hanging out, and talking about their ns, or how she spends time with Cody.


    Mara was at Charlotte¡¯s, spending the day while waiting for Cody to finish school. They were discussing their future night out when she received the call. It sounded like an older man, his voice was low and at the same time sounded gruff she was about to end the call when he told her not to.


    ¡°Please, I¡¯m sorry if I¡¯m invading your privacy, Mara, this is your grandfather. My name is Rueben Newton. I believe your mother is our daughter, Marce.¡±


    Mara was silent as if she was hypnotized by his voice alone. She had thought about what she would say when she got in touch with her grandparents. But she never did expect one of them to get in touch with her. Though their PI, Brooks Langston had found her and told her of their interest in meeting her and Cody.


    ¡°I am not even going to ask how you managed to get my mobile number.¡±


    The man chuckled telling her that she sounded just like their daughter. Really? He¡¯s going there? Mara thought as her insides brimming with spite.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know my mom. You don¡¯t know what she put me through. I don¡¯t even know why I¡¯m considering meeting you.¡± Mara might sound confrontational, but she hated the fact that her grandparents abandoned her, that they didn¡¯t try harder to help her mom, and that they decided to swoop in when everything was perfectly okay in her life.


    ¡°Mara, I know we should try harder. I couldn¡¯t even imagine what you¡¯ve been through.¡±


    ¡°Why now?¡±


    ¡°Honestly, we lost touch. She moved to another town with her first husband, and Marce demanded to be left alone. So¡­ we did, she threatened to leave the country if we kept on looking for her. Look, the truth is my wife and I regretted it and now, in our old age, we¡¯d like to straighten things out. If you let us¡­¡±


    Mara was once again silenced, her mom never talked about her parents. She never introduced her and Cody to any family members. Mara never knew why, she just assumed her mom didn¡¯t have any rtives.


    ¡°Give me time to think.¡± That was all Mara said before she ended the call.


    ¡°Everything okay?¡± Charlotte asked when she was done, Mara had forgotten that her best friend was there, listening in on her conversation. While Mara didn¡¯t mind, she hesitated in confiding her about her grandparents. Charlotte had helped her too much and this came from where she used to handle her problems. Mara was still getting used to people helping her with her situation.


    ¡°Um¡­ that was my grandfather, said his name was Reuben Newton. His PI approached me and Cody a couple of days back. He told me that our grandparents wanted to reconnect.¡± She sighed telling Charlotte that this was all Keegan¡¯s doing. ¡°We were invisible to them until Keegan reached out when I had issues with my stepdad.¡±


    ¡°Well, Keegan means well. So, why don¡¯t you want to reconnect?¡± Charlotte asked, looking genuinely wanting to help her.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like we have connected before. I don¡¯t even know why mom never mentioned her parents. I assumed they wanted nothing to do with her, so I never asked.¡± Mara rested back on her seat after drinking her coffee.


    ¡°I say you have nothing to lose in meeting them. Take Keegan with you. You don¡¯t have to take Cody for the initial meeting if you don¡¯t want him to know them before you can assess your situation.¡± Charlotte was making a good point. Mara told herself that she did intend to meet them at some stage with Keegan, but she wanted to think it through before making any kind of decision, and by not taking Cody, it was actually a very good solution.


    ¡°See, I can make good input. You really need to keep me around.¡± Charlotte teased, then asked about her and Keegan.


    ¡°Well, I miss him and I¡¯ve been thinking about a way to wee him tonight,¡± Mara said blushing and Charlotte gave her old co-worker a mischievous grin.


    ¡°I vote for a sexypdance. Do you have time for a quick lingerie shopping? I know just the perfect ce. I¡¯ll take my driver and you go with in soter you can go straight to pick up Cody at school.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to get me into trouble aren¡¯t you?¡±Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    ¡°What? No way! I¡¯m helping my bestie, well¡­ I¡¯m also going to make Seamus¡¯s most trusted man very happy.¡± Sheughed, already getting up from her seat and telling Mara that she was going to change real quick.


    Twenty minutester Mara and Charlotte arrived at the appointed shopping ce. She didn¡¯t know such a ce existed, though she was just d that the shop was located deeper in the shoppingplex and that in didn¡¯t see the provocative disy of lingerie. Being a stripper she was never shy about shopping for lingerie, but the ce was a whole other level. They have theme lingerie and Charlotte was looking like she was at home already when she was talking with a young woman. They were giggling before Mara heard Charlotte talking about the shipment of the yful lingerie collection that had just arrived.


    ¡°Come on,dies, let¡¯s get you to the back of the store where we have all the good stuff.¡± She grinned and Charlotte grabbed Mara¡¯s hand, practically tugging her to follow the salesdy.


    ¡°Oh¡­ my God, this is it. Seamus is going to ravish me in this naughty pirate costume.¡±


    ¡°Uh, really Charlotte? There¡¯s not much of a costume there.¡± Maraughed when she showed her the see-through lingerie with only a pirate hat that indicated that it was supposed to be a pirate costume. Well, there were also the sexy boots which Mara had to admit would look good on Charlotte¡¯s figure.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m getting this, and you Mara will be getting this,¡± Mara gasped when she saw the deep plum-coloredce that¡¯ll look perfect on her. ¡°You will look like the perfect gothic bride, look at the garters! Ugh¡­ Keegan is going to pull them off with his teeth.¡± She shuddered excitedly for her friend.


    ¡°Okay, you have too vivid imagination there, you need to dial it down or I¡¯ll be thinking of you when he does pulling them off with his teeth.¡±


    Charlotteughed and already picked up the perfect stripper heels to match the gothic lingerie. She also added the fis stockings before they moved to the other section of the store where the salesdy suggested them the scented body lotion to match their outfit.


    A two-hour trip to the beauty saloonter, both women left freshly primped. Their hair and nails were done, and both of them were perfectly waxed so their men could ravish them thoroughlyter.


    ¡°We need to meet up tomorrow to exchange notes,¡± Charlotte suggested with her most devilish smirk that made Maraugh.


    ¡°You are a very bad influence.¡± She told her off though Mara knew she was going to set that exact meet up and spend the day talking about their men.


    ¡°You love my influence and your man is going to adore you,¡± Charlotte winked before hugging her. They parted to their cars where Mara hid her purchase at the very end of the back seat, not wanting Cody to see them.


    *****


    It was ten and Cody had long fallen asleep. Keegan was in his home office finishing off his work before joining her in the master bedroom. Earlier, Keegan had kissed her the second he entered the house and Mara had kissed him back telling him that she missed him. The man spent time with Cody and they all had a nice takeout dinner from his favorite restaurant. When he retreated to his home office after his shower, Mara let him be and decided to put on her new lingerie. She had taken a quick shower before putting on her new scented body lotion, it smelled exotic and mysterious. She smiled thinking that she would not choose that lotion because she preferred sweet scents, though somehow the scent fits her perfectly for her gothic appearance.


    Mara put on very little makeup, a hint of ck eyeshadow, and a clear gloss on her lips. Then, she perfected the look by putting her hair up to elongate her slender neck. She put on the stripper heels when she was in front of Keegan¡¯s home office since Mara wanted the element of surprise.


    She was giddy when knocked on his office door. ¡°Keegan?¡± Mara asked the moment she opened the door, peeking inside his space.


    ¡°Yeah,e on in, I¡¯ll be finished in just a second.¡± He replied from his desk, his eyes still glued to hisptop, his hands typing away. From behind him, she smiled thinking that Keegan could be mistaken for an ountant workingte from his home office when no one saw the safety box above his head containing his handgun. The man had probably had several more guns secretly stored in other ces, though Mara tried not to think about them. She was distracted by looking at him,pletely forgetting about her attire when he let out an audible groan the second his eyes swept at her from head to toe.


    ¡°Damn, baby¡­¡±

 119. Ravished

    ¡°Are you trying to kill me?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Mara asked, but then she grinned coyly when she saw how hungry his eyes were as he took in her appearance. ¡°Oh, this new thing? Charlotte took me shopping today.¡± Her smile was borderline sultry that Keegan shut down hisptop. He was about to get up when she told him to stay.


    Mara had picked out a ylist earlier and she locked the door behind her before connecting her phone to the Bluetooth speaker in his office. When the beat starts to thump sexily, Keegan rests back in his seat. His lips were wide with his sexy smirk knowing what she was going to do.


    ¡°I missed you,¡± she stepped closer, her legs disyed perfectly with her new heels. Mara was swinging her hips seductively, swaying with the music while her hands caressed her sides and Keegan sighed as he parted his legs, weing her to perform for him.


    ¡°I missed you so much more, and you look so fucking sexy. I must thank Charlotte, she¡¯s a good influence on you.¡±


    Her sexyughter filled the room as the man groaned and slid his hand between his legs, stroking his growing erection.


    ¡°Mhmm¡­ no, Keegan, let me do it for you.¡± She stood between his legs and took his hands on the armrests of his office chair before leaning down and whispering lowly in his ear. ¡°I want you to sit back and rx, you work too much.¡± Mara ended her words and then nibbled on his ear before trailing lower to lick and suck his neck. All while her hands were on top of his and her hips swaying to the sexy beats.


    Abruptly, she pulled away only to turn around and give him the best view of her butt cheeks d with the plum-coloredce that was barely covering her ass. She bit her lip when she heard him let out his manly growl the second she lowered her hips and grind on his crotch. She had done this dance many times before at Babes, performing for strangers, but with Keegan, it felt much more arousing, more intimate.


    Performing for Keegan was not a job. She was giving her best moves, grinding and feeling his hard cock between her ass cheeks. Mara took things hotter when she reached his hands, taking them from the armrest and cing them on her stocking-covered thighs. She moaned when sheid his hand on her thighs and urged Keegan to spread them wide before taking them higher to her upper thighs.


    Mara felt Keegan¡¯s lips on her spine, his hot breath fanning on her back while her body rocked sensually above his groin. She was in tune with the music. She was breathing out his name when she felt him thrust upwards as if he couldn¡¯t wait to get inside her.


    ¡°You are too sexy, Mara, baby, I need to kiss you.¡±


    Following his words, Mara turned around, leaning down to let him get a better view of her breasts covered with the sheercy plum-colored bra.


    ¡°Fuck, you smell so¡­ so good.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the new body lotion, you like?¡±


    ¡°Damn yes,¡± he breathed at the valley of her breasts before delving closer to kiss her. The man groaned excruciatingly when her hands were back on his, taking them back to the armrests. She was taking the lead with him and Mara knew that it was taking all of him not to pull free and have his way with her. And because of that, she was feeling hornier than ever. To have a man as strong and as dangerous as Keegan stays pliant under her was so intoxicating that she knew she was getting wet just by dancing and writhing mere inches from him.


    ¡°I want to ride you,¡± her voice was throaty after spending longer than usual kissing his lips. The man hissed and she felt his cock twitch under her. ¡°I want to suck you, make you hard, ride your hard cock, and kiss your throat before I let myself indulge in your kiss.¡±


    Keegan growled louder while Mara stepped back and pulled down his pajama pants before tugging his t-shirt and throwing them on the little sofa by the bookshelf. Mara moved back and let her eyes roam his body before she stripped him naked and freed him of thest clothing on his body. His boxers joined the rest of his clothes and she sighed in delight when she looked at her boyfriend naked and hard waiting for her to get on her knees.


    And when she did, he moaned her name while she was busy sucking him off, the music was forgotten and she was bopping her head up and down his length. ¡°Fuck, Mara, get up here. I want to taste you.¡± He grunted before pulling her up. With her heels, she was at the perfect height to his mouth and he was quick to nt his hand on her ass cheeks before he pressed a kiss on her hip. ¡°You smell, so fucking delicious,¡±


    She moaned when his hand slipped between her thighs and his fingers dipped and covered with her wetness in seconds. Her eyes were on him when he pulled his fingers and tasted her arousal. She didn¡¯t have time to react before he moved hercy panties to the side and gave her a long sexy lick.


    ¡°Keegan!¡± She moaned louder and her hands were on his strands while he pushed his tongue deeper and sucked her off. His hands were both back to her ass cheeks, keeping her still while he ate her out. She was too horny to care when she let him take her leg to his shoulder. His strong hands hold her firm when his tongue goes even deeper and he keeps on sucking and licking while his lewd vocabry gets her even hotter with each stroke of his tongue.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    ¡°I love your bare pink cunt.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re so fucking delicious,¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t fucking get enough of this tight pussy.¡±


    ¡°I could suck you all day.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to make youe so fucking hard.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯m going to lick your slick.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯m going to get you wet all over again.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the best fucking meal I ever had.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so fucking hungry for you,¡±


    His tongue, his words, and his possessive hold made Marae without a warning and she spasmed while his tongue was still inside her. His hands grabbed her still and she slumped and let him hold her, sucking and licking her orgasm away until he positioned her to sit on hisp.


    He didn¡¯t give her time toe down when he pushed inside her after taking off her heels and tore away her panties in a very sexy way that made her inside clench. Keegan groaned feeling her walls tightening and he started to ravish her breast the second he managed to unsp hercy bra. Her back arched feeling his roughness, and she mewled when he kept on stroking her insides with his girth. Over and over again.


    ¡°Ride me, baby,¡± his hand was on her neck, his hold was possessive when he demanded before pulling her close for a deep sensual kiss.


    Mara rocked her hips to the music, she was still high on herst climax while struggling to give her boyfriend what he needed. But when he thrust from under her, Mara steadied herself by cing her hands on his shoulder. Her fingers gripped him tighter, and her nails sunk deeper while she was moving in sync with him.


    Moans and grunts filled the room until he kept her still and topped her from the bottom. ¡°Fuck, get up, my love,¡± he moved and positioned her to bend over his desk before slipping into her, pushing in and out, deeper and faster, until her legs tremble when she reaches her second climax. Mara cried out his name in ecstasy. Then, Keegan finally orgasms a couple of thrustster. He stayed and filled her while nothing but low and steady breathings were shared between them.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to send you for another shopping errand with Charlotte. You¡¯re going to take my card and make a dent with those sexy outfits and heels.¡± Keeganzily said when they finally moved to the bed and she was snuggling by his side, burrowing deeper under the cover.


    ¡°I think she will like that,¡± Mara replied sleepily. ¡°I missed you.¡± She added.


    ¡°I missed you too. Though I could get used to this kind of weing party.¡±


    She smiled and kissed his lips before resting back on his chest. Sleep came easily that night. Just like it would whenever Keegan was next to her.

 120. The meet

    ¡°I¡¯m really not sure about this,¡± Mara said the moment they left Cody at school, and they were going to head on to meet her grandparents.


    ¡°I know, baby and that¡¯s okay. I will be there with you.¡±


    The drive to the hotel where her grandparents were staying didn¡¯t take long. Mara was still nervous about the whole thing though Charlotte¡¯s words of assurance kepting back to her mind and Keegan was going to be with her.


    When they arrive in front of the presidential suite Keegan kisses Mara on her cheek, telling her that it¡¯s okay if she wants to change her mind.


    ¡°No¡­ no, we¡¯re here. I can do this.¡±


    Her smile was strained, but before he could say anything else the door opened and an older man greeted them. Her grandfather. Behind him was an older woman whom he introduced as her grandmother, Alma. She was teary, and his eyes were ssy when he was at his wife¡¯s side wrapping his hand around her shoulder.


    ¡°My dear Reuben, she looked just like our Marce.¡± The tears fell and Mara didn¡¯t know how to react, so she inched closer to Keegan.


    ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Newton, this is Mara Kingsley, and I am Keegan Byrne, her boyfriend.¡± He offered when he saw Mara was lost for words and they were still standing in the hallway.


    ¡°Oh my¡­ where are our manners, pleasee in.¡± Alma, her grandmother stepped back and let them into their suite.


    They have chosen to meet in the hotel room rather than a restaurant, not wanting their privacy to be interrupted by the waiter or other people.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t bring Cody with me. I hope you understand.¡± Maramented with a tight smile on her face. She knew that he could see that she was not feelingfortable. Mara knew that he was trying to understand the situation and just be there for her. Mara realized that she was not ready though she was feeling conflicted when she saw how her grandparents reacted to seeing her.


    ¡°Oh sweetheart, we¡¯re just d that you agreed to meet with us. Please¡­¡± She ushered both Mara and Keegan to the living area where there were tea and snacks already waiting for them. Her grandfather took a seat on the two-seaters and patted his side before her grandmother sat next to him. Mara and Keegan sat on the other two-seaters across theirs.


    ¡°So, how are you, Mara?¡± Her grandmother asked as if it weren¡¯t their first meet.


    ¡°Keegan told me that you knew everything about me and Cody.¡± Mara couldn¡¯t get the feeling out of her chest soon enough. They were in front of her, her grandparents. They were pretending everything was all good between them while Mara still hated the fact that they hadn¡¯te to her aide when she needed them the most. Years ago. Maybe if they did, her mom would still be alive.


    ¡°We did,¡± Her grandfather replied, he seemed to know where the conversation was going to go when he took his wife¡¯s hands and entwined them with his. It might look sweet if Mara had met them at another time, but not when she was there to confront them about her life.


    ¡°So, you know that I have to work as a stripper to put a roof over me and my brother¡¯s head and put food on the table?¡±


    ¡°Mara, we¡¯re very sorry¡­¡± Alma replied though it was quickly interrupted by her granddaughter.


    ¡°Why would you want to take me and my little brother back now, when you had all the time in the world before this? You could¡¯ve saved Mom.¡± She almost choked on her words and her hand reached out to Keegan instinctively.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t know about Marce. We had to stop hoping when she called us to stop looking for her.¡± Her grandmother replied. ¡°You have to believe us, Mara,¡± Tears were staining her cheeks and her husband was handing her a box of tissues, before resting his arm around her shoulder.


    ¡°Mara, you have every right to be upset¡­¡± her grandfather tried to exin though Mara already knew that she wouldn¡¯t give a shit. She didn¡¯t even want toe there in the first ce.


    ¡°UPSET? Me¡­ getting upset because my grandparents decided to want us many yearster? After everything I did to survive, after watching my mom struggle for her life? after finding your so-called precious daughter beaten to death by her husband and seeing my little brother sitting, crying, hugging her dead body?!¡±


    Alma was sobbing in her husband¡¯s arms and Keegan had to put his hand on Mara, telling her to take things slowly with her grandparents. ¡°Why don¡¯t we take a breather?¡±Keegan helped her to her feet ushered her to the windows and hugged her.


    Mara was too emotional, and she was letting it all out to the older couple who were practically strangers to her. She knew that it was wrong, her mom may have been wed but she didn¡¯t raise her to be that kind of woman. But then it was her mom that put her in such a situation in the first ce. Mara could feel Keegan¡¯s hand on her back, caressing her, trying to calm everything down. But she was not having it. She spent years worrying about her safety, even when her mom was still alive, the second she married her stepdad Mara knew she was in for a shitty ride.


    ¡°Mara, baby, we talked about this. Do you want to take a break? We can go back ande back another day.¡± Keegan asked softly, without looking at her grandparents. She knew he didn¡¯t give a damn about what they¡¯d say. Keegan was there for Mara. He knew that it was up to her whether she wanted them in their lives. Not the other way around.


    Keegan didn¡¯t stop her when she walked back to her grandparents and sat down. Keegan followed, taking his previous ce, and sitting next to her. ¡°Look, I¡¯m here to tell you that Cody and I are doing great and I don¡¯t see why we would want to connect with you. I love Keegan and so does Cody. We¡¯re a happy little family. Keegan will support us while I look for another job. In the meantime, I have spare time to spend with my brother.¡±


    ¡°We can get you a job, please¡­ let us do our part. Let us show you that we want to make this work. Give us a chance to mend what we did wrong with Marce, and also with both you and Cody.¡± It was her grandfather, Reuben that offered a better solution.


    It caught her attention, but still, she smirked as if she was challenging them to make things right between them. ¡°What job are you offering? I¡¯m sure you know I have no college degree since I run away from home with Cody.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    ¡°We are aware. We can also offer to pay for your college education. You can work while studying for a degree. We have no idea what your interests are but we can pay for that too. You can go to a college counselor and seek your options, polish your high school grades, and get into the university of your choosing. Anything, even if it means that you will have independence and won¡¯t need us in the future. Please, Mara¡­ let us help you.¡±


    ¡°What kind of work?¡± Mara asked again, still not sure if she wanted to go to college and divide her time between taking care of Cody.


    ¡°We have several offices and small businesses. You can work as an entry-level assistant, or at a managerial level at one of our restaurants. You will receive training and if you don¡¯t like it, you can quit and we can find something more to your liking.¡±


    ¡°Alright. You can give Keegan the details via his email and I¡¯ll look it up.¡± Mara got up and Keegan followed her to the door of the suite. ¡°This doesn¡¯t mean anything. I don¡¯t want you getting your hopes up.¡± Mara said, though her tone was already softening.


    They parted without any loving gesture, but Mara knew she could use their help. She might have been hurt by her grandparents, but she was not stupid. If they can help her go further in life and make things better for her and Cody then she was going to use the opportunity that she was given.


    ¡°It¡¯s still too early to pick up Cody. Where do you want to go?¡± Keegan asked once they were in his car


    ¡°Can we go home? I can use a cuddle. It was very draining back there.¡±


    ¡°Of course, you want to pick up some ice cream? We can watch a movie.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ sure, we¡¯ll watch a movie. No ice cream. I¡¯m feeling more like a ss of white wine to soothe my nerves.¡± She leaned in closer to kiss her boyfriend and deepened it, silently promising something more once they arrived back at his.


    ¡°Fuck, baby, we should visit your grandparents more.¡± He groaned when she cupped his cock, sensually kneading it to his liking.


    ¡°Well, get the car moving then.¡± She winked and calmly rested back in her seat like she didn¡¯t just tease her boyfriend and make him hard as a rock.

 121. Reality

    ¡°I¡¯ll open the wine, why don¡¯t you get yourselffortable in the bedroom.¡± Keegan offered as he opened the door for her.


    ¡°Wow, straight to the main course. I like it.¡± Mara pushed her boyfriend against the closed door before getting on her tippy toes, circling her arms around his neck, and pulling him down for a seductive kiss. Her lips traced down his neck before she took his hands to her ass, making him groan when he squeezed them until she moaned his name breathlessly.


    ¡°Bedroom,¡± He croaked and pped her ass. Mara yelped, feeling surprisingly giddy before strutting to the bedroom while taking off her pieces of clothing one by one.


    ¡°Forget about the wine!¡± Keegan heard her shout from the bedroom. The man groaned before he abandoned the unopened bottle of wine and followed his girlfriend to the bedroom, picking up her clothes and then putting them on top of the console beside the bedroom door.


    ¡°Thank you, Keegan. Please¡­e sit next to me. I need you, I¡¯m so horny. It was a very long drive from the hotel.¡±


    Keeganughed as he stripped himself naked before joining her on the bed. ¡°You¡¯re too cute when you¡¯re sex deprived. I like you like this.¡± He leaned in and flicked her nipple with his tongue. ¡°I think.¡± He sucked and licked the other nipple. ¡°I¡¯m still not sure.¡± He hummed, taking her legs and wrapped them around his waist. Keegan was pressing his erection to her wet pussy. Sensually grinding her without entering, he teased and kept on teasing until she let out little whimpers of frustration.


    ¡°Fuck¡­ you¡¯re so ready for me aren¡¯t you?¡± He licked her neck, straight up to her ear, nibbling on her earlobe while whispering dirty things to her.


    Mara moaned and bucked her hips. She whined when the friction was not enough to satisfy her hunger for sex. ¡°More,¡± She whimpered from under him.


    Keegan looked into her eyes as his hands braced the side of her head and his chest touched her soft perfect breasts and pebbled nipples. The man had her trapped under him, yet it was she who was making demands. He chuckled when her hands were on his ass and started pushing him down to meet her groin.


    ¡°You want my cock, baby? You¡¯re hungry for it aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Keegan, yes!¡±


    Keegan could see that she was getting a deeper shade of pink on her cheeks. He knows that it takes all of her to be so needy for sex and Keegan intends to reward her for it.


    ¡°How badly do you want it?¡± His lips formed a devilish smirk that melted her insides.


    ¡°So¡­ so bad!¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± His mouth catches her moans when he slips two fingers past her folds. She was wet, the smell of her arousal was so intoxicating that he decided to take her to the edge. Repeatedly. ¡°Let me y with you. Then, if you¡¯re a good girl I might just let you climax.¡± Keegan teased with a loud smack on her pussy.


    Mara cried out his name. Her toes curled but she nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll be your good girl. Please. I need my orgasm.¡± She shuddered when the tip of his fingers traced her nub.


    ¡°Ssh¡­ let me enjoy this. I want to take my time with you.¡± He kissed and licked her lips, promising nothing but naughty things to her. ¡°I want to run my tongue on your pink pussy. I want to taste you, drink you, and lick you dry.¡±


    Mara mewled under him. She was like a cat in heat. She was thirsty for his cock and she was getting agitated that he was taking his time with her. ¡°Keegan!¡± She cried his name again when he abruptly moved down between her legs and parted her thighs with both hands. He gripped her inner thighs firmly while she blushed beautifully as Keegan shamelessly opened her for him to feast on.


    Mara was drunk on lust and she hadn¡¯t even had her wine.


    ¡°Hands on your knees, keep them open for me, little vixen.¡± If Mara thought that Keegan was done feasting on her pink slit, she was damn wrong. Keegan pulled a pillow, lifted her waist, and slipped it under her. He was raising her hips, perfectly aligning her to his eager mouth. Keegan was done leaning down when he pulled her to the edge of the bed along with the pillow. Keegan kneels on the bedroom floor before getting back to pressing his lips on her sweet delectable desire. She was hot and needy, while Keegan was hungry and eager. His kisses meshed perfectly into her wet pussy, making her toes curls and her thighs parted wider. Mara was seconds away from climaxing when he pulled back.


    ¡°Not so fast. Do you still want to be my good girl?¡± He cooed after kissing her inner thighs.


    ¡°Y-yes¡­¡± Her legs trembled. She was on the edge, but she wanted to go the extra mile with him.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ lift your hips,¡± He instructed and she followed. Keegan pulled the pillow and threw it to the head of the bed. He then helped Mara turn her body, positioning her head to the edge of the bed. A couple of secondster, her mouth was aligned with Keegan¡¯s cock and she licked her lips instinctively making her boyfriend chuckle. He went on to caress her cheekbone gently with the back of his hand. Mara couldn¡¯t resist not to lean into his touch.


    ¡°Such a good girl, do you want to suck my cock?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ please.¡±


    Keegan lowered himself to kiss her lips, telling her that he loved her. ¡°And¡­ since you asked nicely,¡± he pressed his thumb to her lower lip, opening her mouth and pushing the tip of his dick in. ¡°Now lick it¡­ hmm¡­ so good, suck it. Damn, baby.¡± Keegan moaned her name. Thrusting in and out. Again and again. Deeper, then faster. Mara gagged and she was teary, yet¡­ she never looked more beautiful in his eyes.


    ¡°To the middle of the bed, head on the pillow.¡± He kissed her forehead softly and let her move and positioned herself for him. Keegan followed and took her legs to his shoulder, folding as she pliantly bent to his will. He pushed his tip into her and slowly slid inside her. His girth made her moan in ecstasy and his thrusts made her cry his name.


    ¡°Come for me, now¡­ baby,e for me, my good girl.¡± He whispered thrusting deep and hard making her climaxed seconds before him.


    ¡°Damn, Mara that¡¯s easily one of the best I¡¯ve had.¡± Hezily said, as his body rxed and his mind floated with euphoria.


    ¡°Yeah? Me too¡­¡± She enjoyed the few moments that his weight was on top of her before he removed himself from her body.


    Keegan helped her clean up before they were back in bed and he put his arm around her middle and spooned her from behind.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    ¡°So, you want to talk about your grandparents?¡± He easily opened up the conversation that Mara has been avoiding discussing.


    ¡°Not so much¡­ no. But I¡¯m not stupid. I might want you to help me take a look at their job offer. Can you screen them for me? At least I won¡¯t be dancing half-naked for strangers, right?¡± Mara tried to joke but he was notughing.


    ¡°Right,¡± Keegan replied, kissing her naked shoulder. ¡°How about college?¡±


    ¡°Not this year. I just got Cody settled in and I¡¯m still not sure what major I want to take. I think it might be better if I took a year before deciding on the major and browse through my options.¡± Keegan listened as she replied. He knew that she was smart. Though she was emotional, it was understandable. She acted really mature for someone her age.


    ¡°You are beautiful and smart. I think that¡¯s a very good decision for now and I will dly help look into the job offers from your grandparents.¡±


    They stayed cuddling and talking for another hour before they got up and got ready to pick up Cody from school.

 122. Decision

    It was three weeks into her new job as a restaurant junior manager in training. Mara¡¯s grandparents hade through with their promise and gave her a job at one of the trendiest restaurants in town. The pay was good and Mara didn¡¯t feel like she deserved it, though Keegan told her not to worry.


    ¡°It¡¯s their way of saying that they wanted you to seed. You can have savings on the side for rainy days, even for Cody¡¯s education fund. Think about it.¡±


    Mara leaned closer to her boyfriend. She didn¡¯t feel so good. It has been days that she felt nauseated and even threw up a couple of times. Keegan was there for her. He even offered to take her to the doctor, but she kept on telling him that it was a stomach bug.


    Mara knew something more was going on with her body. She thought she could handle it, but when it might be what she thought it was, she regretted the times when Keegan hade inside her. She was sure she had counted her ovtion days. She never missed them, it always came on time.


    ¡°I will.¡± She replied as she let himfort her in his arms. It was her day off and Cody was at school after Keegan dropped him off.


    ¡°What time will you be meeting the girls? Maybe you should cancel it if you¡¯re not feeling too good?¡± Keegan kissed the top of her head while his hand rested on her middle, keeping herfortably in his embrace.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be okay. It¡¯ll only be for a couple of hours then Charlotte will take me to pick up Cody before we go straight home.¡± She didn¡¯t tell Keegan that in between, Mara needed to buy a test pack and put her mind at ease. Maybe it was the stress of a new job, though she highly doubted it.


    When Keegan took her to their usual coffee meet-up ce, he kissed her goodbye and she kissed him back telling him that she loved him. It was true she did love him, while in the back of her mind, she did worry about his reaction if she was indeed pregnant.


    Will he leave her as he did many years ago? Will he use her of getting pregnant to stay at his and forever attach herself to him? The thought of waking up alone left a bitter taste deep in her gut and she was hurrying herself to the restroom the second she entered the coffee shop.


    Dee, Bree, Cassidy, and Charlotte had seen Mara and their eyes were on her when she dashed past their table.


    ¡°Hey, is everything okay? You look so pale?¡± Bree with her motherly instinct was the first to ask.


    ¡°I need to buy a test pack.¡± Mara blurted out to her best friends.


    ¡°Okay, is this good news?¡± Dee and her inquisitive mind asked as if she knew the answer already. And when Mara shook her head and her eyes were ssy with unshed tears, Charlotte put her hands on hers.


    ¡°Everything is going to be okay. You have us. Maybe it¡¯s just a pregnancy scare?¡± Cassidy tried to calm her down.


    Mara didn¡¯t answer her, instead, she went on babbling with her worries. ¡°What if he¡¯s not ready? He left me at sixteen when he¡¯s practically an adult at twenty-one. What makes you think he wouldn¡¯t run when he found out that he¡¯s going to be a dad?¡± Mara sobbed. ¡°Oh¡­ my God, I ruined everything haven¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°Hey, whatever it is, it won¡¯t happen without the man¡¯s involvement. Whether or not you¡¯re pregnant, I truly think that he loves you and has matured from all those years ago. He will need to face it. But he¡¯s very good with Cody. I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll work out in the end. It¡¯s not like he hated kids?¡± It was Charlotte who pointed out that he may know already since it takes two to make a baby.


    A baby.


    ¡°I just started working, and everything with me and my grandparents is getting better. They even met Cody a week ago. What if I was repeating my mom¡¯s cycle all over again?¡± She asked no one in particr in her close circle of friends.


    ¡°Mara, I think you should not get ahead of yourself. Maybe take the test first, then we can discuss how you want to proceed from there?¡± Bree patiently advised her again.


    ¡°How about we go somewhere private? Take the coffee to go, buy that test pack, and go to my ce?¡± Charlotte offered.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Is Seamus home? What if Keegan is there?¡± Mara asked as she wiped her tears away.


    ¡°Oh right, how about your ce?¡± Charlotte asked Cassidy and she nodded telling them that her ce was better and closer.


    When they arrived at Cassidy¡¯s, they had managed to buy three different brands of pregnancy tests and Mara was nervous as hell. But she managed to do the tests and let them sit on the bathroom sink. And when all the tests finally told her that she was pregnant, she threw up as her body felt cold.


    ¡°Mara, honey¡­ are you ready?¡± Mara heard Cassidy¡¯s voice from the other side of the door.


    ¡°One minute,¡± Mara flushed the toilet and rinsed the foul taste from her mouth on the sink.


    ¡°I¡¯m pregnant.¡± She held out the sticks to her friends and all of them came to her for a group hug.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to give him the good news and everything will end happily ever after,¡± Bree told her. She was a couple of years older than some of the girls but her positivity and wisdom now that she had found her man had made her the unofficial mom of the group.


    ¡°Bree¡¯s right, Keegan loves you. I am certain he will do the right thing.¡± Charlotte rubbed her shoulder soothingly.


    ¡°Come on, why don¡¯t we celebrate with some ice cream.¡± It was Cassidy¡¯s turn to convince Mara that everything was going to be perfectly fine. And Mara took a deep breath and followed her friends to the kitchen where Dee was already getting the bowls and spoons for them while she gossiped about her rtionship with Ro.


    Mara weed the change of conversation as she heard how Dee and Ro were trying out pegging and that got the girls giggling like school girls.


    ¡°Oh my God, I can¡¯t undo his image now! Thank you, Dee!¡± Bree giggled but wrapped her arm around her friend¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Well, I think any kind of new sexual kinks is good for rtionship growth. You¡¯ve been with Ro for many years now. It¡¯s good to keep the romance alive.¡± She winked and Dee smiled smugly at the other girls as if the Queen Bee herself.


    They continued to chat for another hour before Mara gathered the sticks, putting them back in the small paper bag they came with before slipping them inside her purse. Charlotte had her driver drive her and Mara to Cody¡¯s school before dropping her and her little brother back at Keegan¡¯s.


    Mara had been nervous all afternoon. She tried hard to keep her dinner down and thankfully managed to do so. She was also able to tuck Cody in after reading him a bedtime story. She thought she could handle it until she lost the strength and threw up her dinner as her mind kept on going back and forth to Keegan.


    It was just after eleven when Keegan¡¯s finally arrived at home. Cody was still sleeping peacefully while Mara was pacing back and forth in the bedroom. The small paper bag rests on the bed. Mara had just finished emptying her stomach¡¯s content once again when Keegan entered the bedroom.


    ¡°I¡¯m pregnant.¡± She blurted out when Mara saw her boyfriend. But instead of his upset expression that she had been imagining, she saw his smile grow wider and his face brighten.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to be the best mom.¡± He pulled her in for a kiss and she was d that she gurgled with a mouthwash after hertest puking session.


    ¡°Okay, now I need to do this the right way. Please, sit down.¡± Keegan ushered her to sit on the edge of the bed and he kneeled while Mara looked at him with thousands of unspoken questions on the tip of her tongue.


    ¡°Mara, I¡¯ve been carrying this around for weeks now.¡± Keegan pulled out a little ring box and her eyes were instantly teary.


    ¡°Mara, I love you. More than my own life. I¡¯d die for you and will do anything in my power to make you happy. I vow to never leave you behind, ever again. I will be there for you, for our baby, for our future children, and always for Cody too. We will be the happiest family if you will take me as your husband. Mara, will you marry me?¡±


    Mara was nodding, she was sobbing as her emotion was keeping her from uttering even a simple yes. But when Keegan slipped her a vintage diamond-crusted engagement ring. She loved it, it was the most beautiful ring she¡¯d ever seen.


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± she was finally able to reply. ¡°I¡¯ll marry you.¡± She pulled Keegan from the floor and put her arms around his body, hugging him, kissing him, wanting to just melt into him and live happily ever after.


    Mara was d that her friends were right because she couldn¡¯t handle it if it resulted the other way around.

 123. Future happiness

    When Mara told him that she was pregnant Keegan was finally relieved. He had suspected for a while and he was so close to forcing her to go to the doctor and get herself checked out. The man didn¡¯t want anything bad to happen to their baby.


    Their baby.


    Keegan still reyed her words over and over again in his mind as she told him that she was pregnant. He saw the paper bag on their bed. Yes. Their bed. He had printed the words in his mind since the first time they had sex. He knew she was the one. He knew from the first moment he met Mara in her teenage years that she was the forbidden fruit but still wanted her anyway.


    Those years he had to restrain himself, telling himself that she was way too young for him. But when fate decided them to meet again, Keegan was not letting her go. Ever.


    He was wary when she dismissed the barrier between them. He didn¡¯t want to think about it when she realized that he might impregnate her because he was selfish. He wanted her to be his. He wanted his baby in her belly. He wanted everything with her. Though Keegan had doubted himself thest couple of weeks, dreading what she¡¯d do when she finally learned out about her pregnancy.


    Keegan¡¯s pocket had been burning with the Mara¡¯s engagement ring. He had bought it, knowing that it was perfect for Mara. His future partner in life, the one he had chosen to spend the rest of his life with. To grow old and bear his child and maybe future children. He would treat her right. His love for her was endless. He felt sappy, but that was just the way it was.


    Keegan watched her sleeping peacefully on the pillow next to his. Her naked backside was creamy and soft. Mara didn¡¯t realize that she was glowing with her pregnancy now that she had epted it.


    A few days after she told him, they went to the doctor¡¯s office where Keegan had made an appointment for her. They checked her blood work and confirmed her pregnancy. They were told toe back in the next few weeks for their first ultrasound.


    ¡°They don¡¯t have to know¡­ at least not yet. It¡¯s up to you. We haven¡¯t even told Cody.¡± Keegan tucked her stray hair to the back of her ear.


    ¡°This is good news, right? I¡¯ve known them for over a month now. Cody had gotten closer to Alma and Reuben, and he had spent a couple of afternoons with them. My brother had never been spoiled so much in his life.¡±


    It was one of those afternoon. They were to pick up Cody from Alma and Reuben¡¯s. Yes, the older couple had even bought a house and moved into town to spend more time with their grandchildren.


    ¡°It is good news. I love you and trust that you will make the best decision. You know I will always support you.¡± Keegan kissed her lips softly as he felt her rxing in his hold.


    ¡°Thank you, Keegan, and yes, I want to tell them. I want them to know that I want them in my life. They¡¯re nice people. I think the strain between them and Mom had made them take a different perspective on life. And¡­ I want our baby to grow up around a loving family.¡± There was a somber feel in her words that Keegan recognized.


    ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s get dressed and buy some ice cream and pizza for Cody. Might as well stay for dinner, I¡¯m sure we can stay longer and celebrate with your grandparents. I know they kept on noticing your ring but have been too hesitant to ask. Let¡¯s make the announcement.¡± Keegan took her hand and kissed her knuckles, pressing his lips on her ring finger.¡±


    ¡°I love you.¡± Mara¡¯s heart bloomed with affection and shetched onto her boyfriend. She was not ready to let himself go as she pulled him closer for a deeper, more passionate kiss.


    It was less than two hourster when they finally arrived at Mara¡¯s grandparents.


    ¡°Alma, Reuben¡­ Cody, we have some good news to announce.¡± Mara said after they all sat down and pizzas were on the table while the ice cream was chilling in the freezer.


    ¡°I knew there was something going on with these many pizzas!¡± Cody grinned, his eyes darted back and forth from all the pizza with various toppings on them. Keegan had ordered them from Cody¡¯s favorite ce. He picked out threerge pizzas with several different toppings on them, including all cheese and pepperoni that Cody liked so much. Mara was thankful to have a fiance who really cared about his brother.


    ¡°Look grandma, grandpa! there are the cheesy ones! And Keegan bought them from Silvio¡¯s! Thank you, Keegan!¡±


    It was adorable how Cody had easily called his grandparents¡¯ grandma and grandpa while Mara still struggled and called them by their names. They didn¡¯t mind though and Mara knew Keegan was thankful for them for not pushing everything on Mara.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee kiddo. And Mara is the one who picks out your ice cream. But will get to that after dinner okay?¡± He chuckled before ruffling Cody¡¯s hair adoringly.


    ¡°And what about the great news?¡± Her grandmother asked, putting her hand on top of her husband as if she couldn¡¯t contain her happiness.


    ¡°Well, first of all, I¡¯m pregnant. And second, Keegan had asked me to marry him.¡± Mara held out her hand, showing her grandma and grandpa her ring finger while her other hand was to Keegan like she needed him to be her support. So he did, he kept himself quiet as he watched her grandparents¡¯ expressions. He rxed secondster when he saw nothing but happiness because Mara knew that Keegan had shared his worry when Mara told him that she was nervous about telling her grandparents


    ¡°I¡¯m going to be an uncle?¡±


    ¡°Yes, a very young uncle!¡± Alma half-shouted from her excitement when she got up and kissed Cody before going towards Mara and hugged her. Reuben followed behind his wife and congratted the couple.


    ¡°You¡¯re young to start a family. But we will support you, we will help in any way we can.¡± Her grandpa hugged her one more time before shaking Keegan¡¯s hand while her grandma was already talking about the wedding.


    ¡°Grandma, grandpa¡­ thank you, but we haven¡¯t discussed the wedding. Though I think I¡¯d prefer an intimate dinner of friends and family.¡± Mara said, and Alma finally got teary when she called them grandma and grandpa just like Cody had.


    Mara could see that Keegan was busy talking to Cody about how to be an uncle. He was clearly giving Mara a moment to talk to her grandparents about the baby and their future marriage.


    ¡°I still want to work, will that be okay? At least until I¡¯m too big to walk?¡± She smiled nervously while waiting for their answer.


    ¡°It¡¯s our restaurant, I will be pleased to know that you want to keep helping me to run the ce. Just remember not to force yourself. I¡¯ve heard great things in just the short time you started working there. The position will always be there for you, you can pause and take a break and start whenever you want.¡± Reuben said rubbing her shoulder gently.


    They went back to their seats and started feasting on dinner. Alma asked about the gender of the baby and the ultrasound. Her grandmother was back to teary again when Mara invited her grandparents toe with her to one of her doctor¡¯s appointments.


    Overall, dinner went great and Cody was so excited to be a young uncle that he went straight to sleep the second they arrived back at Keegan¡¯s, and his head touched his pillow.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°Thank you, Keegan. I¡¯ve never known I could be this happy and everything turned out the way it is now.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee, and I love you more. It should be me who thank you for taking me back after leaving you all those years ago.¡± He took her hand and put them on his naked chest. They were in bed, ready to end their perfect day. Though Mara knew that he was going to make it even more perfect by showing her just how much he loved her.


    This was it, she was living the dreams all those years ago where Keegan cherished her and loved her with all of his feelings. Mara swooned. She was beyond happy. She has Keegan¡¯s love and their baby in her belly. Cody was tucked in, safe in his bed. She even has her grandparents who supported her and took their time mending their rtionship. Mara was even more thankful that she had her friend from Babes who had her back and was there for her when she needed them.


    This was her happiness. She was living her dreamy future and couldn¡¯t ask for more.

 124. Desperation

    When all of her closest friends were happy in love, having babies, and getting married, Dee felt like her life was at a standstill.


    Sure she had Ro and she couldn¡¯t ask for a better partner. They loved each other for years, but when Ro proposed to add a threesome to their sex life she started questioning herself. Was she not enough for him?


    ¡°You know that I¡¯m bisexual from the first time we decided to be exclusive,¡± Ro said defensively.


    ¡°Exactly, we¡¯re exclusive! That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying. Why do you want to bring a third in our rtionship?¡±


    Ro shuddered under her when she rubbed her strap-on dildo between his butt cheeks. The lust in his eyes was obvious as Dee was ready to top him, he had asked for this and she had given him what he needed. She loved her boyfriend, they had been together not long after she started working at Babes. That was more than six years ago.


    ¡°I just¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡± He pulled her down and kissed her. His legs wrapped her waist pulling her t to his body. Dee gave in, just like she always does.


    Ro, her boyfriend is a big softie. He¡¯s tall and built with meaty pecs which she likes. He¡¯s the perfect ratio of muscle and fat which makes it perfect for cuddling. However,tely, Ro has been craving for a dick. It was not something that they hadn¡¯t included in their y. They had yed with dildos and vibrators. The man likes ass y and she has amodated him in that matter. But when he asked for a strap-on, in the back of Dee¡¯s mind, she knew that one day he¡¯d ask for more.


    Ro loved sex, this was also the reason they matched perfectly. Dee lives for sex, it was why she worked at Babes. She liked how men looked at her breasts as she unted her body, showing off her voluptuous figure as she danced.


    ¡°On your hands and knees,¡± Dee told him. ¡°I¡¯m going to fuck and you¡¯re going to take it.¡± Dee yed along when in reality she couldn¡¯t look at him, fearing he might see the truth in her eyes. Dee¡¯s heart was pounding so hard, her chest hurt but all she wanted was to please her man. She loved the guy and if Ro wanted to be fucked hard, then she was going to give it to him.


    She kissed his nape and then down to his spine. Her fingers were busy with the lube, making sure that he was nice and ready for her. His sweet needy whimper made her heart sing, and when she pushed the strap-on inside him her breast pressed against his muscled back. Her other hand wrapped his dick and started jerking him off.


    ¡°You like me inside you?¡± She asked with a raspy voice.


    ¡°Y-yes¡­ fuck yes, Denise, more¡­¡± he whined and Dee pushed deeper. She felt his dick throbbed and leaking precum. She must¡¯ve hit his happy spot because Ro whimpered, practically begging for more.


    The man purred like a cat in heat as he arched his back, pushed his ass back to meet her thrusts. Each time harder and needier. With a few more thrusts Dee made his boyfriend climax so hard that he slumped to their bed.


    ¡°Sleep, my handsome stud. I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    ¡°But you haven¡¯t¡­¡±Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Ssh, it¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll finish myself. I have my toys.¡± Dee winked at him, lying, knowing he¡¯d be out like a light when she got back from their ensuite.


    Dee cleaned her strap-on and ced it back in their toy drawer. That night she didn¡¯t have the will to finish herself. It was one of many she had been experiencing in the past month. Their sex life has been ups and downs, not in the sexy kind of way. At least for Dee.


    Hourster, when it was time for work, Ro left separately saying he had to do inventory before his shift. What she didn¡¯t expect was to see Ro flirting with Rockford two hourster when she arrived at the club. Jealousy was shimmering on her skin but she mped it down and kept on watching them.


    She approached Rockford after she finished her dance session on stage.


    ¡°Are you bi? I saw you flirting with my boyfriend.¡±


    ¡°I am¡­ and I¡¯m not flirting. We talked andughed. He¡¯s Ro, he¡¯s a tease. Always has been.¡± He shrugged and that was when Dee finally remembered about the smile he threw at the guy. Dee had thought everything was friendly at best because she thought Rockford was straight.


    ¡°Did he know you¡¯re bi?¡±


    ¡°Um, yeah. Why?¡±


    This was Rockford Dee thought, and she loved her boyfriend. She¡¯d try anything, but Rockford was not a toy. He¡¯s a gorgeous man that Dee would probably have sex with if she wasn¡¯t in a rtionship with Ro. Argh¡­ fuck it she thought, she was just going to ask him and be done with it.


    ¡°Look, Ro and I are discussing about threesomes. Um¡­ I wonder if you¡¯re interested?¡± There was nothing much that could make Dee flustered. She had always been bold about her sexuality. She had tried everything with Ro. She even let him coax her to make out with Jade when they were at a party many months ago. It has been years since she was with a woman and Dee was with Ro. She was not feeling the threesome happening in the future between them and Jade so Ro ended things, making up an excuse, and both bail from the party.


    Dee thought that was the end of their threesome adventure. Well, apparently a few monthster, after much pegging Ro decided he wants to have a real dick in his ass while still being in a rtionship with her.


    She didn¡¯t want a threesome. Dee wanted her happily ever after just like her friends. But she loves him too much to say no to him. Maybe it was her w but she was willing to try anything once, knowing maybe it¡¯ll be the thing that breaks them apart.


    ¡°You want me? Dee, I¡¯m not saying that both of you are not gorgeous, but are you sure?¡±


    ¡°I am not, but I love him, Rockford. You know this. And I saw how he flirts with you. Tell me you don¡¯t want to tap that ass?¡± She smirked and knew that she had him hooked when he bit his lip and his eyes darted back to the man behind the bar who was busy serving customers.


    Ro was handsome and she knew it. He¡¯s such a teddy bear and Rockford just like his name, was built with zero percent fat in his body.


    ¡°Come to our ceter.¡± Dee slipped him their home address that she had sneakily prepared earlier. Rockford didn¡¯t say anything, the man just nodded so Dee sauntered to the VIP rooms and got ready for her private session where one of her clients had been waiting for her dance.


    Two hourster Dee and Ro were getting ready for bed. Dee thought Rockford had dismissed her invite but then she perked up when their front door buzzed.


    ¡°Who the hell? It¡¯ste.¡± Ro groaned and got up from the bed. The man was wearing his favorite pajama pants and nothing else.


    Dee followed him to the front door, wearing nothing but Ro¡¯s t-shirt that barely covered her ass. She has big breasts and a voluptuous figure, and her boyfriend¡¯s t-shirt was all she needed to cover her tits showing off her panties, peeking from under the hem. It was the perfect lingerie to get rammed by her boyfriend. Something of his that she loves the most.


    ¡°Rockford? What¡¯s the matter? Everything okay at work?¡± Ro asked as he naively let him into their ce.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t talked to him haven¡¯t you?¡± He said to Dee with a re of heat in his eyes.


    Dee had secretly liked the brooding part of Rockford. She had teased him a couple of times in the past but never thought anything of it.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t.¡± She winked and locked the door behind him, caging the three of them in their little apartment.


    ¡°Denise?¡±


    Oh, she liked how Ro would call her full name when he was worried and excited or about toe. Though there was a worry inside her, she decided that this was going to happen. Sooner orter. She needs to find out if things between her and Ro could continue. And if she was to pull in a third, she would rather be someone they know rather than a stranger. And she saw the look on Ro¡¯s face as he flirted with him earlier, Dee knows that she just has to let everything happen.


    ¡°Well, baby, you said you wanted a third?¡± Dee was to her boyfriend and put her hand on his naked chest, pulling Rockford¡¯s gaze to her hand as it slithered from Ro¡¯s meaty pecs down to his abs.


    Rockford¡¯s jaw tightened when he watched how Dee¡¯s hand dipped under Ro¡¯s pajama pants and started stroking his bulge. ¡°Dee, I don¡¯t know if Rockford¡­¡±


    ¡°Ssh¡­ baby, Rockford and I talked. Come closer big man, I want to see both of you kiss.¡±


    Ro was so pliant in her hold that Dee was getting bolder. Maybe if she¡¯s the one that holds the reign, Ro will seek her more. Maybe this was his fetish?


    One thing is for sure, Dee needed to learn more about his boyfriend¡¯s need to satisfy the man. Because he was the love of her life and she intended to make things work between them.

 125. A new adventure

    Ro¡¯s brain short-circuited when Rockford moved forward and kissed him while he was feeling Dee¡¯s tits against his backside and one of her hands stroking his cock under his pajama pants.


    He couldn¡¯t help but moan into the kiss. Oh fuck¡­ Rockford is a damn good kisser.


    ¡°Should we move this into the bedroom?¡± Dee asked from behind him, saying that she wanted him naked for her boyfriend. Ro¡¯s breath hitched as he listened. He couldn¡¯t believe how blunt his girlfriend was to Rockford. Dee took back his attention when she sucked the sensitive spot just under his ear seconds before squeezing his ass.


    ¡°Oh fuck¡­¡± Ro cursed and at the same time let out an unexpected moan.


    ¡°You want a real cock inside you? My strap-on is not good enough for you?¡± Dee asked seductively, loud enough for Rockford to hear.


    Ro¡¯s face instantly flushed with embarrassment. But when he thought Rockford was going tough at him, Ro whimpers when the stud kissed him roughly. His fingers circled Ro¡¯s neck, holding him in ce, and pushed his tongue, shoving it deep into his mouth eagerly.


    ¡°Is that right, Ro? You love being pegged and now you want to satisfy your woman by fucking her while I¡¯m drilling into you?¡± It was Rockford¡¯s turn to taunt the bartender.


    ¡°Omph¡­ fuck yes!¡± All the hesitation flew away as Ro let himself go and kissed his girlfriend voraciously. The instant hunger was so overwhelming that he knew he had leaked precum, staining his pajama pants already.


    ¡°Go, get Dee undressed and lick her well. I want to see her nice and wet before you fuck her. Because I won¡¯t be nice to your ass. You will feel me and she will feel us.¡± Rockford¡¯s voice was low and deep that it sends a jolt of pure lust through Ro¡¯s dick.


    ¡°Oh¡­ fuck,¡±


    This time it was Dee who bit her lip. Ro knew she¡¯d be wet when he slid a finger under her panties. Okay maybe inviting a third wasn¡¯t so bad after all, Ro thought when he saw unadulterated desire in Rockford¡¯s eyes.


    Ro did as he was told andy Dee on her back while her beautiful voluptuous body sprawled, her knees bent and spread. Ro was right, she was wet from the dirty talk and gasped when Rockford pull down Ro¡¯s pajama pants in one tug, making his hard dick p his abs.


    ¡°Your face between her legs, I want to hear Dee moan. I want to see her desperate for her release. But Dee, don¡¯te until I tell you. Do you think you can do that? Both of you?¡±


    Ro felt his dick twitch when he sees Dee bite her lip. Her hands were on her knees, spreading them open for both men to see.


    Shameless sexy thing. Ro thought.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Dee replied almost instantly and her boyfriend followed, already lowering himself down and starting to kiss her inner thighs.


    ¡°Perfect, now. Spread that strong thighs for me.¡± Rockford instructed, fingers digging into his naked ass cheeks while Ro moved his legs apart. Then moaned into Dee when he felt Rockford behind him.


    ¡°Push your tongue inside her, give her a long hard lick, and tten your tongue. Fuck yes, so pretty, Dee.¡± Her eyes twinkled from his praise before it was Rockford¡¯s turn to put his attention on her boyfriend. ¡°You love her pink pussy, don¡¯t you? Do you love tasting her? You love fucking her with your mouth?¡±


    Rockford¡¯s dirty words made him and Dee whimpered almost simultaneously. Ro never thought a threesome could be so hot. He had been eyeing Rockford for a while now. Ro had been, imagining him ramming into his ass, while Dee watches. He loved her so much that Ro wanted to give her a show. He adored his girlfriend, buttely, he felt like he wascking. She could be so confidently wild with her sexuality. He felt like he needed to give her something more to anchor her down.


    Some of her friends had quit stripping and settled down, but Dee never once told him she wanted to quit. And Ro would never make her do anything she wouldn¡¯t want. But after years of watching other men fawning over her, Ro felt the insecurity creeping up on him, making him feel as if he was not enough for her.


    One day, Ro thought to add a third to their sexy time. It didn¡¯t work with Jade so he was willing to try to a dude. Ro was bisexual, he had boyfriends in the past, and he gave them up when he found Denise.


    Now that Rockford was behind him and ready to plow his ass into the bed, his eyes were wild with desire and his tongue was busy giving pleasure after pleasure on her pussy,pping, tasting, and fucking her, until her thighs were trembling and she was pleading for more.


    They had never had it this good. With Rockford prepping and pushing his fingers inside him, Ro was a whimpering mess and he was taking it all out on his girlfriend.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    But when he heard the condom wrapper and the man settled behind him, Ro shuddered in need. Rockford was pushing him to take his girth inch by inch while Ro felt the warm flesh spreading his insides with heightened passion. Rockford was breathing heavily on his nape, his tongue licked his spine and his big hands were on his waist, holding Ro down as he pushed in and out. Hard and deep.


    ¡°Tell me, do you fuck her bare? I want to see your cuming out of her.¡± He growled and he watched as Dee¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°We don¡¯t use condoms. No.¡± Ro replied and cursed when the man behind him pushed hard in one punishing thrust. Dee moaned louder when Ro¡¯s tongue shoved deeper inside her.


    ¡°Good, now get her knees to your chest, fold her, and put your cock inside her. You look so damn hungry for us, Dee. Beautiful. Now, just let me do the fucking.¡±


    When Ro followed the instructions they were both needy and couldn¡¯t wait for Rockford to start. And when he did, they both moaned, and cursed, and moaned some more until they were told to let go.


    ¡°Oh God¡­¡± Dee shouted.


    ¡°Oh fuckkk¡­¡± Ro croaked out.


    ¡°Stay still and let me have both of your holes to use. I¡¯m not fucking done.¡± He growled lowly and kept on pounding into Ro¡¯s and at the same time into Dee¡¯s. When the man finally finished, he slumped beside Ro and threw the used condom into the nearby bin.


    ¡°Damn, you two are hot.¡± Rockford finally said.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± That was all Ro said when he put his hand around her waist pulling Dee closer and resting his head on her pillow. The man was out like a light, just like he always does after an orgasm.


    An hourter he felt the bed moved. Ro was still lying in the middle when he looked at Dee and saw that she was sleeping peacefully beside him. She must¡¯ve cleaned him and herself after he fell asleep. But next to him, Rockford was already getting dressed and ready to leave.


    Their third walked out of their bedroom and Ro quickly got out of bed. He pulled on his pajama pants when he saw his naked body. The man had fucked him senseless, at least he could do was walk him out, Ro thought.


    ¡°You know you can leave in the morning, right?¡±


    ¡°I know, but I don¡¯t want to make things awkward in the morning.¡± Rockford gave him his sexy smile as he put on his jacket back on.


    ¡°So, I guessed Dee talked to you?¡± Ro asked, trying to make conversation, not wanting things to be inconvenient between them at work.


    ¡°Yeah, she did. You have one hell of a girlfriend there.¡± Rockford praised, and the man stayed still when Ro moved forward.


    ¡°I know.¡±  He said as his eyes darted to the man in front of him. Ro leaned closer when Rockford pressed a kiss on his lips. ¡°She¡¯s so much more that sometimes I¡¯m afraid of losing her.¡± There, Ro didn¡¯t know when he got so whiny but his gut told him that he could trust Rockford, somehow he felt like he could talk to the man.


    ¡°You won¡¯t,¡± Rockford assured him, as he casually rest his hands on his meaty ass and squeezes them sexily. ¡°I¡¯m going to miss this ass tho,¡± he chuckled and leaned closer to inhale his scent.


    ¡°Come again tomorrow?¡± Ro asked with a little tremble as the man¡¯s hands knead his ass with such vigor that he had to bite his lip to stop himself from moaning and wake his girlfriend.


    ¡°Maybe,¡± Rockford winked and kissed him one more time before he left Ro alone in the small living space.

 126. Dangerous reasons

    Rockford never meant to stay in the city for too long. But there he was three yearster feeling toofortable with his life.


    He kept himself aware and distanced himself from people. He thought his grumpy attitude would scare people away, but apparently at Babes, he was considered normal. Okay, he was better than Elvis the bouncer, ording to Jojo the floor manager shed hisndlord.


    Yup, Rockford was so deep in hiding that he didn¡¯t want a paper trail that could be traced back to him. When the infamous Russian mob boss, Max took him from the biker club, he had let him stay in one of the empty rooms on the second floor. There was nothing much there when he first moved in. But Markov said he could renovate and do anything he¡¯d like on the second floor of Babes. Max told Rockford that he only required half of the space for additional storage. And when Max sold the club to Gage, the new owner had let Rockford stay. Max must¡¯ve told him to let him stay because Rockford was stunned when he still could keep his ce and his job.


    Money was never an issue with him, since he was once the VP of his biker club until people started saying shit and when the Prez got killed. Rockford was used of orchestrating everything when in reality he was the one who was being cast away. A hit was ordered, and since then he had been living under the radar.


    ¡°Rockford, I need you to go check out booth three. The rm switch had been pressed, I don¡¯t know if it was triggered identally or not.¡± It was Jojo who called him and his instinct yed out immediately. Shit, he cursed when he remembered seeing Dee enter booth three. She winked at him and shook her hips seductively when she saw him watching her.


    ¡°Get your hands off me, dude! Don¡¯t you understand what it means by no touching?!¡±


    Fuck. Rockford let out another curse. He knew what these women deal with every day. He still couldn¡¯t get why they would want to put up with this kind of treatment. Granted they needed money and they alle and go, but Dee had been here the longest. At least that was what Rockford thought. He never asked, he had never been a nosy person. Nope, he was just very observant of his surroundings.


    When he heard her scream Rockford was done walking, he ran and quickly grab the horny bastard by his cor and drag him out of the booth. ¡°You okay, Dee? Go to the changing room, I¡¯ll get Ro to check on you.¡±


    Dee looked shaken but she nodded and though he wanted to escort her to the lounge sh changing room, Rockford still needed to deal with the sleazy man currently struggling to break free of his hold. The man looked like he was in histe forties supporting a beer belly and bald head. Rockford knew Babes had high-end customers, but sometimes the sleazy kinds did slip and made the girls nervous.


    They knew working at Babes would always be safe for them, and the strip club implemented several security measures. But when these things happened they would still be shaken.


    ¡°Come on, you are done.¡± Rockford spat at the guy.


    ¡°The fuck? I am not done! I paid. Who the fuck are you telling me that I¡¯m done? She hadn¡¯t even shown me her titties. It was barely a graze.¡±


    ¡°You can call management and plead your case and get a refund.¡± Rockford slipped him Jojo¡¯s card. This was one way Babes weed out the touchy bastards. They rather let them go than let them in causing more problems. There are other shady establishments that¡¯d take their money.


    Rockford¡¯s knuckles rapped on the bar¡¯s surface before he said with a stern voice. ¡°Ro! Dee¡¯s in the lounge. Go to her.¡± The bartender looked at him and the guy that Rockford was dragging out of the club. When the realization hits, Rockford hears Dee¡¯s boyfriend curse and tells the other bartender to hold the fort for him.


    It took him less than fifteen minutes to get the guy out of the building. It helped that Elvis was one of the guys that was guarding the door. The man looked scary as fuck with the big scar on his face. Nothing on him screams Elvis, maybe he was just born with the name. Again, Rockford never asks. Always kept everything to himself.


    ¡°Who?¡± He didn¡¯t have to think about the question, Rockford knew exactly what Elvis was asking. The man cares for the girls.


    ¡°Dee.¡±


    ¡°Fuck¡­ is she okay?¡±


    ¡°Physically yes.¡± That was all Rockford could say, knowing he wanted nothing but to check in on her.


    ¡°Go, I got him.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, man, I gave him Jojo¡¯s card already.¡±


    When Elvis took over his duty, he got the other bouncer to guard the door while he took the man back to his car and waited until he left the premises.


    ¡°How is she?¡± Rockford asked Ro who was back behind the bar, apparently, he was getting Dee a drink to calm her nerves.


    ¡°You know Dee. She always says it¡¯s fine, but we¡¯re kind of swamped here. Do you mind giving this to her?¡± Ro ced the ss on the bar. ¡°It¡¯s rum and coke. For her nerves.¡±


    ¡°Right, okay.¡± Rockford didn¡¯t ask again, he was just d that he had an excuse to see her. Since their little encounter, Rockford had been shamelessly thinking about the couple. He knew he shouldn¡¯t, but he just couldn¡¯t help it. Those two were sexy as fuck and he wanted to be included badly though he did bailed thest minute when Ro invited him for another threesome, the day after it happened for the first time.


    Rockford wanted nothing but to distance himself from them. He was dangerous. He has a target on his back. He should¡¯ve been dead years ago and Rockford didn¡¯t want anyone to target people close to him. Nope, nothing intimate for him, a rtionship was not going to be in his future. Not if he wanted to value other people¡¯s lives.


    But there he was slipping into the lounge with a drink in his hand. ¡°Hey, Ro sent me to give you this. How are you feeling?¡±


    ¡°Pfft¡­ I¡¯m fine, Ro always exaggerates stuff.¡±


    She might act fine, but her voice and the little tremble on her hand told Rockford otherwise. ¡°You don¡¯t look fine, stop lying. You think you can lie to Ro. But you¡¯re not fooling me.¡±


    Rockford watched as Dee was taken aback by his words. She took the drink and took a big gulp of the sweetness before taking in the alcohol burn. Yep, he saw how her hand slightly trembled again as she took the ss to her lips.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°Did he hurt you? I need to tell Jojo if the guy decides to file aint.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t think so. It all happened too fast, I was focusing on when to start pressing the rm ever since he was giving me the look. You can always tell¡­ you know¡­¡±


    No, Rockford didn¡¯t know. He was a man. He can certainly defend himself and he was not parading half-naked like she was and dancing seductively for money. But he didn¡¯t tell her that. Instead, the man nodded and he told her to get up and change to her normal clothes.


    ¡°I still have another hour.¡±


    ¡°Nope, you¡¯re done. I¡¯ll tell Jojo,ter. But you¡¯re not in a condition to dance.¡± There was a hint of sternness that Dee never heard from anyone. Not even from Ro. Rockford realized this, but he was not budging. He knew about Ro and Dee, the couple was as sweet as a married couple who gossiped too much. His boyfriend loves her to the moon and back that she thinks of him as the cuddly teddy bear that would always go with anything she says. But Rockford was not letting her work herst hour and the man rxed when Dee looked at him behind her ss before she nodded and continued to drink.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to get you something from the vending machine. Stay here. Go wear a jacket and get yourself warm.¡±


    Rockford went straight to Jojo¡¯s office and reported to her about the incident and how Dee was handling it. ¡°Okay, it¡¯s good that you told her to take a break. That woman is always too stubborn for her own good and Ro always gives into her words.¡±


    They talked for a couple of more minutes before Jojo let him go then he went to get some chocte bars for Dee. Rockford shouldn¡¯t be this attentive, but he just couldn¡¯t help himself. He saw Dee and she looked nothing like fine. She looked shaken and it took all of Rockford not to put her in his arms and keep her safe.

 127. Center of attention

    Dee was getting all kinds of mixed signals from Rockford. The guy who actually hurt her boyfriend¡¯s feelings when he canceled their sexual rendezvousst minute. Literally.


    Ro would neverin, the man has always looked at life in a sweet positive kind of way. Maybe because he was raised by his hippie parents who always took life in stride. In any kind of circumstances. His parents didn¡¯t even flinch when he introduced Dee to his parents years ago and she told them that she¡¯s a dancer at Babes. At first, she thought they didn¡¯t know what kind of club Babes was. But of course, they knew, cause their only son works as a bartender at a strip club where she works. From there Dee learns that Ro inherits the easy way of loving from his parents.


    Dee always feels a kind of protectiveness towards her boyfriend for his epting nature. This was why Dee got upset when Rockford canceled on them. And now she got more upset when Rockford acted all caring towards her after the little incident at the private booth. These kinds of incidents didn¡¯t happen a lot at Babes, and when it did happen those men were cut from their membership and weren¡¯t allowed entrance to the club again. Dee had only experienced it twice, tonight was the second time.


    ¡°I got you some chocte bars, Elvis is escorting the guy out of the premises as we speak and I already told Jojo. So he won¡¯t be allowed in the club ever again. Are you sure you¡¯re okay?¡±


    ¡°I told you I¡¯m fine, didn¡¯t I?¡± Dee replied with a harsh tone.


    ¡°Why are you being defensive, Dee? I¡¯m just looking out for you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. But you don¡¯t have to. Ro already checked in on me.¡±


    ¡°Right, and now he¡¯s out there busy with the bar and you¡¯re here still, troubled.¡± Rockford¡¯s voice was stern, demanding that she listened to her and Dee was getting more furious with each passing minute.


    ¡°I said I¡¯m fine!¡± Dee half yelled from her frustration. The tension was getting to her. She was getting stressed out when all she wanted to do was to get back to their apartment take a nice long bath, and forget about everything. But she couldn¡¯t, because Ro was still working until closing time.


    ¡°Let me drive you back to your ce?¡±


    Fuck¡­ it¡¯s like Rockford was reading her mind. She wanted it. But then, she didn¡¯t want to be there alone. Dee still remembered the first time it happened, the pervert followed her car. Back then she didn¡¯t have Ro and it scared her to death when she looked at the rearview mirror and saw that she was being followed. It took her an hour of driving around town, shaking the guy off her tail, and then she could finally drive to her apartment. By then she was trembling, her legs felt like jelly when she dropped to the floor the second she was inside her ce and locked the door behind her.


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t want to be alone. I¡¯ll wait for Ro.¡± She turned away from him, hated how shaky her voice sounded. It was the stress and she convinced herself that she¡¯d be better in a couple of minutes. But when her eyes were hot from the unsheed tears, she cursed when Ro turned her around to face him. He softly tilted her chin and kissed her forehead.


    ¡°You¡¯re a strong woman Dee. But I don¡¯t think you should be alone. Can I hug you?¡± Rockford asked gently and when she nodded, Dee felt his strong arms wrap her close to his chest. And when he kissed the top of her hair, that was when she broke down in tears. ¡°Ssh¡­ you¡¯re safe. He won¡¯t ever touch you.¡±Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    Dee was engulfed in his warm embrace for longer than it should. It was silly to think that she hadn¡¯t gotten used to sleazy men by now. Dee knew the risk came with the job. She needed to be strong. She needed to let Rockford go. Finally, when her tears subsided, her cheeks blushed and she felt ashamed for breaking into tears in front of him.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Thank you. I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll be fine. I¡¯ll wait here for Ro.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving you here alone. Come on, I¡¯ll get you home and stay with you until Ro gets back.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to.¡± Dee was swayed, he might just convinced her to go home with him though she kept on telling herself to wait for Ro.


    ¡°I want to. We can watch a movie or some stupid shows on TV. I¡¯ll keep youpany until Ro gets back. I¡¯m going to help you forget about that bastard. Okay?¡±


    By then, she was swayed again when Rockford was being all sweet and attentive. He hadn¡¯t even let go of his hold on herpletely and Dee was liking his protective side.


    ¡°Why?¡± She finally asked.


    ¡°Why not? I thought we were friends. I like you Dee, I like Ro too. And he¡¯s busy behind the bar and I know he wouldn¡¯t want you to be alone. He knows you¡¯re here and that puts his mind at ease, but I¡¯m sure if I asked Ro, he will let me take you home and apany you while we wait for him.¡±


    Dee sighed and told Rockford that her boyfriend would say exactly that. ¡°How do you know him so well?¡± She asked as she rested her hand on his chest while his hands moved down to the small of her back, still not letting her go.


    ¡°I watched him and I watched you. Look, I worry about you. Will you let me take care of you? At least until your boyfriend is done with his shift.¡±


    ¡°I guess, it¡¯ll be nice to take a bath.¡± She stepped back and Rockford finally sighed when she reached for her stuff and put on her sneakers.


    ¡°Give me a couple of minutes, I¡¯ll clock us out with Jojo then we¡¯ll tell Ro,¡± Rockford said before stepping out of the changing room walking like a man on a mission.


    Dee felt ttered, it had been a while since Ro even treated her this way. They have been together for six years and things between them have beenfortable, sure they love each other but with work and everyday situations things have been a bit of a routine. Up until Rockford slipped into their threesome session. When it happened, something between Dee and Ro had red. But when Rockford decided to make ame excuse for the next one, the couple was disappointed to the point that they didn¡¯t even talk about it.


    ¡°Hey, Ro. I¡¯m taking off early, I got Hector covering for my shift. I¡¯m taking Dee back home. Is that okay with you? I think she could use the rest.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ I¡¯m sorry baby, I¡¯ll be home as soon as I¡¯m done here. Okay?¡± Ro walked from behind the bar to meet Dee, cupped her cheek, and gave her lips a chaste kiss. Her boyfriend smiled sweetly and her heart fluttered like it always would whenever he stroked her feelings even with the smallest kind of affection.


    ¡°Rockford, will you stay with her until I¡¯m there? I know it¡¯s a lot to ask but I¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t worry okay? I already told Dee that I¡¯m going to stay until you¡¯re back.¡± The guy put his hand on Ro¡¯s arm and that made Dee dart her eyes at her boyfriend. They¡¯ve been together long enough to know what was not being said between them. And at that moment, both were confused about Rockford¡¯s hot and cold situation.


    Then, when Ro nodded and gave Dee a final peck on her cheek, he told her to text him the moment they arrived at their ce. With that, Rockford took Dee away with his car to the apartment that she shared with her boyfriend.

 128. Hot and Cold

    It was weird seeing Rockford being all attentive to his girlfriend, Rooco had thought. Not that he didn¡¯t appreciate it. The man loved Dee and he wanted her to befortable. And for her to get back home safely and to rx was better than if she stayed at Babes¡¯ changing room and waited for him to finish closing the bar.


    But as they were about to part for the night, Dee had given him the look. The couple have perfected theirnguage, something he thought was hrious. The two of them could interpret what others were thinking without saying a word. Just a tilt of her chin, a raised eyebrow, or the way she smiled, and that was just from facial expression alone. There were more meanings that could be interpreted from reading each other¡¯s bodynguage. The man knew how her shoulder would loosen when she was happy, or the different ways she walked that showed her moods. Ro was d that he saw her rx by Rockford¡¯s side the moment he told Ro that he was going to take Dee home.


    Ro wasn¡¯t made aware that security at Babes was taking care of their employees by giving them personal escorts back to their homes after an incident. Though since Rockford was like the head of security at Babes, maybe he did have the decision-making to do what he felt needed. However, Ro was secretly contemting that Rockford¡¯s attention for Dee was more than what his job description entails.


    The hours passed too fucking slowly. And when thest customer settled his bill, Ro couldn¡¯t wipe the surface of the bar quick enough that the new busboy was giggling, telling him not to be so obvious.


    ¡°Dude, I¡¯d hurry too if I had a beautiful woman like Dee waiting back home.¡± He snickered at Ro and told him that he hoped everything was okay with Dee. Of course, the whole club knew what happened a couple of hours ago. Ro just hoped that no one was going to be curious enough to ask her directly the next day.


    He knew that bad stuff could happen to the dancers. But it was not until a couple of hours ago that realization hits as the nightmare falls on Dee. There were close calls before, but the incident rattled her and it was the first time Ro witnessed how it affected Dee. He didn¡¯t like seeing her fragile and he was d that Rockford was there for her.


    *****


    ¡°How¡¯s Dee?¡± Ro asked when Rockford greeted him by his door.


    ¡°She¡¯s sleeping, I gave her some aspirin to help her sleep. I hope you don¡¯t mind me taking her back.¡±


    ¡°No, why would I?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ thest time, look I¡¯m sorry about bailing out on you guys.¡±


    Ro hated that it had been awkward for the three of them since he canceled on him and Dee. ¡°Nah, I¡¯m sorry for making things awkward. But now you¡¯re stepping up with Dee while I have to tend the bar. I could as easily clock out early as you did.¡±


    ¡°Ro, it¡¯s okay, I was there. It was almost closing time and you were needed there more than me. Hector is more than capable to cover my shift and handle thest of the customers.¡± Rockford followed Ro to the kitchen where he opened up two bottles of beer for them to enjoy.


    ¡°So, you wanna tell me what did I do that made you back out on us?¡±


    ¡°What makes you think it was because of you?¡±


    Ro chuckled telling him that it couldn¡¯t have been Dee.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, it wasn¡¯t Dee.¡± Rockford gave him his easy-going smile that Ro loved so much about the guy. He drank his beer nervously when Rockford stepped closer and rested his back on the kitchen ind in front of him.


    The man exuded sexiness and it was all Ro could think of when Rockford gave him his signature lopsided smile. Ro swiftly turned his head to face the hunk of hotness and focused back on their conversation.


    ¡°Did you even hear what I said? Or are you still busy checking me out?¡± He asked before taking a big gulp of his beer, which only made Ro focus on his throat as he swallowed the liquid.


    ¡°Um¡­ what did you say?¡±


    ¡°I said that I¡¯m not in a ce where I can be involved with someone or in this case two someone.¡±


    Ro rolled his eyes, thinking it was ame excuse and he told the man exactly that when he decided to be brave. He wanted this for them. For Dee. Both had talked and agreed to keep things with Rockford, up until the guy decided to ghost them.


    ¡°Don¡¯t give me the eyes,¡± Rockford warned, making Ro sigh dreamily at the man.


    ¡°Well, don¡¯t give us the ssic excuse then.¡± Ro finished his drink and put his bottle aside. He was ready to check on Dee when Rockford abruptly moved forward and caged him against the kitchen counter. Ro gasped at his sudden change of disposition had him surprised when Rockford leaned closer, invading his space. Ro felt his warm breath and his cologne, all making his heart beat faster and his brain stops functioning.


    ¡°I¡¯m not. I¡¯m telling you the truth.¡±Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    ¡°And what is the truth?¡± Ro was challenged a momentter when he managed to work his brain.


    ¡°That I can¡¯t be involved. I¡¯m¡­¡±


    ¡°Right, gotcha,¡± Ro was about to waive him off dismissively when Rockford grabbed his wrist and stepped even closer until they were chest to chest.


    ¡°Ro, I¡¯m being serious. I can¡¯t. I have a dark past.¡± Rockford¡¯s eyes were dark, and he looked annoyed that Ro was not afraid of him, instead, the man felt a strong wave of lust coursing through his veins.


    ¡°Dude, seriously. We¡¯re living in this part of town. Tell me who doesn¡¯t have a dark past.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you don¡¯t have one.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ um, yeah, but¡­¡±


    ¡°My point exactly.¡±


    Ro flustered when the man still hadn¡¯t let go of his wrist. Instead, he rested his other hand on Ro¡¯s lower back and kept him still when he lowered himself closer for a kiss. The second Ro opened his mouth, their tongues caressed, and the re ignited inside him. Ro moaned needily and his hands reached to Rockford¡¯s strong shoulders pulling him down for a deeper kiss.


    ¡°Fuck¡­¡± Rockford cursed but didn¡¯t let go of him. As their kiss grew stronger, their bodies grew closer, and the sounds that they were making were making Ro¡¯s legs weak. ¡°You¡¯re too fucking sexy, I need to stay away from you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± it was Ro¡¯s turn to push the guy and cage him between himself and the kitchen ind. He had his knee slipped between his legs when he heard sweet sexy soundsing from Rockford the second his hard-as-steel cock was dry-humping the man¡¯s thigh.


    ¡°Ro¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡± He breathed out, coaxing another sexy kiss from the guy.


    ¡°Dee¡­¡± Rockford backed away from him.


    ¡°Shit! Fuck! I need to check on her.¡±


    ¡°Dee is fine. She¡¯s right here. Don¡¯t let me stop what you guys are doing. Too fucking hot.¡± Dee bit her lip and walked towards them.


    Ro turned his head to face his girlfriend, he grinned grabbed Rockford by his shirt, and literally dragged him towards her. ¡°Hey baby, feeling better? Would like Rockford to kiss you and make it all better?¡± He winked and sheughed, gabbing her boyfriend¡¯s cheek for a hard kiss.


    ¡°Yes please.¡±


    Ro was feeling yful, knowing he got Rockford willing to kiss him. He rubbed his hard cock on his thigh, and he felt the man tightening his grip on his back. He even cupped his erection. Ro knew the man want things to happen between them, he was just too damn stubborn to act on it.


    Rockford may be hot and cold towards them, but when he was interested, Ro was going to do all he could to make sure he tempted the piece of hotness to fall back into their bed.

 129. Coaxed

    He should¡¯ve backed away, he should have stopped kissing them. But he couldn¡¯t. He was too damn weak to refuse the sexy couple. Rockford let himself tighten his grip on Ro¡¯s biceps while his lips were stilltching into Dee¡¯s. She had him pressed against their living room wall. If she still felt bad about what happened at the club, Dee was not showing it. In fact. She was pressing her body flush against Rockford¡¯s while her boyfriend was busy trailing kisses to his neck.


    Rockford was in between, he had never thought the night would turn out the way it was. And when Dee took his hand in hers and led him to the bedroom, the man followed and let himself watch as Ro started making out with his girlfriend.


    Rockford didn¡¯t get to be left alone for long when Dee was back to kissing him. ¡°Dee, are you sure?¡± He asked knowing what she had just experienced hours earlier.


    ¡°I am, I need this. Please?¡±


    ¡°Fuck,¡± Rockford cursed when she cupped her dainty fingers on his hard cock over his ck pants. His mind was still trying to catch up with the situation when Ro started unbuttoning his matching ck shirt while his sinful lips trailed kisses along his neck, down to his corbone.


    ¡°Dee, Ro¡­¡± Their names left his lips seconds before the voluptuous woman pressed her plump lips against his. She moaned his name when Rockford¡¯s hand reaches to Dee¡¯s hip, slipping under the t-shirt and grabbing her before reaching back to squeeze her ass cheeks.


    Rockford was down to his boxer shorts when Ro started taking off his clothes. The man was breathtaking and he made Rockford stand in silence, watching, until he gotpletely naked and Dee giggled from behind him. ¡°He¡¯s hot, right? Gets me every time too.¡± Her sexy bedroom voice made him turn around when he felt her naked body against his side.


    Huh¡­ and when did she get naked, he thought.


    ¡°You are too,¡± Rockford mentioned when he gave her curvaceous body a once over and his hand caressed her thigh, then her waist, before feeling the side of her breast until he reached her slender neck. His hand moved up to the back of her head, his fingers slipping between her hair, tilting her to face him before he leaned down for a hot scorching kiss. ¡°Why don¡¯t you rest back to the bed while you watch me y with your boyfriend? You seemed to like that earlier, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°God¡­ yes,¡± she bit her lip and got her naked self onto the other end of the bed with her back resting on the headboard.


    ¡°Come here, Ro. Let¡¯s continue where we left off when Dee found us. Dee, I want your feet t on the bed, bend your knees, and spread your thighs. I want to see you soaking wet for us.¡±


    Rockford smirked when he heard Ro groan the second he was tugged closer and his lips crashed onto the other man. ¡°On your knees and suck my cock. I know wanted me to fuck your face already. Isn¡¯t that right, Ro?¡±


    His answer was a thud as his knees touched the floor. The bartender was quick to open his mouth and let Rockford push the tip of his hard dick past his lips. When the man gagged, Rockford¡¯s hands were to his head and he gave Ro quick short thrusts before he pushed deeper, until he felt the base of his throat.


    Dee let out a whimper and Rockford¡¯s eyes darted to the sexy woman who managed to glisten with arousal from watching both of them. ¡°Get up,y on your back, head on the edge of the bed, and open your mouth. I¡¯m not done with you.¡± He instructed. Rockford stood facing the man¡¯s head before he was back to feeding him his cock.


    Ro was too eager to do what he was told when his head dangled by the end of the bed, knees bent, and legs parted, giving Dee an unobstructed view of her boyfriend as his throat was being used for another man¡¯s pleasure.


    ¡°So hungry for my cock aren¡¯t you?¡± Rockford cooed as he thrust deeper while he circled his hand around his throat. It felt satisfyingly possessive and the man had to reel himself back, moving his hand onto Ro¡¯s chest instead.


    ¡°Come here, Dee, let me see you ride your man while he takes my dick down his throat,¡± Rockfordmented before he chuckled when he felt Ro was tightening his grip on his thighs. The excitement was obvious and he was going to exploit the knowledge.


    He pushed Ro¡¯s shoulder, moving him up to the center of the bed. Rockford joined them on the bed and caged Ro¡¯s head between his knees. He also made sure to ce a pillow under Ro¡¯s head to position him, making it easier for Dee¡¯s boyfriend to suck him off. Rockford sped his hands on top of Ro¡¯s as he pushed further down his throat and at the same time, Dee lower herself down on her boyfriend¡¯s stiff cock.


    The couple moaned simultaneously and Rockford felt his cock twitch. Ro sighed when he pulled back, his eyes were focused on Rockford¡¯s as his tip was going in and out of the man¡¯s sexy lips. Rockford let him rest for a few moments as he watched Dee who was moving up and down her boyfriend¡¯s erection.


    Then, when Dee¡¯s eyes connected with Rockford¡¯s he started his dirty talk. He remembered theirst encounter, and he acknowledged that the couple liked their sex with runningmentary. The dirtier the better.


    ¡°You like watching your boyfriend sucking me off?¡± He paused to lean closer and take one of her nipples into his mouth.


    ¡°You like watching Ro gagging on my cock?¡± Rockford asked before he move to lick and suck her other nipple. Dee called out her boyfriend¡¯s name with such sexiness that Ro couldn¡¯t help himself to thrust from under her.


    ¡°Are you close?¡± Rockford asked.


    ¡°Mhmm¡­¡± Dee almost whimpered, and then she whined when Rockford told her to stop.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°On your back, beautiful, I want Ro to suck you off and lick you clean. I want to see youe in his mouth with his tongue buried deep inside that tight pussy of yours.¡±


    Rockford stered his devilish grin when Ro groan as he moved pliantly to his instruction and get between his girlfriend¡¯s creamy thighs and hungrily started sucking her off. The man groaned as he felt Rockford¡¯s lubed fingers breach him, and he sucked harder when he felt those fingers rubbing the perfect spot.


    Ro¡¯s legs parted willingly when he felt the man behind him moved closer and he heard the condom wrapper being torn.


    ¡°So fucking eager for me aren¡¯t you Ro? You see this Dee? You see how your sexy boyfriend is asking for my cock?¡±


    She nodded, biting her lips when Ro groaned between her legs, obviously he too was affected by the dirty talk.


    ¡°Come for us Dee, I want to see Ro shatter you. Let him catch your orgasm.¡± He said before he gave Ro one strong thrust, making sure he buried his cock deep inside his ass. And with that one bold move, Dee scream out their names, her legs struggled to get free but Ro hold on to her thighs and follow the previous instructions as he sucked her dry, drinking her down his throat.


    ¡°On your knees,¡± Rockfordmanded gruffly when he pulled out but only to push himself back in after his hand wrapped around Ro¡¯s middle and his other hand was holding onto his chest.


    ¡°Kiss him, Dee, taste yourself from his mouth. So fucking filthy, so fucking hot. I love it.¡± Rockford praised both of them.


    ¡°Jerk him off for me, I want to feel his ass choking my cock when he came.¡± Rockford rambled to Dee and he started moving his hip carelessly, thrusting in and out while Ro was holding onto his arms and his cock was painfully hard, too fucking stiff, and dripping with precum.


    ¡°Ro¡­¡±


    ¡°Y-yeah?¡±


    ¡°Come for us, used her hand and jerked off. Harder, baby, faster. Fuck, like that¡­ you¡¯re so tight, damn it, Ro. Come!¡± Rockford told him and demanded his orgasm until the man finally relented and gave him exactly that.


    When he finally came, Rockford was not too far behind. With one strong thrust of his hips, he reaches his high. The man filled the condom as hezily moved in and out of the tight ass. And when their climax highs started to dissipate Rockford slowly pulled out, then got out of bed to dispose of the used condom into the bin.


    He took care of Dee and Ro with damp towels before the three of them got under the sheets and closed their eyes. But before Rockford ended the night, he made a promise to himself that that night was it. It was going to be thest time.


    And he surely hoped he would be strong enough to reject the temptations.

 130. Beautiful Morning

    When the morning arrived, Dee was pleasantly surprised to find herself between two sexy naked men. It was like a scene out of a porn. But as much as she liked to slip into a sexy time with the two men, morning breath was still a thing.


    With that knowledge, she carefully peeled herself from the two men and slipped into the bathroom. She did her morning routine and stepped out of the bathroom feeling refreshed. Looking at Rockford wrapping an arm around her boyfriend¡¯s abs, she didn¡¯t feel jealousy, instead, she felt settled knowing Rockford was finally epting their little trio.


    She was smiling when Rockford found her in the kitchen with a pot of coffee. ¡°Morning,¡± Dee greeted the sexy man in front of her.


    ¡°Mhmm, one moment. Let me¡­¡± He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. ¡°Good morning.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ minty,¡± she grinned and threw her arms around his shoulder pulling him down for another lip-locking morning greetings.


    ¡°Okay¡­ I can get used to this view.¡± Ro interrupted them as he walked out of the bedroom and joined them in the kitchen. He poured himself a cup of coffee and drank it before he greeted his two lovers with minty-vored kisses.


    ¡°Who¡¯s making breakfast? Or are we going out for pancakes? I¡¯m hungry.¡± Ro asked, with his usual whiny tone before kissing Dee¡¯s shoulder while his other hand was caressing Rockford¡¯s arm that was still wrapped around his middle.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make breakfast, you two provide the entertainment.¡± Rockford offered as he stole a kiss from Ro. The man moaned in his arms while Dee giggled in the background.


    ¡°You two are so hot, I can watch you guys kiss all day.¡± Dee sighed, hiding her smile behind her cup of coffee.


    ¡°Sadly we still need sustenance,e on Ro show me how you y with your girlfriend while I make us all some toast and omelet.¡±Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    Ro didn¡¯t have to be told twice when there was breakfast at the end of the rainbow. And he shoved his tongue into Dee before she even got the chance to wiggle out of this grasp. When his hands squeezes her ass, she moaned louder. Dee melted into his arms and they be one, suddenly forgetting about their audience and engrossed in each other¡¯s kisses.


    ¡°Damn it, this might be a wrong idea,¡± Rockford grumbled and adjusted his erection.


    ¡°Hurry up and finish making breakfast, we¡¯ll thank you for it. With deep appreciation.¡± Dee told him after breaking her kiss from Ro.


    ¡°Obviously,¡± Ro added with a sexy wink.


    But Dee added the distraction when she stood behind Ro and started stroking his length by slipping her hand under his ck boxer briefs.


    ¡°Fuck, that¡¯s hot.¡± Rockford starts to te their toasts and mixes their omelets. He worked fast and methodically until he was eventually done with three tes of breakfast. He even got sses of water for everyone.


    Eating breakfast didn¡¯t take long. When they were done, Ro helped Dee with the dishes while Rockford was sent to the bedroom to rx and wait for them.


    When the couple entered their bedroom, they found Rockford resting his back on the headboard whilezily stroking himself. The man was naked, his perfectly chiseled body showed gorgeous color, and ck and white tattoos scattered all over his body. He was perfection down to the tip of his fat cock.


    Dee followed his boyfriend and stripped naked before getting into the bed. She took the left side while Ro took the right side. The couple nked the hot beefy guy and start making their way down, kissing him on his cheeks, sucking and licking his nipples, before continuing down south to adore his thick cock.


    Rockford¡¯s moans got louder as the couple work on him together, they were making sure they licked every inch of dick down to his balls. Rockford¡¯s hands were caressing his lovers, trying to take in his pleasure from touching them as they share his cock and share kisses,tching on to his length like it was thest popsicle on earth.


    ¡°Oh fuckkk¡­ slowdown,¡± Rockford cursed as he scoots back but they followed and now Ro was taking the lead as he takes down Rockford¡¯s fat cock down his throat. The man struggled but he make it work while Dee was licking and sucking his balls, ying him until he was about toe.


    ¡°Enough,¡± he growled and ordered both Dee and Ro to stop. ¡°Ro,y on your back¡­ no, at the end of the bed.¡± Rockford helped to position him, bending his knees, and letting the heel of his feet by the edge of the bed. He spread Ro¡¯s legs wider and told Dee to get ready to straddle him.


    ¡°Oh fuck,¡± Now it was Ro¡¯s turn to curse knowing what was toe.


    ¡°Yes, handsome, I¡¯m drilling your sweet hole while Dee gets to ride you. And you will note until you¡¯re told to, but first I will get you prepped.¡±


    Dee smiled wickedly when Rockford instructed her to suck off her boyfriend and jerk him off, at the same time she watches how he writhed from the sweet torture of Rockford¡¯s lubed fingers between his buttcheeks.


    ¡°Hands above your head, damn you look so damn fine. Doesn¡¯t your boyfriend look good all horny like this, Dee?¡± Rockford asked, before adding a second finger and drilling him deeper making him cry out when he yed with his sweet spot.


    ¡°Mhmm¡­ so good.¡± Dee was tasting precum and she suck him off real good until Rockford pulled her in for a kiss. Fuck¡­ she was getting so wet hearing Rockford groan when he tasted her boyfriend¡¯s precum in their kiss.


    ¡°Now little vixen,y on top of him, on your back. That¡¯s it, let me see that wet pussy.¡± Dee¡¯s hands fisted the sheets when Rockford leaned down to shove his tongue into her needy hole. He was sucking her real good that she didn¡¯t realize when he guides her boyfriend¡¯s cock inside her. She moaned simultaneously with her boyfriend while Rockford sheathed himself with a condom and thrust hard into Ro.


    The position was so hot that all three of them moaned louder. The sexual tension was hotter than ever between them. ¡°Tell me you have a butt plug,¡± Rockford asked Dee, as he mmed his hips onto Ro. The man smirked when he saw Ro¡¯s toes curled and knees spread even wider.


    ¡°I do.¡±


    ¡°Get your favorite one, then get back into position.¡±


    Dee whined and Rockford chuckled when he saw her missing his boyfriend¡¯s cock between her legs. But it didn¡¯t take long, she was resting her back on his chest and Ro groaned in sweet agony when she took his hard cock back inside her.


    ¡°Sit up, Dee, give me a kiss,¡± Rockford demanded while he gave Ro the lube and told him to spread her buttcheeks and get the butt plug inside her. It was Dee¡¯s turn to get so horny and she knew that she was clenching his cock so tight that Ro was moaning louder.


    ¡°You also don¡¯t get toe until I tell you to.¡± Dee felt the wicked smile on Rockford¡¯s lips as she whimpered in their kiss. Her ass stretched as her boyfriend slip her favorite butt plug, but what gets her head all fuzzy was the feeling when it glided perfectly when Ro thrust from under her.


    ¡°Turn around, face your boyfriend while you give him the ride of his life.¡± Dee couldn¡¯t think of anything much aside from following his instructions. She was too horny to think as she watched how Ro¡¯s hands fisted the sheets above his head and she was told to kiss his lips. When she did, the connection stunted her train of thought. She had had a lot of sex. But this¡­ this was beyond what she ever experienced before. She was so close to the edge ofing that she shuddered as Rockford yed with her toy. Pulling and pushing while fucking Ro at the same pace.


    ¡°Let him suck your nipples and let him make youe. Yes, baby, you cane.¡±


    Dee swiftly did as she was told and she came hard in a fraction of a second. ¡°Fuckkk!¡± Dee trembled while Rockford wrapped his arm around her chest, wrapping her breasts in his big strong arm, holding her as she wasing down from her climax.


    ¡°So beautiful,¡± Dee heard Rockford whispered. She shuddered from the intimacy and her insides filled fast with mixed emotions. It raised dangerously for the sexy man who was still keeping his arm around her and sweetly peppering kisses on her shoulder. All while her boyfriend watched them with adoration in his eyes.


    ¡°Now, handsome, you cane while she milks you dry.¡± Rockford started rocking his hips after nudging her toy on her boyfriend¡¯s chest with his cock still buried inside her. The friction was too much for him, Dee could see in Ro¡¯s eyes and she nuzzled the crook of his shoulder when Rockford was iming a hard scorching kiss from her boyfriend. He drilled into his ass and made him climax while she was sandwiched between them. She heard both mening and felt the connection with them. She sighed realizing that she wanted to keep Rockford between them. She knows that they need him toplete their rtionship.


    He was the missing piece. And she needed to talk to her boyfriend about it. Later, she thought. She was going to get buried in the after-orgasm bliss and ugh¡­ maybe just stay in bed until they needed more sustenance.

 131. Doubts

    Ro was feeling excited but he also worried. He wanted what Dee was opening up in their rtionship, but insecurities were wing up to the surface. And whenever he felt insecure, it was in his nature to call his mom or dad. Basically whoever answers their phones, first. And today it was his mom.


    ¡°My sweet darling boy, what can I tell you to make you feel better this fine afternoon?¡±


    ¡°Hi Mom, I missed you too. Thank you for asking but I¡¯m good. Healthy. I can hear that you are too, and since there¡¯s no urgent call from the hospital I assumed Dad is awesome as well.¡±


    Sheughed from the other line. This was the usual talk he had with his parents whenever he called. Yes, he should¡¯ve checked in more often. But they know their son very well, and it¡¯s not like they live across the country. They were an hour away, if Ro didn¡¯t work far and themute was easy the man would never leave the nest. Ro was one of the lucky ones who had loving and understanding parents.


    ¡°So, I have a situation.¡±


    ¡°Mhmm¡­ tell me, wait do you need your Dad to listen in, I can go get him? he¡¯s working, finishing off on amission project. But it can wait,¡±


    By working Ro would guess that he was in the middle of making another nude sculpture. He had learned from a young age not to burst into his Dad¡¯s workshop since he would have nude models posing for his work. This was how he knew that he was bisexual from an early age, yes, his Mom had watched Ro practically salivating for the models as they were posing nude on several asions. His mom had pulled him aside telling him that it was okay to feel sexual urges for both genders. Ro was twelve at the time and he was bright red when his Mom and Dad had epted him and educated him on safe sex, although he didn¡¯t have a girlfriend or boyfriend at that time.


    ¡°You can tell himter, I might need to go there anyway¡­¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­ okay, this is very important then. You haven¡¯t been here in weeks.¡±


    ¡°Ugh¡­ I know Mom, it¡¯s just that Dee had been busy with her friend¡¯s wedding and I didn¡¯t want to visit without her cause I know both of you will be asking me questions. Also, Dee would kill me if I went there alone and let you feed me and not her.¡± Ro rolled his eyes anyway, knowing his Mom couldn¡¯t see him from the other line.She giggled before telling him to continue.


    ¡°So¡­ spill, don¡¯t leave me in suspense,¡± her voice sounded more intrigued and Ro knew that he might as well just say it already.


    ¡°It¡¯s Dee and I, we are bringing in a third in our rtionship. He¡¯s kind, and sexy, and he worked with us, so we both know him for a while now. But I¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ this is serious then. You and Dee have been together for years. Honestly, your Dad and I have been wondering what¡¯s been keeping you back from marrying her. She¡¯s such a lovely young woman.¡±


    ¡°I know Mom, you and Dad have been pushing me for grandbabies. Both of you just don¡¯t know how to be subtle.¡± Ro heard his Momugh softly from the other line.


    ¡°Your Dad wanted to live a full life, sure he loves his art, but he also loves his family. He wanted you to have a family of your own. Babies are optional actually, as long as you have someone¡­ and now, I¡¯m hearing another someone. I am happy for you and I know your Dad will be too. Why don¡¯t you bring him over for dinner?¡±


    ¡°Mom¡­ we¡¯re not exactly there yet. Rockford, he¡¯s a little rough around the edges, he had a hard life, always worrying about something. I don¡¯t know, maybe I¡¯m wrong, but think¡­ he kind of treated us as a kink. You know?¡± It never felt strange for Ro to share his doubts with his parents. He always had a very honest talk with them in every rtionship that he had ever been in. They know about all three of them. Yep. Despite the sexual freedom that his parents instilled in him from a very young age, Ro had always been a rtionship man. A damn picky one at that too.


    ¡°Oh, baby¡­ my sweet baby boy. You are always more than a kink. You know that. I don¡¯t want you filling your head with such nonsense. We never brought you up that way.¡±


    ¡°I know Mom, but you know me.¡±


    ¡°Yes, your Dad and I know you too damn well, and we still love you. So, bring this Rockford guy and see if we can feel him out. Don¡¯t worry we will go easy on him.¡± His Mom giggled and Ro whined telling her that he¡¯ll talk to Dee first.


    ¡°Yeah, just tell her that I¡¯ll make her favorite Pecan pie for dessert and another one to bring home.¡±


    ¡°Mom, you always y dirty,¡±


    ¡°I know my darling boy. This is what I do for our only son. Just tell me when is the best date for all of you and I¡¯ll get Dad to bring out the grill.¡±


    Ro cursed and his Momughed knowing it¡¯d be a special night when Dad was going to man the grill. Of course, his parents had always instilled positivity in their life. Talking about Rockford even when he was uncertain about the thing between them, had made his Mom aware that Ro was thinking of Rockford in a future setting.


    Ro ended the call with a promise of a dinner date for all of them and in return, she promised not to embarrass him with naked baby pictures and swim team pictures from his teenage years. Yes, it was a tradition for his Mom and Dad to show off his trophies and how proud they are of their only son. He had gone through with every date he brought home. Yep, all three of them, with Dee being thest of them. It was an embarrassing night but also a memorable one where he asked her to move in with him that same day and she had said yes.


    He was hoping that bringing Rockford to meet his parents would shed light on how they would move forward. He had always been a straightforward kind of guy and every time he got nervous, it meant that there was something more to be nervous about.


    ¡°So, what did Mom said?¡± Dee asked once she was in front of him, while still wearing her street clothes.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    She was the third performance of the night and Dee decided to hang around by the bar before she needed to go get ready for her shift. His mom had made Dee call her ¡®Mom¡¯ since Ro asked her to move in with him. She was their daughter already, Mom was just waiting for him to pop the big question and make it official.


    ¡°You know how she is.¡± Ro already told her about his phone call to Mom and Dee was still pushing him as he decided to keep it a secret from Dee, though he knew it wasn¡¯t to be a secret for much longer.


    ¡°Lemme guess, she wanted him to attend family dinner? Wait¡­ does that mean Pecan pies for me?! Oh, you filthy dawg¡­ if I don¡¯t love so fucking much I swear I move in with your parents and let them adopt me.¡± Dee grinned before drinking her ss of soda.


    Dee was about to go get changed when she saw Rockford, then Ro felt his insides ttered a little bit when he saw him smile at both of them.


    ¡°There¡¯s the sexy couple. So, why aren¡¯t you back there changing? haven¡¯t you smoldered him enough at home?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ never enough, Ro is such an attention whore just like me. We could never get enough of each other and now¡­ there¡¯s you.¡± Ro watches as Dee puts her hand on his chest, giving his boyfriend a sneak peek of what¡¯s toe if Rockford decides toe home with them againter.


    ¡°Oh, baby, you better ask him the date, I need Mom¡¯s Pecan pies. Yup, I know I¡¯ll be getting another pie to bring home after dinner. So, ask and make it convincing.¡± Dee curled her fingers around the back of Rockford¡¯s neck before pulling him down for a searing kiss.


    ¡°And what was that all about? I think I¡¯m a bit behind on your cute couple lingo.¡± Rockford asked as he rested his elbow on the bar waiting for him to exin after Dee sauntered off to the changing room.


    ¡°Well, I called my mom, we talked, and she told me to invite you to dinner with my parents. Dee is going for the pies, but Mom said that Dad is going to bring out the grill. Look, maybe you think this is too fast and I totally understand if you think I¡¯m assuming stuff between us that is way too presumptuous. But this is me, my family is like that, you don¡¯t have to think anything of it. We¡¯re just¡­¡±


    ¡°Breathe¡­ Ro,¡± The sexy guard put his hand on top of his arm and Ro went quiet instantly. ¡°I¡¯m off on Tuesday and Wednesday, so¡­ do you want to tell me why I¡¯m getting invited to your parents?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ because I told Mom about you. About you, and me, and Dee.¡±


    ¡°Ookay¡­ and I assume that¡¯s something normal in your family, oversharing things, I mean?¡±


    Ro felt a stab of pain in his heart, a humiliation that just made him cowered, and decided that he needed to go to the back storage and get more mixers for the drinks. ¡°Why are you following me? I said it¡¯s okay if you don¡¯t want to go. We can still fool around, or not, you don¡¯t have toe tonight if you don¡¯t want to.¡± Ro was getting flustered and he was almost out of breath when Rockford closed the storage door behind him and pressed Ro to the storage wall before kissing him, shoving his tongue, and shutting him up effectively.


    Ro was swooned, he had longed for a man to just shut his mind and somehow Rockford did exactly that. His hand gripped his shirt while Rockford squeezed his ass making Ro moan his name, quivering like a baby dear in his arms. Now, if he can just have the man longer in his life that¡¯ll be just perfect. That was all Ro ever dared wish for since he knew nothingsted forever with him, even Dee. He knew someday Dee was going to leave him no matter how much in love she was with him. Nothingsts forever. Not for Ro.

 132. Happiness?

    Rockford felt something shift inside him when he saw Ro struggle with his words. The man always looked confident behind the bar, he always easily flirted with the girls, and Ro was practically engaged with a woman as beautiful as Dee. Yes, Rockford was not sure how he entered into their rtionship. This was supposed to be a one-night thing, a night of debauchery where they go crazy with a third. But the sexy couple wanted more and Rockford was not sure if he was strong enough to say no.


    Dee and Ro had been together for so long that the sexy guard was feeling a bit off his game when Dee invited him to be their third. Rockford was not a homewrecker. He had watched the couple from a distance for years, and never in those years of him working with them had he ever entertained the idea of being their third. Not until he was seduced to be their hot stud for the night, Dee¡¯s words not his.


    ¡°Tell me, do you want me to meet your parents?¡± The question was too crazy that he had to ask him myself. What the fuck was going on with his life? All this time Rockford had been distancing myself from rtionships because he didn¡¯t want to endanger anyone with his past, and now there he was with the gorgeous man against the wall asking questions that he shouldn¡¯t ask. Ro was the kind of man who was oblivious to how dangerous the world can be, fuck¡­ he looked hot as hell when he bit his lower lip, seeming unsure of his answer.


    ¡°Y-yes. I already told Dee and she¡­ you heard us before, she told me to make it convincing.¡± His breath hitched, his chest raised, and he shuddered when Rockford¡¯s hand grabbed the back of his waist, pulling him close to the sexy guard.


    ¡°And the way you stutter should make it more convincing?¡± Rockford raised an eyebrow challenging him. Honestly, his cock was getting so fucking hard from the way Ro was getting nervous with his intentions.


    ¡°N-no¡­ but I¡­ I,¡± he huffed in annoyance as if he hated himself when he struggled with his words. ¡°You were¡­¡±


    ¡°I am what, Ro? look at me in the eyes and tell me.¡± Rockford¡¯s hand grabbed the back of his neck, mping harder, forcing him to look at him. And when Ro whimpered, the sexy man¡¯s smile grew wicked. ¡°Tell me, Ro. Tell me what do you want from me?¡±


    ¡°Come to my parents on Tuesday night and um¡­eter tonight to our ce.¡±


    ¡°Mmm¡­ tell me, did that sound convincing to you?¡±


    ¡°N-no?¡±


    Fuck¡­ that sexy stutter was going to make Rockford go wild.


    ¡°On your knees, mouth open, hands behind your back. Be quiet when I fuck that stutter from that sexy lips of yours.¡±


    The man was on his knees in seconds as Rockford heard a thud behind him when he was locking the storage door before getting back to him. Rockford¡¯s belt was unbuckled, and his pants and underwear were down to his thighs before he fed Ro the tip of my dick.


    ¡°Ngghh¡­¡± he moaned when Rockford started thrusting in and out of his mouth. Feeding him inches after inches of his hard dick past his lips until Rockford¡¯s cock hit the back of his throat.


    ¡°Mmnggghh¡­ mfphhfuck¡­¡± A muffled moan slid from his stuffed mouth and damn it sound so fucking good that Rockford thrusts deeper down his throat wanting to hear more of it. Ro¡¯s short nails were digging into his thighs and it felt even more arousing that he knows that Rockford was going toe so damn quick that he¡¯ll be disappointed in himself, but then again, they were not supposed to be doing this in the storage so Rockford was okay withing sooner.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m going toe and you¡¯re going to swallow all of me. Open up, bartender,¡± Rockford instructed, patting his cheek. The blissful look on his face when he opened his mouth for Rockford made hime hard while he drinks every drop of his cum.


    ¡°Get up, Ro, you heard me when I told you to keep your hands behind your back right?¡± Rockford asked smirking when he tucked his dick back into his boxer shorts and zipped up his pants.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m sorry, I¡­ got carried away.¡±


    ¡°Right. Let¡¯s see how I¡¯m going to fix thatter o tonight. Oh¡­ and tell Dee that you did good, you convinced me well. Dee and I will take care of this,ter on after work, yeah?¡± Rockford caressed his hard cock and then he whimpered. Yeah, their little rendezvous was going to be so good, Rockford could feel it already.


    The hot guard was out of the storage before Ro, he was letting Ro have a moment to himself, topose himself before he went back to working behind the bar.


    ¡°Rockford, I never tell my employees how to live their personal lives. But I want you to treat Ro well, he didn¡¯t have it good until he met Denise and they havetched to each other forfort ever since. I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re ying here. But don¡¯t say that I didn¡¯t warn you.¡± It was Jojo, Gage¡¯s righthand woman since basically she was doing everything for the club owner. Well, aside from Rockford and his job. But Jojo had been like the twisted version guardian angel to all the girls working at the club. Rockford just didn¡¯t know that she was extending her affection to the male workers also.


    ¡°Jojo, you have known me for years.¡± I shook my head, not really sure what she was trying to imply when she dragged me into her cramp office and told me to sit down.


    ¡°I know you, and yet, I don¡¯t really know you. Gage had been shady about his deal with you and I can tell that you¡¯re a good guy with a shady past. I just want you to treat Ro with the care that he deserves.¡±


    ¡°And Dee? What about her?¡± Hell, I might as well try to dig what I can about the couple if Jojo was going to lecture me about rtionships.


    ¡°Dee can take care of herself better. Ro has his past and it¡¯s not my story to tell. I just need you to be good to both of them.¡±


    That just made Rockford more curious and when he groaned in annoyance, Jojoughed telling him that he was good. ¡°You¡¯re a good man Rockford, I truly hope whatever skeleton you have in your closet doesn¡¯t decide to mess with your future. I¡¯ve never seen your smile slip so often in thest couple of days, and now I know why.¡±


    Jojo let Rockford out of her office after giving him a stack of documents to be ced on Gage¡¯s desk. After he did what she told him to do, Rockford was going back to being stationed by himself in front of Gage¡¯s office and watching his surroundings until Gage arrived. Then Rockford was to go back to his office, he did the work of the CCTV, and roaster for their little security team.


    The job he had now was a big step down, but he was trying to be invincible, and in this exclusive strip club, he knew that his past would never catch up to him. It had been years since Rockford was chased out of his position as VP of one of the most notorious biker clubs in the country. He was used to people under him, barking them orders, and riding his Harley on the open road with his crew. But years have gone by and Rockford has adapted to a less dangerous lifestyle.


    Nothing was making him worry, well¡­ not until Jojo reminded him about the skeletons in his closet. Rockford huffed and tried to clear my head knowing he had hidden his tracks well. And, after all these years Rockford wanted to assume that his old crew had moved on to more pressing issues than trying to find their ex-VP and eliminate him for good from their biker club.

 133. Hotness

    It was adorable seeing this side of Ro. Dee knew that she loved him so much that she wanted what was best for him and she knew they hit the jackpot the second she saw the interaction between Ro and Rockford.


    Dee recognized the blush her boyfriend was supporting from behind the bar. She had just changed into her costume and decided to hang out a bit with her boyfriend before her performance was up. ¡°Hey, so¡­ tell me what did you and Rockford do? I see that he had sessfully made those lips all sexy and swollen,¡± her thorough observation almost made him tripped and he groaned telling her not to startle him.


    ¡°We did stuff, I was convincing him toe over for dinner, it¡¯ll be Tuesday night, it¡¯s your off days and I¡¯ll talk to Jojo and get Hector to cover my shift. And um¡­ he¡¯ll being to our ceter tonight.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ he¡¯ll being literally,¡± she teased and Ro almost dropped the ss that he was wiping. ¡°Dee!¡±


    She giggled and bit her lip, ¡°What? It¡¯s cute seeing you all flustered. I missed seeing you blush,tely, I¡¯m feeling too vani for you. So, Rockford is good for us, yes?¡± She asked, knowing the answer already. But she wanted the confirmation, Ro meant a lot to her, she loved him and wanted to bring back the sexy sparks between them.


    ¡°Dee, get your sexy ass on the stage and dance. I¡¯ll blushter tonight just for you.¡± Dee grinned as her boyfriend huffed, setting the ss down and continuing to busy himself with meaningless preparation behind the bar.


    When the night ended and she was back at their apartment with her boyfriend, Dee was antsy. Ro had told her to wait for their new lover when he slipped into the bathroom to take a quick shower. Dee had showered off her body glitter back in the club, so she decided to change her clothes into one of Ro¡¯s sleep shirts and her mini shorts that showed her ass perfectly.


    ¡°So, Rockford, what are we doing with him?¡± Ro asked feeling fresh after his quick shower.


    ¡°Uh¡­ the obvious?¡± Dee tilted her head to face her boyfriending towards her in nothing but a towel wrapped lowly on his hips. Her man was sexy and he knows it, she loves salivating over his defined muscles. Ro was built and lean at the same time. She couldn¡¯t take her eyes off the trail of fine hair peppering his abdomen down to the confinement of his fluffy towel.


    ¡°Eyes up here, Dee,¡± Ro smirked shaking his head.


    ¡°Um yeah, sorry, Rockford¡­ we¡¯re having a threesome with him. I like him, you like him and he likes us¡­ so, it¡¯s all around good time for everyone. And¡­ he¡¯sing to your parents¡¯ dinner.¡± She shrugged, not wanting Ro to overanalyze everything like he always does. Dee just wanted him to be happy, she wanted him to let go and she knew Rockford could give that to him and she had never been a selfish partner.


    ¡°But there¡¯s an us and he is an outsider.¡± Ro pushed and Dee shook her head.


    ¡°You are overthinking everything like you always do. We¡¯re young, we love each other and I want to explore everything with you. We are sexual beings, both of us love sex, and a good rtionship is based on good sex. Your mother told me so.¡± Dee was satisfied when she saw her boyfriend squinting his eyes at her as if a simple re was not going to suffice.


    Dee could tell that he was going to argue some more when there was a knock at their door.


    ¡°There, he¡¯s here¡­ why don¡¯t you open the door and greet him in that damn towel and see how long it takes for the rest of us to get naked with you?¡± Dee let out a sexyugh, and Ro didn¡¯t think twice when he opened the door. Dee knew that he was probably still annoyed that Dee was taking his mother¡¯s words which he knows to be true since his parents are the happiest married couple that they knew.


    ¡°Well, isn¡¯t this a sight, I do hope you don¡¯t open your door in just a towel for anyone,¡± Rockfordmented once he saw Ro in just his white towel.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Um no, I was just done with my¡­¡± Ro didn¡¯t get to finish his words when Rockford pushed him inside, before closing and locking the door behind him. His big hand reached for his waist, pulling him in for a deep searing kiss.


    ¡°Fuck, that¡¯s hot,¡± Deemented from the sofa, but she didn¡¯t move. Instead, she watched as Rockford made out with her boyfriend. It only took a second for the towel to be discarded and Ro was in his birthday suit. Dee¡¯s eyes feast as she watched how Rockford groped her boyfriend¡¯s butt cheeks and makes him moan.


    ¡°Dee,¡± The man greeted her and she felt like her limbs were jelly against the living room sofa as his eyes roamed her from head to toe while his hand was still caressing Ro¡¯s ass.


    As if she felt the invisible pull, Dee got up from her seat and walked towards the two men. Her body was held close by Rockford¡¯s other hand and she opened her mouth as his tongue slid between her lips. It was her turn to moan when Rockford squeezed her breast and kissed her deeper. She felt him pinch her nipple, making her gasp and moan his name seductively.


    ¡°Ro, go to the bedroom with Dee, take her clothes off, and let her suck you off. I want to watch.¡± Rockford¡¯s smile turned wicked when Ro shuddered in his arm and Dee whimpered on his other side.


    In their bedroom, the couple made out for the longest time. It was pure torture when Rockford gave out instructions, demanding the couple to follow his orders blindly. The praises that he gave Dee and Ro made their sexy time more enticing for them. Rockford was naked, sitting with his back against the headboard,zily stroking his hard cock while his eyes were watching them with such possessive stares.


    ¡°Fuck her for me, Ro, I want to hear her moaning my name when you fuck her to climax. Come on, Dee, I want your delicious lips sucking on my cock.¡± Dee was quick to be on her hands and knees and she moaned Rockford¡¯s name as her boyfriend thrust hard between her legs. She was so wet that the sound of their pounding resonated throughout the room. Ro groaned, his fingers were digging into Dee¡¯s waist when his thrusts started getting faster and harder.


    True to his demand, Rockford¡¯s name was the only one that was leaving Dee¡¯s mouth as Dee felt Ro was getting rougher with her. She was getting close, as his breath was getting more erratic with each thrust.


    ¡°On your back beautiful,¡± Rockford moved from behind her, kneeling beside her while his hands were caressing Dee¡¯s breast, pinching her nipple one side after another. She whined and was about to moan his name when he shut her up by urging Ro to kiss her words to silence.


    ¡°Both of you are so perfect. Now, suck me. I want to see you both kiss with my cock in between.¡± It was Ro who first licked his precum. He practically purred when Rockford wove his hand through his strands. ¡°You¡¯re so perfect,¡± he cooed and Dee heard her boyfriend let out the sexiest whiny noise that made her clench the hard cock nestled inside her. Ro¡¯s thrusts slow down as they both concentrated on sucking off their new lover. Dee kissed her boyfriend with Rockford¡¯s hard cock between them, sometimes in her mouth, then move to his mouth. They both heard Rockford¡¯s satisfied grunts from above them until they were told to stop.


    ¡°Take her to climax then lick her clean,¡± Rockford whispered in Ro¡¯s ear, his hot breath sent a shiver down his spine. But it was Rockford¡¯s hands that spread him open which sends his arousal through the roof. Dee watched as Rockford put on a condom and inserted his lube cock after a quick prep. His cock was disappearing, inch by inch until he was buried all the way inside her boyfriend.


    Dee watched as Rockford moved with abandon, pounding the love of her life hard and deep. Over and over again. With every thrust, she was getting closer and closer to her climax, until she was finally there and screamed Rockford¡¯s name. Her legs were wrapped around Ro¡¯s shoulder when hetches his lips on her throbbing pussy, seconds after her climax. His hand held her thighs, keeping her still as he licked and sucked her dry.


    Ro came seconds after her, and Rockford was thest to join them when he thrust hard and slumped on Ro¡¯s back while his hips rockedzily, emptying himself into her boyfriend. Rockford reaches down to kiss Dee and then to Ro. He moaned as he tasted her arousal in their kiss.


    ¡°Damn¡­ that¡¯s so hot.¡± Dee nuzzled closer to her boyfriend while Rockford moved to take care of the condoms and get damp towels for both of them. They were both cared for and pampered until they drifted off to sleep in each other¡¯s arms with Rockford spooning Ro from behind.

 134. Issues

    Ro was nervous when it was time to have dinner with his parents. Nervous, because it was the first time that he was going to introduce a third person in their rtionship with his mom and dad. He had brought his first and second boyfriend home and his parents didn¡¯t like both of them. Granted, they were all assholes and they dumped and hurt Ro in the process. But still¡­


    Though his parents like Dee, and they have been together for years now. So, it¡¯s a no-brainer that Ro wanted his parents to like Rockford from experience alone. Because he wanted what they had with Rockford tost longer.


    ¡°Stop worrying so much, you¡¯ll have permanent lines on your forehead.¡± Dee put her hand on his. They were both still at the apartment waiting for Rockford, after agreeing that he should join them in their car rather than him using his Harley. The man was being too sweet when he easily agreed with Ro¡¯s suggestion.


    The couple didn¡¯t have to wait long for Rockford, and then they all left for his parents¡¯ dinner within minutes. Dee was talking most of the time on their way there. Though Ro appreciated her trying to take his mind off dinner, he still wished that she would justshut up so he could enjoy the silence in the car.


    Ro let Rockford drive since apparently he has a little quirk, saying that he never let anyone get behind the wheel if he is to ride with them. Dee just shrugged at the exnation, since she rarely drives. They were halfway there when Ro was nervously chewing on his bottom lip. He could feel Rockford¡¯s gaze at him whenever he watched Ro who seemed to be fixated by other cars passing them from the oppositene.


    Dee was looking asfortable as ever sitting in the backseat until she sat up the second Rockford entered his parents¡¯ driveway and parked his car perfectly.


    ¡°Ro, breathe baby, we¡¯re here.¡± Dee reminded him and heughed nervously, almost coughing, when Rockford¡¯s handsome face was inches from his.


    ¡°You okay there? You look pale.¡±


    ¡°Pfft¡­ I¡¯m fine,e on let¡¯s get inside. I need to go to the restroom.¡± Another awkwardugh passed through his lips and Dee just shook her head, grabbing his arm and then taking Rockford¡¯s arm to her other side. Ro felt nauseated when his mom opened the front door and she smiled at Dee when she practically dragged the two men onto the porch.


    ¡°Mom, this is Rockford. Rockford, this is my Mom, Est. Oh, and my Dad Warren.¡± Ro introduced their new man to his mom andstly his dad when he decided to join his wife and greet them at the front door too.


    ¡°Evening, Mam, Sir, thank you for inviting me to dinner.¡±


    ¡°Oh, honey, aren¡¯t you the polite ones? Please call us Est and Warren or Mom and Dad.¡± She pulled Rockford into a hug then his Dad did the same, making Ro¡¯s shoulders rx a bit.


    ¡°See, there¡¯s nothing to worry about,¡± Dee whispered a bit too loudly beside him and surely enough, his Mom and Dad heard her.


    ¡°Oh my¡­ Dee, you look beautiful more and more each day.¡± It was Dee¡¯s turn to get their warm paternal hugs before they finally greeted their son with a longer and firmer hug.


    ¡°Come on boy, let us get your guests inside. I want to hear all about your new man.¡± His Mom giggled when she saw the horrified look in his eyes. Surely Rockford had heard her although he was in a conversation with his Dad. His Mom had never known to be a subtle person, Ro always thought that was why Dee was close with his Mom.


    Dee had taken her post in his Mom¡¯s kitchen, helping her while the boys helped his Dad man the grill, rxing while having conversations over a bottle of beer. Ro barely heard what his Dad was talking about with Rockford, his mind was thousands of miles away and he was finally plucked from his thoughts when Rockford pulled him aside.


    ¡°W-what?¡± He stuttered trying topose his words.


    ¡°Show me to your room.¡±


    ¡°W-why?¡± Ro hesitated when he saw that his dad was going into the kitchen and they were left alone for a few moments.


    ¡°You¡¯re acting all funny. Come on, we don¡¯t have much time. Just tell your parents and Dee that you¡¯re showing me some childhood collection.¡± Ro didn¡¯t know why or how¡­ but he did listen to Rockford when he told his parents exactly that, Dee looked at him with a knowing look. But she just winked and him and let him go upstairs with their new man.


    ¡°Why are you acting so strange?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Ro didn¡¯t think that he would pick up on it, but he was stupid not to. The man works as a glorified security guard at the club. Ro had known that he was always more than a security guard from the way he carried himself. The man exudes power and authority. This was one of the reasons Ro felt that he was getting over his head for wanting Rockford to be their third.


    The man would surely leave him one day for someone better and more exciting than him. And when Ro thought of that possibility, his insecurities held him back big time.


    ¡°Ro, don¡¯t make me p that ass and get the truth out of you.¡± He felt Rockford¡¯s body heat when he was standing behind him. The man¡¯s broad chest pressed t against his smaller backside. It didn¡¯t take long before Ro heard his childhood bedroom door click shut and he was trapped in the room with the sexy man who went willingly to meet his parents.


    ¡°I¡­ I want my parents to like you.¡±


    ¡°I think they like me enough from our first meet. Now, tell me why is this so important to you?¡± Rockford pulled Ro to sit beside him on the edge of his childhood bed. He took Ro¡¯s hand to hisp, stroking it mindlessly as he urged him to keep on talking.


    ¡°I¡­ cause I like you.¡± Ro sighed but continued with what he was thinking about. ¡°I¡¯m close with my parents and they met my two ex-boyfriends. Mom and Dad seemed to know that those guys were bad for me. My parents didn¡¯t like them and they told me so by the end of our visit. And now I¡¯m dreading the moment they say that they don¡¯t like you. Because somehow they can tell if the boyfriends I¡¯m bringing back is a douchebag or not. Oh¡­ fuck, I don¡¯t mean that¡­¡± Ro seemed to realize his mistake when he identally pronounced the boyfriend¡¯s word.


    Ro didn¡¯t know what was going on between them. Sexually yes, he knows that they werepatible with each other, but rtionship-wise¡­ Dee and he hadn¡¯t been talking about it. Well, Ro tried to talk about it but Dee seemed to say everything is all good between them.


    ¡°Ro, breathe¡­¡± Rockford put a hand on his chest and the man took a deep breath and exhaled.


    ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to assume that we¡¯re in a rtionship or that you¡¯re our boyfriend. It¡¯s all messed up and now you¡¯re having dinner with my parents and I¡¯m¡­¡±


    Rockford didn¡¯t give him the chance to finish his sentence when he kissed him, wrapping his hand around his waist and cupping his jaw with his free hand. Ro melted into their kiss, he opened up and let him taste the sweet beautiful man in front of him.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    ¡°We are what we are, I don¡¯t needbels for us. I don¡¯t know what we¡¯re doing. But I like being with you and Dee.¡± Rockford said the second he ended their kiss.


    ¡°I like us too,¡± Ro confirmed as their kiss lingered between them.


    ¡°So, are you ready to go back downstairs?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡±


    And so Ro went back downstairs to join his parents. They did have a nice evening. They talked and most importantly his parents seemed to like Rockford. He went back to their apartment with the biggest smile on his face, Dee was also supporting her glee when his mom sent her home with a te of her favorite pie. And Rockford was told by Warren and Est to keep their son happy. The words were loud enough that Ro could hear them. But instead of disappointment, their expression indicates their love for their only son.


    After all the worry he put himself through, Ro was more than happy with how the night ended.

 135. Coffee time

    It had been weeks since she had coffee with the girls. This afternoon, she wanted to give time for Ro and Rockford to spend time alone, just the two of them. Dee could see that things between the two men were still a bit distant. It was all Ro, though. Her boyfriend had always been the sweetest guy, the man kept on going back and forth with everything between him and their new third. Ro always seemed reluctant and too shy to instigate things unless Rockford was giving him instructions. Dee knew it was because Ro was still not sure about him and Dee, and their new man. Tomorrow it¡¯ll be her turn to spend time with their third.


    Dee didn¡¯t realize that being in a triad requires so many extra hours in a day. In her case for recuperation and lots of snuggling time afterwards. The sex between them had been amazing, so amazing that Rockford had beening over to their ce almost every night. And when he didn¡¯t it was because he needed to do hisundry and stuff.


    Dee¡¯s friends already knew about her new man. Their group chats had been all about Dee and her men for thest couple of days. This was also why she set up their coffee date. Bree obviously knew her situation from her husband, Gage. Yup, people might say Dee and her boyfriend Ro are the biggest gossip in the club, but Gage and Jojo were another pair of the second biggest gossip in the club. Okay, they might talk because they need to know what is going on with their employees. Not fun. But still, they talked.


    So, because of that, Dee was gathering the girls to meet up at their usual coffee ce. Bree, Cassidy, Charlotte, and Mara were already there when Dee arrived ten minuteste because Rockford went home with themst night. And every time he stayed the night,zy morning sex became a longer affair. With them waking up at almost noon, it makes Dee most definitelyte for her coffee date with the girls.


    ¡°Well¡­ well, you look vibrant thiste afternoon, glowing, I must say.¡± Cassidy was the first toment, while Bree and Mara giggled, Charlotte was shaking her head telling the girls that they were acting like a bunch of high school girls.


    ¡°Umm¡­ we are,¡± It was Bree who interjected, ¡°I mean we¡¯re happy for Dee and her men,¡± she cleared her throat trying to sound more like an adult, but failed when she burst out another fit of giggles.


    ¡°Damn woman, all of you are really supporting me on this, aren¡¯t you? So, who wants to throw the first question? I¡¯m not promising that I¡¯ll answer truthfully or I even going to answer, but I will try.¡±


    ¡°How are you not tired?¡±


    It was the first question and Dee had tough before answering Charlotte¡¯s question. ¡°Well, I am exhausted, Rockford is just so ugh¡­¡± She exaggerated her answer with a visible shudder. ¡°And Ro has always been tireless, so sometimes I just watch them,¡± Dee gave her devilish smirk and all the women sighed simultaneously.


    ¡°So jealous¡­ oh my gawddd,¡± Cassidy fanned herself with her hand, overdramatizing Dee¡¯s words while the rest of them giggled.


    As Dee talked to the girls and they shared their new coupled life, Dee realized that she wanted what her friends had. She even contemted ending her career as a stripper. If a stripper is categorized as a career, ugh¡­ she reminded herself to see what other choices are avable out there.


    Although they gushed about her polyamory rtionship, it was all still too new. Anything could happen in the next couple of months. Things could fall apart and Ro could break up with her. Rockford might decide that it¡¯d be too much for him. So for the time being, ending her career as a stripper was out of the question since Dee didn¡¯t have anything else to fall back into. It was pathetic and she knew it.


    Two hourster, Dee realized that she was really lucky to have her men. She just hoped they feel the same way about her. It had been a known fact that she and Ro had been together for years, yet still, he hadn¡¯t asked her to marry him.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    They did talk about it once, but then Ro was asking about her future ns as in when she would stop dancing and stripping for strangers. Dee didn¡¯t give him any clear answer because she loved performing. She loved dancing and putting smiles on people¡¯s faces.


    When it was time to part from her best friends she was a little envious of them. All of her friends would go back to their husbands, their forever guys. Dee had longed to have one of her own, but she kept her feelings buried deep inside. She smiled at her friends and went to Babes to start her shift.


    Work used to be an escape for her. She loves to dance, and she loves showing off her voluptuous figure. But now, she¡¯d give it all away for her happily ever after. For someone to want her to be their forever. She loved Ro, but she was not sure that he wanted her to be his forever. Now, she started falling for Rockford. It was a dangerous feeling and she knows she needs to keep herself in check.


    It was bad enough that she was hurting from one man, and now she might double the hurt. She wiped her tears angrily and decided to go for a detour to calm her nerves.


    The park has always been a peaceful ce for Dee. She fished out her sunsses from her purse and shielded her teary eyes from people. Dee sat on an empty bench and looked at couples havingzy afternoons in each other¡¯s arms. She cursed silently knowing Dee longed for that too.


    She drew a shaky breath and put herself together before she walked towards Babes. Dee was a master performance, she¡¯d put on a good act and disguise her inner feelings perfectly. She was all smiling when she greeted Elvis by the door. Dee was not feeling better even after going to the park, but she was hiding it wlessly.


    The rest of her shift went as usual until it was time to go home. Rockford was noting home with them, saying he had some chores to finish around his ce. The man kissed both of them before they headed back to their ce.


    ¡°Hey, how¡¯s coffee with the girls?¡± Ro asked as they entered their apartment.


    ¡°It was fun. They¡¯re totally jealous that I get to have two men in my bed.¡± Dee let out her fake giggle, and Ro bought it when heughed. He can be so oblivious sometimes.


    ¡°Oh my god, why would you tell them?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d never.¡± She grinned and defended herself. ¡°But apparently Bree heard from her husband. Turns out Gage and Jojo had been talking about us.¡± She winked and Ro shook his head looking a bit amused while supporting a cute blush on his cheeks.


    Her man looked hot, he was perfect and Dee would do anything to keep him in love with her.

 136. Watched

    Dee, Ro, and Rockford have been fooling around for over two months now. They love their time together as well as their alone time, and yesterday evening was a one-on-one time for him and Ro. The sexy bartender and Rockford spent their night at his and Dee¡¯s apartment. Rockford still remembered how hot the man was for him. He usually didn¡¯t like being all bossy with a man, Rockford liked his man strong and slutty. But with Ro, he liked it when Rockford went all dominant with him. He liked being submissive though Rockford knew he would never admit so in front of Dee. He¡¯d guess Ro loved her so much that he was afraid that she would see it as a w.


    Rockford¡¯s cock was getting hard as he was reminded of how he bent Ro over the couch and pound his ass hard and deep. Ro was surprisingly bendy, his leg was to his chest as he opened himself making sure Rockford buried his cock deep inside his ass. They had let go of using condoms after theirst health checks and Dee was on her pills. Breeding kink was like a staple in their sexual debauchery.


    Ro would always get excited with rough sex, he gets high every time Rockford fucked him on any surface besides the bed. But then Ro would get all soft and caring when Dee was involved. It was adorable and Rockford liked their dynamics. Wall sex was Ro¡¯stest go-to, he¡¯d get on his knees and let Rockford roughly fuck his mouth while he was caged against the wall. Then, he¡¯d let out soft adorable whimpers when Rockford yanked him up and flipped him to face the wall, and fuck him from behind. Hard. He got off with Rockford spanking his ass red. Their breaths were heavy when Rockford finally filled Ro¡¯s ass with his cum while his lover clenched around his length, milking him dry.


    Tonight Ro was working and Rockford was on his way to Ro¡¯s and Dee¡¯s apartment to see the voluptuous woman. Apparently, with a fucking hard-on since his mind went straight to the gutter every time he got to thinking about one of them.


    ¡°Oh my, you¡¯re hot and ready aren¡¯t you?¡± Dee teased as she greeted him at their door.


    ¡°Mmh¡­ yes, I identally thought of your boyfriend and his fine ass on the way here and now I will need you to help me. Maybe we can start with a sexy sixty-nine and go from there?¡± Rockford suggested in between their kisses the second Dee closed and locked the door behind them.


    ¡°Oh fuck yes¡­ tell me what did you do to my handsome boyfriend?¡±


    ¡°Mmh¡­ I fuck his face and his ass and breed the kinky fucker against the wall.¡± The tattooed man whispered huskily in her ear. Bree likes dirty talks and he knows being extra dirty would have her writhing under him in no time.


    ¡°Was he extra sloppy?¡± She bit her lip when they were by the bed. Rockford was stripping off his clothes and she did the same.


    ¡°The sloppiest, my dick was down his throat¡­ he gagged, looking sexy as hell when I shoved it deep inside him.¡± The man smirked, knowing she was probably drenched already when her thighs moved needing the friction.


    ¡°Mmh¡­ you know what? I think you like what you¡¯re hearing just now, don¡¯t you?¡±Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    ¡°I do,¡± she bit her plump lower lip again and his dick was liking it.


    ¡°On your back, head on the edge of the bed, and open your legs wide.¡±


    Dee whimpered when Rockford pped her wrist the second she reached down to touch herself. ¡°Hands back, on my thighs,¡± He demanded as Rockford stood with his legs parted, caging her head and slowly feeding his cock between her lips.


    The man¡¯s fingers wrapped around her throat and he pinched her nipples with his free hand. ¡°Look, baby, you¡¯re all pink and ready for me aren¡¯t you?¡± She gagged and moaned when he gave her pussy a sexy p.


    ¡°Fuck you¡¯re so fucking drenched for me. Will one cock be enough for our needy dancer? Will I need to get one of your toys and stretch you out? Talk to me, Dee.¡± Rockford pped her wet pussy and shoved his cock deeper down her throat, making it impossible for her to answer him. And fuck¡­ the overpowering feel gave him such a rush that he quickly pulled back, not wanting toe so soon.


    Rockford cherished their one-on-one session, and like the one he had with Ro, Dee has such a healthy sexual appetite. Okay¡­ he put it as a healthy one, though she¡¯s more depraved than any woman he had ever had sex with and it was refreshing and exhrating. The voluptuous woman was taking everything he gave her with such enthusiasm that Rockford needed to pull back several times and make sure that he wouldn¡¯t climax too soon.


    Another p between her creamy thighs made his cock twitch as Rockford slipped himself in and out her mouth,zily letting her tongue stroke his length. ¡°Fuck, I can do this all night, baby,¡± Rockford awarded her with a harder p on her wet pussy. She moaned and his cock was feeling it. Dee coulde with just being pped down there, but he didn¡¯t want to do that. Not yet.


    Rockford wanted to slip inside her, filling her deep and fucked her hard. ¡°Turn around, I want to taste you,¡± her eyes were wide when she saw him suddenly move to reach into their y drawer and get the purple toy. Yep, the vibrating one.


    He reached for her little vanity stool knowing Rockford wanted to take his time with her. Dee was curling her toes when he kissed her knee and sat his naked ass on her stool. When Rockford leaned down andtched his lips to taste her, his hands expertly inserted the toy and let it set to the highest setting. It vibrated inside her and Dee was about to close her knees when he pped her pussy yfully and told her to keep them open.


    Taking her legs to the back of his shoulder, his lips were back on her delectable pussy and Rockford started licking. He kept on licking and smiling between sucking her. He was letting her slick arousal dripped to her ass. His fingers yed between her buttcheeks and teased while she squirmed, begging for more. She was drenched, dripping with clear sexy slick when Rockford pulled the toy and pressed it in her ass.


    ¡°Damn it, Rockford, I need more!¡± She eximed while he smirked. He stood up and took his position before slowly pushing his throbbing cock into her needy pussy, while the toy was still inside her. It was a tight fit. Not as tight as if Ro was there, but it was close enough.


    Her horny cry made Rockford pound faster. She was a sexy mess when she pulled him down toshut her up with a kiss. It was needy and hot and she came hard with a loud cry of his name. Rockford followed a few thrustster and pulled out before smearing her pussy with his cum. She whimpered when hezily stroked his length to her wet mound while her legs wrapped his and Rockford¡¯s hand slipped between them to release the toy from her.


    ¡°Fuck, that¡¯s just what I needed.¡± Her words gave out a vibe that Rockford didn¡¯t like and it suddenly made him tense. He had heard her rxed and calm after-sex voice, and that was not it.


    ¡°Dee, do you have something you want to tell me?¡± His question made her sit up and walk towards the bathroom, mumbling about wanting to clean herself first. The man followed behind her, clearing their clothes and the toy from the bedroom floor.


    Last night Dee stayed at Charlotte¡¯s where she and her girlfriends had a movie night. Rockford didn¡¯t know what had triggered her feelings moments ago, but he was determined to find out.


    ¡°It¡¯s silly.¡± She said when she was back under the cover and leaned closer to his side. ¡°It feels like I¡¯m being watched. I¡­ oh God. This is just stupid. I¡¯m ming the girls for our sleepover fright movies.¡±


    ¡°Why do you think you¡¯re being watched?¡± Rockford didn¡¯t care what she thought, he just needed to find out why she thought someone was watching her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know I just feel it. I told you I¡¯m probably just overreacting.¡±


    As she rested her cheek on his chest, Rockford¡¯s mind wondered about the possible threats looming over her. His mind went straight to thinking if they had found him. Would both Dee and Ro be in danger because of Rockford¡¯s past?

 137. Thoughts

    Ro felt something was off with Rockford and Dee. Insecurities were creeping back to the back of his mind. They have been together for thest two months, everything was great until a couple of days ago. Precisely since thest time Dee and Rockford had their one-on-one time. He thought he had great sex with Rockford before that. He felt good about himself and he thought Rockford did too.


    ¡°Honey, something is bothering you. Spill.¡± Ro¡¯s mom scolded him when he was apanying his mom shopping. It was their mom and son¡¯s bonding time. They have been doing so since he was a kid since his dad was always busy with work. Well¡­ aside from that, she didn¡¯t need another excuse. He was just there because he wanted to. He loves his mom and he loves spending time with her.


    ¡°How can you always tell?¡±


    ¡°Please I have you in me for nine months, of course I can tell.¡± His mom took his free hand and dragged him to the nearest coffee shop. His other hand was full of shopping bags, but he managed not to drop them.


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯m practically lifting weights here, you might want to take it slow. I¡¯m not athletic enough for this.¡± Ro rolled his eyes and his momughed elegantly as she sat down in the empty chair while tapping on the table telling her son to take a seat. Her other hand waves the waiter near them to take their order.


    ¡°Mom,¡±


    ¡°Sssh, baby, let me order for us.¡± She rested her handon his, practically silencing him while she ordered for both of them. It didn¡¯t matter that Ro wanted an espresso, she still ordered one of those fancy frappes with caramel and chocte that he loathes on a coffee. Ro knew he was going to buy another espresso once his mom was done ordering one for them.


    ¡°Now, spill.¡± She said when the waiter was done taking their drink and apparently, he was going to eat some pastries with their creamy iced coffees.


    ¡°It¡¯s probably nothing, but I feel like something is off with Dee and Rockford. I don¡¯t know. Maybe¡­¡± Ro¡¯s shoulder slumped when he felt his desperation creeping up to the surface.


    ¡°Stop this nonsense right now. Dee adores you. She loves you and I can tell from the couple of times that Rockford came for dinner that he cares about both of you. I even think that he¡¯s the missing piece in you and Dee¡¯s rtionship.¡±


    ¡°Well, sincest week I used to think the same. But something changed after they had their one-on-one night.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ so, maybe it¡¯s between Dee and Rockford thing, have you tried talking to Dee?¡±


    ¡°I did, she kept on saying that nothing was wrong. That¡¯s why I think maybe she¡¯s bored of me, maybe she decides she likes Rockford better.¡±


    ¡°Stop it, Ro. I don¡¯t think that¡¯s true. Have you tried talking to Rockford?¡±


    The conversation paused when the waiter came back with their order. Ro tried not to flinch from the sweet drink, though yes, he never thinks anything but espresso as coffee and his mom always gets the pleasure of ordering him the whitest and creamiest coffee whenever she is out with him.


    ¡°Mom, we¡¯re still new. Though I¡¯ve known him for years maybe he thinks three is a crowd? Maybe I¡¯m not what he was looking for. Maybe Dee is more than enough for him.¡± Ro continued his exnation, it was kind of stupid when he heard himself saying it. But there¡¯s no better reason that he could think of.


    ¡°Son, don¡¯t. You¡¯re the most perfect person I know and I would never think you¡¯re not good enough for anyone.¡±Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    Ro resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Of course, his parents would think that he was perfect. He¡¯s their only child and they love him to death, the same way he loves his parents.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ don¡¯t give me that look. I¡¯m still your mother, young man, and I know my son. If they think you¡¯re not good enough for them, then that¡¯s their loss. But still, I think you need to talk to them.¡± His mom sent him an assuring smile before she took a sip of her coffee.


    ¡°You know I¡¯m not perfect, Mom, not after the incident.¡± Ro decided to stuff his mouth with the pastry, clearly wanting just a bit of time for himself.


    ¡°Oh honey, Dee knows about it and she didn¡¯t back down from loving you for years. I¡¯m sure this is about something else. Just promise me you will talk to them.¡±


    ¡°Okay Mom,¡± Ro eventually said in defeat. He knew his mom meant well, she did love him, and she wanted what was best for him. Even though those who his mom thinks highly of might not want him.


    Their coffee timested for another hour, and Ro dropped his mother at his childhood home before he went back to their apartment. He thought about what his mom said and he knew that he had to go through with it or he had to answer to his mom. And Ro really didn¡¯t want to disappoint her when he told her the truth.


    The moment Ro reached the apartment, Dee was there and so was Rockford. They both looked tense and that was when he decided to get it over with. Though Ro dreaded what mighte next, he really needs to suck it up and be done with it.


    ¡°Okay, I need both of you to give it to me. Talk to me.¡± When Rockford hesitated and Dee looked like she was ready to bolt, Ro was preparing himself for the inevitable. ¡°Dee, are you breaking up with me?¡±


    ¡°W-what? Why would you think that? Ro, no¡­ I love you.¡±


    Ro flinched when she put her hand on his arm, caressing him gently before she pecked his lips.


    ¡°So what is going on?¡± Ro asked again.


    Rockford finally cleared his throat, putting his hand on his waist, and pulling him close for a kiss. ¡°Remember when I told you that being involved with me is a mistake?¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s not, I care about you,¡± Ro interjected. Being raised by his sweet loving parents, Ro knows that he always prefers honesty above all. And he was honest when he told Rockford that he cared about the man.


    ¡°Thank you, Ro, I care about you too. And I know it¡¯s even more than that for me.¡±


    Ro didn¡¯t want to think, he didn¡¯t want to hope because he too was feeling more than like for Rockford. He was falling for the man and that was also why he thought their tense behavior was messing with his mind.


    ¡°Ro, what I¡¯m trying to say is that Dee is in danger. We think that someone is following her and it¡¯s still not clear who that someone is. It could be someone from my past and I don¡¯t want to take chances. Look, Dee told me about what happened to you and I decided to keep this from you. But now, I think you¡¯re more¡­¡±


    Ro stopped listening to his words, instead, he looked at Dee and swiftly pulled her into his arms. He couldn¡¯t imagine someone was tailing her, Ro didn¡¯t want anything bad to happen to the love of his life. Also not to Rockford.


    ¡°You will take days off until we figure this out. I¡¯m not risking anyone taking you away from me.¡±


    ¡°Ro, I can¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t Dee, if you love me don¡¯t make me risk the chance of losing you. I¡¯ve been thinking of losing both of you for these few days and I hated it.¡±


    Dee was quiet but Ro didn¡¯t care, he was not losing her over some deranged person or someone from Rockford¡¯s past. He needed her safe. He needed both of them safe.

 138. Quiet night

    ¡°Ro, babe, I¡¯m okay. I¡¯m sorry if we upset you.¡± Dee wrapped an arm around his back and let him pull her even closer. She felt his lips on her forehead before she felt Rockford move to close the distance between them.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Ro, I was trying to stretch the time, wanting to know who the stalker is before telling you. But I realized that it was wrong of us to keep it away from you.¡± Rockford added and he leaned closer, grabbing the back of his neck andtching his lips to Ro¡¯s.


    ¡°You told him?¡± Ro asked his girlfriend usingly. Dee looked guilty but she was not at all surprised by his reaction.


    ¡°Before you me her, I was the one who pushed her to tell me.¡± Rockford moved back and rested against the console table. He looked at the beautiful couple in front of him and he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that he had made a terrible mistake. He shouldn¡¯t have followed through with his urges. He should¡¯ve thought with his brain and not his dick.


    ¡°Rockford, don¡¯t.¡± Dee scolded him as she stepped back and released her arms from Ro.


    The man shook his head and took a deep exhale before he kept on going with his confession. ¡°Why don¡¯t we all sit and I will tell you my story. I have told Dee parts, but that¡¯s not all of it.¡± Rockford waited until his lovers sat down on the living room sofa and he paced in front of them. He was too nervous to take a seat.


    When Dee put her hand on Ro¡¯s thigh to settle him down, Rockford didn¡¯t even hesitate, he wanted them to know. Even when those facts would jeopardize his future happiness. Because he knew that once they knew, there¡¯d be a chance that he was going to lose the two persons he was already falling for.


    ¡°I was the VP, vice president, of one of the most notorious biker clubs in the city. We were ouws and we stayed close to the local cartels. We were a business but also a brotherhood. Back then we worked for local cartels and were getting introduced to the Russian mob that was controlling the city.¡± Rockford paused trying to read his lovers¡¯ reaction. He had already told Dee about his situation but he was about to tell it in a more detailed manner.


    ¡°Everything was going great until we were hitting it big. Money was easy, and jobs wereing in, making us busy bees for the big important mob boss. Then one day, we had a fallout and our men were fighting each other, they were getting greedy and wanting bigger cuts.¡± Rockford stopped pacing and he wiped his palm to his face as if he was too damn tired. But still, he continued with his story.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    ¡°One day our Prez was killed, and I was used of orchestrating everything. He was my best friend and I was mourning his loss when someone tried to kill me. I was being cast away. Someone wanted me dead.¡±


    Rockford saw the worried expressions in both of his lovers. He took a deep breath, knowing he needed them to know everything. Would the love he has for them make him strong enough to make him walk away from them? And if so, will they be safe after he left? Rockford was not convinced.


    ¡°H-how¡­ how can you be sure it¡¯s them? You¡¯ve been working at Babes for years and we didn¡¯t even know.¡± Ro asked and Rockford wanted to answer that he didn¡¯t know. Because honestly, he didn¡¯t.


    Instead, he says, ¡°I am going to ask a favor from a friend. He was the one who used to own Babes before they sold it to Gage. I have been in contact and still waiting to hear from him.¡±


    ¡°Is everything going to be okay? Will Dee be safe? Will you be okay? Do we need to hide?¡±


    Rockford smiled at him, of course, the sweet man would worry about others before himself. The man pushed the coffee table away and kneeled in front of Ro, his hand rubbing his knee while his free hand cupped his jaw. ¡°I will keep both of you safe. I¡¯m going to call him and arrange a meeting, but I need both of you to call work and take a couple of days off. I will clear things with Gage and um¡­ I will need you both to prepare a go bag.¡±


    Dee gasped and his hand moved to stroke her cheek. He was getting emotional, and his chest hurt when he realized that he was getting the two persons he nowe to love and put them both in danger¡¯s way. He nted the sweetest kiss on her lips before doing the same to Ro¡¯s.


    ¡°I love you, both of you. And I would do anything to keep you safe.¡± It was a promise and Rockford always keeps his promise. Always.


    His lovers were still drowning in their moment, taking in his love deration when there was a knock on the door. They were both startled by it, but Rockford¡¯s shoulder tensed.


    ¡°Stay here. I¡¯ll get that.¡± Rockford got on his knees, trying to put on a brave face as if it was normal for someone to knock on the apartment doorte at night.


    ¡°Alec Radley Rockford, my name is Detective Alvarez,¡± The guy who mentioned his name was wearing civilian clothes, but Rockford recognized a cop when he saw one. He had two cops in uniform nking his sides. ¡°You are under arrest for the murder of Trenton Williamson, you have the right to remain silent¡­¡± The rest of his words flew by Rockford¡¯s ears as he looked back at Dee and Ro who were looking at him in horror as one of the uniform cops pushed Rockford¡¯s body against the living room wall, patted him down, and took his gun away before the cop roughly put cuffs on his wrists.


    ¡°Can I talk to them before I go?¡±


    The detective nodded but stayed near while one of the two uniforms was calling in it. Rockford could hear voices telling whoever was on the other line that they had arrested him and were going to take him back to the police station.


    ¡°Ro, Dee, I will be fine. I need you to pack your bags. I will call my friend and they will keep you safe. I will see you both again, okay?¡±


    ¡°They can¡¯t¡­ they can¡¯t just take you away like this,¡± Dee was already showing her reluctance in letting him go. Then he saw Ro¡¯s arm draping her shoulder, pulling her close to him. He kissed her temple when she sobbed, clearly frustrated with the situation and Rockford hated it. He hated seeing her scared for thest couple of days, and now he was being taken away making her panicking even more.


    ¡°I will be fine. But I still want both of you to be safe. Promise me you will do as I ask?¡±


    ¡°We will.¡± It was Ro who was assuring him and Rockford nodded seconds before one of the uniform officers roughly yanked his arm towards the door telling him his time was up and he could call them from the police station.


    And just like that, the quiet night that he was hoping to exin further and put Dee and Ro at ease was shattered by the cops. Rockford was angry and he was frustrated when they shoved him into the backseat of the police cruiser. Detective Alvarez was getting into his shiny grey SUV and drove off first, leaving the two uniform cops grumbling and mming the backseat door inches from his face.


    Fuck. Rockford cursed on the inside, hoping he would get the chance to call Max sooner thanter. Thest time he talked to the Russian mob boss, he told him toy low and he would ask around. So Rockford did, he trusted the man with his life. He just hoped that the man would once again save his life.

 139. Bugging out

    Ro didn¡¯t know what to do, so he did as he was asked. He prepared their bags and put their clothes in them, he even Googled what to pack in a go bag. He looked at Dee who was making their coffee since she seemed confused and overwhelmed with everything that was going on. Ro gave her small kisses every now and then, assuring her that everything would be okay. It took him a few more minutes before he called his boss, Gage, and told him what had happened to Rockford.


    ¡°We¡¯re fine, Gage. I¡¯m just keeping my promise. Rockford told us to call you and take a few days off. He said you¡¯d know what to do. He had called in a favor to his friend. The previous owner of Babes?¡±


    Gage had known about the newest addition to their rtionship with Rockford, thanks to his wife Bree who is a very good friend of Dee.


    ¡°Good¡­ good, everything will be okay then. I¡¯ll call Max and tell him about Rockford¡¯s arrest. Someone will be there for you in a couple of hours, maybe even less. They will keep you and Dee safe. I will make sure of it, or my lovely wife is going to divorce me.¡± His words were meant as a joke, but his tone was serious, and Ro let out a frustrated sigh. He was barely holding on, but he needed to be strong for Dee. At least until someonees to help them.


    There was a sense of belonging when you worked at Babes. Everyone knows everyone and barely anything is left private especially when the girls keep their friendship tight.


    Gage ended their call, telling him he needed to make a call. Ro was back to packing their bag and checking in on Dee who was now making snacks for both of them. Maybe she needed to busy her mind with some meaningless tasks, and Ro was just d that she was keeping herself sane rather than breaking down on him. Because if it happened, Ro wouldn¡¯t know what to do. He would most likely¡­


    His chain of thoughts was interrupted by a knock on their door. This time, both Dee and Ro freeze and look at each other. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ll get the door.¡±Ro broke the silence between them.


    ¡°Evening, Max sent me. I¡¯m Ivan. Have you prepared your bags?¡±


    ¡°Max?¡± Dee asked, her voice wasced with hesitation and my emotional state was not far from her. It has been a crazy couple of days and she had it worse than me.


    ¡°Um¡­ yeah, Boss said Gage called him earlier. Rockford is okay. He will join you guys shortly.¡±


    ¡°Will you wait here? Please take a seat while I call someone.¡± Ro tried to hide his nervousness as he shoved his shaky hands into his pockets and moved to get their bags.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Ivan sighed and took his seat, mumbling something about how he hated babysitting jobs. Ro ignored the guy and moved into the kitchen where he tried to call Rockford but connected to his voicemail. Then he called Gage and the man said that he knew of Ivan. He gave Ro his description down to his annoyed scowl making Ro trust that he was who he said he was.


    Dee was keeping everything to herself when Ro helped her with her bags. She looked damn tired, still, Ro kept her close though it seems like she was about ready to jump the nk. Ro was obviously not. There was a fire in him to fight for his man, and be there for Dee at the same time. The realization hit him and he was quick to give Ivan their bags while he helped Dee with getting ready to leave.


    They left the apartment not long after. They got into Ivan¡¯s car after Dee. Ro would consider the man attractive if he didn¡¯t have that scowl on his face. At first, he thought that it was because of them, but as they arrived at their destination and they met his colleagues the man didn¡¯t even smile.


    ¡°Stay here, I¡¯m just going to get the keys and our supplies. It¡¯ste I¡¯d rather wey low than do midnight grocery shopping.¡± He informed them when he was back from talking to his friends. Ro rested back in his seat when the guy left him with Dee in the car. She was wide awake but hadn¡¯t said anything the whole hour¡¯s drive and Ro did not like it. It was not like Dee to stay quiet. She¡¯s the only woman Ro knows that would always talk when she¡¯s nervous and with the current situation, Dee should be babbling and annoying the fuck out of this Ivan dude.


    ¡°Dee¡­ Denise, talk to me, baby?¡±


    ¡°Are we going to be okay? I really don¡¯t want to die. Do you think Rockford will be okay? Will he go to prison? Will the stalker guy keep on following me?¡± It was like unplugging the sink. Her questions came pouring out of her mouth and Ro thanked himself silently for opting to sit next to Dee on the back passenger seat.


    ¡°Dee, baby, breathe¡­ I¡¯m here. We will get through this together. Gage knows these guys and we know Gage, he¡¯s the most responsible person we know. Hell, Gage has been Bree¡¯s husband for years now. He already confessed that she would divorce him if anything happened to you.¡± Thatst words finally get Dee to give him a little smile. Ro felt instantly better. At least there was still something that he could fix and keeping Dee grounded might just be the perfect distraction for Ro.


    Ivan was back in less than twenty minutester with big bags of supplies. Earlier, when the man pulled over in the spacious driveway of the huge mansion, Ro wasn¡¯t expecting the grounds to be littered with men with guns casually walking and talking like it was their normal. He assumed that the mansion was the mob boss¡¯s ce. He didn¡¯t get to think much when Ivan mmed shut the back door after putting the bags away.


    Ro kept his arm around Dee¡¯s shoulder as she melted into him. Her tension was gradually fading as once again they were back on the road. Ivan didn¡¯t say anything, he didn¡¯t talk about where they were going and Ro was too nervous to ask. So he decided to keep Dee calm, rubbing his hand on her back and resting her head on his chest.


    When Ivan parked the car into the garage and then turned off the engine, they were nketed by darkness that made Dee clutched onto the front of Ro¡¯s shirt. Her boyfriend kissed the top of her head, trying to soothe her. ¡°Shh¡­ were safe, we are better here with Ivan rather than staying at the apartment by ourselves. Okay?¡±


    Secondster, they got out of the car and into the house through the side door connected to the garage. It was a big vi nestled in the busy tourist mountain destination. ¡°Um¡­ I thought we were going to go somewhere lowkey?¡± Ro couldn¡¯t help himself to ask Ivan because honestly, he was not feeling safe staying near people. Ro would tire himself by wondering each time he saw strangers looking at him. And in this touristy destination, everyone is a stranger.


    ¡°The boss wants us to hide in the open and in this sweet tourist trap town, those bikers will stick out like a sore thumb,¡± Ivan exined with a slight twitch on his lip as if he was genuinely fond of his boss¡¯s smart thinking. Ro raised his eyebrow when he was sure he saw the slight hint of a smile on Ivan¡¯s face.


    ¡°The master in through the hall, the Vi is cleared you can go ahead and rest. We have rms on every single window and entrance¡­¡± Ivan led the way to the said master bedroom, he even showed us the panic room hidden inside the walk-in closet.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to leave you to rest. There is nothing scheduled for both of you tomorrow, so you can rx and wake upte or whatever. You have the full use of the kitchen that we passed through earlier and I will be staying in the guest bedroom near the living room. Knock once if you don¡¯t want any surprises. I sleep with a gun on missions.¡± There was a seriousness in his voice. The man was stating facts and didn¡¯t want to surprise them.


    Ro nodded and locked the door after Ivan. Dee was already unpacking their things, though Ro was not sure that she should. The truth was, he didn¡¯t know what to do in this situation, this was not what his parents thought him growing up. Ro was a happy kid with the perfect set of parents who taught him nothing but love and the peaceful, wonderful world they were living in.


    One hourter, Ro wrapped his arm around Dee after she finally rxed and fell into a deep medicated sleep. Yes, after they arrived Ro noticed that Dee was not better, so he asked for some sleeping pills and Ivan gave him a couple from one of the kitchen cabs. The one where it looked like they had various supplies from the local pharmacy. Then he heard Ivan mumbling something about needing them for emergencies. Ro¡¯s mind quickly switched to the line of work those people were in so he just nodded and thanked him for the pills before heading back to their room.


    With Dee safely in his arms, Ro was finally able to close his eyes, after quietly sending a little wish to Rockford hoping that he was going to be just fine. At least the police have him and he wasn¡¯t abducted and shoved into the damp basement without supplies for days. Ro shook his head when the thought of his ugly past came creeping from the back of his mind. The man sighed, pulling Dee closer, telling himself that he was safe and that nothing would happen to them, not with Ivan guarding them along with the Vi¡¯s top-notch rm system and panic room.


    It seemed that whatever Ro convinced himself didn¡¯t work because he woke up screaming hourster and Ivan burst into their room with guns in hand and Dee was screaming and crying after tumbling onto the floor.


    Fuck! Ro cursed finally admitting himself that he was absolutely not fine.

 140. Surprised

    Detective Alvarez turned out to be the help that he needed. He was not outing himself to be the go-to guy for the mob boss so the dramatics were needed. ¡°Nope, none of them knows about this.¡± Alvarez turned off the recording device and uncuffed Rockford¡¯s wrists. ¡°I¡¯m doing a favor for your friend and I¡¯ve looked into your situation. You¡¯re in deep shit man, but I like my town in peace, and having war gangs is not on my bucket list. I really want to stay clear of the aftermath and administrative bullshit.¡±


    Alvarez talked for another five minutes while Rockford listened. He had been good with listening to people over the years. From the way he talked, the overweight cop was just waiting for his promotion and he knew when you do a favor with an important person such as Max, Rockford did not doubt that Alvarez would go far in his career.


    ¡°When can I talk to Max?¡±


    Alvarez smirked and gave him his phone.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you half an hour before I¡¯ll release you on bail. One of Max¡¯swyers should be here soon. I¡¯ll spin some story about you willing to give us info, knowing the real killer and what really happened.¡± His smile was cocky when Alvarez walked out f the small interrogation room and locked the door behind him.


    Rockford looked at the time, he saw the miscalls on his phone from Ro. He knew that it waste, so he texted Max saying thank you before calling Gage. Yes, it was safer to call Gage while waiting if Max responded to his text. This was not his n, he didn¡¯t think that things would escte quickly. With Ro¡¯s past trauma, he wanted to be there for his man. Rockford loved them, he was d that he told them minutes before shit hits the fan.


    ¡°About time you called. Max filled me in on your situation. Dee and Ro are safe with Ivan. He said that Demyan would be waiting for you to take you to them. Don¡¯t bother calling the guy. He¡¯s busy¡­¡± Gage¡¯s words barely registered, his mind was busy with the thoughts of his lovers hiding away somece because he was too dangerous to be around. He should let them be, but then Rockford wanted to be selfish. He wanted happiness for his future.


    ¡°Thank you, Gage,¡±


    ¡°No need, we¡¯ve known each other for years, and Dee and Bree are best friends we¡¯re practically family. Maybe a fucked up one, but still, family. And in our family, you don¡¯t get to flee once everything bes difficult, okay?¡±


    Rockford wanted to roll his eyes. Gage was right, they¡¯re family and he loves each and every one of them. Running away from them was not an option. ¡°I know, I hate that you know me too well. But thanks, Gage.¡±


    ¡°Okay, enough with this heart-to-heart bullshit. Go to the parking lot and find Demyan. He¡¯ll be the guy with the most expensive-looking ck SUV.¡± Rockford finally chuckled at his parting word. He ended the call, put the phone on the table, and waited for Alvarez to get him released as promised.


    After his call with Gage, it took another two hours before Alvarez came into the tiny windowless room. ¡°Sorry about the wait, we have to make it convincing.¡± Yeah, the man didn¡¯t look sorry at all. But Rockford didn¡¯t mind, as long as he got to walk away and reunited with Dee and Ro.


    But before he was released, Alvarez talked about the body of his best friend, Trenton, the Prez of his old biker crew. ¡°Trenton was found under a construction site. Buried under the cement. They were remodeling the ce and found him. The patch gives him away. He was sent to the morgue, but we easily recognized his vest and the Prez patch. Tell me, who wants him dead? I need to close this thing before everything blows up in my face.¡±


    Rockford spent the next half an hour exining to Alvarez about his crew. He kept incriminating information about him and Max to himself. He wasn¡¯t going to trust Alvarez. He knew from experience people would do stupid things for something even more stupid.


    ¡°Okay, good. I think I have everything for my team to check out. Keep your phone line open and contact me when you think they¡¯re closing in on you. It¡¯ll be the perfect excuse for us to arrest them. We will deal with the evidence afterward.¡± The detective said with a cold smile on his face.


    Rockford didn¡¯t have to imagine what he referred to by dealing with evidence. He was not as young and stupid as he was once before. He knew cops had ways of making sure everything was adding up for an arrest.


    When they were finally done, Rockford was too damn tired. Alvarez let him leave through the side door after awyer whom Max had sent for him dealt with his paperwork and legal stuff. Gage was right, someone who introduced himself as Demyan led him to his car. Rockford needed to thank the mob boss after everything¡¯s settled down.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± Rockford asked after he buckled in and Demyan drove them towards their destination.


    ¡°Up the mountains, big boss has a nice Vi up there. I will stay with you guys and Ivan will go back to his post.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, and do you know how long we¡¯re going to stay there?¡±


    Demyan shrugged before telling Rockford that they would stay as long as they needed to. The rest of the ride up was spent in silence. Rockford worried about Dee and Ro and he hated the fact that his love deration was met in such a dreadful situation.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you go in, I¡¯m going to go to town to get more supplies. Ivan had texted me earlier. Tell him I¡¯ll be back in an hour.¡±


    Demyan dropped him off in the driveway of the beautiful mountain vi. The front door opened and a man introduced himself as Ivan weed Rockford inside. He didn¡¯t have the chance to talk to the man when he saw Ro in the kitchen fussing with the coffee machine.


    ¡°Rockford!¡± It was Dee¡¯s surprise gasp that alerted his man and Ro moved from behind the kitchen counter to hug him.


    ¡°Um¡­ I really need to shower,¡±


    ¡°And a good rest, have you had any sleep yet?¡± Dee hugged him anyway and nted a chaste kiss on his lips.


    ¡°A few hours here and there, I¡¯ll be fine. I just need to shower and change. Um, are there any clean clothes around?¡±


    ¡°You can wear mine,¡± Ro leaned in and kissed his cheek, then resting his hand on his chest. Ivan looked at them without judgment, Rockford would even say that the man looked bored out of his mind. Rockford was led into a bedroom, Dee was quick to sit on the edge of the bed while Ro went to get clean clothes for Rockford.


    ¡°Go shower, then you can tell us everything.¡± Ro gave him his clothes before joining Dee on the bed, resting his arm around her shoulder. It was such a perfect view, Rockford thought to himself.


    A nice hot shower, a change of clean clothes, and a cup of steaming hot coffeeter, Rockford joined his lovers. His back was to headboard, his sides nked by Dee and Ro.


    ¡°How are you two holding up?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re fine,¡± Ro answered a bit too quickly.


    ¡°No, you¡¯re not. He had a nightmare. Screaming, making Ivan burst with guns into the room and me tumbling down the bed.¡± Dee huffed in annoyance, Rockford shouldn¡¯t haveughed but he could totally imagine the scene. ¡°Sorry, I should be more sensitive.¡±


    ¡°No, you¡¯re not.¡± Ro practically rolled his eyes. That man is a ray of sunshine even on his bad days he would never be mad at anyone, and most importantly he would never get mad at his girlfriend. ¡°But, let us forget everything for a few moments and get back to when you said that you love us.¡± Ro put his empty cup on the bedside table and rested his hand on Rockford¡¯s hard abs. Dee was on his other side, caressing his thigh mindlessly while her cheek was to his shoulder.


    ¡°Anyway, we love you too and we were so fucking worried for you.¡± Dee snuggled in closer and Rockford sighed, resting his hands over Dee¡¯s thigh and Ro¡¯s.


    Rockford started telling them about Detective Alvarez and how he surprised him when he told Rockford that he was doing a favor for Max when the body of histe best friend was found.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°He¡¯s going to keep me updated on the case. But since I know about what happened, it¡¯s important to keep me alive and I¡¯m sorry Dee you have a tail on you. I managed to ask Alvarez about it and he confirmed it, showing me the CCTV footage. The crew must¡¯ve thought we were together, they have been following me. God¡­ I¡¯m so d you trusted your instincts.¡±


    Rockford felt Dee rxed beside him, but Ro abruptly got up. The man looked pale when he told Rockford that he needed some air. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m just going to go to sit in the backyard.¡± He brisklymented before walking out of the bedroom.


    ¡°He¡¯s been restless, I think he barely slept after the nightmare. Go to him. I¡¯ll prepare you a sandwich, you must be hungry.¡±


    Rockford was hungry, but at the moment his mind was on his sexy bartender. Dee had told him bits of pieces of what happened to Ro in the past. But Rockford thinks that it was the rated version because looking at his fragile state he knew something bad had consumed his mind and Rockford did not like it one bit.

 141. Reunited

    Dee kept on telling herself that Ro would be better, now that Rockford is with them again. But still, her wariness was gnawing from the inside because she was concerned for her boyfriend. She had known him for years and they had talked about his trauma. And though she kept his nightmare as something dismissible, she knew that worrying about Rockford had made Ro¡¯s old memories resurface.


    She still remembered when Ro¡¯s mom talked about it years ago. He was busy helping his dad in the garage. Dee didn¡¯t even remember the project, but she remembered how concerned his mom was when Dee mentioned her boyfriend¡¯s nightmare and how it had woken her up one night and found their son sobbing though his eyes were still closed.


    His mom didn¡¯t hold anything back when she told Dee about Ro¡¯s abduction. The man was caged in a basement for days without food and water. It was a psychopathic freak who decided to pluck Ro off his campus grounds and shoved him into his van. It was a random pick, Ro was chosen because he was simply there. Their son was gone for almost a week until he was rescued by the authorities. Since then he hadn¡¯t gone back to his campus ground. The man worked odd jobs until he ended up at Babes and met Dee.


    Dee had understood why his mom gave her the hard truth because now she wanted Rockford to know too. But she knew it was not her story to tell, his mom was different because she¡¯s his mother but Dee¡­ she still felt she wanted Ro to open up to him. She wanted Ro to know that they were all there for him no matter what. After all these years she still felt like they were missing something in their rtionship. But now that they had Rockford, she hoped that they had found their missing piece.


    It was noon, and Rockford was still asleep when Ro joined her in the kitchen. Ivan had gone back to the city while Demyan was doing his rounds, checking the perimeter and leaving them to themselves.


    Dee sipped her tea while Ro made a new batch of coffee.


    ¡°Ro,¡± Dee decided that she was going to push him to open up to Rockford. This was the perfect time. They were waiting and didn¡¯t have anything nned aside from expecting a call to tell them that it was finally safe toe out of hiding.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine Dee, jeez. One slip-up nightmare and you¡¯re all over me.¡± Ro tried to downy his trauma, Dee was well aware of it. They have been living together for years. It was not the first time he had it bad. She was not that shallow, their rtionship is more than what people see on the outside.


    ¡°I know you love him, baby, and I damn well know that you love me. Anddd¡­ I love you both.¡± Dee smiled easily, putting her hands on his cheeks before pressing a kiss on his lips. She missed him and she wanted him back. Dee wanted them to be back as they were before the shit show happened. ¡°Please talk it out with our man?¡±


    ¡°Ugh¡­ fine.¡± He kissed her temple before drinking his coffee and making another cup for Rockford. ¡°Come with me?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯ll give you guys some alone time. Just be sure to be sexy when I go in, let¡¯s say half an hourter?¡±


    ¡°Make it twenty minutes,¡± Ro said after he adjusted his bulge that was prominently shown under his sweatpants.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    ¡°God, you really should stop wearing those. They¡¯re not hiding much anyway.¡±


    Ro chuckled and slyly took the extra cup for Rockford as he headed back to their bedroom.


    Dee forced herself to give them time. Twenty minutes is not a long time she thought. But after five agonizing minutester, she did find it difficult to refrain herself from her men. She ended up checking in with the girls in their group chat. She told them that they were fine, Dee also thanked Bree for making sure they were all taken care of. There was no question about her whereabouts, seemed that they knew not to ask such a thing.


    When she ended their chats, it was twenty minutes over and Dee was excited to see her men. She could feel that they all needed their sexy time. Dee hoped the intimacy would mend the fragile connection between them.


    When she came into their bedroom and locked the door behind her, she was not disappointed by what was being disyed in front of her.


    Ro was in the middle of the bed. He was on his knees and his wrists were being held by Rockford on the small of his back. The man was kneeling behind Ro. Dee could see his length was nestled between her boyfriend¡¯s buttcheeks. Ro¡¯s cock was hard and leaking with precum, his eyes were on hers, silently begging her to join them.


    ¡°Dee, you¡¯re just in time. Strip, baby, and join us. You should kiss our man and show him how we¡¯re here, how we¡¯d never let him go.¡± Rockford¡¯s deep sexy voice sent a shiver down her spine and she followed through with his demands and kneeled in front of her boyfriend and kissed him hard. Ro opened up and let her in, she was deepening their kiss as Rockford¡¯s hand moved from Ro¡¯s hip to y with her nipples.


    Dee couldn¡¯t get enough of Ro¡¯s lips when she heard Rockford telling him to y with her pussy. She parted her knees wider, shamelessly wanting more of his touches. Her moans became needy when Rockford pped Ro¡¯s ass, telling him toy on his back and let his girlfriend ride his mouth.


    Ro¡¯s cheeks blushed from all the sexual demands and Dee was getting horny for her men. Rockford reached for her and kissed her lips when her boyfriend was busy, feasting himself on her arousal. Dee had the front-row seat when she watches how Rockford stretched her boyfriend and finally sink his cock all the way in. She could feel him moaning under her and she shuddered and felt the smirk on Rockford¡¯s kiss.


    ¡°Do you want toe, baby?¡± He asked her when he saw that she was getting closer to her climax.


    ¡°Yes¡­ yes, yes!¡±


    ¡°Not yet,e here,¡±


    Dee whined and let him position her. Secondster, it was her turn to blush when she saw that she made Ro¡¯s mouth a glistening mess. Rockford had her riding Ro¡¯s cock, while he kept on fucking her boyfriend with such strength and vigor.


    ¡°Go on, kiss him. Let me see you taste yourself.¡± Dee felt his warm breath on her ear as he told her to kiss Ro. It was such a slutty move and she was grinning when Ro moan her name as Rockford thrust hard into him from behind her.


    ¡°Fuck, this is so hot.¡± Dee moved her hips and leaned down to press her lips on Ro¡¯s and tasted herself. She matched her movement with Rockford¡¯s thrust. They were making Ro mad with lust. His fingers were nted hard on Dee¡¯s hips while her nipples were seeking friction on his chest.


    ¡°Fuck, I¡¯m going toe!¡± Ro cursed as Dee kept on riding him though she knew she was going to feel her thighs for days after this.


    ¡°Come on Dee,e with him,e both of you, before I mark you both with my load.¡± His deep rumbling voice and his body engulfed her soft backside and she whimpered when her climax hit. Ro cried out their name when he followed her seconds after. Rockford let out the sexiest growl when he pulled out and stroke himself, spilling his cum on his lovers.


    ¡°That was perfect,¡± Dee panted before she slumped to Ro¡¯s side while Rockford was to his other side. She kissed him on the lips before reaching across his chest to kiss Rockford¡¯s lips.


    She snuggled closer to the crook of Ro¡¯s neck and sighed. Dee loved lying in bed after sex though she knew it¡¯d be only time until the orgasm bliss fade and they need to get clean. But before it happened she was savoring the moment.


    Dee loved her men and she was going to do everything she could to keep them.

 142. Double trouble

    Ro couldn¡¯t believe that after the one-on-one talk with Rockford, the guy still wanted him. His life story and the aftermath weren¡¯t for everyone. Dee had been the only lover that had stick with him through his nightmares. He didn¡¯t have it often but when he did, he felt embarrassed. He felt like he should be able to cope with his trauma after all these years. Waking in the middle of the night, sobbing, and sweating is never sexy.


    His parents always scolded him for thinking that way. They said that he was perfect, and it was normal to still have nightmares. Ro always felt that it was because his their son, they¡¯re obviously biased.


    ¡°So tell me are you my boyfriend now?¡± Dee asked tantly. She grinned so wide when Rockford nodded and kissed her temple ever so sweetly.


    ¡°So I have two boyfriends now?¡±


    ¡°Come on, you can count, baby. Stop fishing forpliments.¡± Rockford added with azy drawl in his voice.


    ¡°Naw¡­ we¡¯re all in this, we¡¯re just that good at snatching two and making it work between us.¡±


    The sex after all was beyond hot. But then again their sex has always been drool-worthy.


    They spent the next two days in sexual bliss, even Demyan grumbled,ining about the noise. But he didn¡¯t say anything else, mostly the man spent his time in his room, the basement gym, or checking out their surroundings, making sure they were secure.


    Rockford didn¡¯t ck on his exercise, the man keeps himself in shape. He lifted weights and made sure almost all the fitness equipment was used. Ro even joined him one time since he was bored out of his mind. Though he didn¡¯t exercise much when they both ended up making out and moved their cardio up to their bedroom where Dee jumped in and sweated it out with both of them.


    It waste in the evening on day three when Rockford woke them up quietly pressing his finger on Ro¡¯s lips then did the same to Dee. ¡°There¡¯s a breach, go get dressed.¡± Their men showed Demyan¡¯s text message from his phone. He instructed Rockford to get both of his lovers to safety.


    Dee and Rockford were on their feet moving and putting their clothes on without a sound while Ro stayed frozen in ce. His breath quickened and felt like he was seconds away from hyperventting.


    ¡°Ro breathe, baby. Everything is going to be okay.¡± Dee assured him, pressing a kiss between his forehead. Ro nodded and let Dee help him put on his sweatpants and sleep shirt, while his eyes were trained to his boyfriend who was reaching for his guns and slipping them in his shoulder holsters.


    ¡°Where did you get them? When?¡± Ro asked in a panicked voice. It was obvious that Rockford was not a stranger to guns and Ro was forever the peace-loving guy who was not at all a fan of guns.


    ¡°Demyan.¡± That was all Rockford said when the said guard burst into their room with the same kind of holster, packed with two guns and a sheathed knife strapped to his thigh.


    ¡°Ro, Dee, go into the panic room and do not open the door unless it¡¯s one of us.¡± He swiftly led both of them into the room.


    ¡°But¡­ I can help, I¡­ we can¡¯t just stay here?¡± Ro hesitated. He looked like he was about to break down, but his little panic was brushed away when Demyan told Rockford that he¡¯d be in position. Ro didn¡¯t know what the guard meant by that, sure he knew that Demyan and Rockford discussed safety measures in their downtime. But he never expected that they would execute it.


    ¡°Ro, baby, I gotta help Demyan. His crew is fifteen minutes away but those are precious minutes that we need. Be strong, keep our Dee safe.¡± Rockford pressed a kiss on his forehead before closing the panic room door, automatically locking it from the outside.


    Ro slumped on the sofa bed as his feet were suddenly unable to support himself. ¡°Ro, everything will be okay. Demyan is trained for this, and Rockford is a badass.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ we¡­ what if¡­¡±


    ¡°Shh¡­ breathe, baby,¡±


    Ro didn¡¯t get to rx when his eyes caught on the CCTV surveince, mounted on one side of the wall. They were showing men breaking through windows while shots were being fired. Dee wrapped her boyfriend in her arms whispering, telling him that they were perfectly safe inside the room.


    ¡°They could kill our boyfriend.¡±N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°He can take care of himself and Demyan has people on their way here. We just need to stay calm. Okay?¡±


    His mind was barely registering Dee¡¯s words as he looked around his surroundings. His traumatic brain took him back years ago where he was kept in the basement for days. He felt the walls were closing in on them. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ I can¡¯t breathe, I need to get out of here.¡± Ro tried to open the door but his hands were too shaky and his eyes were ssy with unshed tears. ¡°Dee, get me out of here, I¡¯d die¡­ I don¡¯t want to die.¡± Ro finally broke and he sat in the corner of the room sobbing, knees to his chest, as he rocked himself, mumbling about not making it alive.


    It felt like forever until the door was open from the outside and Ro jolted in surprise, before making himself smaller, pushing himself back to the corner of the room.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be good. Don¡¯t. Please don¡¯t leave me here.¡± He sobbed, as his mind was taking him back to when he was abducted. He hated the tiny dark basement. He hated smelling his filth. Ro kept on chanting the words until strong hands wrapped around him. He flinched, still sobbing, breathing harshly, while he tried to get away from Rockford¡¯s hold. His survival instinct kicked in and he was about to push away when Rockford¡¯s familiar scent made him look at his boyfriend¡¯s face.


    ¡°There you are. Stay with us, baby.¡± Rockford kissed his forehead and he took a deep breath, resting his face to the side of Rockford¡¯s neck, taking in his warmth and his smell. ¡°Come here, Dee. It¡¯s okay. Everything is okay now.¡±


    Ro could feel Dee¡¯s reluctance until their boyfriend pulled her close and embraced her in his big arms. Rockford, Demyan, and his men had done their job. Ro could smell the stench of death as he saw the trail of bodies on the floor. It was more horrifying than the glimpses he saw from the panic room¡¯s surveince screens. Ro remembered holding on to Dee as Rockford led them out of the Vi. He could hear their boyfriend say that they were going to a secure ce and that everything was safe.


    But Ro was not sure that he feels safe. Not after Rockford said that the bikers had trashed their apartment so they couldn¡¯t get back to theirs. ¡°W-where are we g-going?¡± Ro wasn¡¯t sure why he asked, it¡¯s not like he could make a decision for himself at the moment. Ro just wanted to hear Rockford¡¯s calm and soothing voice.


    Dee nestled to his side, her arm syed across his abdomen while Ro mindlessly rubbed small circles on her back. She didn¡¯t say anything. Ro felt bad that she had to witness his breakdown, that both of his lovers had seen him at his worst. It¡¯ll be only time until they say they have had enough of his meltdowns and left him.


    Ro missed his man¡¯s touch. But he needed to drive to go to their destination since Demyan and his men were cleaning up the evidence and the three of them were told to leave the premises, so they wouldn¡¯t get entangled as witnesses. Ro had heard Rockford talk to his so-called friend, Max. They were talking about another safe house and how they were going toy low. Again.


    Ro should really check in with his doctor. He needs his anxiety meds. Ro didn¡¯t know where they were headed because he didn¡¯t hear what the other man said. His adrenaline was crashing down and he felt tired, so tired that he closed his eyes and rested his head on Dee¡¯s shoulder when everything went dark.

 143. Bruised

    Rockford was worried about Ro, he could see that Dee hadn¡¯t left his side since the panic room fiasco. He had heard and learned about PTSD, but when he watches someone they love go through with it, it really strikes him in the gut. The cruel realization and his inability to help their boyfriend were making his heartache.


    He looked through the rearview mirror, his eyes met with Dee¡¯s and she gave him a tired smile while keeping her side pressed close to their boyfriend. Rockford was tired too, his body was bruised and he needed an ice pack for his abdomen. It was pure luck that Demyan had thrown him a Ker and Rockford had put it on moments before he got shot just under his ribs. Still, he was d that he was not shot in his chest and risked a cracked rib. He really didn¡¯t want to relive that experience.


    When he saw the man who wasing to kill him, Rockford recognized his sergeant at arms and his road captain leading a couple of new men whom Rockford couldn¡¯t identify. But their biker vest gave them away. They¡¯re new members of his old biker crew. Rockford had been away for far too long that he didn¡¯t even know most of the new guys. There were at least ten of them. Luckily Rockford knew how they ambushed, there was no stealth in their movements. They were all rushed with adrenaline and Rockford was d because it was making them easy to spot and shoot at.


    But his road captain, the man whom heughed and once intimate with, had shot him in his abdomen. The man surprised him with his sneaky smile, Rockford thought he was going to tell him something, maybe regrets, or even a confession, because they did hookup several times. But then the man shot him, his betrayal didn¡¯tst long when Rockford instinctively raised his gun and put a bullet between his eyes. Rockford didn¡¯t want to waste his time, the traitor didn¡¯t deserve a second more of his time.


    There, no regrets. He said to himself before groaning then back into hiding and shot two more guys before Demyan¡¯s crew finally arrived. Then everything ended within minutes. Silence surrounded the house as if there weren¡¯t almost a dozen bikers storming into the Vi.


    Max had called and texted Rockford about the new location for their so-called safe houses. They wouldn¡¯t need it for long. Just a couple of days. Making sure that they were seen by the CCTV for their alibis if needed.


    It was almost dawn when they arrived at the Markov Hotel downtown. He went straight to the basement and parked their car where Ivan was to meet them and get them to their suite.


    In the end, he was just d they made it out alive and thanked Ivan for providing them with the change of items of clothing.


    ¡°It¡¯ll only be for three days. I¡¯ll get you guys more clothes sometime after lunch. The hotel staff will take care of everything. Room service is included but you are expected to have a couple of meals at the hotel restaurants for your alibis. We¡¯ll have our tech hack and modify the time stamp should the authorities need them.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Ivan,¡± Rockford added.


    ¡°You¡¯re all good, man. The boss wants you all to be safe and me and my guys are making sure of it.¡± The man nodded and walked towards the door of the spacious suite but not before exining to Rockford that the hallway is monitored twenty-four-seven. He also showed him where they stashed the guns should things go bad again.


    ¡°It¡¯s always good to be prepared. Dee, Ro, take care of your man, make sure he puts ice on that bruise. It¡¯s a bitch to get shot at.¡± As quick as he said it the man was out the door and it only took seconds for the realization to settle in when his two lovers were at his side asking if he was indeed shot.


    ¡°I wore a Ker, but yes I was shot,¡± Rockford exined, motioning his hand to his abdomen, inches below his ribs.


    Dee was the first one to lift the hem of Rockford¡¯s shirt, but both Dee and Ro gasped when they saw the nasty bruise as big as their palm.


    ¡°I¡¯ll ice itter. You should shower, get changed, and rest. I feel like the adrenaline is crashing down on me.¡± Rockford kissed her cheek then to Ro¡¯s neck, before heading towards the minibar to get some ice from the fridge.


    ¡°No, you and Ro strip and get under the shower. I¡¯ll get the ice and some towels.¡± Dee pushed both of them into therge beautiful ensuite and waited until both men finally relented and got naked before continuing to get under the shower.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say something? This looks like hell,¡± Ro¡¯s voice was soothing him. He liked knowing that the man cared for him and Rockford liked his gentle touch.


    ¡°Not my first time,¡± he shrugged and turned on the shower pulling Ro under it and kissing his lips under the warm water. The kiss didn¡¯tst long, he¡¯s never been a fan of kissing under the shower. As romantic as the idea is, you still need to breathe, and with water pouring is too much of a hassle to find the best angle to make itst.


    ¡°Ro, I¡¯m fine, baby. I got hit once on the chest and it cracked a rib, that one took time to heal even when the bullet didn¡¯t get through the Ker. Believe me, I¡¯m okay.¡± Rockford curled his fingers, tilting Ro¡¯s stubbled jaw and pressing a kiss on his lips.


    They finished the rest of the shower quickly since Rockford needed that ice and Dee was babbling, telling them to stop making out and get dry.


    ¡°Ro, baby, please get Rockford a bottle of water and some ibuprofen from the first aid kit left by Ivan in the living area. I¡¯m going to settle our man on the bed to ice him.¡±


    ¡°Okay. That should sound sexy, but you¡¯re not making it sound like it.¡± Rockford grumbled and hissed when he moved to put on his new boxer briefs. He should¡¯ve known not to contract his abdominal muscle, but sometimes he forgets and when he did Dee was surely there to scold him.


    ¡°Here¡¯s the water and the pills. And um¡­ I think this is for the bruise.¡± Ro walked towards them and handed the items to their girlfriend. She passed Rockford the pills and the bottled water, then she told him toy back and gently apply the ointment on his bruised area.


    ¡°Okay, now you both can kiss. I¡¯m going to take my well-needed shower then join you both.¡± Rockford heard Dee telling them as she walked towards the bathroom, taking a new sleep shirt from the pile of their new clothing previously left by Ivan.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    ¡°I hate that you got shot.¡± Rockford felt Ro resting his head on the crock of his neck, joining him on his pillow and he was loving it.


    ¡°I know, Ro, but I¡¯m okay and both of you are safe that¡¯s all that matters to me.¡± He moved to face his boyfriend and smiled when he leaned closer for a kiss.


    They were busy making out until Dee joined them on Rockford¡¯s other side. This¡­ Rockford thought this was what he wanted in life. To have someone, or in this case, two someone caring for him, tending to his bruise, and loving him.


    Now all he needs is to help Ro with his trauma. It would be a longer road, but Rockford was ready to help him as he was sure that Dee had always been there for their man since the beginning of their rtionship.

 144. Proving himself

    ¡°There¡¯s this article about getting shot while wearing your bulletproof vest, it says you need to see a doctor. You can have internal bleeding. You need to check your stools. If there¡¯s blood. Then you definitely need a doctor.¡±


    Rockford was cornered by his lover in the bathroom while Dee was taking her beauty nap after their lunch at the hotel restaurant. Ro looked really worried for him and it¡¯s adorable. While Rockford wanted his affection, still, he still didn¡¯t want Ro to worry.


    ¡°Um¡­ I don¡¯t think I¡¯mfortable talking about my stools with my boyfriend.¡± Rockford chuckled and kissed the tip of his nose.


    ¡°You¡¯re not taking this seriously? What if it¡¯s more than just a bruise? I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re not even considering this. I can¡¯t lose you,¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t, both of you are stuck with me for the foreseeable future.¡± He smirked before stepping forward and caging his man between him and the bathroom sink. His hands were on Ro¡¯s hips, while he nuzzled the crook of his worrisome boyfriend¡¯s neck. The man watches as Ro steadies himself, resting back on the counter. He should be resting but he had something to prove to his boyfriend. The sweet man needed to know that he was fine.


    ¡°Rockford, what are you doing, you still need to¡­ oh, oh nghhh¡­¡± Whatever Ro was going to say he finished it with a low moan. Rockford was taking off his shirt and unzipping his jeans, letting them join his shirt on top of the bathroom sink.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t sleep muchst night didn¡¯t you?¡± Rockford trailed his hand under the man¡¯s briefs, he was soft. But it didn¡¯t take long for Ro to get hard when Rockford stroked him, up and down his length. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry, baby,¡± his lips were on him, while his hands lowered Ro¡¯s briefs and tugged them down to the floor. His sexy bartender was naked and hard, just the way he liked it.


    And when he saw a bottle of lube by the sink, his smile turned wicked. With a sexy grunt, Rockford got Ro to sit on the marble double sink bathroom counter. He gasped from the cold surface touching his bare ass, but then back to moaning Rockford¡¯s name when he swiftly got naked and took both of their cock in his lubed hands. Ro¡¯s arms draped around his shoulder wrapping him in his possessive hold while he whimpered the second Rockford moved both of his hands to jerk them off.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine baby, and you need to rest. Let me get you off with my cock. This is not hurting me, stop thinking, baby, and enjoy this.¡± Rockford¡¯s sexy husky voice made his boyfriend leak precum and the man was widening his legs, making room for his boyfriend before those manly thighs circled Rockford in another possessive hold.


    ¡°Rockford, I¡¯m close¡­ I¡¯m¡­ so close,¡± his lover whimpered in front of him and he starts stroking faster and harder until they moaned each other¡¯s name and warm cum stained Rockford¡¯s hands.


    Rockford cleaned himself with a damp towel before he let Rooco down from the sink and cleaned him too. Ro shuddered when he made him face the mirror, feeling his back against his chest. The man was careful not to move, not wanting to give the unwanted friction to his boyfriend¡¯s bruise. But when Rockford figured out what he was doing, another wicked smile stered on his face.


    ¡°I¡¯ve decided that today will be the day where you¡¯re going to max out. Do you know what that means?¡± Rockford looked at the mirror after he trailed wet sexy kisses down the side of his neck. His boyfriend was looking back at him and shook his head. ¡°You¡¯re going toe so much that you¡¯ll be spent, rxed, and finally sleep with a smile on your face. I want you to forget and enjoy what we have. Stop worrying.¡±


    Rockford¡¯s cock was limp against his man¡¯s butt cheeks, but then he poured a bit of lube, telling Ro to spread his legs for him and cing his hands on the counter. ¡°Eyes on us, watch my hand making you hard again, feel my dick getting hard again between your sexy butt cheeks.¡± Ro parted wider and he bit his lip when he watched how his boyfriend takes his soft cock and easily make him hard again. Rockford could feel his great effort not to push his ass back, keeping himself from instinctively wanting pration from Rockford.


    ¡°There won¡¯t be strenuous activities for me, but I have been imagining for a while. I want to watch Dee take you with a strap-on. I¡¯m going to order one online and get it delivered to the hotel. I¡¯m thinking of an instant delivery from a certain fetish sex shop.¡± He paused when his boyfriend looked like he was ready to blow his load.


    ¡°Oh, I bet you look sexy in a leather harness and wrists cuffs and nothing else. All these muscles are meant to be disyed,¡± Ro whimpered when he sees his boyfriend sucking his shoulder, marking him, while he was making him hard and letting his free hand rub his biceps, feeling his muscles.


    ¡°You will be on all fours while having my cock in your mouth. Dee will be behind you with a strap-on.¡± Rockford¡¯s hand moved from his biceps to cup his throat and put pressure to his liking. ¡°You would like that, don¡¯t you? My greedy little slut likes having both his holes filled?¡± Rockford bites his shoulder and sucks harder while rubbing his hard cock between his ass.


    ¡°You are so fucking hot, watch your cock in my hand, tell me you want it harder.¡±


    ¡°Nghh¡­ harder,¡±


    ¡°Look at me when you say it,¡± his hand tilted his jaw forcing him to meet Rockford¡¯s lustful gaze.


    ¡°Harder, I¡¯m close¡­¡± He added in desperation.


    ¡°I know you are, baby, and you¡¯re going toe for me. Now let go, baby, give me your orgasm.¡±Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    Rockford aimed for the sink when Ro finally let go, and the man milked him dry while he was still hard a rock. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s see if Dee is awake.¡± He said after cleaning Ro again and making sure his shaky boyfriend¡¯s were legs able to support the guy to the bed.


    ¡°You guys¡­ your bathroom talk sounds so sexy.¡± Dee bit her lip when both of her boyfriends found her lying in her bed in just her panties. Her dainty fingers were under her panties, her knees bent, parted, and her heels t on the bed.


    Rockford knew from seeing her that she had listened in on their conversation and got horny. He liked that she took the initiative and pleasured herself while waiting for her two men to go back to her.


    ¡°Ro, take off her panties and let her sit on your chest. I want to watch you eat her out. I know you enjoy taking her to her climax with just your mouth.¡±


    Ro didn¡¯t waste time andy on his back while Rockford was at his side, kissing the top of his head before he took Dee¡¯s lips in a hard sexy kiss. The contrast was so obvious, but there was no jealousy. Instead, Rockford knew that at that moment he needed to be sweet on his man. Yes, he had learned about his lovers and he knew exactly how to soothe them, individually.


    Rockford was hard, but he was taking things slow and enjoying theirpany.


    ¡°You heard us talking about you in the bathroom didn¡¯t you?¡±


    Dee mewled when Ro¡¯s hands were on her ass, squeezing them while his tongue yfully tasted her.


    ¡°I did, I want to fuck him with a strap-on, he always enjoys that. He likes it when I m hard into him.¡± She moaned their names louder when Ro starts to alternate between his sucking and shoving his tongue inside her. He was getting sloppy and she was riding his face, carelessly seeking her orgasm.


    ¡°Tell me again, how he likes it?¡± Rockford coaxed her words while he moved between Ro¡¯s legs and with the lube, he breached him with a finger and then two. Rockford smiled knowingly when Dee moaned louder when his free hand was stroking his boyfriend¡¯s length.


    ¡°Come on Ro, make here in your mouth and keep on fucking her with your mouth,¡± Rockford demanded him to part his knees wider when he puts a third finger inside him and poured more lube.


    Their climax was hard and Rockford knew that Ro was more rxed than ever. And when Rockford had cleaned the lube and cum from him, he gave Ro a fresh damp towel for his face.


    Dee was the first to lick his stiff erection and Ro followed within seconds. They both cherished him and swallow his cum, each greedily milking him dry before resting back on each of his sides.


    ¡°Fuck¡­ that¡¯s was¡­¡±


    ¡°Amazing,¡±


    Rockford smiled when he heard both of his lovers agreeing on something as always. Both snuggled in for a well-deserved nap, while Rockford was busy with his burner phone, putting an order to the nearest sex shop to have it delivered to the hotel. He opted for payment on delivery and resorts to cash whenever he¡¯s on the run. With his enemy dead he shouldn¡¯t have to worry, but he always takes security measures seriously. And he would do everything he could to keep both of his lovers safe.

 145. Opportunities

    It didn¡¯t take long before his phone buzzed, alerting him that the messenger for his package had arrived. He left his lovers and put his clothes on to get himself down to the lobby to pick up the package.


    Rockford was on his way back when Ivan stopped in front of him and told him Max wanted to see him, and that his boss was waiting for him at the bar. He was escorted to one of the backrooms, a small office where Max was there waiting. It has been years since he saw the guy. He still looked the same. Hard, cold stare eyes were looking back at him before his lips tugged into a warm weing smile and told Rockford to sit down and let Ivan get back to his post.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I have someone watching your suite. Your lovers are safe within my walls.¡± Max poured himself a ss of vodka and put another one in front of him. Okay, looked like Rockford was going to skip his evening pills and he was fine with that. He had been wanting to take the edge off since the shootout but Ro had been watching, making sure he took his pills and denying him of any alcohol. It was sweet of him to make Rockford follow through on his lover¡¯s demands.


    ¡°I have been thinking and I¡¯ve been talking to Niki, my cousin. You and I go a long way back, Rockford. I¡¯m sure you know by now the nature of my family business. Niki and I¡­ we¡¯ve been discussing distribution and how the cartels needed to be strengthened.¡±


    Rockford sat back and listened, he didn¡¯t know where the conversation was going but he was keeping his mind open. One thing he knows is that Max is a man on his word and he has kept him safe all those years ago, until today. He owed the man at least that respect, though he knew that it was because Rockford had something that could be of use to him. No mob boss will be willing to help you without asking for something in return. Although Rockford did, save him about a million dors worth of shipment back when he came to Max and told him that he was going to be screwed on his deal.


    The day he came to Max, was the day he caught the attention of the mob boss.


    ¡°So, let me get this straight. You want me to help you run your logistics?¡± Rockford concluded when Max wasying the situation for him.


    ¡°When you put it that way, yes. I know you still have your old crew, but I am ready to support you to shred that biker club of yours and let you decide who gets to live to back you up on your future endeavors. I think it¡¯s about time you take that title back. Or not, you can make your new logistics organization, pick and choose your men, and decide on how you¡¯re going to operate. And for your first job, I want you to run on point for our next bust. We have a lead on human trafficking, and our fellow detective whom you are well acquainted told me that he would be crossing too many red tapes and the shipment would slip away from his hands. This is to reward him for helping us with your little bust a few days ago.¡±


    Rockford stilled. He perfectly knew what logistics meant in their kind of organization. It was a very huge deal to be put in such a position. He felt overwhelmed. It was too much information, too little time, and he didn¡¯t want to get too excited. Cause he was damn excited. He had been bored out of his mind for thest few years working security at Babes, though he never wouldin, fuck¡­ he wanted it. He wanted back on the action. He wanted his friends back. However, he needed to do some research about them first before taking back his crew.


    ¡°I need to think about this,¡± Rockford said after taking a good sip of the expensive vodka. Max nodded before he continued. ¡°I need to talk to Dee and Ro.¡±


    ¡°Of course. But I assure you, that you will be wellpensated and supported, you will have the security that you need. You will never need to worry about their safety. Anyone who messes with my crew¡¯s spouses will have our wrath. You know this. You won¡¯t be left running like you once did before.¡±


    ¡°Damn it, Max, you¡¯re really selling it aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Well, I am never one to let a potential trustworthy man slip away from my hands. Why do you think I keep you at Babes all of these years?¡±


    Rockford chuckled and Max grinned. Both toasted to their newfound interest. It looked like Rockford didn¡¯t need to think, and Max was looking smug about it. The man ran a hard bargain and he knows it. He didn¡¯t get to the top of the food chain without being able to make smart decisions for his organization.


    ¡°So how¡¯s the bruise?¡± Max asked knowing that his men probably told him about Rockford getting shot while trying to help Demyan. Hell, that was probably why he was offering Rockford the new job. Loyalty has always first with these guys.


    ¡°Ugh, Ro was telling me to check my stools for blood.¡± Rockford took another sip, before pulling up the hem of his shirt and showing Max his bruise.


    He knew the man was one of the top surgeons in the city, but Rockford still didn¡¯t know how he managed his time. He knew mob bosses had legal businesses on the side to cover their illegal ones, but he was not expecting someone working in medicine. Max sure has the brain and the drive to make it in this life. That got Rockford thinking that it¡¯d be a damn waste to reject the man¡¯s offer. It¡¯s not like he had better things waiting for him back at Babes. This could be the break he needed in his future.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ that looks bad,¡± Max was to his front, pressing his hand gently on Rockford¡¯s bruise. ¡°It¡¯s a bit tender, but you can get Ro toe with you to one of our clinics to get you checked out. Show him the benefits of you joining our organization. Medical, front of the line, no need to sit and wait. House call and all the works.¡±


    Rockfordughed at another of Max¡¯s attempts to lure him into joining them.


    ¡°Way too subtle Markov, but I like the idea. I need to talk it out with them first. But I¡¯ll be taking your offer to get Ro toe with me to the clinic just tell me when, and can you make sure the doctor there gives good words on my healing process?¡±


    ¡°Damn, man, you¡¯re going to fit it just fine with me and the guys. Our spouses aren¡¯t keen when we get home with blood stains on our clothes. This is why we keep extras in the car.¡± Maxughed and poured another ss, before refilling Rockford¡¯s ss.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    He hadn¡¯t even joined their organization, but Max was already weing him into the fold.


    ¡°We will do lunch and get our spouses together, I knew my wife would dote on your Ro and Dee. She loves ganging up us and getting the spouses to do her bid.¡±


    Max wife sounded like an amazing strong woman. Rockford would think she was one badass person to be with someone like Max and have the guts to confront the man who probably killed and saved lives daily. Rockford shook his head, he still couldn¡¯t imagine Max as a surgeon. Though he was definitely not envious of any enemy that would be under his interrogation technique. Doctors in the interrogation room¡­ he shuddered even just imagining it.


    Rockford left the small office behind the bar and let Ivan escort him back to his suite. Max had also told Ivan to get one of their drivers to take them to the small clinic a couple of blocks away from the hotel.


    ¡°Can we do it after dinner before we go back to our rooms? Dee would probably stay back. I just need to convince Ro before he burst the door while I¡¯m taking a dump.¡± Rockford exined without any shame in his words.


    ¡°Damn, man, I really don¡¯t want to be in your shoes. And you have two of them,¡± Ivan pped Rockford¡¯s shoulder,ughing, shaking his head. He told Rockford that he was a brave man to have two lovers when his wife, Angelica, was all it took to keep him busy.


    Yeah, Rockford thought about it for a second before he grinned at Ivan saying that he loved them. And sex of course, that got them bothughing until he finally reached his suite.


    ¡°Okay, good luck big guy, and wee to the family.¡±


    Family. It feels like a new beginning. And when Rockford locked the door behind him and saw Ro making coffee, he knew the man was up and had been worrying about him again.


    ¡°Hey,¡±


    ¡°Where have you been? I can¡¯t call you, I don¡¯t have my phone! I¡¯m so fucking worried!¡±


    ¡°Shh¡­ Dee is still resting, but¡­¡± Rockford showed him the package he ordered and his lover blushed. He chuckled and pulled Ro for a deep kiss until he finally forgot about his coffee.


    ¡°After dinner, I¡¯m going to a clinic, get my bruise checked out and you cane with me,¡± Rockford said and his heart instantly thumped harder when he saw the smile blooming on Ro¡¯s face.


    ¡°Thank you. I love you.¡±


    ¡°And I love you too, baby, and there¡¯s something I needed to talk about with both of you. But first,¡± Rockford pushed Ro against the living area wall and held him possessively in his arms. He locked their lips and shoved his hand down the man¡¯s briefs.


    Yep, Ro was going toe again before dinner.

 146. Strapping delight

    ¡°Oh mmphfuuck¡­¡± Ro muffled louder when Dee thrusts hard inside their boyfriend and Rockford was feeling his cock shoving down deeper into their man¡¯s throat.


    Yep, Ro could see that Dee was all in when she saw the little brown paper bag containing their sex toy, leather cuffs, and lube. Rockford chuckled when she giddily strutted into the bathroom and Ro heard the water running before she wasing out with the strap on and nothing else. Dee asked Ro to strip and be on all fours and the man followed through with her demand in less than a minute.


    ¡°You¡¯re so gorgeous, all debouched like this,¡± Rockford purred, gently caressing his lover¡¯s handsome face before he pushed back down his throat. Ro was a mess, his mouth was full of Rockford¡¯s cock while Dee was mming him with the new strap-on. She was smiling wickedly, before kissing his back ever so gently. She knew what he liked and her hand was caressing his side, coaxing goosebumps on his upper arms. Dee leaned down and kissed his nape, brushing her nipples on his back as she stroked his insides slowly and deeply.


    ¡°Dee, I¡¯m going to¡­¡±


    ¡°No, you¡¯re not.¡± Ro felt their boyfriend mp his jaw and make him look up. ¡°You¡¯re going toy on your back and Dee will ride your face and you¡¯re going to tongue her and suck her. Then¡­ when she¡¯s close, Dee is going to shove your dick inside her needy pussy and ride you. How¡¯s that sound, baby girl?¡±


    ¡°Mhmm¡­ I can¡¯t wait. Will he get to use the leather cuffs?¡± She whimpered, already backing away from Ro, and utched the strap-on from her body.


    ¡°Well, go on then, kiss our boyfriend and push him toy back. And yes, you can put them on.¡± Ro moaned when Dee¡¯s lips were on his and she rested him on his back. Ro blushed and his dick was obviously excited when Dee put on the leather cuffs on his wrists while she rest his arms above his head.


    Then, when he felt a strong hand on his hips, parting his thighs, and pushing him to open and expose himself wider, Ro moaned louder. He was ready tobust. Dee knelt on top of him before settling down and pressed her delectable pussy totch onto his mouth. Her hands were on the headboard, she was grinding herself on his mouth as he shoved his tongue deep inside her.


    ¡°Ro, baby, so good!¡± She shuddered and Ro looked up when he saw Rockford was watching them and kissing her spine sensually. He pinched her nipples and Ro felt her twitch as he licked her folds. Ro sucked her clit and drove her crazy while she lets out needy whimpering noises.


    But when his eyes met Rockford¡¯s yful ones, he knew that he was in trouble. Ro felt him ying with his entrance. He was still slick from Dee¡¯s previous pounding, and she was moaning when Rockford pinched her other nipple and suck her shoulder hard. Ro knew he was leaving her a mark and he wished their man would do the same to him.


    And as if he could read Ro¡¯s mind, Rockford softly said that he was going to mark himter. That little n just got his cock to twitch. Ro was getting horny again, his shaft was hard, and his inside was throbbing for more. The strap-on that Rockford bought was big, but it wasn¡¯t deep enough for him, not like Rockford¡¯s cock. And like the cockslut that he was, Ro was greedy for more.


    ¡°Please,¡± he shamelessly begged their man. What Ro didn¡¯t expect was a hard p when he was told to spread his cheeks for him.


    ¡°Fuuck, so sexy,¡± he praised while Ro¡¯s hair was tugged back by Dee as she demanded more. Ro¡¯s mind was confused with the sensations, he wanted to please Dee but his ass was strangely liking the new sensation. He was already feeling sore from Dee¡¯s pounding, but when Rockford yed with him with more lube he was shuddering, needy for more. Then, Dee finally pulled back.


    ¡°Close?¡± Rockford purred in her ear, moving down to kiss their girlfriend¡¯s shoulder, and Ro watched as she nodded. Rockford kissed her lips, locking their mouth in a hot sexy mouth-to-mouth while Ro watched. And he groaned seeing her shudder when Rockford pushed his fingers between her legs, telling her that she was so damn hot.


    ¡°Lick his precum and let me taste him in your mouth.¡± Ro heard a second before Dee¡¯s tongue swept his tip and gathered his precum and he watched as his lovers shared him in their kiss.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± Ro cursed. He stilled when Rockford pushed his cock down his throat again, telling him to get him hard while instructing Dee to ride him backward. Ro moaned when Dee impaled herself onto his very hard dick and started moving sensually.


    ¡°So fucking gorgeous.¡± He pulled back and kissed Ro¡¯s lips before he joined Dee and told her to slow down. He told her to part their boyfriend¡¯s knees for him and hold them while she move up and down his cock. Slowly, making their boyfriend frustrated with his lust for more. Ro could feel the bed dipping as the man scooted closer to him and he felt the tip of his cock on his entrance.


    ¡°This is so sexy,¡± Dee whispered and he felt Rockford was shoving him at his full length and someone was massaging his balls.


    ¡°He is, isn¡¯t he? but then so are you. I¡¯m so fucking lucky. You look beautiful like this, baby girl.¡± Ro heard their noisy kiss and he groaned when Rockford moved back before mming back inside him, hard. Ro felt him everywhere, he was lunged so deep that he was throbbing for release. ¡°Hold his knees while I fuck our man.¡± His deep sexy voice sent a shiver down his spine, and Ro grunted when he felt his thrusts. Repeatedly.


    ¡°So close, Dee, baby¡­ you need toe.¡±


    ¡°You heard him, move and make yourselfe for us.¡± He pinched her nipples, one after another before Rockford pped her ass cheeks enticing her to move hard and fast until she finally arched her back and came hard with a loud cry of ecstasy. Ro moaned both of their names and he came moments after Dee slumped to his side. She took off his cuffs before she rests her head on the crook of his shoulder and watched how Rockford keeps on jerking him off, milking him dry while he shoved his cock deep inside Ro.


    And when Rockford took his leg to his shoulder and shoved his cock deeper, Ro was seeing stars. His fingers were clutching the sheets. Rockford was milking him dry and the sensation was too much when Dee started kissing himzily and stroking his side soothingly. Then, when Rockford finally came, Ro felt his release warm inside him. He loved it when he felt Rockford was pumping his load deep inside him. The man smirked at him knowingly. He kissed his knees as hezily moved his hips finishing himself off, giving Ro all of him.


    ¡°You love it when my load drips between your legs don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°He does, I can see it clearly in his face,¡± Dee answered for him and Rockford chuckled before he leaned in and kissed Dee while he rocked his hips, taking Ro¡¯s other leg to wrap around his waist. His other one rested against his chest and the man was pressed and twisted like a pretzel and Ro couldn¡¯t evenin. He was loving how their man¡¯s cock was still shoved inside him as if to make sure he was filling him all the way in.


    And when Ro was getting sleepy, he could feel a damp towel between his cheeks. But he couldn¡¯t make himself open his eyes while Dee wasfortably resting in his arm. Ro thought that it was too good, but he knew he was wrong when he smelled Rockford¡¯s manly scent as he wrapped his arm around him and spooned him from behind.


    This¡­ this was heaven, Ro thought. Now, if only they could stay that way forever he would do anything. Any. Thing.

 147. Acceptance

    Rockford was fussing with their breakfast, he had ordered room service for theplete continental breakfast before easing them on the happy news. Well, it was a happy one for him. He hoped that they would feel the same way about it too. It was a new opportunity and ifst night was an indication, he knew that he was going to have lots of warm nights in their bed.


    With him running on point for the position that Max was trusting him, Rockford knows that he¡¯d have a couple of busy first months as he gets to know his crew and settles in with them. But Rockford realized that by being the head of the new logistics division Max wanted him, he would have more flexible working time. He could spend more time with his lovers and he knew he was going to be able to support them with the kind of financial security Max was offering him.


    They could move back to his old ce, or get a new one with the money he saved up over the years. They could also use his stash that he had never gotten to use, knowing someone could be watching his paper trail. They can livefortably, and Dee can spend more time with her friends and their boyfriend can visit his parents more. Rockford was smiling when he heard Dee step into the living area.


    ¡°Well, look who¡¯s all happy and smiling.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± Ro asked with his still sleepy adorable voice.


    ¡°You two, sit and drink your coffee. I have something important to talk about.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± The dejected tone in his words made Rockford raise an eyebrow at Dee. Their woman was to Ro¡¯s side and kissed his cheek softly. She knew him longer, and Rockford looked at her when she shook her head.


    ¡°I¡¯m absolutely sure this is good news, right, Alec?¡±


    There. Dee never uses his first name without some heavy meaning behind it. Just like when Ro would call her Denise to ground her feelings. So Rockford smiled at their girlfriend who he already imagined someday would bear his child, maybe even children.


    First thing first, he thought silently.


    ¡°It is, hence the full-on breakfast and coffees.¡± Rockford sits, but not before kissing both of his lovers¡¯ good morning.


    ¡°So what is it?¡± Ro asked looking like he couldn¡¯t wait to bolt out of their room.


    ¡°I talked to Maxst night. And he offered me a job.¡±


    ¡°Like with guns, and men dropping dead, and you hurting yourself?¡± Ro interrupted his little speech before he even finished.


    ¡°Like¡­ you will apany me to his clinic. Do you know that Max is one of the best surgeons in town?¡± Rockfordughed when Ro¡¯s eyes were ready to leap out of the sockets. Dee giggled and put her hand on top of their boyfriend¡¯s.


    ¡°Yes, but you¡¯re right. I¡¯m not going to assist him in any surgery. I will be heading their logistics department. They needed a leader, they¡¯re currently expanding their business and they know that I have experience.¡±


    ¡°You mean experience in being against thew and then hiding because your crew wants you dead.¡±


    ¡°Oh, hell, Ro, will you let our man finish his words?¡± Dee scolded him and it was Rockford¡¯s turn to put his hand on hers.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, baby, Ro is just worried. And I know you do too. But this is my chance, this is why I¡¯m telling both of you, why I¡¯m asking if you¡¯re okay with me joining them.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not okay.¡± Ro quipped, after drinking his coffee. He took his fork and stabbed the delicious-looking muffin with an unnecessary vengeance that made Dee grimace.


    Rockford chuckled and easily settled back in his seat as if he knew that Ro would say no. At first. Rockford was nothing but determined. And he knew in the end he would convince their man that it was a good choice to have the security of the Russian mob boss behind them. Cause Rockford knew, he had had enough living under the radar for years. He wanted out, he wanted back to being the powerful man that he was. And to do so he needed connection and Max was it. He knew it. He felt it in his gut.


    Now he just needed to convince his lovers.


    Rockford was surprised to see the lunch invite at Max¡¯s. His future boss texted him that his wife was too giddy to meet the new triad in the family and move up their dinner to lunch. Today.


    ¡°Max invited us for lunch. And I¡¯m scheduled for an appointment at his clinic for a check-up. I know Ro would want toe with, but Dee, you cane with us too if you¡¯re bored.¡±


    Dee was busy eating her pastries when she shook her head. ¡°We¡¯ll be heading out for lunch anyway. So, I think I¡¯ll stay and take a long soak in the tub, maybe get a massage. My thighs are killing me fromst night.¡± She winked at Ro and that made his cheek blush and damn if Rockford didn¡¯t want to pull the guy onto hisp and fuck him senseless. But no, he will have time for thatter tonight.


    He smiled thinking that he would have time with his lovers tonight and the next, and the day after next. He was feeling good about himself and nothing could bring him down.


    However, things did take a slight turn when Ro met with Ba. The Doctor at Max¡¯s clinic insisted on being called by her first name.


    ¡°Ro? I haven¡¯t seen you in years. How are you?¡± Ba asked when she put her hand on top of his. There was jealousy,ing out from Rockford. A low growl slipped out of him and Ba abruptly took her hand off of his. ¡°Sorry, I was the one who handled him when he was admitted to the ER.¡±


    She didn¡¯t need to exin because by looking at Ro, he knew exactly what had happened to him when she saw himst. Rockford had dug into his file, he had requested it from Demyan when they were huddled up at the mountain Vi with nothing to do.


    ¡°You¡¯re working for Max?¡± Ro didn¡¯t answer her but decided to rudely ask her a question instead.


    ¡°Yeah, I got in trouble a while back and Max is helping me keep my license and offered me a job in his clinic.¡±


    ¡°You keep yourself busy here? Lots of patients? Lots of serious injuries? Gunshot wounds?¡± Ro¡¯s words tumbled out of his lips like he had been keeping them bottled up inside him. That made Ba giggle and told him to take a seat while she told Rockford to get to the examination table.


    ¡°Here¡­ is less hectic than the ER. I¡¯ve been working for Max for more than four years now. But I was here temporarily before for Dr. Markov took me in for a more permanent position. He¡¯s a good man, a very sought-after surgeon. He doesn¡¯t do rounds much anymore, not after his wife kept him busy with his kids.¡± She smiled as she carefully looked at Rockford¡¯s bruising, then continued to do a general examination before she told them to wait outside while she got the Radiologist.


    The clinic was small and fancy and Max was right, he didn¡¯t have to wait long until he was finished with his x-ray and was cleared of any internal bleeding and the possibility of broken ribs. He was given more anti-pain meds and told to keep it easy for the next few days.


    Ro looked d, cause this morning Rockford caught their lover watching him as they were having breakfast.


    ¡°So, you guys are going to the big lunch today? I was told that Emelie is arranging her favorite chefs. That means stuffing our bellies with very exquisite delicacies.¡±All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll be there,¡± Rockford answered before Ro could say no.


    His man was still not sure, but Rockford was feeling better now that Ba worked for Max. And Ro seemed to ease into her words. Rockford even caught a glimpse of a smile when she advised him not to exercise and put a strain on his middle. Of course, the man¡¯s brain would go straight to their sexual activityst night. Cause Rockford did feel pain, but he was hiding it behind Dee and he was prioritizing his man¡¯s pleasure on top of his own.


    Yes. Rockford would do anything to keep them happy.

 148. Lunch

    Dee had no idea what to expect when Rockford told them that they were to attend lunch at his future employer¡¯s house. Well, looking at the driveway she knew that it was more of a mansion than a house.


    She could feel Ro was getting tense beside her, and when her eyes caught Rockford¡¯s through the rearview mirror she knew that he was getting nervous about Ro being there too. Dee realized that Rockford wanted this badly. She didn¡¯t know about his past, but knowing that he used to be the VP of a biker club she could already imagine the years that he had spent as security staff at Babes. Must be boring as hell.


    Dee wanted to feel sorry for their man, but she knew that he wouldn¡¯t want her to. So she stayed silent and for the time being, all she could do was to support him and make sure that Ro wouldn¡¯t make a fool of himself by being the sweet man who loved their boyfriend and cared for his safety.


    With his trauma Dee didn¡¯t want to push Ro, she didn¡¯t know how his mind works exactly. But she was sure as hell didn¡¯t want Ro getting his nightmare back. She loves him too much to watch him have a setback because of his insecurities.


    ¡°Dee?¡± Her thoughts were interrupted when Ro put his hand on hers, telling her silently that they¡¯d arrived. She smiled when Rockford was to her side of the back passenger door and waited for her to exit the car. Ro joined them on her other side as they walked up the ster veranda leading up to the doors that were guarded by men in ck suits.


    But then the tense atmosphere was disrupted when two toddlers ran out with the most beautiful blonde-haired woman running after them. ¡°Ivan, I swear I¡¯ll have Max move you to surveince! I told you not to give them more choctes! Hell, you¡¯re on baby duties for the rest of the day! Oh¡­ fuu¡­ phht¡­¡± She halted her steps when she saw Rockford with Dee and Ro. She stopped the little devils and took one to her hip while the other one decided to hide behind her long expensive-looking sundress.


    ¡°Oh hello there, you must be the new boss for logistics. Max told me about you.¡± She held out her hand to Rockford. Not caring that her toddler was messy with chocte and already staining her impable look. ¡°And you must be Dee and Ro. Pleasee in. Don¡¯t mind the kids, they¡¯re all Max¡¯s so they always do as they please. A mother can only do so much.¡± She sighed exaggeratedly, but Dee was feeling her abundant love for her children. Her eyes gave her feelings away.


    Dee was instantly feeling better about the scary mob boss.


    ¡°Thank you for having us.¡± Rockford shook her hand, he even greeted her little toddler, taking in their names and not minding to shake their chocte-covered hands with his clean one.


    Dee gave him a tissue from her purse after she greeted the little family. Ro did the same and she knew that he was feeling better the moment he stepped into the foyer and saw how cluttered the room was with children¡¯s toys of all ages.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Emelie, I¡¯m sorry about these two scoundrels.¡± Ivan appeared with a toddler hanging by his feet calling him daddy. He took Max¡¯s kids to his arms and carried them like they were a sack of potatoes and the two boys were giggling in his arms.


    ¡°Please¡­ follow me. You know sometimes I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s easier to branch out to daycare instead of managing this household. At least I will have more help. You know? But now, Ivan, Luka, and Niki are having more kids and I¡¯m¡­ oh fuck, I hope I¡¯m not scaring you with the baby horror? Trust me, our kids are the best-behaved ones.¡± Emelie was babbling as she introduced us to Niki, Luka, and their spouses as well as their kids.


    The names got blundered and at some stage, it was easier for them to just nod and smile. Yes. Rockford was feeling smug about this lunch. Dee could see that the ex-VP was getting more and more confident about joining Max¡¯s family and she could see that Ro was rxing with the Mimosa that Emilie managed to shove in his hand.


    Rockford took the beer from Niki and he was talking with Luka when Emelie ushered Dee and Ro to where the spouses were conversing. Their children were in the other room, ying and watching television with more nannies than Dee had ever seen settling into one room.


    ¡°We don¡¯t usually do nannies, but desperate calls for desperate measures,¡± Emelie exined when she saw Dee peeking into the living area where the kids gathered.


    ¡°Yep, we have nannies for date nights, and times like this. Ugh¡­ I miss having Ivan in me.¡± It was Angelica, Ivan¡¯s wife. Dee remembered because Emelie warned her that she was not as angelic as her name conveyed.


    ¡°No wonder, he looked so grumpy back at the Vi.¡± Dee decided to jump into their conversation feeling at ease already.


    ¡°Oh, I know right?! It helps that I kept on sending him nudes. We¡¯re trying for another one.¡± She giggled with no shame at all with Ro beside me listening to her confession.


    ¡°So tell me, the three of you. How does that work?¡± Olga, Luka¡¯s wife, asked. The woman was grinning from ear to ear and Dee couldn¡¯t help butugh.


    ¡°Um¡­¡± Ro looked nervous and that just made the women giggle louder. They were like sorority girls ready to tackle the sweet blushing Ro. Her man was overwhelmed and Dee decided to ground him by putting her hand on his thigh, which silenced the women as they let out a simultaneous dreamy sigh.


    ¡°That¡¯s it! We are living vicariously through both of you. Tell us. We need Intel.¡± Angelica was the first to let her tongue lose and Emelie wasughing telling her that she should go out to a sex club.


    ¡°Really? Ooohhh¡­ I haven¡¯t done that in years. We should go, as a group. I¡¯m sure Max owned a sex club with a dungeon somewhere in the city. You know he never brings the wives to visit.¡± Angelica squinted her eyes at Emelie. ¡°Tell me you haven¡¯t been into one and not telling me about it.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t been into one and not telling you about it.¡± Emelie retorted and they allughed, even Ro let out a whole rumbly one since the whole gunshot incident. Dee missed hearing himugh. Okay, maybe it was because Emelie was making sure that his ss was refilled every time it was empty. But still, Dee entwined their hands as the women talked and he was feeling better surrounded by the wives.


    ¡°Oh¡­ oh¡­ Luka told me that you both worked at Babes! Back then, I used to wait for Luka and sometimes I went there with my bestie Megan and watched you girls dancing on the poles. You know I¡¯ve always wanted to do that, give my man a show. Do you think you can teach me?¡±


    ¡°And me!¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ oh¡­ me too!¡±


    ¡°And Ro, I¡¯m putting you in charge of the drinks. I know you¡¯re the bartender. You can help us name the sexy drinks to serve our men, preferably one that can make them extra horny.¡± Angelica was on fire and Ro wasughing so hard he had tears in his eyes.


    Deeughed and Ro shook his head. At the same time, Dee looked at Rockford who was watching them and he winked, then their man smiled at both of them before he was back to talking to the group of men in the other corner of the room.


    Yeah¡­ the lunch was off to a good start. Dee could already feel that by the end of the day, Ro would say yes. She knew that he would support their man knowing these strong women did it easily with many children behind them. Dee sees a family unit. She knew everything would be okay¡­ so okay that she was even considering following the women¡¯s trail of having one of the little scoundrels when one of Olga¡¯s toddlers was cozying up on Ro¡¯sp. They had finished their lunch and were lounging by the poolside watching the kids in the kiddie pool while their moms were sitting on their husbands¡¯ps, enjoying the afternoon breeze.


    Dee was on Rockford¡¯sp while he was still talking to Max. But her hand was caressing the little girl on Ro¡¯sp as they both watched the kid take her nap.


    Could this be their future? Dee could only hope because she wanted it. She wanted it with her men.

 149. Insecurities

    ¡°Where¡¯s Dee?¡± Ro heard his boyfriend ask the moment he was back from histe-night meetings with his new crew.


    ¡°She¡¯s having a sleepover with her Babes women. Bree was giving her a farewell party.¡± Yes. Ro was happy that Dee decided to quit dancing at Babes. Rockford had made sure that he was going to provide for them, but Dee had other ns, she was roped in by the mob wives for pole ss lessons, and Bree had also introduced her to the idea of an online ss for her Pole Dance lessons.


    ¡°And why aren¡¯t you there too?¡±


    ¡°Eh¡­ it¡¯s an all-girls thing.¡± Aside from Dee and his co-workers, Ro realizes that he has no friends, sure he has work friends but it has been hard for him to open himself up with his past. He kept on thinking what happened to him was his fault, he always felt that somehow he was too social back in college. That was why he became a bartender, the bar was the one thing that kept his social personality in ce. The man felt safe with a barrier between him and everyone else.


    ¡°I¡¯ll set something up with Elvis and our crew. I¡¯m sure they missed us badly.¡± Rockford tried to tease and coax a smile from him, but Ro was all tangled up on the inside.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s wrong, baby?¡±


    It has been one month since Ro told him to take the job. Within thest couple of weeks, he had been struggling with the thought of Rockford getting hurt on the job. Ro didn¡¯t really want to quit his work, but he wanted Dee to stop stripping and he knew that if he was still bartending at Babes then Dee would see it as an excuse to one day go back on stage. Thest incident had Ro worried, and because he wanted to keep her safe, he decided to quit along with Dee.


    ¡°I¡¯m just bored I guess. I¡¯ll be going to my parents in the morning. Maybe stay the night and give you and Dee some alone time.¡± Being a triad required one-on-one time, and Ro had never been jealous. If else, he was feeling rather less of himself. His depression was setting in and he had been having the urge to call his guy for a refill. Pills had kept his mind at peace because Ro doesn¡¯t like to smoke and he hates needles.


    ¡°Ro, something is off. I need you to tell me what¡¯s wrong.¡±


    Something was obviously off, Ro had been staying at Rockford¡¯s fancy apartment, courtesy of his new employment. But the man¡¯s anxiety level was off the charts every time Rockford was out for a job. Their man loved his job and Ro was going to support him. He just had to make sure that he could handle himself, stop worrying so much, and let their man work with his new crew.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay, maybe I just miss my parents.¡± Ro circled his arms around his waist and pressed a kiss on his lips. It gets heated in seconds.


    ¡°I should go and shower first, I know how you hate smelling¡­¡±


    Ah¡­ there it was, Ro¡¯s suspicions were validated when he smelled the gun residue on his jacket and also his bruised knuckles when Rockford cradled his face and pressed another soft kiss on his lips.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Ro kissed him onest time before he smiled at him and let him go to their master bathroom to take a shower.


    His hands were shaky when he opened the kitchen cab and pulled out his vitamin bottle. He took the little baggie with the various colorful pills. Some were for when he¡¯s feeling down and some were for when his anxiety level was off the charts. Then there¡¯s also some to dpress from the other pills. He used to get them prescribed by his psychiatrist, be he had stopped seeing his doctor knowing there was too much talking involved, and after years, he was feeling okay-ish.


    ¡°Ro, have you seen¡­¡± Rockford walked out of the bedroom in just his pants, the abruptness had startled him. The little stic baggie containing his pills slipped out of Ro¡¯s fingers and various pills scattered under his feet.


    ¡°Ro, what¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ they¡¯re my pills. But, I¡¯m okay.¡± He was definitely not okay. His hands trembled and he reached for the pills, his fingers were showing off his real condition and Rockford was on his knees in seconds. He took the pills and flushed them down the kitchen sink.


    ¡°Prescription pills don¡¯te in a stic baggie. You¡¯re not okay. And I¡¯m not leaving you until you tell me what¡¯s really going on in your head.¡± Rockford¡¯s hand was on his neck, his hold was firm yet loving at the same time, making sure that the man had his attention. But Ro failed to conjure his words when he saw bruises on their boyfriend¡¯s stomach. His fingers trace the darkening color of flesh and Ro falls apart in his arms. His tears streaked down his cheeks, he could hear Rockford say that he was okay, but he never liked violence. Even more after his abduction.


    ¡°I took pills, I was prescribed by my psychiatrist. But since I no longer went. I have a guy who I bought them from. It settles me. I worry about you. I worry about Dee too, but she¡¯s okay now. She quit working at Babes. But you¡­¡± Ro put his hand on the man¡¯s bruised stomach and he kissed his neck, rubbing his hand on the bruise as if he was trying to make it all better.


    Ro knew it was a foolish thing to do. But he needed to feel close to Rockford. He needed to feel that their boyfriend was truly okay. Ro loved Dee and he loved Rockford. He just found the two people he loved more than himself and surely he didn¡¯t want any of them to suffer or harm in any way. He¡¯d sold his soul to let them live a long happy life.


    ¡°Tomorrow morning, we¡¯re going to make an appointment and I¡¯m going to personally take you to your doctor.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly, you have to work. I can take care of myself.¡±


    ¡°Ro, don¡¯t make me spank you. Tell me, how long have you been taking the pills? How many?¡±


    ¡°A couple of weeks, maybe less.¡± Ro shrugged, he was not sure. The days became blurry when he took his pills. He mostly sleeps a lot and every time he said he was going to his parents, he went to a motel and slept his frustration away. He couldn¡¯t talk to Dee, not when she was so excited with her new friends and lessons. Ro was okay with that as long as the two people he loved were happy, he¡¯d be happy for them too. He just needs to adjust his meds.


    ¡°Fuck, that¡¯s it. I¡¯m taking you to the clinic.¡± Rockford left him to grab his shirt and call Ba telling her he was on his way there with Ro.


    ¡°Rockford, don¡¯t¡­ I¡¯m okay, we can go to my doctor in the morning.¡± Ro felt his face being held and Rockford was staring at his pupils and he knew that he was busted. He had taken a few anxiety pills a couple of hours earlier to calm his nerves. He just needed a pick-me-up to cheer up his mood when Rockford startled him and found out about his stash.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Rockford was still talking on his phone when he told Ro to put on his shoes. He could hear Rockford talking about him to someone on the other line. Ro was too nervous to ask so he stayed quiet. The man helped him get into Rockford¡¯s car and buckled him into the passenger seat.


    When they arrived at the clinic, Ba was there with stacks of documentation on her desk. When Ro sat down in front of her, he noticed his doctor¡¯s handwriting.


    ¡°How¡­ how did you, that¡¯s my personal file!¡± Ro felt vited and was about to grab them but Ba was quicker.


    ¡°I pull in a favor, I happen to know Dr. Sheridan. And she¡¯s kind enough to transfer your file when I tell her that you¡¯re my emergency patient.¡±


    ¡°She can¡¯t do that, she couldn¡¯t.¡± Ro sounded panicky because he was. He had years worth of therapy and¡­


    ¡°You¡¯re right, she couldn¡¯t give away her client¡¯s therapy session but I was looking more into your prescriptions. I told her it was an emergency. Ro, you have PTSD. That won¡¯t heal overnight. It takes years and some even tried to live with it. Rockford called me and told me about your little stash. He cares about you and I know you care about him too. I still remember the look that you sent me making sure that I was doing my best job on your partner.¡± Ba sighed before she continued, ¡°Rockford, may I have a word alone with Ro?¡±


    Rockford seemed hesitant, but Ro gave him a nod and the man walked out to give him his privacy.


    ¡°Ro, we¡¯re going to do this the right way. Okay? The pills are prescribed to you for a reason. There are evaluations, but you cannot decide when you need them. I have no idea what pills Rockford flushed down the sink. But I¡¯m going to draw your blood and we¡¯re going to go from there,¡±


    Ro heard Ba exining to him about the emergency procedure and how she was going to check on his condition, all while softly talking to him without judgment. Ro let her examine him while his mind wondered how he got there. They were happy.

 150. The Plans

    Rockford was frustrated. He thought they were happy. He figured that he could handle being in a rtionship with the two of the people that he loved. Dee was great, she was doing good things with her time after she stopped dancing at Babes. He had also thought Ro was doing great.


    The man was supposed to go to his parents. Ro was telling both him and Dee that he was mending the time he lost with his parents. Now, he knew that Ro had spent those couple of times a week in a motel, alone, trying to fight his depression with his pills.


    Fuck!All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    How did it get to this? Ro was a sweet, gorgeous man, who they both adored very much. When Ba advised Rockford to put their man on a twenty-four-hour hold at the clinic he instantly told her no. He was going to take care of their man and he was going to take him home and get to the bottom of their issues. The issues that Rockford was not aware they even had.


    He agreed to take Ro to his doctor the next day and was ready to be up all night making sure he took lots of fluids and call Ba should he show signs of bad withdrawal from not taking his pills.


    When Ro curled beside him andy quiet as a mouse, Rockford let him. He wanted the man to process what was really going on with his body since Ba said that he would be agitated when his mind thought he needed the pills to make him content.


    ¡°Morning, baby,¡± Rockford greeted Dee when she walked into their apartment. She looked exhausted but happy, well¡­ Rockford hoped so.


    ¡°Morning, how¡¯s your date night?¡± Dee winked, teasing, grabbing the fresh cup of coffee that Rockford just made for himself. She added milk and lots of sugar before taking the cup to the sexy curve of her lips. Rockford poured himself another cup and took it ck. The man smiled looking at Dee who still couldn¡¯t get used to the way he took his coffee.


    ¡°Ro is still asleep, I want to talk to you about him.¡±


    ¡°Sounds serious. Is everything okay?¡± The concerned expression on her face was unmistakable, and he took her into his arms and kissed her forehead telling her that he loved her. ¡°You¡¯re scaring me, babe.¡± She backed away and was ready to check on their man until Rockford shook his head.


    ¡°I identally caught him with unprescribed pillsst night. I took him to the clinic and saw Ba. She got his files. Ba knew what he had taken in the past for his PTSD but¡­ what he hadst night was more, too many to take without being prescribed by his doctor.¡±


    ¡°But why?¡± Dee¡¯s eyes were ssy, her fingers gripped his arms, her nails digging into his skin. Rockford knew that she loved him dearly and it broke his heart that he was the one who made Ro slip and start taking pills.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t asked. I just hugged him all nightst night. Dee, will you tell me if you¡¯re not happy with me? With us? Cause I can¡¯t do this to him. I love him too much to watch him like that. His hands were shaking. He looked guilty as I caught him with his stash.¡±


    ¡°He was worried about you. I told him that you¡¯d be okay. But now I know that he wasn¡¯t listening. I thought everything was okay, you know¡­ he had a great time at the Mansion. He was getting along with the wives.¡± Dee exined while Rockford stood in front of her.


    ¡°You know I¡¯d leave everything if it gets him to stop taking pills. This job¡­ it means nothing without both of your support.¡±


    ¡°Rockford, we love you. Finish your coffee, I¡¯m going to take a quick shower in the guest bathroom then join both of you in bed. Make him a cup of hot chocte milk. Cuddle him for me.¡± Dee took his jaw and kissed his lips after saying that she loved him.


    Fifteen minutester Rockford was talking softly with Ro resting on his side, drinking from his cup when Dee entered their bedroom.


    ¡°Dee, how¡¯s your night?¡± Ro smiled and patted the space beside him. Rockford kissed the top of their boyfriend¡¯s head before taking his empty cup and putting it next to his on his bedside table.


    ¡°Full ofughter and glitter. Hence the shower.¡± Her grin brightened up his face immediately and Rockford was feeling better already. When Ro woke up, the air around them was tense and he did what Dee told him to do. He gave their man his cup of chocte milk and cuddled him while whispering that he loved the man and that he wanted him to get better. Rockford didn¡¯t dare ask why, he didn¡¯t want him to get more stressed out. He needed Dee.


    ¡°So, Rockford said that your date night was scandalous. Want to tell me about it?¡± Dee put her hand on his chest on told him that she loved him, that she loved both of them.


    ¡°I¡­ it¡¯s stupid. I know you¡¯re safe. I know you¡¯re capable. But I worry. I don¡¯t know how the wives handle their stress but I¡­ maybe I need to go to my parents. Take a breather¡­¡±


    ¡°Nope. You¡¯re not going anywhere. When we have a problem, we talk. I have known you for years. And I know you like to run away from your problems. But we¡¯re happy. You were happy. So, honestly¡­ Ro, tell us why?¡± Dee questioned as her eyes were glued to their man, seeking the truth out of him.


    ¡°I¡¯m lonely. I¡¯m jobless, and I have too much time worrying about you.¡± Ro put his hand on Rockford¡¯s cheek and the man kissed his knuckles lovingly.


    ¡°You want to go back to bartending at the club?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t, maybe, honestly, I wanted to go back to school. As I said¡­ this is stupid. But it feels like if you can go back to your past I should also be able to go back to mine. I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    ¡°Ro, you can go back to college. Finish it, not that you need to work for your degree. But you can if you want to. We will take it one day at a time. What did you study back then?¡± Rockford asked while Dee waited, not wanting to interrupt the moment.


    ¡°I was studying for my Education Degree. But after spending time with the wives and their kids maybe I¡¯ll start easy by enrolling in early childhood education and go from there. I can always change subjects. My parents still have my college education fund. A few weeks ago, Mom asked when she called. Now that she knew that we were moving in together, she thought about me settling down and then told me that it was time for me to try again. So, yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°You know what I think? I think your mom is the smartest. I think she can sense that you¡¯re ready to control your life. Last night¡­ think ofst night as a fluke,¡± Rockford saw that Ro was about to interrupt their girlfriend when Dee put a finger on his lips. ¡°You gotta try. If not for us, do it our baby,¡±


    ¡°Our w-what?¡±


    ¡°Our baby,¡± she grinned so wide that Rockford finally took her in his arms and Ro joined in on their group hug.


    ¡°Our baby.¡± Ro nuzzled into the crook of her neck and inhaled her fresh after-shower scent.


    ¡°Yep. You¡¯re going to be the best daddy, and you¡­¡± She pointed her finger at Rockford¡¯s chest, ¡°You¡¯re going to be the badass dad who will kick ass knowing you will have a baby and is waiting for you at home. No more risking your life. Wear your vest. Watch your back. I don¡¯t like hospitals.¡± Dee kissed Ro with so much vigor that Rockford groaned as he waited for his turn.


    ¡°How¡­ when?¡± Rockford asked after Dee gave him the kiss that took his breath away.


    ¡°Remember when I had the stomach flu? Well, I stopped taking my pills and we had sex. I totally forgot about it since I was so horny after days without sex.¡± She batted her eyshes as she exined, that, made Rockfordugh. ¡°Then, the girls noticed that I was getting thinner and Bree said I looked sleepy, which I was. Lately, I¡¯ve been sleepy. So, yesterday Bree got me to visit her ObGyn. I took a blood test confirming my pregnancy. And¡­ next week is our ultrasound appointment. Last night turned into a celebration for my pregnancy with my girls.¡±


    ¡°Okay, both of you¡­ stay here.¡± Rockford utched himself from his lovers and walked towards their walk-in closet. He went to the safety box where he put his guns and pulled out the small velvet box that he had gotten for themst week. He had been waiting for the right moment to ask them and with Dee¡¯s announcement, it was the best moment he could ever imagine.


    He sat on the edge of the bed with Dee and Ro watching him as the small box was peeking from his hand. ¡°Dee, Ro, I love you¡­ both of you. I can¡¯t imagine my days without you,¡± Dee was teary, cursing about pregnancy hormones, but Ro¡­ the man¡¯s eyes were ssy and emotions were thick surrounding the air around them. Rockford had to clear his throat before he managed to continue. ¡°With our baby, on the way, I know I want to make things official between us. Dee, Ro will both of you marry me?¡± He opened the ring box, it had one beautiful diamond ring with two matching tinum rings for him and Ro.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Dee giggled and let him put the ring on her finger.


    ¡°But we can¡¯t all get married legally.¡± Ro was the first to burst their little bubble.


    ¡°You can marry Dee, legally. But I want us to have the ceremony with our friends. We will invite your parents and our closest friends.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Ro asked though he still let Rockford put the ring on his finger, then Dee put thest ring on Rockford¡¯s finger. The man clutched his hand so tightly that Rockford knew that he was about to crack.


    ¡°I am sure.¡±


    ¡°Or you can marry Rockford?¡± Dee pipped in and that made both men chuckle.


    ¡°No baby, I¡¯ve been thinking about it. It¡¯s best for the baby if you¡¯re married to one of us and it¡¯ll be my pleasure to let Ro marry you legally. I know that you¡¯re both mine. You can think about it. But as soon as Emelie sees the rings and hears about your pregnancy I¡¯m sure our wedding will follow. That¡­ that is what I¡¯m waiting for. To be united with both of you for the rest of our lives.¡±


    ¡°Ugh¡­ you say the sweetest things.¡± Dee was once again wiping her tears away and watching with teary eyes as Ro rubbed his thumb on Rockford¡¯s finger.


    ¡°I love you. I love both of you and I will get better. I want to get better. I¡¯ll call Dr. Sheridan and set up an appointment.¡±


    The day couldn¡¯t start more perfectly. They spent the rest of the morning cuddled in their bed talking about their future.

 151. Emotions

    Being with Ro had been great. Dee loved him. She had always been happy with him. But that Saturday afternoon in front of Ro¡¯s parents¡¯ house, Dee was on the verge of panic. She was pregnant and involved with two men. What would Ro¡¯s parents think of her?


    ¡°Dee, are you okay? You look pale?¡± Ro asked from the passenger seat while Rockford parked his shiny new ck SUV that he got from his new employment. She could see Rockford¡¯s smug smile from the rearview mirror as if he knew exactly why she was nervous.


    ¡°Everything will be okay, Dee. They¡¯re the perfect set of parents and they know about our triad. It¡¯ll be only time until one of us puts a baby in you.¡± Dee huffed and rested her back on her seat, her cute pout made the big manugh even louder.


    As soon as Rockford proposed, Dee had been in a happy bliss. She was cherished by her two men. But in a matter of minutes, they were going to enter Ro¡¯s family house. This was day three after Rockford had asked her and Ro to be his forever and after Dee told them that she was pregnant. Not Ro and even Rockford asked who she thought the baby daddy was, both of them were just happy that they were having one.


    Now her insecurities were wing her insides and she was actually worried. She had a bad past, though Ro knew, Dee was secretly still waiting when one day, he too would kick her out.


    She grew up in foster care, her parents were a junkie. Dee entered foster care the day her parents got busted for possession. Since then, Dee never saw her parents and she never looked for them. When she grew out of the system, Dee was on the street, though not for long. Dee had always been beautiful, she bounced from boyfriend to boyfriend until she found Ro. It was a few weeks after she was kicked out of herst one when they all had had enough of her. The cycle always repeats and since she first moved in with Ro, she had secretly waited for the day he was going to be done with her.


    But now, there¡¯s Rockford. Her brain was telling her that she was okay, that she was finally settling down with the people she loved the most, and now they¡¯re having a baby. This should be the happy ending she was waiting for, but feeling the happy bliss and waiting to meet Ro¡¯s parents was a whole different ball game. Dee¡¯s anxiety was over the charts and her palms were sweating when both men got out of the car.


    ¡°Come on, Dee, you know Mom will be happy to hear both news. You need to stop yourself from overthinking this.¡± Ro helped her out of the car. Dee was eight weeks pregnant, she was barely showing it. But her hand still went to her tummy and it made Ro smile softly and kiss her temple lovingly.


    ¡°Ro is right, and¡­ you look beautiful, do you know pregnant women glow, yeah¡­ I read about this online,¡± Rockford once again made herugh, their man had been a little obsessed with her being pregnant. Whenever she saw him, he was browsing his phone for some pregnancy facts. It was too adorable and it made Dee settle down a few times she felt panic rising every now and then.


    ¡°Boys, why are you keeping Dee under the sun? Come in, lunch is ready and Dad is getting hungry. You guys arete.¡± She opened her arms when Dee was a couple of steps away from her. ¡°Wait, there¡¯s something different about you.¡± Mom muttered as she held Dee at arm¡¯s length and scanned her from head to toe. Then, she stopped when she saw the ring. ¡°Oh. My. God¡­¡± Her smile grew even wider when she saw Rockford¡¯s andstly her Son¡¯s ring finger. ¡°Tell me who proposed? Wait,e inside and let me get Dad.¡±


    Mom stepped into the house, her hands wrapped around Dee¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Warren! Get that cute ass of yours here, the kids have important things to share with us.¡±


    Yeah, Dee was still amazed that Ro¡¯s parents had adopted Rockford into their fold. There was no hesitation from Mom and she pushed him to call him mom, though he still resisted.


    ¡°You. Young man, are going to finally call me Mom!¡± She scolded Rockford and the big guy grinned and nodded. Mom got all of them into the living room until Dad showed up, still wearing his smeared shirt from the studio, though his hands were clean. And each of them got his hug anyway.


    ¡°So, tell me who proposed?¡± She looked at Ro but then darted her eyes at Rockford after ncing at Dee for a couple of seconds.


    ¡°Yes, it was me. I loved them. I just got a promotion and feel like I¡¯d finally be able to support them and our children. They¡¯re my life, my future.¡± Rockford exined while Mom was teary and Dad wrapped a hand around her shoulder.


    ¡°Children?¡± Mom looked at the three of them with her curious eyes.


    ¡°Yes, Dee is pregnant.¡± Dee heard Ro tell his parents and she was getting ready to be scolded for being pregnant before they were even married. But Mom pulled her in for a tight hug and her husband joined in.


    ¡°Dee¡­ I know you¡¯d be the one, and now I have two sons and a grandbaby on the way. You made us so happy.¡± Mom pulled Rockford into their group hug and then added Ro. Their group hug was interrupted by the oven timer and Mom retreated back to the kitchen followed by Dee, a few steps behind her.


    ¡°Tell me have you given a thought about the wedding reception?¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to ask me who will be legally married in our triad?¡± She waved her hand and dismissed her question. ¡°I know you love both of them equally and the boys adored you. From thest couple of meals we had together, I could see how much Ro and Rockford love each other. I¡¯ve seen triad couples over the years. I could tell which triad would work and which would most likely crumble. Seeing the three of you together, I know all of you will have a bright future together.¡±Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Her words made Dee all teary. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s the pregnancy hormones.¡±


    ¡°Sit, I¡¯ll make you some tea. It used to rx me when I had Ro that boy never gave me morning sickness but my emotions were all over the ce.¡±


    ¡°No morning sickness too, but maybe it¡¯s still early.¡±


    Mom shrugged and told her it didn¡¯t matter as long as Dee was healthy.


    ¡°So tell me, how¡¯s Ro?¡±


    ¡°You know?¡± Dee didn¡¯t know how, but his Mom always knew every time something was a bit off with Ro.


    ¡°Call it a mother¡¯s intuition. You¡¯ll have one of those with your children too.¡±


    Dee giggled telling her that she was going to concentrate on the one that they were expecting before thinking of another one.


    ¡°Well, with two men loving you, it¡¯ll be only time until your little family grows. And I can¡¯t wait to hold them in my arms. I was disappointed when I couldn¡¯t have another child after Ro, I hadplications after giving birth to my boy and it¡¯s just the three of us until now. So now I¡¯m ecstatic that you¡¯re going to expand our family, Dee. We¡¯re going to be the best grandparents to your little angels.¡±


    Dee was crying now and Mom giggled, pulling her into her hug. ¡°There¡­ cry it out, you¡¯re going to send my boys for daily runs of tissues for your tears. It¡¯s good though. Better for the soul. Bncing out the happy excited side and the sad emotional side of you.¡± Mom kissed Dee¡¯s forehead and told her to drink her tea.


    ¡°Ro has been struggling since Rockford got the new job. It was a good one, but dangerous, and Ro was notfortable no matter how badass our Rockford was. A few days ago he said he was going to make everything right because I told him to. Because we¡¯re having a baby and I need my men to be there for us. So now Rockford and I, both are keeping an eye on Ro.¡±


    ¡°That is all I¡¯m asking, PTSD is never easy on anyone. All we can do is support him. We¡¯d never know what¡¯s going on in his mind.¡± Mom told Dee, as she put her hand on top of hers.


    ¡°Come on, enough with the serious talk and fetch my boys to help me te the dishes. For the next seven months, you¡¯re going to be pampered. I will train my boys on how to¡­¡±


    ¡°On it Mom,¡± Rockford interrupted then he was to her side and kissed Mom¡¯s temple. Dee watched as Mom¡¯s eyes were getting ssy. It was the first time Rockford called her Mom, after weeks of her repeatedly telling him to call her mom.


    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s been scoring points with Dee for learning everything about pregnancy and what to expect.¡± Ro rolled his eyes when Rockford pulled him by the waist and pecked his forehead.


    ¡°My sons, I love both of you. Stop bickering and cherish the baby mamma.¡±


    With Mom¡¯s wisdom, Dee smiled at her two men and she wondered if she would ever get used to their affection. Again, maybe it¡¯s the pregnancy hormones. But still¡­

 152. The Wedding

    Dee never thought she¡¯d have the wedding of her dreams. She was a stripper. She dated her bartender boyfriend for years without any indication that he was going to marry her.


    At some stage, Dee had given up on her dream and was satisfied with having Ro as her boyfriend for life. Months back she even dreaded the thought that Ro had lost interest in their romance, as they were seeking for a third. But when Rockford came and perfected their rtionship she dared to dream again.


    Fast forward her life two monthster, she was putting on her wedding dress. Dee was four months pregnant. She was showing the cutest baby bump, but there she was in a beautiful wedding dress, looking perfect for their wedding reception.


    A few hours earlier she and Ro had been dered as a husband and wife in the city hall. Rockford was there, and also her besties from Babes while their newer friends were waiting for their union, all three of them at the Markov Mansion.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Bree, Charlotte, Cassidy, and Mara along with their plus ones were there too. Ro¡¯s parents attended the city hall and they were also at the Mansion. They were thrilled about the news of their future grandchild but were even more ecstatic to hear about their ceremony. They weren¡¯t even shocked when Ro told them that they were a triad and were going to live the rest of their lives together.


    Dee was surprised when Emelie and her little bunch of mob wives told her that they were going to arrange her wedding. At first, she protested. But in the end, Dee gave up and let them do what they wanted. This was exactly what Max had advised her e afternoon when she took a time out and he found her in the back garden of his mansion looking too overwhelmed by their attention.


    ¡°You look perfectly gorgeous. I truly think it¡¯s a good idea to get married while pregnant. There¡¯s this glow that you just can¡¯t fake.¡± Emelie sighed before she clinked her flute with Olga¡¯s. The two mob wives drink the thousand-dor champagne like it¡¯s water, this is their second ss and the ceremony hasn¡¯t even started yet.


    ¡°Uh-huh, maybe when we find our third,¡± Angelica giggled as she poured herself another ss and pouted when it only filled half as the bottle was empty.


    ¡°Okay, girls. Focus. I really want this wedding to go without a hitch. I¡¯m really sorry Dee, but it seems in every wedding we had there was some drama at the end. But you¡¯re still a new member of our little family so, here¡¯s to the perfect wedding!¡± Angelica held her flute and toast with all of them, including Dee with her ss filled with non-alcoholic wine for the celebration.


    The reception was magical, Dee couldn¡¯t imagine anything better, nor could she arrange a better one. The second Emelie and her girls took over her wedding reception details Dee knew she was in for a rollercoaster. But she couldn¡¯tin, not when she was standing at the end of the aisle with Ro¡¯s mom and dad surrounded by friends and family in a gorgeous backyard wedding. Mom and Dad both agreed that they were going to be the ones who would walk her down the aisle. And when she looked at her men she knew that they were her everything. Her happy ending.


    ¡°You look beautiful,¡± her men said in unison moments after Mom and Dad kissed her cheeks and told her that they loved her.


    The ceremony went by like a blip. She was their wife and they were her husbands. They professed their love in front of their closest friends and family. And in the massive backyard of the Mansion, they celebrate the new beginning of their life.


    ¡°I love you,¡± Ro whispered as he took her in his arms and they danced. Rockford was twirling Mom while Dad watched with a huge grin on his face.


    ¡°I love you too,¡± Dee replied honestly.


    Dee¡¯s eyes darted to see Rockford end his dance when Dad decided to cut in. The man was taking the lead with Mom, taking her across the dance floor like they were teenagers enjoying their prom night.


    ¡°Is it my turn, yet?¡± Dee felt Rockford pressed on her back and she could hear the simultaneous sighs from the mob wives sitting close to where they were pressed against each other.


    ¡°I think we¡¯re giving them a show,¡±


    ¡°Mhmm¡­ they had worked hard for this reception, it¡¯s the least we can do.¡± Ro kissed the side of her neck before he gracefully turned her around while his hand rested on her waist. Her husband didn¡¯t stop there, Ro put his free hand on Rockford¡¯s jaw and pulled him close for a sweet sensuous kiss. Dee felt safe, she felt loved, as her two husbands wrapped her in a cocoon of warm embrace in front of their guests.


    ¡°Oh¡­ my god¡­ they¡¯re so adorable.¡± Dee recognized Emelie¡¯s dreamy voice and smiled. Rockford ended his kiss with Ro before pressing his lips on hers.


    ¡°So jealous,¡± Olga made her smile as Rockford kissed her deeper.


    ¡°I need to see this through.¡± Angelica¡¯s words made herugh when Dee felt Ro was dancing a bit too raunchy for general consumption. She felt his erection grinding against her ass, while his lips pressed against her shoulder and slowly trailed up her neck before nipping on her earlobe and whispering how he was going to devour their new wife.


    It took them another two hours until they finally reached the beautiful suite that Emelie had booked them before they left for their little honeymoon getaway to the private ind owned by Max. Again, another perk of having to work for the mob boss.


    ¡°The reception was a fucking torture,¡± Dee heard Roin when they finally entered their suite.


    Dee didn¡¯t let her eyes off him as the man started stripping, letting his new wife and husband know that he was getting so horny that he couldbust. Rockford chuckled and he pulled their husband and kissed him hard. Ro was wearing his ck sexy briefs when Dee watched how Rockford squeezes his ass cheek hard. Ro moaned in their kiss and his cock was ready to burst out of the confinement of his briefs.


    ¡°Bedroom, now,¡± Rockford growled and Dee was grabbed by their man and their lips fused like they couldn¡¯t get enough of their closeness.


    Ro was on his back and Dee was getting frustrated with her wedding dress. She bit her lip and let Rockford help her with it. ¡°Ugh¡­ only you had the patience with all these little buttons. The wives convinced me that it¡¯ll get both of you crazy, but they did not consider my pregnancy hormones.¡± Dee sighed contently when she was finally out of her dress. But then the bridal lingerie was next and her man was looking at her like she was the present that they couldn¡¯t wait to unwrap.


    ¡°So fucking beautiful, I can¡¯t believe you agree to marry us.¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh yeah, I can¡¯t believe you asked.¡± Dee moaned when Rockford pressed his body and nudged her between Ro¡¯s legs.


    ¡°y with her,¡± Rockford said as he started undressingyer afteryer of his tux until he waspletely naked. His arousal was evident and Dee was whimpering when Ro had hery on him with her legs spread while resting his back on the headboard.


    Dee watched as Rockford crawled onto the bed and joined them. He kissed her thoroughly before doing the same to Ro. She was so horny that she climaxed when Ro rubbed her clit while Rockford was sucking the sensitive spot just under her ear.


    ¡°Fuck. That¡¯s so hot.¡± Ro whispered on her neck and Dee slumped from her high against Ro¡¯s side.


    ¡°Come here, let Dee rest, and while we give her a show. I want her all horny again before we give her what she really craves for.¡± Rockford smirked knowing their voluptuous wife couldn¡¯t get enough of their cocks. But with her pregnancy, they decided to take things slow no matter how much she craved them to love her hard.


    ¡°Oh fuck!¡±


    Dee watched as Ro cursed when their husband flipped him and got him on all fours between her legs. His body was on top of hers while Rockford get his lubed fingers between his buttcheeks. Dee cupped Ro¡¯s jaw and kissed his mouth, silencing his moans when Rockford finally mmed his cock inside him.


    Rockford leaned down to kiss their wife and Ro shuddered when he felt his insides stretched and Rockford¡¯s cock hits his spot over and over again. His cock was painfully hard and he cried his name when his hand wrapped around his shaft.


    ¡°Are you ready, baby?¡± Rockford pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead. ¡°I think Ro is ready to blow his load, and I know how much you like it when you¡¯re filled with cum.¡±


    The dirty talk had her gasped and nodded. Rockford chuckled and told Ro to get on top of her. The man do it carefully, but he finally let go when his cock was inside her. Her warmth made him so fucking hard, and when Rockford thrust inside him, Ro was pushed deeper inside her.


    Dee loved when Ro was in the middle as much as he did. But the night was still young and she knew it¡¯d be only time until it¡¯d be Dee¡¯s turn to be in the middle. ¡°I¡¯m so close!¡± Dee moaned and Ro moaned her name when he was getting near his climax.


    ¡°Let go, Ro, I want to feel you milk my cock.¡± The man groaned louder when he finally let go. Dee followed and Rockford joined them in their orgasmic bliss.


    ¡°Fuck¡­ best wedding night ever.¡± Ro slumped, and Dee giggled. Rockford moved his hips, twisting and filling him while Ro whined from the intense orgasm.


    ¡°Rest, I¡¯ll get a towel and clean both of you.¡±


    Dee¡¯s eyes were getting heavy, but she let Ro strip her lingerie until shey naked while he caressed her baby bump, making her smile.


    Their honeymoon awaits, but she couldn¡¯t wait to wee their baby into the world.

 153. Epilogue

    Seven monthster¡­


    Dee seemed to remember on her wedding night when she said that she couldn¡¯t wait to wee their baby into the world. But as she was inbor, all memory of the sweet dreamy thoughts of weing their baby was instantly gone. She was cursing and yelling, telling her Ro that she was so ready to go home and sleep it off.


    ¡°I have been having contractions for eight hours, don¡¯t tell me to fucking rx! And where is Rockford?! Is this baby not important enough for him to be present?! Give me the phone, Ro! I said give me the damn PHONE!¡± Dee yelled and her husband winced.


    This was not expected.


    Dee had heardbor nightmares from her friends, but since she had a very chix pregnancy, she¡¯d assumed that the baby would give her easybor too. And damn¡­ she couldn¡¯t be more wrong.


    ¡°Rockford, where are you? I need my husbands here! I am not delivering this baby without you! I don¡¯t fucking care you¡¯re in the middle of the desert. Get someone to airlift your ass here! Oh fuckkk!¡­ what? Of course I¡¯m not fine! I¡¯m in fuckingbor! You would know if you get yourzy ass in here so I can yell at you too!¡±


    ¡°Baby¡­¡±


    Dee squinted her eyes when she saw Ro try to calm her down again and the man raised his hand in defeat.


    It was another hour before Rockford finally arrived at the hospital. Ro was standing while Dee had her arms around his shoulder. Her posture leaned heavily toward their husband while he kept on guiding her to breathe.


    ¡°Hey, baby, I¡¯m sorry I¡¯mte.¡± Rockford greeted Dee with a kiss on her temple.


    ¡°Is that blood? Get change, don¡¯t contaminate our baby with stranger¡¯s blood.¡± Dee hissed and Ro shook his head telling him silently not to argue with their wife.


    The man stepped outside and quickly grabbed a change of clothes from the back of his car and swiftly changed into his clean clothes. He shoved his dirty ones into the stic bag along with his apparently blood-stained shoes and changed to his other sneakers that he always kept in the car.


    Rockford had hurried himself as he left Ivan in the abandoned factory along with Demyan. They were interrogating a snitch when he received the call. It was Ivan who told him to go to Dee. Giving him his wisdom, telling Rockford the importance of being present for thebor. Exining to him the consequences, about how the wife is going to hold it above his head for the rest of their marriage days. Knowing how much he loved Dee, Rockford certainly didn¡¯t want that. So he left them and went straight to the hospital.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m here. Ro, do you want to take a break? Let me hold Dee. You can get her more iced tea?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes¡­ more iced tea, be quick. I don¡¯t know how long I can keep this up. The baby doesn¡¯t want to see us.¡± Dee pouted and let Rockford take Ro¡¯s ce and hold her in his strong arms.


    Ro looked like he had the weight lifted off his shoulder and Rockford knew he needed to thank his husbandter. Ro had been very patient with their wife and he was going to appreciate what he¡¯d gone through in Rockford¡¯s absence. Not that Dee had it easier, he could tell from theck of herposure that she was getting tired. He wished he could take it all away though he knows that he couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Have I told you that I love you and I am so grateful that you¡¯re enduring this for us. If I can trade ces with you, you know I will. I don¡¯t like seeing you this exhausted¡­¡± Rockford¡¯s words seemed to settle her and she was getting more rxed as the man took her in his arms. Rockford wanted to try making her walk around the room, hoping it¡¯d take her mind off the contractions.


    When the nurse came and told her to rest back on the bed, she gave Dee an examination. Then, it wasn¡¯t long until they wheeled her into a delivery room. Ice tea was forgotten when both husbands were at her sides, both holding her hands and silently there for her since cheering her to deliver their baby was a big no-no.


    Less than two hourster, after treacherous pushing and screaming, their son was born. Dee looked happy and she kissed his tiny knuckles while his lipstched onto her nipple and fed like a pro. Rockford was at Ro¡¯s side when he watched how his husband was ready to crumble the second Dee handed him their son to hold.


    ¡°He¡¯s so tiny. So perfectly handsome.¡± Ro sounded overwhelmed and he kissed his forehead before handing the baby to Rockford giving their man time to cuddle their baby, before the nurse took him away to be examined further by the pediatrician.


    Another hour passed before they were settled in Dee¡¯s recovery room. They haven¡¯t texted anyone about the birth. Rockford wanted to give Dee time to rest before her friends and family came to wee their baby into the world.


    The next day after Rockford threatened Ivan and Demyan not to inform the wives at least for another twenty-four hours, the doors couldn¡¯t contain the mob wives as they barreled into Dee¡¯s recovery room and with presents and lots of oohs and ahs as they took in their handsome boy. Rockford was going to talk to Ivan about keeping his mouth shut before his wife exined.


    ¡°You know I have to keep Ivan cuffed to the bed and interrogate him. I could sense that he was hiding something and when I poked around, I knew it was about Dee. Rockford, you need to learn that there¡¯s nothing we couldn¡¯t get our husbands to confess if we wanted them.¡± Angelica muttered, as she was to Dee¡¯s side and Emelie was holding their baby.


    ¡°Go, wait outside for our men. They¡¯re always ufortable around newborns. Something about them being too fragile,¡± Olga rolled her eyes but continued to fuss with Dee, asking about her health and recovery as she helped her to sit straighter and drink her water.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Mom and Dad arrived after Dee¡¯s friends from Babes visited. They left just before the visitation hours ended.


    ¡°Well, at least we got that over with, and having them here is better. That means you can truly rest when you¡¯re settled back at home. We¡¯ll help you with the baby.¡± Ro mentioned as he patted their firstborn, rocking him back and forth, trying to get the little bundle of joy to burp. He looked so natural, Dee could look at him all day and be content with her life. Rockford was resting at her side, he was snoring adorably in the ufortable-looking chair. The man was tired after hisst job with Ivan and Demyan.


    When Dee was finally discharged she was ready to sleep in their bed with her two husbands. She missed sleeping with their warmth.


    ¡°I love you, little man,¡± Rockford whispered to their son as he cradled him in his big arms. The baby looked so small as Dee watched them, knowing the little boy would be spoiled by her husbands. With Ro behind her, wrapping his arms around her, she was feeling cherished. The man kissed the top of her head telling her that he loved her.


    Dee was happy. She was finally there. Her own little family. ¡°I love you too.¡± She took Ro¡¯s hand to wrap her tighter as they watched their man with their newborn.


    -The End-


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