Then There Was You: A Single Parent Collection

by Gianna Gabriela

  Palming his phone again, he pulled up Gigi’s contact details. “Hello?” she answered a few rings in. She sounded breathless.

  “Are you running?” he asked.

  She chuckled. “I forgot to put my phone on silent. My professor hates cells going off in class so I had to leave the room in a hurry to escape the laser beams he was shooting at me with his eyes.”

  His mouth flexed into a smile at the image, but his mood quickly sobered. “I just spoke to my boss, the one in LA.”

  “Oh?”

  He squeezed the muscles in the back of his neck. “I’m leaving on Friday.” For a moment all he could hear was her heavy breathing on the other end of the line. “Please say something.”

  “Friday?” she whispered.

  “I know; it’s too soon, but she found a new manager to run the show. The guy is starting tonight to learn the ropes. It won’t take him long, though—he used to run Bembe.”

  “Friday?” she repeated, her disbelief haemorrhaging from that one word.

  “I’m sorry.” What else could he say? He hadn’t thought beyond his time in New York. Could they do long-distance? He knew he couldn’t ask her to come back to LA with him; she had her whole life here in New York. She had her hopes pinned on the internship at the museum, and if she got it, he had no doubt that she would secure the job at the end of the year too.

  Could he live in New York, though? He couldn’t leave his job. He couldn’t leave his mother; he couldn’t keep Erin away from her. He had made a life in California, even if Chelsea had temporarily destroyed it.

  “Gigi? Are you still there?”

  She cleared her throat. “Yeah, I’m still here.”

  “Will you still come and stay with me and Erin?”

  She exhaled. “Yes.”

  The tension in Max’s shoulders eased. “Thank you.”

  “I have to go. I’ll see you tonight.” With a click, the call disconnected.

  28

  Gigi was still staring at the screen of her phone long after it had gone into sleep mode. Max’s words were bouncing around in her head, the word ‘Friday’ one long echo repeated over and over again. She didn’t know how, but the moment he had paused, her stomach had started to tie in knots. She knew what he was going to tell her, and he’d only confirmed her worst fears: he was leaving.

  With shaking hands, she pushed back into the classroom, her professor cutting a sideways glance in her direction.

  “Sorry,” she mumbled. “It was an emergency.” She took her seat, picking up her pen as the lecture continued. But it was all white noise to her. For the remaining forty-five minutes, she made a few notes and asked no questions while the students around her debated animatedly. She hadn’t even realized the class was over until Alex touched her on the shoulder, startling her from her thoughts.

  “Gigi, hi,” he said, smiling bashfully.

  She forced a smile onto her lips. “How are you, Alex?”

  Initially, things had been a little awkward after their first—and last—kiss, but he had warmed up to her again, although she knew he was hoping they’d give dating another try. “I’m good. I was just wondering whether you heard from the AMNH yet.”

  She felt her pulse begin to race. “Have you?” Had two weeks already passed?

  The grin that split his face in two was all the answer she needed. He had made it. “I got a spot. Did you?”

  She reluctantly shook her head. “I haven’t heard from them.”

  “Oh.” His smile faded. “Well, give it time. I’m sure you made it. I’ll see you later.” Alex waved goodbye, leaving her alone in the lecture room. She packed her notebook and pen back into her bag and slung it over her shoulder. Great! Now she not only had Max’s leaving to worry about but also the fact that the best chance she had at getting a job after school had just evaporated into thin air.

  She started walking back to her apartment, her buoyant mood completely sunk. She had another lecture in an hour, but she couldn’t face it. She decided that she would rather be wrapped up in Max’s arms instead—after all, they had only a few more days together.

  Jen was home when she got there, her roommate talking in soft whispers behind her closed bedroom door. For a second, she thought Jen was on the phone, but as Gigi passed by her room, she heard the distinct timbre of a male voice. She had known Jen would forget about Jeremy sooner or later.

  Gigi trudged to her closet and started pulling a few things from the hangers—she wouldn’t need much to get her by. She packed her suitcase carefully, slipping in a few extra non-study related books to keep her attention while Max was at work in the evenings. Closing the case, she zipped it shut and hauled it out into the living room. Calling through Jen’s bedroom door, she said, “I’m going to Max’s.”

  There was a small thump and then Jen called, “When will you be back?”

  “A couple of days. Stay safe, Jen.” Gigi hoped she took her advice.

  “I always am,” her roommate replied, the guy she was with chuckling at her mischievous tone.

  She walked to Max’s apartment with a cloud of gloom hanging over her head. She hardly looked up once, and never deviated from her path. When she reached his building, she pushed the button on the intercom beside the door.

  “Yeah?” he asked coolly.

  “It’s me,” she replied.

  “Gigi, come up.” This time his words were warm. The door unlocked and she rode the elevator up to his floor. He was standing in the doorway when the doors opened, Erin cradled in his arms, his hair still damp from his shower. “What’s wrong?”

  She didn’t reply. Dropping the handle of her suitcase, she wrapped her arms around his waist and placed her head against his broad chest. His free hand came to rest on her back, giving her the strength she’d been so desperately looking for since she’d spoken to Alex.

  “Come inside,” he urged, stepping away. Passing Erin to her, he picked up her suitcase and brought it inside. She sat down on the couch, holding the little girl on her lap.

  “What’s happened? Is it your folks?” he asked, propping her case against the wall near the door.

  She took a deep breath, looking at him. “It’s the internship.”

  He sat beside her. “What about the internship? Have they announced the successful applicants?”

  This time she nodded. “Alex got a place.”

  Max frowned at the mention of her classmate. “What about you?”

  She felt the first tears prick the corners of her eyes. She wiped them away and shook her head. “Oh, Gigi,” he murmured, scooting closer and wrapping an arm over her shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s not the end of the world.” She sniffled. “There are other opportunities out there.”

  “I know. I just know how much that one meant to you.”

  “It did,” she whispered. More tears fell, and although she was trying incredibly hard to hold it all together, her disappointment soon overwhelmed her. Turning into his body, she cried into his chest, even as Erin struggled in her arms.

  “Let me put Erin in her room,” he told her, taking his daughter and walking down the hall. There were a few cries of protest, but soon she had quietened down. Max emerged and wrapped Gigi up in his arms. “It’s been a day of bad news, huh?” This only caused her to sob harder. He rubbed circles on her back, soothing her.

  “I’m sorry,” she eventually said, wiping the last of her tears away. Her eyes felt puffy and her nose was running. She looked hard at his stomach, refusing to let him see how awful she no doubt looked. Crying never did anyone any favors.

  With his finger under her chin, she tilted her head back up. “Don’t hide your tears from me.”

  “I look hideous,” she protested.

  “You look beautiful.” He kissed her hard and fast, silently telling her not to fight him on this one. She wound her arms around his neck, clutching him closer to her. His kiss became more passionate, more demanding, and she found herself willingly giving in
to him. His hands slid down to her ass. He cupped it roughly and pulling her hips into the hard line of his body. She groaned into his mouth, her fingers flexing instinctively.

  Holding onto her bottom lip, he sucked at the flesh and pulled away at the same time. “I need to feel your skin.” She nodded, knowing exactly what he was talking about because she felt the same way. Unhooking her hands, she took off her tank top, letting it fall to the ground. Rolling onto the other side of the couch, she worked the button on her shorts while he took off his shirt and undid his jeans. The smell of fresh linen and soap drifted up between them. Leaning back against the cushions, she kicked off her underwear. His body covered hers, his skilful fingers sliding between their bodies and finding her silken folds. He rubbed at the knot of nerves, eliciting desperate whimpers from her throat. His mouth opened over one of her breasts still confined by her bra, his tongue darting out to torture her hardened nipples. Reaching behind her back, she undid the clasp of her bra, the straps slackening against her shoulders. Max peered up at her from his position, a salacious grin spreading over his lips.

  “I like this position,” he said. He pulled the cups of her bra down under her breasts, exposing them. He took her into his mouth again, his tongue and teeth driving her insane with need. Add the way his fingers expertly applied pressure to her clit, and she wasn’t sure which way was up or down.

  “Please, Max,” she begged, her teeth biting down into her bottom lip.

  “Tell me what you need, Gigi.”

  “You.” She was breathless. “I need you.”

  He pulled away abruptly, leaving her feeling empty. “Come and have a shower with me.” He held out his hand to her and she was unable to refuse. She let him lead her to the bathroom, turning on the water and sticking his hand under the spray every now and again to test the temperature. He didn’t say anything else to her—he didn’t have to. She could read what his thoughts were by the look in his eyes and by the way he touched her; it was almost reverent.

  He nudged her into the shower first while he took off his jeans and underwear and stepped in after her. His hands were on her in an instant, his mouth melding to hers less than a heartbeat later. His tongue explored her mouth while his hands explored her body. He moved down her throat, kissing down to the depression of her collarbone. Gigi threw her head back to allow him better access, her fingers getting a firmer grip around his biceps.

  He worshiped her entire body with his lips, tongue and teeth, finally dropping to his knees in front of her. Droplets of water were clinging to his eyelashes, sliding down his face and dropping from his chin. Gently, he inched his hands up her inner thighs, applying the slightest pressure to get her to open them a little further. Propping her hands on the tiled walls, she braced herself, spreading her legs wider. He kissed the inside of her thigh sweetly before swiping his tongue through her sex.

  She cried out, the walls throwing the sound back at her; she sounded so wanton. Max lapped at her, drinking her down. Before she knew it, he had coaxed an orgasm from her. Her knees buckled under the intense pleasure, Max’s hands supporting the weight of her body effortlessly. She came while he was still stroking and greedily drinking from her. She could feel her whole body warm as the last of her pleasure ebbed away.

  When she could refocus her eyes, she found him staring at her—still from his kneeling position. “Beautiful,” he mouthed, standing up and kissing her. She could taste herself on him. “I hope you’re ready for me, Gigi, because I can’t wait another second.”

  She nodded, crying out a moment later as he wrapped her legs around his waist and slammed into her. With her back pressed against the tile, the water hit him fully in the back as his hips pistoned in and out of her. He was in a frenzy, and once again, she could understand why—they were running out of time together. She held on tightly as he continued with his demanding rhythm, riding each jerk and jolt.

  “I can’t hold on,” he ground out, his hips flexing into hers once more before he groaned low and long into her ear. Hearing that sound made her entire lower body clench. The muscles in her pelvis tugged at Max’s erection, drawing a hiss from his lips. He withdrew from her body, pressing his forehead to hers as their breathing returned to normal. He touched the corner of her mouth, then pressed a kiss to it.

  “Can I wash you?” she asked, eyeing his broad shoulders.

  With a grin, he handed her the sponge. Putting a little shower gel on it, she started rubbing slow circles over his chest, letting her fingers trail over his hardened nipples. Dragging the sponge down, she made sure his stomach was also clean before dipping down between his legs. He shuddered as she washed his cock then trembled when she let her fingers linger there for a moment longer.

  He shook his head at her, causing her to pout. “I have to go to work soon, remember?”

  “I can be quick,” she shot back with a grin.

  His strong fingers wrapped behind her neck, dragging her to his mouth. He kissed her before saying against her lips, “I don’t ever want quick with you, Gigi. Leisurely, yes. Adoringly, most definitely. But never quick.”

  She knew he was thinking it, but she had no desire to say it: their days of leisurely enjoying each other’s bodies were coming to an end.

  The thought left her cold.

  “I should get ready for work, though,” Max said softly, seemingly reading her mind. He shut off the water, wrapping her in a towel before getting one for himself. She let him get dressed alone while she went to collect her suitcase. Just as she was toting it into her room, Max stopped her.

  “I thought you’d want to leave it in here,” he said, indicating his room with his head.

  “You want me to stay in your room?”

  “You sound surprised. We’ll be spending every night together anyway.”

  He was right, of course. With the suitcase rolling behind her, she walked the last few feet of the hallway and into his room.

  “I cleared out a drawer for you and there’s some space in the closet if you have anything you’d like to hang up.”

  “Thank you,” she said, watching him slide his arms into a black dress shirt. He looked delectable. Sitting on the end of the bed, he put on his socks and shoes.

  “How do I look?” he asked, giving her a knowing grin.

  “Good enough to eat,” she replied.

  He kissed her softly. “Keep that look for me for when I get back home. I’m looking forward to having you in my bed.”

  “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

  29

  “Mr. Parker?”

  Max looked up from his paperwork to see a guy standing at his office door. He looked young—maybe only twenty or so. “Yeah?”

  “Brian Wilson,” he said, walking in and offering him his hand. They shook and Max got a better look at the guy. He was a little taller than him, a little slimmer through the shoulders, too, but they shared the same dark hair and eyes.

  “Evangeline told me you were coming in.”

  Brian nodded. “She said you were going to show me around tonight.”

  “That was the plan. I’m booked on a flight home on Friday, so I figured I could give you the run- down tonight, let you do things by yourself tomorrow while I hang back, then Temptation is all yours.”

  He grinned. “Thank god I get a bit of freedom here. My boss at Bembe was into micromanaging. It was a pain in my ass.”

  “Let me give you the tour,” Max said, getting up from his chair.

  They spent the next hour talking about the ins and outs of the club. The rest of the evening, Brian shadowed Max in everything he did from briefing security to talking to his waitresses. He was impressed with Brian. Despite his age, he was attentive, his sharp eyes missing nothing. Max felt as if Evangeline had made a good choice by hiring him, and he also felt comfortable leaving the club in his capable hands.

  “So, you’re from LA?” Brian asked as they did the final count for the night. Since it was only a Tuesday, the take was light.

>   “Yeah.”

  “I’ve never been; I’ve always wanted to, though. Did you grow up there, too?” Max shook his head. “Seattle. I moved down to LA after I got married.”

  “Oh,” Brian said, his eyes flickering down to Max’s left hand. He had long since taken off his wedding band. “I didn’t realize.”

  “We’re in the process of getting divorced,” Max added, feeling as if he had to explain himself. “You got a girl, Brian?”

  His smile was mischievous. “A guy. His name is Pete.”

  “Been together long?”

  He shook his head, thinking. “Maybe only a month or so.”

  Max grunted, stretching his legs out under the desk. “It’s working out okay?” He didn’t know why he was so damn curious.

  Brian nodded, leaning forward in the chair opposite Max’s, resting his elbows on his knees. “You want to know something, though?”

  “What?”

  “Even though I’ve only known him a month, I know he’s the one I want to be with forever. Does that… Does that sound crazy?”

  Max shook his head, thinking about how he and Gigi shared that unmistakeable spark. “No. That doesn’t sound crazy at all.”

  Max shut the apartment door behind him softly, finding a soft glow coming from under Erin’s door. Walking into the hallway, he could see that his bedroom door was open, and his bed was empty. At his daughter’s room, he carefully opened the door, mindful of the squeak in the doorknob as he pushed it open.

  Gigi was in the rocking chair with Erin cradled in her arms. She was humming softly, doing her best to soothe the baby. He leaned against the jamb and watched as Erin slowly quietened in her arms, her jerky movements stopping. Gigi flipped her gaze up to meet his eyes and smiled. For a few more minutes she rocked, her eyes never leaving his until finally she put a sleeping Erin back into her crib.