Forgiven (The Power of Three Love Series Book 4)

by Leigh Lennon

  “I couldn’t have said it better myself, Mr. Calypso,” I teased. “So how do you want to work this? Want to go back one at a time?”

  Zipping up his pants as he tucked in his seemingly wrinkled shirt, he shook his head at me. “Nah, I say we just own it. If people assume we fucked like wild rabbits in here, let them believe that.” He dropped a sweet kiss on my forehead before he continued. “I learned a long time ago that faking it only hurts you and those around you.”

  This man, who was certainly older than me—not that it showed in his stamina—was also wiser.

  “Yeah, I agree with you.” Pulling the last piece of clothing over my head, I looked for some cleaner under the sink and sterilized the counter. His out-and-out laughter startled me, and I twisted my head to his. “I’m just removing the sex from Daimen, Arden, and Elliot’s sink. I think they’d thank us.” My tease was received with his gorgeous smile, and after I washed my hands, we walked out of the bathroom together, laughing at one another as though we’d known each other for years and not merely minutes.

  When we turned the corner to the main part of the house, everyone was quiet, watching us reappear from our little tryst. Daria, who was on the phone, emptied the space between us with my purse on her shoulder.

  “Clara, your mom just called. Declan’s blood sugar spiked, and they’re rushing him to the hospital.” All eyes were on me, but I no longer cared if everyone thought we had crazy sex. Taking my hand, she didn’t have to say another word. It was obvious Daria was coming with me, but I was the one dragging her. As I turned around in the elevator of the penthouse, the last face I saw was Jack’s, but I didn’t have time to remember what had just occurred between us. I was a mother first and foremost, and my baby needed me. And there was not another place on earth I wanted to be.

  5

  Bodhi

  My day was shit. Nearing the end of summer, we should be stacked deep in work orders. Dom and I were normally overly busy this time of the year. Because of last year, we hired another crew, but somehow, the busiest time had become a fucking nightmare. If it hadn’t been for the job for Miles Sterling and his new home in one of the suburbs, we’d be up a creek without a fucking paddle. Adding to my shitty day, every time I looked at the date of September 14th, it stung me so deep inside.

  Then I’d gotten a phone call from a guy I’d gone on a couple of dates with. I liked him, and more so, he liked me, but in my self-loathing stage, on today of all days, I wouldn’t take the leap. Why should I be happy when I blew it out of the water with the woman I loved?

  Dominic often asked me if I’d date a female again. I hadn’t thought I would, though I certainly loved the touch of a woman. But more so, I loved the touch of my woman, the one I’d pledged my life to.

  When Tim had finally gotten tired of the runaround, he found me at my office, balls deep in invoices. Though Dom and I were evenly talented in the landscape architecture, I was the one more suited for accounting. Dom let him in and when I’d popped my head up, he was standing in front of me.

  “I thought we were building something. I didn’t know what it could be, but avoiding my calls certainly tells me you don’t feel the same way.”

  And because I was a pussy, I took the coward’s way out. It’s not you, it’s me. It was the fucking truth. With my day ending as shitty as it had started, I chose to binge-watch Dexter again with a frozen pizza I threw in the oven. My phone rang once, and I had ignored it, thinking it was Tim. When it rang over and over again, I recognized the number right away. It was someone who hadn’t called me in over two years. And I missed her, but if she was calling, it wasn’t good news.

  “Laura,” I answered, and I didn’t know what else to call my ex-mother-in-law. “You okay?”

  “Bodhi, it’s Declan. His blood sugar dropped. I’ve called the ambulance. We’ll be at Mercy. Meet us there.”

  I was at the door before I realized I’d grabbed my keys and my wallet was in my hand. “Clara?” I asked. I understood she was with Daria, but nothing could keep her from our son.

  “I can’t get her. But I talked to Daria, and she assured me she’d be at the hospital.” She ended the call without anymore information, and before I knew it, I was on the street hailing a cab.

  Laura was waiting near the doors for me. “They have him back in triage, but he’s calling for you or Clara. I told him I’d wait for you. They have him stable.” Giving me the room information, I ran back, finding the room my son was in. Sitting up in bed, he was watching Paw Patrol intently as a nurse took his vitals.

  “Daddy, Dadda, Dad, Father, Papa.” It was his normal greeting that met me along with a slight smile. His little body attempted to make his way out of bed, but both the nurse and I stopped him.

  “Don’t worry, buddy, I’m coming to you.” His little hands wrapped around me and held me tight. “Daddy, I goes in lad bus.”

  “Really? Were you scared?” I asked him, and as was the case with Declan, he had his touching limit for the time being.

  “Nope, I brave.” His face never turned from Chase and Marshall on the screen, but his smile never left his lips either.

  “I’d say you were brave, my little buddy.” It was Clara’s voice that echoed through the room. Declan did the same thing to his mama as he had with me, and I had to stop him from leaping out of the bed.

  My pulse quickened when my ex-wife strolled into the room with her long silver hair with pink streaks and a tight black shirt, black leather pants showcasing her splendid ass, and her high-heeled booties. I was here for our son—we were both here for him—but it didn’t take away from how fucking stunning she looked.

  Dec hugged his mother as he had with me, and when his touching quota had been met with her, he settled back in bed, watching the lifesaving puppies on the screen. She pulled back his bangs, which were a couple of weeks late with a haircut, giving him a very unwelcomed kiss. He wiped it away, averting his attention back to the cartoon.

  I stood, giving her what could be categorized as an awkward hug, but I needed comfort, and it was apparent she needed me, too. After holding her for a beat longer than she would have normally allowed, she pulled away, and both of our eyes locked on one another.

  “Hell, Bo, I don’t know what happened. Mom checked his blood sugar before I left, and he was fine. She knows his diet and doesn’t stray from it.” Though her words weren’t many, she was talking a mile a minute. It was how I knew Clara as well as I did. This was one of her character quirks, one of the many things I loved about her.

  “Clara, you don’t have to explain. If I trust anyone with Dec, it’s your mother.” It was the truth. Plus, I knew Clara didn’t leave him with Laura often because she didn’t have him full-time. She wanted every second she could get with Declan.

  “Have you seen the doctor yet?” Her nervousness was on display when she wrapped her pinky around her silver and pink locks and started to chew on her fingernail.

  “No, not yet, I got here about five minutes before you,” I explained. “But I think we know where this is going.” We’d been fighting for this—an insulin pump—since this was the third time in six months he’d been rushed to the hospital.

  Her chin dropped to her chest. “All I ever wanted for Declan was a normal life.” My arms wrapped around her, bringing her body close to mine. I hadn’t been thinking. It was instinctual. I met her when I was nineteen, said I do to her at twenty-four, and fucked up when I was twenty-eight. I could read it in her wet eyes that had been puffed over. She needed comfort, but, fuck, I needed Clara’s comfort, too, even if she wasn’t aware she was giving it to me.

  “I think the ship sailed on normal a long time ago.” Her head lifted up to me. “Anyway, normal is so last year,” I joked, and she playfully slugged me.

  “I don’t know how, Bodhi Chambers, but I’m glad you still can make me laugh.” She was tight against my chest, and the only thing going through my mind was that I, too, was happy I could still make Clara laugh after everything I’d
done to her.

  “This has to make him a candidate now, right?” Clara’s question was more of a demand than the inquiry I’d assumed she’d asked. She was the fiercest of mama bears, and she would not take anything less than what she wanted for her son.

  “I think after this episode, it certainly is something we should explore.” The doctor was looking over Dec’s chart and hadn’t had the decency to look Clara in the eyes.

  Clara’s one hand raked through her silver hair and the other sat on her hip. This was not the answer she wanted to hear. Nothing than an out-and-out agreement would be good enough for Clara Ashley.

  “Mrs. Chambers…” the doctor began, and I took in a long, deep intake of air because Clara was going to lose her shit.

  “Dr. Pent, we’ve been with you for two years, and on every occasion, I’ve told you I’m not Mrs. Chambers. This makes me believe that you don’t care one iota about my son and his diagnosis. His blood sugar fluctuates worse than most children. And I no longer want you treating him.” My body shot from the chair I was sitting in. We’d talked about looking for a better doctor, but to find one without having the guidance of a pediatric endocrinologist would be hard, especially with the waiting list.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Chambers, I implore you to listen to me first.” Before Clara unleashed her fury on this asshole, I pulled at her hand, bringing her closer to me.

  “Dr. Pent, my ex-wife has told you on many occasions she went back to her maiden name after our divorce. If you’re not listening to us, how can we trust you’re taking our concerns into consideration?”

  He picked up his clipboard, leaving us with our sleeping boy in the room. When she spun around to me, I was there to receive her. I was willing to give the asshole doctor a second chance but to leave us because we challenged him wasn’t simply unprofessional. I thought it was borderline malpractice.

  “I’m sorry, Bo, I couldn’t help it. He doesn’t listen to a fucking word we say.” Her tears are flowing down my shirt.

  “No, Clara.” I tipped her head to mine. “You were right. I was giving the asshole the benefit of the doubt.” She still fit perfect next to my taller and bulkier frame.

  Close to six feet two, I towered over her five feet, six inches, even with her heeled boots. Having a larger build, I was on the offensive line in college, but a fucking knee injury sidelined me my senior year when I could taste the pros in my future. With the injury, I had a new plan, and Dominic and I saw our dream come true with our business.

  Her arms surrounded my waist, and she squeezed me hard, as she had when we were married. “I’ll always be on your side, Triple C.” It slipped off my lips so casually that I didn’t realize I’d said it at first.

  “You haven’t called me that in a long time, Bo.” Her lips were a low whisper.

  “Shit, Clara, I’m sorry.” I dropped my arms from her embrace, but she didn’t back up.

  “It’s okay, Bo. I sort of miss it.” Her head lifted, and her eyes searched my expression. Her lips were so close to me, I could feel her breath, but then the automatic doors in the triage area opened.

  “Mr. Chambers, Ms. Ashley?” Clara backed away from me, dropping her hands from my body while we twisted our heads to the virtual stranger in front of us. “I’m Dr. Davenport Gallum. Dr. Pent asked me to come in and talk to you about your little guy, Declan. I haven’t had a chance to look over his records, but I specialize in the conditions affecting your son. I understand when his insulin drops, it’s scary. My practice is in the same building as Dr. Pent. Let me review his records, and then we’ll talk about a treatment plan. I’m going to admit him for the night for observation and be back in the morning with more information after I’ve had a chance to review his records.”

  We both breathed a sigh of relief at the change of events. Our almost kiss had been so close and would always haunt me as the second chance that slipped away.

  “There’s no reason for us both to stay, Bo. Go home, get a good night’s sleep, and I’ll call if there’s any change.”

  I openly laughed at Clara, yet with my tone, there wasn’t anything funny about it. “Yeah, I think I’ll sleep here better than at home.”

  My intense stare was on her, and her eyes glowered so deep, they almost burned. “Don’t think that I’m leaving, Bodhi Chambers.” Her reply was haughty, and if I wanted to argue with her, I’d be facing a firing squad.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.” My own reluctance to leave made it obvious one would get the uncomfortable as fuck chair, and the other would get the worst uncomfortable chair. I pointed at the bigger of the two. “Take that one, C, and I’ll take this one.” She didn’t listen to my command as she crawled in bed with Dec. His body was so small in the huge hospital bed.

  “I want to be close to him.” The fluctuation in her pitch told me everything I needed to know.

  “Triple C, it wasn’t your fault. You went out with a friend. Your mom, who may be the only mother I know who’s better at her job as a mother than you, was on duty. Sure, you were gone, but it still would have happened if you were home.” My fingers started up her back, dancing along her spine as they found their way to her shoulders. Giving her the tiniest squeeze, I soaked in the physical contact when she placed her free hand on my own.

  “You always got me, Bo.” Removing her hand, she turned to our son and wrapped her arms around his tiny body. There was so much I wanted to say—first and foremost being I’d always get her—but I wouldn’t ruin the moment. It was so perfect, the two of us protecting our son with every little bit of fight we had in us. And though the situation wasn’t perfect with Dec being sick and all, the moment was more than perfect for me—for us.

  6

  Jack

  I hadn’t slept last night for several reasons. One being my mind kept drifting back to Clara. The second reason, still about Clara, was the fear that had flashed in her eyes at the news of her son being whisked to the hospital.

  Needing a chance to wrap my head around what had happened, I snuck out after the commotion. I didn’t say good night to Elliot or officially meet the guest of honor. My whole evening was spent getting to know a girl, and within thirty minutes, I was balls deep inside her.

  As far as the jovial meter went, nothing could really outdo fucking a virtual stranger but hell, after five minutes in her presence, I didn’t think of her as a stranger. She was perfect.

  Giving it until the next morning, I pulled out my phone. My mission today was finding out more about Clara Ashley, and at the top of the list was acquiring her phone number. Pulling up my contacts, I shot a text off to the one person I thought could help me, if she was willing to.

  Me: Hey, I need a favor.

  I left it quick and to the point. Who would have known that in less than a year, I’d be close friends with three sets of threesomes? Threesomes weren’t for me, not anymore. My goal was the affections of one sexy silver-haired woman.

  Elliot: Um, let me guess, you want me to give you Clara’s cell.

  I hadn’t even led off with the status of her son and instantly felt like a tool.

  Me: That’d be great if you could get it for me. But I was wondering if there was word on her son.

  Sure, my intention was to get Clara’s number, but my concern for her son was real.

  Elliot: He’s stable.

  It was all she replied until the dots continued on my screen. I waited for more, and my stomach dropped at her reply.

  Elliot: Believe me, nothing would make me happier than to see you and Clara together, but I don’t feel comfortable giving it out. I’ll pass your number on to her. It’s the best I can do. But I need to warn you, she’s been hurt. Tread lightly.

  It was a long shot, but I wasn’t giving up that easily.

  Me: Okay, thanks. Go ahead and give her my number.

  Thinking the conversation was over, I’d placed down my phone when my text alert pinged, again.

  Elliot: You both hit it off, right? All of us sort of made bets about how
far you both got last night, after the commotion when you snuck out, you pussy bastard.

  My response couldn’t be what she’d expected.

  Me: I don’t kiss and tell.

  Elliot: Ew, you two had sex in my house, didn’t you? Did you at least clean up?

  It was my turn to spin her words she had just used on me moments ago.

  Me: I don’t feel comfortable giving that information out.

  Her reply was simply the middle finger and a winky face emoji. Now, I had to wait and see if the alluring Clara Ashley texted me back.

  One day, it was all it had been. And I was listening to my newest client ramble on about the terms of his contract—something he thought meant I had to get out to Hollywood right away to take care of. It was a simple misunderstanding, and if he’d let me talk, I could tell him just that. But my mind was on Clara because this client was being a drama queen.

  Her kisses were almost as erotic as her pussy clenching around my cock. It wasn’t a fantasy I was remembering about Clara. Our connection in merely thirty minutes was more than sex. She’d become my addiction, and my cell phone was never farther than an inch from my grasp because I needed to jump on it in case it was her.

  Ending the call with my client after I told him I’d reach out to the production company today, I pulled for my phone. I wanted to hear from Clara, but her child was her world, and my whole body ached for her. Wanting to find out more about her son’s status, I picked up my phone to text Elliot yet again.

  Me: How’s Clara’s son today?

  I hovered my fingers over my phone and wasn’t sure if I’d even send it. I should wait another day. And when common sense found its way into my brain, I deleted the text, knowing I had to take care of the overpaid actor throwing a hissy fit that even his agent refused to get involved with.