Phillip: Triplets (Members From Money Book 33)

by Katie Dowe

  “We are not a couple,” he said abruptly as he took off his shirt.

  “But you were,” she struggled up to her elbows to look at the achingly handsome man she had fallen in love with.

  “For a brief moment. It’s over and has been a very long time. Don’t worry about it.”

  “I am not. You once told me that you have sex with women and not relationships.”

  “And?” he arched a thick brow at her as he took his pants off.

  Allison felt her heart hammering inside her chest as she stared at him and for the first time she felt her confidence waning. He was Phillip Anderson! Rich, confident and handsome enough to get any woman he wanted. He had been educated at the finest schools and made decisions every day that affected thousands of people! She was just a nurse’s aide or had been and had little or no impact on anyone! Why on earth did she think a man like him could fall for someone like her? She was living in a dream world and need to snap out of it before it was too late.

  “It’s too late,” she whispered to herself.

  “What’s too late?” he asked her puzzled.

  “I went ahead and fell in love with you; with the ridiculous idea that one day you would come to love me too. I could make him love me, I told myself but I was laboring under an illusion. You are Phillip Anderson and I am-“ she spread her arms and blinked the tears from her eyes.

  “You are?” he asked softly as he climbed onto the bed.

  “I am me,” she shook her head as she looked at him. “I sat in Bella’s room thinking the worst. He was going to go home with her and I would probably not see him for days. He was going to discover that he could have done better. All those beautiful women and he was stuck with me.”

  “I am not stuck with you as you put it. I chose you.”

  “Why?” she cried in anguish. “Because with a more educated woman you would not be able to call the shots?”

  He stared at her for a moment and then got off the bed. “You need to go to sleep.”

  “You are not going to answer the question?”

  “You are being irrational and that is not good for the babies.” He said calmly.

  “Screw that!” she cried. “Just answer the question.”

  “Not while you are behaving like a spoilt child.” He told her coolly.

  She stared at him and felt the hopelessness washing over her. He was so out of her league in every way and she had been a fool to think that he could ever fall in love with her!

  “Would you mind not sleeping in here tonight?”

  He looked at her with a frown. “As you wish.” He inclined his head and reaching for his robe he left the room closing the doors behind him. Allison stared at the spot where he had been standing and felt the tears crowding her eyes. Maybe she had been too stupid. She should take what she could get and be satisfied with it. He was a hard man to reach but she had reached him somewhat so maybe she should be satisfied with that. But how she craved his love! Was it asking for the moon to want his love? She settled against the pillows and cried herself to sleep.

  *****

  Allison stared at her reflection in the mirror. Today was Christmas day and it had always been her favorite time of the year. But this morning she felt as if a boulder had settled inside her heart. Her face was sad and her eyes were swollen and she would be having guests over later today. With a brisk shake of her head she went to take a shower and then with the towel wrapped around her she went into the closet to search for something to wear. She picked out a light blue dress with short sleeves and a flowing skirt that started at the neck and put it on. It swirled around her when she moved and looked very good on her. She slipped her feet into comfortable shoes and decided to leave her hair down. She went into the kitchen and put the coffee pot on. The place was silent which meant he had not come down yet. She made herself hot chocolate and toast wondering if she should go and find him. Deciding against it she grabbed her thick jacket and went outside. She had spent her days exploring the large yard and had been delighted at the stream running further up among the trees. There was a tennis court and a pool that had a seating area in the center. The trees except the palms were stripped bare and gave the place an eerie look. Allison wrapped her coat around her as the chill invaded her flesh. She had sent her dad and Elena Christmas wishes along with Paulette. She had not told him anything because they had not slept together. She turned around and walked back into the house and saw him sitting at the counter sipping his coffee and poring over his tablet.

  “Morning,” she stopped in the doorway and stared at him. He had obviously just showered and his hair was still wet. He had on a thick sweater and his usual lounge pants.

  “Morning,” his grey eyes wandered over her, his expression unreadable. “How are you?”

  “I am fine.” She came into the room. “Would you like breakfast?”

  “No.” he went back to his tablet and Allison stifled a sigh.

  “Do you want me to cancel the dinner?”

  He looked up at her. “It’s up to you.”

  Allison lifted her head determined not to let him get to her. “I won’t.”

  He nodded and went back to what he was doing. Allison stood there not knowing what to do next but he made the decision for her. “I have some calls to make so I will be in the study.” He got up and giving her a cursory glance he left the kitchen.

  “Okay fine Phillip,” she muttered trying not to let the despair swamp her. “If that is the way you want to play it then fine.” She went back into their bedroom and sat there staring at the walls. What had she gotten herself into?

  Chapter 12

  She was determined to make the night a success! He had spent the entire day in his study and even when she had prepared herself a sandwich for lunch and sat in the living room looking at the towering tree he had not shown up. She knew he had a fridge inside his study but surely he cannot survive on drinks alone? O she had prepared him something, a ham and turkey sandwich and brought it to him. He had told her thanks and nothing else. If she was not going to beg him to love her she was certainly not going to beg him to talk to her!

  She rifled through the clothes in the closet looking for the perfect dress and came up with a long black shimmering silk with thin straps and a jeweled collar. It was stunning! And she wondered if she was going to be too overdressed. But she decided that she was going to wear it. She needed something to bolster her ego anyway. She looked at the shoes uncertainly. It was high and strappy and she was not sure she could manage in her state. She took them out anyway. It was a little after five and he had still not come out of his study. The caterers had already come and set up and very soon their guests would be arriving, she wanted to present a united front. With a shrug she went into the blue and grey bathroom and fixed herself a bath. She was soaking when he came into the bathroom and he stopped and looked at her. “What time is this dinner?”

  “Seven but I think they are coming at six.”

  He nodded and went to the huge shower install.

  “Would you like to join me?” she asked him softly.

  “No,” he said as he headed to the shower.

  She sat up and the water sloshed over the rim. “Do you want me to leave?”

  He turned and looked at her as he got rid of his clothes. Allison almost cried as she looked at his lean muscled body. “Why would I want that?”

  “Because you have been treating me like you don’t want me around.”

  “You are carrying my children Allison.”

  “And in February or so I will have delivered them. What then?”

  “It’s entirely up to you.” He slid the partition shut and she saw through the frosted glass when he turned the jets on and ducked beneath them. Allison was tired of being a victim! With a sudden decision she stepped out of the bath and with the suds clinging to her body she pushed open the partition and stepped inside. He turned the water off and turned to face her. “What are you doing?”

  “Making you see me.
I get it that you are this hot handsome billionaire who does not have to answer to anyone but I am not just anyone. I am the woman who is carrying your kids and the woman who loves you. I tortured myself into thinking that I was not good enough for you and that there was someone out there who is better for you. I am good enough for you Phillip because I love you with all of me. I am committed to you and to our family and I want you to see that. I am not leaving and no matter what you do you cannot push me away-“

  “You talk too much,” he told her raggedly as he pulled her into his arms. “I don’t want you to leave and I never thought I was better than you. I never thought that there was another woman out there better than you are. I chose you and you need to start remembering that.”

  “I will,’ she told him achingly. “I never want to suffer the way I did last night and today,” she ran her fingers over his chest with the hairs lying there. I don’t care if I have to swallow my pride; I don’t want to sleep without you ever-“

  He cut her off effectively with his lips buried on hers. Allison moaned inside his mouth as he deepened the kiss. His hand went between her legs and opened them seeking the slippery warmth of her sex. She shivered as his fingers sought her and thrust upwards. She met the thrusts eagerly, her body fragmenting and leaning to him. His movements increased, and the orgasm was swift and brutal! She clung to him and sobbed inside his mouth, her body weak. He dragged his mouth from hers and turned her so that he was behind her. He bent her over a little and she gasped as he entered her swiftly. His fingers bit into her wet flesh as he guided her hips against his erection. He groaned as she wrapped around him and he could feel his heart hammering inside his chest. He had spent the night on a sofa in his study and it had not gone well for him. He had stood there looking at her outside and had almost gone out to join her. He brought her up to him and bending his head he took her lips in a savage kiss that bruised her lips. His control slipped away and he pounded into her, his body slamming against hers. They came loudly, their cries echoing around the room. He lifted her up in his arms and carried her back to the bedroom where he used his mouth to capture the suds from her body. Time was slipping away but neither of them cared because they had lost time to catch up on!

  ******

  Her hair was still wet because she did not have time to blow dry it. They had finally gotten dressed but as she was brushing her hair he had come up behind her and used his tongue on her neck and it had started all over again! He had lifted her dress and fingered her, his fingers causing her to shudder and call out his name in a whisper as she came all over them! In desperation she brushed it and coiled it at the nape of her neck. He handed her another box and this time she had no expectations and she opened it to reveal the stunning diamond knobs that matched the necklace he had given her. “Wear them and Merry Christmas.” He told her softly.

  “I did not get you anything.” She told him.

  “You already have,” he told her placing his hands over her belly. “And you.” He added, his grey eyes meeting hers. “I don’t want anyone else Allison.”

  Her dark brown eyes shimmered as she looked at him.

  ******

  “Honey you look so beautiful!” Abraham Roberts held his daughter at arm’s length as he stared at her. It was the first time he was coming to see her and had been pretty stunned by the elegance and luxury of the place. He had found himself wondering if he was dressed appropriately. Allison had been putting money into his account and he had used dome of it to buy himself some clothes and some furniture and something for Elena.

  “Thank you Daddy,” she said with a big smile. She turned to the tall handsome man standing next to her and introduced them. “Daddy this is Phillip Anderson. Phillip meet my dad, Abraham Roberts and my very good friend Elena.”

  “I am more than that actually,” The woman said with a smile as she shook his hand. “You are even better looking than in the magazines.”

  “Thank you,” his smile was easy and amused. “Nice to meet you Mr. Roberts,” his arm automatically went around Allison’s waist to bring her closer to him. He had almost told her to cancel the damn dinner party because he wanted to be alone with her! “Mother is already here.”

  He ushered them in and introductions were made. He kept her at his side for most of the night, only letting go when she went to talk to Elena and her dad. His grey eyes followed her throughout the evening and the urge to be with her was so much on his mind that he could hardly concentrate on anything that was being said!

  The dinner was superb, comprising of a mixture of southern fried chicken, turkey and ham slices, with bacon potatoes au gratin, creamed spinach and pancetta wrapped pork loin. Conversation flowed well and very soon it was time for dessert. Elena had brought her famous homemade cannoli which went well with the hot chocolate.

  While her father settled into a deep conversation with Paulette Anderson and Phillip sipped his brandy by the fire she gave Elena the tour. They ended up in the nurseries and the woman’s eyes widened as she took in the little girl’s room. “Is it just me or is there a feeling of contentment as soon as you enter?” she asked as she stared around in awe.

  “It’s not just you.” Allison said with a smile.

  “And you look so beautiful and polished. It’s like I don’t even know you.”

  “Still the same person.”

  “Are you happy?”

  “Immensely so.” Allison wandered over to the mobile and turned it on; closing her eyes as the sound of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion came streaming into the room. “It’s one of Phillip’s favorites and I like it too.”

  “Man you are really in love with this guy.”

  “I am, “Allison ran her hand over the cot as she stared into it. “Just waiting for him to admit that he loves me too.”

  “The way he looks at you I am sure he does already.”

  “I hope so.”

  Phillip lingered for a few more minutes and then left his expression thoughtful. He had been restless without her and had come to find her and had stopped when he heard the conversation. Here he was entertaining family members and wanting to please her. His Christmases before had been solitary him flying out of the country maybe on business or going to the club to have dinner. Now he realized that he wanted this and he wanted it with her and no one else!

  Their guests said goodbye a few hours later and she went straight into the kitchen to put away the plates. Elena had insisted on helping with the cleaning so the dishes were washed and only needed to be put away.

  “Leave that,” he told her as he came in behind her.

  “I don’t want the housekeeper to come and-“

  “It’s her job.” He said firmly as he took her hands and pulled her away. “It’s late and you need to get some sleep.”

  “I don’t want to sleep.”

  He lifted her into his arms and with a gasp she put her hands around his neck. “I am taking you out to dinner tomorrow night.”

  She stared at him in surprise. “Okay.”

  He smiled as he bent his head and kissed her lips. “I think it’s time I showed you off.”

  *****

  They were photographed the minute she stepped out of the car and all the way into the restaurant. The manager rushed to greet them and took them personally to a corner table with a privacy booth. She had worn a lime green dress with long sleeves and her hair piled on top of her head. The diamonds he had given her glowed brightly at her lobes and he held her hand the entire time they were going into the restaurant. She had no idea what they ate! It was the most magical time for her and she would never forget it! That night when they came home he undressed her slowly and made love to her until she was sobbing inside his arms!

  *****

  “What is it?” Phillip asked tersely. February had come in with freezing temperatures and time for her to deliver. She had gone to the medical facility two days early to prep for the C-section and the time had come. The two boys had been delivered without a hitch and were w
rapped in blankets but Bella was having a difficult time of it.

  “We just need to untangle her,” Dr. Whittingham told them as he reached into her to do just that. “The cord is wrapped around her.”

  “Will she be okay?” Allison’s fingers tightened on Phillip’s as they both watched.

  “As soon as we get her untangled.” He was silent for a minute. “Ah here she comes.”

  The little girl cried out as soon as she was lifted out and the doctor handed her to the nurse.

  “I want to see her,” Allison told them.

  “As soon as we sew you up.” The doctor reassured her.

  *****

  He lifted her into his arms several hours later so that they could go to the next room and look at their children. The boys had been tagged so that they could be told apart. The first to be born was Luke who weighed five pounds even and his identical twin, Nathan who weighed five pounds two ounces. Bella was bigger than her brothers, weighing almost six pounds. No wonder that when it reached January she could barely move! Doctor Whittingham had told them that the babies’ lungs were pretty much developed and they would be able to leave the medical facility earlier than expected.

  Allison wrapped her hands around his neck as she looked at her sleeping babies. “They are beautiful,” she whispered.

  “Like you,” he whispered back.

  They had black curls and their eyes were a curious mixture of grey and brown. They were born a day after her twenty-sixth birthday, January 31 and he planned to get her something big but he had no idea what yet. His birthday had been the first of January and she had insisted on baking him a cake.

  She leaned into him and closed her eyes.

  “How about getting some rest?” he asked her gently.

  She nodded.

  He took her back to the room and climbed in next to her, his arms around her.

  “Thank you.” He whispered.

  “You are welcome.” She said as she snuggled into his arms and went to sleep.

  *******

  He decided what to give her a month after the children were born.