Jaded by Love: A Single Parent Romance (Written in the Stars Book 8)

by AJ Alexander

  I begin to wonder what I’m afraid of? I am afraid of things repeating themselves. Every time I open myself up to love, it blows up in my face. I have a long list of failed relationships spanning most of Love’s lifetime, all ending in heartbreak.

  Dixie Point is a small town, everyone is in everybody’s business. I won’t be able to handle everyone knowing how I epically failed at a relationship with Connor. Besides, I wonder if they’d see me as anything other than a replacement for his wife. He hasn’t been wearing his wedding ring recently, but I know what it will look like.

  “Maybe you should ask the cards?” Love mumbles.

  “Those cards got us into this mess or did you forget that.” My grip on the steering wheel tightens.

  “Sometimes you need to take a chance on love to find what you’ve always been looking for.” Love pulls her headphones out of her ears, “You can’t spend the rest of your life being afraid of what might happen.”

  “You believe Connor is the one for me?” I whisper as I turn into our driveway and shut the car off.

  “He may be, but you’ll never know until you give it a shot.”

  “Are you sure this isn’t because Jade is your only friend at the moment?”

  Love giggles, breaking the tension in the air, “Jade is a bonus. I mean, I used to ask for a sister for Christmas when I was younger.”

  I let out a full belly laugh, “You did! You were so disappointed when you came downstairs Christmas morning and only found your favorite toys under the tree.”

  “I stopped asking when I discovered where babies come from. The thought of you doing that with anyone is disgusting. I’ll settle for a sister I already love.”

  We both hop out of the car and head for the front door, “No matter whether Connor and I are together, you and Jade will still be close. You know that, right?”

  “I understand relationships are complicated.” Love grabs both of my hands, “But if I had to make a list of everything I wanted in a dad, Connor would fit the bill. Jade feels the same way about you too.”

  “You two have been talking about us?” I smirk as I pull her into my chest for a hug.

  “We’re teenagers. Talking about everyone’s love life is in our DNA,” she mumbles into my shoulder before giving me a tight squeeze, “we know you both like each other, just give him a chance. Please, for me?”

  I pull back and stare into my daughter’s eyes, “I make no promises.”

  Love throws a fist into the air, “At least you didn’t say no. I call this progress.”

  “Come on, I need to figure out what to make for dessert,” I put my key in the lock and unlock it. Love pushes past me heading directly up the stairs.

  “Make something out of the box! You need to have enough time to get ready,” she shouts from the top of the stairs.

  I look down at my simple white shirt with jean capri pants, “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

  “Everything!” she shouts before the sound of the door shutting filters down the stairs.

  I check the time, drop my things on the table, and head directly toward the pantry. I won’t have enough time to make something fancy, but I notice the ingredients to make a batch of caramel brownies. Pulling all the ingredients out, I grab everything else I need from around the kitchen and get to baking.

  As soon as I place the pan of brownies into the oven, Love comes barreling into the kitchen. “Now it’s time to get ready! Go take a shower and wash your hair. I put a few outfits out for you to choose from on your bed.”

  “I need to set the timer to make sure the brownies don’t burn.” I look down at myself noticing a few smudges of caramel and chocolate on my shirt and arms, I really do need to shower. I quickly set the timer and make my way out of the kitchen.

  When I enter my bedroom, I head directly for my bed and notice the outfits Love chose for me. Only one catches my eye, a form fitting pair of jeans and a black scoop neck top. The outfit is just sexy enough to get Connor’s blood pumping, but I don’t look like I’m trying too hard. “This is just a dinner with friends. Nothing more,” I scold myself before heading to the shower.

  I shower quickly, not forgetting to wash my hair, and head to my dresser to grab a bra and panties. I pull out the drawer, but before I can grab anything it slams shut. “You almost took my fingers off, Love,” I growl before grabbing the bra and panties dangling from her finger.

  “You’d have put on granny panties and the ugliest bra you own. You need to have the right ones to compliment your outfit.”

  “How do you know what outfit I chose?” I drop my towel and step into my panties before shoving my arms through the straps of my bra, not caring that my daughter is standing right in front of me.

  “Because I chose two outfits you would hate to guarantee you chose the right one.” Love gives me a sly smile before grabbing the jeans and shirt off the bed and shoving them into my arms. I take a moment to look at Love. She changed into similar outfit to the one she chose for me but her shirt says, ‘If you think I’m hot you should see my mother’.

  “Trying to prove a point?” I motion toward her shirt before stepping into my jeans and pulling them over my hips.

  “It’s true isn’t it?” She gives me her best set of puppy dog eyes before we both cackle with laughter. “Hurry and finish getting dressed.”

  “Who is the parent in this relationship?” I grumble as I pull my top over my head.

  “You are, but if I left things up to you, there’s no telling what you would have worn.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Giving my bossy daughter a mock salute before following her into the bathroom.

  “Now for your hair.” Love pushes me down onto the toilet as she bends down to pull hair product out from under the sink.

  “We are going to go with curly and simple,” she says holding up my diffuser and curl crème.

  I nod my head in approval and Love drops a large drop of curl crème into her hands before passing me the bottle. We both take turns running the crème through my hair before I flip my head over and begin twisting sections into curls. Once all the sections are finished, I flip my head back over and Love plugs the diffuser in.

  “The natural look for makeup,” Love shouts over the noise of the dryer before dropping my makeup bag in my lap.

  “Was there another option?” I roll my eyes at her in my compact mirror before I begin to apply my makeup.

  Love cuts off the hair dryer before pronouncing me ready to leave. “The brownies!” I shout in panic.

  “No worries. I grabbed them out of the oven and cut them before I came up stairs.”

  I sigh in relief, “Did you put them on the nice platter we got from Grandma last Christmas?”

  “This isn’t my first rodeo.” Love rolls her eyes as she chooses jewelry for me to wear and nudges me toward the mirror.

  As I put it on, doubt creeps into my mind. “What am I doing? There is no way this can be anything more than friendship between Connor and I.”

  “Just give him a chance, Mom,” Love whispers as she places my deck of tarot cards into my hand, “Ask the cards. They will only tell me what I already know, Connor is perfect for you. For us, but none of that can happen unless you give it a chance.”

  I look down at the box of cards and wonder if my daughter is right. I’ve always used the cards to help me stay on the right track in life, but one misjudgment in character has shaken my belief in them. I pull the cards and shuffle them in my hands. “No,” I whisper into the room as I place the box and cards on the top of my dresser and head out of the room.

  “Hurry or we will be late,” Love calls pulling me toward the stairs.

  “It’s now or never,” I whisper to myself. I don’t need a deck of cards to tell me Connor and I are attracted to each other; I know that deep down in my soul. Maybe, just maybe, this time will be different.

  Chapter Ten

  Connor

  I pull the steaks and asparagus off the grill and head back inside
. As I enter the kitchen, Jade comes barreling down the stairs, “You aren’t wearing that are you?”

  I look down at myself. I have on a simple pair of jeans, a white t-shirt, and a button up flannel shirt over top. I rolled the sleeves up just above my elbows while I was grilling, but I see nothing wrong with what I’m wearing. “I had planned on it.”

  “Dad! This isn’t what you wear on a date,” she groans as she takes the platter of steak and asparagus from my hands, “go upstairs and shower. I put a change of clothes for you on the bed.”

  “Bossy much?” I mumble under my breath as I head toward the stairs.

  “I heard that. I learned from the best,” Jade shouts from in the dining room.

  I rush up the stairs and strip naked before jumping in the shower. As I lather up my body with soap, thoughts of Audrey fill my mind. My cock hardens down my leg as all the dirty things I want to do to her when we are alone filter through my mind. I groan loudly as I tug on my cock, wanting to relieve the pressure but stop myself. I would like nothing more than the rub one out with images of Audrey on my mind, but she’ll be here any minute. It will be hard to explain the extended shower time to all three of them.

  I lean against the shower wall, and take a few breaths to get myself under control before I finish rinsing off and jump out of the shower. As I dry off, I head into my room and grab the set of clothes Jade set out for me.

  “This is exactly what I had on earlier,” I grumble, stepping into a pair of boxers. I pull the dark wash jeans over my legs and fasten them. I complete the outfit with a black t-shirt and dark blue and gray button up shirt. I roll the sleeves up to my elbows to ensure I don’t get too warm while we have dinner, before grabbing a pair of socks. I debate for a few moments, as I head down the stairs, if I should shave but decide against it. Vance says women dig the scruffy mountain man look, here’s hoping Audrey feels the same.

  As I reach the final stair Jade bolts out of the dining room, “Much better.”

  “This isn’t any different from what I had on.”

  “Yes, it is. It’s clean.” Jade pushes me toward the living room.

  “I need to finish dinner.” I attempt to turn toward the kitchen before she grabs my arm and pulls me back toward the living room.

  “Everything is fine. I set the table and even put a bottle of wine I found in the pantry in the fridge to chill.” I give her a quizzical look before she continues, “I may have texted Uncle Vance and asked for help, but don’t worry it’s all done.”

  “I wasn’t worried until you mentioned your Uncle Vance.” I sit down on the couch just as the doorbell rings, signaling their arrival.

  “Now it’s too late, just relax. Oh, Love and I have things to do in my room, we won’t be having dinner with you. I only set the table for two.”

  “I knew you two were up to something.” I grip her by the arm as she tries to scurry by, pulling her into a hug. “Thanks for the help, squirt.”

  “Don’t call me that,” she mumbles before hugging me back quickly and heading for the door.

  Jade and Love are trying to help us spend time alone together, but I’m still unsure of where Audrey stands on the subject. I’ve known since the first moment I laid eyes on her she’d be mine, but I need to figure out how to get her on the same page as me.

  I hear footsteps coming my way as I turn toward the front entrance and glimpse Audrey as she walks through the door. She has on a delicious pair of jeans that hug all her curves and a top that shows off just enough skin. “Fuck,” I groan as I push up off the couch and stride toward her and wrap my arm around her waist before crashing my lips to hers.

  I should have asked before kissing her, but the only thing I could think of at that moment was how badly I wanted to make her mine. I pull her tightly into my chest before shoving my hands into her hair and giving a gentle tug. Her hardened nipples brush against my chest. Audrey moans loudly as I plunge my tongue into her mouth, tasting her for the first time.

  Her hands slide up my arm before her fingers slide into the hair at the base of my neck, “Audrey,” I groan, nibbling on her lower lip. She leans her head back, giving me better access to her neck. I waste no time licking the curve of her throat, getting my first taste of her sweet skin. I grip her leg and pull it up slightly, she thrusts her warm center into my aching cock causing both of us to groan in pleasure before a throat clears to my right.

  As if someone threw a bucket of cold water on both of us, we come back to our senses, breaking apart quickly. “We’ll head upstairs and enjoy our dinner. You two have dinner and discuss adult things.” Jade smiles before her and Love break into a fit of giggles and scurry up the steps.

  I drop Audrey’s leg and stand her up straight before taking a step back. Both of our chests heaving as we come down from whatever happened a few moments ago. Her skin is a beautiful shade of pink as my eyes zoom in on the red marks along her skin where I tasted her.

  “I’d apologize, but I’m not sorry. I’ve been dreaming about kissing you since I first laid eyes on you in the coffee shop.”

  Audrey ducks her head, “Thanks, I’ve never received a welcome like that before.”

  I step closer to her and place my finger under her chin, raising it slightly, “I’ll make a habit of it.”

  She gives me a bright smile before responding, “I look forward to it.”

  I capture her lips with mine again before her belly rumbles, causing both of us to laugh. I lace our fingers together, placing a kiss on her hand. “Let’s get you fed. The girls did a lot of scheming to give us time alone together, I don’t want it to go to waste.”

  When we get closer to the table, I drop her hand and pull her chair out for her. She gives me another shy smile before taking a seat. “Such a gentleman.”

  “You’d be surprised at the ungentlemanly thoughts I’m having about you at this moment.” I give her a wink before taking the seat next to her. “Hope you like steak?”

  “I love it.” She grabs a piece of steak and some asparagus off the platter. I do the same, noticing that Jade put together a salad and made mashed potatoes to go along with our dinner. We both eat in silence. My eyes zero in on her mouth as she picks up a stalk of asparagus, slipping it between her lips. I close my eyes tightly as images of my cock slipping between her lips as she circles her tongue around the tip fill my mind.

  I reach beneath the table and grip my cock, fighting back a groan. I take a deep breath, attempting to center myself as Audrey groans and my eyes fly open. Audrey’s face is the picture of pure bliss as she licks her lips, “This is the best steak I’ve ever tasted.”

  I grip the edge of the table, barely hanging on to my control. If I don’t change the topic, I’ll take her right here over the dining room table for everyone to see.

  “I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” I respond gruffly before digging into my food, trying not to imagine eating this off her before feasting on her pussy for dessert. After a few moments, I get my body under some sort of control and we fall into easy conversation.

  Audrey asks about my business and about growing up here in Dixie Point. We both laugh at my stories about the trouble Vance and I used to get into when we were younger. I try my best to stay away from stories that involve Lydia, but sometimes she leaks into the conversation. Audrey takes it all in stride, understanding that Lydia was a major part of my life.

  “It must be tough finding someone to live up to Lydia’s image in your mind.”

  “It’s not a competition, Audrey. I want to be with you because you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”

  “Even Lydia?”

  “Yes, even Lydia.” I need to ensure she understands this isn’t a competition. Although I will always love Lydia, Audrey is who I want to spend my life with. She blushes slightly and I decide to change the subject to safer topics.

  “What brought you here to Dixie Point? It’s not the biggest city in the world, and I’m sure you could teach yoga anywhere.”

  �
��I needed a change. Bristol and I have been friends since she lived in New Orleans. When she called, I came,” Audrey answers matter-of-factly. I catch a glimmer of pain across her face, disappearing just as quickly.

  Wanting to know more about her and Love, I push further. “You don’t seem like a woman who would just up and change her daughter’s life without a good reason. Did the cards tell you it was time to move on?”

  Audrey drops her silverware and pins me in place with her stare, “I may be flighty, but everything I do is for Love.”

  “I know you do.” I place my hand on hers and give it a squeeze, “What happened, Audrey?” She pulls her hand from my grasp, but I continue to pry, “I know someone hurt you and Love recently.”

  “Ian,” she responds as a single tear trickles down her cheek, “I met him at work, teaching yoga at a small studio in Dallas. He asked me to go to dinner a few times before I finally gave in. He was charming and compassionate and after a few months of dating, I let him meet Love.”

  I reach for her hand again and thread our fingers together, giving her the strength to continue her story. “Once Love gave her seal of approval, things moved quickly. After almost a year of dating, we moved into his place in the city.” Audrey swipes at the tears streaming down her cheek, throws her shoulders back, and straightens her back, “It wasn’t until a few months after we moved in together, that I discovered he had another family.”

  I stare at Audrey for a few moments, waiting for her to continue speaking. “When I confronted him about it, he laughed. The trips he was taking for work back to the east coast were when he was with his real family.”

  “You’re worth so much more,” I say as we lock eyes.

  She gives me a slight smile before continuing, “Having nowhere else to go, I called Bristol hoping she could help us start over again. I couldn’t stand staying there for one more minute knowing how easily someone took advantage of me. I vowed that day to never let finding love get in the way again.”