“Apparently, crying wasn’t just a pregnant thing,” I say, blowing my nose. “I was just wishing Mom were here,” I admit.
“We were saying the same thing. She’d die at the fact that you made her a grandma at the age of forty-four,” Ollie laughs. “But she’d love it, too.”
“I can’t believe I’m an aunt!” Penny exclaims, hopping up next to me in bed. “When can I see the baby?”
“Soon,” I tell her.
“So, can we know? Boy or girl? I’m dying to find out!” Bex says, oozing with excitement.
Just then a knock hits the door and in walks Benton pushing our little girl in her hospital bassinette. “There she is,” I say with a smile.”
“She? She?!” Bex yells.
“Yes, we have another girl in the family,” I say as Benton carries her over to me. I help Penny hold her, and it’s a surreal moment seeing my seven-year-old sister hold my daughter.
Everyone takes turns passing her around, and I still can’t take my eyes off of her. She’s so perfect.
“We haven’t even named her yet,” I whisper, staring at her little frame after everyone leaves.
“Let’s do it now then, yeah?”
We sit together on the bed with our baby girl between us and watch her sleep. We ping-pong names back and forth until we’re set on a name: Poppy Elizabeth King. Poppy because it’s the national flower of England and I happen to love my Brit, and Elizabeth because it was my mom’s middle name.
“I might have a new favorite,” I tell Benton.
“It’s alright, I do too,” he says, kissing my temple.
* * *
The next day we found out that Poppy was quite jaundice due to being premature. It wasn’t horrible, but enough that we had to start phototherapy, keeping her sunbathing under lights as much as possible. But we also got to have lots of skin-on-skin contact with her, and that was the best part. Benton loved it and it was literally the sexiest thing I’d ever seen.
Thankfully, they let us take her home with us a few days later. We had to bring her back to check her bilirubin levels every other day until the doctors were satisfied, but I could live with that. I just couldn’t leave without her.
Soon, I realized that being a mom was exhausting. Benton was a huge help, but he also had a job to do and soon he had to leave for training. It was already scheduled, and his father was already being quite patient with him.
In fact, Matthew was flying up in a couple days to meet Poppy and fly back to Vegas with Benton. However, I do think it was to ensure that Benton would actually leave, but either way, I was happy he wanted to be a part of our family.
Chapter Eighteen
Benton
“She really is beautiful,” Dad says as he holds Poppy. She’s peacefully sleeping while her granddad gets to know her.
As good of a father as he’s always been to me, he was also very straight-laced and stern. Seeing him turn to mush holding my daughter is an odd thing to witness. I’m grateful he’s here and supporting us, especially after everything that had gone on with Tatum’s father.
“Thank you, Matthew,” Tatum tells him with a smile tugging on her lips. She’s getting back her own stern expressions and fierce way of carrying herself, except when it comes to our daughter. She can’t help but smile even the smallest smiles when it comes to her.
“I shouldn’t be surprised between the two of you, though. You both carry good genes,” he asserts, smiling down at the baby as she begins to wiggle. “The house is nice, as well. I’m glad you decided on a place close to family to help you. These little ones take a lot of energy.”
“We’re happy here. I enjoy it, even with the cold,” I say. “This will stay our home base as we travel during race season.”
“Are you going to bring both of your girls on the circuit then?” Dad asks, seeming surprised that I’d want them with me.
“Of course. Early on during training, they’ll stay here, but once Poppy is a little older, she and Tatum will join us.”
“It’s a lot to travel with a baby. Are you sure you’ve thought this through?”
I look at Tatum, who meets my eye. “Yes, we’ve talked it all through. Including having her continue as the face of Royal King.”
I’m a little apprehensive about how he’ll react to this, but I hope he’ll agree with me that she is still the best person for the job and perfect face for us.
“I’d like that very much,” he agrees, looking at Tatum. “I’ll leave it up to you when you feel ready to return. You are welcome to be a Paddock Girl again, as well, or just the main face of the company. Either way, I’m happy to have you back where you belong. I am sorry for the way I acted before.” He looks down at Poppy again. “I was wrong with how I handled it, and you. I hope you can forgive me.”
“I have. I know it wasn’t ideal how everything happened. Clean slate,” she tells him.
“If she’s able to move on, then so am I,” I add.
“Son, I only wanted the best for you. I hope you understand that. But I see now that this is what is best for you. I’m sorry I tried to keep you from this,” Dad says, and I swear I see tears in his eyes.
“Thank you for that,” I say.
We continue to have a really good day together. It’s nice having my dad here with my family in our home. It’s a setting I’m not used to.
Once we all settle into bed for the night, I snuggle close to Tatum, breathing her in. I hate that I’m leaving her so soon after the birth of our daughter. Even if it is just for a few days, I don’t like it.
“Stop squeezing my boobs. You’re going to make them leak,” she protests annoyed, but it makes me laugh.
I roll her onto her back and lift her shirt. Sure enough, they’re starting to drip with the life source for our daughter.
“Is it weird I want to suck it and see what tastes so good to Poppy?” I ask with a wry smile.
“Are you serious? That is so weird and disgusting and not sexy,” she whines.
“Sugar, you are always sexy. And these huge knockers are doing all kinds of things to me.”
“Oh, my gosh, Benton. Get away, you sicko,” she says, shoving me away and turning onto her side again.
I pull her shoulder back down and leave a searing kiss on her lips. “But I’m your favorite sicko.” I smile down at her before diving into her neck, pulling giggles from her. I love it when I make her laugh like that. That is my favorite.
“Benny, stop!” she shrieks. “I don’t want your dad to hear.”
“Let him hear what he’s making me leave,” I say, kissing her more.
“But I’m also not allowed to do what you want to do yet.”
“And what’s that, Sugar?” I ask with a smirk, wanting to hear that dirty word come from her lips.
“Just keep your poking rod to yourself, mister.” Not what I was expecting her to say, but it makes me laugh nonetheless.
“I love you so much, you know that? I really hate that I have to leave in the morning.”
She cups my cheek in her small hand. “I know. But you need to go and train so you win again. And this time your daughter and I can be there to see it.”
“How did I get so lucky?”
“You have magic sperm that knocked me up and sealed our fate together,” she says with her signature pursed lips. Fuck, I love this woman.
I kiss her lips, and right as my tongue traces her perfect Cupid’s bow, a cry comes over the monitor.
“Hold that thought,” she says, putting her finger on my lips as she gets up to feed our daughter.
I listen over the baby monitor as Tatum talks and soothes our daughter. “Eat up now, sweet girl. Daddy was trying to steal your food,” she coos, making me chuckle.
Soon, I hear her begin to sing to Poppy, and it makes my heart clench with how much I love these two girls. I could not have asked for a better person to be the mother of my child. I never doubted her, but seeing how she is with Poppy is like I unlocked a secret that only I g
et to take part in.
Tatum enters the room again, but with our daughter swaddled in her arms. She puts her on the bed between us, and we spend the next hours cuddling together as a family, talking about our lives and our future.
After she feeds Poppy once more and puts her to bed, she comes back and falls asleep with me wrapped around her.
When my alarm goes off early the next morning, my girl is still sleeping and so is our tiny girl. I kiss each of them on the head and say a silent goodbye as I leave with my dad. It’s going to be the longest four days of my life.
Chapter Nineteen
Tatum
When I woke up to hearing Poppy cry and realizing Benton left without waking me, I was pissed. Then I found my journal open with a note written inside, just like before, and I couldn’t stay mad.
The days without him were long and exhausting, but we made it through. All three of us. Tears threatened to fall when he walked through the door of our home, but I refused to let him see my weakness and make him feel bad for doing his job. I knew he was beating himself up about it enough as it was.
We quickly fell into a good routine, both when he was home and on the days when he was away training. The weeks were going by fast, and soon we’d be packing to travel the world together again, but with our Poppy in tow.
Once I arrived in Vegas to join Benton and the rest of the Royal King team, it felt like seeing family after being away. Everyone was so sweet in their greetings to Poppy and me. Matthew had specially-made baby clothing, ear protection, and boots for her. They were the cutest things I’d ever seen.
Now, I wait in the pit for Benton to take off for his starting position for the first race of the season. Poppy is wide-eyed in my arms with all the lights and sounds and people around her. She has on all her gear to show she’s an RK girl supporting her daddy, number thirteen.
“Let me have her for a minute before I take off,” Benton says, reaching for her. Hugging her close, he kisses her chubby cheeks, rubs their noses together and hands her back. “My little good luck charm.”
“I used to be your good luck charm,” I grumble.
“Are you jealous, Sugar?” He smirks.
I bite the inside of my cheek to hold back my smile. “A little bit.”
Hooking his arm around my waist, he pulls me into his side. His lips push against mine in a searing kiss. “Now, I’ll have double the luck,” he says against my lips.
“You’re my favorite.”
Someone clears their throat close at us, popping our bubble. “Sorry to interrupt, but we need to get you on the bike and out there,” one of the crew says.
“Yeah, sure.”
“Do us proud, thirteen!” I yell as he rolls out to take his position.
I’m already so proud of him, of everything he’s done in the past few months. He’s worked his ass off with splitting his time between us and his training. And seeing him ride while wearing the Pretty Girl Garage logo shoots straight to my heart and makes me love him even more. It is everything, and he made it all happen.
I watch him race and zigzag around The Piston Ring. He’s doing great, and my heart is pounding against Poppy’s as she’s strapped to my front. He’s going back and forth, fighting for a podium position with Travers and Delgado. Alfie might join in the madness soon, too. It’s definitely a good race and fans are going crazy, but it’s giving me a heart attack watching.
It’s so different this time. I always got nervous watching him race before, but now, he’s more than just a man I care about and think I love. He is the man I love. The man I plan to spend my life with. The father of my child. This time it feels like my whole life is out on that track.
Once the race finishes, with Benton taking first place, he does his victory lap. I don’t think I start to breathe again until he does a wheelie by us, blowing a kiss in mine and Poppy’s direction. And I smile because that man is mine. Ours.
* * *
We’re about halfway through the season. Poppy has been amazing with all the travel. She’s eight months old and getting more and more mobile and active, keeping us on our toes. She’s a great baby, though. Does so well with other people and is happy more often than not. We couldn’t ask for her to be any better.
This week we’re in the UK and thankfully have extra time here. Benton is taking us to see his ‘mum.’ I met her briefly the last time I was here, but this time things have changed a bit.
He shows me all the places of his childhood and tells me about what it was like for him as a young boy getting into trouble. When we arrive at his mum’s house, she’s so warm and welcoming. She has a full spread for afternoon tea set for us. Instantly, she scoops Poppy up and goes full grandma on her.
The afternoon is nice, and I feel like I’ve gotten to know Benton so much more. It’s a soft side, a sweet side, seeing him with his mum in his childhood home. Together with Poppy, it’s perfect.
“Please, let me keep her the night. You two deserve a night to yourselves, and I’m sure it’s been a while, yeah?” my soon-to-be-mother-in-law, Katherine, asks sounding so much like her son.
“I don’t know. Are you sure you wouldn’t mind?” I question as I look to Benton for guidance. He looks hopeful to have a night to ourselves.
“Mind? Not a bit. I would adore the extra time with this little girl.”
“Alright. If you’re sure,” I say as Benton smiles at me.
After I’ve kissed Poppy about a thousand times and Benton has reassured me that I’m not a terrible mother with leaving her for a night, we go. He had a bike brought to the house for us to use for the night. It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden with him, but I’m filled with excitement about being wrapped around his body.
Jackets and helmets in place, I climb on behind him and hold on to his middle. Feeling naughty since we get to have a date night, I inch my hand down, sliding it between his legs. He groans, giving me a side-eyed look to let me know my teasing is mean. I bellow a laugh as he takes off down the road. I feel free being at his back, the wind whipping around us. I love this feeling.
He takes us on back roads that wind and weave. We pass stone houses that look like they’re older than America; I even see a few with thatch rooves. I love it here. I love Europe in general, but getting a firsthand tour guide of life here is amazing.
History seeps out of every place you look. You can feel it in the roads and walkways made of cobblestones. You can see it in castle ruins that pop up at random corners. You can taste it in the freshly made food at the local pub. This is something that cannot be matched or made up where I’m from.
Benton pulls off the road, and we cross a field until we end in what feels like the middle of nowhere. Cutting the engine, he leans back against me a little before removing his helmet. I copy his movement and take mine off, too. He hangs them from each of the handlebars.
“What are we doing here?” I ask, wrapping my arms around him again, snuggling in close and smelling his spicy scent of pine and the open air.
Without saying anything, he pulls me around to be at his front. He scoots his body back to the seat where I just I was as my legs straddle over his. I stare into his darkening eyes as the sun goes down around us.
“Do you remember the first photo shoot we did? I bent you back over my bike like this,” he says, pushing me to arch my back over the tank of his bike. “Later I told you I’d been envisioning you like that for days. How I wanted you like that. You remember, yeah?”
Licking my lips, I nod, unable to speak.
He pulls me up enough to remove my jacket and shirt, leaving me in my lace bra. The cold air around us makes me shiver and my nipples harden.
He removes his own jacket and shirt, and I look at him in a way I haven’t in a while. Fully appreciating his body, his mass, him.
“I love you, Tatum,” he says simply, my name sounding like a promise on his lips.
“Promise me it’ll always be like this,” I plead.
“I promise,” he says
quietly before he kisses me, His tongue sweeping in to tangle with mine.
He loves and appreciates me, here, in this moment, as much as I do him. It doesn’t take long before we’re ready for a bed to really show each other how we feel. Reluctantly putting our clothes back on, we leave and end up at a bed and breakfast.
Apparently, Mister Suave over here had bags packed and sent over ahead of time. We walk into our room and are greeted with a bottle of wine, a meat and cheese tray, Bakewell tarts, and fresh fruit. Candles are burning, music is playing, and the bed is the smallest bed I’ve ever been told I had to share with another person, but it still seems perfect.
Guiding me by the hand to the bed, he pushes my jacket off my shoulders for the second time tonight. Cupping my face in his big hands, he kisses me soft and slow, making love to me with those kisses alone.
He strips me down and tells me to lie down on the bed. As I do, he removes his own clothes and then leaves a trail of kisses from my foot up my body. He kisses every inch of my skin, setting me on fire and sending tingles throughout.
We’re caught in euphoria as our bodies work together, in sync in a magical rhythm. We’ve always been good together, but this is different and on another level of pleasure.
“Oh fuck, you really are my favorite,” I say, falling down on the bed next to him, sated with a lazy grin on my face.
His deep chuckle vibrates against me as he pulls me close to him. “I love you, too.”
“Benton, I do. I love you so much. And not just because you can fuck like a champion either,” I admit, turning to face him. “I love you for how caring and kind you are. How you take care of me and Poppy. For everything you are and everything you do. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” he smiles. “But damn, you’re exhausting.”
I smack his chest as his laughter fills the room. He rolls on top of me, pinning my hands above my head. “You can exhaust me anytime, Sugar.”
Always Series Box Set Page 46