“I have work to do, Devin.” I saw tears in her eyes, and hated that my mother’s bitterness had put them there. But I released her, letting her leave.
When I knew Serena was out of the room, I said, “Answer her question.”
My mother shook her head like the conversation I just overheard was nothing. “What question?”
“Why would you do something to hurt me?”
“I’m trying to protect you,” she snapped. “She’s trying to pass that boy off as yours. And you’re letting her. She’s not worthy of you.”
“She’s a better person than you, mother.”
My mother jerked like I’d slapped her. “I know you think I’m a conceited woman, but we have a business and reputation to consider.”
“We also live in the twenty-first century. Even in England a prince married a divorced mixed-race American.” I stepped to her. “That boy is mine. I resent you taking DNA from him to test him. If I ever, EVER, hear you dismiss him as mine, I will make it my mission to ruin you.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re ungrateful.”
“I’m protecting my son. Isn’t that what you say you’re doing for me? The difference is that I’m a grown man who can make my own decisions. I know I’m not making the ones that you want, but it’s my life. You accept me and my son, or—”
“Or what?”
“Or I walk. Don’t think I won’t. I’ve invested well and am prepared to buy the clubs from the business. I don’t need you or your money.”
She let out a breath and for the first time, it seemed like her bravado was falling. “Your father’s legacy is on the line here.”
“No, it’s not. What I do is on me. And maybe if you had faith in me, you’d see I could make good choices. The company is doing well. Profits are up this quarter.”
“That woman won’t fit—”
“We’d be so lucky to have that woman in our family. She’s kind and good.”
“She kept her son from you.”
“She did. So, did you. The difference is that she feels bad about it.”
“Mr. Roarke,” Nikita poked her head through the door. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but we have a few items to review.”
“I’ll be right there.” I turned my attention back to my mother. “Dad accepts Andrew. Andrew wants to love you so much. It broke my heart to hear him say he doesn’t think you like him. Seriously, mother. You hurt and scare a four-year-old boy. If you’re so worried about the Roarke family reputation, you’d better hope he doesn’t tell his friends how mean his grandmother Roarke is.”
“You’re cruel, Devin.”
“So are you, Mother. I’ll work on it if you do.”
She pursed her lips. “I’m going home.”
“Good idea. Do you want me to call your driver?”
“No.” With her chin up, she exited the room. I took a deep breath and followed her out. I headed to the bar with Nikita on my heels.
I poured my own drink and scanned the area. “Where’s Serena?”
“She went back to the office,” Nikita said.
“How was she?” I looked at my glass as I swirled my drink. I felt like my insides were warring.
“She was like how most people are after being cornered by your mother, although I don’t know why she’d target Serena.”
I downed my drink. “Do you believe in forgiveness, Nik?”
“In general, yes.”
“Some things don’t warrant forgiveness?” I asked.
“Well, murder seems unforgivable, although I suppose under some circumstances it’s justifiable.”
“How about not telling a man he has a son?”
She frowned. “Well, that’s not good, but if he was abusive—”
“He’s not.”
“I imagine there are circumstances where that could be forgiven. It would depend on why the information was kept hidden. If she did it out of spite or selfishness, that would be bad.”
“What if she was offered money?”
Nikita shrugged. “If she took it, that would be bad.”
“What if she didn’t?”
Nikita frowned. “If she didn’t take the money, why not tell the father?”
“Because the father’s mother is Katherine Roarke.” I poured another drink.
She had an ah-ha expression. “Well then, that makes sense.” Then she frowned. “Wait, are you saying you have a child?” Her brows knitted together and she looked like she was replaying our conversation again. “Is Serena’s son also your son?”
I nodded. I hadn’t told anyone but my family, and of all the people to open up to, Nikita wasn’t the obvious choice. But then again, she knew Serena.
“Wow. Okay…well… I think the world of Serena. If she didn’t tell you, I think she’d have a reason. She’d probably feel like shit though. Especially denying Andrew a dad. She’d do anything for that kid.”
“Do you think my mother would do anything for me?”
“I think there’s a lot your mother would do for you if it benefited her.”
I downed my drink and considered having another. Instead, I decided I needed air. “I trust you Nik. Whatever you want or need for this event, take care of it. I’ve got to go.”
“Yeah, sure, okay.”
I started to leave and then stopped. “Oh, if you fire Serena for being with me, I’ll fire you.”
Looking a bit dazed she nodded. “No worries there, Mr. Roarke.”
“Good.” I headed to the elevator and out into the cool March afternoon. There was an electricity snapping in the air that had me keyed up. I just had to figure out what to do with all that pent-up energy. What was it urging me to do?
29
Serena
I went back to my office, but I was too frazzled to work. Mostly I just sat and replayed Mrs. Roarke’s conversation. How’d she get DNA from Andrew? I hoped she got it from a hairbrush or a glass, and didn’t do anything to hurt or scare my child. The idea of it made me sick.
I wondered how much Devin heard and whether he blamed me. He knew how I felt about her. Just my luck that now that we were getting along, he’d get angry at me for getting in a fight with his mother.
It was yet another reminder about why I couldn’t read anything to our late-night conversations. I looked forward to them so much. But it was silly to think that we were working our way back to each other. The truth was, I’d hurt him too deeply to ever have him forgive me.
When I arrived at my building, I texted my parents asking them to watch Andrew a bit longer. I told them I had a hard day and wanted a little time to decompress in my apartment. They didn’t need to know about the dragon queen.
I leaned against the elevator wall as it took me up to my floor. The doors opened and I exited, walking to my apartment. I stopped short when I saw Devin leaning against the wall outside my apartment.
“Devin?”
He looked up from his phone, straightening from the wall. “Your parents said you’d be here.”
I frowned, not understanding why he was talking to my parents.
“I was at their place waiting for you. And getting my pants beat off me in Go Fish by Andrew and your dad. They’re cutthroat at that game.”
His small smile had my own lips twitching upwards. “Yes, they are.”
I opened the door, wondering why he was there. It must have to do with his mother. “Devin, I didn’t approach her—”
“I know.” He shut the door behind him. “I feel like I should apologize for her.”
I shook my head. “It’s not your fault. At the risk of upsetting you though, I have to say, I don’t know how you came out so good with a mom like that.”
He smiled. “You think I’m good?”
I stared at him, still unsure what his purpose for being here was. “Yes. You know I do, my unforgivable behavior notwithstanding.” I huffed out a breath, feeling completely off-kilter. “Do you want wine? I need wine.”
“Let me get it. You sit.” He wa
tched me for a minute. “I forget how she can rattle people. I’m used to it.”
I sank into the couch. “Did she come to see me or was she there for something else and saw me? I didn’t think she remembered me.”
“She was there for St. Patrick’s Day planning,” he said from my kitchenette. “I suspect Bri let her know who you were, and at the restaurant when she saw the event planning staff there, asked about you.”
“Devin, she took Andrew’s DNA.” my voice pitched up as grief and shock and pain all whirled around me.
“I know.” His voice sounded bothered by that too. “I’m sorry, Serena.” He handed me a full glass of wine and sat next to me. “I don’t know why her audacity surprises me. I suppose I thought there were lines she wouldn’t cross.”
“He’s your son.” I pointed a finger at him. Did I want him to forgive me? Yes. But I wasn’t going to let his mother hurt my child, and if I had to stand up to him and risk offending him to make that happen I would. “Whether you believe me or not—”
“I believe you. I’ve never questioned that. Never.”
I burst out crying.
“Serena. Jesus. I’m so sorry.” He moved toward me and pulled me into his arms.
I wanted to settle into them and let him comfort me, but I pulled back. I had so many terrible thoughts about his mother, but somehow I managed to keep them in my mouth.
He wiped a tear from my cheek. “I won’t let her hurt you again.”
“Fuck her!” I blurted. I stood and nearly threw my glass across the room. Instead I whirled around to see his stunned face looking up at me. Despair wove through me again. “I’m terrified she’ll make Andrew feel the way she makes me feel. He doesn’t deserve that.”
He stood and came to me again. “No, he doesn’t. You don’t either.”
I pursed my lips at him. “Of course, I do. I lied to you.”
He pushed a strand of my hair out of my face. “You did. It also shows what you’ll do to protect Andrew.”
“I’d do anything for him.” Why was he being so gentle and caring? It was confusing my senses.
“I tore me in two to find out your secret, I won’t deny that. I didn’t think I could ever forgive something like that.”
I looked down, again wondering why he had such a caring manner when he was telling me he couldn’t forgive me. His finger hooked under my chin, lifting my head to look at him.
“What you did wasn’t because of me, it was because you were doing what you thought was best for Andrew. My mother, she’ll tell you what she’s doing is to protect me, but in truth, she’s doing it for herself.”
I sniffed, not sure how to respond.
“Another big difference is that you feel bad for lying to me. My mother feels justified.”
“It doesn’t change that she’s your mom and can hurt my son.”
“Our son,” he corrected.
“Right. Sorry.”
“You don’t think I can protect him from her?”
“She’s your mom, Devin. How can you always be there to stop her?”
“I can do what you did.”
I flinched. “It’s too late for that. She knows he’s yours. Or will know when the DNA test comes back showing you’re the father.”
His thumb brushed another tear away. I wished he’d stop. It was really hard not to fall against him and let him soothe me.
“I don’t mean the lie part, I mean the do whatever I can to keep her away, including walking away from her. From the business, if I have to.”
I gaped at him. “Devin, you can’t do—”
“Why not? Wouldn’t you?”
I nodded.
“Do you think I’m not as devoted to my son as you are? Sure, I’ve only been a dad for a short time, but he’s here Serena,” he said putting his hand over his heart. “I’m promising you that I too, will do whatever is needed to protect him. Anything.”
“Devin.” This time I did sink into him, burying my face into his chest. It was unwise, but I allowed myself to indulge in his strength just this once.
His hands caressed my back. “I bet you wish you’d never told me where to find you on St. Patrick’s Day five years ago. You’d have been spared my mother’s evil ways.”
“Then I wouldn’t have Andrew, either and he’s everything to me.”
He pulled back and I looked up at him to see why.
“What about me?” His green eyes stared at me with intensity. Not angry or hurt intensity, but something else I was too afraid to acknowledge. “If I hadn’t met you at the bar and taken your virginity—”
I sucked in my lips to hide my smile.
“You wouldn’t have me,” he finished.
I looked up at him, surprised. “I don’t have you.”
“Ah, Serena, but you do.” His smile was so sweet as he tipped his head and brushed his lips over mine. I must be dreaming, I thought. But in case I wasn’t, I gripped his shirt.
“You told my mother you loved me,” he murmured against my lips.
“I do, Devin. I really do.”
“It would really tick her off to know that she helped me see that while what you did was wrong and hurtful, that you did it out of unconditional love and devotion for Andrew. I don’t like being the collateral damage from that, but I admire you for what you’re willing to do for him.”
“It would be easier to stand up to her with you around,” I said, trying not to get my hopes up too much that he was reconciling with me. Perhaps I was misreading all this.
“Then, I should stick around. Do you want me to?”
“Yes. So much. Is this real or am I dreaming?”
He laughed. “It’s not a dream.”
I stared up into beautiful green eyes, hoping beyond hope all this was true. “Do you want me?” I felt stupid for asking but I needed to hear the words.
He kissed me lightly. “I want you, Serena.”
I smiled.
“I’ve always wanted you. It broke my heart when you didn’t come with me to Europe.”
Guilt gripped my gut. “I’m—”
“No. Don’t say anything. I know why you didn’t come. I just want you to know, despite what my mother says, that I’ve always been drawn to you. For me, it’s real and true with you.”
“I don’t deserve you. But I want you.”
“Just don’t lie to me again and we’ll be fine.”
“That won’t be a problem.” Then because I felt I could, I kissed him back, firm and thorough. He groaned and I felt his dick thicken against my belly.
“Just one more thing,” he said.
I jerked back, afraid of what he might say.
“Please don’t tell my mother about our sex life.”
I furrowed my brows in confusion.
“You told her you were a virgin when we met.”
I felt my cheeks heat “I guess I did. I wanted her to know you were the only one who could be the father.”
“When I met Andrew, I remember being jealous of the man who impregnated you. Then I wondered what sort of asshole would abandon you.”
“I’m sorry about that. There hasn’t been anyone.”
He quirked a brow. “No one in five years?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“Serena, this is going to sound sexist or silly, but I can’t tell you what it does to me to think I’m the only man who’s ever had you.”
I grinned, happy that despite all the pain I’d caused him, there was something else I could give him. “There is no man but you.”
“That’s fucking hot.”
I laughed. “You know, there’s a rumor that make-up sex is pretty good. Maybe you could show me that.”
He captured my mouth in a kiss so hot, it stole my breath. His hands were lightning fast as they unzipped my dress. In minutes, we were both naked as he sat on the couch and tugged me over him.
“Fuck me, Serena.” He said as his mouth sucked my nipple hard.
I sank over him, emotion fil
ling my chest as his body filled mine. “Devin…oh God…” I wrapped my arms around him, trying not to cry at how beautiful and happy this moment was.
He held me close. “You undo me, baby.”
I lifted my head and kissed him, pouring all my love into the kiss as I began to move. Each time I rose and lowered, I felt my heart stitching back together.
“So good,” he said on a low moan as he kissed and licked my nipples.
Together we moved in perfect harmony. Pushing each other up and then holding off at the pinnacle. Like we both wanted it to last forever, until the need was too acute. My pussy clenched and I shot off to the heavens.
“Yes!” He cried out. “Make me come…take me with you…” His hips bucked up, and warmth filled my womb. We rocked and moved until finally we floated back down.
He kissed me. “I love you, Serena.”
At that I did cry.
“Oh shit, what’s wrong?” he said, wiping my tears.
“It’s a happy day when your dreams come true.”
“Does that mean you’d be willing to move in with me?”
My breath caught.
“Andrew said that mommies and daddies live together. You and I are good now. There’s no reason not to raise him together.”
This time I balled.
He laughed. “Happy tears, right?”
“The best. The happiest.” I landed kisses all over his face.
“How about we do this one more time, to make sure we’ve got the hang of it again, and then we can pack a few things and take Andrew home.”
“Devin…you’re a dream come true. I love you so much. So much.”
He gave me his sexy grin. “Show me.”
30
Devin—St. Patrick’s Day
If I’d known living with Serena and Andrew could be so fun and fulfilling, I’d have moved them into my apartment sooner. Andrew was excited to have us together, and ecstatic when I hung airplanes in his room.
“Do you want an airplane hanging above the bed, too?” I asked Serena as we watched Andrew take in his plane themed room, including a bed that looked like a cockpit.
“On the ceiling?” she asked. “I think I’d rather a mirror.”
An Irish Affair (Heart 0f Hope Book 2) Page 21