Knocked Down_A Single Dad Romance

by Nikki Ash

  I hear myself gasp but quickly try to compose myself. “I-I don’t know what to say.” Griffin sits down on the couch and pats the cushion next to him for me to join him.

  “I should’ve been the one to shoot him. I tried to convince him to let me take the blame but he wasn’t having it. Cops ruled it as self-defense so nothing happened, but that doesn’t change the fact that I let down my mom and brother. A few months later, our mom killed herself. Sean thinks that maybe God’s punishing him for killing that bastard, and that’s why he can’t give Lilly a baby.”

  “Oh no! Surely, he knows that’s not true.”

  “I think deep down he knows but he’s frustrated. He feels like he’s letting down his wife…something I can relate to all too well.” With his elbows on his knees, Griffin’s head falls, his fingers running through his hair. “I think maybe you were right.” He doesn’t look at me. “I let down the three people I loved. My mom, my brother, and Rebekah.”

  His head turns slightly to look at me. “What if I do let you down? What if I do hurt you? Not by cheating because that would never fucking happen, but in some other way.”

  I stare at this beautiful, selfless, loving man, and my heart breaks for him. He loves with everything he has, and instead of accepting his love, I pushed him away. I’ve added to his self-doubt and now he thinks he’s not good enough for me.

  “Hey.” I push his arm out of the way and crawl into his lap, my legs straddling his sides. “I was wrong. I was so wrong, Griffin. That’s what I was coming over here to tell you. I watched my dad fight for his life with my mom by his side, and it showed me that life is too short. I was coming home to tell you I want to be with you. Then my tire went flat and my brother had to bring me home. I went to the restaurant, hoping you would be there, and my jealousy won over when I saw you sitting next to that woman.” My hands frame his face.

  “Then when you knocked on my door, I wanted to tell you but I was being stubborn. You were mad and yelling and you were saying everything I already knew.”

  Tears fill my eyes, ready to leak over. “I love you, Griffin King. I love Levi and I love being a part of your lives. I’m scared but I do trust you. You’re worth the risk.”

  Griffin smiles wide. “Oh baby, I’m not a risk. I’m a sure thing.” He brings his lips to mine. His teeth pulling and nipping on my bottom lip. “I love you, Ava.” His lips brush mine again softly at first then they become rougher. Our tongues eagerly meeting, swirling and tasting each other with such passion and want. I can’t believe I ever allowed my fears of being hurt to overpower my love for this man.

  Our bodies grind against each other, both of us letting out a needy moan simultaneously. And then it’s all lips and teeth and tongues. Shirts are flying off, pants are being shoved down and shucked to the side, and then Griffin is carrying me to the bedroom and throwing me down onto the bed.

  After crawling up my body, he spreads my legs. His elbows hit the mattress, his arms tucking themselves under me so our bodies are flush against one another. He kisses my forehead, my nose, the corner of my mouth, and then when his lips mold against mine, he enters me, filling me completely. Griffin’s not in any rush, though. He makes love to me, unhurriedly pushing into me then pulling out just as slowly. Over and over again, the head of his cock rubs my G-spot, pushing me closer and closer toward an orgasm.

  “Griffin,” I whisper as I feel my body beginning to tremble in pleasure.

  “I got you, baby.” He pushes in deeper, harder, but still just as slow, and then I’m letting go, my pussy contracting around him.

  “Oh god,” I cry out as my orgasm hits me full force, my fingers gripping the ends of his hair, tugging harder than I mean to. Griffin’s head falls into the crook of my neck, sucking on my sweaty skin. His thrusts become more erratic as he chases his orgasm. His lips suck harder on my neck and he lets out a moan as he comes in me.

  “FYI, we’re never using condoms.” He gives me a look that says I better not try to argue. “Not being able to feel your warm, wet pussy would be the death of me.”

  One year later

  Ava

  “Griffin! Levi! I’m home and I’ve brought tacos.” I slam the door closed with my elbow, my hands full with bags of the local Mexican restaurant’s delicious tacos and the bakery’s desserts. Dropping the bags down onto the table, I listen but don’t hear my guys. My guys…I will never get tired of that thought. Ever since I came to my senses and opened my heart completely to Griffin, he has spent every single day proving to me it’s okay to trust again. Two months ago, when my lease was due to renew, he convinced me it was ridiculous to continue living next door to each other when Maverick and I spend more time here than at my place.

  I cancelled my lease and we moved all my stuff over here. His place is only two bedrooms like mine but he created an office area for me to do my work. When I came home to my desk, computer, and filing cabinet all situated neatly with my framed covers hanging on the walls, I about cried.

  Checking my cell phone to make sure I read Griffin’s text correctly, I see I did. Maybe he’s running late?

  Maverick wags his tail, so I fill his bowls with some food and water. Grabbing the bags to disperse the food, I see a note on the table I didn’t notice before.

  Meet us on the patio and bring the food.

  Smiling with curiosity, I put the tacos back into the bag and make my way down the hallway toward the patio. I pull the door open and find Griffin and Levi both standing there, side by side.

  “I take it we’re eating outside.” I put the bag down and look at the guys. Both are still standing there, Levi grinning and Griffin almost looking nervous.

  “What’s going on?” And that’s when I notice the shirts. Griffin’s reads, “Marry me and I’ll buy you tacos for the rest of our life.”

  My eyes dart to Levi’s shirt. There’s an arrow pointing to Griffin, and it reads, “Marry my dad and he’ll buy you tacos.”

  “Griffin,” I breathe out as he steps forward, taking my hands in his.

  “Ava, my taco-loving woman.” He chuckles and I find myself sniffling back the unshed tears. “It’s been one year since you agreed to be my girlfriend, but it’s not enough. It will never be enough until you have infiltrated every nook and cranny of my life. It would mean the world to me if you would do me the honor of becoming my wife. Ava Milano, will you marry me?”

  My arms come up, wrapping around his neck. “Yes. Yes, I will marry you.” I give him a kiss but force myself to stop it from becoming too heated, remembering we have an ten-year-old in front of us.

  “I have something to ask too,” Levi says shyly. I move from Griffin’s arms and step in front of Levi. “I was wondering if maybe…once you marry my dad, I can call you Mom.”

  Those unshed tears that were threatening to spill over, fall. Hard. I pull Levi into my arms and give him a hug that has him giggling because I’m squeezing him so tightly.

  “You absolutely can, Levi. But you don’t have to wait until we’re married. It would mean the world to me for you to call me Mom now.”

  “All right. Let’s celebrate with some tacos.” Griffin opens the bag and starts pulling the food out. We all sit down and start eating our tacos when his phone starts ringing. “Hey Sean, what’s up?” He stills for a second. “We’re on our way.” He hangs up, a huge grin splaying across his lips. “Prim is in labor. It’s time. She’s going to have the baby.”

  “Oh my god!” I squeal. “Let’s go!”

  “Wait! Can I eat my tacos in the car?” Levi asks. “I’m hungry!”

  Six months later

  Griffin

  “Mrs. King, I’m home and I have tacos.” I will never tire of calling my wife by my last name. Three months ago Ava made me the happiest man in the world when we said, ‘I do.’ It was a small wedding—in a beautiful garden she fell in love with—with our closest family and friends. She wore a gorgeous white dress and her father walked her down the aisle. She insisted Levi stand up in the fr
ont with us.

  After the wedding and reception was over, we took off for our honeymoon. One week on the beaches of the Bahamas while Levi spent the week hanging out with Ava’s mom. He has become really close to her. She loves to cook and bake with him—she says he brings out the youth in her.

  “Levi!” I call out when he doesn’t come running out at the word taco.

  “We’ll be right out,” Ava yells from somewhere down the hall. With my lease up in a couple months, we decided to buy a house. One with more room and an office for Ava. Plus, with Lilly and my brother now having their precious little boy, we wanted to be even closer to them. We found a modest three-bedroom home with an office only a few blocks away and just yesterday our offer was accepted. We’ll be moving into our new home at the beginning of next month.

  “Hey,” Ava says, getting my attention. She’s standing in front of me, a mischievous smile twisted on her lips. Next to her is Levi, grinning like he just got away with stealing the bag of tacos sitting on the table.

  That’s when I notice their shirts. Both gray with black writing. Her shirt reads, “My baby loves tacos” with a giant taco over her…belly? My eyes dart to Levi’s shirt. His reads, “Let’s taco ‘bout me being a big brother.”

  “I have one for you, too.” Ava hands me a gray shirt and I’m speechless. I lift it up to read it aloud. “My pregnant wife wants tacos.” I glance up at her. “You’re pregnant?”

  She nods, happily. “I went in for my check-up a few days ago and found out. Three months.”

  “Our honeymoon?”

  She nods again and I sweep her up into my arms, giving her a kiss I hope conveys how much I love this woman. “Taco Tuesdays are definitely my favorite day of the week.”

  The End

  Did you enjoy this book?

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  Other books By Nikki Ash

  All books are on Kindle Unlimited and can be read as standalones

  The Fighting Series

  Fighting for a Second Chance

  Fighting with Faith

  Fighting for Your Touch

  Fighting for Your Love

  Fighting ‘round the Christmas Tree: A Fighting Series Novella

  Fighting Love novels

  Tapping Out

  Clinched

  Takedown (Coming July 28th 2018)

  Mob Romance (standalone)

  Bordello

  Single Dad Romance (standalone)

  Knocked Down

  Sports Romance

  The Pickup (Coming Fall 2018)

  Excerpt from Tapping Out

  One

  Bella

  Present day…

  Two lines mean pregnant. One line means not.

  Two lines. Pregnant.

  One line. Not.

  I sit on the edge of the tub in the bathroom with the door locked. My head is down as I stare at the tiled floor. There are thirty-four tiles. One is cracked. The grout is dirty. I should buy better cleaning supplies. The test said three minutes. It’s probably been closer to ten but I can’t look. Will the test still be accurate if I don’t look right away? Maybe I should take another one just in case.

  Two lines and my life changes.

  One line and nothing changes.

  “Bella! You have been in there forever. Are we still going to dinner? The shower isn’t even running. Gina is going to be here any minute.” When I don’t respond, Tristan knocks on the door, again. “Bella!”

  “I’ll be out in a minute,” I yell through the door praying he can’t hear the tremble in my voice. If he knows I’m freaking out, he will without a doubt force his way in here to find out what’s going on, and right now, Tristan is probably the last person I want knowing what’s going on.

  Taking a deep breath, I stand up and walk slowly toward the counter silently praying for one line, like praying now is going to make a difference, like if I pray right this second, the results will miraculously change in my favor. The second line will just disappear and all will be right with the world. Maybe I don’t need a miracle. Maybe there’s only one line. Maybe I am freaking out over nothing. I swear to God if there’s only one line, I am getting on birth control today! Not that I’ll need it, because if I’m not pregnant, I’m never having sex again! Ok, maybe not never again but not anytime in the near future.

  Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. After holding it in for a few seconds, I let out a slow exhale. Nope, doesn’t work, I’m still freaking out. I open my eyes and stare at the test.

  Two

  Bella

  Five years ago…

  I’m sitting in my bedroom staring outside at the beautiful weather. After five days straight of rain, I am sick of being indoors. The sun is shining and there isn’t a cloud in sight. I’m dying to go for a run but I am not in the mood for another run on the treadmill indoors, so I text message my two best friends: Marco and Tristan. Surely, one of them will want to join me for a run.

  Group text: (Marco, Tristan, Bella)

  Me: What are you guys doing? I’m bored.

  Tristan: Mom is making me help clean the house. You?

  Me: That sucks. Watching Something About Mary.

  Marco: Of course you are…

  Me: Oh hush! Wanna go for a run?

  Tristan: Can’t… cleaning!

  Marco: Where?

  Me: Red Rock.

  Marco: Ok. Pick you up in twenty.

  Me: Ok.

  Tristan: Have fun!

  I pause my favorite movie and throw on my athletic shorts, a sports bra, and a tank top. Then I grab my favorite hoodie from over the back of my chair and throw it on over my head. Even though it’s April in Vegas, the weather is cooler along the trails. I put on my socks and running shoes then grab my water bottle from my nightstand to fill it up in the kitchen. Once I am dressed and ready to go, I grab the hair tie from around my wrist and throw my thick mane up into a pony tail.

  As I am leaving my room, I get a text, so I stop and check it.

  Lucas: Wanna hang out?

  Me: Can’t.

  I stuff my phone into the front pocket of my hoodie then pull it back out.

  Me: Sorry. Another time?

  Ever since starting high school this year, it feels like everything is changing. For so long, I was just Bella, the MMA fighter. Guys always saw me as one of them. But this year, something shifted.

  I look at myself in the mirror to see if anything significant has changed but I’m still just… me. I have chocolate brown hair that has a natural curl to it and matching brown eyes just like my dad. I am on the skinnier side from years of working out but was blessed with decent cleavage. I take a closer look in the mirror. My lips are naturally full like my mom’s and my skin tone is an olive color like my dad’s. Most people say I am the perfect mixture of both my parents.

  While I don’t think I’m ugly, I don’t think I’ve suddenly morphed into some hot chick. I don’t wear makeup, my hair is almost always up in a ponytail out of my face, and I can usually be found wearing nothing but athletic attire when I’m not in my school uniform since I pretty much live and breathe fighting.

  My phone dings again.

  Lucas: Sure. Maybe we can go to the movies?

  Not having any idea how I want to respond to his question, I close out the text and put my phone away. I don’t think I look any different than I did last year but for some reason the guys are acting like I’m the new girl in town. I was born in Las Vegas and have lived here my entire life, so I don’t get it. I take one last look at myself in the mirror then turn my light off and head downstairs.

  “Mom! Dad!” I yell as I walk through the living room. “I’m going running with Marco.”

  No answer.

  I get to the kitchen and see my younger siblings—Nathan and Lilly—sitting at the bar eating a bowl of cereal. Nathan is five years younger than me and Lilly is seven years younger. Lon
g story short, my parents met when they were young, real young. My mom was eighteen and fresh out of high school and my dad was twenty-two. They fell for each other instantly but were both heading in different directions in life. My mom had no idea she was pregnant when they parted ways, and once she knew, she had no way to get ahold of my dad. Five years later, they found each other and surprise! I was in tow. Once they fell back in love, they got married and then came my brother and sister.

  “Hey, where are Mom and Dad?” I grab an apple from the fridge, my go-to fruit in the morning, and take a bite, then fill up my bottle with cold water and ice.

  “In their room,” Nathan says through a mouthful of cereal. I look at the clock. It reads 8:00. There’s only one reason my parents would still be in their room this late and I don’t even want to think about that reason. Sure, I’m aware that’s how my siblings and I were brought into this world but still…

  “Okay, well let them know I went running with Marco.”

  “Ugh. Running.” Lilly scrunches her little nose in disgust. She clearly takes after our mom when it comes to exercise, which means it doesn’t happen. Like at all. Give my mom a book and a comfy couch and she’s good to go. My dad, on the other hand, is a retired UFC fighter and owns a UFC training facility here in Las Vegas called Cooper’s Fight Club. While I enjoy curling up with a good book on a rainy day, I have grown up in the gym and will choose anything athletic over lounging around like a couch potato.

  “Can I go?” Nathan asks. Like me, Nathan enjoys the more physical activities. He’s not really into fighting but he loves to sweat. He usually spends his days at the recreational center my dad and his friends started years ago. It’s a sport’s complex for kids and teens to spend their time at as opposed to running the streets. Nathan is really into football and for only being ten years old, he’s actually really good at it.