by Tia Siren
“Tommy,” I said firmly.
“You haven’t seen any red flags, have you? He’s treated you well. You said you had a great time the other night. Trust your gut instinct. You have to tell him,” she repeated.
I groaned. “I know.”
“The guy is filthy rich, fucking gorgeous, and he seems nice enough. What’s the problem?” she asked bluntly.
I had no good excuse. There was no reason I shouldn’t tell him. I was just scared. Of what, I wasn’t sure.
“Do you think he’ll hate me for keeping this from him?” I asked in a quiet voice.
“You couldn’t have told him if you’d wanted to. You didn’t know who he was,” she pointed out.
I didn’t get the chance to reply. My phone rang. I recognized the number immediately. “It’s him!”
Sarah smiled. “Then you better answer it.”
“Hello,” I said, feeling a little breathless, like a teenage girl getting that first call from a boy she was crushing on.
“Hi,” he said, his voice husky. “I’d like to invite you out for another dinner. Does tomorrow night work for you?”
I looked at Sarah and mouthed, “Tomorrow?”
She grinned and gave me a thumbs-up.
“Sure. I can do that.”
“Emily, I’d like you to bring your son. I’d like to meet him.”
My heart stopped mid-beat. “What?” I croaked out.
“Your son. He’s invited along. We’ll do something fun, kid friendly.”
“Uh, you know, actually, I can’t tomorrow,” I said.
Sarah looked at me, her mouth open, her arms out as she shrugged her shoulders. It was the universal sign for what the hell.
“You just said you could,” he said, a faint sound of irritation in his voice.
“I don’t want my son on TV. I don’t want him to be hounded by the cameras,” I said, not willing to budge even a bit on that detail.
“I’ll work something out. There won’t be any cameras or reporters.”
I looked at Sarah. She was still looking at me with a strange expression on her face. “I don’t know,” I started. “I really don’t want him on camera. How are you going to get the show to leave you alone?” I pressed.
He chuckled. “You do know who I am, right? They can push, but I can push back. We won’t be able to go to my house, but I can ditch them. I’ll work something out. Will you trust me to do that?”
I wanted to say no. I couldn’t trust him. I didn’t know him well enough. I took a deep breath and, despite my best judgement, agreed to go. “I’m trusting you to protect my son,” I told him in a serious tone. “Don’t let me down.”
“I won’t. I give you my word,” he said before hanging up.
I put the phone on the arm of the couch and turned back to Sarah.
“Well? What was that about?”
“He wants to go out tomorrow, but he wants me to bring Tommy along,” I said, wincing as I said it.
“Good. He needs to meet him. Both of them need to meet each other,” she said, nodding her head.
“What if there’s, like, some weird connection, like they just know they are father and son?”
She burst into laughter. “Then I guess you don’t have to worry about telling either one of them. Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s how it works. This is a great chance for you to see them interact. The fact that he wants you to bring a little boy along on a date is pretty amazing. Seriously, how many guys have ever asked?”
“True. I don’t know. I mean, I guess it’s like ripping off a Band-Aid. I may as well just do it and get it over with.”
She sipped her wine. “This is good. Great. I’m glad they are going to meet. I wish I could be there to see it. Are you sure you won’t let the cameras film it?” she teased.
I rolled my eyes. “I’ve never let Tommy meet any of the men I’ve dated before,” I said, suddenly feeling nervous.
“Uh, I think it’s safe to say this is a very different situation.”
I laughed. “That’s for sure. How does one go about introducing a man to his three-year-old son he never knew existed?”
We both drank from our glasses as we pondered the question.
“I’m excited for you. I know this has been weighing heavily on you for a long time. It’s finally happening. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for.”
I nodded. “It is. I just hope it isn’t a mistake. I still don’t feel like I know him well enough to predict what he will say or do when he finds out.”
She shrugged. “That’s half the excitement. Relax. Let’s think about what you’re going to wear tomorrow. Did he say where you were going?”
I laughed. “No, he didn’t. I’m going to stick with casual. I think he likes that better anyway.”
Sarah jumped up, reached down, and tugged me off the couch. “Come on! Let’s raid your closet and come up with something sexy for the baby mama.”
I followed her into my room, shushing her when she got a little over-excited. We spent an hour mixing and matching until we came up with what she determined was the perfect casual, sexy, and yet somehow conservative outfit. I was too nervous about the date to be of any help.
“Thank you,” I said, walking her to the door. “You’re an amazing friend and I could have never done this without you.”
She giggled. “You would have found something to wear and been just fine.”
I laughed. “You know what I mean. Thank you.”
“Of course. I want you to get your happily ever after. I think he’s the man for you. Now I want to see him prove me right.”
I closed the door behind her, locked it, and put away the empty glasses. I hoped she was right. I wasn’t sure I was necessarily looking for a happily ever after, but I did want the best for Tommy. Whether that meant the money needed to send him to the best schools in the city or just having a father figure in his life, I wasn’t sure. I was nervous as hell about what it would mean to our lives once his paternity was unveiled.
It had to be for the better. This was the right thing to do.
So why was I freaking out about it so badly?
Chapter Fifteen
Tyler
It was a good thing I owned the company. I cut out of work early again today, leaving April to make excuses for my absence at the meetings I was skipping out on. Tonight was too important. I couldn’t possibly worry about company business.
“Should I get a car seat?” Alex asked me.
I looked at him, drawing a blank. “What? A car seat?”
“You told me I was picking up a child. How old?”
“Uh, three,” I said, suddenly feeling unsure about my grand plans.
He nodded his head. “We’ll need a booster.”
“A booster?” I felt like I was in an alternate universe.
“I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry about a thing,” he assured me.
I nodded my head. “Thanks, Alex.”
I was glad to have him, especially in that moment. I checked with my pilot, made sure all the arrangements were in place, and waited. I kept replaying the various scenarios of how the evening could turn out. I couldn’t shake the feeling that the kid was mine. I knew it was completely ridiculous and the chances of him being mine were slim to none, but a slim chance was still a chance.
“Your guests have arrived, sir,” a member of the security detail announced.
I waited in the foyer, feeling nervous as hell. Minutes later, Emily and her son walked inside. I smiled when I caught a glimpse of her. She took my breath away every time. Tonight, she was wearing a flowing black skirt, a fitted green shirt, and a pair of sexy heels that conjured up an image of her wearing nothing but.
“Tommy, this is my friend, Tyler,” Emily said, snapping my attention from her to the little boy standing next to her.
“Hi, Tommy.” I smiled at the little boy who was studying me with intelligent eyes.
“Hi,” he said in a clear voice.
&n
bsp; “Are you two ready?” I asked.
“Ready?” Emily asked. “Are we not having dinner here?”
I smiled. “Nope. Tommy, have you ever been in a helicopter?”
“Uh,” Emily said.
“Come on,” I said, turning and leading them down a side corridor toward the helicopter landing pad.
“Tyler, I don’t know if this is a good idea. Where are we going?” Emily asked, nerves making her voice high.
“Napa Valley,” I replied. “And the helicopter is safe.”
When we walked outside, Tommy squealed, jumping up and down when he saw the sleek black chopper waiting for us. We climbed inside, Emily sitting next to Tommy, a look of worry on her face. I took a moment for me to really look at the boy. How could anyone tell just by looking that a child was theirs?
After the short ride, we were whisked away to the restaurant I had reserved for the night—the entire restaurant. We sat down, enjoying our private meal. Emily and I barely spoke to one another, as Tommy monopolized the conversation.
The kid was smart. I hadn’t had a lot of interaction with children, but I knew three-year-olds didn’t typically carry on lengthy conversations in complete sentences.
“Are you in school?” I asked him.
The kid rolled his eyes. “No. I’m in daycare. I’m ready for school. My mom says I have to wait.”
I smirked and looked at Emily. She looked exasperated. “I’m working on it,” she mumbled.
Taking a hint, I didn’t press the issue. I could see it was a bit of a sore spot and wanted to wait until we were alone to talk to her about Tommy in general.
“Are you ready for another helicopter ride?” I asked Tommy.
The kid grinned, and for a brief second, I thought I could see myself in him. His eyes looked like Emily’s, but his hair was thick, like mine, and he had a cowlick just like I did on the back of his head.
“Sit tight,” I said to Emily, standing from the table. “I want to make sure the press didn’t get wind we were here.”
I walked out of the restaurant, waiting to see if I would be accosted by a sneaky photographer. When no one appeared, I popped my head back in and gave them the all clear. Once we were back in San Francisco, Emily insisted she go home and get Tommy to bed. I invited myself to her house and was pleased when she accepted.
“I’m sorry. This is probably not something you are used to,” she said, opening the door to her tiny apartment.
“Don’t be sorry. Ever.”
“I can read chapter books,” Tommy announced.
“You can?” I said with exaggerated shock. I wouldn’t have been surprised to learn the kid could read old-fashioned encyclopedias.
“Come on, kid,” Emily said, ruffling his hair. “You’ve stayed up late enough.” She turned back to me. “Have a seat. There’s a bottle of wine in the kitchen if you’d like some.”
“Sure. Can I pour you a glass?”
“Yes, please.”
I watched her disappear into a room and heard her and Tommy talking in low voices. She was gentle but firm with him. I could see how smart the kid was and had to give her a lot of the credit. Genes may have made him naturally intelligent, but she did the rest.
“Sorry,” she said, coming back into the living room, her heels kicked off somewhere along the way. “He gets to telling a story sometimes and it can really stretch on.”
I handed her the glass of wine and watched her take a drink.
“It’s fine. He’s an amazing kid. You’re an amazing woman,” I told her, sliding closer to her on the couch.
“Thank you,” she said, barely above a whisper.
I had to kiss her. Watching her all night had been doing weird things to my body. I wanted her, but it was a different kind of need. I wanted all of her. Getting to know her and her son made me realize how special she was.
Our kiss started out slow and gentle. I took my time, letting every one of my senses absorb her. Her hand did a slow side up my arm, holding on to my bicep before moving over my neck and into my hair. She scooted closer to me on the couch, turning her body, her breasts pressing against me. I deepened the kiss, hearing her whimper and knowing she wanted me.
“Your room?” I whispered.
She pulled away, looking into my eyes. I saw the brief hesitation. I wouldn’t press her. She stood and took my hand, leading me down the short, narrow hall and pushing open a door on the left. As soon as we were through the door, I carefully closed the door behind us before moving to her and beginning to undress her.
It was a slow removal of her clothing. I wanted to touch every part of her. Once I had her completely nude, I slowly backed her up against her bed.
“Sit,” I ordered.
She did as I asked, looking up at me with anticipation in those green eyes. I quickly undid my shirt, shucking it along with the rest of my clothing. I stood before her, naked and wanting, watching her reaction to seeing my body.
She reached her hand out, her fingertips trailing over my stomach before moving to encompass my dick.
“I want you,” she said, looking directly into my eyes as she said the three words, nearly making me explode in her hand.
“I want to taste you,” I told her, slowly dropping to my knees in front of her.
Her eyes widened as she realized what I meant. I reached out, scooting her ass to the edge of the bed before using one hand to push her legs open. Her hands were on my shoulders. I could see she was going to tell me no and didn’t want to hear the word.
“Lie back,” I demanded.
“Tyler,” she murmured.
I shook my head and held her gaze with mine, silently demanding she do as I requested. She relaxed and leaned back. I pushed her flat on her back with my palm pressed against her chest, exposing her core to me.
“You’re beautiful,” I whispered, kissing a trail of kisses up her inner thigh, letting my breath wash over her center.
Her breathing quickened and I smiled. I kissed her nether lips, gently at first before sliding my tongue over her slit. She gasped, and I felt her rising up, her hands pushing my head away.
“Let me lick you,” I told her, my words vibrating over her body a second before I did it again.
I feasted on her body, using my tongue and teeth before slowly spreading her with my fingers. I felt her jerk as I slid one finger inside, my tongue working over the hard nub. I heard her hand slap the bed and gave it my all, licking and nibbling until she was arching and writhing with her first climax.
“Roll over,” I ordered.
She opened her eyes and looked at me in the dim light. A faint sheen of sweat covered her body, her cheeks flushed with the after effects of the orgasm. She rolled over, climbing on to the bed, perched on all fours.
I climbed up behind her, running my fingers over her swollen pussy, relishing in how wet she was before sliding one finger inside. Her hips pushed back, swallowing my finger deeper. I grabbed her hips, anchoring her body in preparation for my invasion. Using my hand to guide my cock, I found her slick opening and pushed inside her body.
“Fuck me,” I groaned, already feeling the stirring of my arousal.
I always felt like a randy kid with her. I wanted to draw out her pleasure before finding my own. She was kryptonite. Whenever I was near her, I was halfway to coming before we started. Sliding in her hot, wet sheath was too much for my self-control. Next time, I promised myself. Next time I would hold out longer and give her intense pleasure before finding my own.
I heard her moan before she dropped to her elbows, her ass high in the air, me on my knees behind her, buried to the hilt. Her hips moved a fraction, triggering my nerve endings. My fingers dug into her hips, holding her steady while I fought back the explosion ready to happen.
“Tyler,” she moaned. “God.”
I rocked against her, pushing deeper before pulling out and slamming into her again. There was another moan before she buried her face into the blanket. I was losing control. I needed more
, deeper and harder. I rocketed into her in an uncontrolled frenzy, my body taking on a mind of its own. Her body stiffened and her head came up, and I felt the second her body exploded around my dick buried deep inside her. I held on to her hips, anchoring her firmly against my dick as I erupted deep inside her.
I collapsed beside her, trying to catch my breath and regain some sense of self-control. She was lying on her stomach, her face turned to me, a smile on her face.
I grinned. “You good?”
“Amazing,” she mumbled.
We stayed there a few more minutes, the dim light coming from under the door and the moon high in the sky, peeping in through the window in her room.
“Emily,” I said, my gut twisting into knots, “your son, I have to know. Is he mine? Is there a chance he’s mine?” I asked.
“No,” she said, rolling onto her back and searching the floor for her clothes. “I have to work early,” she mumbled, and I knew I was effectively being kicked out.
Getting up, I slowly dressed. She slid on a pair of shorts and a thread-bare T-shirt as she watched me. I kissed her, wanting to press her more about Tommy. She opened her bedroom door and walked out. She clearly wasn’t going to talk about it.
I gave her another kiss at the door, promising to call her tomorrow, and walked out of the building. Alex had long since gone home, which meant I would need to hail a cab. As I walked down the street toward a busy intersection, I thought about her reaction every time I asked about the boy. She got defensive every time I asked. I had a feeling he was mine and she didn’t want me to know. I wasn’t sure why, but I needed to know for sure, one way or another. It was going to always be there, lingering in the back of my mind, if I didn’t find out for sure.
Chapter Sixteen
Emily
I lazily stretched my arms over my head, loving the way my body felt. Tyler was an amazing man. I had no idea how he knew my body better than I did, but I was so glad he did. My body was more relaxed than it had been in a long time.
Rolling to my side, I stared at the door, thinking about the little boy in the next room. He was still asleep. All the excitement last night had worn him out. Thinking about his excitement made me smile. The man had made Tommy’s entire year. I loved how patient he had been with Tommy, letting him tell story after story, never cutting him off or dismissing him.