by Dani René
His touch ignited emotions that I’ve long since allowed to fizzle to nothing. My heart thumps at the images of his deep hazel eyes piercing me, challenging me and I feel as if I want to give in. I want to relinquish control to someone for a little while and enjoy being young.
Rolling over, I press a kiss on my baby girl’s forehead. “Honey,” I whisper, hoping to wake her up so we won’t be late, but all I get is a soft snore. “RoxieBear,” I murmur in her ear. This time I get a giggle and I know she’s awake. “Come on, we’re going to be late.”
A groan greets me, and I laugh, heading for the kitchen. My phone rings from the bedroom, but before I have time to get to it Roxie’s already talking to whoever is on the other side.
“Yes, she’s awake...” I watch her listen to the caller. “My name is Roxanne, but you can call me Roxie. Bye,” she abruptly says, turning to me, jabbing the phone out like it’s just attacked her. “He wants you.” Three little words and my heart slams against my chest. My stomach drops to my feet and the lump in my throat is too big to swallow past.
“Hello?”
“Darling, I didn’t know if I was waking you up, or if you’re an early bird. Guess I know now.” Slade’s deep rumble comes from the speaker and the confident tone of his voice sets me further on edge. I didn’t want him to know about Roxie.
“Where did you get my number?”
“I’m very persuasive, and Jag looks out for me.” He chuckles. The sound raspy, turning my wild heartbeat into overdrive as it slams against my ribs painfully.
I’m going to kill Jagger!
“Okay. So why are you calling me?”
“You know why, darling,” he murmurs, dropping his voice to a rich malt, turning my insides out. The effect this man has on me is astounding. Normally, I can ignore the flirting, I can easily walk away, but there’s something about Slade that pulls me back. “I’m a man who loves a challenge, and you are just that. Go out with me. Bring Roxie along.” My daughter’s name on his lips makes me tremble in fear because he knows she’s mine. Every time she’s come up men have run, but Slade is still on the line, still asking me out. And what’s more, he’s offering to have my daughter join us.
“Why would I give you even the slightest chance, Slade? Like I said, I’m not going to be another—”
“Ryn,” he growls. He actually fucking growls my name, and it does things to my body that I can’t explain. “Give me the benefit of the doubt. One date. Spend tomorrow with me. We’ll take Roxie down to the beach, and I’ll show you I’m not the man whore you think I am.”
He sounds so sincere. My heart catapults at the thought of a date with him. He’s handsome. Beyond gorgeous. With hazel eyes, full lips, and big strong hands he’s a heartbreaker, but it’s that chiseled jaw that sports a dusting of stubble, just enough to feel between my thighs, that causes me to finally allow him in an inch. “Fine. One wrong move...”
“And you’re welcome to kick me to the curb, but trust me, I’ll make every fantasy you’ve ever had come true. Thank you, Ryn. I promise to make you smile.”
“I’m sure. Goodbye, Slade.” I hang up before he can say anything more. My mind is a mess right now, but my heart, that cheating fucker, is slamming my rib cage with happiness.
“Is that your boyfriend, Mommy?” Pivoting on my heel, I find my sweet girl staring up at me while she swallows her cereal. And by “swallows,” I mean inhales it.
“Maybe, honey, I don’t know yet.” She nods, not a care in the world as she skips back to the kitchen. Do I even want a boyfriend? Shaking my head, I make my way to the bathroom to get ready for work. This is ridiculous, I’m not a teenager, and he’s not my crush.
Chapter Six
Slade
I don’t know what to do. A date is something else. But a date with her daughter is unheard of. I’m turning into a man whose balls are caught by a woman in her steel grip.
I’ve been at my fucking wits end since she agreed to a date. I’ve never wanted a woman this much. And one who’s turned me down, no less. She’s feisty, but I saw the pain and anguish in her gaze. I want to fix her. I want to be the person who makes her feel again.
I’ve come to the one person who I know can help. The one man that knows her like the back of his hand.
My best friend.
“You’re serious about this?” Jagger taunts as his chest rumbles with laughter and I can’t stop rolling my eyes at his mocking. The fucker’s known me far too long and he knows I’ve never held down one woman. Granted, I got bored with them.
I’m the guy who chucks you out after the deed is done, but Ryn is different.
So fucking different.
It’s the day of reckoning. I’m on my way to pick Ryn up and stopped in to see him first. To get some intel on this woman who’s got me wrapped around her little finger.
“Shut it, I just need to know what she likes.”
Shaking his head, he glances at Ava, who’s smiling from ear to ear. “She loves chocolate-dipped donuts. I know whenever we get them here she grabs one. Her coffee needs to be black, no sugar, and she loves the outdoors,” Ava tells me with a smile. My best friend’s girl is incredibly beautiful. Her smile lights up the room, but Ryn’s smile, when she gifted it to me a couple of times, lights up my entire fucking world.
“That’s all I needed. Wish me luck,” I say, offering a quick wave before I leave the store. Both Jagger and Ava offer me a smile and a good luck as I exit and I know deep down that they have both Ryn and my best interests at heart. Once I’m in my Jeep, I pull out into the road and put my foot down on the gas, if I don’t, I know I’ll be late.
It doesn’t take me long to get to her place, and for some reason, I’m nervous. The door stares at me before I knock, taunting me. Raising my hand, I rap my knuckles on the wood twice and wait.
I hear shuffling, a sweet childlike voice screaming that she wants to answer and then the door flies open and I’m met with Ryn and a smaller version of her.
“Hi!” The little girl smiles, her dimples appearing immediately. “I’m Roxanne, but you can call me Roxie,” she says, holding her hand out, her arm dead straight. She’s missing two teeth in her bright smile and I find myself crouching down to meet her blue eyes. They seem to look right through me, the same as her mother’s.
“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Roxie,” I respond, taking her tiny hand in mine, engulfing it as I shake. “I’m Slade,” I tell her, lowering my voice as if it’s a secret. Her giggle tumbles playfully from her lips.
“Hi, Slade. Are you Mommy’s boyfriend?” she questions, glancing at her mother, then back at me.
“Okay, that’s enough. Come on, you need to grab your backpack.” Ryn ushers her daughter inside, gesturing for me to follow them. Once we’re all inside, I allow my gaze to rake over the apartment, noting every inch of it like it’s my home too. If this is going to work, I need her to trust me.
“Nice place,” I say as we enter the living room. It’s not massive, but it’s comfortable.
“Thank you.” Her soft voice filters through my thoughts. We’re alone in the living room for a moment and I can’t help but take her in. The soft curves of her hips, the gentle slope of her neck, which plunges into the most incredible set of tits I’ve ever seen. They’re covered by a tightfitting top, but I appreciate the way they fill it out.
“Look, I know you’re not into dating, or men, or whatever, but I can assure you, I’m not going to hurt you.” I don’t know why I’m telling her this, but I can’t stop myself. Before she can answer, the little blonde races into the living room with a small pink backpack, breaking the connection between us.
“We can talk later,” is all she says and heads to help Roxie with a hair tie. Moments later, I find myself sitting in the driver’s seat of my car, taking Ryn and her daughter out on a date.
* * *
The beach is busy, but we find a small section where we set down the blankets and picnic basket I decided to pack last minute. Not knowing what kids like, I threw in every packet of junk food I could find.
“Did you bring any fruit at all?” Ryn asks incredulously. Her big blue eyes are glaring at me, her brow furrows as she squints up at me. Before I have time to answer, Roxie decides it’s time to tug me into the water. My board shorts and T-shirt are splashed by the waves.
“Look!” she screeches, showing me a snail digging its way into the soft shore. Her giggle is intoxicating and I find myself having fun. When I glance back, I find Ryn’s stare on me. Her head tipped to the side.
“Do you like snails?” I ask looking back at the pigtailed little jewel. She’s so gorgeous, and when she smiles, her face lights up. Just like her mother’s.
“NO! They’re like boogers!” Her sweet little voice tells me she’s convinced and there’s no way of telling her otherwise.
“Come on, let’s find your mommy a seashell,” I hold out my hand out to her, which she accepts. The action does things to me. Things I never thought I’d feel.
“Look, Slade,” Roxie tells me, pointing to a beautiful pearlescent shell.
“That’s perfect for your mom.”
“She likes sparkle stuff,” she whispers conspiratorially. And I wonder what else I can gather from the little beauty who’s now captured my attention.
“Oh really?” I ask, interested in learning more about the woman I want beneath me. “What else does she like?”
Her nose scrunches at that. “She does like chocolate cake. And donuts, with the white stuff in the middle. Uhm...” She lifts her fingers to her chin in concentration. “White flowers!” She squeals excitedly.
“Lilies?” I ask her and she giggles once more.
“With the yellow thing inside,” she says, confirming that it is indeed lilies I need to buy. Chuckling, I nod. Perfect. Lilies are the way into Ryn’s heart, along with Roxie. I need to make sure she realizes I’m not the heartbreaker she thinks I am.
“Do you like Mommy?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Mommy likes you,” she says innocently.
“How do you know that?”
She shrugs then, smiling up at me, she finally responds. “She said you’re handsome to Jessi.” A giggle bubbles in her chest and I think she wasn’t supposed to hear that particular part of the conversation.
“Did she now?” This is news to me. Good news.
“Uh-huh.” And that’s the end of our heart-to-heart because we end up back at the blankets, eating junk food and drinking apple juice.
Chapter Seven
Ryn
My skin is golden from the sun. The day was beautiful, fun, and even though I had my doubts, I found myself wanting to spend more time around Slade. Him and Roxie giggling and chatting caused my heart to stutter and that emotion called hope tightened my chest. I want her to have a father figure, but I can’t put that on Slade. For the first item in a long while I felt at ease having a man around her.
The only thing I don’t want is for her to get too attached and for him to decide that he’s bored with playing house.
Slade offered to take me for a drive so we can spend time alone. Jessi’s watching my baby girl and we’re off to somewhere−since it’s a surprise, I have no clue where we’re headed. Any time with Slade without anyone else around is dangerous.
“Do you know where you’re going?” I ask, as he weaves through the traffic. He nods, glances at me with that side smile, and I can’t help blushing. The heat on my cheeks travels south and I know for a fact that my chest is red as well.
When he takes a familiar turn off, I realize we’re heading up the hill toward the Griffith Observatory—one of my favorite places in the city. He drives in complete silence, but the white-knuckle grip he has on the steering wheel tells me he’s working hard to restrain himself.
“I won’t break, you know,” I tell him, feeling brazen and turned on by the way his muscles bulge in the shirt he’s wearing. My comment earns me a sexy chuckle.
“Darling, the way I want to fuck you right now, I’d definitely break your sweet little body,” he bites out with hunger and desire swimming in his deep voice.
“Somehow, Slade Maddox, I don’t think you’re as scary as you make out,” I retort, the playful banter only making me relax in his company. I don’t know if that’s a good thing, but I’m allowing myself one night to just be a woman. Not a mother. Not a tattoo artist. Just me.
“Be careful what you say, little lady,” he says, pulling into the parking lot and turning off the engine. He turns to face me. “Because I can assure you, the moment you let go and allow me to touch you again, you’ll never forget me.”
My confidence grows at his obvious desire for me. “Then make me forget everything in my past. Show me exactly what you’re capable of.”
“Get out of the car,” he orders, shoving his door open so fast I’m surprised the damn thing didn’t pop off. When I open my own door, step out of the car, and shut it, Slade is already by my side. There aren’t many people around this evening. The sun is just setting and it’s utterly breathtaking.
“I love it up here,” I murmur.
“Good, because we’re going to create a brand-new memory.” Slade leans in, his lips whispering over my ear, sending warm shudders through me. “Watch the sun,” he tells me as his hands trail up my arms. It’s warm out, but I tremble. His fingertips, light as a feather, make their way to the waistband of my jeans. “Trust me, Ryn.”
“I’ll give it a try, Slade. I can’t give you one hundred percent, but I’ll give a fifty for now,” I respond. I want to trust, but after my past heartbreak, it will take time.
“That’s more than enough,” he rasps. “For now.” One hand finds its way into the front of my jeans dipping into the apex between my thighs. His touch is hot, boiling me from the inside out. He strokes the material covering my pussy, slow, gentle, almost reverently.
“That’s it. Let go, darling,” he tells me. The warm breath from his lips falls on my ear, the soft skin of my neck is suckled into his mouth, his teeth graze the flesh as his fingers taunt my core. I feel it then, my eyes glued to the sunset. The sky turns a deep shade of purple and orange as my body tightens and pulses.
His fingers dip into me, finding the heat that seems to be burning me up from the inside.
“Your sweet cunt is drenched for me, darling,” Slade rasps in my ear, sending my desire rocketing for the sky. I want to climb on, take a ride into the abyss.
He doesn’t relent as his lips find my neck, suckling on the flesh, his teeth grazing the most sensitive skin behind my ear.
“Come for me, Ryn. Let go and feel. I want everything from you,” he taunts and teases.
Nothing can stop my climb, my fucking flight to euphoria, because his thumb circles my clit, his two-finger dip into my sodden entrance, and I claw my way up his arm to pleasure. I find release as he once again finger fucks me into nothing.
Everything around us falls away as he takes me to the edge, leaving me there for a moment, on the edge of bliss.
Then, he tells me what I need. “Soon, I’m going to fuck your tiny little cunt so deep, so fast, and so hard, you’ll be mine always.” And with those filthy words, I fly toward the darkening sky.
* * *
“Mommy!” A loud screech wakes me, breaking through the dream of tattoos and abs. Jesus, I need to get laid. This is ridiculous. Last night, after he made me come, Slade put me back in the car, drove me to a small burger place where we had a beer each and got to know each other.
It was so different. So...nice. He told me he lost his parents to a drunk driver when he’d turned eighteen, which caused him to enlist in the police force and that’s where he met Jag. After a couple years, Jagger bowed out when his then partner w
as killed. Opening his own tattoo parlor was his dream. I hadn’t known that. I look at my boss and definitely can’t see him being one to live with rules, never mind enforcing them.
When Slade brought me home, I was tempted to invite him in, but he kissed me gently on the lips, stroked my arms, and pulled me close to him, promising me that the next time we’re alone together, there’ll be no clothes at all.
“Mommy!” The screech comes again and I know it’s time to get up. Groaning, I push off the bed, rushing into the living room where I find Slade Maddox and Roxie giggling as she cuddles a new teddy bear.
“Hey, beautiful.” He grins, the corner of his mouth lifting in that sinful smirk he loves to give me. As much as I want to deny him, I know this man will be my undoing.
It’s only been two days since we’ve... well since he walked into Pierced Ink and I’m already missing him when he leaves, and when he shows up, unannounced, I’m worried about Roxie, and me, growing attached to another man who could walk out at any point. I know for a fact I want more.
He’s not stayed over yet, but I know the time will come when I will want him to. When deep down, I’m going to ask him to stay and I’ll want to wake up in those strong arms.
“Mommy, look what Slade gave me.” Roxie smiles up at me with the innocence of an angel. The teddy bear with big brown ears is about as big as she is.
“Why don’t you go put it in your bedroom, after you’ve thanked Slade for the gift,” I whisper in her ear.
She turns to him, leaning up on her tiptoes, and mumbles. “Thank you, Slade.” When he crouches in front of her, I can’t help melting when she wraps her tiny arms around his neck and pecks him on the cheek.
Once we’re alone, I meet his gaze—intense, unyielding, and unwavering. “You shouldn’t have—”
“I wanted to. She’s a good kid,” he says. When he rakes his fingers through his hair, my hand tingles to do the same. The memory of what we did last night plays in my mind as if it’s on a loop.