by C. M. Owens
Get control, Wren.
The second we’re tucked away inside, she turns to me, stopping too abruptly for me to react in kind. She laughs when I’m forced to stumble to a stop. Unfortunately, I stumble right into her, knocking her against the back of the sofa until I’m essentially straddling her. Her laughter fades quickly when I’m suddenly pushed up against her.
My breaths grow heavy, and everything on me tightens. Including my fucking pants when part of me that shouldn’t be involved grows to be painfully hard, protesting the restriction it finds in my jeans. It wouldn’t take but a few inches, and I could be licking, kissing, and exploring the mouth I wish I could remember.
Allie’s hands slide up my arms, and our eyes lock for a dangerously intense moment where nothing else seems to exist. My grip tightens on her hips as I hold her in place, keeping her trapped between my body and the sofa.
My eyes fall to her lips just as they part, allowing her breaths to grow harsher, more labored. Her lips are naturally pink, tempting, and so damn perfect. For every second that ticks by, another piece of my control is chipped away. I’m not that irrational guy that just takes what he wants. I’m the guy who weighs consequences.
So why the hell can’t I pull away?
It takes a lot of willpower, but I manage to finally push back before I do something stupid. Like kiss her until we’re both panting for air. That’s just one of the ludicrous thoughts in my mind right now. Turning her around and bending her over that sofa and… Hell no. I have to stop thinking.
Groaning inwardly when my cock strains against my pants more, I shift uncomfortably.
“Sorry,” she says, grinning up at me. “I don’t come with brake lights.”
I smile and shrug, praying I don’t break out into a sweat. “So, we can talk?” I ask lamely, feeling more uncomfortable by the second.
“Wren, I have to admit, this day has been… enlightening, but not everything has changed. I don’t want your money. It’ll feel like that’s why I found you instead of the right reasons that I did. I did this because Angel was asking questions… and she deserved answers. I didn’t do this to get money. So no—no financial help. I won’t bend on that.”
So fucking stubborn.
“Believe me, I realize you don’t want my money, but Angel could use it. You could buy more things the two of you have circled in your magazines. Plan a day at an amusement park. Or a spa weekend; she mentioned a spa weekend. And there are nice private schools in the area that would help her get into a good college one day.”
The smile that breaks across her face is enough to fuck up my footing, and I lean into the sofa to keep from displaying the effect she has on me.
“College? You really are thinking ahead. I hadn’t thought of private school. Maybe you could pay for that, but that’s your choice, and you give the school your check. Not me. The magazines are just for fun. Amusement parks are within my budget, and we go to one at least twice a year. Spa weekends aren’t in the budget, but we can live without them.”
I’m trying to hide the bulge in my pants while talking, and I know I look like an awkward prick instead of a confident multi-millionaire right now. She screws with my head even though she’s not trying to. Maybe this was a really bad idea—coming in here alone.
“Allie, it’s like taking away my rights by not taking my money. I’m not buying penance, if that’s what you’re worried about. There’s not enough money in the world to make up for what I did, or what I’ve missed out on as a result, but I want to know I’m doing right by you and Angel now.”
She tilts her head to the side, studying me once again.
“We’ll figure out something that doesn’t require money. I’m low maintenance. Extra money isn’t really necessary. And I’ve got a better job than I had back home, so our budget is better, which is why we’ve upgraded to a house. We might only rent it, but it’s a good place. This isn’t about our living arrangement, is it?”
Never simple. Why can’t my life be simple like it used to be?
“No. It’s not. This is a great neighborhood. The house is nice. I’d never question you there, because I’d have no right. This is solely about me making sure my daughter has everything she wants or needs without you having to do it on your own.”
She seems to get wobbly again, like she did earlier, and I lean up to steady her. Confused by her cursing, I arch my eyebrows. Even her hips seem to fit my hands perfectly. And like gravity is against me, her body is suddenly pressed against mine again, finding everything on me that is reacting to her.
“You’re tired, aren’t you?” I force myself to ask, waiting on her to give me a reason to get out of here before I really fuck up.
She shakes her head before pinching the bridge of her nose, but she doesn’t pull away. “Not even a little tired. I can’t believe you and your friends got us moved and completely unpacked so quickly.”
She doesn’t have a ton of stuff. It’s not like it was a big deal. But she’s grateful, which makes me look a little better in her eyes, so I don’t point out that it was an easy move. I also try not to push my cock right into her stomach.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Ray says, drawing our attention. “But can I have a moment?”
I really don’t need to let him see the shape I’m in, but I still turn to face the jackass and try to give him my attention, while carefully angling myself to somewhat hide my erection.
Ah, hell. There’s no hiding it. Fortunately, he doesn’t act like he notices.
“What’s up?” Allie asks, then she frowns. “Sorry. You weren’t talking to me, were you?”
He chuckles softly while coming the rest of the way into the house.
“Actually I was,” he says with his most charming smile. “I didn’t know about the move until it was too late. I was in the middle of a bank—”
“Heist?” I interrupt, smiling like a smartass.
He grins, but shakes his head, taking it in stride. Damn. No fight from him. But at least looking at him is making the painful erection slowly slink down.
“I was going to say bank security job. I was installing a new program. But I came when I found out. Since I didn’t get to contribute with my very impressive brawn, I was hoping you’d settle for my brain and accept my housewarming gift. I make the best security systems, and obviously the service will be free. No one will break into your home when I’m done with it.”
Ray Drivel makes laser security systems and bars shoot out of windows from hairpin pressure. No way in hell is that going in here.
“I think a simple alarm system would be better with a child in the house. You know, one that simply calls the cops if something is tampered with,” I remind him, feeling Allie tense beside me.
“What other kinds are there?” she whispers, but Ray hears and laughs.
“Not one of those systems,” he says to me, still laughing. “But one that will keep them safer. Trust me. You’ll sleep better. I’ll install it on a weekend while you’re away.”
Allie tilts her head. “We never go away for a weekend.”
“Then let me give you two housewarming gifts; A weekend spa trip for the household as well as a security system.”
That was going to be my gift. The manipulative son of a bit—
Allie looks up at me from under her lashes, stealing all my thoughts, and I brush her hair off her face before I realize what I’m doing. She quickly looks away, and I grimace. Why did I touch her like that?
“Um… I think that’s too much, and I can’t accept it.”
“Then you’ll go stay in one of Wren’s numerous homes during that time. He has a few beach houses. I’m sure you could enjoy time away that way. It’s important to have top notch security.”
Allie bites her lip, looking up at me again. Opportunity lands in my lap, so I take it.
“I really do have some nice places in the area. I have a pent house that you’d probably love. There’s a large pool with numerous waterslides on the premises. It’s in
door. It’s in a resort that happens to have a spa. And all the perks are free, so technically no money would be exchanging hands,” I tell her hopefully, shrugging as though it’s no big deal.
She rolls her eyes, but a grin graces her soft, inviting lips. “Fine. Deal. But on one condition.”
Ray shrugs. “Name it.”
She smiles while shaking her head. Then she turns her attention to me. “Not him. You.”
“Name it,” I echo, still grinning at her. Please God don’t let it be anything that will have me taking a cold shower tomorrow.
“You have to stay and watch movies with Angel tonight. She’s already asked me numerous times to invite you, and we stay up late on Saturdays because there’s no work for me and no school for her on Sundays. Deal?”
I breathe in the first easy breath I’ve had in more than a month. “Deal. But don’t ask me to make popcorn. I always screw it up. You’ll end up with half a bag of kernels because I panic when it actually starts popping.”
She laughs softly while nodding, and then she bends over to grab one of throw pillows that has landed on the floor. One look at her ass has me biting my knuckle.
So much for no cold shower.
Chapter 9
ALLIE
“You’re still looking at them?” Bella asks.
I can’t help myself. I’ve already cried three times this morning. It’s just so damn… It’s what she wanted, and it’s… well, hell. It’s beautiful.
When I don’t answer, Bella continues. “Should we wake them?”
I glare at her and whisper, “Don’t you dare.”
She smiles while winking at me, and I prop a hip against the wall while returning my gaze to the sofa. Wren is still asleep with Angel neatly tucked against him. She’s half way on his chest, sleeping harder than I’ve ever seen her sleep. And his arms are very securely wrapped around her in a protective embrace.
Damn. I’m crying again.
Between last night and this morning, Wren has been inserted into my every thought. We were dangerously close to doing something I’d regret last night. He feels even better than I remember. Especially when he’s pressed up against me with his much harder body than he had back then.
We kept our distance, sitting at opposite ends of the sofa, after the nearly disastrous moment we shared that got too intense. Thank God Ray Capperton… or Drivel… or whatever… Thank God he walked in when he did, because I was seconds away from just kissing Wren and possibly forcing him to the ground so I could straddle him.
Even after I regained composure, I couldn’t stop looking at him, and he kept looking at me just as much.
I went to make another batch of popcorn last night, only to return and see that Angel was talking Wren’s ears off about the movie. Instead of intruding on their moment, I backed away and gave up the rest of movie night to them—in her space where she’s comfortable. It was also an excuse to put some distance between Wren and me.
Somehow I fell asleep and woke up this morning feeling freaked out because I never went to make sure Angel was tucked in, or that the doors were locked when he left. But instead, I found… this.
I move to the kitchen to start the coffee, and I let a few more tears escape. Shit. Why am I so emotional over something so simple?
Because I’ve waited six long years to see Angel have this. Seven years ago, I never would have thought Wren Prize would be in my living room. Well, I didn’t think he’d be in my living room without being wrapped in plastic while I plotted an unseen path to an unmarked grave.
Too many mob movies.
After wiping my eyes once more, I head back to the living room to see Wren’s eyes are open and he’s smiling down at Angel. When his eyes meet mine, I fight hard not to smile.
“She’s a hard sleeper,” he says in a sexy morning voice that has my stomach flipping.
I don’t bother telling him that she usually doesn’t sleep hard at all.
“Are you late for anything?” I ask him, unsure how to really act right now.
I’m still in my pajamas. Sadly, they’re the sexiest ones I own, even though they weren’t meant for sex appeal. That’s not the sad part. It’s sad that I want to be as sexy as possible in front of him.
“Not today. I told you I was free for bike shopping.”
I can’t believe Angel is sleeping through our conversation. Usually, one word wakes her up.
“Coffee?” Bella chirps from the kitchen, astonishing me with the fact that Angel still manages to sleep peacefully.
“Please,” Wren says while sitting up, gingerly resting our daughter in the crack between him and the back of the sofa.
Bella gives me a knowing grin before winking and turning to the coffee maker that I abandoned. The doorbell rings, and I struggle to peel myself away from looking at Wren and Angel together. It really is beautiful.
Dutifully, I go to the door, swinging it open, and my eyes go wide in shock when I see the man waiting on the other side. His expression is hopeful, his brown eyes are soft, and his lips are curved into a nervous grin.
“Roger,” I say in surprise.
“Hi,” he says nervously, his smile almost trembling.
Silence. I have no idea what to say or how to react. What is he doing here?
His eyes dart over my shoulder, and that hopeful expression turns hard, just like his lips when they flatten. “You have company,” he murmurs, continuing to glare.
I turn around to see Wren now holding his coffee, looking at us from across the living room. His hair is disheveled in a way that doesn’t detract from his unnatural sexiness, his clothes are barely wrinkled despite his night’s sleep, and his bright, hypnotic blue eyes are haunting me in the real world the way they usually do in my dreams. He turns his attention to the sofa, while I shuffle outside and shut the door behind me.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, leading Roger away from the house.
He straightens his shirt that looks to have needed to be tackled by an iron. The dull, white button-down is missing a button near the top, displaying a patch of his dark chest hair very proudly.
“Who is that guy?” he asks angrily, ignoring my question.
“He’s my daughter’s father. Now what are you doing here?”
His glare could freeze me to my core if I cared enough to let it.
“So I have to scrape for scraps of time with you, but you let your ex spend the night whenever he wants to see his daughter. Nice. Real nice. Where did he sleep? Your bed or hers, because it didn’t look like he was staring at a kid just now.”
My blood slowly starts to boil. Is he serious? We’re barely dating. And we certainly never agreed to monogamy, even though I’m not actually doing anything with Wren.
“How did you get this address? And why are you here?”
“I work in records, remember? You told me you were moving this weekend. I offered to help, but you said you didn’t bring men you dated in front of your daughter. When you cancelled last night, I assumed you were still unpacking. Guess the perks of being the deadbeat father outweigh the perks of being the boyfriend.”
Boyfriend? I didn’t realize until just now that I was dating someone delusional.
“Roger, Wren and I are trying to learn how to do this with our daughter. He’s not a deadbeat, and we’re not together. Even if we were, you and I have never agreed to an exclusive relationship, so this is completely unwarranted.”
He narrows his eyes at me as though I’ve wronged him. “I don’t date more than one woman at a time. It’s not proper or gentlemanly.”
I roll my eyes while turning around. “And I don’t date jealous men who show up uninvited after obtaining my address in a really creepy way and cause a scene my daughter could overhear.” I turn back around when I reach the door. “Sorry, Roger, but I don’t see this going anywhere.”
He starts to speak, but I push through the door and lock it behind me. The sofa is empty when I see it, and for a sickening moment, I worry about what all
Angel just heard.
“She’s in her bedroom,” Wren says, returning to the living room with two cups of coffee.
“Did she—”
“No,” he says, closing the distance between us and handing me the second cup. A subtle tick forms in his jaw, but he turns and walks away before I can question it.
I follow him as he walks back toward the living room, blowing out a soft breath.
I need more than coffee for a morning like this.
When he turns back around, his face is a mask of impassivity, and he speaks calmly, acting so collected, when I feel a little wired.
“You two were mostly quiet, and Bella cut on the television. Angel went to her room to change. She was mad that she fell asleep in her normal clothes, because she wanted to show me her new pajamas. I told her to show me now.”
“Thank you,” I whisper as he sips his coffee.
He reaches for me, brushing his finger over my cheek, a chaste motion that shouldn’t stir my heart the way it does.
“You okay? I can get her out of here for a little while if you need a moment. That didn’t sound pretty. Sorry if he did this because of me.”
He doesn’t really seem sorry, even though he doesn’t have anything to be sorry for.
He keeps touching me, and I keep falling just a little bit more near that jagged edge. “I’m fine. It wasn’t serious. And it wasn’t your fault.”
“For the record, you’re way too good for him. Guy couldn’t even iron his shirt before stalking you.”
My laughter bubbles out, and his lazy grin spreads, forcing me to smile until it hurts. He brushes his thumb over my cheek again, and I hold my breath when our eyes meet, locking on each other. Looks like these… They mess with my mind.
“See? I’m a princess,” Angel announces, twirling around in her gown that has a tutu sewn into the middle, and forcing our attention to turn to her immediately.
Wren claps, then bows before her like a humble servant, and Angel giggles, trying to stand as tall as she can. Bella clears her throat while grabbing a napkin and dabbing her eyes, proving she’s just as emotionally tied to this as I am.