The King Brothers- The Complete Series
Page 37
“Isn’t it odd that you like bikes and own a Harley, and your brother is named after them, yet he doesn’t drive one?” I ask, and Seb laughs.
“Harley hates his name and isn’t a fan of bikes,” Seb tells me, and Elliot nods in agreement.
“I only bought the Harley to piss him off to start off with, but then I liked it,” Elliot says with a smirk.
“I guess you don’t always like what your parents named you,” I say with a slight chuckle.
"Thanks for the food, Maisy. I can't wait to meet my nephew," Elliot says before getting his helmet and doing up his leather jacket. He waves bye before he leaves as I eat my food.
"Elliot talks a hell of lot more than he used to," I say to Seb, who seems to think about it. Growing up around Elliot, he never spoke to me unless he needed something.
"He does seem to be trying to become nicer to people," Seb notes before taking the empty plates to clean. I walk over to him and rest my head on his back.
"You know, it turns me on to see a man cleaning," I tell him and lower my hands to the waistband of his joggers.
"Well, I won't be taking you to see anyone else clean," he growls, and I giggle when he picks me up in his arms like I weigh nothing.
"Sebby, your hands are wet," I say, and he laughs.
"I plan to get you wet, anyway, May," he growls and then kisses me as he carries me up the stairs. We spend most of the morning in bed before he has to leave, and I can't help but think I have the perfect man for me.
46
Sebastian
"All done, bro," I say, signing the last of the paperwork with our solicitor, and Harley grins from his seat behind his desk.
"Congratulations, Mr. King, everything is done and good luck with the expansion," says our family lawyer, John, and he shakes my hand before leaving.
"When are you going to tell Maisy?" Harley asks with a slightly disapproving face.
I know he doesn't agree with me not telling Maisy, but I think I’m doing the right thing. She has spent months alone and worrying about money. I want to take over that for her. I want to give her a chance to have a future she controls, like being able to go to university.
"Soon. She is stressed enough about the baby coming and Elena. I just don't want to stress her out with another thing to worry about,” I tell him with a sigh, watching as he puts the paperwork in his briefcase.
"I get that," he finally replies.
"You’re going to have to make room for my desk," I smirk.
"I've already ordered you one, which you can have in your own damn office," he says with a chuckle.
I can’t wait to have my own office. I'll have to make sure the door has a lock for when Maisy comes over and we find out how sturdy the desk is. Thankfully, before I get any harder from that thought, there's a knock at the door.
"Come in," Harley shouts, and I lean against a wall as a pretty woman with short, blond hair walks in. She looks to be in her early thirties and is wearing tight, yoga shorts with just a sports bra on. Even though she is pretty amazing, my thoughts go straight to Maisy, and I start comparing. She always wins.
"Harley, baby, I wondered if you wanted to go out again tonight. You could stay at my place, again,” she says, leaning over Harley's desk.
"No, I'm busy. Jessica, this isn't a good time," he says, looking bored and leaning back in his chair to watch her. I honestly feel like leaving because this seems like it’s going to get awkward in here. I’ve left enough girls after one night to know where this conversation is going.
"How about tomorrow?" she asks, sounding a little desperate now.
"I can go," I say, smirking at how awkward Harley looks right now. He glares at me before coming to stand next to Jessica and holding her one arm gently but firmly as he leads her out.
"I'm sorry, Jessica. I enjoyed last night, but I'm not looking for anything more right now. I did explain this yesterday, and nothing has changed," he tells her and stops by the door.
"Fine, you’re the one missing out." She shoves past him and slams the door on the way out.
"Damn, that was bad." I whistle as Harley shakes his head at me.
I get a bottle of water out of the mini-fridge he has in here. I have to order myself a mini-fridge too.
"How is Maisy doing?" He changes the subject.
I send him a knowing glance, but I don't say anything. I've never seen any of Harley's one night stands, but I've heard he has them. Always with older women, so I'm guessing he has a thing for them.
"All good. My baby is kicking a lot. Maisy won’t admit it, but she is struggling to get off the sofa these days. She is looking forward to seeing you this Saturday," I tell him, and he smiles fondly.
If I didn’t know that Harley has always treated Maisy like a sister, I would be jealous of that look, but I’m not. I know there’s nothing between them other than love for each other like family.
"Yeah, me too. Sorry I can't be over more, but the gym is so busy. I will be happy for your help after the baby comes," he says.
"I'm honestly looking forward to it. I've always loved this place." I smile. I come here at least three times a week to work out, and I run every day for an hour to keep in shape.
"It certainly keeps me busy." He smiles, but it doesn't quite look real.
"You doing okay, bro?" I ask.
"Yeah, it's just odd to see my younger siblings more settled in their lives than I am." He laughs before the phone rings. He answers and then asks whoever it is to hold.
"Sorry, Seb, I have to take this. I’ll see you later," he says.
"No problem. Later," I say, then walk out.
I'm nervous as I get into my car because I'm meeting Maisy’s dad to ask him for permission to marry Maisy. I know it's a little old-fashioned, but I need to do it. I’ve done everything backwards, like getting Maisy pregnant before marrying her, so I need to do this one thing right.
I pull into the parking lot of the coffee shop in town and order a coffee. I take a seat by the window, watching people come in. I'm a little early, so I'm surprised to see Maisy's dad come in and take a seat, after getting his own drink.
"Hello, Sebastian, how is my daughter?" he asks as an introduction.
Maisy’s dad looks more like an old college professor than the successful businessman I know he is. He owns several very large hotel chains all over Europe and America. I don’t think he is that involved in them anymore by the look of him. His suit has seen better days, despite the fact it’s an expensive make, and his face is pale. He looks a little ill as his hands shake around his drink.
"Very good, Mr. Reynolds. We are both looking forward to our son’s birth," I tell him, and I have to look down into my drink. The dark coffee reminds me of Maisy’s dark-brown eyes, and I clear my throat before looking at him.
"I came to ask for your blessing. I want to ask Maisy to marry me. She doesn't know I am here. I promise to always look after her. I love her very much," I tell him, managing to keep eye contact the whole time even when he looks emotional.
"You’re one of the best things that's ever happened to my girl. Yes, you have my blessing, Sebastian, and you don't have to tell me you love her, I can see it," he says and then carries on speaking.
“I was disappointed when Maisy came home all those months ago and said she wanted to come with us on our trip to Europe. I knew something must have happened between you two, but we took her away with us. A month into the holiday, my ex-wife found out Maisy was pregnant. I cancelled our trip and made Maisy move back home. I hoped she would contact you, but I didn’t push her. I’m so pleased that you finally showed her where her home is. Don’t let her go,” he says, wiping away a few tears.
"Thanks. I'll speak to Maisy about her seeing you. I know she misses you," I tell him honestly, because we had a chat the other day. She does want her dad around, but she is too stubborn and, I think, scared to try. She’s worried she’ll get put down again.
"Thank you for your help. Can I give you some a
dvice?" he says as he pushes his black hair out of his eyes.
He looks so much like Maisy at that point, it almost makes me smile. They have the same brown eyes and black hair, but his is going grey. The only thing she seems to have gotten from her mother is her body figure, but she has more curves now that she is pregnant, and I hope she keeps them. I could just get her pregnant again.
"I would like that." I smile.
"Don't let her go. I fell in love with a girl once, but I let her go for money, and I wish I hadn't." He looks away, clearly lost in thought.
"I won't. She is my life," I say firmly.
"Well, son, I hope I get to meet my grandson and see your wedding," he says with his voice full of hope.
"I can't promise because it’s Maisy’s decision, but I will try." I pat him on the shoulder before saying bye and leaving.
When I get home, it’s dinner time and Maisy is in the kitchen, cooking a stir fry as rice is boiling in a pot.
"Smells amazing again, May," I say as I walk in and kiss her cheek. She smiles up at me, and it takes my breath away how beautiful she is. Her long, black hair is wavy, and she is wearing a blue sundress that shows off all her curves as it falls to her knees.
"Don't you think it's getting a little cold for dresses?" I ask her.
"Nope," she says, and I remember she always wears her dresses, no matter how cold. She would just add tights and a big coat when we went out. I help her dish it up, and we eat together in the dining room. We have a simple four-chaired, wooden table, but it's perfect for us. The room is quite bare, with just a wooden cabinet and a picture of the sunset on the wall, but I like it.
"I met with your dad today," I say, noticing how she tenses up.
"Why, Sebastian?" she asks, looking at my eyes.
"It doesn't matter, but he wants to talk to you." I grab her hand to hold over the table.
"Do you think I should?" she asks as she moves her food around the plate.
I walk over and crouch next to her, moving her chair to face me and tilting her face up with my finger so she is looking at me. I frown when I see the tears and kiss them away.
"That's your choice, and I'll support you in whatever you want, but I know you miss him. He wasn't a good dad before, but I think he wants to try, May," I tell her.
"It's hard to forgive him," she says, resting her forehead against mine.
"I know."
We don't say anything more about her dad as we eat, and I clean up while she rests. When I'm done, I walk back into our lounge and hear her speaking.
"Okay, Dad. Why don't you come over next week? I miss you, too."
I smile to myself, knowing this is the best way forward for Maisy.
47
Sebastian
"You look amazing sis," I say, hugging Izzy as Maisy and I walk into the kitchen at my brother’s house.
"No baby yet?" Blake says to Maisy as a hello.
"No," she says bluntly, and I wrap my arm around her and kiss her forehead. Maisy is a little hormonal at the moment, and I worry for Blake’s sake as my girlfriend glares at him. I can’t count the amount of times people have asked her when the baby is coming now.
"Won't be long, May," I tell her as she sighs and rests into me. I know she is very uncomfortable right now, and I tried to persuade her to stay at home today. I didn’t have much choice when she said she would drive herself here without me. So, here we are; my stubborn girlfriend wouldn’t ever miss Izzy’s birthday.
"Happy eighteenth birthday, Izzy," Maisy says with a smile.
"Thanks for the present, too, and you should be calling me sis." She laughs and hugs Maisy gently before placing a kiss on Maisy’s bump.
"I'm never going to get used to everyone touching my stomach." Maisy laughs.
"Only me, and our son, will when he comes out," I say, feeling jealous of anyone who touches her.
"Okay, caveman." She laughs, whacking my chest with the back of her hand.
"I know that feeling," Izzy says, kissing Blake on the cheek, who smiles down at her before pulling her to his side.
"Another shot." Luke appears at Izzy’s side, and they have shots together. I raise my eyebrows at Blake who just shakes his head with a grin.
"Izzy lost a bet with Luke, so she has to get drunk tonight," he says and looks over at Izzy, who is chatting with some people from our old school.
"What was the bet?" I ask. I know Izzy doesn’t drink, so it must have been something she was sure wouldn’t happen.
"That Luke could get Allie to kiss Elliot." Blake laughs as I snort.
"There's no way Luke won that bet." I shake my head, but I glance at a smirking Luke, who's handing Izzy another shot.
"He did. Izzy didn't say where Allie had to kiss Elliot, so he paid Allie to kiss Elliot on the cheek," Blake says.
"Did anyone record this? I bet Elliot went mad," Maisy says, looking happy. I grin at her.
"Nah, she did it quickly when he was surrounded by people and ran off." Blake laughs. I know Luke and Allie wanted Izzy to let loose a little because she has been so stressed over college work.
Izzy bounces over and throws herself into Blake’s arms, kissing him way too passionately for me to witness that.
"Come on," I mutter, turning away from the couple and walking into the lounge.
"Maisybear," Allie shouts, bouncing off the sofa where she was talking with some guy. I notice Elliot glaring at the guy on the couch before watching Allie again. I can't help the grin on my face as Elliot sees I've noticed his watching. I wink at him.
"How are you feeling?" Allie asks, running her hands over Maisy’s baby bump.
"All right, just had a few pains today," she says, looking anywhere but at me.
"You didn't tell me that, I wouldn't have brought you. Sit down." I tell her with a sigh and make her sit in an empty seat.
"I know, but I had to come. It’s Izzy’s eighteenth birthday. Plus, they aren't too bad," she says, resting a hand on her stomach.
I don’t want to say Maisy is huge now, but she is. She’s overdue now by three days, and her bump looks so much bigger than the rest of her. She has been struggling with headaches and swollen feet for weeks. The midwives keep saying it’s all normal and her blood pressure is fine, so I shouldn’t worry, but I do.
"You sure?" I ask, brushing a kiss on her forehead, unable to stay mad at her for long.
"Yep." She grins up at me.
"Would you like a drink?" I ask Allie and Maisy, who both nod at me.
As I walk through the house saying hello to people I know, I find Harley and Elliot chatting in the kitchen by the drinks. I grab two beers and an orange juice as I go to say hello to my brothers.
"I heard you had a special kiss earlier." I smirk, and Elliot whacks me on the arm, nearly making me drop my drinks.
"Shut the fuck up," he growls at me. I can’t help the chuckle that comes out. I move behind Harley when Elliot looks like he’s close to strangling me.
"You really should just tell that girl how you feel," Harley says with a hidden grin.
"That she is annoying?" Elliot answers.
"Nah, more like you want to fuck her and have since high school," I say and get hit again for that one on the arm.
Elliot walks off as Harley and I laugh our heads off.
"See you in a bit, bro," I say to Harley before heading back to my girl.
"Here you go." I hand over the orange juice to Maisy and the beer to Allie. "So, what are you ladies talking about?" I ask them.
"You don't want to know, Sebby," Maisy says with a look I don't get. I notice she is holding her side.
"Maisy was just telling me about how she got you to finally wear those fangs and pretend to be a vampire in bed." Allie laughs at my horrified face.
"You know what, I really didn't want anyone to know that, Allie, and I wish you didn’t know that," I say and glare at Maisy, who is bright-red and giggling. I can’t stay mad at her, and she knows it.
"You asked wha
t we were talking about," Allie says as she continues to laugh.
"Are your roommates here? I would like to meet the people Izzy is moving in with," I say, trying to get her to change the subject.
"Well, the new one who sleeps around is here with some girl. Emilia couldn't come, she has a date with some beefed-up dude." Allie shakes her head at the thought.
"What do you think of them, then?" I ask.
"They’re good people, don’t worry. I’ll kick their asses if they mess with my Izzy. I doubt this new guy would try it like the last one,” she tells me, and it makes me more relieved than I want to admit.
"I knew there was a reason I like you." I wink, and she laughs.
"You’re quiet, you all right?" I ask Maisy, who seems a little pale.
"Yeah, I'm good," she says quietly, and I frown.
I’m about to say something stupid, like demanding Maisy lets me take her home when Izzy and Blake come into the room. They both have messed-up clothes, and Izzy is straightening her hair down. I can't help but frown a little, feeling overprotective as I glare at Blake, who just shrugs at me. I swear the bastard even mouthed the words, ‘not sorry’ to me. Thank fuck I’m not having a girl, I don’t think I could cope with it.
"Shots," Luke shouts, coming into the room carrying a tray of multi-coloured shots.
"Izzy, come here, sis," Luke shouts, and I watch as Izzy does four shots with Luke and sways as she stands.
Allie goes over, doing a shot before turning the music up and dancing with Izzy. Half an hour later, Izzy is dancing on the coffee table, while Allie laughs with Maisy and me. I get my own payback by watching Blake trying to get Izzy down off the table and not helping him.
"Ow, ow, ow," I hear Maisy shout, and then my feet feel wet.
"Fuck, your waters have gone, Maisybear," Allie shouts, and I panic.
"Turn the fucking music off," I shout at Luke, who stops dancing with some girl to do that quickly for me.
"Let's get you to the hospital, May," I say, picking Maisy up who smiles at me, even when she holds her stomach in pain. I don’t care that my top and shoes are wet as I hug her close, wishing I could take the pain from her.