Seems Like You're Ready: BWWM Romance

by Heather Rae

  “Yes. You’ll have your tree by tomorrow afternoon.”

  By late afternoon, Matt was stomping thru the mudroom, tramping snow & leaving small puddles behind him. He flung open the doors in the massive living room & dragged in the monster tree by its trunk. The fresh scent of pine immediately filled the room as he collapsed breathlessly into the wide recliner.

  “Oh my goodness! You are freezing!” I snatched the afghan off of the couch & covered him with it.

  “I’ll be alright in a minute, love.”

  “What the hell? Did you go chop that damn beast down?” I shook my head & went to fix Matt something hot to drink.

  “Um, what if I did?”

  I cocked my head at him as I returned with a large mug of tea. I poured a healthy shot of whiskey into the steaming liquid and inhaled the steam before handing the mug to Matt. I folded my arms over my breasts & glared at him.

  “You’re serious.”

  “There is a forest full of trees outside. It’s not the first one I chopped down. Won’t be the last.” He drank down the laced tea.

  “You chopped me a tree.” I bit my lower lip as his eyes met mine.

  “Yes, yes I did.” He settled back in the chair & faked a pained look. “It’s some hard work, you know.”

  “I’m sure it was. You know we could have just gone to the store.”

  “It’s Christmas. You should have everything just right.” He rolled his shoulders. “But I think I may have thrown my back out a little bit.”

  I crawled into his lap, straddled his waist. I linked my arms around his neck. I leaned forward to kiss him lightly as his hands gripped the curve of my backside.

  “You deserve a hot soak & massage, Mr. Collins. I believe I can help you with both of those things.” My teeth nipped at his lips.

  “You should help me with those things. After all I braved the elements to bring you the biggest & best tree ever.”

  “Yes you did.”

  After the sexy soak & massage, we had curled up in each other’s arms. Both our eyes had been heavy with sleep. Matt’s lips had pressed lightly to my head.

  “What do you want from Santa for Christmas, love?”

  “I have everything I need.” I had smiled & settled closer to him.

  “Needs versus wants, baby. If you could have one thing, what would it be?” He had asked again, his fingers stroked lightly over my shoulder.

  “My parents.” I sighed & drifted off to sleep.

  Christmas morning had begun with the sunrise. There was to be no sleeping in. The kids were not having any of that. It was probably a good thing though. I had entirely too many things I needed to attend to. Ham to go in the oven, potatoes needed peeling and pies needed to be made, as well as all the other meal fixings. I realized then how great a thing it was that Matt’s kitchen housed two separate ovens.

  The kids tore through their gifts while I tested out the new professional camera. Matt sat backed & took it all in, smiling as the mound of shredded wrapping paper had grown into a mountain. While he had been checking on the breakfast casserole, the doorbell rang followed by a quick knock and a gust of cold air.

  “Merry Christmas!” The Michaels’ shouted as they entered & slammed the door shut behind them, bearing the second round of gifts.

  Matt’s aunt & uncle may have been the first to arrive, but they definitely weren’t the last. Mabel showed up shortly after I had cleaned up breakfast, toting some gifts & a cornbread casserole she had put together. The Michaels’ children & grandchildren that were local came shortly after. The two neighboring families also came by with arms full of goodies to add to our feast. All in all it had turned out to be a great day.

  “I’ll get the door.” I had said as it chimed once again.

  I had maneuvered around people, through a new growing mountain of discarded paper & bows, over stacks of gifts. I had flung open the door and stood wide-eyed & motionless as the frigid air smacked me in the face. Standing on the front porch, bundled up in wool pea coats & scarves, were my parents.

  “Um…” I had been stunned. Never had I imagined them standing on my front stoop.

  “Everything ok, baby?” Matt’s arm slipped around my shoulders. “Mr. and Mrs. Miles. Nice to see you. Won’t you come in?”

  “Yes, well, we can’t stay long.” My mother had said as she walked across the door step.

  “Right.” Matt cleared his throat. “Let me take your coat. Come this way.”

  Matt occupied my mother while I took my father’s coat.

  “Ignore your mother.”

  “That is a very difficult thing to do, even after all these years. How are you, Dad?”

  “I am alright. You look more beautiful than I had imagined.”

  “Dad.” I sighed.

  “Come, let me meet my grandbabies. We have plenty of time for everything else.”

  After introductions were made, I disappeared into the kitchen for a sip of something strong. I tossed back the shot, intent on having just one.

  “Not so fast. Pour me one, baby.”

  Matt leaned against the counter next to me & waited as I filled two shot glasses. We tapped the rims together than swallowed. His eye was ever observant.

  “You ok?”

  “You got me the one thing I have always wanted.” I said with a sigh.

  “I wanted you to be happy, love.” Matt said with a shrug.

  “You know, you may live to regret this day.” I stepped in front of him.

  “Unlikely.” Matt smiled & draped his forearms over my shoulders. “It’s for you. That’s all that matters.”

  “I suppose.”

  “I will, however, accept a sweet reward later tonight for my efforts.”

  “Oh really?” I raised my brow at him.

  “Hmm…but a kiss right now would be pretty awesome.”

  “I think I can managed that.” I rolled up on to my toes. “Merry Christmas, Matt.”

  “Mmm…Merry Christmas, Nikkia.”

  My mother had fallen immediately in love with her grandchildren. Kiandre dazzled her with smarts while TJ won her by cuteness alone. While my father made every effort to not show it, we all saw right thru him as he too fell victim to their charms. The house was full of people, laughing & having a good time. And I had everything I could possibly want. I was happier than I could have ever hoped to be.

  In fact the next week I met my mother at the mall for a day out, lunch, shopping the sales, & a long heart to heart.

  “So, you’re happy with Matt?” She had eyed me from across the table.

  “Yes, I am.” I answered. “Remember, we’re getting married in May.”

  “Right. Well, he is much different from your usual taste in men. That’s for sure.” She had pressed her lips together.

  “I suppose he is. But you know what, mother? Matt is a good man. He took me & my kids in, at a time when I had no one. Not even my own family.” I shifted in my seat & waved our waiter for the check.

  “Nikkia!” My mother hissed thru her teeth. “Don’t you start this nonsense.”

  “You would think after all the time that has passed, my dating preferences would be the last thing on your mind. All I ever wanted was to have my parents back in my life. I’m sure Matt went to extreme lengths to make that possible. I kind of wish he hadn’t wasted his time.”

  I glanced at the bill & tossed some cash on the table. I stared down at my mother’s shocked face.

  “Enjoy the rest of your day, Mother.”

  “Dammit, Nikkia, sit your ass down!”

  “Here’s a newsflash for you. Several years have passed. I have children of my own, a life of my own. As much as I want you in my life, I don’t need for you to be there. I wish you a good day, Mother.”

  And I walked off without as much as a glance. Once in my car I sent a message to my father & Matt. As much as I had wanted to right my relationship with my parents, I couldn’t be successful at it if they weren’t willing. And it had been obvious to m
e that my mother was not ready, yet.

  But slowly, over the coming weeks, she would come around. Especially as I became neck deep in wedding plans. Honestly, I didn’t care how it happened. I was just glad that it did. Because as the sunshine fade and the daydream became a nightmare, I would need my mother terribly…as well as a few others close to me.

  ~~14~~

  One can recall so much in the short span of five minutes. It is very similar to seeing your life flash before your eyes, or fast-forwarding through a movie. Why are certain memories or events brought to the forefront of one’s brain? How very odd, the manner in which the brain works. Is it because of the importance one places on them? The impact or significance it has had on one’s life? Maybe the current emotion triggers something.

  “Baby I know you are hurt and angry right now. I get that. A thousand times I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t!” Matt was saying but I had stopped listening three minutes ago.

  “GET OUT!” I spat as I attempted to sit on the side of the bed.

  “This was the only way I could save you…save US!”

  “You betrayed me, Detective!” I hissed. “US no longer exists.”

  Matt paced the space in front of me as I rocked back and forth. The handcuffs were ice cold against my skin. Whether I moved or remained perfectly still, the metal cut into my flesh. No, I would not cry.

  “You will be placed into an SUV within the next few minutes with myself and my supervisor. Once we take you in for questioning, you will speak to no one but him or me. There are things you do not know.”

  “Well! I don’t know YOU either!”

  “Nikkia! Do you want to end up in a casket before your time?! Shut the hell up!”

  “FUCK. YOU. MATT.”

  “Dammit, Nikkia! I wanted you to find that folder…”

  Flashing lights and the screams of sirens silenced any further conversation. Matt’s hand slid around my waist and gripped the links that restrained me. He tugged them as I fought against him, hauling me to my feet.

  “I am so sorry, Nikkia.” Matt tightened his hold on the handcuffs, dredged the opposite hand into my hair & kissed me roughly.

  I wanted to spit it his face; He disgusted me just that much. But I said nothing as he led me out of bedroom and down the stairs. Our home was full of federal law enforcement. Large vehicles with tinted windows were parked haphazardly across the front lawn. I could feel Matt’s fingers on my skin attempting to soothe away the pain, as he maneuvered me in the direction of a particular vehicle.

  Matt flung open the door. I pulled away from him as he tried to help me into the backseat. I struggled but I’d be damned before I allowed him to touch me in any type of way. In the passenger seat sat a man of about 50 some years. His head nearly touched the ceiling of the truck, and appeared to be well-built for his age. He did not speak nor did he look at me.

  Matt climbed in the driver’s seat, fastened his seat belt and left the property. He did not drive into the city but instead turned the oversized vehicle in the direction of the mountains. He slid what looked like a cellphone out of his pocket, tapped the screen a few times, and then placed it on the dash.

  “Nikkia, this is Special Agent Joe Fields, my boss,” Matt said, his voice strained.

  “Don’t fucking talk to me,” I bit.

  “Feisty. I can see why you like her,” the agent laughed.

  “You can BOTH go to hell.” I snapped.

  “There are some things you don’t know.” Matt shook his head in frustration.

  “Oh? You don’t say? So I have heard already and YOU are at the top of the list!” I shouted.

  “She doesn’t know, does she?” The older man shook his head. “What the fuck, Matt?!”

  “I’m right here!” I snapped. “Cuffed like some damn criminal! But I can still hear you!!”

  “Matt, how the fuck could you not tell her?!”

  Frustrated and angry, Matt ran the SUV off the side of the road. The tires screeched then kicked up a cloud of dirt. He slammed the vehicle into park and turned around in his seat holding a tiny key. Without a word, I turned and gave him access to my cuffed wrists. When I righted myself, I looked directly into his eyes.

  “Four days ago, there was a major mishap,” Matt said, his eyes never wavering from mine. “Tavius has not been located.”

  “What do you mean?” Immediately my blood turned cold.

  “He’s no longer in federal custody, Nikkia. No one knows where he is.” Matt dragged a hand through his hair. “You are not safe, love.”

  “You didn’t think to tell me this?! Not to mention the rest of this foolishness & fuckery that’s going on?! I didn’t deserve to know?!” I roared, swatting at his head.

  “Dammit! I couldn’t tell you!” Matt raged at me.

  I slid across the seat, just out of his reach. I could barely allow myself to look at him. One question played over & over in my head. One questioned I needed an answer to. I had to have his answer, regardless of what it actually was.

  “Was any of it real, Matt? Even a drop?”

  But before I could have my answer, I felt a small prick to the side of my neck. Then the comforting blackness took hold of me, pulled me under its own safety blanket, and kept me safe…for the moment.

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