His forehead came down resting against mine. Our breaths mingled as we struggled to regain our composure.
“I love you, so much Mak.” tilting my head my lips pressed against his in a chaste kiss.
“I love you, most,” I whispered against his lips, meaning every word.
Chapter Ten
Lenny
Having Makayla once wasn't enough.
I was an addict and she was my drug of choice. She was like a tall glass of ice water after being lost in the desert for days. She was the only one who could quench my thirst, and I had been thirsty for far too long.
I could no longer stay away.
I was weak when it came to her.
She called to me like a siren, luring me into temptation. I would have run my ship ashore if only for a glimpse of her luscious curves.
I claimed her several times throughout the night and once again as the sun began to rise. Even then, it wasn’t enough.
I craved her still.
I craved the sounds she made as I filled her with my cock. I craved the silk of her skin as it brushed against mine. I craved the way she screamed my name just before her walls drew tights, coaxing me to follow.
Being buried in her was like coming home.
Her body was made for me. Her body perfectly crafted to fit along my own. Like two halves of one whole. We fit together perfectly.
Neither of us spoke about what happened the night before. Though tears no longer streamed down her cheeks, the shadows still lingered behind her eyes. I knew that when she was ready she would talk to me. Until then I comforted her the only way I knew how.
I held her close. I took every opportunity available to meld my lips to hers, to bury my face in her neck, caress the tender flesh of her arms. I stole brief touches, tender kisses, and heated glances. I took every opportunity could to be near her, hold her, worship her.
Her body was a temple and I was a religious zealot.
I knew she felt it. The chemistry we had always shared had never gone away. There was no amount of time that could dull the attraction between us. We were drawn together like a magnet, eliciting sparks whenever we were in the vicinity of one another. It had been like that since the moment I met her when we were only five years old.
Since the moment I laid eyes on her I had not been able to let go. She stole my heart that day. I wanted hers in return.
I chased after her. Spending every moment I could by her side. Every day I grew more and more impatient until senior year. I couldn’t take it anymore.
Instead of waiting for her to give me her heart, I took it. I pulled her to me, wrapping my arm around her. I knew she felt it, the unmistakable pull. Her head tilted up, her eyes so wide and innocent. Our lips crashed together. Fireworks erupted around us. It felt as though our whole lives were building up until that moment.
I would do it again.
I would make her see what was right in front of her face. I would make her realize that there was no escaping me, no escaping us. This time I wouldn’t wait twelve years. I wouldn’t wait one. I was taking what I wanted.
I would win.
She was opening up to me like a dew covered bud. Each caress was like a ray of sunshine, peeling back the petals to her heart. I wouldn’t relent. I was ruthless in my charge.
I would make her cave.
I would break down the barriers she placed around her heart.
I was staking my claim. My mark proudly on display around her neck. I felt like a king. The mark she left on my neck only solidified my resolve to make her mine. The dark purple bruising a direct link between my heart and my cock, tethered together by a chain only she could control. She owned me.
The following morning was spent cooking breakfast together. A simple domesticity I had been denied up until recent. This morning was different than the previous week. I was suddenly ravenous.
She looked absolutely delectable. Her long blond hair was piled on her head in a messy bun. My old faded gray hoodie hung from her shoulders, stopping mid-thigh. The tiny pink shorts she wore peaked out at the bottom whenever she bent over, flashing me the slightest sliver of the bottom of her perk round globes.
The sway of her hips as she sauntered around the kitchen whipping up batter had me salivating. I didn’t miss the way her rich chocolate eyes flirted along my bare chest, the light touches she bestowed upon me as she glided past. I savored every moment, committing it to memory. I watched with anticipation as my rose began to bloom. Petals falling open, willingly.
This is the way it always should have been. This is what I had missed for the last four years. Making pancakes and bacon with my woman while our daughter prattled on about all the things she wanted to do for the day as she bounced between the kitchen and her playroom.
I wasn't giving this up.
I would never give this up.
This is where I belong.
This was my family.
My life.
“Daddy someone's at the door.” I looked away from the stove to see Avery bouncing excitedly on the balls of her feet. Her bright pink princess dress swirled around her knees as she twisted at the waist, rocking the baby doll clutched tightly in the crook of her arm. They were dressed in identical outfits. The sight pulled a wide smile from my lips.
Avery danced around on the balls of her feet. She was like a bottle of soda, shaken, ready to burst. She had so much energy and excitement contained in her tiny frame I felt that any moment she would sprout wings and take off in flight.
I didn't know how Makayla was able to keep up with her. From the time she opened her eyes, she was bouncing around flying through the house like a hummingbird, her feet barely touching the ground. Nothing seemed to slow her down.
“Okay baby give me just a minute. You go sit at the table near Mommy.” Pulling the pan off the stove I glanced in Makayla’s direction. Her eyes shot up to mine, fear, and nervousness wrinkled the corner of her eyes.
Placing the pan on the counter I used a dish towel to wipe my hands as I stalked toward her, tossing the small towel over my shoulder in a practiced move. My eyes never left hers. I gave her an encouraging smile, bending at the waist to place a chaste kiss on her temple. “It’ll be okay,” I promised in reassurance.
I left my girls in the kitchen and made my way to the front of the house to answer the door.
I'd only been here a week but I knew Makayla. I knew it wasn't common for people to come knocking. If it had been family they would have walked right in.
I let out a long breath preparing myself for what could be on the other side.
Opening the door I was greeted by the sight of a man in a lightweight grey suit with a thin blue tie. He looks to be in his 20s, arrogance permeated from him, making me dislike him on sight.
I knew immediately this couldn't be good.
“Leonard Demark?”
“That's me,” I replied curtly folding my arms across the broad expanse of my chest.
The man’s eyes wandered past me looking beyond into the house. My large frame blocked him, forcing his attention where it belonged, on me.
His eyes returned to me, scanning me from head to toe. His stare calculating. I knew the moment he spotted the dark purple splotch on my neck. Tilting my chin up I dared him to say anything.
His eyes narrowed. Reaching into his suit jacket he pulled out a thick manila envelope. “You’ve been served.” His tone was haughty, as he glared down his nose at me. Considering I had a good five inches on him it made the act fruitless.
I held his glare in a silent challenge, not backing down as I snatched the envelope out of his hand, tucking it under my arm. He sneered pivoting on his heels and walked away. I slammed the door closed behind him. The trash had enough sense to take itself out.
The click of the latch as the door sealed shut held such finality. The sound sucking the air out of my lungs.
I accepted the letter. There wasn't much I could do to thwart it. It didn’t make the pill of reality any ea
sier to swallow.
I turned from the door to find Makayla standing behind me. Her arms mimicked my pose, folded across her chest. I felt my lip curl up on the side as my eyes raked over her.
Though she tried to look serious her arms across her chest pressed her small tight breast up, forcing them to be center place for my attention.
“My eyes are up here, Demark.” Though the words were teasing her voice was thin, laced with fear and panic. She stood before me not backing down. My brave warrior.
“Oh, I know exactly where your beautiful eyes are. Right now I’m just having a silent conversation with two of my best friends.” I smirked, forcing down my fear regarding the manila envelope tucked under my arm.
“What are we going to do?” She asked. Her head cocked toward the envelope in my hand. The fact that she said ‘we’ was not lost on me. I hadn’t lost her yet. There was still a chance for us.
“Don’t worry baby it'll be alright.” The look in her eyes told me she didn't believe me. She shifted her weight, arms tightening around her waist.
She was no longer in fight mode. The gravity of the situation was sinking in around us like a thick fog.
“Who would be suing you?” I watched as her lower lip trembled. It gutted me.
“I'm not quite sure but I guess we're about to find out.” Even as I spoke the words I knew they weren't true.
There was only one person that would be suing me. One person that despise me above all others and would do anything to destroy the world I've created, the life I've created.
Angela.
I just didn't know what she was suing me for.
Wrapping a protective arm around her waist, I tucked her into my side. Her body responded to my touch, sinking in against me. Pressing my lips to her crown I inhaled her sweet floral scent. The faint wisp of Magnolia and Sandalwood enveloped me, relaxing the tension straining my shoulders.
With my arm wrapped around her, she allowed me to walk her back into the kitchen. The world could tumble to the ground around our feet and I wouldn’t care.
Breakfast was done. It was time to eat. We had a little girl to feed. Our troubles would still be there for us when we were done.
“Daddy. Daddy, did you get a present?” Avery bounced around dancing on the tips of her toes, excitement gleaming in her eyes as she eyed the envelope tucked under my arm.
“Baby you're the only present Daddy needs.” I smiled ruffling the top of her hair.
Avery beamed up at me with a look of admiration, swelling my heart.
“Baby why don't you go pick up your toys in the playroom while I make you a plate.” Makayla encouraged Avery out of the room so we could speak.
I fell into the dining room chair, my body languid. Tossing the envelope on the table in front of me I stared at it as though looking at it hard enough would tell me everything I needed to know. I didn't want to open it. I needed to, but I didn't want to.
I knew whatever was in the envelope would be trouble. I knew whatever it contained was meant to cause harm and threaten the foundation I was building here at home.
Makayla stood across from me, her hip leaning against the kitchen counter. Her hands crossed around her waist in a protective stance. Her eyes washed over me as she waited patiently, desperate for answers.
“We don’t have to do this now. We can have breakfast and then handle business.” I reminded her, glancing up from the envelope in front of me to take in her weary gaze.
The contents on the table felt like a ticking time bomb between us. Any minute it could explode, destroying the perfect world we were working so desperately to create.
“I can’t. I don't think I can do anything until I know.” Pain echoed in her voice.
“Nothing will change this. Us.” I motioned with my hand between our bodies.
“I know, but...” She looked so torn.
“Come here.” I beckoned with my fingers, scooting away from the table I patted my lap, signaling for her to sit.
Her feet shuffled forward, slowly she approached, as though afraid.
Once she was close enough I reached out toward her, snagging a handful of material, I dragged her in, reeling her into my lap.
Tucking an arm beneath her legs I pulled her into me, cradling her in my arms. “We can do this.” The words were thick on my tongue.
Makayla tucked her head under my chin, resting her cheek against my chest. Her body was curled in a tight ball in my lap.
With my arms around her, I gripped the envelope between my trembling fingers. Blowing out a half of breath I ripped it open. Opening the folded papers I scan through them, my eyes darting across the page as I flipped through them in rapid succession. A dark sinister laugh erupted from my lips startling Makayla.
“What is it, Baby?” She asked darting upright in my arms. Trepidation shook her body.
“Angela suing me for half of the sale of the apartment.” I chuckled darkly.
Makayla reeled back as if she'd been slapped. My arm shooting around her to hold her in place, keeping her from crashing to the floor.
“Can she do that?” She asked incredulously her face mashing with confusion.
I shrugged my shoulders scrubbing my free hand across my face.
I shook my head. “Honestly I don't know.”
“Well, did she help you buy it?” Her face screwed up as though the words tasted sour on her lips.
I shot her an incredulous look. She knew better. I didn't blame her for asking. Still, it wounded my pride. “No, she didn't help me buy it.” I chuckled lightly shaking my head in disbelief.
I knew it wasn't a laughing matter but Makayla’s reaction was so genuine so pure.
“I'll call Lisa. She’ll know what to do.” Makayla offered, a mask of finality settling across her face.
There was no stopping her. I knew it the moment the words left her mouth. It would be fruitless to try. She stared up at me, a look of determination on her face.
I only nodded my head. She was right, Lisa was an attorney. She would know exactly what to do. I also knew better than to tell her no.
Makayla was a fighter, and when she set her mind to something there was no changing it.
That look was the very same reason I took the record deal. It wasn’t because I wanted to. It was because Makayla had settled the matter, not accepting any rebuttals, not even from me.
Begrudgingly, I let her up from my lap, instantly missing the comfort of her weight and her body pressed to mine.
While Makayla went to phone Lisa, I began making Avery’s plate. The food had long grown cold so I popped it in the microwave while I pulled out the syrup and poured a sippy cup of milk.
Being left alone with my thoughts my eyes wandered back to the table where the bright white legal papers sat, gleaming brightly against the dark cherry table.
I hoped Makayla was right, that Lisa would know what to do. Because I had no idea where to go from here. If I was being honest with myself, I was willing just to pay Angela to make her go away.
The apartment was never hers. She never put a dime towards it. But there was no amount of money I wouldn't pay to get rid of the woman. To keep her out of our life.
The ding of the microwave pulled me from my thoughts.
I called for Avery as I filled her plate, piling on heaps of syrup. I knew her mother would murder me for it later. What was the fun of being a dad if you couldn’t spoil your princess rotten?
Chapter Eleven
Lenny
“I always thought you were an idiot for taking the deal and going to LA. These papers only serve to prove I was right.” Lisa sang smugly as she flipped through the stack of papers outlining the lawsuit.
I groaned sinking back into the cushions of the couch. She had been going on for hours, rubbing in my past mistakes. If I didn’t love Lisa like a sister, I would have strangled her. But she was right. It was my fault. I only hoped she could help me get out of it.
“We get it, I’m a colossal moron. Now te
ll me, can you help a brother out or not?” I plead, conceding to her victory over me.
“Well, that depends. On your album Trapt. Was the song Blissed about me?” She asked haughtily.
“What?” I intoned. My memory rushing through the Rolodex of lyrics in my mind.
It only took a moment for the lyrics came forth. I played them through my mind, as a small smile spread across my lips. The song was about a man missing his best friend.
“Lisa, how many best friends do I have?” I offered giving her my best winning smile.
“You didn’t even write that song.” She huffed folding her arms across her chest. She shot me a menacing glare.
“But does it make it any less true? I’d have dedicated it to you if they had let me.” My hands spread wide, my brow rose in mock seriousness.
“Fine.” She sighed in defeat. “But you have to promise to give me more nieces and nephews.” She bargained.
“Deal, you just have to talk to their mother about that.” I rebutted.
“Fine.”
That one word was anything but. Makayla and I were on shaky legs as it was. I would give her all the babies she desired without qualms. The question of the hour was did she even want them? Did she want me?
Sure we had declared our love for one another but I still had self-doubt. Did she want me for the long run? Forever?
“Okay, down to business.” Lisa’s stern voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“Did Angela live with you full time?” I didn’t miss the sneer in her voice when Angela’s name rolled off her tongue. I smirked in response.
“No, she didn’t live with me at all. She just showed up when she wanted to.”
“Did you ever invite her to live with you or suggest that you should live together?”
“No.” I spit the word out not liking the thought of Angela living with me, let alone by my choosing.
Lisa smirked, enjoying my discomfort, her fingers typing vigorously at the screen of her tablet.
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