Mustang Daddy - A Single Daddy, Small Town Second Chance Romance

by Sienna Parks

  “So… things seem to be going well between you and Addi these days?” It’s a statement and a question rolled into one.

  “Yeah. Things are fantastic with us right now. I’ve never been happier.”

  “What changed?”

  “She finally opened up about her past… and it let us move forward. She’s fucking amazing. She’s been through so much and now that I know, I can totally understand her reaction when we first got together. I’ve never felt anything so fucking intense before in my life. It’s like a force-field, drawing us together, charging the air between us every time we’re in the same room. Fuck, even talking to her on the phone gets me hard.”

  “That’s great, Carter. It’s nice to see you guys happy. She obviously loves you; and you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see that you’re crazy, head over heels in love with her… you big pussy.”

  I burst out laughing, remembering all the times I’ve given him shit about Lily. “I guess I deserved that one.”

  “No shit, Sherlock! She’s the one?”

  It brings a smile to my face just thinking it. “Yeah, man… she is. I’m going to ask her to move in with me when we get back from Italy.” A fleeting look of worry passes across his face. “She’s a different person than when we met. She’s not afraid to tell me she loves me; we spend every night together at her place or mine, and her shit is already taking over my apartment. It’s more of a formality than anything. I wouldn’t ask her if I didn’t think she was ready.”

  “Well then, I’m really happy for you both. I know Lily is thrilled to see Addi so happy, and she’s always been rooting for you to be the guy that got past the façade. When we get back from our honeymoon, the four of us will need to celebrate. It’s a big step I never thought I’d see you take… not after Vittoria.”

  The atmosphere changes - the gravity of what he’s just said, hanging in the air.

  “I know. I never thought I’d be able to get past it, but Addi is worth the fear; she’s worth the heartache. It’ll always be there in the back of my mind, the concern that I might not be able to protect her… but I’m not fourteen anymore, and I will fucking die trying to keep her safe from anything that could hurt her.” I hate the knot that forms in my stomach at the mere thought of anything happening to her. I need to stop thinking about it or I’ll drive myself crazy.

  “I need to lighten the fuck up right now. Let’s go get our girls and take them out for the day.”

  “Great idea.”

  We text the girls and tell them to be ready in twenty minutes for a day of adventure. They spent the night together at Addi’s apartment, so it makes it even easier to grab them and go. We have a great day - laughing and joking, excited about our trip to Italy for the wedding of the century… that is… until I marry Addi!

  ADDI

  Two Weeks Later

  As we step out onto the tarmac at Verona Airport, I want to drop to my knees and kiss the ground. I’ve always been a great traveler, but the flight here had me breathing into a vomit bag for most of the journey. As soon as we took off, my stomach lurched up into my throat and stayed there the entire flight. Lily and Carter were fussing over me, rubbing my back; telling me to put my head between my legs, giving me sips of cold water, but nothing seemed to help. I’ve never been happier to be back on terra firma. I still feel like I’m going to barf, but a nap at the hotel and a proper meal, and I’ll be ready to get my maid of honor freak on!

  I spend the drive to the hotel with my head in Carter’s lap, and not in a good way. The streets are cobbled, bumpy, and not at all helpful to my fight to keep down the breakfast I ate fifteen hours ago. When we finally stop, and I thank Jupiter that I made it here in one piece, Carter lifts me from the car, carrying me into the hotel lobby. I beg him to put me down so he can check us in, but he ignores me, cradling me in his arms while he organizes a key to our suite. He carries me into the elevator and up into our room, only putting me down when he reaches our bedroom.

  “You need to rest, baby. A few hours and you’ll feel much better.” He kisses my head as he lowers me to the bed. “I’ll go organize our bags and see if Xander needs me to do anything. I’ll be back in a little while, but if you need me, just call.” As the door clicks shut behind him I close my eyes and give in to the exhaustion my body is crumbling under; the room spinning as I drift into a fitful sleep.

  I jump out of bed, running to the bathroom, just managing to lift the lid before puking my guts out. I hear footsteps behind me as I hug the bowl.

  “Are you ok, baby?”

  I take a moment to assess the situation. “Other than the fact that I’m hugging a toilet bowl that isn’t my own, I actually feel much better.” I slump onto the floor, the cold tiles soothing my clammy skin. “A lot better.”

  He scoops me off the floor, sitting me on the edge of the tub while he rifles through my toiletries. He brings me my toothbrush and toothpaste, shower gel and shampoo. With the utmost care, and the sweetest furl of concentration on his brow, he sets to work pampering me, slowly bringing me back to the land of the living. First, he brushes my teeth, before holding a cup in front of me. “Spit.”

  “I can walk over to the sink and do this myself, you know.”

  He kisses the tip of my nose. “Just let me take care of you, Tesoro. I’ve been sitting here helpless and worrying for the past sixteen hours.”

  “I’ve been asleep for sixteen hours? Holy crap! I’m supposed to be helping Lily.”

  He gently strokes my hair. “I’ve got your back, baby. I told Xander to take Lily to see Juliet’s balcony before the rest of the guests arrive and he doesn’t get a minute alone with her. I’m sure he’s been enough of a distraction for her today.”

  “Devious and gorgeous. I’m one lucky girl.”

  He starts the shower, stripping out of his clothes; holding my gaze as his pants drop and his thick, hard cock springs free. “I won’t argue with you there, baby. You are pretty lucky to have all this at your disposal.” His hands roam his body as he makes his way over to me, carefully undressing me before lifting me into the shower.

  The water cascading over my body is a welcome, refreshing, glorious feeling; made even better by the presence of a hot, naked, and very wet Carter. I reach down to run my hand over his cock when he grabs my wrist. “No, baby. You’ve been ill. I just want to look after you.”

  “But I think this would really help me feel better.” I make him laugh as I pout and bat my eyelids at him; shamelessly stroking his cock at the same time.

  “You’re something else, you know that?”

  “Yes… and that’s why you love me!”

  His eyes turn from playful to smoldering in an instant. He grabs my ass, lifting me off the floor and pressing me up against the tiles. “I do love you… and you love me. It’s all that matters, Tesoro.”

  “I love you, Carter de Rossi. Make love to me; own me… fuck me.” There are no more words, only desperate kisses, clawing, caressing, and loving. We lose ourselves to the sensations that swirl around us, between us - through us; and we find each other in the calm that comes from our union - the eye of the storm.

  An hour later, after a handful of toe-curling orgasms, I feel so much better, and I find myself ravenous. The sound of my stomach rumbling has Carter dressing me, somewhat grudgingly, and treating me to a fantastic meal in the Piazza Vicino. We watch the crowds as they get ready for a night at the open-air opera in L’Arena. This is where my best friend will marry the love of her life in two days’ time, and I can’t imagine a more perfect setting for their fairytale to become a lasting reality.

  I’ve eaten my own weight in pasta and had a few glasses of the best Chianti I’ve ever tasted. Carter orders everything in fluent Italian, chatting and laughing with the waiter as if he were meant to be here. He’s in his element, and it’s a beautiful sight. I could get used to Italy… with Carter.

  I find myself creeping out of bed as quickly as I can without waking Carter. I make it to the bat
hroom, closing the door behind me and sinking to my knees… again. Last night’s pasta is not good when you’re seeing it in reverse. As soon as I’ve emptied my stomach of its contents, I feel 100% better. I’ve never had a bug like this before. Yeah, I’ve puked, and I’ve felt awful for days at a time, but I usually feel like crap the entire time. The fact that I felt amazing last night, and starving too - it’s just not like me. Realization dawns… oh shit.

  Oh shit.

  OH Shit.

  OH SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT!

  This cannot be happening to me. I have a goddamn IUD fitted. I can’t be pregnant. As a war wages inside my head, I already know I’m fighting a losing battle. I know this feeling…

  I’ve felt it before.

  A knock on the door startles me. “Addi, baby, are you in there?”

  I scramble to my feet, flushing the toilet and quickly brushing my teeth. “Yeah. I’ll be out in a minute.”

  “Are you ok? You’re not sick again, are you?”

  I don’t want to lie to him, but I have to. “I feel great, Carter. Stop worrying. I just want to get a head start on today. Lots to do.” I open the door and rush past him, eager to get out of this room that feels so oppressive all of a sudden. “Got to go meet Lily and do the final prep for tomorrow. Then I need to make sure everything is set for the rehearsal dinner tonight.”

  He slinks up behind me, snaking his arms around my waist as I pull on my jeans. Running his hands down to stop me from zipping them, sliding his hand inside. “I’m sure Lily could wait a half hour.” He starts kissing behind my ear, which he knows will weaken my resolve… but not today.

  “I really have to get going. I’ll make it up to you later. I have so much to do.”

  “And I don’t? I’m the fucking best man, Addi. I just wanted to spend a little time with you before it gets crazy.” I can’t cope with this right now.

  I do the only thing I know how to, my go to setting. “Boo-freaking-hoo. Cry me a river so I can float the fuck away.”

  “What the hell is your problem today, Addi? I swear to God you can go from being the sweetest person I’ve ever met, to being a complete bitch in two seconds flat.” I’ve hurt him, and it’s the last thing I wanted to do, but I need to get out of here before I freak out. “Go do whatever bullshit you think is more important than me. I get that you want everything to be perfect for Lily. I feel the same way for Xander; he’s been my best friend since I was born, but don’t use it as an excuse when there’s obviously something else eating at you.”

  I reach out to touch him, to offer some sort of comfort, a small apology for my outburst - but he flinches; my heart breaking a little at the sight of it. “Just go, Addi. I have shit to do, and I don’t have time for your games today. I’ll see you later.” He grabs his clothes and heads into the bathroom, locking the door behind him.

  I feel like a colossal bitch right now… because I am one. Carter has been nothing but amazing to me, so understanding of my hang ups and insecurities. If only I had told him the full story when I had the chance, maybe this would be easier. Me being me, I had to make it harder. I couldn’t just lay it all out for him and see what happened. First thing’s first, I need to go and buy a goddamn test to see if my suspicions are correct.

  Everything runs smoothly and I manage to keep my happy face firmly in place throughout the day. Lily asked a few times if I was okay, but I just played it off as a little jet lag; nothing to be concerned about. I managed to slip away at one point when Xander was being a naughty boy, chasing Lily around this gorgeous town. It worked in my favor though and I quickly found the nearest pharmacy, bought a pregnancy test, and shoved it to the bottom of my oversized bag.

  I only have a half hour before the evening’s events kick off. I rush to my room to find that Carter is already gone, and he left a sweet little note for me:

  Tesoro,

  You know I love you more than words.

  I’ll be waiting for you downstairs with love in my heart,

  a smile on my face, and a hard-on in my pants.

  Sorry about this morning.

  Carter xxx

  I have no idea why he’s apologizing, but I love him for it. He can make me smile with the smallest gestures. I really don’t deserve him.

  I quickly rummage in my bag for the test, ripping it open to pull out the instructions… DAMN IT! My hands are shaking so violently that I can’t even keep hold of the box. I drop it on the bathroom floor, the test stick falling out of the packet and onto the cold, hard tiles. I’m immediately transported back in time to when I last had to take a pregnancy test.

  I break out in a cold sweat, unable to face the seemingly inconsequential task of peeing on a stick; the outcome of which could change my life forever.

  I gather up the contents of the box and shove everything back into my handbag. I can’t deal with this right now, so I resolve to take the test first thing in the morning and concentrate on getting ready for a night of smiling and pretending that everything’s fine.

  The rehearsal dinner is a complete success. Xander and Lily are the picture of a happy couple, and it warms my heart to see Lily so in love. It was a difficult road for her to find Xander, but she’s a tough cookie, and I love her more than I could ever express.

  When I find Carter he’s his usual cocky self. “Hi. Are you my Addi? She loves me so much it’s embarrassing at times. She practically worships the ground I walk on. She’s fucking adorable, but she has this crazy evil twin that appears sometimes and she acts like she wants to rip my head off and spit down my neck. Which one are you? You’re both smoking hot, so it’s hard to tell the difference.”

  I throw myself into his strong, safe arms. They feel like home, and I know this is where I want to be.

  “There’s my girl. I missed you today, Tesoro.” He cups my face, planting a gentle, reverent kiss on my lips. He tastes amazing – Carter and Scotch. “You ready to say hello to my parents now? They have been dying to meet you since we arrived. I can only hold my mother back for so long, baby.”

  I feel ok about meeting them. This is a major step forward for me, and considering my current predicament, I can only assume it’s a good thing. Carter has shown me time and time again how much he loves me, and would do anything for me. He didn’t judge when I told him about what happened with Gavin; his opinion of me didn’t change; he kept on loving me. When I take the test tomorrow, I’m just going to tell him. I think we can handle it. It’s not the way I would have planned it, but I love him, and want to spend the rest of my life with him.

  “Okay, let’s go meet your parents.”

  “I’ve already met them, baby. I’ve known them my whole life.” He thinks he’s so funny, and I know he’s trying to ease my nerves.

  “Ha-freaking-ha. You know what I mean.”

  He leads me over to where I see Vittoria talking with an older gentleman that bears a striking resemblance to Carter. Wow. If this is how he’s going to age, I am definitely sticking around. Next to him is a stunning, petite woman, with black hair, tanned skin, flawless complexion, and an air of sophistication that you just can’t fake. I love her instantly.

  “Ciao, Mamma. I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Addison Warner.” He kisses her on either cheek before presenting me to her. She looks me up and down before pulling me into a heartfelt hug.

  “Ciao, Bella. You are very beautiful, Addi. I have heard so much about you from Carter and Vittoria. It is a pleasure to finally meet the woman that has captured my son’s heart.” I blush at her words.

  “The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. de Rossi.” She’s shaking her head at me.

  “Mrs. de Rossi is my mother-in-law. Please, call me Ria.”

  Carter is already turning me in the direction of his father. “Ciao, Babbo. This is Addi.”

  He holds me firmly by the shoulders, kissing each cheek before he speaks. “It is wonderful to meet you, Addi. We were beginning to think you were a figment of Carter’s imagination, but I don’t think even
he could have dreamt of someone as beautiful as you.”

  “Why thank you, sir. I do believe I know where Carter gets his charm.”

  He turns to Carter with a wide grin. “This one’s a keeper, son. Don’t let her get away.”

  “Don’t worry. I don’t plan on it.” He pulls me to his side, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

  I chat with Ria and Vittoria for a while, catching up on what Tori has been doing on tour. I’ve missed seeing her, but we keep in touch and have become really good friends.

  Ria watches as we laugh, joke and swap funny stories. “It is lovely to see how easily you have become a part of both my children’s lives. When you have kids of your own you’ll understand just how much it warms a mother’s heart.”

  Carter butts in on our conversation. “Calm it down, Mamma. There will be NO children in the near future, if at all. Let us be. We’re happy just the two of us.”

  My heart sinks… drowns… as the words fall from his lips. The lips I love, the ones I thought would welcome a child who is a part of me and of him into the world. I never even considered the fact that he might not want kids. The room starts to spin, my legs giving way beneath me. Carter catches me before I fall. “Addi... are you ok? What’s wrong?”

  I steel myself to answer him, unable to tell him the real reason for my collapse. “Just feeling a little lightheaded. It’s really hot in here, and I think I may have had a glass of wine too many.” He helps me over to one of the tables, kneeling in front of me as I attempt to stop the spinning in my head. “Could you get me a glass of water, please? And don’t let Lily see me. She’ll worry over nothing.”