by Chloe Maddox
“Really? What did he say?”
“He said, ‘we were married, now we’re not.’”
“Bloody effing jackass.”
“Yeah, so I tried to be professional and cordial like him, but his comment stung, you know.”
“Of course, it did.” Rachel patted her hand consolingly. “You’re only human, and I’m not saying rehash the past, but pretending it never happened, that’s just insensitive.”
Liesel sighed as she picked up her wine glass and moved to the couch. Rachel followed with her wine glass, and the bowl of popcorn.
“I don’t know, Rache.” Liesel plopped onto the couch and grabbed a handful of popcorn. “Seeing him today brought up all kinds of memories for me, and even though there was a part of me that wanted to throw something at him, there was also a part of me that wanted to jump his bones.”
“It’s a good thing you didn’t,” Rachel commented as she sloshed the wine around in her glass.
“Well, not exactly.” Liesel squirmed uncomfortably.
“You didn’t. Please tell me you didn’t jump his bones.” Rachel said, torn between wanting to ask for details and dismay because of their complicated history.
“We didn’t get that far, but Rache, we almost did, and to make matters worse, I initiated it.” Liesel groaned as she placed her head in her hands.
“How did you go from being cordial and professional to nearly jumping his bones?”
“I kissed him actually.”
Rachel wheeled around to face Liesel. “How much have I had to drink?”
She peered closely at the glass while Liesel laughed. “You haven’t had much to drink. I’m the one who kissed him, I don’t know what got into me, we were arguing, somehow he got under my skin-“
“What were you arguing about?” Rachel interrupted.
“I don’t even remember how it started, that’s usually the case with us, or it was, I guess old habits die hard.” Liesel shook her head at a particular memory that surfaced, a wistful smile appearing on her face.
“Exes are like that.”
“So yeah we started rehashing the past, much to my dismay.”
“Was this before or after you kissed?”
“It was after we made out. An intense make out session, I might add.”
Rachel wolf whistled. “How intense?”
“Tops and bra off intense.”
“Both tops?”
“Yup.”
“Damn.” Rachel gulped down a mouthful of wine.
“Yeah.” Liesel grabbed her glass of wine and did the same thing.
“Look, El, do you want him back?”
“I don’t know, Rache. Sometimes, I miss him so much, it’s hard to breathe, other times I hate him so much, I don’t want to be in the same room with him.”
“You guys had a good relationship?”
Liesel gave her a small smile. “it was the best. We made each other happy, we teased each other, we fought like crazy, but it didn’t matter cause we could never stay mad at each other for long.”
“Sounds like it was a great relationship, the kind most people want.” Rachel said finally.
“It was to me.”
“But then why did he cheat on you?”
“Why does anyone ever cheat?” Liesel shrugged as she put her wine glass on the table and grabbed a handful of popcorn. She popped one into her mouth and chewed thoughtfully before answering. “But it’s different now, before I only had myself to worry about, now I have Elsa to consider.”
Comprehension dawned on Rachel’s face. “He doesn’t know, does he?”
Liesel shook her head. “He doesn’t know, by the time I found out, we were already divorced, and it was too late, I didn’t want the person he had become in Elsa’s life. He’s her father for heaven’s sake!”
“But maybe you should’ve told him.” Rachel said, not unkindly.
“Perhaps back then he had the right to know, but what about right now? When Elsa is older and has a stable life. Having a dad in the NBA would change that especially given how much he’s changed.”
“When you say changed, what exactly do you mean by that?”
“He propositioned me.”
One eyebrow went up as Rachel stared at her, her brown eyes reflecting the incredulity that no doubt shined forth from Liesel’s own blue orbs. “As in one of those hook up deals?”
A laugh that sounded somewhere between a snort and a giggle escaped Liesel’s lips. “One and the same. He said that we don’t work as a couple, and that we already tried but clearly our failure to make it work was indicative of the fact that we just weren’t meant to be a couple, but that it doesn’t mean that we can’t have fun.”
Rachel’s mouth dropped open. “He actually said that?”
“Yeah, he even promised he wouldn’t sleep with any women the same day he’s sleeping with me.”
Rachel snorted in disbelief. “Bastard probably thought he was being generous.”
“I think that was his intention, yeah. Of course I let him know what I thought of that and all, and hauled him out of my office.”
“I sense a but coming on.”
Liesel shot her an amused look. “But he’s Elsa’s father. He and I might not be on the best of terms, and maybe we will or maybe we won’t, but either way that shouldn’t affect her relationship with her father.”
“You’re kidding me right? Please tell me you’re joking right now.” Rachel frowned as she set her glass on the table and turned around to face Liesel. “You want that arrogant prick of a pig in your daughters life? Your daughter who is this amazing little girl with so much goodness in her heart. Why in the hell would you want her around a guy who can’t even keep it in his pants? What kind of example would you be setting?!”
Liesel stood up and faced Rachel. She loved her for fighting for Elsa like her own daughter, she really did, but this was a decision she had been struggling with for years, pretty much since the moment she found out she was pregnant, and she didn’t know if Elsa would be as understanding when she was older. At least now she had the chance to shield Elsa from the hurt her father might inflict, but if Elsa is older then she might not have the same opportunity, and she wanted her little girl to understand.
If she was being completely honest, she also wanted Keith to have a chance at being a father. Just cause he was a lousy man doesn’t mean he couldn’t be a good father, and she really wanted him to be, for both their sakes.
“Rache, I love you for fighting as fiercely for Elsa as I would, but you know what, no matter how you or I feel about him, it doesn’t matter, we need to set it aside for Elsa’s sake. Just because he’s a womanizer doesn’t mean he won’t be a good father.”
“You can’t guarantee that he will be.” Rachel said sadly as all the anger left her body.
“You’re right, I can’t, but if there’s even a small chance that she can have both a mother and father who love her unconditionally then I have to try.”
Rachel nodded grimly. “I’m here for you and Elsa, El, you know that.”
Chapter 5
Liesel walked in the next morning determined to put the whole incident with Keith behind her. She would find a private moment, today if she could, and tell him about his daughter.
What he chose to do with that information was up to him. Either way, she would have at least tried to initiate it, and if he didn’t want anything to do with Elsa, Elsa would be none the wiser.
She just wanted to protect her daughter.
She went through client meetings until two when she stepped out for lunch. She checked her phone to make sure she hadn’t received any calls from Elsa’s school, and she smiled and shot Rachel a quick text letting her know that everything was fine, and that she still hadn’t told Keith.
She wasn’t quite sure how to bring it up, to be honest.
How does one tell their ex-husband that they have a child who is six years old, and t
hat the only reason they kept her hidden is because they wanted to protect her?
Liesel mused as she took a sip of her coffee as she looked both ways before crossing the street. She was in such a hurry she didn’t notice the body stop in front of her.
She yelped in surprise as hot coffee splashed all over her shirt, and she grimaced as she began to dab it.
“I’m so sorry, here let me help you.” A familiar voice said.
Liesel froze as she looked up into the eyes of the man who had been occupying her thoughts since she last saw him. He was dressed in a pair of washed out jeans and shirt with a pair of sunglasses settling comfortably on his nose.
He frowned as he tried to get the stain off but failed miserably.
“Okay, I’m sorry. I can take that to the dry cleaners.”
“That’s not necessary-“ Liesel began.
Keith interrupted swiftly. “I want to. It’s the least I can do. I need to apologize for my behavior last time, and for propositioning you the way I did, I figured getting your shirt cleaned might be a good place to start.”
Liesel relaxed visibly. “I won’t make you grovel or anything,” she teased.
Keith smiled. “Would you like to go get another cup of coffee?”
Liesel checked her watch and realized that she still had time before her next client.
They made their way to the coffee shop and sat in the back and talked quietly just like they used to. Liesel was surprised to find herself laughing and reminiscing about the old times.
“Keith, I need to tell you something, but you have to promise you’ll stay quiet till the end, and please understand why I made the decision I did.”
She began to tell him about Elsa, and why she kept her a secret. After she told him that, she told him about what an amazing little girl Elsa was, and how she hoped that they’d have a relationship.
Keith was quiet for a really long time until finally he looked her. “I can’t say I’m happy that you hid her existence from me, but I get why you did it. That being said, I don’t want to miss any more of her life, I would love to be a part of her life, in a small way at first because I want her to adjust, but then hopefully in time, if you’ll let me, and if she wants me to, in a bigger way.”
“That’s great, Keith, really.”
“There’s just one more thing, but this has nothing to do with my relationship with Elsa, I hope you’ll also let me try again with you, a real shot this time. No propositioning, no fooling around.”
“I’ll think about it.” Liesel promised.
They finished their coffee and each went their separate ways and agreed to meet up at five in front of the office, so that Liesel could take Keith to meet Elsa.
She finished the rest of the day in a haze and met Keith out front where he looked nervous, but excited.
***
“Rache, we’re here.” Liesel called out as she gestured for Keith to come in. He stepped into the room and looked around awkwardly as Liesel dropped her bag on the floor and hung up her coat.
“She’s in her room playing, I’m heading out for a while. I’ll see you later, El.” Rachel said as she grabbed her jacket and keys.
“Rache, this is Keith.”
Rachel gave him a tight smile. “I’m Liesel’s roommate and Elsa’s godmother, if you hurt either of them, I’ll hunt you down and kill you.”
Keith laughed nervously as he gave her a weak smile. “I’ll try not to.”
“She’s kind of scary.” Keith mumbled and Liesel laughed as they made their way up the stairs.
Liesel introduced Keith to Elsa as her friend, and she watched as they played together noting that Keith was a natural born father. He was completely at ease and knew exactly what to do.
They put Elsa to bed a while later, and as they stood outside the hallway in front of her room, Liesel decided to throw caution to the wind, and she kissed him.
“I thought you wanted to think about it,” Keith mumbled as he pushed her backwards into the room.
“I’ll think more, later.” She bit his bottom lip and smiled as he groaned in response. He took off his shirt and helped her out of hers as he pushed her up against the wall. He held her wrists on top of her head and began to kiss her neck reverently.
Liesel moaned as she tangled her fingers through his hair and angled her neck, so he’d have better access. She began to fumble with the zipper on his jeans till she finally managed to shuck them off, and he kicked them off as he helped her do the same with her skirt.
He lifted her up, so she wrapped her legs around his waist, and he began to grind against her. They both moaned as their kissing grew more passionate, their tongues battling for dominance.
Keith reached a hand down and snuck it underneath her panties. Liesel’s breath hitched in her throat as she whimpered, and her hips began to buck against his hands.
He found her bundle of nerves and began to stroke until he had her panting and clawing his back begging for release. He took his hands out and pushed her underwear down. He reached into his jean pocket and pulled out a condom and placed it on while Liesel undid her bra.
He kicked off his boxers and positioned himself, so that he would enter her in one swift thrust. He kneaded her breasts, kissed them and sucked on them as he began to move against her, slowly at first then faster and faster until they were both shouting in pure ecstasy.
They collapsed onto the bed together a while later as they began to quietly talk of a better future together as a family.
THE END
BOUNCE
Mark
Mark Hummel groaned as he dropped the weights he had been carrying.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t do it; it was just that his coach had been pushing him extra hard because he was the youngest person on the team.
He knew he had a long way to go to prove himself, and he was willing to go the distance. He wiped the sweat off his brow and dropped to the floor to do twenty push-ups.
He caught a glimpse of a woman staring at him in the mirror, and he winked suggestively. The woman blushed beet red and pretended to be engrossed in what she was doing.
Mark hoisted himself up and grabbed a towel to dry off until he could get to a shower. He grabbed a bottle of water and flexed his muscles as he began to gulp down the water.
He pretended not to notice the pairs of eyes that were on his bare muscular chest. He smirked as he crushed the bottle in his hand, and then tossed it into the bin.
He turned around and stepped on the treadmill to get some mileage in before calling it a night. He grabbed his phone and scrolled through his playlist before settling on some hardcore rock music to get him pumped.
A message came in from his friend Blaire-Blaire Hamilton-the NBA’s MVP, and Mark slowed to a brisk jog as he read his way through it.
He and Blaire had bonded almost instantly a few months ago, they often went out partying together, and picked up girls together. In fact, most of Mark’s techniques came from Blaire himself.
He practically idolized the man, but then Blaire found out that the love of his life had his baby, so he mellowed out.
Mark thought it was a damn shame that it had come to that.
Blaire Hamilton the basketball legend was whipped, and Mark couldn’t for the life of him figure out why. So what if they had a daughter? It didn’t mean he had to be with her mother.
Mark’s own parents were divorced and better off for it, he never once felt the need to have his parents get back together.
Mark shook his head at Blaire’s joke and shot him a text letting him know that he’d join him for a beer after he was done at the gym.
He pulled up the playlist once again, and his feet began to really pick up the pace as the sounds of Led Zeppelin came in through his earphones.
Beads of sweat came pouring down his back, and he had his brow furrowed in intense concentration, so he didn’t notice the brunette standing next to him until she tapped
him on his shoulder.
He yanked out the earphone and stared at her for a second, feeling dazed.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but aren’t you Mark Hummel?”
Mark’s eyebrow went up as he regarded the brunette with the long legs, tiny waist and round firm ass.
“Depends on who’s asking,” he responded as he dragged a hand through his shaggy blonde hair. His green eyes perused her slowly, thinking that he could definitely picture her as wild between the sheets.
Her brown eyes light up. “I saw you at the game last week, you were great.”
Mark nodded as he got off the treadmill and stood directly in front of her. He was still a good deal taller than her, so he noticed how she had to crane her neck to look up at him. He wanted that head thrown back and moaning in pleasure, but he could wait.
“How close were you?” he inquired conversationally as he made his way towards his gym bag.
“Oh, close enough that we could see the sweat,” she said as she sidled up to him and leaned against the wall as she eyed him, her intentions mirrored in her eyes.
His eyes immediately traveled down to her sports bra, and he let his gaze linger there long enough that a slow flush began to crawl up her cheeks. His gaze traveled down noticing her shapely thighs, and the way her sweatpants clung to her legs as if they were one and the same.
That piece of fabric would look much better on the floor, he thought.
He let his eyes travel back up to her face, and he could see that she noticed he was checking her out, and she didn’t mind one bit. In fact if her body language was any indication, she was very hot for him.
Mark swung his bag over his shoulder and casually strode towards her. He stood next to her and leaned in. He smirked as he noticed that her breath caught in her throat and goosebumps rose on her arms in response to his warm breath on her ear.
“Were you this close?” he asked.
It took the brunette a while to comprehend that he asked a question. “No, not really,” she tried to come off sounding nonchalant, but her tremor gave her away.