Coming in Handy_a Single Dad Romance

by Emilia Beaumont

  “But…” I started but there was no fighting it unless I caused a scene. And there was no point doing that, it would only make Rochelle take notice and there was every chance if she found out that her superstitions would kick in again. I couldn’t risk her balking from walking down the aisle not when we were so close to the finish line.

  Trudy got us into position. We would be the last pair to make our entrance before the bride herself. Beyond the doors, music started to play and I trained my head forward, not wanting to glance at Trudy, even though she was lovely. She was not my Anna.

  “Excuse me, excuse me! Sorry coming through.”

  Something in my chest squeezed, hope blossoming as I heard her voice echoing around the small and very crowded antechamber. It couldn’t be, I thought. I didn’t want to turn my head in case I would be disappointed again, and yet that had to be her. Who else could it be? Her accent was different to what I was used to, but it was her. Tentatively I turned to see the bride scowl at the intruder.

  “Who are you?” Rochelle queried as Anna brushed past the golden hues of her dress.

  Anna blushed and stuck out her hand. “Hi, I’m your bridesmaid, Anna, nice to meet you,” she beamed. “Sorry I’m late, traffic was a nightmare. By the way, the bridesmaid’s dress is perfect. Thank you so much. And so is yours!”

  “Anna? What are you doing here?” I stuttered, mesmerized by her sudden appearance. In response Anna halted, eyes narrowing. Shit, wrong thing to say. “I thought…” I tried again but my mouth was dry. She was here. Actually here, before me, standing like a princess, albeit one who looked slightly pissed off at my new companion.

  Anna glanced at the woman next to me, her hand linked through my arm. “I believe you’re in my spot. Hands off my fiancé,” she said with a smile and a glimmer in her eyes.

  Trudy was a good sport, though a little put out. But she had no time to discuss the matter. Up ahead pairs from the wedding party were already halfway down the aisle.

  “He’s all yours,” Trudy said and quickly found the spare groomsman and took up her position.

  With a frog still in my throat, I offered my arm to Anna, who took it willingly and with a smile on her face.

  “Don’t think that I have forgiven you… yet,” she said.

  “Get in line, honey. He’s got a lot of explaining to do,” Rochelle added from behind.

  I turned over my shoulder. “Hey, just remember who saved the day,” I said and glanced down at her feet, which were completely covered with layers of tulle. You couldn’t even see the damn shoes that had caused all the delays. But I had to admit the previous faulty pair, had been a blessing in disguise.

  “How’s your gran?”

  “Stubborn but fine.”

  “So…” I whispered as we began moving toward the front, getting ready for our turn. “Fiancé, huh?”

  “I’ve still got my ring on,” she whispered back, extending her arm, wiggling her ring finger.

  “I see that, does that mean you’re willing to give me another chance?”

  “That depends.”

  “On what?” I muttered back, barely moving my lips as we started to stroll down the aisle as if we promenading in days gone by.

  “If you give me another chance, too?”

  “As if you even have to ask.”

  We were halfway down the aisle when Anna let out a giggle, surprising even herself, I thought, as she covered her mouth so quickly, her face turning a lovely shade of pink.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “All this. I still can’t believe I thought today I was going to marry you. I mean if you really think about, how would you have gotten a wedding license without me?”

  “Huh, never thought about that. Well, maybe we should get one, just in case I have the urge to sweep you off your feet. Do you have any plans next weekend?”

  She nudged me in the ribs and I was in danger of bellowing out a laugh too, when I caught Gerard’s eye. He stood tall, rigid as a statue, with his hands behind his back. But the expression on his face betrayed his posture. He may have been nervous and only barely holding it together, but there was a man that couldn’t wait to start a new chapter with the love of his life by his side. I gave him an encouraging wink, knowing exactly how he was feeling.

  We made it to the end and just when Anna was about to slip away and join the other bridesmaids on the left, I caught her hand and kept her close. Not wanting to steal the show—though it was hard not to pull her into an embrace and kiss her—I lifted her hand to my lips instead, placing a kiss upon her fingers, then dipped down into a shallow bow.

  “Won’t be long before you’re back in my arms,” I said and let her go, taking my place beside the groom.

  The wedding ceremony was a roaring success. Rochelle made it down the aisle in her bridal shoes without any mishaps. Beautiful vows were exchanged—a few lines nervously muttered on both sides—and the tired, patient guests stood and applauded when Gerard finally got to kiss his bride. Some guests also preemptively showered the newlyweds with confetti, much to the displeasure of the pastor. But nothing could’ve distracted Rochelle and Gerard from each other, their eyes permanently locked, as if they couldn’t believe what they’d just done.

  Finally, I was beside Anna again. Even those few moments apart had felt intolerable. All that time during the ceremony, staring across at her, meeting her eyes as the vows were read, I couldn’t wait for her to be back in my arms again. Couldn’t wait for the day that we’d be doing something similar.

  This time I didn’t care if we stole the show, I would kiss her until we were both breathless and weak at the knees. As soon as our fingertips found each other, I moved to frame her face and leaned down, kissing her. Between the aisles, we blocked any chance of the people behind us from getting past. But everyone was in good humor. Though there were a few shouts of “Get a room you two” and “Pastor, looks like you’re needed for another ceremony, if this goes on any longer.”

  With smiles on our faces, we parted, breathless. I pulled Anna away from the crowd, into a small alcove. In reverse order the rest of the bridal party and the remaining guests followed the happy couple out of the church to the steps outside, leaving us alone for the first time.

  “I meant every word, you know? I love you, Anna. It doesn’t matter what your name is, what crazy thing you’ve done,” I said and tapped my chest, “I know what’s in my heart and nothing you can say will ever change that.”

  Anna’s lips tugged into a half-smile. “What if I told you I was a Russian spy?”

  “I wouldn’t care. I would run away with you.”

  “What if—”

  I placed two fingers on her lips. “I love you. All of you.”

  Anna wrapped her hands around my neck and pulled me down for another long kiss.

  “I love you too… and I know what you did.”

  “What did I do?” I replied innocently, my nose brushing against the tip of hers.

  “You saved my gran from eviction, even though I told you to leave. How can I ever repay you?”

  “Shh, there’s nothing to repay. I did it because I love you, wanted you never to have to worry about where you were going to find the money to keep your gran safe and well. They should be installing a new TV in her room too.”

  “But—”

  “Well, there is one thing you can do. And now you know exactly how I feel…” I said and moved to kneel. “Anastasia Nicola Pavlov, will you marry me?”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Anna

  I said yes, of course!

  It was the easiest decision I’d ever made. The hardest part was when I’d still been at the nursing home, with Gran trying to convince me to go to him. To give him another chance and to stop being so stubborn. I needed to be brave like she said, and follow my heart.

  If my gran had been stronger, she would’ve pushed me out of the room herself, instead she did the next best thing at her disposal and pushed a button for the nurse.


  “Can you please escort my granddaughter out to the curb, Martina,” she’d said, crossing her arms glaring at me.

  “Gran, you can’t be serious?”

  “Oh, I am.”

  Nurse Martina looked between the two of us and shrugged. “Come on. Patient’s orders.”

  “You know this is the right thing to do, Anna. You know it in your heart. You know it’s exactly what your mother would’ve wanted you to do, too.”

  I smiled. She was right about that. Mom always led with her heart, so did Dad, for that matter. Thinking about it I was so like my parents it was spooky. Before I could be forcibly removed from Gran’s room, I skipped over to her bedside and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

  “Thanks, Gran.”

  “Thank me afterward. But don’t you dare get married without me being present, you hear? None of that eloping. Your mother never had a wedding, so don’t go swindling me out of another one!”

  “I promise!” I called as I waved her goodbye.

  However before I could get to the exit and figure out a way to get back to the city in time—because surely Sebastian would’ve have told Big Jim to go home—I was stopped by Mr. Kershaw, the nursing home manager. “Miss Pavlov—”

  “Sorry, I don’t have time to chat. I promise I’ll figure something out about the rest of what I owe you.”

  The lines on his chubby face deepened. “But Miss Pavlov, your grandmother’s account is all up to date, for the rest of the year,” he said as I continued running out the door.

  It was only when I was on the sidewalk racking my brain on a mode of transport and whether or not hitchhiking or stealing a car would be my better option, that Mr. Kershaw’s words filtered down and understanding took over. Had Sebastian paid my gran’s bill? There was no other possibility who could’ve done it.

  A car horn tooted, startling me. I looked up to find a driver’s side window slowly disappearing, to reveal Big Jim’s face.

  “You better get in if you want to make it in time.”

  “You know where I want to go?”

  “From the look on your face, I know exactly where you need to be,” he said with a wink and a smile.

  “From now on we have to tell each other everything,” Sebastian declared as he held my hand, leading me to the dance floor. The wedding reception was in full swing and though I was enjoying myself, deliriously happy in his arms, Sebastian had promised me that we didn’t have to stay too long. A short appearance before we could slip away and be with each other. Apparently, he wanted me all to himself as much as I wanted him.

  “Surely not everything?” I said aghast, wrapping my arms around his neck as he took my waist. “A lady has to have some privacy.”

  He mulled this over as we slow-danced our way around the floor. “Okay, how about ninety-five percent?”

  “Ninety percent,” I countered.

  “Deal. I can live with that.”

  “I think you might also have to thank Josephine for her part in bringing us together.”

  “Now that I can’t live with. Seeing her smug face every day…” Sebastian said teasingly. “She’ll get what’s coming to her, I promise. A nice, big, juicy raise.”

  “Fair enough,” I giggled, mentally noting that I would need to thank her in person myself. For if it hadn’t been for her and her little vendetta against her boss, I might’ve still been in stuck in Russia. “And what about me, will I get what’s coming to me?” I bit my lip and glanced up at him through heavy fluttering eyelashes.

  Sebastian groaned and tugged me closer, his body grinding against mine. “Oh, you can’t say something like that without me wanting to rip that dress off you.”

  “Hands off the dress,” I declared with mock shock, “this will become a family heirloom, don’t you know.”

  Sebastian bent his head, his lips dragging across my neck, sending sparks of pleasure out to the rest of my body, igniting my need for him. “I need you right now,” he whispered. His breath against my ear made me shiver. I licked my lips then found his.

  “Then what are we waiting for?” I replied.

  Sebastian’s eyes flashed and without waiting for the song to finish he took my hand and led me away from the dance floor. We passed the bride and groom locked in their own little world and left the reception, and heading up to the room Sebastian explained he’d pre-booked for the event.

  In the elevator I almost gave in to him, needing him so badly as he pressed me up hard against the mirrored enclosure. His hands were everywhere, teasing, tugging, eliciting moans from me that I was sure people in the hallways on the passing floors could no doubt hear. Arriving at our destination, and with my lipstick obliterated, we rushed down the carpeted corridor hand in hand.

  When we reached the door, and after Sebastian opened it as fast as was humanly possible, I squeaked as he lifted me into his arms, my legs around his waist. His strong hands cradled my butt as I ran my fingers through the short lengths of his hair, tussling it, bringing his face to mine as he strode the length of the room to the bed.

  He lowered me to my feet. “If you really don’t want that dress ruined, you better take it off right now. I can’t promise I won’t rip it otherwise.”

  I spun around quickly, breathing hard and held my hair out the way. “Help me with the zip,” I urged.

  The tightness of the bodice eased, the dress falling away from my shoulders. I helped it along, pushing the cloud-like fabric down, slipping my arms free. I could hear the rustle of Sebastian shedding his suit and turned to get a glimpse of him as he stripped. But I only managed to spy a sliver of his hard torso when his body enveloped mine from behind, spooning me, his weight causing me to bend over like the stem of a flower burdened by the sudden accumulation of rainwater showering down from above.

  Sebastian splayed his hands across my stomach, stroking his way down to my knickers. Arching against him as best I could, I encouraged his hand’s descent. I gasped when his cold fingers met with my warmth, but whether it was due to the temperature difference or the way he teased me open, I could never be certain.

  “Talk to me, Anna. Tell me what you want,” he whispered, gently applying pressure to my clit.

  “Just like that,” I moaned, and covered his hand with mine, “faster.”

  The length of his cock nestled between my bum, as his fingers worked me.

  “I want you inside me,” I breathed, my head resting against his chest. “But… just the tip. Make me beg for it.”

  Without missing a rotation, my clit pulsing, I could feel Sebastian prying away the crotch of my panties. His fingers rubbed from behind, slipping between my folds, guiding him closer.

  He pressed against me, and my heart skipped a beat as I sucked in a breath.

  “I’ll tease you until you’re on your hands and knees,” he whispered, a growl escaping. He breached my tight hole, only progressing an inch before slowly pulling out, controlling his movements with such precision that had me wanting to scream for more.

  Driving me wild, he removed the head of his thick cock, grinding against me. Nudging, stoking the fires within me, spreading my juices like fuel to feed the flames. I craved him beyond anything I could imagine. Like I would easily perish and wither away if his hands left me.

  “What about the tip of my tongue?” Sebastian whispered, immediately taking away his hardness, ducking down to his knees. I deflated like a balloon, a moan of sadness betraying my need for him. “Will you beg for that?”

  A hot breeze floated over my cunt from behind as Sebastian held the tops of my thighs, thumbs pressing into my cheeks.

  “Yes, please,” I said yearning for any part of him to be in me again and bracing myself against the end of the bed, elbows locked, booty out, desperately waiting. “Sebastian, please… just the tip… anything. I’ll do anything.”

  Over my shoulder, I caught a sneaky smile that played on his lips before he wet them. Then I closed my eyes as I got my wish. I almost collapsed onto the bed the moment the spear
of his tongue penetrated me. My arms shook and my hair hung loose as I pushed my ass back wanting him to go further, to explore my hidden depths. But staying true to my demands he circled my entrance, as if he were an intruder tiptoeing around the perimeter. Swirling then sucking he tasted me, quickening my pulse with each tormenting flick of his tongue.

  “Still want just the tip?” he asked, and though I couldn’t see him, I knew he was smiling.

  “I want more. Much more. Surprise me.” My heart thudded in the silence that followed, then totally unexpected I felt a nip on my bum. “Ow! Did you just bite me?” I demanded and whirled around.

  Sebastian chuckled, advancing, dominating the space. He dwarfed me. As he towered over me, I took notice of his naked body. Twisted muscles ready for action. Thighs as thick as tree trunks, arms that could lift me without breaking a sweat, and a cock that could cause a nuclear explosion within me. “You said to surprise you… and now I’m done playing. We’re done playing games, once and for all. Beg for my cock, Anna. Beg for me to bury it deep inside you. To claim you. I don’t want you to be my bridesmaid anymore, I want you to be my bride.”

  I nodded, struggling to catch my breath. “Yes. I’m yours. Forever. Fuck me and make me yours.”

  He pushed me down on the bed, quickly maneuvering to cover my body like a blanket. But he was hard against my softness. Rigid and eager. He parted my legs, pushing them wide, seeking what he came for and taking me unlike any other time before. Like this was our very first time.

  All the lies, the deceptions, and misunderstandings were discarded, we were seeing each other properly with new eyes. And what we found in the depths was clear as day: pure, unadulterated love that could survive any trials or tribulations. And boy what a story we would have to tell our kids one day…

  Face to face, Sebastian whispered that he loved me. His lips grazed my own, breath escaping our bodies, as we moved, holding on to each other. I arched my back and locked my legs tighter around his waist, wanting only to feel him completely, to be overcome by him. Sebastian gripped the bed, thrusting harder. He grunted and I moaned uncontrollably.