Earning Her Love

by Hazel Gower

  “So,” Beth said as she came over and sat on the sofa with two hot chocolates, handing one to Mia. “How is it really going with Mr. Hottie? I mean, from what I’ve seen, he and his family are beyond perfect.”

  Mia took a sip of the hot chocolate goodness. “They are perfect. He is beyond perfect. I feel like I’m dreaming. I’m scared I’m going to wake up and it’s all been a dream, and I don’t have him or his amazing family, and I’m alone in the hospital.”

  Beth took Mia’s hot chocolate and placed both mugs on the side coffee table. She then pulled Mia against her and into a hug. “It’s real. You deserve the amazing family and him.”

  Easing from Beth, Mia stared up at her best friend, her green eyes shone and Mia knew that she was fighting not to cry. “Thank you.”

  The tears dropped. “Mia, you were dealt a shitty hand in life, with what happened with Zane’s father, your parents, school, and so on, but those things have made you stronger. They’ve made you who you are today.” Beth squeezed her hand. “I don’t know how you do it. You’re a year younger than me, and I had both my parents’ support and Landon’s father. He may only see him once every fortnight for a couple of hours, but at least he does see him. You’ve raised Zane all by yourself, and have done an amazing job. You deserve this wonderful family and perfect man.” She wiped her eyes. “Enjoy it, Mia, and embrace them, because I know if they know what a caring and giving person you are, they will love you just like I do.”

  Throwing herself at Beth, Mia hugged her friend. Right then she felt so lucky. “Thank you,” she whispered. “You’re awesome, and the best friend I could ever ask for.” They laughed and kissed each other’s cheeks until they broke out in giggles.

  “Oh God, bro. If I knew this was going on at your house, I would come over a lot more. I’m in heaven.”

  The voice came from behind them, and Beth and Mia separated, and Mia turned and saw Lockie, Alex’s brother, standing at the entry to the lounge room. Alex stood next to him, and behind them was Owen.

  “Oh, don’t stop on my account,” Lockie continued. He wiggled his eyebrows up and down.

  She and Beth burst out laughing at the looks on their faces. Lockie wasn’t the only one who seemed to have enjoyed what he walked in on. Owen’s eyes were wide, and he had a huge grin. Alex’s blue eyes were dark with lust, and his lips were curled up in a smirk that said he was definitely having naughty thoughts.

  Winking at Beth, Mia sighed dramatically. “We have been found out. Here I thought we had at least a couple more hours of make-out time before Alex got home.”

  “Holy shit!” Lockie whacked Alex on the back. “You lucky son of a bitch. You can totally have a threesome with two hot MILFs.”

  Alex groaned. She and Beth were laughing so hard they were holding their stomachs. They watched the guys adjust their pants and narrow their gazes on them.

  Zane and Landon were so absorbed in Skylanders they didn’t even turn to see what their mums were laughing about. Mia did notice both Landon and Zane had moved closer to hear the TV.

  “Oh, your faces were awesome,” Mia said between giggles. “Lockie, you’re sweet. It’s good to know I’m a MILF.”

  Mia burst out laughing at the murderous look Alex gave Lockie. Mia felt great. It was nice to know men found her attractive. Especially hot ones. Lockie may have no tact, but what he’d said and the looks on their faces had given her a huge boost in confidence, and she knew as she looked at Beth that she was feeling the same way. Sometimes, being a single mum, you forgot that you’re still a woman, and you are your own person, separate from your children. It’s nice to know you’re attractive. A human.

  Alex walked over to her and leaned down and kissed her. Mia savored him and almost forgot about the others in the room until Lockie made himself known again.

  “Argh, there are children in the room.”

  Alex eased away, and Beth glared at Lockie. “They haven’t even turned from the screen.”

  “I wasn’t talking about them.” Lockie stuck his tongue out at Beth. “I was talking about me and my sensitive eyes.”

  Shaking her head, Mia tried not to giggle at Beth’s huff. Mia hadn’t seen her friend like this before. Beth was giving Lockie a nasty glare, while he pretended to look innocent. Mmm, Mia thought as she looked at Alex to see if he’d caught it too. Alex winked at her, and Mia wiggled back in her seat as the guys came in and sat on the recliners.

  Chapter 5

  Work sucked. Alex had expected some ribbing here and there from his coworkers about Mia, but the pranks were too much, like high school applications, or replacing his name tag with sugar daddy. He’d forgotten the age difference between Mia and him. Mia didn’t act the way he thought a normal twenty-one year old would act. She had an old soul, and Alex never found it hard to find topics to talk to her about. She was smart and wasn’t afraid to ask questions and learn when she didn’t know something. He liked that about her. Alex knew women his own age who didn’t do that.

  Alex was happy with Mia. If he could forget about their age difference, he was sure others would too. He would wait until work died down with their games before he introduced Mia. He hoped once his work friends realized how serious he was about Mia they’d quit the pranks.

  Having just come home from work, rushing his shower at work, eager to get to Mia, Alex went in search of her, finding her in the kitchen. He stood by the entrance, enjoying his view. She danced around the kitchen to Snow Patrol as she made dinner. Mia had become so good moving around with the cast it barely hindered her. Her arse swayed as she stood before the stove stirring. He zoned in on the plump, round globes in the short summer dress she wore. Damn, she had a fine arse. He hadn’t realized he was an arse man until he met Mia, but oh, he was, and a boob man too, and Mia had an abundance of both.

  Quietly, he made his way to Mia. Coming up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and gathered her against him. “Mmm, smells good.” It did, but she smelled better, like chocolate cupcakes.

  Alex felt Mia jump, but as soon as she realized it was him, she leaned back against him. “I made a roast lamb for Locklen to say thank you for taking Zane today. Do you think he’ll like it?” Mia was the only person besides Lockie’s work colleagues who call him Locklen. Even their parents called him Lockie.

  Kissing Mia’s neck, he rubbed his growing erection against her arse. “He’ll like it.” Nibbling on her delicate skin, he slid his fingers under her dress and moved her panties aside. Her breath hitched, and Alex pressed his now rock hard cock more firmly against her. “Turn everything off. Let’s go enjoy what little time we have left before my son comes home.”

  Mia gasped and whirled around in his embrace. Tears glistened in her eyes, ready to fall. “Y…y…you just called Zane your son?”

  Recapping what he’d just said, he shrugged. It was true. Zane was his son. He may not be his blood, but he was his in every way that counted. “I did.” Brushing her tears away as they fell, Alex leaned down and feathered kisses over her lips. “I want you to think about something for me. I want to adopt Zane. I want to be his dad. He’s an amazing kid, and I’d be lucky to have him as a son.”

  Mia’s body shook with her sobs. “Oh God, you’re perfect.”

  She jumped on him, forgetting about her cast. Alex grunted as the solid cast hit his waist. He didn’t let go of Mia though, he held her to him as she covered his face with kisses. When her lips met his, he opened and sought entry. Their tongues locked together, and he backed up so her arse rested on the counter. Hooking his fingers under her dress straps, he slipped them off her shoulders and pushed the dress down to reveal her breasts.

  “Yes,” he hissed. She wasn’t wearing a bra. Cupping her breasts, her caressed them and took the tips between his thumbs and forefingers and squeezed.

  The sound of giggling had him reluctantly pausing. “They’re kissing agains, Locks. They’re always kissing.”

  Zane’s voice made him stop and then pull the dress up an
d over Mia’s breasts and ease away, but just enough so he could see his brother and Zane. Mia was bright red and needed a minute to compose herself. Alex’s dick strained against his sweatpants. It was best he stayed behind the bench.

  Alex smiled as Lockie came more into the kitchen with Zane in one arm and balloons, show bags, and a stuffed teddy in the other. Zane was covered in what looked like chocolate, dirt, sprinkles, and glitter.

  “It looks like you had fun. Did you give him any food other than candy and chocolate?” Alex raised his brow.

  Zane frantically nodded his head. “Ah-huh, iza have a hazdog too.”

  “Hotdog, little guy.” Lockie kissed Zane’s forehead.

  “That’s what iza said, Uncles Locks.”

  Alex bit his cheek to stop the chuckle from slipping out as he watched Zane roll his eyes.

  Lockie didn’t hold back though and laughed. “I love this little man.”

  Zane beamed at Lockie.

  Mia straightened herself as she carefully got down from the counter and turned to face Zane and Lockie. “Thank you so much for taking Zane today. It looks like he had a ball. Did you say thank you to Locklen, Zane?” The stern mummy voice was in action.

  Zane’s little head bounced up and down. “I so did. Alls the times. Uncle Locks is the bested. He boughts me a Sklyander shows bags.” Zane practically vibrated in Lockie’s arms. Good God, how much candy and crap did Lockie give him? Zane looked like he was high as a kite.

  Lockie winked. “No problem. Did you know your son is a little player? He’s better to take out than Grace.”

  Zane clapped his hands. Glaring at his brother, hoping he’d catch the hint to shut up, Alex moaned when Zane added, “Uncle Locks gotted six.” Zane held up his sticky looking fingers. “Numbers from girls.” Zane’s brows furrowed. “You nows whats?” Alex shook his head, but Zane continued. “They’d wered pretty, buts they shows their boobies lots more than even Aunty Steph.”

  Alex couldn’t stop his laughter this time, it burst free and consumed him. His son was hilarious. Alex went over to Lockie and took Zane and all his new things.

  Hugging Zane to him, he pressed a kiss on his forehead. “Missed you, buddy.”

  Sticky arms wrapped around his neck, and Zane kissed his cheek. “Love you.”

  Alex’s heart melted. “I love you too.” He squeezed him tighter, and Zane giggled. “Let’s...” His words trailed off when he saw Mia’s stance. Her hands were on her hips, and her back was rigid.

  “Don’t get me wrong when I say this, I do appreciate you taking Zane out today. What I don’t appreciate is you using my son to pick up women.”

  Lockie raised his hands. “I didn’t use my nephew to pick up women. He’s a magnet. I promise I didn’t approach any of the women who gave me their number. They approached me.”

  “Really?” Mia’s voice dripped heavy with sarcasm.

  A smug smile spread over Lockie’s face. “Really. Every time your son smiled, showing his dimples, I had a woman tell me how adorable they thought my son was, and then I’d tell them he was my nephew and...well, it went from there.” Lockie tried to give a look that fell between innocent and ‘I’d never tell a lie’. He failed miserably.

  “Mummy,” Zane whined, saving Lockie. “Mummy, all the girls liked me firsted. They smiled and pulled funny faces.”

  Alex could see Mia fighting to contain her laughter. She bit her lip, and her body shook. “Oh, I’m sure they did.” She walked over and wrapped her arms around them. “I love you, baby boy.”

  I love you, Mummy.” Zane kissed Mia on the cheek.

  Mia turned to face Lockie. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have accused you. Thank you for taking him to the fair.”

  Lockie waved his hand. “No problem. I’ll take him anytime.” His eyes softened. “You have done an amazing job with him, Mia. He’s a great kid. You’re lucky to have found them, brother.” The smile that covered his face was bright.

  Mia left his embrace and went to Lockie, hugging him. “I’ve made you a roast lamb for dinner. It’ll be ready in twenty minutes.”

  “You didn’t have to. Roast lamb is my favorite.”

  She stepped away from him. “Why don’t you and Alex go in the lounge room while I take Zane up for a bath? By the time I’m done everything should be ready.”

  “I can bath Zane, sweetheart.” Alex was already holding Zane, and he didn’t mind doing bath time.

  The glow of her smile warmed him. “Sure. I’ll start on the gravy and Lockie can tell me what he and Zane got up to.”

  He loved that she trusted him with Zane. He hoped she would let him adopt him.

  * * * *

  Mia waited until she heard the bath running before she went into the dining room where Locklen was setting the table. Alex’s fortieth birthday was only a couple of weeks away and she’d been stumped at what to get him, but tonight Mia knew just what she could do, but she’d need help.

  “Locklen, I need your opinion.”

  “On what?” He paused, forks still in hand.

  “I had no idea what to get Alex for his birthday, but I think I know now.”

  Locklen raised his eyebrow and placed the forks on the table.

  “Not long before you arrived Alex asked if he could adopt Zane and be his father.”

  “That’s great.”

  “Yes, it’s amazing.” Her heart sang with delight at just the thought of it. Alex was a wonderful man, and he treated Zane as if he was his own.

  “Are you going to let him?”

  “That’s where I need your help to get it organized. I’m wanting to do it as a present for his birthday. Do you think he’d like it?” Uncertainty crept into her. Would Alex’s family be okay with this? Would they be happy, or would this start to cause problems? Her stomach sank, and she cleared her suddenly dry throat before gazing up at Locklen.

  The smile that spread over his face had her nerves calming. “He’d love it. That would be the best present you could give him.”

  Beaming at him, she knew she’d chosen right. Although now that she thought about it she realized it had never even crossed her mind to say no to Alex. He was an amazing father now. If he wanted the title to be official, she would never deny him or Zane that privilege.

  * * * *

  Work wasn’t getting better. Instead, the pranks were getting worse. Every day there was something new on Alex’s desk and in his locker. Yesterday had been a book titled How to Handle a Midlife Crisis—The Dos and Don’ts. Another time had been brochures about red sport cars. His locker had been filled with Viagra pill bottles, and another time it was filled with Sugar Daddy candy. Everyone was hounding Alex to bring Mia to MacGoos Pub, the local pub where everyone hung out after work. He hadn’t been going as much because he was eager to get home to Mia and Zane. The jokes and pranks though weren’t making him eager for Mia to meet his work colleagues.

  Derick, who he was partnered with the most, had been the only one to leave him the hell alone. Tonight he was doing a double shift with Derick, and he would be arriving soon to pick him up.

  He paced back and forth and debated if he should wait outside or let Derick in. Mia was in the kitchen, cleaning up dinner and packing him food for work. She was an amazing cook. He had yet to eat anything of hers that didn’t taste like a slice of heaven. At the rate he was eating, he was going to have to do a gym workout twice a day so he didn’t become huge. The food was so good that people at work had found out, and if he left any of his food in the fridge or where it could be seen, it would be gone before he got a chance to eat it himself.

  Guilt assaulted him as he realized what an arse he was being. Mia did all the cooking and his house was spotless. She listened to him talk about work, and she asked about his friends and work colleagues. Mia had never once complained when he’d stayed back with his mates or went to the pub. When he went over all that, he really did feel like a dick. He should be proud of Mia, not hiding her away.

  Going to her, he gathered he
r to him, hugging her tight. She stared up at him with a question his her eyes. Taking the container lids out of her hands, he kissed her knuckles. “Thank you.”

  “For what?

  “For being you. For being so amazing. You’ve been making me breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. I come home and the house looks like a show home.” Leaning down, he brushed his lips over hers. “You don’t have to do all this. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate it, but I don’t expect it. I don’t want or need a show home. People live here. You, my son, and I. I expect the house to look lived in. You should be resting. Enjoying it.”

  She sighed and kissed him. “I’m lucky to have you.”

  “No, it’s me who’s lucky. I want you to meet Derick. He’s the guys I get partnered with the most. He should be here any minute.”

  She beamed up at him, and the shinning happiness that was spread over her face had his heart fluttering so fast he know he was a goner. He would do anything to see that look on her face for the rest of time. He was falling for Mia, and he was falling hard.

  Taking her lips to his own, he savored her. Gliding his hands down her back, he cupped her arse and squeezed. She moaned and clutched tighter to him.

  A loud cleared throat had him reluctantly pulling away and glaring at the intruder. Alex was surprised to see Derick staring back at him.

  “I think someone needs to have a talk to a little boy about opening the door to strangers.”

  Mia spun in his embrace. “Zane Lexington, come here now!”

  The little boy in question peeked from behind Derick. He knew he’d done wrong. His shoulders are drooped, and his lips were trembling. He slowly came toward Mia.

  “You know you’re not allowed to open the door. You never did it at our place, why here?” Mia stepped forward and placed her hands on hips.