“How about we start with one brother?” Liam said.
"Deal."
"That's my boy," Liam said grinning proudly.
“Liam, you’re not helping, you can’t promise him a brother,” Zola said rolling her eyes.
“Of course I can, I just did, you’ve got to hand it to him he drives a good bargain,” he said winking at her.
“And what’re you going to tell him when you can’t give him a brother hmm?”
“Well after having three girls our next child is bound to be a boy.”
“Wh-what are you crazy? I’m not going back and doing this all over again. No way mister, not in this lifetime.”
“It won’t be three next time, we were just lucky this round,” he coaxed.
“Alright, you have him, and push his big head out your small hole then we can talk about having another one.”
“I would if it was possible. Look at our four angels, whose heads I may add aren’t big by the way. Think of our son, do you want to subject him to all that girly stuff, and what about me? We need to even the score, we’re outnumbered two to one.”
She rolled her eyes, “Honestly you’re worse than our son, and I’m beginning to think you’re the one who put him up to this obsession in wanting a brother. I’ll think about it; that is if you let me work part-time when the babies stop breastfeeding,” she said slyly looking at him.
“No,” he said shaking his head. “That’s not an option.”
She put Madeline in her cot, folded her arms across her chest, and stared at her husband. “Then I guess the subject is closed unless you reconsider. Let's bargain shall we.”
“Everything is not up for negotiation you know and you don’t have to work anymore,” he told her.
“Well with you as our fearless leader, we have to know how and when to negotiate,” she said sighing. She looked at him with a serious expression, “Liam I’ve been working since I was fifteen.”
“I know that’s why I want you to relax and enjoy life and our family. You don’t have to struggle to make ends meet anymore.”
“That’s not the point, I loved working and I liked my job even when you were being an ogre, it’s a part of who I am.” She watched as he nodded and knew that what he was about to say was hard for him.
“I’ll think about it,” he conceded.
“You just promised our son a brother, unless you plan on having another woman carry him; you better do more than think about it.”
“Do you always have to argue every point I make?”
“Yes, or it wouldn’t be us, isn’t that why you fell in love with me?” she asked sassily.
“Mostly, and the fact that I knew the day we met that your mouth was going to get you in trouble. But I wouldn’t have you any other way.”
“Yes, but you like trouble, just like me,” she said kissing him.
***
Thank you for choosing and reading Azolah and Liam’s story. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it. Please share this book or lend your copy to a friend who might enjoy it. Please leave an honest review or feedback it would be greatly appreciated. Your reviews help others decide whether they will enjoy the book. Thank you.
If you enjoyed this story you may also enjoyed the first book: Baby makes Five Miah and Ash’s story.
Other books by Nicole Peters.
*A multiple birth series:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01BJTW7EW
Take a peek at the first chapter in the last book of the series: Dare Davina and Connor’s Story which will be coming out in late fall of this year.
Chapter 1
“Come on Davina, live a little. It’s just for one night,” Cindy whined.
Davina James shook her head and looked at her younger sister. She hated when the twenty-two-year-old used her whiny baby voice to get her way. “It may be just one night for you but it’s a waste of time for me. You know I don’t do the club or bar scene.”
“Well you should, you’re so uptight,” the other girl said carelessly.
“Gee thanks, Cin, that helps a lot,” she said a little hurt at her sister’s words even though she knew Cindy didn't mean to be spiteful.
“Okay sister dear; let’s be honest here for a minute. It’s been four long years since Shawn left. He was a prick, and I’m positive he’s still is, that doesn’t mean you should give up on life or love. There’s a Mr. Right waiting for you out there; you just have to take that first step if you want to find him.”
“Cindy I’m not giving up on anything, especially life. You’ve known me all your life, so you know what you’re suggesting isn’t my cup of tea. And I’m not interested in finding Mr. Right at the moment.”
“I know, but wouldn’t it be better if you found someone to help you father my niece or nephew instead of doing it in a sterile exam room with some faceless man’s sperm?”
“I am not going to find a man at a club that is better than the two candidates I have already picked if I recall; you helped me pick them because according to you, if it were left up to me I would pick a boring man to be the father of your niece or nephew. Now you are suggesting I meet some stranger just so I can have his DNA? Think of all the venereal diseases,” she said giving her sister a sharp disapproving look.
“I am not saying to hook up with some dude and go bareback.”
“Cindy, do you have to be so crude?”
“This right here is what I’m talking about, why I’m asking you out. You need to let your hair down for one night, go wild. I know you have a dormant wild streak somewhere inside you; I can’t be the only one in the family who does. All work and no play makes for a dull lay,” he sister said laughing. “Come on Davi, it’s time you get back in the cesspool as you call it,” Cindy coaxed.
“Well it’s a good thing I’m not looking to get laid, and I do not have a dormant wild streak or any other streak hidden away,” Davina said primly.
“Gosh, you’re no fun. Okay, what if I promise to stop trying to set you up on blind dates, and I get our parents off your back, will you come out tonight? I’ll even throw in a box of Ferrero Rocher each week for the next month,” her sister bribed.
Davina thought about the offer; it would be great to get her parents off her back about finding a man and giving them grandchildren. The grandchildren would come soon enough, it’s the husband part that would be lacking and she knew that wasn’t going to make her parents happy especially her father. It would also be great not being ambushed when she showed up for Sunday dinner at her parents’ home. When it wasn’t one of her mother’s friend’s sons, it was some church boy. She would also be glad when her sister stopped throwing men at her from all angles so she could ‘get laid', as if sex was everything.
“You promise to keep your word?” she asked Cindy suspiciously.
Her sister laughed, “Yes, I’d swear on a stack of bibles if you have any around.”
“Fine, I’ll go, but don’t expect me to enjoy it.”
“You never know,” Cindy said smiling.
From the moment she entered the club, Davina regretted caving to her sister. She had spent the whole cab ride pulling at the impossibly short dress she had decided to wear. She had bought it the day of her break up with Shawn on a whim when she had seen it in a display window at a store close to her work. She had tried it on and liked it. She wanted to prove to herself that she could be sexy and not a frigid bitch as her ex had described her. When she had gotten home, she had buyer’s remorse, and put it in the back of her closet.
Tonight when Cindy had called her uptight, she was reminded of the things that Shawn had said about her. It were those thoughts that led her to go in search of the black dress at the back of her closet. To her dismay when she tried it on, it was tighter and about four inches shorter than she remembered, barely reaching mid thigh. She was about to take it off when her sister entered her room.
“Oh.My.God. Davi, whose dress is tha
t?”
“What do you mean?” Davina bristled.
“Well I know you would never dream of buying something this revealing in a million years. So who did you borrow it from?” Cindy said staring at the dress.
“Ha, ha, you’re so funny. I bought the dress four years ago, but it’s too small now, I’m going to change.”
“Don’t you dare! You look dynamite in that little killer black dress.”
“It leaves nothing to the imagination, I look like a prostitute.”
“Imagination is overrated. You look sexy. You’re going to have every man eating out of your hand.”
“I am n—”
“I knew it! I knew you wouldn’t dare wear anything like that in public, you’re such a wuss.”
She was never one to back down from a dare, in fact it was one of her few weaknesses; ever since they were children, she and her sister would dare each other to do things. They would always try to outdo the other and would sometimes end up in trouble. She ended up dating Shawn when Rachel, her lab partner in university dared her to ask the captain of the basketball team out. Now she wished she had tempered her impulse and walked away from what had turned out to be a train wreck.
She was now uncomfortable in a dress she normally wouldn’t be caught dead in, just because of a bloody dare. She needed to work on resisting the urge to prove people wrong or she was going to end up doing something she would regret. She pulled at the hem of the dress and wondered how in damnation women were comfortable wearing something so short. Davina felt as if she were on display, something she tried her best to stay clear of. She would be lucky if men didn’t take her for a lady of the night.
She enjoyed her quiet, sedate life, and preferred to stay in and read a book or take a nice long bath. Since her sister moved in with her two months ago, she barely had the time to enjoy anything. The young woman was constantly entertaining friends. Had she known what was in store for her when Cindy asked if she could move in, she would have said no. She loved her sister dearly, but they both had very different personalities and interests. She would have told her to get a place of her own or stay with their folks until she was ready to take on that responsibility.
She looked around the crowded room and winced at the loud music. God, why did she say yes? She asked crossing her arms over her chest. She eyed the door and thought of backing out when Cindy grabbed her hand and pulled her into the middle of the room.
“Come on, Mel found us a table, and would you stop pulling at the dress, you look fantastic in it. It fits you like a glove,” she said weaving them through the crowd to where her best friend was waiting.
No one should wear something that fitted them like a glove, she thought.
“Hey Davi, you look fantastic, the dress suits you,” Melanie said appraising her.
Davina crossed her arms protectively over her chest again wishing the floor would swallow her up, “Thanks, Mel, but it’s a little too revealing for my taste,” she said sitting.
The two girls looked at each other then laughed as if she had said something extremely hilarious.
“Want a drink?” Cindy asked.
Davina shook her head no.
“Come on, you have to have at least one drink,” Cindy coaxed.
“I’m not in the mood for alcohol. I’ll take a coca cola if you insist.”
Her sister rolled her eyes, “coming right up.”
“No alcohol Cindy, I mean it,” she warned.
“Yeah, yeah party pooper,” her sister said and sauntered off to get their drinks.
“Tell Cin, meet me on the dance floor,” Mel said before she joined the throng of dancers.
Davina watched as a cute black man walked purposely toward their table.
“Hey sweetheart, wanna dance?” he asked smiling at her.
“No thank you,” she said. The man, detecting the frost in her voice and quickly moved on. When her sister came back with their drinks, she sniffed her coke to make sure it was just pop. Cindy laughed and went to look for Mel.
Davina looked at her watch. An hour, ninety minutes max and she was leaving. She saw another man approaching her table, before he could talk; she waved her hand and shook her head, “not interested.”
Connor Elliot couldn’t keep his eyes off the pretty girl across the room. She was sitting at a table looking as bored as he was. He wondered if she’d been guilted into coming here as he had been. He watched with amusement as men went up to her table and were stopped in their tracks by her deathly stare or a regal wave of her hand as if to say don’t bother, keep walking.
That intrigued him even more. He ignored the attractive blonde at the end of the bar who was desperately trying to get his attention. God, he hated clubs, and always had. He was fascinated and tempted to see if she would talk to him. He wasn’t sure if she would even give him a chance. From her demeanor, her body shouted stay away!
He watched her as she pulled at the little dress she was wearing. His gaze traveled over her delectable body and he felt his groin area tighten. She gave new meaning to the little black dress. She must have felt him looking at her because she looked up directly at him, and for a few seconds, their eyes connected before she dropped her gaze. For those few seconds, he felt a humming charge run through his body.
She seemed uncomfortable and kept tapping her slender fingers on the table. He could tell she would rather be anywhere else but here and continued to watch as she pulled at the hem of her dress again even more impatiently. He wondered why she wore it if she wasn’t comfortable in it.
***
Davina looked at her watch, fifteen minutes then she was taking a cab home. It was 11:30 way passed her bedtime. An hour here was enough for her. She rubbed her temples; she felt a migraine coming on. The hairs on her arms stood up, and she looked up to see the sexy guy she had caught watching her from the bar walking towards her. Her interest had been piqued, not because of his looks, but because he to seemed to be just as out of place as she did. Her eyes caught his and something in her stomach fluttered. She quickly looked away and ran her hand down the dreadful dress. Her nipples tightened, and she closed her eyes in embarrassment hoping no one especially him wouldn’t notice.
It was the first time a man made her feel this way in years. It didn’t matter anyway; she doubted someone as handsome as him would be interested in her. She willed herself not to look up to see where he had gone when she felt a presence. She slowly looked up into electric blue eyes and squeezed her tights closer together.
She must look like an idiot staring at him. She couldn’t help it nor did her body it seemed if the dampness in her underwear were evidence to go by. Thank God, she hadn’t listened to her sister when she suggested going without underwear. Not that she would ever do such a thing, their mother would be shock if she knew Cindy does it.
“Hello, do you mind if I join you?” he asked.
She shook her head, she was afraid if she talked, she would fumble her words.
“Thank you, I’m Connor,” he said stretching his hand towards her.
She took his hand and felt a zap run up her arm.
“Davina,” she said finding her voice and pulled her hand away putting it in her lap.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Davina. Would you like another drink?” He asked pointing at her empty glass.
“Ah—”
“It’s the least I could do for allowing me the pleasure of your company. So what would it be?” he asked with such charm she couldn’t resist.
Davina rarely drank and when she did, it was a glass of wine, not liquor but she had heard her sister rave about the Bellini’s from this club. Throwing caution to the wind, she decided to order one.
“Thank you. I’ll have a Bellini please.”
She watched as he signaled for the waitress and placed their order.
“Would you like something to eat as well?” he asked looking at her.
She shook her head, and wa
tched as the waitress left to get their drinks. She was too nervous to eat, the fact that he was sitting there made her stomach uneasy. They sat in silence until their drinks arrived. She took a tentative sip of her drink and was surprised that it tasted so good. She had expected some over powering alcoholic, acidic, bitter drink. Instead, the sweet taste of peach and raspberry lingered on her tongue. She stirred her drink and took longer sip before looking up to see that her companion was looking at her amused.
“Is it to your liking?”
“Yes thank you,” she said playing with the stem of the glass.
“It’s my pleasure. If you don’t mind me saying so you look like you would rather be anywhere but here. I know the feeling,” he said smiling.
Her heart skipped a beat at his smile.
“So your younger sister guilt you into coming too?”
He laughed and her stomach flip-flopped.
“No, my friend Josh thought I needed a night out to loosen up.”
She raised an eyebrow questioningly.
He shrugged, “apparently I work too much.”
“And are you a workaholic?” she asked, looking at him.
“Maybe a little. So why did you end up coming if you don't mind me asking?”
“I get a weekly box of Ferrero Rocher for the next month and a promise from my sister not to set me up on any more blind dates. Also, I get a month off from my parents meddling.”
He chuckled softly, “that bad huh?”
“You have no idea.”
“Surely it can’t be bad enough to make you come to a place you hate.”
“You’ve never met my family. If you did, you would agree it's worth it.”
“Sounds intriguing, tell me about them.”
“I’m sure you have better things to do than listen to me.”
“Nope, I’ve all night.”
She sighed, he was absolutely gorgeous. Did she just say that or think that? Maybe it was the Bellini; she looked at her almost empty glass. No it couldn’t be, it wasn’t that strong, she barely tasted any alcohol. Her head told her she should send him on his way, but her body disagreed. She definitely needed another Bellini.
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