by Lia Lee
Nathaniel gives a small smile. “He was asking me about you. I thought I played it off okay, but maybe not,” he says. Then he takes a deep breath. “Micah’s mom—”
“You don’t have to tell me,” I say, remembering what little Dad had told me.
“I need you to know this,” he says, quieter, and I nod. If he wants to tell me, I’ll listen. “Micah’s mom and I were married for a little over a year. I was crazy about her. When we found out we were expecting, it was one of the happiest days of my life.” He pauses, and it seems like he’s struggling to continue. I gently run my fingers through his hair, and he takes a deep breath, meeting my eyes again.
“She had a good pregnancy, right up until the end. There were some complications…” Even before he says it, I know the words that come next. My heart breaks more than it ever has in my life. Oh, what a fool I’ve been. “She died in childbirth,” he finishes in a whisper, and I blink back the tears.
“Oh, Nathaniel,” I whisper, my heart aching for both him and Micah. “What was her name?”
“Danneel,” he says, almost inaudible. “After she died, I never expected to love anyone that way again. I didn’t think there was anyone who could make me feel the way she did. Until you.”
All I can do is stare at him.
“I’m so in love with you, Poppy. It knocked me on my ass, and it was the last thing I expected. But this week… the prospect of living without you—”
I don’t let him finish, pulling his head down so I can kiss him. I pour every bit of love and longing I can into my kiss. He sets the whiskey bottle down, and then his arms are around my body, holding me close, devouring me.
“Poppy,” he groans.
“Yes,” I whisper. It’s all he needs. He carries me to a chair and sits down, pulling me onto his lap, so I’m straddling him. He pulls down the bodice of the strappy dress I’m wearing, freeing my breasts. The cool air makes my nipples pucker, and Nathaniel’s intense gaze only makes them harder. He lowers his head and takes one nipple between his lips, sucking greedily, and I cry out in need. His other hand tweaks and pulls my other nipple, and I’m on the verge of coming just from having him touch me again.
“Nathaniel,” I moan, and he hikes up the skirt of my dress and rips the thin little silk thong I’m wearing right off.
“I need you,” I murmur, undoing his jeans and lowering the zipper. His cock springs free, and it’s all I can do not to cry in relief. I’ve missed every bit of him, and I knew after that first time we were together that no one would ever make me feel the things he does.
Without another word, I lower myself onto his cock, and he fills me, so deep, stretching me, and I cry out at the overwhelming sensations he’s making me feel. I stay, just like that, impaled on his cock, my forehead pressed to his as his hands torture my breasts.
“Mine,” he growls as he gently rubs his thumbs over my nipples. It’s exquisite torture, and I moan. He always knows exactly what I need.
“Yours,” I pant. “I’m yours.” There’s no point in denying it. He’s everything I want; everything I need. I move over him, slowly, savoring the sensation of my sex sliding over his cock, of him filling me, then retreating almost completely, over and over again; a slow, decadent torture that has me sweating, panting, begging.
“I’m never letting you go again,” he murmurs, watching my face with intensity as I near my release.
I smile down at him. “As if I planned on giving you a choice,” I tell him, and in the next breath, I’m coming, hard, and I hear him shout my name as he goes over the edge with me.
Afterward, he takes me up to his office, and we spend the night putting the sofa in there to good use, eventually falling asleep in one another’s arms.
Epilogue
Poppy
It’s been nine months since I let Nathaniel back into my life. It hasn’t always been easy, I think as I glide onto the ice. This gorgeous little neighborhood park is the perfect place to ice skate, and we wanted to make sure Micah had a chance to do it as often as he wanted. I glance forward to see him skating beside my dad, who is wobbling a bit but managing all right.
I smile—I’m glad he came around. It almost came to fistfights a few times, at first, between Nathaniel and my dad, but they’re okay now. Mostly, my dad sees how happy I am, and I’m grateful for that conversation we had after he saw Nathaniel and me together. It’s made a world of difference for both my relationships.
I finally graduated, and I’m working in a great little gallery in Manhattan. I’m dating a man who treats me like a princess, and I’m getting close to Micah, who’s a great kid and shares my appreciation for superhero movies. But I never want to replace his mom. I know that Danneel will always hold a special place in both Micah’s and Nathaniel’s heart, and I’m completely okay with that.
And as for Nathaniel and me? I swear I love him more every day.
I do a few little jumps and spins, and turn to see Nathaniel grinning at me.
“A woman of many talents,” he says as he takes my hand.
“And I’m just getting started,” I quip with a smile.
“Don’t I know it. Shall we sit?”
I nod, and he leads me over to one of the benches at the side of the rink. Fairy lights twinkle in the trees overlooking the pond and skaters pass us in a blur. It’s cold, but not bitingly so, and I take a deep breath and let it all surround me. My dad and Micah circle around again and Nathaniel waves Micah over. Micah gives him a grimace but waddles off the ice and comes up to us.
“Yeah, Dad? I want to make sure Bruce doesn’t fall,” he says, and I bite back a laugh. Nathaniel pulls something out of his coat pocket and hands it to Micah, and the two exchange what can only be described as a giddy smile.
Micah waddles over to me, grinning, and thrusts something at me, then goes back onto the ice. I laugh and look down at my hands. He’s handed me a little black box. I glance at Nathaniel, who’s watching me, a small smile on his lips.
I open it, and there’s a key inside. I recognize it as the key to Nathaniel's penthouse. I look up at him in shock, then look back at the key, noticing something shiny dangling from the keychain.
“Oh my God,” I say, tears springing to my eyes. A penthouse key… and a diamond ring. I stare at Nathaniel, and he gives me one of his gorgeous, lazy, mouthwatering grins.
“I told you I was never letting you go again.” A few tears are streaming down my face, and then he makes me cry harder by getting down on one knee and taking my hands into his.
“I love you with everything I am, Poppy. I want forever with you, and I promise we’ll make it beautiful. Would you do me the honor of being my wife?”
“Yes,” I cry, getting on my knees and throwing my arms around him. “Yes, Nathaniel. I can’t wait to marry you.”
He kisses me, my joyful tears mirrored with tears of his own. He holds me close, making love to my lips.
“I love you,” he murmurs against my mouth.
“I love you, too. Forever.”
“All mine?”
“All yours.”
When we finally break apart, we settle against the back of the bench, steering our eyes upward to the sky. It’s a clear night, with billions of silver stars winking at us, and the occasional laugh from Micah, out on the rink, each time Dad almost slips on the ice face-first.
There’s a phrase for what I’m feeling; a perfect sentence that I know not many people can often say in their lifetime.
Peace of mind. Yes, that’s the phrase.
Nothing will ever beat this moment, and nothing will ever tear us apart.
THE END
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Billionaire’s Unplanned Baby
By: Ciara Cole
All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2016 Ciara Cole
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Maya Brown had seen loads of men walk through the store doors, but there was something different about this one. And no, it wasn’t just because he could possibly, be the best looking guy she’d set eyes upon.
There was something even deeper, a commanding aura that surrounded him and gave her all kinds of fanciful thoughts just from watching him approach. He hadn’t noticed her yet, so she could view him with candid interest. He had those noble, well-placed features that would have suited a stately ruler of some ancient empire in far off lands. Baby-smooth skin, dark wavy hair, and a body sculpted to perfection in his casual attire of jeans and buttoned down check shirt. Maya put his height at six foot one at least, and every inch of it sat well on his proportionately built frame. Like most girls Maya was partial to a mass of muscle, yet this guy with his lean and mean perfection held a unique new appeal.
In a few words he was hot, he was sexy, and she better get her head straight and stop staring, thought Maya.
One thing she did know, the man certainly fit right into the atmosphere of high-end designer finery surrounding them. Maya had worked in a men’s store for more than four years and had learned more than a bit about style and elegance – and this man had it in spades. He made those jeans look good, not the other way round and the same went for every other item he had on.
Maya let him have a minute just taking in the store, but soon she couldn’t curb her enthusiasm and dived forward before any of the other store clerks could intervene.
When she reached his side, he looked up and Maya felt her hovering smile almost capsize beneath the urge to hang her mouth open in awe. Up close she had her first glimpse of his startling blue eyes, so in contrast with his dark wavy hair. He gave a smile and just like that, Maya felt her panties cream. If any man could personify sex with his mere smile, it was this guy.
Whoa, he made her so hot and he hadn’t even opened his mouth.
“If you’re looking for a suit, I can help you find something appropriate,” Maya offered, turning on her well-honed professionalism with difficulty. The man turned his striking gaze back to the row of suits he’d been perusing.
“Thank you, that sounds good. I need something in black, for a formal event.”
Maya was taken aback once again, this time by his French accent. No wonder there was something a little different about him. The foreign types always stood out in some way, and if you were smart enough you could pick it out. Especially when it concerned their fashion style.
She wished he’d say something else in that sexy voice, but instead she settled for doing her job. They looked through different black suits and she helped him select several, then suggested he might want to check out the shirts as well.
Maya prided herself in being the shop girl to end all shop girls. After holding jobs in almost every type of boutique that the Miracle Mile had to offer, she certainly honed her craft to the pinnacle. From toy stores, art galleries and now, high end fashion retail, Maya believed she’d finally found her niche.
Her outgoing personality ensured she could draw out anyone and make them feel comfortable around her. She didn’t take long to get her new customer talking, as he admitted that shopping was usually an ordeal.
“Not when you come to the right place, it isn’t. Are you ready to trust my opinion?” Maya gave her best warm smile, and saw him respond in kind as he seemed to relax in relief.
“I mean, I wouldn’t want something that would look like my mama picked it out, so yes, please. I need all the help I can get,” he said.
“Then follow me,” Maya said sweetly and moved on ahead. She wondered if there was a chance those gorgeous blue eyes could be trained on the sway of her hips in the black skirt she wore with heels and a cream blouse, the uniform of the store.
Not that she thought there’d be any chance he’d be into black girls. Maya kept a slim, shapely figure thanks to not just exercise and diet but damn good genes as well – and she knew looks wise she wasn’t doing badly for her ripe age of twenty eight. She mostly turned heads, if she had to admit, yet it didn’t seem likely her shocking attraction to this European god was in any way reciprocal.
The guy just wanted some nice clothes, so yeah, Maya would do her bit. And it was the most enjoyable part of her job to get to serve such a gorgeous, charming and courteous customer. He couldn’t be above thirty, and had such a calm gravity about him that was so intriguing. Almost like he could be a painter or a writer, or something really deep and eloquent. Or she could be way off mark and he could be some nerdy tech guy, or even a banker. Though, it would be a shame to waste that whipcord body behind a desk all day, Maya mused dreamily.
Pulling her silly head out from the clouds, Maya focused on her task, as he followed her to the far side of the store. He indicated a shirt and Maya immediately reached for it, but then he’d also moved at the same time to get it and that was when his muscled arm brushed against her chest.
Maya quelled a gasp at the accidental touch – well, she hoped it was accidental. Or did she? Because for some reason her nipples were going crazy, the tips hardening to aching points beneath her bra. Quickly, Maya grabbed the shirt as the man beside her drew back politely. Ever the professional, Maya then pointed out another apparel and went on like nothing had happened.
But then when he had to move behind her as they exited the somewhat small aisle holding the shirts, Maya stumbled slightly. His strong hands fell on her waist to steady her and somehow, her body was pulled back against him as she tried for balance. Maya became instantly aware of his masculine energy and solid power from behind her, and it made her knees feel weak.
“Oh! Um…” She felt breathless, turned on and just stupid. She looked over her shoulder and into his deep blue eyes, and almost lost it. What the hell was happening? Out of nowhere came all this physical tension where the air around them seemed to crackle and thrum. The liquid heat between her legs seemed to spread to embarrassing proportions, and Maya told herself she was glad when his hands fell away and she could put a little distance between them. The last thing she wanted, was him to catch the scent of her desire.
“Would you…why don’t we go back to the dressing room and you can try these on,” Maya suggested, her voice sounding a trifle squeaky. She walked briskly ahead not waiting for an answer, holding the shirts over her chest as if like armor. They returned to the large dressing room with the full length mirrors, leather sofas and the rich scent of luxury colognes blending in the air along with the music from the record player. Never would Maya have considered the whole environment in any way suggestive, until now.
She could still feel the imprint of his fingers on her waist, and the sure touch of his hands had her thinking he must work with them a lot – which put paid to the desk job idea. Maya felt she should be a little more affronted by the forward touch…until she recalled that much earlier, she’d been somewhat forward herself.
Not long before, she’d taken off his jacket for him to try on one of the suits, and she’d run her hands over his shoulders to give herself an idea of the fit he liked in his shirt. She’d felt his muscles flex as she’d then moved her hands over his back and down his arms. She didn’t think anything of it at first, but she did remember feeling a bit excited to discover he definitely was packing more muscle than she might have imagined. Maya blushed thinking maybe she’d given him the wrong idea and in turn, instigated this charged atmosphere of awareness. She hated the thought that she may have come across provocative.
She definitely didn’t make a habit of doing that with her male customers.
Quickly, she exited the dressing room to give him privacy after ensuring he had everything he needed. Once outside the closed door, Maya leaned against the frame and let out a ragged breath. How long had it been sinc
e a handsome stranger had her all fluttered?
It might all have been nothing and she was just reading too much into it, so Maya decided to play it cool and collected. When he appeared minutes later, he told her which ones he wanted and Maya went to get them packed.
Maya soon handed him the bags, while concealing her reluctance to see him go – and sensing the same with him, as he lingered even after thanking her for her help and taking his purchases. Then to her surprise, he held out his hand and told her his name was Alain, and that he was in town for a month on vacation.
“Oh.” Maya slipped her hand into his, and felt the warm strength of his grasp for a moment before he released her. “I’m Maya.”
He nodded at the name tag she wore. “I know.” He smiled, the genuinely amiable gesture diffusing Maya with an inner warmth. “I’m not sure how inappropriate this is, Maya, but I’d like to take you out to dinner.”
****
Alain. What a gorgeous name for a gorgeous man, thought Maya. And I’m having dinner with him tonight.
It was just hours ago, at the men’s store where she worked, that he’d unexpectedly asked her out on a date. “I’d like to take you out to dinner.”
He’d seen her shocked look, and even as she’d tried to back away he held up a hand. “I’m sorry if I seem to forward. I guess I’m more used to being around cars than people.”
Maya’s eyes had sharpened at his words. “You work with cars?”
He must have seen the spark of interest in her expression, and he smiled. “I trained as an engineer, though now working on race cars is my thing. European motorsports to be exact.”
“Sounds like you live an exciting life.”
“Exciting enough to want to find out more? I’d really like to see you again.”
Maya had been divided. “Look Alain, you said you’re on holiday, and you’re probably looking for a diversion but…”