Take A Chance

by Micalea Smeltzer

  Being a parent was hard, especially doing it on your own, but at the end of the day this little girl was the reason I lived and breathed.

  She nodded her head eagerly. “Can I twake my dresses? I wants to be pwetty.”

  “You’re always pretty.” I told her as I padded down the hall with her right on my heels.

  “Duh, but dresses make me pwettier.”

  I laughed. “Okay, baby girl.”

  We sat down on the floor together and went through the clothes in her dresser. Even though she insisted she only wanted to wear dresses I still packed her a few pairs of pants to be on the safe side. It was already getting chilly here, and I knew it would be even colder up north.

  Once she was all packed I had to face the reality of my closet once more.

  It was Wednesday afternoon and we were flying out tonight. I felt so unprepared even though I’d had a week to plan. It was safe to say I’d procrastinated my time away.

  Mia hopped up onto my bed with her favorite purple stuffed bunny clasped in her chubby hands. She burrowed into the pillows on my bed and I chuckled.

  “Are you going to take a nap?” I asked her.

  “No, swilly,” she scoffed. “I’m a big gurl. Naps are for babies.”

  I shook my head, laughing under my breath as I scanned my closet.

  I ended up packing mostly jeans and sweaters. I did pack two dresses though, to be on the safe side. I didn’t want to get caught like I did at the beach when I didn’t have anything dressier to wear.

  I set the packed suitcases by the front door and then packed a small bag with hair and makeup supplies.

  By the time I was done I knew Hayes would be here any minute.

  I scurried around the house in an effort to double check that I’d packed everything I might need. I hated to over pack, but with a child you had to make sure you had certain things. Like medicine and Band-Aids…and I forgot both of those things.

  I ran back into the bathroom and grabbed the children’s Motrin and the small first aid kit.

  I put both in my purse and stood with my hands on my hips. I took a deep breath as I ran through a mental checklist. This time I was sure that I had everything I could possibly need.

  It was crazy to think I’d gone on a vacation with everybody only a few months ago, but this time Hayes and I were a couple. It seemed too weird to use the word boyfriend. I hadn’t called someone that since high school. After Todd left I had no desire to date and having a baby left little time for a relationship. Besides, most men could barely handle the baggage of a woman, let alone one with a child. But Hayes was different. From the moment I met him he’d been enamored with Mia. In fact, if you wanted my complete honesty I think he liked her before he did me. While shy, she could charm the best of them with a bat of her lashes.

  “Mia, what are you doing?” I called when I noticed her bouncing on the couch as she looked out the window.

  “Waitin’ for Hayes.”

  She never ceased to amuse me.

  Turning to look at me over her slender shoulder, she asked, “Is he going to be my new daddy?”

  My whole body clamped up. I’d known these kinds of questions were inevitable from a child her age, but I’d hoped to avoid them a little while longer. I mean, Hayes and I hadn’t even been on an official second date yet. It was way too soon to be talking about anything permanent, but explaining that to Mia would be nearly impossible.

  “No,” I replied as I sat down beside her. I gathered her into my arms and kissed the top of her head, inhaling the scent of her shampoo.

  She pouted, tears sparkling in her large blue eyes. “But udder kids have daddies. Day pick dem up at school.”

  My heart broke at her words. Three days a week Mia went to a preschool in the mornings before being picked up by her baby sitter. I hated that she had to sit and watch other kids interact with their dads while she was left to wonder why she didn’t have one.

  “I’m so sorry, baby girl.” My throat suddenly clogged with emotion and I struggled to get enough air. “One day you’re going to have a daddy.”

  She gave me a sad little look and snuggled into my body. “At weast I have da best momma in the world.”

  I smiled at her words. “I’m glad you think so.” I kissed her forehead, hoping that even with the simple gesture she could feel how much I loved her.

  A car horn sounded outside, breaking the moment.

  I stood with Mia gathered into my arms and went to the door.

  Hayes was already getting out of his truck and I nodded towards my car. “Can you grab her car seat for me?”

  “Sure thing.” He jogged over to my car and had the seat out within seconds.

  He installed it in his truck like he’d done it a million times before and I walked down the porch steps with Mia still in my arms.

  Hayes tugged on the seatbelt strap to make sure there wasn’t any give and grinned in satisfaction at his handy work.

  “Hey, Ms. Mia,” he held out his arms, “are you going to let me put you in your seat?”

  She nodded and leaned from my arms towards him. He grabbed her and buckled her into the seat, placing a kiss on her cheek and melting my heart in the process.

  I turned to head back inside but Hayes reached for my arm to halt me while he closed the truck door with the other.

  “You get on in,” he nodded at the truck, “I’ll get your stuff and lock up.”

  “Are you sure? They’re heavy,” I joked.

  He gasped like he was offended. “Have you seen these guns?” He proudly flexed his arms. “I think I can handle your bags.”

  I shook my head, unable to hide my smile. “The bags are by the door and my keys are on the kitchen counter.”

  “You got it.” With a salute he jogged away and up the porch steps.

  I climbed into the massive truck and turned around to check on Mia.

  “Are you strapped in good there, baby girl?”

  She nodded. “Yep.” She tugged on the straps.

  I smiled at her. “We’re going on an adventure. Are you excited?”

  Her tiny pink lips pursed together. “…Will I get a new Barbie?”

  I grinned. “Only if you’re good.”

  “I’ll be da best.”

  “I know you will.”

  I turned back around and saw Hayes had both of the suitcases sitting on the porch while he locked the door. He kept staring at the knob and studying the doorframe.

  Before I could hop out of the truck he grabbed up the suitcases and started forward.

  He put them in the back on the opposite side of Mia and when he climbed in the driver’s seat his brow was wrinkled with worry.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked, placing my hand on his forearm. The muscle was taut beneath my fingers.

  “It looked like your door had been tampered with,” he whispered, backing out of the driveway. “I’m going to call someone to change your lock while we’re gone.”

  “What?” I gasped, my heart stopping and then speeding up in fear. “Do you really think it’s necessary?”

  His worried blue eyes connected with mine. “Yeah, I do. If someone’s messing around…” He pulled in a lungful of air. “I’d never forgive myself if I did nothing and you or Mia ended up hurt.”

  “You’re right,” I agreed, glancing back at Mia. “I can’t let anything happen to her.”

  Suddenly, my eyes widened with clarity.

  What if the person messing around my house was the man Mia saw at the store? Could someone be stalking me? But why? It wasn’t like I had much. It was all strange, but I was going to have to be more alert. Not only for my safety, but for Mia’s.

  The last few hours had proven to be some of the craziest of my life.

  I could now check off riding in a private jet and a limo off of my bucket list.

  Back at home it was all too easy to forget that the guys in Willow Creek were famous. They had perks most people only dreamed about, but it was their reality. I di
dn’t know how they’d managed to remain humble through it all.

  The limo pulled up in front of a fancy hotel and everyone moved to get out. When I started to slide towards the open door Hayes grabbed my arm to halt me.

  Mia was passed out asleep on his lap and there was a wet spot on his shirt from her drool but he hadn’t, not once, complained.

  “We’re not staying here,” he stated, releasing my arm.

  “We’re not?” I frowned as the driver closed the door. Through the window I could see the others heading inside the hotel while someone pushed their bags in on carts.

  “No,” he shook his head, “Trace, my cousin…you remember him, right?” I nodded so he continued. “They own an apartment here. I thought it would seem more like home to Mia instead of staying here.”

  How did he think of these things? I’d never met anyone so kind and thoughtful before.

  The driver pulled away from the hotel and I settled back into the seat.

  Despite my exhaustion I still took time to look out the windows and appreciate the view. I’d never seen the city before and while beautiful with its soaring skyscrapers and bright colors I felt entirely out of my element and I hadn’t even set foot out of the car. One of the things that boggled my mind the most was the fact that it was so late—or early, depending on your perspective—and the city was still teeming with life. Did no one ever sleep?

  Minutes later the limo stopped in front of a large building that screamed rich people. Money dripped from the stone encasing the building and the marble steps leading up to the entrance. Beyond it I could see a lobby of sorts with heavy leather chairs and couches with a gleaming chandelier hanging above.

  The door swung open and I slid out, my mouth parted in awe.

  Hayes glided out behind me with a grace no man that tall should possess. Mia was still cradled in his arms sleeping peacefully.

  “I’ll bring your bags up for you.” The driver said.

  “Thanks.” Hayes flashed him a smile as he adjusted his hold on Mia. “This way, Arden.” His hand landed against the small of my back and he guided me forward and into the building.

  We headed straight for the elevator. Hayes fumbled in his pocket for a key and inserted it into a slot before pressing a button for the penthouse.

  It seemed to take forever for the elevator to finally reach the top floor, but when it did it was well worth the wait.

  “Oh, wow.” I gasped, stepping forward.

  The foyer was covered in marble floors with a round wooden table that had a large flower arrangement perched on top. I reached out, taking a petal between my fingers to see if it was real. It was.

  Hayes stood quietly behind me, letting me explore.

  I stepped through an archway and gasped at the view. There was a whole wall of windows that showcased the city. It felt like we were a part of everything happening below us.

  “This place is beautiful,” I commented, turning around to take in the rest of the space.

  I was surprised to find that the penthouse wasn’t cold and barren looking. Instead it had a lived-in feel to it. There was a large sectional covered in thick pillows and a leather ottoman sat in the middle. Above a fireplace was a flat screen TV.

  “Yeah it is,” Hayes agreed. “I’ve only been here once before a few years ago so I forgot how nice it is.”

  “Where do you normally stay when you’re in the city?” I asked, skimming my hand along the soft fabric of the couch.

  He shrugged and glanced down at Mia in his arms. “Usually at the hotel with the guys, or at my friend’s.”

  “Who’s your friend?” Curiosity colored my tone.

  He smiled wryly. “Not a girl if that’s what you’re implying. Have you ever heard of the band Fallen Invasion?”

  I scoffed. “Of course. I don’t live under a rock.”

  He chuckled. “Asher Robinson, the lead singer, let’s me crash at his place sometimes.”

  “Wow,” I breathed, “you know famous people.”

  He laughed softly. “Baby, I am famous people.”

  “Oh, right.” I glanced down. “I keep forgetting that.”

  “I like that you forget that.” He said the words softly and with so much meaning that I felt the words down in the very depths of my heart. He paused as he started past me and leaned down to graze his lips against the top of my head. “Come on, bed time.”

  I followed him down the hall to a guestroom where he pulled back the covers and gently placed Mia on top. She snuggled into the bed as he covered her body.

  We tiptoed out of the room and he started to close the door, but left a small crack so that her room wouldn’t be completely black.

  I smiled at the small gesture that he probably hadn’t even realized he’d done.

  Hayes stood against the opposite wall from me and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “There are plenty of rooms in this place so feel free to take one of those or you can share with Mia.”

  My brows furrowed in confusion. “I won’t be sleeping with you?”

  His eyes widened in surprise and his Adam’s apple bobbed. “I’m okay with that if you are.”

  I nodded. “I am, but I’m exhausted so don’t get any ideas…yet.” I winked.

  He groaned and reached out to grab me around the waist. He pulled my back against his chest and hugged me tight. “You really know how to play with a man, you know that, right?”

  I smiled and leaned into his touch. I’d long ago forgotten how good it felt to be held by someone you cared about.

  “Only you.”

  He chuckled against my neck and then his lips pressed tenderly against the spot where my pulse raced. “I like the sound of that.”

  NEVER IN A million years did I think I’d be waking up in a king size bed, in a penthouse located in Manhattan, with the arms of Josh Hayes wrapped around me. But man, I could definitely get used to this.

  I snuggled closer to his warm, bare chest, and pressed my lips to the crook of his neck.

  He made a tiny little sound in the back of his throat but still didn’t wake up.

  He looked so peaceful in his sleep. The normally sharp edges of his cheekbones were softened and his lips were pouted to perfection. He oozed sex appeal without even trying and my long dormant hormones were ready to wake up and say hello. He was irresistible.

  I reached up and traced my finger along his top lip. When I started on the bottom his eyes popped open and he playfully nipped at my roaming finger. I let out a squeal and he rolled over to pin me to the bed.

  I pouted up at him as he caged me in with his arms.

  “That’s not fair,” I protested.

  He grinned. “What’s not fair pretty girl?”

  “You scared me and now you’ve trapped me.”

  He chuckled, leaning down to brush his lips over mine in a barely there kiss. “Trapped? Nah, you’re not trapped. You could get away if you wanted to.” His eyes darkened and his eyes fell to my lips. “But you don’t want to.”

  This time his kiss was anything but brief.

  He slid his lips over mine, gently coaxing my mouth open with his tongue.

  I let out a soft moan and my hands delved into his hair. My legs wound around his waist and I urged him closer. I could feel him growing hard between my legs and I reveled in the power I had over him.

  With one hand he grabbed my neck, tilting my head back as he deepened the kiss.

  He tugged my bottom lip between his teeth and bit down, hard enough to sting but not enough to actually hurt, then he smoothed his tongue against the spot like he was wiping away the pain, although there was none.

  My heart felt like it was going to jump right out of my chest and into his.

  “Hayes.” I breathed his name and he moaned like the sound of his name on my lips was the sexiest thing he’d ever heard.

  He broke the kiss and looked down at me. He smoothed his fingers over my collarbone as he tried to steady his uneven breaths. “You have no idea wh
at you do to me.” His blue eyes shimmered with delight. “You have absolutely no fucking idea what you make me feel. Hell, sometimes I don’t even understand what I’m feeling.”

  I cupped his jaw as I stared into his eyes. “I think I know.”

  I rose up, closing the short distance between us, and kissed him once more. Gaining leverage I pushed against his chest so that he was now the one lying and I hovered above him. His hands roamed down my sides, settling on my ass as his mouth explored mine.

  I rolled my hips against his, itching to reach down and remove the barrier of clothing that separated us. I’d wanted to take things slow, but with Hayes it was impossible. What I felt for him couldn’t be explained and I was sick of trying to define it by my own insecurities and preconceived notions. For once in my life I wanted to let myself go and enjoy the ride, wherever it might take me.

  “Momma!”

  And apparently I needed to get off this ride for the moment.

  I pulled away from Hayes and flashed him an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize.” He rubbed his hands up and down my arms. “Go. It’s okay.” He smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll just be over here taking a cold shower and jacking myself off.” His dimple flashed with a grin.

  I buried my head in the space where his neck met his shoulder to stifle my laughter.

  “Go.” He urged, giving my ass a squeeze. “She needs you.”

  He kissed my forehead and I scurried out of the bed and to the door.

  I found Mia in the hallway, rubbing her eyes.

  “Hey, baby girl.” I dropped to my knees and grabbed her hands. “Are you okay?”

  She shook her head. “I woked up and I wasn’t in my room so I gots scared.”

  “Aw, I’m so sorry. I should’ve been there, sweetie.” I smoothed my finger over her plump cheek.

  “S’okay.”

  “How about we go make some breakfast?” I asked her.

  “We’re going out for breakfast!” Hayes called from the bedroom.

  “Never mind,” I sighed. “Why don’t we put on one of those beautiful dresses you picked out?” I tweaked her nose.

  She nodded. “Will you make my hair pwetty?”