More Layers: Book Two Layers Series

by TL Alexander

  “Was he serious?” Sam asks.

  I shake my head and look at Jules. “Harry Steven Sims.”

  She nods.

  I laugh and Jules joins me.

  “Only, you Jules,” I say and shake my head again.

  “What?” Sam asks.

  “Steven Sims is Senator Sims, of New Jersey.”

  “Why does his name sound familiar?”

  “He and his wife just got involved with the Karen Foundation.”

  “Oh my God. That’s ‘butt-fucker Steven.’“

  “No wonder you chuckled when I mentioned his name.” I tell Jules. “Now every time I see him I’m going to think about his cock stuck up your asshole. Does he know that we’re friends?” I ask her.

  “I don’t think so. I haven’t talked to him in years.”

  “Did you two ass-fuck again?” Sam asks.

  “Oh yeah, and every time he asked me to marry him and told me he was going to name his first born, Jules.

  We laugh.

  “Only you, girlfriend. Only you.”

  “The next time you see him,” Sam says, “you should ask him if he has a kid named ‘Jules.’“

  We laugh until...I pee my panties—again.

  * * *

  After Jules’s revelation, I’m feeling better about my upcoming surprise for Jaxson. Just knowing that it couldn’t be worse than Jules’ first time gives me confidence. At least I’m hoping it won’t be worse. Could it?

  Sam’s cell rings out the theme from Psycho. “Hey, Gram, what’s up?”

  “Fine. Yeah. She’s here. Okay, I’ll let her know.” She ends the call.

  “That was Gram, she and the boys are about ten minutes from home. She needs to run some errands without them and needs you to be a ‘mom.’“

  “How did she end up with them? Jaxson had them; they went to Chuck E. Cheese.”

  “She said something about Stewart and the rest of them needing a beer.”

  “All right. I better get my mommy ass in gear.”

  Jules stands. “I’ll help you.”

  “I’ll take the puppies out and then I’ll come and help,” Sam adds.

  Jules and I put on our coats and boots and walk to the main house.

  She clears her throat. “Lex...it’s going to hurt like hell because Jaxson is an overachiever, as you call it. But it will get easier over time.”

  Jesus Christ. Why did she have to tell me that?

  “Just make sure he uses a condom and plenty of lube. And when he pushes in, relax and push out.”

  Fuck me. Doesn’t she know when to stop?

  “Okay,” I say with now “zero” confidence.

  “I’ll put together a before and after butt-fuck care kit.”

  I stop. “Jules, I know you think you’re helping, but please shut the fuck up.”

  She giggles and raises her hands. “Hey, just saying.”

  * * *

  Jaxson

  I sit by the fire with my girl (girls) and watch our sons play with the newest members of our family. Dear God, how I love my sons. They are all Ryan when it comes to looks—two more Gods among men. Okay, so that’s pushing it a little—okay a lot. But I can already envision the hundreds of broken hearts they will cause in their future. But then again, they have inherited their mother’s brains, and will inherit the Grant fortune. Fuck me; there will be thousands of broken hearts and thousands of fathers knocking on our door. The more I think about it, the more I wish they could stay three, forever. And fuck me even harder—what about their sister, my daughter? Holy shit, Peaches is going to be a mini Alexia. I’m never going to let her date—ever. There won’t even be play dates in her future. Holy hell, I’ll never let her leave the house. Is it getting hot in here? Maybe I should move away from the fire. I need a drink—a triple.

  “Do you feel okay? You’re sweating,” Lex says.

  I wipe my hand over my forehead.

  “I’m good, it’s just all the excitement.”

  Lex gives me her “yeah, right and I’m the Virgin Mary” look.

  Crap. I really could use another drink, but I’ve already had three doubles and Lex has some kind of surprise for me later. I pray to all that is holy (okay, so I pray to the sex Gods) that it’s something to do with her taking her clothes off and pressing up again my huge cock.

  The boys yell and laugh when Lane tickles and teases them. This brings me back to all thoughts of being a dad. Then I think about my other daughter—Mia’s daughter. What will she look like? What will she inherit from me and what will she inherit from her mother? I will love her unconditionally, like I do my sons, but I have to admit, that I pray to God daily that she’s not like her mother.

  Fuck me. Now I’m thinking about Mia and having her in my life and what kind of impact it will have on my family. Frankly, she scares the shit out of me, and she crossed the line when she began to threaten my family.

  Okay, that does it. I will not allow anyone to leave this house—ever. Holy hell, did I do the right thing? Should I have let Lex, my unborn daughter, and the boys go? Did I fuck up again? I did? Didn’t I? I’m a selfish, weak and wanting man. I just couldn’t do it. It killed me to think of her with the good doctor, Calvin Lucas. I know she doesn’t and never did love the guy but he’s in love with her. How could he not be? She’s...every man’s fucking wet and dry dream. And he’s a fucking heart-saving hero who doesn’t have the baggage that I do.

  Holy fucking hell! I can’t lose her. I can’t live without my sons. I can’t even begin to tell her, or them, how much they mean to me. How much they have changed my life for the better.

  Nick comes over with his camera. “I got some great shots.”

  Nick is our resident photographer. “I’m sure you did,” I tell him.

  “Are you okay, man? You look like you’re going to puke.”

  Lex lifts her head off my shoulder. “Are you going to ralph?”

  Chase hears our conversation and runs over and grabs his new play-doctor kit, and then comes over to check me out.

  He hands the kit to his mom. “Hold this,” he tells her as he climbs up on me and kneels on my lap, damn near nailing me in the balls. I shift as he puts the back of his hand on my forehead.

  “You don’t feel like you’re temperaturing, but I better make sure.

  He gets the play thermometer from his bag. “Open.”

  I do. And he sticks it under my tongue.

  I look at Lex.

  “Don’t look at me. Gram and Stewart gave them those kits.”

  “Maybe, it’s just a virus, or maybe you ate too much birthday cake. I think you need to poop.”

  He takes out the thermometer and looks at it.

  “I’m fine, Dr. Chase.”

  He shakes his head. “You’re not temperaturing, but you don’t look good. You need to poop.”

  JB walks over with his puppy in a... “What the fu...” I look at Chase and he already has his finger out and is prepared to give me the finger shame thingy. What was I thinking when I taught him that? Obviously, I wasn’t thinking. “What the funk is that thing?”

  JB rolls his eyes at me. “Couldn’t come up with anything better than ‘funk.’“

  “He can’t think, JB. He has to poop.”

  “For the love of God. I don’t have to poop. And what the he...heavens is that thing you have on?”

  “It’s a pooch pouch, Dad,” he says and gives me the “duh, Dad” look.

  “A what?”

  “Don’t even go there,” Lex tells me.

  “Did you check his head?” JB asks him.

  “Yeah, he’s not temperaturing.”

  JB shakes his head. “Did you look at his tongue?”

  “No. That’s a good idea, bro.”

  Bro?

  “Dad, stick out your tongue.”

  “Chase, I feel fine—really.”

  Chase looks at JB.

  JB nods.

  “Stop being difficult, boy. Open up and stick out your tongu
e. Now!”

  Boy? Now! What the hell?

  “Are you deaf, boy? Or don’t you understand the English?” JB adds.

  “I think we’ve been reading too many pirate stories,” Lex says.

  “I’m not deaf. I’m not a boy—I’m your dad. And I understand and speak English just fine. And I don’t like your attitude.”

  “Okay, now that we understand each other,” Chase says, “stick out your tongue.”

  Lex laughs. “I’d stick out my tongue. Or they will drag you to the bathroom and watch you poop, while you walk the plank.”

  “Oh for crying out loud.”

  “There is no need to cry, Dad,” JB says, “we’ll give you a sticker if you ‘buck it up.’“

  “Yeah, ‘buck it up,’ Dad.”

  Lex giggles.

  A sticker? What the hell?

  I give in and stick out my tongue and my doctor sons (hey, a new reality show) give it a thorough inspection.

  Chase looks at it. “Hmm...Hmm...I see,” he says.

  What the fuck does he see?

  “What do you think, bro?”

  JB steps closer, being careful not to squash the poor dog in its stupid pouch.

  “Can you lean forward a tad?” he asks me.

  I do and he looks it over. “Hmm...I see.”

  What the fuck do they see?

  I keep my tongue out and ask them for their diagnosis. “Whaat oo ya ink, octors?”

  “Well,” Chase says, “your tongue looks fine. It could be your tonsils but we don’t have the proper equipment. We need the surgical kits for that.”

  I put my tongue back into my mouth. “They have surgical kits?”

  “They have kits for everything,” Lex says.

  “What’s your diagnosis, Doctor JB?”

  “I think you should poop. Then if it feels better, that’s your answer, dude.”

  Lizbet walks over. “What time are you two leaving?”

  Thank fuck. There is a grandmother God. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

  Lex looks at her watch. “I told Lee to meet us out front at eight.”

  “I see. Jaxson, can I refill your drink?”

  Yes! Yes, God yes. “No, thank you, Lizbet.”

  “Gram, what do you think about the name Higgins for my dog?” JB asks her.

  “I once knew a Higgins and I liked him. I think Higgins will do,” she answers.

  “Higgins?” Stewart adds as he joins us. “Yes, I remember him well. A decent bloke was Higgins. What ever happened to him, Lizbet?”

  “I don’t know. I seem to recall him moving to Africa. Botswana, I believe.”

  “Yes, I think you’re right. He was quite the adventurer—always off to one continent, then the next. That Higgins.”

  Stewart gives us a wink.

  “Higgins it is,” JB announces.

  “Excellent choice, lad.”

  Chase hops of my lap. “I don’t have a name for my puppy, yet.”

  “You’ll think of something,” Stewart tells him.

  Marco joins us. “Well, birthday boys. Henry and I have everything all set up for the slumber part of this party. So give your mom and dad a kiss and let’s go jump in the tub.”

  “Did you hear that, Higgins?” JB says, “It’s time for our bath.”

  A hole Lot of Fun!

  Alexia

  “Where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “We have to travel to get my present?” he says with whine-pout.

  “Yes, that’s why I’m giving you your presents tonight. I don’t want to be away on Christmas Eve or Christmas. It will be our first as a family, our first opportunity to start new traditions. “

  “I can think of a few new traditions, but they’re not for the whole family.”

  “Get in the damn car, Ryan.

  “You’re a mean one, Ms. Grinch.”

  “Whatever.”

  He gets into the back of a Range Rover and I join him.

  “Put this on.”

  “A blindfold? I think I’m going to like this surprise.”

  “Just put the damn thing on.”

  “Please tell me you’ve got handcuffs in that overnight bag.”

  “Just put it on, Ryan.”

  He puts it on.

  “Okay, Lee, we’re ready to roll.”

  “Okay.” He laughs.

  “And what do you find so funny?”

  He smiles. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”

  “Damn right, nothing. Put the car in gear.”

  “You’re a mean one, Ms. Grinch,” he sings.

  I roll my eyes at him. “I get no respect, I tell you, none.”

  “So, where are we going?” Jaxson asks.

  “If I told you—kind of defeats the purpose of the whole surprise thing.”

  “Precisely.”

  I flip him off.

  “Did you just flip me off?”

  “No. If you can’t see, it defeats the purpose.”

  He scowls.

  A few minutes later we pull up to a gate.

  Lee rolls down his window. “Evan, how are things?”

  “All’s good boss.”

  “Good to hear.”

  The gate opens and we drive past the guard station and down the long drive.

  “When you get in Alexia, set the alarm like I showed you. And if you leave for any reason, you notify me. Do you copy?”

  I salute him. “Copy that.”

  “Are we going to a 24 convention, or our we just reenacting an episode?” Jaxson asks.

  Lee laughs.

  “Please don’t encourage him.”

  “Copy that.”

  Jaxson smirks.

  “I have two men at the gate, two on the grounds and two at the front door.”

  “Ten four,” I say as the Rover comes to a stop.

  “Okay, time to get out, Mr. Ryan.”

  “Can I take the blindfold off?”

  “No.”

  Jaxson frowns as Lee helps me lead him up the front steps.

  He opens the door for us. “Don’t forget the alarm.”

  “Copy that. Roger. Affirmative. Got it. Yes, sir. Yes, yes, Daddy.”

  Lee rolls his eyes.

  “See you tomorrow,” I say and shut the door.

  “Keep a close eye on her,” I hear Lee say through the door.

  “Yes, boss,” the guards, reply.

  “She drives me fucking crazy.”

  “Hey! I heard that.”

  I hear Lee laugh and walk away.

  “Can I take the blindfold off now?”

  “Not yet,” I say while setting the alarm.

  “Take my elbow. We have more stairs to climb.”

  We hook elbows and I grab our overnight bag and we climb up the stairs. When we get to the top landing, we take a right. We walk to the end of the hall and take the door on the left. I place him in the middle of the room.

  “Are you ready, Mr. Ryan?”

  “Copy that.”

  I remove his blindfold. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Ryan.”

  He blinks and then looks around. He doesn’t say anything for a few minutes and I wonder if I’ve messed up.

  Then he turns and looks at me with tears in his eyes. “How?”

  Thank fuck. “I called the former owners’ realtor and asked her to set up a meeting with them. I told them our story and...”

  “They sold it back, just like that?”

  “Well, no. I had to make them an offer they couldn’t refuse.”

  “Lex. How much?”

  “It’s a gift. I’m not going to tell you what I paid for it. Does it really matter?”

  “Lex, it’s too much.”

  “It’s the Ryan Estate, and it should always be owned by a Ryan. If it makes you feel better, I put it in a trust.”

  “Lex, it’s too much.”

  “Jaxson, can’t you just accept it and be happy? All that really matters is that your legacy continues. All t
hat really matters is that we are together. And remember, you promised. My casa—your casa.”

  He pulls me into his arms. “You’re right. The only thing that matters is our family. God, I love you, Ms. Grant.”

  “You better.”

  He kisses the top of my head.

  I pull away. “And now for my other surprise.”

  We walk up to a large tent draped with layers of jewel colored fabrics. I take off my jacket and kick off my shoes. He does the same.

  I pull the flap back. “Welcome to the Kasbah,” I say in a really terrible accent of unknown origin.

  He frowns.

  “Okay, that was lame. You’re rubbing off on me, Mr. Ryan.” I pull the flap back further. “Welcome to my tent.”

  He steps through and I follow.

  “Nice,” he comments.

  I walk him over to a mattress that’s been placed on the floor and covered in layers of silk and no less than a hundred pillows.

  He lies back on the pillows. “Got pillows?” He laughs.

  I pick up a basket filled with fruit and such. “Date? Fig? Grape? Or me?” I ask him.

  “Thank you. I’ll take one of each.”

  I join him on the mattress and lay back on and into the pillows.

  “What’s with the bird?” He nods toward one side of the tent.

  I turn and look at a stuffed parrot in a cage and roll my eyes. “Nathan. You little gaywad.”

  “I don’t get it.”

  I shudder. “Parrots. They freakin’ freak me out.”

  “I learn something new about you every day, babe.”

  I get up and cover up the birdcage with some fabric, then sit back down and grab a grape and pop in into my mouth.

  He laughs. “They really do freak you out?”

  “Are you happy with your surprise?”

  He swallows his grape and pulls me close. “I can’t begin to tell you how much.”

  I lift a suggestive brow. “You could show me?”

  He grins. “That I can do.”

  We lie in comfortable silence for a few minutes.

  “Babe,” he says. “I still...I can’t believe you did this.”

  “Well, I did.”

  He gets up and grabs a bottle of sparkling cider and pours us a glass. He hands one to me.

  “A toast. To us.” He raises his glass.