“I guess you can say that.” Theo placed his napkin in his lap, diverting his gaze from mine. I am kind of surprised he is being shy talking about his conquest. It isn’t like we haven’t talked about our sexual exploits before. Yes, I know how fucked our relationship is, but it works for us, and I really do love how open we can be with each other.
“She seems to be fitting into our little family quite well so far,” I say right as the server glides back over to us.
After ordering for the two of us, Theo acknowledges my comment. “I completely agree. Linc needed to get some of his responsibilities off of his plate and so did you. It’s nice to have an extra set of hands to fall back on from time to time.”
I suck down the last of my sugary drink, setting the empty glass at the side of the table for the server to refill. “I agree. Are we ready for tomorrow?”
Theo shakes his head. “Let’s not worry about tomorrow tonight. I want to enjoy some time with you before reality has to start again.”
His words make me smile and relax a bit. I know he has everything covered and it is going to be smooth sailing, and he just reaffirmed it for me. It is always so hard for me to actually turn the switch off though; my mind is always diverting back to work in some way, trying to make sure there is never anything left to chance.
“Have you checked in with Linc and Finley today?” Theo asks, making me feel like the worst mom ever, and I haven’t even started mothering Finley yet. Maybe I get a free pass, just this once?
“I should do that,” I state, grabbing for my clutch to pull out my cellphone. I quickly rattle off a text to Linc: How is my girl doing?
It only takes him a few seconds to respond.
Linc: She’s fast asleep. Corin just finished feeding her.
Me: Sneak a picture.
Instead of a text back, Linc starts FaceTiming me.
“Hello?” I say in a low voice. I hate answering a FaceTime call at a restaurant. I think it is completely rude when other people do it and I hate being a hypocrite, but seriously…it’s for my baby, so it’s totally excusable now.
Linc has the camera turned around, showing me a sleeping baby in her crib. In a whisper, Linc says, “I figured this was better than a picture, but I will take a few so you have them.”
“Thanks. We’re out to dinner, can I call you later?” I glance up at Theo, whose eyes are glued to his phone screen. Jealousy bubbles up in my gut as I figure he is texting Journey because of the goofy ass grin that is plastered on his lips.
“Sounds good. Have a nice dinner, Ellie.” The call ends and I return my phone to its place in my bag.
“How’s my granddaughter doing?” Theo asks after clearing his throat.
I purse my lips, trying to not smile; I am still holding on to to jealous rage for just a bit longer. “Beautiful,” I blurt out before thanking the server for the refill on my soda.
“I think this might be the best decision you have ever made, Ellie. I know I was reluctant at first, but opening your heart to a child in need is the most rewarding thing in the world. I should know.” The genuine smile that spreads even to Theo’s eyes melts my heart, forcing all my ill feelings to the back of my mind. He’s going to be a wonderful grandfather, I have absolutely no doubt in my mind.
Chapter 5
Saying Goodbye
Ellie
“I love you, and I always have,” I say to Theo, running my fingers through my hair in frustration. He drives me downright fucking crazy. It’s an on-again, off-again thing, and it has been for years—but not anymore! This is it.
“And you think I don’t love you, Ellie?” His tone grows louder as he paces back and forth across the hotel room floor.
“You think I don’t want to have you as my own?” He slams a fist onto the large desk in the corner and stops to glance over at me. “I do! I have for years, but I can’t!” He’s never let me in on his thinking. It’s a slap across the face. “I had to make a decision from the moment you came to live with me. I couldn’t decide to take it all back years after the fact! I didn’t think we would become whatever this fucked-up dysfunctional relationship is, but Ellie, we have to stop it now. You have Finley and I have Journey. She’s the only person who has ever held a candle to you, and I just can’t let that slip away.” Theo looks defeated. He turns to face away from me and looks out the floor-to-ceiling window in our lush suite.
“I shouldn't have said that, but now you know. I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t act on this thing with Journey. She will never be you, but I can’t have you either way. Take that little girl and make a good life. I’m not going anywhere, ever. We’ll find a new dynamic along the way.” I don’t want to accept what he is saying, but I also have no choice in the matter. He has always made the rules and there is a reason why. He is my voice of reason when Linc isn’t around to take care of me.
“You’ll never get rid of me,” I joke, because it’s true. We are a family, and he is all I will ever have as a family. So what if my soon-to-be stepmother is younger than me? Stranger shit has happened in my life. Tears sting my eyes and I try to blink them away frantically. Theo catches me and pulls my body into his arms, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
“It’s time to say goodbye, my Eleanor.”
“It’s the final page in this chapter. Thankfully the book isn’t over yet—it’s just taking a huge fucking twist out of left field.” I pull away and look up into his eyes.
“No…” He pauses, looking down into my tear-filled eyes. “This is our last chapter…” His lips press against mine, slowly parting to push his tongue into my mouth. My mind battles with my body. Do I want to do this? Yes—more than anything in the entire world. Should I do this? No. He’s seeing someone else, and there is no way this will fix anything, make anything better.
I begin to pull away and his grip on my hips tightens. Pulling his lips away, he gives me that look. It’s a hint of authority mixed with the mild playfulness I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying over the years.
“Don’t deny me, Eleanor. Give me this goodbye,” he begs. Theo McGuire is not a man that begs. He is a man that takes what he wants. I could try to resist him, but deep down I need this as much as he does. I need it to say goodbye and move on with my life. My world should be revolving around the little girl I have at home, hundreds of miles away.
“Promise me one thing?” I ask as my hands move to the button of his pants, our lips dancing with each other in an eruption of unspoken passion.
“Anything.”
“After this…I’m out…of it all.” My chest heaves when his hands reach up my shirt, palming my breasts through my bra.
“Yes, if that is what you want.” Pausing for a moment, his eyes catch mine in a stare. “Is that what you really want?” A lump chokes my words, so I just nod. “You’re out, for good. Now make love to me,” he says, picking me up in his arms and carrying me in the direction of the bed.
His words echo in my mind, not something I will soon forget. Make love to me. I love him, and I’m not sure if I will ever really be able to let him go, but I know I will take this night and run with it because it’s just what I need right now. If we are finally going to put this all behind us, this needs to be my sendoff.
My body bounces against the soft mattress as Theo’s body comes down on top of me, his white button-down shirt open, exposing his smooth, muscular chest. His arm wraps around my body, unhooking my bra, exposing my bare breasts. My nipples come to life with the crisp fall evening air. Goosebumps spread across my body, covering every inch of my skin. Only my panties cover me as his lips make their way down my neck, kissing and biting every inch he touches. His lips graze my nipple and I throw my head back in ecstasy. I want to grab him and make him fuck me, hard.
His words tell me that tonight our pace will be far more romantic than our escapades typically are. His fingers gently tug my panties down my legs, and I kick them off my toe and onto the floor. His hot breath teases my bare pussy, begging for his touch.
Nudging my ass closer, my cunt makes contact with his lips.
“Such an impatient little thing,” Theo growls as his tongue licks my slit from end to end. My back arches instinctively as the waves of pleasure carry through my body. I could die a happy woman at this moment. Just like that, he is gone, standing above me and looking down with a deviously hungry grin. His unzipped pants fall to his feet and he palms his impressive cock in his hand.
“God you taste so good,” Theo says with a throaty moan.
“Only the best.” I laugh as the words pass through my lips. “You aren’t so bad yourself,” I say paying him a compliment, knowing how much he feeds off the admiration. I close my eyes and think about the first time he ever touched me, the night that changed everything. I know if it weren’t for my actions, he would never have made the move he did. None of this would have ever happened; I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
His body comes down as I feel his erection press against my waiting pussy. I’m hungry for his touch, desperate for this goodbye. His lips press against mine and I can taste my own womanhood on his lips; it drives me absolutely crazy. I let out a moan and he slams into me, stretching my tight cunt inch by inch.
It hurts so good. Waves of pleasure course through my veins as he talks dirty to me, grabbing my hands and holding them above my head, rendering me helpless.
“This is my pussy,” he growls before biting my neck. I can feel my orgasm beginning to build as he continues to pump into me. “It’s going to kill me to give this up.” His free hand pinches my left nipple and sends me right over the edge. I shake with pleasure as he continues to search for his own release.
“God you are beautiful when you come.” Pulling out of my pussy, he takes his cock in the palm of his hand and pumps until glistening beads of come are covering my bare pussy and stomach. He quickly turns from me, walking in the direction of the bathroom. His naked ass is a picture of perfection—every inch of his damn body is. I watch with sadness in my eyes because I know this is the end of our road. It’s probably better though. I need to focus on Finley and being a real mother, a good mother, something I know basically nothing about at all.
“I got her pregnant.” His words break the silence as he walks back in from the bathroom.
“You what?” I feel like I’m not hearing him correctly. He tosses the small bathroom towel in my direction and speaks.
“Journey. That’s why I’ve kept her around…I got her pregnant.” Theo lets out a sigh and looks for his pants. “I’m a typical stupid guy, I made a mistake—”
“I don’t need an explanation. I’m not the parent here.” I let out a laugh—it’s not like he was ever really much of a parental unit.
“No, Ellie, listen to me…at first I thought it was the worst thing in the world. She was going to walk away and let me off the hook, but I’m the one who pestered the hell out of her.”
His hands rub his eyes and I can see he doesn’t know what the hell he is doing either. I’m here to listen because this is as much closure for me as it is for him. I need to be here for him with whatever is going on in his head; it’s the least I can do for him after all he’s done for me over the years.
“I’ve been basically stalking her and forcing myself into her life. I don’t think it’s going over so well though.”
“Of course it’s not! Girls don’t want to be forced to do anything. You are only going to push her away more like that.” I try to offer advice for a run-of-the-mill girl. No one else in the world was like me—maybe Linc, but that was a close second.
“I don’t know what the hell to do. I feel like I’m fucking everything up.”
“You probably are. Give her a little space, and try to romance her if you really do want to be a part of her life. It’s not like you two hate each other—you obviously made the damn baby somehow!”
Chapter 6
It’s All Happening
Linc
Walking into my home after a long day, I slip my shoes off right next to the door and yank at my tie to loosen it. With Ellie and Theo away, the pressure is on, and I am fucking done for the day.
I am sure to be as quiet as possible, setting my briefcase and gym bag down next to the living room couch to my left. The smell of garlic and other spices wafts through the open space and I see Corin, Finley’s nanny, bopping around with headphones in, cooking up a storm in my kitchen. One of the perks of having the baby at my place is that Corin is a killer cook and always has a hot meal ready for me when I get home from the office. She has even started packing lunches for me. I am going to seriously miss that once Finley moves into Ellie’s place for good.
A huge pot of spaghetti sauce is simmering on the burner with meatballs and sausage in glass dishes on the stove. The house smells like an Italian grandma’s home on Sunday afternoon. My stomach instantly starts to growl as I make my way into my oversized kitchen.
“Hey, Corin,” I say to the nanny’s back while she is rummaging in the fridge for god knows what, still bouncing up and down and humming to herself while listening to blaring music.
I tap her on the shoulder and she spins around wide eyed, ripping the earbud out at lightning speed. “Oh, fuck. Linc!” She takes a deep breath in while her hand clutches her heaving chest.
“Usually I’m naked when a woman says something like that to me.” I awkwardly laugh a bit as my face gets hot. That line has sexual harassment lawsuit written all over it—what the fuck am I thinking?
Corin’s cheeks blaze red as she bites her bottom lip, her eyes darting from mine to the floor. The baby monitor on the counter breaks through the awkward silence as the high-pitched wailing from a hungry baby sounds through the speaker.
“I should go check on her,” Corin mutters as she scampers off to the back bedroom where Finley’s makeshift nursery is located.
After throwing a few ice cubes into a tumbler and grabbing the half-empty handle of Maker’s Mark from the wet bar on the way to my room, I finally start to feel the weight of the day subsiding. I fiddle with the fireplace until the log finally catches and a nice, calming fire is roaring in my bedroom. The silence is always welcomed while I am winding down from the day. All I want is to listen to the crackling of the timber and the clinking of ice in my rocks glass filled with amber liquid.
I pack my mixture of pipe tobacco and pot into my tapered billiard. Puffing on my pipe, I settle into my favorite arm chair and pull the newspaper into my lap. It is a nightly routine: drink bourbon, smoke my pipe, read the paper. It’s my favorite way to relax. Sometimes it makes me feel like an old man, but who gives a flying rat’s ass? Old man traditions have to start from somewhere.
I feel my cell start vibrating in my pocket as I take another long drag from my pipe. Checking the name that is blaring at me, I think twice about answering. Theo would freak the fuck out on me if I let his call go to voicemail when he knows full well that I just got home from work.
“Evening, Theo. How’s Washington?” I say right when the call connects.
“No time for small talk, Linc. I need you to go to a charity gala this Friday.” Man, you would think he would lube it up a bit before sticking me with a damn chore he knows I have no interest in doing.
I clear my throat. “With whom will I be going?” I act as proper as possible because I want to tell him to fuck off and do it himself, but it’s just not the right time to play tough guy with the man that signs my paychecks.
Theo is all business. “Suzanne and Journey. I bought tickets for it before we knew about this job. Not showing up at all would look bad. I need representation there.”
“Got it. Send me the details in the morning.”
“Journey already has all the information and I put in a call to have the guest list changed. You’re all set.”
“Consider it done.” I hang up before Theo can add more to my plate. It isn’t like I hated being a team player, but the snobby, pretentious events were his and Ellie’s strong suit; I was way more comfortable doing anything el
se in the entire world.
“Here,” I say, handing Journey a flute full of champagne.
“I can’t,” she states, waving her hand in the air dismissively. Watching her turn her nose up at the expensive bubbly irks the ever-loving fuck out of me.
In my world, there’s only one reason for a chick to not drink, and that is being knocked up. I feel overly skeezed out even thinking about Theo’s baby festering in Journey’s belly—that would definitely add a shit ton of drama to our little family.
I gulp down Journey’s glass in one fell swoop, swirling a Manhattan in my other hand, letting the ice melt a little.
Journey’s wide gaze spears around the room, eyeing all the different circles of people gathered around networking and trying to one-up each other. The turnout is impressive, with the highest of the highbrow socialites in attendance by the dozens.
“Not a bad crowd, huh?” Suzanne and I haven’t spent too much time together, but from what I know about her, she is pretty easygoing and nice to hang out with. I am so thankful to not be here alone with Journey; at this point Suzanne could be a complete fucking cunt and I would still be ok with her being there just to be my buffer from the child.
“I only recognize a handful of the people here.” I look through the throng of high-powered businessmen and women with their dates, wanting to vomit.
“Well, aren’t you jerks a sight for sore eyes.” I turn to see Seven James-Parker walking into our little circle, flying solo. Perfect—more estrogen to add to the mix. This deck is not stacked in my favor in the slightest.
Hugging Seven, I ask, “Left Levi on kid duty?”
Seven laughs in my arms. “Mommy needs a fucking night off every once in a blue moon.”
“I’ll take that as I yes,” I tease as Seven greets Journey and Suzanne with quick hugs before turning back to me.
The Hopeless (The Huntress #2) Page 4