The Life She Couldn't See

by ChaShiree M.

  “Ok doll, let's see if we can finish getting you signed.” When all of the books have been signed, she stands for a pic with me.

  “I think you’re awesome dollface and you have made my day. Are you going to be at the after party?”

  “I was planning on it?”

  “Awesome. Listen, me and a few friends are going out to dinner beforehand. You should join us?”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Of course. You have legitly made my day and I would like to be friends. How does that sound?” I don’t have to think about it for a second.

  “That sounds like a hell yes. I will meet you in the lobby. What time?”

  “Say seven.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Happy to say the rest of the day went off without me making a complete idiot of myself. By the time the signing is over I am pooped. Luckily, it ends at four, which gives me a few hours to rest and get ready for dinner with Annelise. The girls have decided to start their after-party adventures early and have gone with K Webster to tour a dungeon. They invited me to come along and as intriguing as that sounds it is not something I want to do this weekend. At least not without Colton.

  With the room to myself for the next few hours, I hop in a nice hot bath, read a bit while I am in there, get out, wrap myself in my favorite robe, and I am out for the count. I probably could have slept for the rest of the night if not for the ringing of the hotel phone.

  “Hello.”

  “Yes hi. I am looking for Kea.”

  “This is she.”

  “Oh hello. I am Frank with the front desk. I have a message here for you from an Annelise Reynolds and two deliveries. Shall I send them to your room?”

  “Uh, sure.”

  “Thank you.”

  Alright. I must have won a raffle or two and totally forgot I entered. Hearing the knocking on the door, I walk over to it and am instantly greeted by two things. One is basket of books with a vibrator, a pair of signed Annelise Reynolds thongs, two wine glasses, and a canvas covered in signatures from every author here it looks like. Holy Shit!!!! The girls are going to piss themselves. I look at the attached card and smile instantly.

  Kea,

  Someone must have really wanted you to have a good time because he paid in cash for you to get this basket reimbursing me for everything you see in it. I must say, when I found out it was for you, I turned down the cash anyway. I have to return home immediately because my daughter is sick. I am so sorry I am going to miss our dinner. However, I think we will be great friends, which is why it is my pleasure to present this to you. Hidden inside you will find my phone number. It was so great meeting you and I hope to hear from you soon. I definitely need to hear about this man that pulled out all the stops to make sure you had a great time.

  Annelise R.

  I officially have tears forming in my eyes. Colton is quite a surprise. All the time. Reaching over I grab my phone. Forget texting. This deserves a phone call.

  “There she is. How are you baby?”

  “I am perfectly surprised and confused. How did you know?”

  “Ah I take it you got the basket?”

  “I did Mr. Moore. I absolutely love it. But how did you know?”

  “That's for me to know baby and for you to not worry about. Are you having a good time?”

  “I am. It’s so much fun. Just resting before the after party starts.”

  “After party? And who will be at this party?”

  “Just the authors, models, and other readers.” He grunts first which I find sexy, but then his next question surprises me.

  “Should I be worried about any of these models?” He cannot be serious? Can he? Oh my gosh. He is jealous.

  “Colton, that was a joke, right?”

  “Hell no. You have no idea the way men look at you. You’re exquisite little Kea. Filled out in all the right places with skin that is milky cream and the hair of spun gold. You bring me to my fucking knees every time you breathe. If that is my reaction, what the hell do you think men who don’t love you like I do are thinking?” Wow. I am speechless for a second.

  “Colton, you have to know you are it for me. You are a miracle I never considered having as my own. We could be surrounded by thousands of men and you would be all I see. I love you.”

  “You undo me baby. I wish you were here so I could show you how much.”

  “I miss you too. Thanks for the orchids too.”

  “What orchids? I didn’t send flowers.”

  “They came with the basket. At least they were brought to me together.” I can hear the concern and panic in his voice which in turn makes me panic even more.

  “Baby listen. Walk away from the flowers and sit on the chair in the corner. Someone will be there in 30 seconds.”

  I am about to ask him who will be here, how could he know that, and what the hell is going on when I hear a knock. There is a key being entered and the door opens.

  A man even bigger than Colton, if you can believe that, walks in the room. He is talking to someone on what must be a Bluetooth. I garner he is talking to Colton by the echo I can hear from my phone.

  “Yes, I have the flowers. I am searching for the card now. Located. Yes, there is a message.”

  Gotcha bitch!

  There is nowhere you can go,

  that I won’t know.

  Watch your back. I’m coming!

  -F

  “Son of a bitch!” He screams this to me and this Juggernaut at the same time by way of Bluetooth. The behemoth puts the speakerphone on.

  “Colton what is going on?”

  “What time is your flight baby?”

  “10am. Why?”

  “OK. Digger will be stationed outside your door tonight. I will explain everything when you get home. For right now, I need you to promise me you won’t leave the hotel room. Can you do that baby?”

  The defiant part of me, that is used to taking care of myself, wants to say hell no I am not ok with that. However, I can sense the tension and I know Colton is not the type to make nothing into something. If he feels like I need to stay put, then I will. “Ok. I won’t leave the room.”

  “Thank fuck baby. OK, I have some calls to make to figure this out. I will see you in the morning. I love you.”

  “I love you too Colton.”

  Chapter 18

  COLTON

  Getting off the phone with her last night was the hardest thing I had to do. Especially knowing someone followed her there, and I wasn’t there to do shit about it. Motherfucker!!

  The first thing I did last night was call Gage and see if anyone had seen Fiero. I needed to know if he was at least still here. If he was still here, then that meant he didn’t go himself but had something sent to her. Which is bad enough, because I have no idea how he knew she was leaving. There has to be a leak somewhere. Someone close to us. This shit is fucked. When I find out who it is, a bullet between the eyes is what they got coming.

  Sleep was a fucking joke last night. Without her beside me and snuggled on top of me where I can feel her heartbeat and knowing she is safe. I barely slept the entire weekend. We are going to have to have a talk about these ‘girls’ weekends’. She has to think of something else.

  At first light, I got my non-sleeping ass out of bed, worked out, took a shower, and made sure I was at the airport hours before her arrival. Sitting in the cell lot at the airport, I am going over everything I know when Gage finally gets back to me.

  “Moore. Sorry it took so long. There’s been a clusterfuck of shit. But the important thing is, the fingerprints finally came back and for sure it was Fiero who broke into her place. Now when they find the slippery fucker, he won’t get bail. Is your girl home yet?”

  “Her flight should be here within the hour. Did the cockroach leave his hole?”

  “Not sure. Definitely not by plane.”

  “The other two?”

  “Still ghosts right now.” Shit.

  “Alright. Let me kn
ow the second you hear something.”

  “You got it.”

  Turning off the engine I make my way inside. Extreme relief runs through my body when her plane pulls onto the tarmac, as I walk into the pickup area. Those ten minutes are the longest of my life waiting on her to disembark. I know the moment she does however, because everything immediately brightens up and my heart begins to beat again. Unlike when she is away from me and my heart is a subtle murmur waiting for its owner to return.

  She runs down the archway straight into my open and waiting arms.” My angel. I missed you. Kiss me.”

  Before she can comply with my request, I take her mouth without care and hesitation. My woman. My mouth. My way.

  “Mmmm...I missed you too sexy. How much time do we have to be at your mom’s?”

  “My mom ended up having a charity event to go to tonight, so she changed it to brunch at her place. We have to go straight there. Don’t worry you look perfect.”

  She is biting her lip, which I find sexy as hell. She only does it when she is nervous, and I have no idea what she would be worried about.

  “Baby calm down. My mom and sister are going to love you as much as I do. Relax, ok? Would I take you somewhere I thought you would be mistreated?”

  She looks at me for a second, and though I know she is not doubting the lengths I would go to protect her from anyone, and I do mean anyone, it still stings for a second that she even hesitated that much.

  Finally, after what seems like a lifetime, she sighs taking my hand and says, “I trust you Colt. Let’s go.”

  “My fucking Angel.” She has no idea how much her trust in me undoes me.

  The drive to my parent's house is peaceful and nice. It’s about an hour’s drive and Kea and I spend it talking about her trip, my weekend, and any and everything we can think of. By the time we pull up to my parents’ house she is more relaxed, and that makes me happy. Before I can get her out of the car, my mother is out the door and down the driveaway.

  “Colton. My long-lost son. How good of you to join us.” My mother fashions herself a comedian sometimes. But she has a point. I don’t come and visit half as much as I should.

  “Hi mama. How are you?” I say kissing both her cheeks and hugging her.

  “I’m fine baby boy. Just happy to see your face. Now show me the present you brought me.” The smile that encompasses my face cannot be contained, because her calling Kea ‘her present’ will go a long way to ensuring my love that all is good. I reach to the side of me and bring Kea further into my body, making sure to hold her enough so she knows I am here.

  “Mom, I would like for you to meet my Kea. Kea, my mom Jane.” I watch as Kea reaches her hand out towards my mother, but not surprisingly my mom ignores her hand and grabs her in for a hug.

  “None of that nonsense. The woman who has made my son this happy deserves a hug. Please call me mom.” Kea looks over my mom's shoulder at me and the shock on her face is almost comical.

  “Alright you two. Let’s go inside. Your father is not here. He and the guys went on a fishing trip. He told me to tell you he will set up a dinner with you and Kea when he returns.” She says with some sass.

  My father's fishing trips are a point of contention for my mom. When I was growing up, he and his friends were often going on these men only trips and she felt it was a waste of time better spent with his family. Don't get me wrong, none of us would ever believe he was anything but faithful, but as a man who made the money and took care of his family, he felt he deserved to have time to himself every so many months.

  “Your sister is inside finishing up the Frittatas. So darling girl, tell me about yourself.”

  Kea and my mom walk off engaged in whatever conversation she pulls her in for. My instinct is to follow them and make sure she is not uncomfortable. I go to do that, and my sister comes up behind me. She engulfs me in a teeny-weeny hug since she is as big as a pixie.

  “Hey big bro. Glad to see you finally decided to share her with us mere mortals.”

  “Whatever brat.” I chuckle. She has a point. If it weren't for the fact that my family was important to me, and as close as any family is, I wouldn’t share her with them. Looking down at Tessa, I am struck by how different she looks. Something about her is, I don’t know, more radiant and brighter. Hmmmm.

  “What's going on with you little sis? Anything I need to know? What is with this party?”

  “Nah ah ah ...you have to wait like everyone else big bro. Today is about you and Kea. Where is she anyway?”

  “Mom kidnapped her. They are somewhere in the house.”

  “Ah. Well make yourself useful and help me set the table.”

  For the next half hour, she and I chat while setting the table, but my mind is not on our conversation. It is traveling through the house with my girl wondering if she is ok. Almost as if I conjured her up, she walks into the room and immediately snuggles into my side. Loving the affectionate part of her, I wrap my one arm around her and kiss the top of her head.

  “Hey baby. Everything ok?”

  “Yeah. Your mom is great. I missed you.” Fucking woman is going to turn me into a wet-eyed fuck.

  “I missed you too little mama. The table is set. Are you ready to eat?” She nods her head in my chest. We walk to the table and as I pull her chair out, I lean in for another smooch. When I push her in, I look up, and my mom is smiling at me like a sap wiping tears from her eyes.

  “Mama what’s wrong with you?” I ask as I sit next to Kea and grab her hand in mine. I know it is crazy, but I always need some part of her touching any part of me. My body doesn’t belong to me if she isn't attached to it somehow.

  “Nothing. I never thought I would see the day you would truly be in love. I always knew you would settle down, but I guess I thought you would settle for something, easy and convenient to be honest. I’d resigned myself to the fact that you were going to end up with Andy. Lord knows the child has been vying for the spot since you guys were teens.”

  Kea’s hand stiffens in mine, though to the other two at the table she seems perfectly normal. However, I know my baby and her mind is going a mile a minute. Before I can interject on my mom’s tirade, she hits the final nail in my coffin that will end brunch before it begins.

  “But I am glad to know I was wrong. I love Andy, but she is not for you. Kea my dear, you are splendid. Now, I only have to get you and my son to give me grandbabies before I expire of old age.” With that remark, she laughs along with my sister and simultaneously rips Kea’s heart out at the same time. Her hand loosens in mine and she pulls away from me.

  “Excuse me. I need to use the restroom.” She removes herself from the table and room. It does not go unnoticed by anyone that tears had begun to stream down her face.

  “Colton, honey. What happened? Was it something I said?” Wrecked trying to decide whether to go after her or to give her a second, while explaining to my mom. I decide she needs a minute.

  “Kea has a disorder that makes it extremely difficult if not sometimes impossible for a woman to conceive. It is an endocrine disorder that affects the hormones, blood sugar, weight, heart health, and mental health of women.”

  “Oh dear. That sounds awful. I had no idea. I am so sorry.”

  “No mom. You didn’t know and no one blames you. It just happens to be a very sensitive subject for her, especially because she wants to be a mom. I have told her over and over I am more than ok with adopting, but I am not sure she believes me.”

  “Oh nonsense. This family would welcome children no matter where they come from. What are you doing sitting here son of mine? Go get your girl.” Leaning over to kiss her cheek, I get up and go find my love.

  Knock knock.

  “Who is it?”

  “Open up baby.”

  “I’m fine. Go back out there. I will be out in a bit.” Stubborn ass.

  “Not gonna happen. Open up.”

  She takes a second, but eventually I hear the door unlatch. Gazing in
to her swollen red and wet eyes, she has never looked more beautiful, real, and MINE.

  “Come here. Let me hold you.” Nothing ever feels as good as when my arms are wrapped around her. She was born to fit in them.

  “It’s ok love. Mom didn’t know. You know how old ladies are. They want to be grandmas so bad.”

  “Colton, I know she didn’t mean anything by it. It just stings whenever someone mentions it. It is one more thing my body cannot do like it is supposed to.”

  “Oh, but baby there are plenty of things your body does right. Want me to show you one of them right now?” I make to lift her shirt as I grind my very hard and horny cock into her pants, and though she moans and tilts her head back for a split second, letting me know she is with me; of course, she comes back and whacks me on the chest.

  “Hey, you big stud, not in your mom's bathroom. What kind of girl do you think I am?” She smirks. In this moment, I take a second to get serious and answer her question.

  “You’re my girl. The woman I love more than anything in this entire world. The reason I live, breath, and fucking exist. No matter what does and doesn’t happen, nothing will change that. Tell me you know that.”

  Her eyes water again, and though it kills me for her to ever have tears I wait for her answer.

  “Yes Colton. I know that. You never let a day pass when you don’t tell me and that makes me the luckiest woman alive.”

  “Good girl. Now kiss me baby and let's go have brunch.” The kiss we share is full of hope and love and nothing taste sweeter.

  The rest of brunch, after some apologies, laughter, and hugs goes off without a hitch. By the end of it, Kea is calling my mom, mom.

  “Did you enjoy yourself baby?”

  “I did. Your mom is amazing. So is your sister. I am going to get her together with me and my sisters for one of our girls’ nights. I think she would enjoy all of them.”

  I am preening like a fucking peacock right now. This makes my next conversation easy.

  “I want you to give up your apartment and move into the house permanently.”

  She looks stunned for a moment, but then she looks me dead in my face and says, “Yes. I would love that.”