Grayson: Twins (Members From Money Book 22)

by Katie Dowe

  “We're starving. Your children woke me up.” He placed his hands on her belly and smiled as he felt them moving.

  “What do you want to eat?” he asked her softly.

  “Lots and lots of pancakes heaped with whipped cream, strawberries and maple syrup. And bacon and hash browns.” She smiled up at him as she linked her hands around his neck.

  He reached for his phone and made a call. “Please send it over as soon as possible.”

  He looked down at her. “It’s a pastry place a few minutes from here. They make the best pancakes and I kind of own it.”

  “Kind of or you actually own it?” she asked him in amusement.

  “I injected capital into the place when it was going under so I'm a silent partner. It’s owned and operated by a friend.”

  “How is it doing?”

  “Very well. I never usually go into something unless it is viable, not even for a friend.”

  “Very smart. When did you get up?”

  “A few hours ago.” He wrapped his hands around her and pulled her close. “We need to talk.”

  “Not before breakfast,” she warned him. “Stop trying to force my hand.”

  “We have two children to think about and we need to start decorating the nursery. I have someone.”

  “If you think I'm going to allow some stranger to decorate our children’s nurseries then you're clearly out of your mind.”

  “He's the best there is,” he said persuasively. “Avia stop fighting me at every turn.”

  “May I have breakfast before I have to decide on all this?” she demanded.

  “I will certainly give you that.”

  “Thank you.” She kissed him full on the lips and moved out of his arms as the bell sounded. “That was fast.”

  He went to get the package and she could hear him talking to the person at the door before he came back. He told her to sit and he got plates to put the pancakes on. He took her at her word and heaped her plate arranging the strawberries, piling on the whip cream and maple syrup on thickly and then he made her tea. She took a bite and salivated in delight. “Oh my Lord! This is scrumptious!” she dug in without finesse and he watched her in indulgent amusement.

  “So I take it you like it?” he asked her as he took some for himself.

  “Like? Mister aside from sex with you and these children I'm carrying this is the best thing that has happened to me.”

  “So sex with me is all the way up there?” he asked her lazily.

  “Are you fishing for a compliment?”

  “I am.” He leaned over and wiped the cream from the side of her mouth.

  She tore off a piece of pancake smothered in cream and strawberries and put it into his mouth. “You're the best.” She leaned over and kissed him softly before resuming her meal.

  “I'll be in the den when you are finished,” he told her brusquely as he got to his feet.

  She felt her spirits plummet as she watched him leave.

  Chapter 9

  He drove her up into the hills where there was a cool breeze and the smell of wild daisies. It afforded a spectacular view of the entire town and was serene and quiet in a very comforting way. He'd brought a huge blanket and had picked up thick sandwiches along with fruit smoothies for them to enjoy.

  “You never struck me as the picnic type,” she murmured as he helped her to sit on the blanket he'd spread.

  “You don’t know me,” he looked at her for a moment before settling down next to her.

  “I know that you like to sulk when you don’t get your way,” she pointed out as he handed her the smoothie.

  “I always get my way.” His eyes were unreadable as he looked at her before passing her the cellophane wrapped sandwich.

  “I'm sure you do.” She felt a slight twinge in her back and stretched to get rid of it. “Okay darling. I will consent to living with you in your rather beautiful apartment.”

  “I was thinking of the house where Mother lives.” He told her.

  “What will your mother say about that?”

  “She's moving into an apartment. She claims the place is too much for her and I want my children to grow up in an actual home. And I want marriage. I'm not shacking up with you Avia.”

  “Too bad because I'm not marrying you.”

  Grayson sighed as he put away his sandwich. “I'll draw up an agreement that you will read and sign only if you agree with the terms. It will be binding and will state that you get sole custody of our children if the marriage goes sour.”

  Avia stared at him in shock. “You would never agree to something like that.”

  “I'm putting everything on the table and hoping that we'll stay married for life.” He told her softly. “I'll give you the space you need and whatever else you require.”

  “Why?”

  His eyes met hers. “Because I want my children with me and because I want you.”

  “It won't work.” She muttered.

  “Give it a try please.”

  “Can I at least think about it?”

  “Yes.”

  “You never asked me why I wanted to get pregnant so badly,” she'd finished her sandwich and felt as if she couldn't take another bite of anything. But she was waiting until the food was digested to eat the delicious banana cream pie he'd brought.

  “I figured it was because you wanted a child.”

  “My eggs were drying up.” She smiled as he stared at her. “I spent a lot of time working on my career and didn't think about children. I knew in the back of my mind that I wanted to be a mother but I figured I had time. But time, the fickle bastard does not wait on men and especially women.” She smiled at his look of amusement. “I figured time had to be a male. I was in a hurry Grayson but I wasn't in that much of a hurry that I wouldn't choose the perfect person.”

  “And that was me?”

  “Yes,” she rubbed her belly automatically and felt the children move. She reached out and caught his hand, placing it over her stomach and he felt it too. He didn't move his hand, not even when they had stopped moving. “Chances are I'm never going to become pregnant again.”

  “So it's a good thing we're getting the pair.”

  Her eyes met his. He was rubbing her stomach in a rhythmic movement that was very comforting. “What if you want more?”

  “I'll simply go out and get a younger woman pregnant,” he said with a straight face.

  “That’s fair,” she nodded. “I was told by a twenty something year old that if I gave him the chance he would make sure I have twice as many orgasms as I would get with an older man. I took his number just in case.”

  He stared at her for a moment and then burst out laughing. He moved closer to her and pulled her into his arms. “You are going to pay for that.”

  “How?” she whispered.

  He showed her and she didn't mind paying at all.

  *****

  “Stay tonight.” He murmured as they finished the meal he'd ordered in.

  “If you recall I haven't been inside my apartment for two days. I'm tired of wearing your shirts even though the material feels good against my skin.”

  “I can send one of the drivers over to pick some things up for you.”

  “Even my delicates?” she asked him with a raised brow. “I can just imagine them pawing through my underwear drawer and having the time of their lives.”

  “You're right. I can call and order you some stuff. Romano’s has some really nice ones and they deliver. I can call Monique and speak to her.”

  “You're friends with Monique Romano. Of course,” she said with a roll of her eyes.

  “While I'm talking to her about clothes for you, I could also hint at the fact that you're going to need a wedding dress.” He didn't flinch at the look she gave him.

  “You are not doing that Grayson.”

  “Look at me,” he said and when she did he continued, “I'm not losing you.”

  “You said you would give me time.”

  “
We've been back for several hours now. Don’t make me beg.”

  She got up as fast as her bulge would allow her and walked slowly to the window to look out. He'd made love to her right beneath the huge oak tree. He'd taken off her clothes and used his mouth all over her body, lingering on her belly before opening her legs and using his tongue in such an innovative way that she'd screamed his name in the wide open space. And then he'd taken her from behind, emptying his seed inside her. They'd dozed right there with the sunlight dappling their naked bodies. It had felt wonderful.

  “I need a day.” She turned and looked at him. “You're going to Chicago tomorrow so give me tomorrow.”

  “What's there to think about Avia?” he demanded as he got to his feet and came towards her. “We belong together, don’t you see that?”

  “A lot of people thought so too and now they're apart.”

  “Stop it!” he said quietly. “I will give you the day but you're staying the night.”

  She looked at him and then nodded.

  “I'm going to fix us a bath. Give me a few minutes.”

  She watched as he left and closed her eyes briefly. She was starting to depend on him so much. God help her.

  *****

  “I missed you girl!” Morgan hugged her fiercely as soon as she came into the apartment. Grayson had had his driver take her home while he sett off for Chicago. He'd made love to her in the early hours of the morning and they had fallen asleep again, waking up when his assistant called him on the phone. He hadn't said anything to her again about his offer and she knew he was going to expect an answer tonight.

  “So, what have you been up to?” Avia ambled into the kitchen to make them some hot chocolate. She'd slept for several hours after she got home and had woken up feeling strangely bereft realizing that she was missing him.

  “Oh no darling! You're going to tell me about your weekend and the fact that you spent two nights at his place.”

  Avia put the water to boil and took out the mugs. It was a little after six but she wasn't expecting him back until very late. “He asked me to marry him again and this time I'm supposed to give him an answer when he comes back tonight.”

  Morgan watched as her friend poured the powdered chocolate in the cups and then the skimmed milk before adding water. “And what are you going to say?”

  Avia passed the cup to her. “Yes. Maybe. I don’t know. He's the first man that makes me want to say yes. He's the first man that makes me question my beliefs and my fears. Do you know what he did last night?”

  Morgan shook her head no.

  “He ran us a bath and he bathed me. He took me on a picnic and suddenly I knew I wanted what he had to offer. It was nice, no it was more than nice. It was wonderful and I wanted that.”

  “So tell him.”

  She stared at her friend. “Yes,” she said slowly. “I should.”

  *****

  She fell asleep waiting for him and didn't wake up until the phone rang early the next morning. She reached for the phone, intent on telling him what she thought about him not coming as he'd promised but as she looked at the number she realized that it was unfamiliar. “Hello?”

  “Ms. Whyte?”

  “Yes?”

  “I'm sorry to disturb you but may I come and have a word with you?”

  “Who is this?”

  “Oh I'm sorry. This is Claude, Mr. Grayson’s assistant. I need to speak to you in person.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “I cannot discuss this over the phone.”

  “Where is Grayson?” she was fully awake now.

  “Please Ms. Whyte may I come up? I'm right downstairs.”

  “Come on up.”

  She hung up the phone and hurried as fast as she could to the bathroom to freshen up and pull on a dress. She'd just put her hair into a ponytail when she heard the doorbell.

  She'd never met his assistant before and the minute she saw him she knew he was gay. No straight man ever dressed so impeccably. His dark brown skin was flawless and his very short hair shone with health and expensive hair product. He had a laptop bag in his hand and he looked very anxious. “Nice to meet you,” he shook her hand as soon as he came into the apartment.

  “Likewise,” she ushered him into the kitchen where she put on the kettle to make hot chocolate. “I get ravenous in the mornings.”

  He nodded as he took a seat at the counter. “You look solemn. What’s going on?”

  “Wouldn’t you rather eat first?”

  “I would rather hear what you have to say. The fact that you had to come and tell me in person means that it’s pretty serious. Go on, Claude I'm not going to dissolve into a dead faint. I'm made of stronger stuff.”

  He took a deep breath. “Mr. Whitfield owns very successful clubs all over the world and also restaurants. He has a lot of enemies, which include men who are not quite as successful where their clubs are concerned. We get that and make allowances for people like that but we never counted on religious fanatics who have suddenly decided that the world is coming to an end and they need to get rid of all the evil things before that happens.”

  Avia looked at him askance as he stopped.

  “Mr. Whitfield hardly ever drives himself but for some reason he decided to do so last night. He was supposed to stay in Chicago until this morning but he wanted to come back here.”

  Avia felt her heart stop beating and then pick up speed. “What are you saying?”

  “Someone destroyed one of his clubs early this morning, fortunately no one was hurt but Mr. Whitfield has been missing ever since.”

  “What do you mean missing?”

  “He was last seen at the airstrip and hasn't been seen since.” He said quietly. “The police are out looking for him now and so is our private security team.”

  Avia placed her hands on her belly and sat down onto the stool. “It’s extremely hot.”

  “Yes, and I'm praying that they find him soon.” He took another deep breath. “I just wanted to tell you before you heard it on the news.”

  “His mother!”

  “She's already been informed. I will let you know what's happening.”

  “Please,” she reached out and gripped his arm. “I'm not raising these babies by myself so I'm holding you accountable.”

  He smiled at her slightly and got to his feet. “I have to believe that he'll be okay.”

  “Me too.”

  Avia wasn't one to cry. She often thought that if the situation wasn't fixable then it was a waste of time and tears and if it was then there was no use for tears. But as soon as the impeccable Claude had left she closed the door and sat on the sofa as she felt the tears. And she prayed and prayed. She made bargains with God and told him that she would be a good girl and marry Grayson. She would stop being so cynical and hard and she would try and attend church. “Please don’t take him from us now, please.” She whispered as she felt the tears running.

  *****

  They found him late that afternoon in a ditch several miles away. Battered and bruised and unconscious. His car had been run off the road and he'd been flung from it, sustaining cracked ribs and a concussion. Claude called her and she prepared herself hurriedly to go to the hospital.

  “I'm sending a driver for you.”

  “That’s not necessary.”

  “Mrs. Whitfield insisted.”

  So she got ready and went downstairs to await the ride. She'd called Morgan who had wanted to leave work to come over but she had told her no. She blinked at the number of reporters she saw in the lobby.

  “Ms. Whyte is it true that you're carrying Grayson Whitfield's twins?

  “What do you think of the radicals who are responsible for his hospitalization?”

  “When are you due?”

  “Are you getting married?”

  She almost cried out in relief when Ben the driver came and whisked her away.

  “I could kiss you,” she told him as he drove away with the reporters almost ru
nning after the vehicle.

  “You're welcome,” he told her with a small smile as he headed to the hospital.

  She remained silent on the way. She hadn't heard any further news. She twisted her purse in her hands as she looked out at the scenery. They were headed to Hope Memorial and she supposed that it was natural that he'd been taken there. Ben avoided the reporters gathered outside by taking her through a service entrance. Grayson's mother and Claude and a group of men she recognized only from television and the papers were gathered there.

  “My dear,” Grace hurried over and took her hands. “Please sit. We're still waiting to hear how he is.”

  “Bradley Wellington and Alessandro Rivera are here.”

  “They're his friends. How are the babies?”

  “Fine, considering. What's this I hear about radicals destroying one of his clubs and trying to kill him?” she whispered.

  “They caught the culprits who incidentally turned themselves in and confessed. They said they were doing the work of the Lord.”

  “I wish I could be put in a room with them for five minutes and I would show them the work of the Lord,” she muttered. “They could have cost me my children’s father.”

  Grace reached over and squeezed her hands. “I'm with you on that darling.”

  It was several hours before they heard anything. The two men had left and she persuaded Grace to go on home. “It’s no sense both of us staying here and I'm not leaving.”

  “Are you sure darling?”

  “I'm setting up bed in his room.”

  She was given a fold out bed right next to him and she stayed there watching his still figure. They'd been told that he would be out for the night and probably the better part of the morning. The doctors had advised her to go on home but she'd refused. “I would hate to think that you're trying to get out of being a father to our children Grayson. By the way I've come up with the names and I know you're going to be contrary as usual but I'm thinking Alexandra and Andrew. I found out your middle name from your mother. I think they're beautiful, classy names and I'm not changing them. You get to pick their middle names.” She reached out and took his hand in hers, lifting it to kiss the bruises there. “It’s just like you to get me to start caring like crazy and then go off and try to get yourself killed. I would never have forgiven you darling.” She placed his hand against her cheek and closed her eyes. “You were supposed to come back last night and I fell asleep waiting for you. I never wait on a man and you must be very special for me to do so.” She placed her free hand over her belly as she felt their children move. “Your children miss the sound of your voice. I miss the sound of your voice and I miss you, dammit. You've changed me and I'm not sure I like it one bit. I'm thinking so much about you as a husband and a lover and the father of our children. You have me thinking of hearth and home damn you,” she whispered. She turned his hand over and kissed the bruised knuckle. “Please wake up.”