by LK Collins
My sex is pressed against his dick. I swallow watching him hand me the present. When I take it, his hands clench my thighs, and I hold my breath as I open the box.
Staring back at me is a single key on a chain. It’s as familiar as if I’d owned it for a lifetime. “Oh, Roan.”
“You like it?” he asks and sits up, looking in the box with me.
“I love it, how did you know I wanted it?”
“I saw the way you stared at it that night.”
“Did you buy it when I was there?”
“Yup.”
“I’m—”
He presses his forefinger to my lips. “Mia, this is the key to my heart, I’d like to give it to you if you’ll have it.”
“Is that even a question?” My words are quick and full of all the love.
He takes the chain from the box and unclasps it. I hold my hair out of the way and lean down so he can place it around my neck. He effortlessly locks it together, and I rise, looking not just at the necklace but also at him. The weight of it around my neck is something I’ll cherish and hold onto forever.
Chapter 41
Roan
“Do you need me to grab anything else?” Mia asks me.
I look around the room at the bowling alley and think we have everything we need for Maisy’s party. “Nope, just missing you, beautiful.”
“I’ll be there soon,” she tells me before we hang up, and I take a moment to admire Maisy. She is chatting with a group of girls she invited to the party, and I don’t think she could be more excited about today.
“Do you think she’ll show?” Rianna asks me, and I know she’s referring to her mother.
“I don’t know. When I talked to her, she sounded off.”
“What do you mean?”
I’m not gonna beat around the bush. “I think she’s drinking again.”
“Really? Why?”
I didn’t want to talk to Georgia in the first place, but Maisy said she wanted to give her a chance and that she wanted me to invite her to the party, so I called. “I could just tell in her voice.” Plus, when I called the place she said she was working at, they said they don’t have an employee by her name, but a patient. And I still wonder why would she be in the same clothes for two days in a row when she showed up? In all honesty, I think she’s hit her rock bottom and only came back for a free place to live. But I won’t give that information to Rianna; it’ll only hurt her as she and her sister decided to give Georgia a chance. As their father, it’s my job to protect them . . . always.
“You really think she’d do that to Maisy?”
“I do, honey.” I hate to tell Rianna this, but I know she’s strong enough to understand. Alcohol addiction is no joke, I’ve seen the struggle firsthand with Georgia, and it’s a very sad, sad thing.
“I hope she doesn’t ruin the party, Dad.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
The host comes in, letting us know the lanes are ready, and a flood of girls head for the door. She moves out of their way and comes to stand by me.
“Will you be bowling, sir?”
“Ah, probably not.”
“Come on, Dad,” Rianna says, and I roll my eyes.
“Fine, I’ll need a size eleven shoe,” I tell the girl.
“And we’ll also need a woman’s seven,” Rianna says.
I look at her confused. “It’s for Mia.”
“How do you know her shoe size?”
“We wear the same.”
“Oh, good to know.” Right as I finish the sentence, the door opens. All the wind is stripped from my lungs as Mia stands there in a tight ass pair of white skinny jeans and . . . oh fuck, her nipples are hard as they scream at me to suck them through her soft gray top.
“Hey, babe,” I tell her and kiss her cheek.
She kisses me back and then hugs Rianna. “Where’s the birthday girl?”
Both Rianna and I point into the bowling alley where the group of girls now are. Mia sets the presents on the table, and we head toward Maisy.
“She here?” Mia whispers, and I shake my head. I think we’re both on edge about what the day will bring. I could only imagine a drunken Georgia giving it a last-ditch effort and ruining the day.
“There’s the birthday girl!” Mia exclaims, sweeping Maisy into a big hug. The two embrace as the host sets our shoes on the floor.
I smile at Maisy as she holds Mia back, she doesn’t seem to be bothered one bit by the fact that her mother is missing, which is surprising to me. However, I’m proud of her. I’m proud of both my girls. They have learned to be without their mother, so this is second nature to them. The way life is supposed to be, I guess.
“Dad, will you help me program the names?” Rianna asks, and I sit next to her on the tiny bench as we divide up the two lanes. The girls are all laughing and yelling, having a great time and I know we’re in for a fun day.
As the games begin, I sit back. Mia plops down on my knee, arousing everything inside me. “She seems happy,” she says.
“She is.” And it’s the truth.
After falling and busting my ass, then laughing so much about it while we bowled my abs hurt, we’re finally done. I’m not sure how many games we played, but it was a lot, and it felt good to just act like a kid again. Not to stress about all the problems in life.
The day went off without a hitch, and that included the absence of Georgia, which really didn’t seem to bother either of the girls.
I look in the rearview mirror at Maisy and catch her attention. “Did you have fun, birthday girl?”
“Oh my God, Dad, it was the best. Thank you for everything!”
“Of course.” I would pull the sun from the sky if it made her happy, so a bowling party was nothing.
We park in the driveway next to Mia’s car. She left the party early to start on Maisy’s birthday dinner. I have to be honest, I fuckin’ love coming home to her in my house.
“It smells so good,” Maisy says as she and Rianna crowd around Mia.
“I hope it tastes just as good,” Mia retorts.
I walk up behind them all and look into the bubbling marinara sauce. With my chin on Mia’s shoulder, I kiss her cheek and hug my girls. “What can I help you with?” Maisy asks.
“Not a thing. This is your birthday meal.”
She giggles and says, “Can we bring my presents in?” I nod, causing her and Rianna to run off.
“What can I help you with, beautiful?” I slide my hands around the front of her and then glide them up her sexy body. My cock hardens behind her, and I pull her backside against it.
“I think I got it.”
“Good. Can you turn it down for a bit? I want you.”
“Mm-hmm,” she moans too softly as I kiss her neck.
“I need you, now.”
“Later.”
“Don’t say that.” I rub her tits, knowing what it does to her. She just gently urges my hands away.
“After dinner.”
“You’re killing me.”
She looks over at me and rolls her eyes. The only reason I relent is that the front door opens, reminding me that we aren’t alone. Now is not the time to mess around, but she makes it so hard to control myself.
The girls sit at the table to go through Maisy’s gifts. Mia opens the fridge, takes out the salad, and passes it to me. “Can you put this on the table?”
I listen to her like I always do. Then she gives me some plates and silverware so I can set the table. Within ten minutes, we’re ready to eat.
“Is it done already?”
“Yup, and it’s hot, so be careful,” Mia says, carrying a huge tray. I never envisioned her as the domestic type, but boy does she fit the part.
As we begin to serve ourselves, I pay particular attention to Maisy. She has a permanent smile on her face today. I really think she had a good time, and that is all that matters. The necklace I bought for her, which I know is her favorite gift, hangs around her neck.
/> “The food tastes amazing,” Maisy says, shoving another bite of pasta into her mouth. Her words move me to take my first bite, and I’d have to agree. Mia is a great cook.
“I got this, I got this,” Rianna suddenly says in a deep mocking tone, and I know just what she’s referring to. The girls all bust out laughing, referring to my little slip I had at the bowling alley today.
“You know, in my defense, they just waxed those floors.”
“You aren’t supposed to step across the line,” Mia says.
“You sore, dad?” Rianna asks, making them all laugh harder.
“I didn’t fall all the way down!” I try to defend myself, but we all know I was completely flat on my ass when I fell. The girls erupt into a chaos of laughter. But it’s a sound and sight that I love. My girls, all three of them, together and giving me a hard time—the way life’s supposed to be.
After we eat, Mia says, “Come downstairs. We have one more present for you.”
“You do?” Maisy’s eyes go wide, and she’s already headed down.
“Yup!” We all follow her downstairs. While I had the girls out all day on different adventures, Mia spent the morning getting Maisy’s room ready.
Maisy is basically bouncing up and down as Mia reaches for the door and Rianna asks her, “Are you ready?”
“Yes!” she shouts, and Mia flings the door open.
I haven’t seen the room yet, but it is amazing. The new teal and leopard theme looks awesome, and the removable wallpaper is perfect. Maisy clasps her hands over her mouth and tears break the rims of her eyes as she spins around in her new room, taking it all in.
“Oh my God,” she cries out, and we all freeze and exchange a worried look. For a split second, my stomach drops and I think she’s about to turn and start screaming at me. Instead, she launches herself into my arms.
“Thank you, Dad.”
“You’re welcome. Happy birthday. Now, go check it out!” She and Rianna both take running leaps at the bed, and I lean closer to Mia. “Thank you, Mia,” I whisper to her and then kiss her on the cheek.
Chapter 42
Mia
“Good luck today,” Roan tells me as I prepare to leave and head into the office. Today is the day I’ll have to stand in front of like, a thousand people and give my speech.
“God, I’m nervous as hell.”
“Stop worrying, you’ll do great,” he encourages me.
“Are you sure you can’t come?” I ask. He told me that he would be right up front and if I got nervous, all I would have to do was look at him.
“I would, but Chandler and I have a meeting with Anderson Construction to make up for the one I missed when I was with you, so I have to go to it.”
“Okay,” I tell him, knowing he has to go to his meeting, but I wish more than anything he could cancel.
He takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger. His eyes consume mine as he leans in and kisses me. I kiss him back, softly. Then he leaves a trail down my neck, sending shivers through me before landing a final one on my necklace. My stomach flips when he does this. He did it once last night, and I thought it was just a fluke, but having him do it again tells me that it isn’t.
“Call or text me before and after, okay?” I nod and then take one last kiss before leaving.
It’s so early the sun is barely up, but I have to get into the office and practice my speech. I should’ve been doing it this last week, but with everything that happened, my speech was the last thing on my mind. Hell, I even missed a few days of work, which is unlike me.
When I get to the office, I park in my usual spot and then head inside. There isn’t anyone here yet, so I flip a few lights on and spend the better part of the morning practicing my speech between filtering through emails and voice mails.
“How are you feeling?” my boss, Anita asks me from the doorway of my office.
I blink, trying to figure out what she’s talking about, but then it clicks. I told her I had a stomach bug when I was out last week. “Better, thank you.”
“Good, so you’re ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“You’ll do great. You’re a great public speaker so don’t let your head get the better of you. These women are all excited to hear you.”
“Thank you,” I tell her and do my best to remind myself of that. Anita leaves, and I gather my things just as a flower delivery arrives. The smell invades my senses, reminding me of the last time Roan sent me flowers. If only he could be there today for me to lean on, then I think I’d feel differently.
“Thank you,” I tell Jasmine, our receptionist.
“You’re most welcome. They’re beautiful.” She sets them on the edge of my desk, and I remove the note card.
To my beautiful girl,
Thinking of you always. Good luck today, you’ll do great.
Love, Roan
Oh, how that man knows the way to my heart. “We’re heading out now if you wanna join,” Anita says as she blows by my open office door.
“Sure, I’ll be right there,” I call after her and grab my phone, wishing I had time to call Roan. I have to settle for a text.
Me: On my way out. Got the flowers, love them and you. I’ll call you when I’m done, baby.
I send the message with a smile on my face and know I will do great.
Chapter 43
Roan
“Mr. Reddick?” Casey chimes in on my phone.
“I have Mr. Anderson for you on line three.”
“Thanks,” I tell her and glance at the clock to make sure I haven’t somehow missed the meeting again.
“This is Roan.”
“Morning, Roan. It’s Thom, how are you today?”
“Very well.”
“Good, listen, I hate to do this, but I have to reschedule our meeting for today.”
“Oh, is there a problem?”
“No, just an overlap in the schedule, but I didn’t want you guys to think we were bailing, after the mishap with the last meeting. If it’s okay with you, I’ll have my assistant reschedule with yours for later in the week.”
“That’d be fine. And thanks for telling me in person.”
“No problem.”
We hang up, and I get up from my desk, heading straight to Chandler’s office. He’s leaning back in his chair with his feet propped on his desk. The phone is pressed to his ear, and as he talks, he bounces a racket ball against the wall. He sees me and chucks it at me. I catch it and bite back the wince. The fucking thing came at me so quick my hand stings. I bounce the ball as I wait for him to finish his call, and once he does, I toss it back and tell him, “Thom just rescheduled.”
“What the fuck, why?”
“He said just an issue with the calendar, should be back on later in the week. I’ll check with Casey to be sure.”
“All right.”
“So, if you’re cool, I’m gonna head to Mia’s conference, I might still catch her speech.”
“Yeah, man. Go.”
I go back to my office and grab my phone. I’m not sure if I’ll get there in time to hear her speak, but I’ll still get there with enough time to catch her.
The hotel the conference is at is just a few blocks away, and I follow the signs that lead me to where she is speaking. The doors are all closed, and I go back and forth about opening them and interrupting, but then a woman walks out, and I slip in. The room is packed. Every table is full and up on the stage is my girl.
The lights are shining down on her, illuminating her like an angel. She has her hands wrapped around the podium, and I cross my arms, leaning back against the wall as I get lost in not only her but also her words.
She speaks my language, hell, she might be speaking it better than I do. When it comes to engineering, I thought I was at the top of my game. Clearly, she’s surpassed me. Everything she is saying makes sense.
Then somehow, her eyes lock with mine. She stutters for a moment, gripping the podium harder, and I giv
e her a wink.
She recovers quickly and effortlessly, and I’m officially in awe of everything about her.
As her speech comes to an end, I find myself very turned on. It doesn’t help that as she leaves the stage, her skirt seems to be shorter than it was this morning. I lick my lips, watching her for as long as I can. Then another woman steps up to talk, and the crowd becomes restless. I’m so busy scanning the room for Mia, I almost miss the door to my right opening. I turn and find her standing in the hallway, motioning for me to join her.
“You made it!” she exclaims once the door is closed again.
“I did, and you fucking killed it up there.”
She blushes and grabs my hand, leading me away from the doors. I happily follow, not knowing—or caring—where we are going. I’d chase her into hell at this point. Then she opens the door to a family restroom, and we both go inside. I press the lock button firmly, followed by slamming her back against the wooden door, and then drop to my knees.
She grips my hair, and I push her skirt up, not wanting anything in the way as we fuck. “Is this shorter than it was this morning?” I ask.
“No,” she answers, and once I have it bunched at her waist, I push her panties aside and begin to flick my tongue back and forth over her clit.
“Yes,” she whimpers, and that one single word brings me to my feet. I rip my cock free, needing inside her, and plunge into her. She’s so wet she swallows me whole. Her legs bind around me, and I begin to move. Fire burns through my veins, and it takes everything I have not to grunt barbarically as we fuck.
God, she’s so tight.
Her cunt milks my dick, and together we get lost in a world of pleasure. It’s a place that I’ve only ever been to with Mia, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Nothing else matters when we are together; there are no worries or stresses. She gives me the reassurance that everything will be okay, and that feeling is something I’d give my life to hold on to. Without it—without her, I am nothing.