by Toni Aleo
I sit back, crossing my legs as my high heel hangs off the tip of my toe. I bounce my shoe as I read through a contract that is due to my client today. I start to bring my water bottle straw to my lips and sip, but something catches my attention. I furrow my brows in as I move my eyes from my computer to the tall, beautiful man standing at reception with a baby in his arms. I know that back—and that ass.
Kirby.
I promptly start choking as I drop the bottle to the floor and hurry out of my chair…and promptly fall face first on the carpet of my office. I let out a little scream, and once more, I hate that my office walls are glass. If it were a real office with real walls, no one would have seen or heard me. I just hope that Kirby didn’t hear or see it. Alas, karma is out to get me for talking back to my mom. When I look up to where he was standing, he has turned, his blazing amber gaze right on me. Never in my life have I seen eyes like his. They’re stunning, beautiful, and rare. Just like his smile. He seems shocked to see me—I’m sure I’m quite the image to take in—but then his lips curve up crookedly.
I forgot what the combination of eyes and smile does to me.
How they make me feel.
Like a bumbling buffoon.
Maybe it’s best that I stay right here and act like I didn’t see him.
But for that to work, I need to break eye contact.
And that’s impossible.
Chapter Four
Kirby
* * *
Jaylin.
Jesus.
When you don’t see someone for a long time, you start to make up how gorgeous they are in your head. With Jaylin, though, I didn’t do that. I didn’t have to. Her level of beauty isn’t even describable. Fuck me, she’s gorgeous. I will never ever forget the first time I saw her. As soon as she walked into the bar, my eyes narrowed in on her. She has a classic, pure beauty I’ve never witnessed before a day in my life. I’ve been around the block, I’ve seen and been with some gorgeous women, my ex included, but there is something about Jaylin that sends me to the ultimate limit. She gives me the feeling as if my toes are on a ledge and I’m fighting for balance not to fall. She’s powerful. Stunning. And too smart for her own good. Not locking her down is my biggest regret in my life, and I’ve done some suspect things. I know I had to try with my ex for Celeste’s sake, but man, I’m pretty sure I’d give up a pinkie to have stayed with Jaylin.
I don’t need a pinkie to play hockey, I don’t think.
It’s just tragic. I didn’t even get to taste her. I didn’t get to hold her. I didn’t get to wake up beside her. We kept it friendly, mainly because I was still dealing with shit with Lilly. She wasn’t completely out of my life, and Jaylin isn’t a side dish. She’s the whole fucking meal. Even with her lying on the floor, her wild curls all in her face as her dark caramel eyes stay locked with mine, I seriously can’t even think of a more beautiful woman.
I swallow as I curve my lips. I can’t help it. I’ve missed her. She gets up off the floor and stands beside her desk, fully embarrassed. Even as dark and silky as her skin looks, I can see the rosiness in her cheeks. Fuck, she’s gorgeous. She plasters a formal, sweet smile on her face as she wobbles out of her office. She’s missing a heel, but even so, I’m still blown away by her appearance. She’s wearing a tight yellow skirt with a sheer black top that is big and billowy at the shoulders. There is a huge water stain on her shirt, but who cares? Under the shirt is her silky skin, her breasts hidden by a thin-strapped tank. Her black hair is down, in riotous curls along her shoulders. She has on dark makeup to accentuate her beauty, and damn, I’ve missed her. Greatly. It’s hard to keep my cool. I want to fall at her feet, worship her, and beg her to give me another chance. But then Celeste grabs my face, and I’m knocked back into reality. I’m a father. I am a full-time father now, and someone like Jaylin Raventorn wouldn’t want anything to do with me.
Before she reaches me, she kicks off her single black pump and grins up at me shyly. She’s several inches shorter than me, but her personality makes her seem ten feet tall. I take in a deep breath as I gaze into her eyes, and my hate for Lilly grows. She not only abandoned our daughter; she ruined every chance I had with this beautiful queen.
“Hey,” she says finally, and man, the roughness in her voice turns me on.
“Hey,” I say, and then we’re just staring at each other. I feel the regret coming off her as well. I feel the heat moving between us. It almost seems as if we’re the only two standing here. The office isn’t full of people, and there aren’t many eyes on us. Celeste must feel it too, because she lets out a wail, reminding me once more that I am not someone Jaylin would want any longer.
“Celeste. Goodness,” I laugh as she leans her head on mine, and I pop the pacifier into her mouth.
“Celeste? That’s a gorgeous name,” Jaylin says, but it’s obvious she’s uncomfortable. We never had the conversation about marriage or kids, but she doesn’t seem like the type. She’s very much career-driven and extremely independent. “She looks just like you.”
I smile as I kiss Celeste’s little cheek. She does look like me—she has my nose and chin, but with light hair and light-blue eyes. “Yeah, she’s pretty perfect.”
“Congratulations.”
I nod. “Thanks. It’s been a wild ride, but I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Total lie. I’d rather have had Celeste with Jaylin.
“I bet. You seem pretty happy.”
I shrug. “I’m good. Things are a little crazy right now, but I’ll figure it out.”
She smiles. “Sorry about the Cup.”
The stabbing pain of disappointment comes rushing back. “Ugh, thanks. What a crap show, eh?”
She nods. “It sucked. I thought you guys had them.”
“Me too,” I agree, letting out a long breath. “How you doing?”
She runs her hands down the front of her dress. “Well, when I’m not falling out of my desk, I’m doing fine.” We share a grin. “Real good. The practice is going great. I’m constantly busy, and you know, just living my best life.”
“As always.” She beams at me as I continue to take her in. She doesn’t settle for anything but greatness. “Well, you look amazing.”
She smirks at me as her eyes darken. “Thank you. Fatherhood looks great on you.”
I force the grin as I nod. I love being a father. Celeste is my pride and joy, I love her, but as I suspected, Jaylin doesn’t see anything but that. Then again, it’s who I am. I’m not some carefree, crazy bachelor anymore. I’m a father, and I will be the best one yet. I’ll be everything my father wasn’t. “Thanks. I’m a proud papa.”
She looks unsure of herself, which isn’t Jaylin. Before I can ask how her parents are doing since her dad was battling some asthma when we were last talking, she asks, “Are you here for me?”
“I wish,” I blurt out, and to cover up my stupidity, I say quickly, “I’m here to see Willa Ray. I hired her since you don’t do family law.”
She’s confused. “Willa is wonderful. She’ll win whatever you need. I may be overstepping, and you can tell me to mind my own, but is everything okay?”
“I’d never tell you that,” I blurt once more, and then I swallow to compose myself. But I sure as hell don’t miss the flash of something in those gorgeous eyes of hers. “Her mom ran out on us. Lilly and I broke up right when Celeste was born, but when Lilly dropped Celeste off to me the other day, she said she wasn’t coming back. I want full custody and to make sure she can’t get my baby back and do this again.”
Her eyes widen as her mouth parts. “What a fucking bitch,” she says, but then she slaps her hand across her mouth. “Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry.”
I grin. “It’s okay. She doesn’t know any better yet, and I agree,” I say with a wink, and she lets her hands fall.
“I’m so sorry.”
“It is what it is. Celeste will be better off with me.”
“Absolutely. I’m captivated by how attentive y
ou are. This whole time we’ve been chatting, you’ve taken care of her like it’s second nature. I’m fully impressed.”
I love how she talks. I wave her off. “This is nothing. You should see my diaper skills.”
She grins. “Shh, don’t say that too loud. There’re a lot of thirsty females in here, wanting husbands to walk in.”
Wish she were one of those thirsty females. I laugh along as I nod. “So, you see—” Before I can finish my sentence—which, in all honesty, it’s best that I don’t—my lawyer, Willa Ray, walks up.
“Kirby Litman?”
“That’s me,” I say, my voice cracking. I gotta get away from Jaylin; she’s making me dumb.
“Ms. Raventorn?”
Jaylin looks over to the lady who just called her, the one who is waving a phone in the air. Jaylin holds up a finger and then looks back to Willa. “Hey,” she says sweetly before reaching over to squeeze my forearm. I swear, I feel her touch everywhere. “This is a super-great guy. Please take care of him.”
“Absolutely, Ms. Raventorn.”
Jaylin looks back at me, but then she turns her gaze on Celeste. She rubs her fingers along her cheek, and Celeste giggles. “Man, she’s beautiful.”
“Thank you,” I say, and…please look at me. Please.
Finally, her eyes cut to mine. “I wish I had time to play with her.” And just like that, once again, I’m reminded of who Jaylin Raventorn is and how I could never measure up. She glances back at Willa. “Let me know if you need me to do anything.”
“Will do. Right this way, Mr. Litman.”
Before I can move, though, my eyes meet Jaylin’s. “Thanks.”
“Of course,” she gushes, waving me off. “It was really good seeing you.”
I nod. “Yeah, you too.”
She grins and then heads back toward her office. I’m not even ashamed of the fact that I watch her. That I’m basically drooling at the mouth for her. I want to follow her, beg her to go out with me. But once more, Celeste slaps my face, knocking some sense back into me. Sadly, I follow my new lawyer to her office, wishing like hell I wasn’t about to sue my ex for custody of my daughter.
And maybe instead signing a contract for a new house for Jaylin, Celeste, and me to live in.
Because signing that contract would mean I would be in Jaylin’s office.
With Jaylin.
Life has a funny way of fucking you sometimes.
Chapter Five
Jaylin
* * *
The problem with offices made of glass is that when there is someone you want to stalk, it’s entirely too easy.
I’ve turned my chair to the left while putting my feet up on the edge of my desk. I have files in my lap, with a highlighter in one hand and a pen in the other. I tap my lip with said pen so people think I’m really concentrating on the work I am doing. I’m not, though. Instead, I am watching Kirby with Celeste on his knee as he listens intently to Willa. She is moving her hands, talking with her whole body, and that’s how I know she is passionate about helping him. There are a lot of things about Willa that I love and adore, but my favorite thing is that when she wants to win a case, she does everything in her power to do so. It’s one of the reasons she is our most successful family lawyer. I’m a bit worried because custody is hard to take away from a mother, but I have all the confidence in the world that if someone were going to make it happen, it’d be Willa.
Kirby meets with her for over an hour. In that time, I find I have to pee like a racehorse, and also, I have made eye contact with Jacob Jinkins, one of our criminal lawyers who is convinced I want to suck his dick. Sorry, no. I want the sexy dad with the adorable baby in his lap. He is incredible with her. I’ve met a lot of men who say they want kids, but I never saw them as a dad. Kirby was made for the role. He is so attentive to Celeste. He feeds her, gives her toys, and keeps her occupied while still giving Willa his attention. It’s astonishing to witness.
And such a damn turn-on. I’m basically squirming in my seat, but then I feel dirty because he’s being a dad and shit. Like, isn’t that wrong? Then again, if it is, fuck it, I don’t want to be right. I lean back in my chair, acting as if I’m yawning as I watch him sign some documents. He moves with such fluidity, it’s beautiful. I find that all hockey players are like that; they move so efficiently and with purpose. I bet he is incredible in bed.
When my phone rings, it startles me, but I recover fast, answering Aviva’s call.
“Hello?”
“Hey, sorry. It’s been crazy all day. So, here is what is going on—”
“He’s here.”
She pauses. “He is?”
“Yeah, meeting with Willa for his case. He told me what happened.”
“Oh, okay. So, you’re up-to-date.”
“I am. What a cunt, huh?”
“Super-duper cunt. I never liked her.”
“Who does that to a child?”
“Exactly. Though Kirby wasn’t too surprised. He said she’s always been flighty, which is why they never worked out. Also, she liked to fuck anything with legs while he was gone.”
I roll my eyes. “Double cunt.”
“Legit,” she agrees. “How did he seem? He is being so strong. He is such a good dad.”
“Oh, totally. He’s impressive and so fucking hot.”
“Jay…” she warns, but I’m not listening.
“I’m currently obsessing over the dip in his cheek when he gives Celeste a smile.”
“Jesus. You’re watching him? Isn’t Jacob’s office between yours and Willa’s?”
“Yes, and he is probably going to ask me out again, but I don’t care. I can’t stop watching Kirby and regretting that things didn’t align for us.”
“I know,” she says on a sigh. “I think you two would have been awesome together.”
“We would have been.”
She snorts. “Please, tell me what you really think.”
Now, I’m the one sighing. “I wish that was my baby on his lap.”
I know my confession stuns my best friend for life, and I quickly regret it. I’m not one to say things like that. I’ve always sold my kids when I got them in the game of Life. I’ve even tried to sell my husband since Aviva always told me he got to drive. That’s bullshit. I’m driving. I didn’t have baby dolls growing up. I had a lemonade stand that I used to sell snacks to Aviva’s dolls. I was all about making that money and doing big things. I’ve done them.
Now, I want more.
Funny how that happens.
When Kirby gets up all of a sudden, I widen my eyes as I watch him shake hands with Willa while Celeste sits on his hip. “Ooh, he’s moving.”
“Who?”
“Kirby.”
“You’re still watching him!”
“Why are you surprised?”
“Honestly, I don’t know why,” she says with laughter in her voice. “Is he coming to say bye?”
Shit! As he reaches down to grab his bag, I almost fall out of my chair again in an effort to go back to normal. I throw everything on my desk and push my chair up into place so I look like the professional lawyer I am. Though, for the last hour, some would say I was less than professional.
Whatever.
“He’s leaving her office,” I say, watching him out of the corner of my eye so that he doesn’t think I’m watching him. Celeste moves her hands through his hair, and I can’t fight back the smile when he kisses her nose. Promptly, my ovaries explode.
Oh, ovaries. I’m sorry I’ve neglected you.
“Is he coming your way?”
“God, I hope so.”
“Do you need to call me back?”
“I don’t—” Before I can finish, he turns away from my office, heading straight for the elevators instead. I exhale harshly, the disappointment eating me alive. “Guess he isn’t interested.”
“Jay,” she scolds. “He has a lot going on right now. Dating is the last thing he wants.”
“I kno
w,” I say. And I do know that. “I’m just being in my feelings.”
“Which is okay,” she reminds me. “It’s better to feel than hold it all in. Right?”
“Right,” I agree, and I hate that I allowed her to come to therapy with me when I was going through my cancer treatment. She uses all that shit on me more than I care for her to. Suddenly, there is a knock at my door. I hate how excited I get at the possibility of it being Kirby.
Because it’s not, and just like that, I’m disappointed.
“Hey, Jaylin. Can I talk to you?”
“Of course,” I say as Willa enters. “Aviva, let me call you back.”
“No problem. Love you.”
“Love you,” I say, hanging up and throwing my phone down. I lean on my elbows, plastering on the fakest and most supportive smile I can muster. “How’d it go with Litman?”
“Good. He’s smart as a whip. He’s documented everything. He even has screenshots of conversations when she left. She doesn’t want custody of the child and even said he can have her. It should be cut-and-dried, but still, I want to make sure all my bases are covered.”
I nod. “Of course.”
“I wanted to get your opinion since you two know each other,” she says slowly. “I advised him to get a nanny service for when he travels for his work, but he’s insistent that his elderly neighbors will watch the child while he’s traveling.”
I shake my head. “If he has a live-in nanny, it will look better because she’s being paid and is a professional.”
“That’s what I was thinking. I told him I would get him some recommendations.”
I’m moving to my computer before she can even finish her sentence. “I’m sending you the best nanny service in town. I represent them, and the family the owner’s favorite nanny worked for just moved away, so she is up for grabs. She is the best. I’m also sending her an email to expect his call.” I turn my eyes to hers. “Make sure he does it this way.”