Raising Landry

by Andee Michelle

  “That is the weirdest thing I’ve ever heard.” Karen’s voice is now back to normal and she no longer looks ready to kill someone. “Yes, please put in Carson’s bid for the full asking price. Thank you,” she says and then hangs up.

  Karen doesn’t say anything at first; just shakes her head and leans forward on her desk.

  “Karen, please tell me what the hell is going on,” I say, trying to keep the anger out of my voice. I will not lose this property.

  “This is the oddest thing I’ve ever encountered in as many years as I’ve sold real estate,” Karen states, more to herself than to me.

  “Carson, the person who put in the bid basically said he’d pay anything for the property. The only catch is that if you, Carson Breaux, put in a bid on it before he could get up here for the closing, his bid was to be withdrawn immediately and to allow you to buy the property without further fight from him.” She stops and looks at me. “Why would someone do that?” she asks me.

  “I’m speechless. I don’t know anyone who would do that,” I respond quickly.

  A few minutes later, Kyler comes into the room, looking as frantic as I was just minutes earlier.

  “It’s okay, Kyler.” I pause because I don’t really know how to explain this situation. It does not make any sense. Who would do that? “Apparently, whoever put in the bid added a stipulation that should I put in a bid before he could close, his bid should be withdrawn and I be allowed to purchase the property.” I watch for his reaction closely because as the words leave my mouth, it crosses my mind that Kyler did this. The look of confusion and then absolute surprise tells me it wasn’t him, though.

  “I don’t understand. Who do you know who would want to purchase land here?” Kyler asks me.

  “You,” I say quietly. “You’re the only person I know in Seattle with the means to do so.” But as my mind registers what my mouth just said, I realize I do know someone with the means, just not in Seattle. I hear Kyler say something, but my mind is focused on one thing right now, and it’s not him.

  I turn and walk to the windows, looking out into the city I’ve grown to love. It couldn’t be. I haven’t seen or spoken to him in more than six years. How would he even know where I was? I mean, it’s not like I changed my name or anything. But how could he know I was looking for property or that it was this one I had been interested in?

  A phone ringing pulls me from my thoughts and I turn to see Kyler watching me closely. He makes his way slowly toward me and then, surprisingly, pulls me into his arms.

  “I can tell by the look on your face that you know who it was,” he whispers into my hair. “Who is it, Carson?”

  “My daddy,” I respond.

  After giving Karen instructions to call me as soon as we know the seller has accepted my full-price offer, I follow Kyler home. My thoughts are all over the place, so driving myself probably wouldn’t have been a great idea.

  When we pull up to the house, Kyler doesn’t get out, but turns to me. “I’m going to go pick up Landry and then I’ll stop by the store and get stuff to make dinner. Are you going to be okay here by yourself? I can tell you’re upset,” he says gently.

  “I’m fine. I just don’t understand how he could’ve known. I mean, it couldn’t have been hard for him to find me. I’ve never tried to hide. What I don’t understand is how he could’ve known that I was looking at commercial property.” I shake my head. “I’ll be fine. Go get Landry and do your errands. I’m gonna take a hot bath, maybe have an early glass of wine, and try to figure out what the hell is going on.” I give him a small smile. “Thank you for being there today, Ky. It means a lot to me.”

  Kyler nods and then replies, “Why don’t I see if Pops can watch Landry tonight so I can take you out to dinner to celebrate?” His smile is so sexy, how can I say no?

  “Good food and wine sounds perfect to me,” I tell him.

  I get out of the car and Kyler waits until I’m through the front door before he drives away.

  I make my way up the stairs to my bedroom, stripping clothes the moment the door shuts. I fill the garden tub with water as hot as I can stand and pour milk bath into it.

  I take my time in the bath, shaving and primping for my date with Kyler. He didn’t say it was a “date” but that’s what I’m calling it.

  As I’m curling my hair, I hear the front door slam shut and the hair on the back of my neck stands up. I tentatively start walking toward the door of my room but stop when I get to it, listening closely for any sound of movement. I don’t hear any. I go to the window to look and see if Kyler’s car is out front and just as I get there, I see his car door open like he just arrived. What the hell? Who slammed the door? Hadn’t I locked it when I came in? I can’t remember.

  I start down the stairs. He walks in, throwing his keys on the entrance table and loosening his tie. He looks uncomfortable, or nervous.

  “Hey! Did you just get home?” I ask him.

  He jerks his head to the sound of my voice and he smirks. “Miss me, did ya?”

  “No, I’m serious. Is this the first time you’ve come through that door since you got home, or did you go back out to the car to get something?” I asked; sounding more alarmed.

  “That’s the first time I’ve come through that door since I dropped you off to get Landry.” He pauses. “Why, Carson? You’re worrying me.”

  I look around nervously and start to back toward the stairs. Someone was in the house while I was here alone.

  “Carson!” he says sternly. “Tell me what’s going on.”

  “While I was curling my hair, I heard a door slam. I thought it was the front door, but when I looked out the window you were just starting to get out of the car.” My voice is shaky.

  “Are you sure it was a door, because the house was locked. I had to use my key to get in,” he questions.

  “Ah, hell, it’s probably just my imagination playing tricks on me.” I shake my head as I turn to finish getting ready. Something isn’t right, but I can’t put my finger on it.

  “I’m gonna take a quick shower and then we’ll head out. I called and made us reservations. I hope you like sushi.” He smiles over his shoulder as he heads to his room.

  “I love it,” I holler back as I get to my room.

  An hour later, we’re back downstairs, dressed and ready for our night out. I need this.

  The restaurant is beautiful, and everything about it is authentic Japanese. I’ve never been to this exact spot, but Kyler says he’s been a time or ten. He picks his top five favorite sushi rolls and orders them in the sampler platter for me to try. They bring us a side of edamame with sea salt and a garlic chili sauce to dip them in. Kyler orders a beer and I get cold sake.

  The dinner is intimate, and we talk and laugh and just enjoy each other’s company. He tells me about his childhood and I share a few little stories about mine, too.

  We decide to rent a movie and head home. It’s been an extremely eventful day and we are both exhausted. When we get home, we both get into our comfy pjs and cuddle up on the couch to watch an old 80s movie that I’ve never seen. When he found out I hadn’t seen “The Princess Bride,” he insisted that’s what we needed to watch.

  I laugh and laugh, and it feels good to be so relaxed and happy with Kyler. It’s been a really long time since I’ve let a guy close enough to me for this kind of intimate atmosphere. Although we’ve lived together for several weeks, we’ve never done this. Not just us. We’ve watched movies with Landry, but we’ve never cuddled up like this and just been ourselves.

  As the movie ends, I get up and stretch, which apparently causes my shirt to raise and my lower belly to be exposed. When I look down at Kyler, his eyes are trained on my stomach. He reaches out and grabs the hem of my shirt before pulling me slowly toward him. He’s still sitting on the couch so when my legs meet the edge, he lays his forehead on my stomach and groans.

  “What’s wrong?” My voice sounds gravely, like I just woke up.

  �
��I’m having a really hard time keeping my hands to myself here, Carson. You looked so beautiful tonight and we’ve been cuddled up on this couch, with your body pressed against mine, for the past two hours,” he replies with a tone I’m not familiar with.

  I pull his face up so he is looking at me, and his eyes tell me he is confused and irritated.

  “What if I don’t want you to keep your hands to yourself?” I bat my lashes at him and watch as his face morphs from irritation to lust.

  “Don’t tease me, Carson. My resolve is about as thin as it can get.” He gently pushes me backwards, causing me to take a step away from him. He stands, bringing his hands up to cup my face, before placing a gentle kiss on my lips.

  “I’m not teasing, Kyler,” I say against his lips. Grabbing his shirt, I pull his body against mine then wrap my arms around his waist. “I need you.”

  His mouth crashes into mine, causing me to flinch. He jumps back. “I’m sorry, Carson. Did I hurt you?”

  I smile up at him. “No. Just be easy on my shoulder.” I press my lips back to his and although I can tell he is trying to keep the kiss gentle, the longer it continues, the harder he pushes. I’m not complaining. His mouth feels amazing against mine. I love the way he kisses me.

  I run my hands under his shirt and up his back. Kyler pulls back from me and looks into my eyes. “We don’t have to do this, Carson. I know you’re still healing and that it’s been a long time for you. I also know you don’t just sleep with anyone. I’ll gladly wait, baby.” His face is so serious and caring.

  “I don’t want to wait, Kyler,” I cry out too quickly and he chuckles. “Sorry.” I laugh. “Look, you’re right. I’m completely inexperienced and it’s been years since I’ve done this, but there is no doubt in my mind that I want to be with you.” I lower my eyes from his; afraid he is going to see my nervousness.

  He gently takes my hand and leads me to his bedroom, closing the door behind us. He dims the lights and pulls me gently toward his bed. Running his fingers through my hair, he dips his head low and pulls my face to his, kissing me passionately. Everything is happening gently, but I need him and our movements quickly become more desperate. Before long, we are both naked from the waist up and he is pressing gentle kisses across my collarbone.

  “Kyler, I’m not going to break,” I say forcefully. He chuckles against my skin.

  “Tell me what you want, beautiful,” he murmurs. I can’t even speak when his mouth hits my nipple. My head falls backwards onto the pillow and I moan loudly. It has been way too damn long since I’ve felt this kind of passion. Truthfully, I don’t know that I’ve ever been this turned on and ready in my life.

  I grab a handful of his hair and pull his head up to mine; bringing his lips back to me. I push the kiss forcefully, showing him that I’m not fragile. He groans into my mouth.

  Reaching down, he runs his finger under the waistband on my pajama pants, testing my reaction. I push my hips up to meet his hand and he smiles against my lips. He slowly pushes my pants down and I kick them off.

  “No panties, Carson?” He growls and then smirks at me. “Hoping for more than a date, huh?”

  “I don’t ever sleep in panties. Just the pajama pants.” I watch as his eyebrow pulls up as he works his way down, kissing my stomach gently.

  “That’s good to know for future reference,” he says before lowering his mouth to me.

  There is nothing that prepares me for the intensity of his mouth on my sensitive skin. It’s almost too much. Almost. He devours me, taking me to heights of pleasure that I’ve only ever read about.

  I grab his hair again, pulling him up. I need him inside me. He shakes his head and looks up at me. “You have a thing for pulling my hair, huh?” He smirks. “I can tell already that once you're all healed up, we can definitely make things interesting.” He laughs when he sees my reaction written all over my face due to my blushing.

  He presses his lips to mine once again, reaching his hand down to my core. He groans when he feels how ready I am for him. “Kyler, please,” I beg. “I need you inside me now.”

  He wastes no time shedding his pants, coming back immediately to press his body against mine. My body feels like it’s on fire when he pushes his erection against my center.

  “Are you on the pill?” He pauses. “I haven’t been with anyone in over a year, Carson and I’ve been checked. I’m clean.” He pauses to look down at me. “I really don’t want anything between us. I need to feel all of you.”

  I nod. “I’m on the pill and you know my history.” I smile at him as he brings his mouth back to me.

  He slowly presses into me, excruciatingly slow so he doesn’t hurt me. He stops when he is fully seated and looks at my face. “Are you okay?” he whispers. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “I’m fantastic, but if you don’t start moving, I’m taking over.” I smile up at him seductively.

  “Oh, thank God,” he mumbles as he pulls back a few inches and pushes back in.

  “Jesus, you’re so tight and hot, baby. You’re like a fucking furnace.” He groans into my neck as he makes love to me long and slow.

  I have never felt anything so amazing in my life. It’s like his body was made to fit inside of mine. Every push, every pull brings me closer to the edge, and I feel like my body is literally going to ignite when I get there. I had no idea my body could feel this way. How had I never experienced this level of pleasure before?

  “So close, baby. Please tell me you’re close,” he bites out like he’s in pain.

  And just like that, my body explodes around his, causing me to scream out his name and clench the sheets of his bed like they will keep me from lifting off. His body stiffens as he throws his head back and roars.

  I almost instantly start to drift off. If that is what sex is supposed to feel like, I’ve been missing out on this my entire life. I have never felt that way before. The pleasure that ripped through my body was almost painful it was so intense. I’ve definitely been missing out.

  I hear Kyler chuckle beside me. I open my eyes and turn my head to look at him. “What’s so funny?” I ask, smiling back at him.

  “I have to say that I agree. I’ve been missing out, too,” he says sleepily.

  Shit. I said all that out loud.

  He chuckles again.

  “Kyler, that was amazing and we should do it again as soon as possible,” I tell him, my eyes closed.

  “Maybe we should.” He laughs, running his index finger down my naked body. “But maybe we should talk about what just happened first.”

  “What do you mean?” I ask, concern obvious in my voice.

  “Well, what I mean is, I really like you, Carson. A lot,” he replies.

  “I like you a lot, too, and if you can make me feel like that again and again, I think maybe I’d like to keep you around for a little while,” I joke, knowing I’m sort of avoiding the seriousness of the topic. He smiles down at me, knowing exactly what I’m doing.

  “Looks like I have a job to do.” He groans as he once again grabs my hips and pulls me to him. Kyler makes love to me again, and this time is even better than the last. I know in my heart that I’m falling for him, but I’m not sure if I am ready to give my heart away again.

  The next morning, I wake up, still wrapped in the warmth of his arms. I glance at the clock and see it’s still early, but I’m no longer tired so I decide to go down and get coffee started. I’ll make us breakfast a little later.

  I make myself a lovely cup of coffee, just the way I like it, and curl up on my favorite chair in front of the windows that look out over the backyard. I’m still a little weirded out about the property thing. Could it really be my dad who put in that bid? Why would he do that?

  I don’t want to think about it right now. It just hurts. I want to bask in the glow of last night. It was amazing. He was amazing. Not that I have much experience to compare it to, but it was by far the best sex I’ve ever had. It didn’t feel forced, or rushed. He
took his time with me and was so understanding and gentle. Just thinking about last night makes me want to go upstairs and take advantage of him in his sleep. The thought makes me laugh out loud.

  “What are you laughing about in here?” his morning voice asks from behind me. I almost spill my coffee when I jump.

  “Shit, Ky. Don’t sneak up on a woman deep in thought, holding scorching-hot coffee,” I scold him playfully.

  He walks up behind me, leaning over and kissing my forehead.

  “Did you save me any coffee?” he asks smugly.

  “This is my first cup, so you better get some while you can,” I joke. He knows I need at least two cups, sometimes three to actually make me a normal human being in the morning.

  He gets a mug and pours himself some coffee before coming over and sitting down in the oversized chair with me.

  “What are your plans for today?”

  “Well, one of us needs to pick Landry up from school. I need to go grocery shopping. And hopefully Karen will call me with good news today,” I say cheerfully.

  “How about you make me a list of what you need at the store, I’ll pick up Landry and then she and I will go grocery shopping. That way, you can kick it here, relax and wait for Karen to call. Or you could just call her yourself.” He chuckles. He knows I’m so ready to get this ball rolling.

  “Actually, that sounds wonderful. I have some laundry to get started ‘cause our girl needs three outfits a day, apparently, so it piles up quick.” I joke with him and he smiles in response.

  “I like that you call her ‘our girl’. It sounds natural.” He smiles at me.

  “It feels natural.” I look into his eyes and smile. It’s official. I’m no longer falling; I’ve fallen.

  He kisses me gently and gets up to shower. I set my coffee on the end table and reach for the notepad to make the grocery list. After it’s complete, I sit it down next to my coffee cup and lean back into the softness of the chair. It doesn’t take long before I’m fast asleep.