by E. C. Land
I wonder what happened there. Then again, it’s not my place to ask about it.
Alison quickly gets up and rushes out of the store on fast feet without another word. I knew she had someone who’d driven her here since she doesn’t drive.
Sighing, Bridget gets up. “Well, tonight should surely be interesting,” she says with a smile. “Thanks for the coffee. I’ll see you guys later. Maybe we can all go out one day soon for lunch,” she suggests, and we all agree with her.
When Bridget leaves, Zoe lets out a low whistle noise. “Well, that was interesting. Here I thought those two were calm and cool, but it seems they’re just like the three of us.”
“Speak for yourself,” I mutter and go to the opposite counter for the books. While looking through an order I put in for the latest books, Zoe and Lillian somehow convince me to go out with them this weekend.
Great.
The last time I went out with them I ended up with a guy in my bed, and he ruined me for any other man. Not that I’d had any but still. The guy ruined me all the same with the way he made me experience things I never knew before.
Chapter 2
Kenyon
“What are your plans for this weekend?” Mitch asks, coming into the security room at Sinner’s Cove and sitting next to me while staring at the screens displayed in front of me.
Over the past several months I’ve gotten used to being a single dad. With the help of a live-in nanny, I make it all work out. It helps that I don’t have to worry about the nanny trying to hit on me. We had a discussion about that upon her starting and Lillian doesn’t mind the hours I give her.
Normally I take the weekends off to spend with Ryland, having given up the pussy and going out to bars to hook up. Shit, the last time I’d fucked a woman had been the night I’d found my son on my porch.
“Same as every weekend, why what’s up?” I shrug, glancing at him for a split second to see the grim expression on his face.
“Alison finally told me about being pregnant the other day and we had it out. Evidently, I fucked up in not telling her I knew because she just found out herself,” Mitch grumbles.
“What do you mean she just found out?” I ask confused by this. How the hell doesn’t a woman know she’s pregnant?
“With everything going on with Mathias, she’s not thought about it and she didn’t really show any significant symptoms. Only when Bridget mentioned something about going baby shopping did it dawn on her,” Mitch grumbles. As the right-hand man to our boss, he’s rarely stressed about other things except for work but even then, he’s calm about the situations.
“Some crazy shit there. Then again, I didn’t know I was gonna be a dad until I found Ryland on my porch,” I mutter, not wanting to remember as anger builds. Marc offered to find the bitch who gave birth to my son, but I decided to leave it be. Ry and I don’t need the cunt in our lives. It’s too much of a headache to think about.
“True, we worked shit out. But the strangest part of it all, she’s carrying twins.”
“Oh shit,” I chuckle at his dismay. “So not only are you getting one but two babies. What does Mathias think of this?” I ask.
“Fuck. The boy is excited. We told him this morning. I thought he would be upset about it, considering his life just changed dramatically, but he loves Alison and calls her mom. I’m still struggling, though, with everything. I mean, Michelle pulled the wool over my eyes with her shit, and I’m pissed about it. I mean, how the hell did she expect to keep this from me.” Mitch pauses to let out a harsh breath.
“Mitch, you know you have nothing to worry about with Alison. She’s nothing like Michelle. Hell, the woman is all about you and Mathias,” I say reassuringly.
“Yeah, she is. Last night we’d talked about it. I just don’t want to see something happening to her. I thought I’d lost myself when Michelle was killed, but that’s not true. Alison is a part of me and if something happens to her, you might as well put a bullet in me,” Mitch admits.
“Why don’t you get Gadget or Jackson to do an upgrade on the security system at your place,” I suggest.
“I might just do that. I’d feel better knowing that both Mathias and Alison are safe when I’m not around. We still don’t know who killed Mathias’ grandfather and it’s driving me nuts.”
I don’t blame Mitch for feeling like this. Not only do we need to find the person who killed the man, but we still have Kean and Jewel to worry about.
The thought of that man sends an evil thought through my head. I, more than anyone, have reason to hate him. No one knows why but if I get my hands on him first, he’ll die by my hands.
“Now, why were you asking what I was doing this weekend?” I ask, getting back on topic, scanning the screens.
“Alison and I thought we could take Ryland for you Saturday night,” he mutters nonchalantly.
“Why?” I’m surprised he’d offer this. I’ve not asked anyone to take my son for me. Even though they’ve all offered to help me out so I can get some time alone, I didn’t take it. Maybe it’s due to being a new dad and all, but I didn’t.
“Couple of reasons. Alison’s never been around any other infant and not for long periods of time, that is. She’s freaking about not being a good mom.”
“So you want to what, use my son as a test run?” I chuckle with a shake of my head.
“Well, if you put it that way, yep. Besides, you need a break. A chance to go out, get laid, and have some fun,” Mitch states.
“If I say yes, you gonna let me know how he does?” I ask, knowing I don’t need to.
“Of course.” He grins.
“Fine, he can stay the night. I’ll see if Beau and Marc want to go out. Maybe even Chance,” I mutter.
“Good, now I’ve gotta go call Alison, let her know, then call Gadget to see if he has time to upgrade or if I need to call Jackson,” he mutters and leaves the security room.
I wonder as he leaves what I’ve just gotten Ry and myself into by letting him stay overnight at their place. It’s the first time he’s gone anywhere overnight without me, and fuck, if it ain’t gonna be hard to not have him with me for a night.
But he’s right, I do need to get laid. Maybe then I’ll get the sight of the dark-haired vision out of my head. I can still see her face as if it were hours ago rather than two months. Shit, the woman is who I jack off to at night, and I don’t even know her name.
Yeah, Saturday night, I need to find some random to hook up with and get her out of my head once and for all.
Chapter 3
Enya
Dressed in a little black number with an open back and my chest covered completely, I’m regretting coming out tonight. Zoe insisted on doing my makeup which wasn’t bad, but I’m not used to it. The attention of the men coming my way is embarrassing. I’m freakish enough as it is. Lillian picked my dress out for me and informed me right away if I were to swing her way, she’d be on me in an instant.
Lord help me when it comes to these two.
Evidently, their plan tonight is to get me shit face drunk on shots of tequila then find someone, as Zoe claims, ‘to bang my brains out’. A typical person our age would be down for it, me on the other hand, yeah, not really. I don’t want to ever be caught off guard with my stepdad trying to find Ensley or me.
Thinking of my twin causes me to wonder where she is. It’s been a few weeks since she’s come asking me for money, which isn’t her normal. No, she’s usually at my door, at least once a week.
Pulling up at the club they’d chosen, a part of me wishes I’d stay sober and drove us, but they’d decreed we were takin’ an Uber so the three of us could party all night.
Great.
Tonight means anything goes and who knows what will happen.
Straightening my dress, I’m surprised that the drinks we’ve already down before heading out, don’t have me seeing double yet.
Or triple, I should say.
Lillian and Zoe both grab a hand in each of th
eirs and nearly drag me as they saunter into the club. I finally get them to let me go after we get to the bar and grab our drinks. Or I should say the five shots apiece they’d ordered.
“Alright, bitches, bottoms up, and let’s get out on the dance floor,” Zoe yells, lifting her first shot to her mouth.
The three of us take shot after shot until we finish the last one. I shake my head, feeling the tequila going to my head. This is what they wanted. For me to loosen up and have fun and I suppose I should. Lillian takes my hand and pulls me out onto the dance floor with her and Zoe.
Closing my eyes, I dance to the beat pulsing through the room the DJ’s playing. With Zoe and Lillian with me, I don’t have to worry about someone else coming up to dance with me. They’ll keep that from happening. They know me. If they want the night to go the way they want, they’ll make sure no one approaches us while we’re on the dance floor having fun.
I don’t know how many songs we listen to before finally stopping to get some more drinks. We make it to the bar, but Lillian stops in her tracks right before we get to it.
“Kenyon,” she says shockingly.
Glancing around her, it takes everything in me not to let on that I know who this man is. I know him very well. Okay, well, not that well, but physically I know him. He’s definitely as gorgeous as he was two months ago.
Shit.
Wait a minute, isn’t the little boy Lillian watches two months old?
My stomach churns and I feel as if I were gonna throw up.
This is all I need. To be facing the very man I’ve dreamt about in the middle of the night and puke at his feet. I need to get out of here.
“Hey, Lillian,” Kenyon says, nodding in greeting. A few men turn with him to see who he’s talking to.
“Ugh, sorry. I didn’t know you were planning to go out tonight. I’d have watched Ryland if I knew,” Lillian says, rushing the words out.
“Ry’s fine. Plus, it’s your night off anyway. You gonna introduce us to your friends, and please tell me that you didn’t drive here,” Kenyon says kindly to my friend.
The fondness in his voice toward my friend makes me wonder if they do have something going on. I know I shouldn’t think something like that because Lillian is a lesbian and still crushed over her girlfriend cheating on her.
“I’m not stupid, boss man. I know to be responsible when out drinking with my friends,” Lillian chuckles and turns to the side to do introductions. “This is Zoe and Enya, my two best friends.”
Kenyon switches his gaze from Lillian, meeting Zoe’s first, where she smiles seductively at him. “Nice to meet you,” he says, giving her a wicked grin like he’s weighing his options of getting laid by my friend. His gaze switches from hers to meet my own and the smile wipes from his face. The glint of frustration fills his gaze.
Oh, God.
He must not have expected to see me again, and I suppose that’s to be expected since he’d left me after I’d fallen asleep that night. I sometimes question myself on whether I’d pleased him or not. Doubts take over my head and I feel the need to run.
Run as far and fast as I can.
Zoe speaks to him again, and I look to Lillian. “I’ll be right back,” I mutter, excusing myself from my friends and head to the bathroom. There’s no way I can stand near the man and watch as he hits on my friend.
In the bathroom, I pull out my phone from the inside of one of my boots. I’d made adjustments to a few of my boots since I love them so much. Sewing in a pouch for my phone to sit in along with my ID and any money I might need. It works for nights like this and I don’t get to wear them that much.
Unlocking my phone, I pull up a number for Uber. Thankfully, there’s one a block away and meets me out front when I make it there, avoiding being seen by anyone. Once in the Uber, I shoot Lillian a text letting her know I’d left and I’d catch her later.
Sitting back in the back seat of the car, I let the tears well in my eyes as doubt sinks in even more so.
By the time the Uber driver drops me off at home, I’m exhausted and thankful the next day is Sunday and I can sleep in somewhat. Because right now, I’m mentally and physically exhausted. Even what my stepfather did isn’t as bad as what I feel right now, thanks to a man I only know from one night of him taking my body in ways I never knew had been possible.
How messed up is that?
A man I barely knew can overrun the scars already marring my soul, and he didn’t even speak a word to me. No, instead, he seemed to be disgusted by me.
Chapter 4
Kenyon
Last night had been one fuckin’ epic failure. Marc, Beau, and a few of the other guys came out with me to have a good time.
We’d been doing just that until I ran into Ry’s nanny, and she introduced me to her friends. And lo and behold, she’s best friends with the one woman I can’t get out of my head. I’d finally gone out after two months of being consumed by thoughts in the middle of the night of her in order to fuck her out of my head with some other random bitch.
Now I know her name to match her beautiful face.
Fuck me.
Glancing at the clock, I sigh and get up. I shower quickly and head out to get Ryland from Mitch’s house. I thank them for keeping him but don’t stick around long enough for them to question me about last night.
Marc and Beau know who Zoe is and were with me the night I’d fucked Enya.
Shit, even her name has me growing hard now thinking of the surprise in her gaze last night when she saw me. When she excused herself last night, she never came back, and it pissed me off that she’d be careless enough to leave a club on her own.
Even Lillian and Zoe were upset about it.
Getting back to the house, I pull Ryland out of his car seat and take him inside. I shoot a text to Lillian and ask her to come over. She lives in the place I’d converted over the garage and it works for us.
Thirty minutes later, Lillian comes into the house looking hungover and miserable.
“What’s up, boss man?” she asks, heading toward the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water before turning her attention to Ryland. She speaks to him in his swing I have set up where I can see him from the counter where I’m making breakfast.
“Did your friend get home okay last night?” I mutter the question, not wanting to seem overly concerned.
“Yeah, Enya got home fine last night. I don’t know what happened to make her leave like that, but clubs aren’t her scene. Zoe and I dragged her out to have some fun. Normally she’s trying to stay on the down-low, not making anything about her.” Lillian shrugs.
Hmm, I wonder what that means?
“So what does she do?” I question, avoiding the look Lillian cast in my direction.
“She owns a bookstore that also has coffee. Zoe works with her, and she lives in the place over it,” Lillian says, emphasizing where Enya lives.
I don’t need her to do that. I already know where Enya lives. I know all too well. Images of that night, taking her against the wall by the door, her legs wrapped around my waist as I thrust into her. Moving us further into the house and laying her on the table where I blew my load. Shit, that night I’d been consumed by her and didn’t even think to put a condom on. That never happens to me.
“You know what she did last night could have been dangerous for her. You all need to be more careful when you go out. From now on, if you wanna go out with your friends, let me know. I’ll get one of the boys to watch out for you all,” I grumble, flipping the bacon.
“Kenyon, you don’t have to do that. I know what Enya did last night by leaving wasn’t good but she’s not stupid,” Lillian states, moving further into the kitchen and taking the fork out of my hand. “Now move before you burn the bacon. You made me get up early, and I don’t wanna eat burnt bacon.”
Grinning, I release the cooking to Lillian and move to the coffee pot to refill my mug. “You know I look at you as part of the family. I trust you with Ryland and you put up with
my mood. So yeah, I do have to for you and your friends. No one messes with my family and you know the reasons why. From now on, you guys have a man on you,” I declare. Lillian isn’t stupid. She knows what I do for a living. Hell, the woman even washes blood out of my clothes like a fuckin’ pro and she does this without even saying a word.
“Aww, boss man, you’re getting all sentimental on me now. I’m touched, but can we not do that? It’s kinda weird,” Lillian says, glancing in my direction with a grin on her face.
“Yeah, we can not do that. I don’t need my dick turning into a pussy,” I chuckle.
“Eww, thanks for the visual,” Lillian grumbles and goes back to finishing up breakfast. “So today being Sunday, I normally go help Enya at the bookstore when she opens at noon. She never takes a day off and is gonna run herself ragged if she doesn’t find a balance soon. It’s another reason Zoe is working there to help out.”
“Why does she work so much?” I ask, furrowing my brows as Lillian places a plate in front of me.
“That I can’t say. It’s not my place, but if you don’t need me here, I need to go get ready, so I can go help her,” Lillian mutters.
“Actually, do you mind watching out for Ry? I need to go handle a few things today, and I don’t wanna take him with me when I do so,” I mutter between bites.
“Ugh, yeah, I suppose. I mean, I guess if you’re gonna go bump uglies with my friend, you wouldn’t want your son there to witness,” Lillian chuckles.
Lifting my gaze, I glare at her.
“What? You don’t think I didn’t take notice of the fact you’re the reason Enya left last night. Think again, boss man. Zoe mentioned it to me after we left you all that it was you, or your friend, Enya slept with two months ago. And FYI, dude, Enya isn’t one for sleeping around, so I suggest if that’s where you’re gonna go, you think long and hard about what you’re gonna do. Oh, and if you hurt my friend, I’ll be pissed.”