“What are you saying?”
“You can transfer to the office in Pennsylvania can’t you?”
I nod my head slowly, still smiling at her. She really is adorable when she gets flustered like this. “I can do that, yes, but you have another year left of school. If we’re going to move back to the house in Pennsylvania shouldn’t we do it once you’ve graduated?”
“Our wedding is a month away.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “Why are you changing the subject?”
“I’m not,” she responds defensively. “I just miss our house, Logan.”
It’s funny how she’s never considered this apartment home. It holds special memories for both of us—we made love here for the first time but to her “home” is always the house in Pennsylvania where everything between us started out.
“I’ve just been thinking that once we’re married I’d like to spend more time with you at home, and that I’d like to spend as much time as I can with Lily before she starts kindergarten, which I would like for her to do in Pennsylvania.”
“So you want to quit school?”
“Well, when you put it like that,” she says rolling her eyes. “I don’t want to quit. I want to take a break.”
“A break so that we can move back home? What about when the break is up and you want to go back and finish? We’d be in Pennsylvania with a kid in school, and it’s not like we could uproot her at that point and I doubt that you’d want to commute into the city every day.”
“Trust me baby,” she says, running her hands up my arms and circling hers around my neck. “I spoke to my advisor and when I’m ready, I can finish my coursework online, and they’ll even help me find a place nearby where I can do my internship.”
“Why are you just telling me about this now?”
“I wanted to know my options before I said anything just in case it wasn’t possible. Logan, this isn’t home. You gave this to me because it was my dream at the time. NYU was my dream and it’s been great but sometimes dreams change and now I just want to raise our family in our pretty house in Pennsylvania. Plus, I miss driving my car. I’m sick of the subway and mass transportation.”
“Oohhh mass transportation. The horror!” I mock her. “How could I ever have subjected you to that all these years?”
“Don’t be a jerk,” she says with a giggle.
I get serious for a moment because as amazing as being back home sounds I need to know that this is really what she wants to do.
“I’ll give you anything you want, you know that. As long as it’s what you really, truly want. I think going home would be great for all of us.”
She lets out a squeal and tightens her hold on me, pulling me in for an all-out hug.
“Do you think the break is really necessary though? If you’re going to be finishing up your degree from home anyway why not just get it over with?” I question.
I think a part of me is just scared that if she settles into being a stay at home mom she won’t ever finish her social work degree. It’s not that I would mind her staying at home to raise Lily if that’s what she really wanted to do, but I know that her dreams stretch far beyond that. I know that she has a deep need to help people, especially young women and children.
“Yeah. About that.”
“I cringe every time you say that.” I sigh.
“Well, there’s just something else that I think you should know.”
I roll my eyes at her now. “Oh God Mia, I love you babe but just spit it out already.”
“I’m pregnant.”
I open my mouth, then close it again unsure of what to say. I look around searching for cameras or any other indication that this could be some type of hoax or sick prank. I look back at her and she’s still grinning at me.
“You’re full of shit.”
“I’m not,” she says with a gleam in her eyes.
“How?” I question skeptically.
“Well Logan, it all starts when a man and a woman...”
I cover her mouth with my hand and grin at her. “I know how smartass but how? I thought you were on the pill.” I uncover her mouth and she lets out another giggle.
“How quickly we forget huh? Remember a while back when I told you I ran out of my pills and had to get a new prescription?”
“Vaguely,” I respond. It’s a lie, I totally remember her telling me that.
“And remember how you said. ‘Oh don’t worry babe, I’ll just use condoms until you get that squared away?’”
“That might sound familiar.” I can practically recite the conversation verbatim. I did tell her I’d protect us until she got back on the pill.
“Only you weren’t exactly consistent with that.”
I can’t help but to chuckle, what man in a monogamous relationship ever really wants to use a condom. I was most likely horny and didn’t want to wait so I said what I had to say to get some. “Well did you ever go back on the pill?” I ask trying to deflect some of the blame.
“Yes. But evidently the damage had already been done.”
“Well, aren’t you just a mess?” I grin.
God, I love her. I don’t know that I was doing before she came into my life. I thought that I was happy with the way things were, I enjoyed being a cop, I liked being single and having no real ties to anyone but once she stepped foot in my house it was like she absolutely belonged there. It wasn’t until she stepped foot in that house that it really became a home.
“What am I supposed to do with you now huh?”
“You’re going to marry me?”
“A shotgun wedding?”
She smacks me on the arm. “We’ve been planning this wedding for a year it’s hardly a shotgun wedding.”
“You’re a real troublemaker you know that?”
“Yeah, but I’m worth it.”
And she is… worth it, worth everything I have. I’m just glad that she understands it herself now, that she understands how much she means to me. That my whole world begins and ends with her and Lily and now this baby.
“You know I’m happy, right? I love you and I’m excited to be a dad again. I’m excited to get to experience this pregnancy with you and I’m sure as fuck happy that you’re not going to have to go through this one alone…”
“But—”
“But, I just want to make sure you’re okay with it. You’re only twenty one and you already gave up a lot of your wild and crazy years in order to keep Lily. I just want to make sure that this is what you really want.”
She scowls and smacks me across the head,
“Enough with the abuse already,” I say with a laugh.
“Of course it’s what I want. I’ve gotten to do a lot of those things over the last few years. You’ve given me the freedom to make friends and go out and experience college life, and I’m pretty sure I can remember stumbling in here drunk off my ass a couple of times.”
“And I took advantage of those times.”
She giggles again and places a kiss on my lips. “My point is that I’ll be forever grateful for what you’ve given me but at this point in my life there’s nothing more important to me than my family. A new baby will only add to that and you’re right, we’re going to get to experience it together and it’s going to be amazing.”
“Alright,” I whisper in her ear.
“Alright?”
“Yup, let’s go home baby,” I say pulling her back into my arms where she belongs. The truth is, we could stay here in this apartment in the city forever. We could go back to Pennsylvania or move somewhere else, I don’t care. Home isn’t about shelter, home is where Mia is; it’s wherever Lily and our new baby are.
Nothing else matters, nothing else even comes close.
Alice Montalvo-Tribue lives with her husband and daughter in New Jersey. She has a bachelors degree in communications and is currently working on her masters degree. She spends most of her free time reading, writing, and when the weather permits sitting on the beach sipp
ing a margarita.
For more news about upcoming books, teasers, and happenings, follow her on
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alice-Montalvo-Tribue/216980565108887
Twitter
@AMTribue
Website
http://alicemontalvotribue.wordpress.com/
To my readers, thank you for your words of encouragement, amazing reviews, and enthusiasm. You have no idea how much I appreciate each and every one of you.
To all the amazing bloggers who share every sale, every teaser, cover reveal and who help all of us authors tirelessly spread the word about our work. Thank you to the ladies of Love Between The Sheets for hosting my cover reveal and blog tour.
To my beta readers, Monica Martinez, Stephanie Locke, Anji Albis, Kristy Garbutt, Whitney Williams, Danielle Sanchez and Mindy Guerreiros. You all make this process so easy for me, It’s hard to find betas who are as honest as they are supportive and I’m so lucky to have you ladies to turn to.
To Monica Martinez, once again I can’t thank you enough for all that you do for me, from great advice to amazing covers and teasers and your ability to always make me laugh.
To Whitney Williams, from the first email I sent you I knew that we were going to be great friends. Well I hoped at least… Your friendship has not disappointed me. I’m in awe of your amazing talent and grateful for your support. I’m your biggest STAN EVER!
To Stephanie Locke for the best brainstorming sessions EVER. For our continued KA addiction, I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you she comes back as a wolf. For our brand new Reaper’s obsession, you’re welcome for that by the way. I’ve had my share of ups and downs in the last year and your friendship has meant the most to me. Thank you for always being there for me, I only hope you get the same from me.
Turn the page for a sneak peek of
Three of Diamonds
By
W. Ferraro
Excerpt from Three of Diamonds by W. Ferraro
Lola Nash looked at the enormous warehouse in front of her, thinking Rebecca must have given her the wrong address. The building in question looked deserted, but massive. Lola pulled her old green Wrangler into a spot in front of the only door she could see. She hopped out, adjusting her sunflower yellow dress to fall loosely around her. She wore her brown suede heels, praying that she would not have to remain on her feet too long, because in all honesty, they were the most uncomfortable shoes to wear. Getting an uncomfortable feeling in her stomach, Lola double-checked the paper that had the address and time of her interview. Lola looked at her reflection in the large unlabeled glass door, deeming her appearance suitable for her interview, she reached for the door. However, there was no door handle, only a large red button to the left of the door. Squaring her shoulders and taking a deep breath, Lola pressed the button. She was just about to give up, when the door opened. A small petite woman opened the door and said in a thick German accent, “Ms. Nash, I presume?”
“Please, come in.” Backing away and gesturing with one of her stiff arms. “My name is Gitta,” she said finishing with a tight smile; an unfriendly aura surrounded her.
Lola slowly walked toward the woman who was holding the door open and led the way into the building. The hallway was dark, limiting Lola’s quick and erratic gaze trying to see anything through the darkness.
“Just this way Ms. Nash.” Gitta said, as the distinct clicking of Gitta’s heels was the only clue to which direction she was being led through the darkness. Suddenly, Lola was in a naturally lit area with huge windows at the top of two story walls. She finally was able to get a good look at Gitta as they continued walking with a purpose. For such a small woman, she looked anything but delicate. Her drab brown hair was pulled back in a severe bun. Her gray tweed suit looked dated and stiff. She wore a thick black scarf around her neck with its ends tucked into the top of her suit coat. Her simple black pumps were just as boring as her outdated suit. The only part of her attire that was surprising was her stockings; a thick black seam ran down the back of her calves. Generally, not something you would see in the woman’s fashion department, but rather, only seen in the fetish section of lingerie catalogs.
Finally, they reached a set of doors that looked to be at least fifteen feet high. They looked impenetrable. Lola watched as this small woman turned the handle and eased the huge door open.
“Whoa,” escaped Lola as she walked into a club looking area; the size of a football field. Even though the room was stripped bare, it was easy to see the balconies adorning the far left walls and the large central staircase leading up to what looked like a stage. The cold industrial looking décor sent a chill through her system. Off to each side of the central staircase where large tunnels leading to more darkness.
Lola was lost in thought as she took in the enormous room, she didn’t see when Gitta came to an abrupt stop and turned around, almost causing Lola to crash right into her. “Ms. Nash, the position I am offering you is to serve refreshments. Does that sound like something you could handle?” Gitta asked in a curt, heavy accented, clipped voice.
Yeah, I think I can handle that. If not, I wouldn’t be here, now would I? But Lola thought better of it and decided to hold her tongue. Remembering that Rebecca said this job paid more in one night than she made all month at the restaurant she worked at, the thought had peaked Lola’s interest.
“Yes, I’m a bartender.” Lola answered.
“Your experiences tending bar is not what you will be using.” Without a change to her facial expression, “You will be delivering refreshments to the members. Do you understand?” Gitta asked.
Now Lola’s annoyance was creeping up. She was not one to be intimidated by anyone, let alone be spoken to as if she was four years old. She was just about to say as much when Gitta spoke.
“You will be paid $800 cash for a six hour shift. That does not include whatever tips you receive, which of course, are yours to keep as well. You will be supplied a uniform. There will be no employment paperwork. This is strictly cash only employment. You were recommended for this position by Ms. Thatcher, because of your ability to use discretion. Upon your arrival, I see you will be acceptable. This position is not something you can discuss with anyone. Am I making myself clear?”
Discretion? Acceptable? What the hell did Rebecca sign me up for? But, that kind of money is enough for her rent for one month. As long as it isn’t anything illegal, it cannot be that bad, right?
“Before we proceed any further, are you accepting of my terms?”
“Is it illegal?” Lola asked.
For the first time, Gitta gave a genuine smile; unfortunately, it did not improve her overall look. “No, nothing illegal. Though, perhaps considered, prohibited.”
What the hell did that mean?
Turning quickly on her heels, “Come. Follow me. I will get you your uniform and you will need to sign some forms.” With that said, Lola was once again following behind Gitta, watching her walk intently back the way they came. As they stepped out of the room, Gitta closed the large doors and stepped toward a small hallway on the left, which Lola did not notice before. Lola followed Gitta into an office that was just as cold and utilitarian as the room they had just come from. Gitta opened a drawer and withdrew a piece of paper, then placed it in front of Lola, along with a pen.
“This is a Non-Disclosure Agreement. It states that you are restricted in divulging any information regarding our existence, including, but not limited to, your position, our location, or information about our members. It is very straight forward and quite common,” Gitta explained.
Lola looked over the form. Her internal warning system began to chime at a blaring volume. She asked if it was illegal, and was told it isn’t. Something just didn’t feel right about this. “What IS my legal obligation regarding a time period? IF I decide this isn’t for me after working my shift, am I held to any length of employment?”
Gitta was surprised. No one ever asked her that. This one
might not be as squeamish as she had originally thought. The possibilities! Gitta wanted to lick her lips in anticipation.
“Ms. Nash, please see the last clause of the document. It states and I quote, ‘The signing party may choose to cease participation at any time without any legal or monetary ramifications. However, confidentiality regarding the actions and its participants of occurrences held at this address, remain legally binding.’ Does that answer your question?”
“So I sign this, I deliver drinks, I get paid. If I choose to tell you to go shove it, I’m free to walk out that door, with money in my hand, as long as I don’t say what you potentially sick fuck,” holding her fingers up in quotation marks, “so called ‘professionals’ do behind these walls? Is that correct?” God it felt good to say what she was feeling in blunt terms, Lola thought.
Again, Gitta smiled, fanaticizing about Ms. Nash, and that feisty tongue of hers, at her mercy. Gitta felt her arousal skyrocket and knew that her panties were now wet.
“That is correct, Ms. Nash. Nevertheless, let me assure you, our members are all of legal age, and consensual to the activities that occur at our club. No one is here against his or her will and believe it or not, we do have some limits.”
So, it’s a sex club. Figures. Reading through the document one more time, Lola signed her name on the designated line and pushed it toward Gitta’s awaiting hands.
“Very good,” Gitta purred. “Now, if you will excuse me, I will just go grab your uniform. Size 14 correct?” Gitta asked as she lazily perused Lola’s figure from head to toe and back again.
Chills ran down her spine, Lola didn’t even want to know how she knew her size. The way Gitta was leering at her, made Lola definitely not want to know. “Yeah, 14.”
Gitta left the room and returned faster than Lola thought possible. In her hand, she held a red satin hanger that held what Lola assumed to be a joke.
“Exactly what am I supposed to do with that?” She said as she eyed the gauze like material that hung from the satin. The size of the white material could not be larger than a placemat.
Shelter You Page 18