Gibson's Melody: (A Last Score Novella) (Last Score (Gibson's Legacy and Trusting Gibson))

by K. L. Shandwick

  Glancing over at Chloe who sat flicking through a health care magazine I turned from the front door and began to walk purposefully toward her. Looking up when she heard me coming, Chloe threw the magazine carelessly onto the square wooden coffee table in front of the fire. “Shall we deal with the elephant in the room while we’ve got the place to ourselves?” I asked.

  I sat beside her and slid my arm around her shoulders them turned her into me. “What would you prefer?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “What do you want me to do, Chloe? Do you want her here? Should I bring her? Would you rather she didn’t come here? What happens if her mom wants to come with her? Do I let that happen? I mean would you want your child going to people she didn’t know by herself? Do I fly to Chicago for visitation? Tell me what I need to do. I didn’t ask for this, but I’m responsible. It doesn’t mean I can’t think about your feelings and what would make it less painful for you.”

  “All of it is painful and nothing is, Gibson.”

  “What the fuck does that mean?”

  “It means you do what’s right for you and Melody. I don’t want to be in the middle of a relationship with you and your daughter. I want you to do what you think is right for you and her. Not what’s right for me. I’m incidental in your relationship. Neither Melody nor you planned it. Her mom didn’t plan it either, but it is what it is. I’ll accept it better if you don’t pussyfoot around me and just do what you want. It’ll be more natural for you both. If you start pushing everyone together it will force us apart. I hope we’ll all find our happy medium in time.”

  Listening to her being so reasonable made me feel pissed because I knew it had to be a front and she was probably eaten alive with hurt. But if she wanted it this way then I had to accept her at her word.

  “First, you are at the center of my world whether you want to be there or not. Secondly, Your happiness is very important to me, but if you insist then I’ll extend an invitation to Melody and her mom here this weekend. Do you have any objections to that, darlin’?”

  Turning to face me her eyes stared seriously into mine. “None. I’ll make sure there’s plenty of food in the pantry and that the housekeeper makes up the beds in the pool house. If you don’t mind I’d rather her mom in there and not in my home. Does this woman have a partner as well?”

  I cringed at Chloe’s tone with regards to Melody’s mother it was clear she’d be cordial but not her friend. I was pleased at that because the last thing I wanted was lines to become blurred for Melody. Nor did I want someone I’d once fucked sitting down with my wife a regular basis. “Kiran? I don’t think so. Shit, I didn’t ask but from how they live I wouldn’t expect so.”

  I didn’t miss the flash of annoyance that passed through Chloe’s eyes when I said Kiran’s name. It was one thing being the mother of my child, but when I’d addressed her so casually I’d inadvertently sparked more hurt for Chloe. Hell, I knew how it felt when I met Chloe’s ex, Kace. I had wanted to gut the bastard with a rusty blade. So I could well imagine the feelings my wife had at that point in time.

  I pulled Chloe into my arms and hugged her tightly. “You. Are. My. World. You Own My Soul. You got me?” Pushing slightly away, Chloe looked up into my eyes. Once again she was searching for the truth in my statement.

  “For now,” she whispered.

  “What the fuck do you mean by that?” I challenged and gripped her wrists to stop her getting up and leaving. “You feel threatened by a child?”

  “No. Not threatened by her…but it still changes the way we live our lives. I’ll be supportive, Gibson. Of course I will, but don’t expect me to be friends with her mother. I won’t be able to do that. As soon as Melody is comfortable enough to visit on her own her mother stays at home.”

  “Darlin’, I have to be careful what I say here because Kiran is the mother of my child, but let me just say I couldn’t agree more. I practically didn’t remember her at all so don’t go thinking I’d run off into the sunset with my new family. You’re my family. You, and now Piper and Melody, that’s the order of things around here. Never be afraid I’d do anything to harm what we have.”

  “Then do it. Get her here. Let’s get the formalities dispensed with and then we can find our balance.”

  I pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. “You’re what matters the most, remember those words.” Chloe glanced up into my eyes while a stony silence grew between us until eventually she broke the stare and moved away. “Gotta make sure the pool filter is changed and the pool house is ready. We’ll need a safety net for the pool if she’s coming here, Gibson.”

  Everything she said made perfect sense…then again, I thought everything about her was perfect, but I could hear the warning in her voice. Although Chloe had accepted the situation she was going to draw the lines around the circumstances she’d tolerate. I was glad she felt able to do that. It showed me how strong she was and how protective she’d be to keep what was hers. Me.

  “I’ll make the arrangements. Jonny can fly up there and bring them back,” I informed her. “Meanwhile I think we should do something awesome for the rest of the day. Our time with each other is diluted to some extent so let’s make sure we use it wisely. Is there anything you want to do, today?”

  “Yeah. I want to be close to you. Can we go back to bed?” Chloe asked like she needed to be near me to breathe.

  “Fuck, darlin’, nothing would please me more.” I smiled and pulled her in for a kiss, dragging her over my lap to straddle me. Chloe’s pussy was directly over my hard cock and she grinned. You’re such a pushover in bed you know that?” she asked and chuckled softly.

  “And you’re such a prick tease with that smart mouth of yours,” I replied. Without hesitating I scooped her into my arms and ran up the stairs like I’d done the night before and didn’t stop until I reached our bedroom.

  “No gentle persuasion and tender love-making for you today, Wife. I’m gonna fuck you dirty and every which way until you can’t shut your legs until at least tomorrow. And every time you sit you’re gonna remember the moves that made you feel like that.”

  “Yay me,” she goaded and laughed softly into my neck before sinking her teeth into the flesh between my shoulder and neck. My dick twitched and grew thicker. Chloe’s move of raw carnal need reminded me of how good we were together and I couldn’t wait to be inside her. She was definitely my match in the sack and sometimes I only had to look at her across a crowded room and I felt my dick grow so hard I feared it would burst.

  I’d never been happy in my heart until I knew her. Never been truly content until I made her mine, and I was determined to make sure I handled my daughter with the same respect I offered to Chloe, but I’d never allow her to come between us.

  That afternoon when I knelt back on my heels between Chloe’s legs, I took my time to peruse the beautiful curves of her body. The swell of her pert full breasts and her even satin skin mesmerized me. My eyes settled on hers— the incredible feature of hers that drew me to her so readily from the moment I saw them. A lump grew in my throat for all I felt for her.

  Every time I was in this position I loved glancing down the valley between her breasts toward the curve of flesh right over her pussy and every time I did, my dick grew tighter in its skin. No one did it for me like her. No woman ever came close to how we connected. Whenever I saw her lying waiting in anticipation of what was to come the flat of her stomach palpated from the rapid beating of her heart. Knowing her body responded to my touch moved me.

  Grasping her just above the knee my hand slid teasingly up the silky skin on her inner thigh and kept right on going. Delving into her folds the warm nectar was an open invitation to get up inside her and an instant dew drop dripped from my tip in excitement at the prospect. Sliding one digit into the tight space I felt her pussy pulsate around it, clamping tightly and holding me firmly inside. As soon as I felt her muscles clamp around my bony knuckle it ramped up my impatience to fill her deep.
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br />   Adjusting my position between her legs I gripping tightly at each hip watching my nails blanch under the pressure I exerted on her soft perfect flesh. My possessiveness tightened my chest as I yanked her butt up onto my thighs and skimmed the head of my dick lazily down her crease.

  Seeing her eyelids droop at the sensation I stopped, smiled because I knew exactly what she wanted and teased my dick at the lips of her entrance. Chloe’s eyes darkened, her need for more increasing as she wiggled her ass closer. I clamped my hands on her thighs and held her still, knowing it was driving her crazy.

  “You want me?”

  “I do.”

  “Tell me what you want, Chloe. I want to hear the words,” I coaxed.

  “Inside…I need you inside me,” she answered.

  “You need to be clearer than that. What do you want? You want me to fuck you, make love? Hard and fast, slow and sweet? What’s it to be, darlin’?”

  “Fuck me. Own me.”

  For the following three hours I worshiped her body, not with love, but with pure passion and my heartfelt desire from being inside her. Collapsing beside her drenched in sweat, I turned her face toward mine and kissed her slowly.

  Even after we felt sated and heaved breathless I still found myself checking out that line of her body between her breasts and down to her belly button. I was still fully immersed in her beauty and fascinated by the sweaty sheen of her skin and the strong pulse that visibly beat in the vein on her neck. My hand skimmed over the flat of her stomach as I relished in the slightly damp feel of it and felt satisfied knowing I’d had that effect on her.

  “Chloe Barclay, I love you more than life itself…never doubt that. You. Are. Mine.” I reconfirmed in the event she had any shred of doubt left. Lying with our bodies entangled I stayed inside her as long as was possible then when we were no longer joined I turned her away from me and pulled her back close to my chest.

  Inhaling deeply I let her amazing scent fill my lungs and cupped her breast in my hand. Feeling her heart still racing against her chest from what we’d done filled me with a sense of satisfaction. As I closed my eyes and felt myself drifting off to sleep her chest expanded then relaxed with a long sigh and smiled contented knowing she was happy each time I laid claim to her.

  Chapter Nine

  Cynical

  Chloe

  When Friday morning came nerves fluttered in my stomach and started to feed all the self-doubts I had managed to face since I became Gibson’s wife. Most women would have killed to be in the position I was in, but after losing all confidence it was a slow process to regain it.

  No matter how great I was at telling myself I deserved to be with my husband, there were still those rare occasions when it didn’t take much to question my right to stay there. Facing Melody’s mother was one of those days. I wasn’t weak— far from it. But keeping the past suppressed sometimes felt more difficult than others.

  Four days had passed since Gibson had told me about Melody and although I’d been given a little time to absorb the news I was nowhere near resigned to the fact our world had changed forever. There was no way I would allow my insecurities to rob Gibson of his gift so I knew I had to push past all of my feelings to support him and his, especially since his child was staying with us for the following four days.

  Most of my anxieties weren’t around her, but the woman who gave birth to her. As straightforward as Gibson was, unlike him I always looked beyond the fringes. After the way I was treated by my previous partner I felt cynical as to the motives behind the actions and decisions people made. Why after six and a half years would you show up on someone’s doorstep with something this big? What does it mean for Gibson, his daughter, her mother, and me?

  Gibson had arranged for a sympathetic reporter to handle the news because he knew it was better to give the disclosure and have some control than allow the paparazzi to trample all over the issue. Milo Serani was a reporter Gibson given a few exclusives to in the past and he told me he trusted Milo more than the others. The story was about to break and Gibson had ensured that Melody was in his care while this happened.

  For the previous few days I’d watched Gibson closely and I could see his restlessness, so I wasn’t surprised when he suddenly burst out the door and ran down the hill from the house. His powerful form pounded into the hard dirt as he took off at speed and became smaller and smaller until he disappeared out of sight. Then I knew the pressure was piling up on him.

  Gibson was diagnosed with ADHD as a child and always took flight when he felt the pressure build in his head. He wasn’t running from the situation, it was his way of controlling how his body functioned. It didn’t worry me when he did it and I knew he’d be back, it was just a way of making sure he acted appropriately in the presence of his daughter. In a strange way I found it comforting to know I wasn’t the only one with feelings of apprehension.

  Piper came out the screen door onto the porch. I was sitting on a small stone bench with my feet on the wooden rails. Sliding a hand around my shoulders she gave me a forced grin.

  “Do you feel worried, Chloe?” I glanced up at her and shielded my eyes from the sun.

  “I’d be a fool if I said no,” I answered honestly.

  “I’ve only been here in the house a few days and I can see from how Gibson is with you he loves you very much, but this has to be a strain on your relationship.” I studied her innocent face and realized Piper was much older than her years for all she’d endured, and nodded.

  “We’re trying not to let it come between us.”

  “You’re a strong person, Chloe, and Gibson…well he dotes on you. I think he’ll figure it out for all of you. He’s not the man I’ve watched on T.V. while growing up. The man behind the rock star is much more awesome than the crude rock star his image portrays.”

  “Glad I’m not the only one who thinks that,” I answered smiling because she’d seen his true worth. “I’ve never met anyone like him. Yet, when I first met him he’s the last man on earth I’d have thought I’d marry.”

  “Well from what I’ve seen so far you’re a match made in heaven. Ying and Yang my mom would have said. You pull each other straight. One can’t fall because you are tethered to each other.”

  Tears sprang to my eyes at her description because it was similar to my own thoughts way back to something Gibson once said. From how he explained it I was the magnet and he was the shiny metal. Something about me drew him toward me and he stuck. He taught me that magnets attract and repel because they have lines of force that enter their south pole and exit the north. Opposite poles attract each other while similar ones repel. No doubt about it Gibson and I were opposites or just like Piper had said, ying and yang.

  “I never meant to upset you,” she said with a horrified look on her face. Before I could reply I heard the familiar engines in the distance alerting me to Jonny’s arrival. I glanced at the sky and silently followed its descent with my eyes until the jet disappeared from view. At the same time I caught sight of Gibson on the ground, heading back toward the house.

  “You didn’t, Piper. What you’ve said was the perfect reminder I needed today as to why we’ll make it through this.” I turned and hugged her then held her away from me, “Glad you are here to support me in this. You’re family now and we’re all in this together.” Piper smiled and glanced to the side. My eyes followed her just as Gibson reached the bottom of the steps and Piper hastily retreated to give us some privacy.

  Breathless and sweaty he glanced up with a wide smile, closing one eye against the sun’s glare. “I better get showered before showtime, darlin’. I’ve texted Jonny and figure if he does what I tell him we’ve got time for a quickie, want to join me?” He winked without a hint of nerves about him and nodded in the direction of our bedroom.

  I smiled and laughed softly, “As much as I’m tempted I think I’ll just hang here and be the welcoming party in the event you’re too slow.” Gibson grabbed me rubbing his sweaty face all over mine. I yelp
ed in protest and he chuckled and grabbed my ass pulling me closer against his whole body “I’m marking you, Mrs. Barclay, if you won’t let me come inside you this is the best I can do.”

  Releasing me from his grasp I swatted him playfully and he opened the screen door, “I’ll be down in five, want to time me?” he asked in another teasing comment and I laughed. I knew he was trying to help me relax and by being attentive and caring for my feelings—he did.

  No sooner did Gibson go inside when Piper came back out. She carried a pitcher of homemade Lemonade, glasses, and a bowl of fruit. Placing them on the patio table she swiftly went back inside and brought some salad forks and small frosted side plates.

  “Forgive me for doing this, Chloe but I figured if we’re sitting drinking and eating we’ll have the upper hand. They are the ones coming into your home, so maybe you should own it? It is they who have to fit in after all…not us.” She held her breath for my reply with a concerned look on her face.

  “True. You’re a mini-genius,” I said and moved to a chair by the patio table. Piper poured us drinks and placed a couple of pieces of fruit on a small plate in front of me.

  “There. Bring it,” she said like a boss and I smiled widely.

  “By the way I love you already,” I offered with a quick hug.

  “I love you too—both of you.” No sooner were the words out of her mouth than we heard the engine of the Mercedes 4X4 as it came up the driveway. Piper grabbed my hand and squeezed. “You’re not hard to love, Chloe. Melody will see that,” she said with conviction.

  I turned my head and the car stopped alongside the porch in the driveway. Conflicting feelings as to whether to go to her or to let them come to me tugged at my conscience. I settled for doing what was right and not what I’d do for the upper hand and stood up gracefully from my chair. I spun on my heel an made my way downstairs in time for Jonny to open the door and although I’d seen her picture already, I wasn’t prepared for the beautiful woman who accompanied Melody—her mother, Kiran.