by Rye Hart
“They’re lovely. Thanks,” Cshloe said as she reached to grab them.
As her hands curled around the stems, our fingers touched, and my body came alive as it usually did around her. My arms tingled, my stomach felt weird, and my mind got hazy. Empowered by the adrenaline rush, I opened my mouth to apologize for everything that had happened earlier, but my son’s voice repeating the bit about flowers being polite broke through the intimate bubble our contact had created and reminded me we weren’t alone.
I cleared my throat and released the bouquet as Chloe turned her attention back to my babbling boy.
“Dude, although your Dad’s lesson was on point, you don’t want to give the girl an explanation,” she started as she got up from her seat and walked backward toward the kitchen. “Just give the flowers and leave it at that. Otherwise, you’ll ruin the effect.”
Lucas laughed, got up as well, and followed her babbling about how yucky girls were and how little he wanted their attention. Jealous of my own son, I watched them until they disappeared through the door leading into the kitchen.
“It’s nice that they’re getting along together,” Alex said from the grill. For a confused moment, I raised a brow half expecting him to say something about Chloe and me, but he didn’t. Instead, he said, “That boy needs the attention of a woman who isn’t paid to take care of him.”
I ran a hand through my hair as I remembered Lucas’ comment in my truck, and said, “Can’t argue with that.” Then, without thinking, I added, “Maybe I’ll get him one soon.”
With an arched brow and incredulous expression, Alex turned his face toward me. I could almost hear the question on the tip of his tongue. Luckily, before he had a chance to ask it, Chloe and Lucas returned with the roses in a vase and my son bombarded Alex with questions about his trip and the new horse he had bought.
For the next hour, the four of us sat at the table, eating burgers and talking. Actually, Lucas and Alex spoke as Chloe and I sat uncomfortably on opposite sides of the tables trying not stare at each other. The tension between us was so intense it baffled me how no one else seemed to notice it.
Once we were done eating, Chloe got up to clear the table. Lucas challenged Alex to a game of chess, and I sighed a breath of relief when my friend accepted it. Since they both knew how much I hated the tedious game, they went into the living room without even asking me to join them which finally allowed me some alone time with Chloe.
“They’re playing chess,” I informed her as I entered the kitchen with a pile of dirty dishes in my hands.
She looked over her shoulder at me from the sink and gave me the coldest, saddest smile I had ever seen on her face. “Cool, Dad loves to play, and I suck at it.”
I chuckled and nodded. “Me too, which is great because we got about ten hours to talk and I have a lot to say.”
Returning her gaze to the dishes, Chloe shook her head. “I don’t think we should talk right now.”
“C’mon Chloe,” I started in a pleading tone I had never used before. “I know I was an ass today. I should never have left like that. There was not even anything for me to think about and we both know it. You were the first woman I made a part of my son’s life since my wife died and I did that because I know how I feel about you.”
After a short pause, I continued, “I love you. I love you so much, and it scares the shit out of me Chloe.”
I took a deep breath and waited for her to look back at me at that confession, but she didn’t. She just kept her head down, and her eyes closed like she was in pain or something, and it made me desperate.
Certain that I had gone and fucked things up beyond salvation between us, I ran a hand through my hair and placed the other hand on the small of her back. She shivered at my touch but didn’t pull away, which was a good thing, I decided. With my heart pounding like crazy in my chest, I took a step closer and brought my lips close to her ear.
With as much honesty as I could input into my words, I continued, “No matter how close your Dad and I are, you’re the one I can’t live without—the one I don’t want to live without. It’s you, baby, and it will always be you. I’m going talk to him and if he can’t understand, then fuck it. At the end of the day I need you in my world.”
Those words finally made Chloe open her eyes and look at me. Her expression was still pained and there were tears in her eyes, but there was also a hint of a smile on her lips. The sight of it lifted my heart, and I pulled her closer toward me. I brought a hand to her cup her cheek and leaned forward to kiss her.
Our lips were just inches apart when a thunderous voice echoed through the kitchen. “What the fuck is going on here?”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN — CHLOE
My eyes widened, and my face went pale as I stared at Conner. For a moment, I thought he would pull away from me as if I was on fire at my Dad’s presence, but he didn’t. Instead, he just stood there, holding me the way he was and staring into my eyes with a calmness that was surprising considering the mess he had been earlier. It was an interesting change of events, but one that I liked and made me feel safe.
After a brief smile at me, he turned to face my Dad. I turned along with him and was shocked by the anger and disgust I saw plastered on my father’s usually kind face. With deep breaths, I tried to pull away from Conner to make the situation a little easier, but he tightened his grip on my waist so I couldn’t move.
“This wasn’t how I wanted to tell you, but I was going to tell you,” Conner said in an honest tone, his eyes locked on Dad’s.
“Tell me what? That you’re fucking my baby girl?” my father yelled, his face red with anger. “By the way, get your hands off her, asshole.”
Despite my father’s rude words, Conner surprised me by remaining steady as he only shook his head and said, “This isn’t just another fling, Alex. I love her, and she loves me.”
His words and the proud, confident way he said them made me smile and melt. My father’s reaction, however, was pretty much the opposite. His already red face turned almost purple, and his eyes widened to the size of saucers. Before I even realized what was happening, he lunged at Conner from across the room.
Conner pushed me behind him as I gasped in shock at my Dad’s words and closed fists. Knowing Conner’s temper as well as I did, I half expected him to ball up his hands and match my Dad’s insanity punch for punch. However, this was apparently crazy-day at the Jones residence, because my calm, funny, easy going father threw a punch right at Conner’s mouth while my hot-headed, alpha boyfriend only stood there to take it.
“You stupid piece of shit,” my father yelled. “Neither of you even know what love means. She’s young and impressionable, and you’re a womanizing son of a bitch.”
“Don’t be a patronizing jerk, Alex,” Conner said though his split lip, letting a bit of his temper show through. “She’s a grown woman. As for me, I fucked around because I was a widower with no one I truly cared about. We both know I’m loyal as a dog when I love someone.”
With a raised brow, Dad huffed. “Yeah, I’m prime example of your loyalty. I trusted you with her, and this is what you do? She’s a kid,” Dad continued as he pulled back his hand for another punch, but that was enough for me.
Stepping around Conner, I stood between the two of them. “Stop! Look at me, Dad. I’m not a kid.”
As I knew he would, Dad instantly lowered his hand and rolled his eyes. “Yes, you are, Chloe. You’re my kid. Now move away.”
“No, I’m not moving,” I said in a stern tone. “If you want to hit Conner again, you’ll have to go through me, and risk your future grandchild as well.”
My father’s face went from purple to white in less than a second. Blinking a few times, he staggered backward.
“What?” he asked, and the question was echoed by Conner.
I took a deep breath and, deciding that this had nothing to do with my father, I turned to look at Conner. This wasn’t at all how I had planned to tell him, but things were what they
were.
“I’m pregnant,” I started with a tiny smile as I touched my belly. “I found out after you left today.”
Despite the cut, Conner's lips curled up into a monumental smile as his hands covered mine, and he leaned in to kiss my forehead. I could see in his eyes that he wanted to say something, but before he had a chance my father’s voice echoed through the kitchen once more.
“This is . . .” he started.
“Not ideal, Dad,” I interrupted, annoyed at him for ruining such a happy moment for me. With a sigh, I turned to look at him. “My pregnancy, right now, is not ideal, but I’m happy—really, truly happy—so stop.” He frowned and opened and closed his mouth a few times, but I just continued, “I wasn’t an ideal baby either, and neither was Lucas considering what happened to Quinn, but we’re okay, and you love us. You’ll love this nugget too, and you know Conner will be a good father. So please, Daddy, try to understand and support this. If not for Conner or me, then for your grandchild.”
Dad paced back forth while rubbing his right hand across his lips. His eyes shifted from me to Conner to my stomach, and I could see the conflict in them. He loved both of us, and I had no doubt he would love my child as well, but I also understood how hard this was for him. He would need time to adjust, and I would do everything I could to allow him that time.
“This wasn’t what I wanted for you, Bumblebee. You deserve so much better than him.”
I opened my mouth to reply, but Conner beat me to the punch. “She really does. I’m an old, fucked up, basket case and Chloe is so much better than me. She’s so much better than pretty much every man in the world, and we both know it. I think she even knows it, but for some reason she loves me. I’ve tried to fight this. You can ask her, if you want, but she’s chosen me, and I promise you, as your best friend, that I’ll take care of her, love her and protect her for as long as I live. I’m gonna walk the line and prove to you that though I’m not worthy of her, no man will ever love and honor her more.”
“And you’ll do right by the child?”
Conner chuckled. “Seriously, Alex? Of course, I will. I’ll love this baby just as I love Lucas and I’m going to give him or her the best life I can possibly give.”
Touched by Conner’s words, I curled my fingers a bit tighter around his and pulled him closer to me. He looked down at me with a smile on his lips and gave me a sweet kiss on the forehead.
In a heavy silence, my Dad watched us with a weary expression on his face. A few seconds later, he moved his hand to massage the back of his neck and sighed. “Do you really love that asshole, baby?”
Despite the expletive, I couldn’t help but smile at Dad’s softer tone. With a nod, I replied. “Yep, I really love this asshole.”
“Okay, then,” he muttered, and both Conner and I raised our brows. “But if you hurt her, I swear I’ll cut your dick off and feed it to you.”
Conner laughed. “Duly noted.”
With a huff and a more accepting expression, my Dad turned around and left the kitchen. Once we were alone, Conner turned and pulled me close to his chest. His smile was the biggest I had ever seen, and it filled my heart to the point of exploding.
“You better keep those promises, you know. The only one allowed to do anything to your dick is me.”
“I won’t argue with that,” Conner said between laughs. Once his chuckles died, he gave me a quick peck on the lips and raised a brow. “So, a baby, hmm?”
I nodded. “Yep. Scared?”
He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. “Scared? C’mon, Angel. Considering how mad you were at me, I was kind of hoping you’d get knocked up. What better way to guarantee you’ll marry me?”
Despite the butterflies in my stomach, I couldn’t help but laugh at his awful proposal. “A better way is to ask. Preferably, in a romantic setting and with a ring. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time, Conner Wilkes. You better not disappoint.”
With his blue eyes locked on mine, he gave me a long and passionate kiss and then whispered, “Have I ever?”
“No,” I whispered back, because that was the truth. From the moment I had walked into his kitchen, Conner had surprised, shocked, overwhelmed, and amused me, but he had never disappointed me. And deep down, I knew he never would.
EPILOGUE — CHLOE
As I opened my eyes, I couldn’t help but think about Peter Clarke and his graduation speech. For months, I had hated the man and called him an asshole for making me believe I could have everything I wanted. Back then, when I didn’t have a job, a love life, or any prospects at all, his words had felt like a punch in the face.
However, as I laid on the hospital bed and stared at Conner, my soon to be step-son, and my father fussing lovingly over my baby girl, I realized that Peter was actually a genius. Or maybe a psychic. Either way, he was brilliant, and his words were as true as the day was long.
For most of my life, I had wanted only one thing and that was to have the love of Conner Wilkes. Having achieved that, there was no way to deny that the world really was mine for the taking, just like Peter had said.
“Hey, Angel,” Conner greeted as he peeled his eyes away from our daughter to look at me. “I thought you were asleep.”
I smiled at him and sighed. “I was, but I’m glad I woke up. The four of you are a sight for sore eyes.”
He walked in my direction with our baby in his arms. “How are you feeling, love?”
After a deep breath and a long gaze at our beautiful girl, I smiled and said, “I’m absolutely perfect.”
“Yes, you are,” Conner said as he leaned in for a kiss.
THE END
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Historical Mail Order Bride Romance Collection
Highlander’s Curse
Chapter One
Eva looked at herself in the full length mirror. She liked how her jeans hugged her full hips.
"Eva, can you pretty please play a game with us!" pleaded six-year-old Jamie, her youngest cousin. He always enjoyed play time with his cousin and he rarely took no for an answer.
"Not tonight, I have a big project for work that my boss needs tomorrow," Eva tried to explain. She was already stressed to the max with all the recent demands being placed on her. It wasn't easy trying to get noticed at a big publishing firm when she spent most of her time running menial errands, and Eva was starting to feel like a small fish in a very big sea. Eva didn't like the idea of admitting that maybe her job just wasn't working out, but at the moment, her financial prospects were the biggest incentive for getting her butt out of bed every morning.
"Pleeeeeeease," chimed in Maggie, Jamie's older sister by two years. The little girl furrowed her brow and wrinkled her nose as if she was about to cry.
Jamie took a look at Maggie's devastated expression and quickly followed suit with his own take on the puppy-dog look.
Eva chuckled before throwing her hands up in the air in an expression of surrender. "You guys are good, you know that?" she teased.
"Hurray!" Both Maggie and Jamie jumped up in excitement.
Eva quickly closed the book she had been working on and brushed a thick tendril of black hair behind her ear before turning her full attention back toward her little cousins. "So what game did you have in mind?" she asked them.
"I want to play hide-n-seek," demanded the impulsive Maggie.
"No!" cried Jamie. "Manhunt, I want to play manhunt," he said with a decisiveness that was uncanny for a six-year-old.
Eva couldn't help but laugh at their exchange. She had been more like a big sister to her little cousins ever since her Aunt Marie and Uncle Mark had graciously taken her in when she was struggling to make ends meet. She adored little Jamie and Maggie, but she had already begun to suspect that they were more than a little spoiled.
"How about we play both?" she offered in an attempt to placate the two. "Which one do you want to —" she began.
"Manhunt!" Jamie interr
upted enthusiastically. He turned to look at his sister; a disapproving scowl was already forming on Maggie's face. "Please," he added to both his sister and his cousin.
"Oh okay," Maggie gave in. It didn't take much for her to indulge her baby brother.
"Yippy!" cried Jamie. "You are it!" he tagged Eva abruptly with his hand before he turned on his heel and darted down the hall and out of the room.
Maggie gave an impatient sigh and a rather precocious eye-roll, before she too took off after her little brother.
Eva was left alone in the room before she had time to fully process what she had just gotten herself into.
She waited a few moments, allowing the children time to disperse off in the large house before she made her way down the dark hallway. She didn't have a lot of energy after a grueling day at work to run after them, but she didn't think she would have much trouble catching a six and eight-year-old. However, they were a lot more familiar with the old Tudor-style house than she was, as she had only been living there for a few months, which gave the children a decisive advantage in their attempts to evade being tagged "It."
As Eva began moving throughout the rooms in search of her cousins, she couldn't help but feel a little unsettled by the eerie quietness that descended upon the house; it was almost too quiet. She thought for sure she would hear the sound of the children running down the hallways, or giggling and giving themselves away. Instead, the only sound came from her own beating heart as it echoed loudly in her ears.