I walk out to the living room after laying Blake down. Carmen is sitting on the couch with her legs bent up in front of her, staring at the wall. I go and sit next to her. She looks to me and gives me a weak smile. "I'm so sorry I put you through that." I reach out touching her cheek as I tell her, "I'm glad I was with you." She closes her eyes, leaning into my touch. "I don't know if I can believe her." She whispers, keeping her eyes closed. A tear drops from under her lashes. I pull her into my arms. I have no clue what to say right now. She cries quietly for a few minutes then sits up. "I need to go call her." She gives my leg a pat, then walks back the hall to our room. I take my own phone out. I need to text dad. Maybe he'll have some words of wisdom. She comes back only a few minutes later. "How'd that go?" She steps in front of me. "Well she's coming here." I give her a hesitant look. This is bad idea. She holds her hands up. "I know... ok. But she is my mother. And we need to talk this out." This is her situation. I won't tell her how to deal with it. I open my arms to her. She moves onto my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck. I hold her close knowing she needs me now more than ever. I can't believe how I acted when she told me all of this. I don't know how this amazing creature puts up with me. I kiss her forehead. "I love you, Carmen. I'm here for anything you need." She looks up at me. "I know. Thank you." She moves, pressing her lips to mine. I slide my hands to her face as I kiss her slowly. There's a knock on the door. Damn that was fast. Carmen sighs as she takes her lips from mine. I pick her up, then sit her on the couch as I stand. "Let me get it. Just take a minute and breathe." I walk over and open the door. "Hello Dalton." I step back letting her in as I say, "Monique." She holds my gaze for a few seconds. Way longer than needed. I'm not sure what she's thinking, but it makes me feel weird. She pats my arm and walks over to where Carmen is sitting on the couch. She has on high red heels. I don't know why, but that just seems weird to me too. I close the door and decide to give them some privacy, so I go to our room.
I watch a couple tv shows and am about to go check on them when the door opens. It's not Carmen. "Oh sorry. I was looking for the bathroom." I point to ours. "You can use this one. Or you passed one to get here." She walks into the room closing the door behind her. I sit up on the bed. She steps up next to me. "You know I am really happy Carmen found you." Her closeness makes me feel uncomfortable. She pats my shoulder then walks into the bathroom and closes the door. I'm not staying in here while she pisses. I get up and walk out to the living room. Carmen is in the kitchen making coffee. I walk over to her, wrapping my arms around her waist. She leans into me. "How's it going?" She shrugs, then turns wrapping her arms around my waist tightly, pressing her cheek to my chest. I slide my hands into her hair, holding her close, as I place a kiss to the top of her head. I can hear the tap of her heels as Monique comes back out announcing, "Much better." I look over my shoulder at her as she comes over to us. Carmen keeps her arms around me, but moves back just a bit. "That coffee smells delicious." She comments looking between us. I take Carmen's arms from me as I tell her, "Why don't you two go sit back down. I'll bring the coffee in." Carmen smiles up at me then tells me, "I need a bathroom break too actually. Be right back." She walks over and disappears back the hall. Monique steps up next to me, leaning against the counter. "I'll take a cup. If you don't mind." She standing in front of the cupboard that has the coffee mugs in it. "Excuse me." I tell her as I point to it. She turns to the side, facing me, but doesn't move out of the way. I reach out opening it, just enough to get a couple mugs out. Trying to keep my distance. I feel like she's playing this weird game with me, and I plan on winning. I fill a cup for her and hand it to her. She takes it telling me, "Thank you, Dalton." She takes a sip, but keeps her eyes on me. Why do I feel like she's trying to seduce me? I fill a cup for myself and one for Carmen, then give her a nod telling her, "I'll give you two privacy. And next time you need to piss, use the other bathroom." I take a sip of coffee as I talk away from her. Carmen comes from our room just as I am about to enter it. She gives me a weak smile as I tell her, "I poured you coffee. It's on the counter." She kisses my cheek as she passes by telling me, "Thank you."
I open my eyes as Carmen crawls on top of me, laying her head on my chest. I run my hand down her back as I ask, "What time is it?" She mumbles, "one am," into my chest. I run my hands through her hair a bit, just enjoying the feel of her then ask slowly, "Soooo how did it go?" She sits up. "I mean..... she insists Dad was the one who was the reason they split. I mean.... I just don't know." She shrugs then sighs as Blake lets out a loud squawk. I sit up telling her, "You stay here. I'll go get her." She pushes on my chest. "No you will not. You took care of her all night while I was talking with Monique. I got her." She moves from my lap and disappears out the door. My phone dings on the stand next to me. I look to it. I have a text from a number I don't know._ _I open it up. _Hey Dalton, it's Monique. Thank you for being so understanding and giving me and Carmen the time we needed to talk tonight. You'll be a great husband, and I'm sure a wonderful son-in-law. See you tomorrow. _Why the hell is she messaging me? How did she even get my number? Carmen comes back into our room holding a wide awake Blake. "Did you give your mom my number?" I ask as Blake smiles at me. She shakes her head no. "Why?" I hold my phone up for her as she comes and sits on the bed next to me. Blake reaches for me. Carmen takes my phone from my hand as she hands me Blake. "Why the hell would she message you this?" I shrug as I kiss Blake's forehead then ask her, "You sleep too much earlier baby girl?" She giggles as she tugs on my hair. "I'm messaging her back." Carmen hisses. I snatch my phone from her hand. "No just leave it. Maybe she's just trying to be nice." Carmen crosses her arms over her chest as her eye brow shoots up. "Oh please. I saw how she looked at you. I know my own mother, Dalton. She has always been a slut. She's probably only here because she's hoping you'll fuck her. That's just one more way to stick it to my dad and me. Fuck his star pupil she heard about all those years. And take my happiness at the same time." I'm not shocked by what she says. I actually got the feeling her mom was trying not so subtlety to flirt with me. I had just hoped she wasn't such an ass. Maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe her mom is just a piece of shit like my own mother. "Why would she do that to you though?" She shakes her head. "I don't wanna talk about it." Oh no she is not pulling this shit with me. "Tell me." I bark, quietly. She looks to Blake who is now asleep on my chest. She sits back as she lets out a long sigh. "She was fucking a boyfriend I had behind my back. When I found out, I plastered it all over social media. He dropped her so quick it made her head spin. She thought he loved her and all that happy horseshit, but he just wanted to say he fucked a mother daughter combo." I look to her shaking my head. I was that guy once. It makes me sick to think that someone did that to her. "I'm sorry." She looks to me and smiles. "It's not your fault." I swallow hard as I whisper, "But I was that guy before you." I can see the worry enter her eyes. She never thought about that. She forget who I was, until I just reminded her. "I would never do that to you, Carmen. NEVER." She nods forcing a smile to her face, but I just placed doubt in her. Fuck. I can be such an idiot. But I'll show her. I'll prove to her I'm not that asshole anymore. I stand up cradling Blake to me. "Let me go lay her down, then we'll talk some more." She snuggles down into bed, as she nods telling me, "Ok." Of course, when I come back from laying Blake down, she's sound asleep. I undress down to my boxers and slide into bed next to her. She snuggles into my side laying her arm over my stomach. I would never forgive myself if I hurt her. I can't imagine how a mother can set out to do just that to a child she gave life to. I think Monique and my mom should just drive off a cliff together and let us live our lives.
I look up as she comes through the shop door. At least I'm working today. She can go spend time with Carmen and leave me the fuck alone. She walks over and looks over my shoulder at the piece I'm working on. "Wow. You are very talented. I'm sure in more ways then one." I look to my client as I take my machine from her back telling her, "Hey lets take a little break." I sit my machine down
and remove my gloves as I stand. Monique stays right where she is, too close for a future mother-in-law. I motion to the break room. "Can we talk in private?" She smiles as she nods, then lets me lead the way. As soon as we're in the room, I close the door, then grab her hips slamming her to it. Her chest heaves as she looks to me. What a fucking bitch. She wants this. I get my lips right next to her ear and whisper, "You're a sad ass excuse for a mother. Leave Carmen alone. I will not now, nor will I EVER fuck you. I love Carmen. Do us all a favor and drop off the earth." I step back and watch as her arousal turns to disgust. "Oh fuck you Dalton." She turns and storms out the door. I watch as she walks right out the shop door. What a bitch. She really was here only to make things worse for Carmen. Not mend the pain she caused. I walk into the bathroom and wash the skank off my hands before I go back over to get back to work. Sunny comes over with her eye brow raised. "Uh what the hell was that?" She doubts my new good guy persona too. "I sent a lying bitch on her way." The smile that fills her face tells me that she approves. I sit down as my client lays back on the table. "Ready to get this finished?" She nods then lays her head on her folded arms.
"Mom never came by today like she said." Carmen tells me with a knowing tone. I close the door and drop my head. "What did SHE say happened?" I look up to a surprised look on Carmen's face. Shit, she didn't tell her. Now I'm worried I'll get in trouble for how I handled her today. "What do you mean? She hasn't called or anything. I mean I kind of expected this.... But I feel like you know more than I do." I swallow hard as I walk over to her. "Monique was here today. Downstairs anyway." I search her face as I take a deep breath. She just looks to me, waiting for me to tell her more. "Look I was worried that what you suspected was what was really going on. So I tested her....." She searches my face with wide, worried eyes as she hisses, "How?" I reach for her, but she steps back. "How, Dalton?" She repeats crossing her arms over her chest, protecting herself from what I'm about to tell her. Here goes. "I took her in the break room and made her think she was getting what we suspected she wanted, but instead I told her how much I love you and told her she's a shit mom and to just leave us be." She just stands there staring at me. NO expression on her face at all. I fucked up. I fucked up big time. I should have just left it alone. She starts to walk past me. I reach out grabbing her arm, "Babe I'm sorry. Nothing happened." She looks to me with tears in her eyes. "Of course it didn't, Dalton. But for a split second I worried that it did. I hate that I felt that way." She walks back the hall. I drop my head into my hands. Well what the fuck does that mean? I follow her into our bedroom. "Carmen..." She turns to face me holding her hand up. "Don't ok. You have nothing to be sorry for, or worried about. I just need a minute, ok?" She turns and walks into the bathroom. The water comes on in the shower. I walk over and lay back on the bed. I know it's only normal for her to doubt me from time to time. I don't have a great track record, but I've always been faithful to her. And to think I would fuck her MOM, hurts a bit. The door opens. She's completely naked. The light from the bathroom forms a frame of light around her. She looks like a painting. She walks over to me. God she's perfect. She holds her hand out to me. "Come join me. I need to just feel you." I take her hand and follow her into the bathroom. My heart is slamming my chest. This is not what I expected to happen. She turns to face me. "I know what I mean to you. I do. I just need you to remind me every so often, ok?" I nod as she slides her hands under my shirt. I will do whatever she needs whenever she needs. I love her more than she'll ever know. I'm sure of that. She pushes my shirt up to my chest as she moves to her tip toes, pressing her lips to mine. Her kiss feels different. She's hesitant. I slide my hands to her face, pressing my lips harder to hers. She sighs against my lips, wrapping her arms around my neck. I pour every ounce of love I have for her into every kiss, every touch. She will never again doubt that I belong to her.
"How ya feeling kid?" I look in the mirror. I feel like a fucking chump. At least I'm not in a three piece suit. The vest is enough to make me uncomfortable. I can't believe I'm getting married. I look to dad admitting out loud, "I can't believe she's marrying me." He busts up laughing. "Yeah well we all luck out sometimes." He gives my back a pat as he comes around in front of me with a flower in his hand. "We gotta pin this thing on somehow. Helen said if I can't figure it out to call her." He pulls a long pin from the back of it. "Damn dad don't poke me with that thing." He gives me a evil smile then tries to fasten the flower to my vest. There were a few times I didn't think we would get here, but we're here. Carmen's mom never called, messaged, or anything after that day in the shop. We're lucky to have my dad and Helen. We don't need our bitch ass moms. "Ok looks good to me." He steps out of the way so I can see myself in the mirror again. "Yep looks good dad thanks." There's a knock on the door. The wedding planner pops her head in. "I need you both in five." She closes the door again. I let out a slow breath. This is really it. I'm about to commit myself to Carmen for the rest of my life, and I'm actually feeling pretty ok about it. I look to dad. He has tears in his eyes. I don't expect that, and find myself getting a bit emotional. The door opens again. Helen comes in. "Oh my boys look damn good." I chuckle half because I'm uncomfortable with how emotional I feel. She comes to me and pulls me into a hug telling me over my shoulder, "That woman of yours looks absolutely stunning. So does baby girl." She releases me with a wink. "I expected nothing less." I tell her then shake my hands nervously. I breathe out a couple more times. "You got this." Dad tells me with confidence. I look to him. "I know. I'm just ready to see her. Both of them." The door opens again. "Ok guys it's time." The wedding planner motions us to her. We practiced all this shit last night, so I know I have to walk Helen to her seat, then me and dad go to stand at the front and wait for Carmen. I was shocked at how many people Carmen said would be coming, including the Mark's. It wouldn't feel quite as complete without them. I'm glad Carmen suggested we invite them._ _I step up to the doors opening into the ball room we're getting married in. Later this will double as our reception area. I hold my arm out to Helen. She slides her hand to rest on the crease of my arm. I wait until the music comes on and lead her down the isle to her seat. She kisses my cheek, and then dads, before she sits. The tears in her eyes make me feel emotional again. "I'm so proud of you," She mouths as I stand at the front and catch her eyes as I look out at all the guests. I shake my head surprised that I'm getting teary eyed. I don't cry. I look to dad. He winks at me. The music changes. That means Blake, Sunny, and Porsha will be coming, then my bride. I can't help but smile as my little peanut wobbles down the isle holding a tiny basket with flowers in it. She doesn't throw any of them down. Everyone giggles and awww's over how cute she is. I mean of course she looks like a little princess, she is. I bend down and hold my arms out to her. She comes to me. I kiss her cheek then whisper, "You look gorgeous." She smiles at me, then I turn her to go to grandma. Helen motions her over. I stand and look to dad as Blake gets situated with Helen. We're both smiling. I look back to the doorway. The two women, who have come to be just as important to Carmen and me as family, walk toward me. Sunny gives me a wink and Porsha is wiping tears. They each take their spot, then the music changes. Everyone stands as Carmen comes into view. I asked her if she wanted dad to walk her down the isle, and she told me that her dad would be there walking her down even if no one can see him. She said not even death would keep him from giving his daughter away to the man he once thought of as a kind of son. I shake my head and focus back on the woman of my dreams as she starts toward me. I can't keep my shit in check. A tear trails down my cheek as our eyes meet. She is absolutely stunning. The dress only enhances her tiny frame. I wasn't allowed to see the dress until now, and it looks great, but I can't take my eyes off hers. Those bright emeralds are what captured me the day we met. She steps in front of me and reaches out wiping a tear from my cheek. I feel like such a pussy crying in front of all these people, but dammit, I love her. If that makes me a pussy, then so be it. She mouths, "I love you." I trail the back of my han
d down her cheek as I whisper, "I love you, beautiful."
Black Ink (Hart Book 2) Page 8