Sam scoops me up, hugging me, sitting us on the sofa.
His thumbs stroke my arms.
“I don’t know what to do here. I like you Amaya, but I won’t play second to someone else. I won’t be with you while you’re in love with another man. You need to figure this out and in a few months if you aren’t with him, we can try again.”
I still in his arms. “You’re breaking up with me?”
“Yeah babe, I guess I am.” He rubs my arms and reaches me a tissue. “He obviously still cares about you. I won’t stand in the way of whatever you two need to sort out.”
“How are you being so cool about this?”
“Because, I care about you. I only want what’s best for you. Even if that means it isn’t me.”
“I’m sorry, Sam. I don’t know what to say here.” I blow my nose and move from his lap.
He cups my cheek, brushing his thumb along my jaw. “Just figure your life out, Amaya. Maybe fate brought you back to Tate. I don’t know. Maybe fate wants you with me, but until you know for sure that whatever you still have between you is over, I can’t date you.”
I take a deep breath. “I need time,” I tell him, because what he says is true. I do need to figure this shit out. How am I going to work with Tate until I know for certain?
“I’m gonna go. Call me if you need me. I’ll see you around.”
“Bye, Sam,” I say softly.
As soon as he closes the door, I’m on the phone to Courtney.
“I need you. Come over, please? Bring wine. Lots of wine.”
**
Courtney rushed over the minute Big Tex got home, so she could leave the kids with him. I told her everything, seeing Tate again, what he said, did. My talk with Sam. She didn’t say much of anything, just sat there looking thoughtful.
“Why couldn’t Sam have been a dick? Would make this much easier.”
I laugh. “Court, I told you, I don’t know how many times that Sam is an amazing man. He completely proved that today by letting me go. Did it hurt? A little, but we’ve only been together a month. Hell, we haven’t even slept together yet.”
She waves me off as I continue talking about Sam. “What about Tate?”
I close my eyes before answering her. “What about him?”
“What are you going to do? Are you gonna talk to him? Hear him out?”
“No, Tate and I are done, especially after all his promise breaking, and not being there for me when I needed him the most. I can’t go back there to get hurt again.”
“I understand sweetie. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve said more than five words to him since your accident.”
She’s been very vocal about her dislike for Tate ever since my accident, I love that she is so protective of me.
“Let’s polish off these bottles of wine and watch some Magic Mike,” she says, smiling at me.
“Woot! Let’s do this!” I squeal, thankful for the break from sad gloomy talks.
I don’t want to think about Tate any more tonight.
Chapter 39
Tate
I feel as if my heart was ripped out and stomped on. She’s with Sam? Yeah, no that isn’t going to work for me. I’ll make sure he breaks up with her by tomorrow, and I’m moving back into her heart.
I hope like hell Sam hasn’t fucked her, because she’s mine. Thinking she’s been with someone else is killing me, I don’t care if that makes me a hypocrite. I haven’t even looked at another woman since we broke up. Sure, I’ve been pictured with models and actresses many times, but it was for shit Valentina had me do for the gossip rags.
And yeah, maybe I’ve had a few one night stands just to scratch my itch, but I didn’t care about them, I refused to even look at them, just fucked to get off, all while thinking of Amaya.
And now she’s back. Just like I always wanted her to be. And I’m going to fight tooth and nail to win her back. And once I do, I’m not wasting any time making her my wife.
I grab my phone and text Big Tex, he decided he wanted to be a teacher and he’s also the football coach at a local high school. He must know why Amaya is here and not dancing, considering he’s with Courtney and she should know.
“Sup?” He answers.
“Hey man, guess who works with my team?”
“Amaya,” he says, not missing a beat.
“You knew? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because she hates your guts and threatened me with a rusty spoon up my asshole if I told you.”
“What the hell did I do that was so bad to make her hate me?”
He goes quiet on the line. “You’re a fucking dick. Don’t call me again until you fix what you did.” He hangs up.
What the fuck? I call Courtney, she’ll talk. She knows I’m meant to be with Amaya.
“Yeah,” she whispers.
“What the fuck is going on?”
“Tex told me not to get in the middle.”
“Well, fuck that, I need answers.”
“Then maybe you should pull your dick out of your own ass and talk to that cunt face agent of yours.” She hangs up on me too.
What the hell did she mean by that? What does V have to do with anything? The only way Amaya would give up her dream is if something bad had happened, since I know she was the headliner for her company, I decide to type her name into Google to see what I can find.
Article upon article about how she was hit by a car and damaged her leg. The injury ended her career in dance. I check the date for when it happened and it was the night I was supposed to be watching her perform because she was in town. Fuck. That night was a blur.
That ended up being the night I got drunk and slept with Valentina. I wasn’t in any shape to face Amaya. I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing her with anyone who wasn’t me. I read another article and my blood boils. I don’t think I could get any angrier but reading the name of the man who ruined my woman’s life…that piece of shit is lucky he’s locked away. Fucking Keith. The loser Amaya dated before we got together. I can’t do shit about him right now but I can Valentina.
I think back on the night it all went down. I remember hearing V on the phone a few times yelling at someone on the line but I didn’t think anything of it. Was Amaya trying to get ahold of me that night? Fuck.
I get in my car and race to Valentina’s place. I park illegally, I don’t give a shit, and quickly get out of my car.
“Valentina!” I shout, jogging up to her apartment. I don’t give a fuck about not renewing with her anymore, I don’t give a fuck if she wants to try and ruin my career, she wants to ruin my life, bring it on.
“What?” she snaps at me coming out of her bedroom.
“Four years ago, think back. Who were you talking to on my phone,” I demand she tells me.
She rolls her eyes. “I don’t know.”
“Well, you better think long and hard.”
“It was nothing, just that bitch Courtney saying your so-called fiancé was in the hospital.”
I’ve never laid a hand on a woman in anger but I’m feeling the need to do so now.
“You conniving little cunt,” I sneer at her. Her face instantly pales. “That was my Amaya, and I never knew, and thanks to you, the woman I love and want to marry wants nothing to do with me. You’re officially fired, I wasn’t going to renew my contract with you anyways as of Friday, but as of this second, I’m done with you.” It hits me, that she’s responsible in part for keeping me and Amaya from talking. The missing calls…the emails. I bet if I check back through my stuff, I’ll find the evidence I need to prove her guilt.
“But, Tate,” she starts.
“Don’t but Tate me. I don’t give a fuck if you go to your boss to try and sue me, but just remember, my best friend’s wife is the daughter of the best lawyer in the country, and I will take you down.”
“Tate, I made you. Don’t forget that.”
“Fuck you, you bitch! I never want to see you again. You and me got nothing to discuss,
ever. You will resign as my agent and we will part ways amiably. I won’t trash your name and you sure as shit will never speak mine. Got me?”
“I got you. You were nothing before me. You just flushed your career down the toilet. What a loser,” she scoffs, flipping her dark hair over her shoulder.
I slam her door as I walk out, and I let out the scream I’ve been holding in. I roar letting a fuck rip from my throat.
**
The next morning I head to the offices with a purpose, first of course stopping by Sam’s office to have a friendly chat with him.
Knocking once, I open and step in. He doesn’t look surprised to see me. “Take a seat,” he says with a sigh.
“Not staying that long. Just here to tell you, I want you to breakup with Amaya. You see, she’s mine, she always has been, and I’ll stomp all over you to win her back.”
“There is no need for this conversation. We ended things last night. But you should know, she’s still hurt by you. She might not forgive you so easily.”
Well that was easier than I thought. At least that is out of the way. I give him a chin lift and leave his office and head down to Amaya. I see her working on Kent, and if I didn’t know how happily married Kent and Maia are, I would be jealous, seeing her smiling and laughing with him about something.
“Kent man, need a moment of Twinkle Toe’s time,” I call out as I enter the room.
Kent looks at me in surprise at first, but then he realizes who exactly Amaya is and grins. “I’ll see you same time in a few days, Miss Maxwell.”
I hate that name. It should be Mrs. King. And it will be.
“What do you want? I’m trying to do my friggin’ job,” she snaps at me, not bothering to look at me.
“If you just shut up and listen to me, you can get back to work.”
“If you don’t get the hell out of my office, I swear to god I will scream for help. I want nothing to do with you, Tate. We broke up years ago. You broke all your promises to me, and you weren’t there when I needed you most.” God, she sounds so broken.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know about the accident.” Her head jerks and she glares, not believing me. “I might have broken promises to you Amaya, but I’ve never once lied, and you know that. I was a shit boyfriend when I started my career, you know that, as good as do I. I just want a chance to get you back. I still love you.”
A tear leaks out of her left eye and she turns her head away. “I can’t do this right now. Please, let me get back to work.”
I clench my jaw and nod, leaving her office quietly.
**
“Mom, would you shut up,” I tell her over her screeching. “Just ship that ring out here as fast as possible, same day shipping, I expect it here by tonight, and then once you ship it, you need to call Amaya’s parents. Fill them in on what’s happening.”
“Yes, of course. I’ll get it all done as soon as possible. You have my word. I’m so happy.” She hangs up, without saying goodbye and I smile.
My heart, my boom, my Amaya, is mine again. Or she will be, in just a few hours, and this time, I’m not letting her go.
Chapter 40
Amaya
I’m curled up on the couch in my pajamas watching Shadow Hunters. It’s a teenage show, but I loved those books. I take a bite of my cherry ice cream and try to eat my feelings. It isn’t working. I called in sick at my new job. I’ll probably get fired. Right now, I can’t be bothered to care. I don’t know how I thought I was going to be able to see Tate and keep a straight face to begin with.
My phone rings and I start to ignore it but it’s my mom and if I don’t answer she’ll get on a plane to see me. “Hey, mom.”
“Hey sweetie. How’s the new job going?” She asks.
We chat a while, and of course, I avoid telling her I’ve seen Tate, when I hear a knock at my door.
“I gotta go mom, I think Courtney is here.”
I end the call. I go to the door as another knock bangs loudly. I still have my spoon in my hand as I throw the door open. Tate.
“Can we talk?” He looks as if he just won big, he has a huge grin on his face, and looks as if he wants to eat me alive.
“Tate, I…”
“You nothing, Amaya.” He steps into the room, forcing me back toward the couch. “We’re settling this right here, right now. You and me will never be over. You and me are meant to be.”
He grabs me forcefully by the back of my head and I hit him with my spoon. “You don’t get to kiss me, Tate!”
He laughs and looks at me and boom, my ovaries explode. I tear into him, kissing him, scratching him. I need him.
Tate pulls back from me. “We should talk.”
“We should,” I agree.
However, talking is the last thing we do. The next thing I know, clothes are flying and Tate has me in his arms carrying me to my bed. I thought it was my bed but he accidentally took us to the bathroom.
“Oops,” he says on a laugh.
“Next door,” I tell him.
Then we are silent except for the heavy breaths passing between us and erratic beating of my heart.
Tate tosses me on the bed, and I bounce as though I am his football on the covers.
He shoves his pants down, revealing his sexy as sin body that I have missed the touch of. He snakes across the bed, not wasting any time. He goes straight to it, and I don’t even try and stop him. He shoves his finger between my lips and I suck it, licking it and savoring his salty taste.
He doesn’t give me easy and soft. It’s hard and primal when he rips my panties off and brings them to his nose. “Fuck, I love the way you smell. That smell is only for me!”
I can only nod as he spreads my legs apart. With his mouth pressed to my clit, he kisses me there once. “You been fucking Sam?”
“No,” I tell him, honestly. We hadn’t progressed that far in our relationship.
“Good,” he grunts and then he claims my pussy with his mouth. He licks me, sucks me, and fingers me without letting up for air. He’s like a mad man as he works two orgasms from me in no time.
I can hardly breathe let alone move, I am so shaken and entranced by him.
“Are you on birth control?” He questions, as he thrusts inside me.
I can only shake my head and swallow hard. I hadn’t gotten back on it yet. I actually have an appointment next week in case Sam and I decided to go to that level. After my accident, I never went back on it. I didn’t see a reason to.
“Tonight, I’m doing what I should have done years ago,” he growls and pumps into me again.
I gasp at how deep he’s gone and how full I feel.
“What’s that?” I ask, but I have a feeling I already know.
“I’m filling you up with my cum, Amaya. I’m making a baby with you. You’re mine. You’ve always been mine.”
“Oh God,” I moan and he comes at me faster and harder.
“Tell me you want that. Tell me you need it as badly as I do.”
“I do, I want that too.” I’ve never wanted anything more.
Epilogue
Amaya
5 years later
Tate held true to his word. The night we reconnected, six weeks later, I discovered I was pregnant with our first child. A beautiful little girl, who looks so much like her dad, it scared me. I kept inspecting her when I got her home, because I was almost sure the doctor accidentally cut off a penis. Now that Leah is four years old, I no longer think the doctor made a mistake, instead I just tease Tate, he looks pretty as a girl. She loves dance as much as I do and she attends ballet two days a week.
Two weeks after we made love again for the first time in five years, since the day I walked away from him, he dragged me to the courthouse, he surprised me by having both our families there, and we got married. He seriously wasn’t fucking around anymore.
Now five years later, I look down at my twin babies. A boy and a girl. So precious. I told Tate I was done, no more babies. We have three, for me
that’s perfect, but then he brought up a conversation we had years ago, in his family home. So, we have to try for one more. I did say, three kids, but if we have twins four. Such an idiot, I should have clarified that a little better. But now, I wouldn’t change it for the world.
I look over at my husband and I smile as he attempts to change Tyson’s smelly diaper. He’s waving his hand around and gagging. I fight back a giggle. Tate seriously can’t handle changing shitty diapers. But that’s okay, because I seriously can’t handle puke. Taylor coos at me and I stroke her cheek.
Valentina, Tate’s old agent, tried to cause problems at first, he apparently fired her only four days before the contract ended, and she lost her shit. Tried to say she was pregnant, tried to say our marriage wasn’t legal, because he was married to her. It was all bullshit, just an attempt to hurt me.
It later came out, she’d been lusting after Tate since his first college game, it’s the reason she went to him the second he was drafted. She sat on the sidelines for a year, whenever Tate would profess his love for me, she got angry. It also turns out her mother owns the dance company I danced with, and she was the reason for me getting picked for that tour in the first place. She wanted me out of the way.
I thought shit like that only happened in over the top drama books, or TV shows, but it happened to us, Tate and me. She’s currently in a mental institution getting help for her crazy ass, after she tried to break into our home when I was pregnant the first time.
She showed up in the maternity ward when I gave birth claiming to be a family friend and security believed her. She was throwing shit at me and screaming that my baby should be hers. That my daughter should be her baby with Tate. She was insane.
I had thought Keith was crazy but Valentina takes the cake. They would make a perfect couple.
Tate smiles at me and I mouth, “I love you,” at him.
He finishes up with Tyson and puts him in his crib. I follow putting Taylor down and pray that they sleep through the night.
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