“But, Mommy, he can just pretend his shoes click and he really doesn’t need any. I just want Petey to dance with me.”
Poor Petey. “Muffin, even though you absolutely love dancing, and we are so excited that you do, show and tell is for you to bring an object in to show the students. I don’t think it’s for you to actually dance for them. Does that make sense?”
“Maybe. But what if I ask them first?”
“How about I check with Miss Cathie and see what she says?” Rose asked.
“Okay.”
That satisfied her and we could let Cathie know how awful she is so she can use the object excuse too. I suddenly had this image of the huge Petey dancing with Montana with those awkward leg kicks, and I had to run out of the room so I could bust out laughing. I put a pillow over my face so no one could hear me. But Rose followed me, checking to see if I was all right.
When I told her why I ran, she stole my pillow.
“Oh my God. I can just picture it.”
We stopped laughing just in time as Montana came hopping into the room.
“What are you doing?”
She hopped next to the bed, so I grabbed her and tickled her. “We’re having a tickle party, what else?”
That evening, Montana drew a picture of Petey and her dancing so she could give it to him in the morning. When she did, the guy melted. She had him wrapped around her pinky.
At the end of the week, Miles was notified of Rose’s court date. It was set for next week. I had talked about finding a place of my own but decided to wait until the custody battle was over and Rose was safe again.
“Thank you for staying.” She hugged me after I told her.
“I want you to understand something. This is going to be a slam dunk for you. The man is facing two charges—aggravated assault and domestic violence. Those are very serious. When Miles gives the judge his statement, there isn’t any way possible he will award him with custody of any kind. He will glaringly point out that it would be child endangerment. I also want you to know we are going to put Montana on the stand. Do you have any issues with that because if you do, we need to hash them out.”
We were sitting on the couch and it was after Montana had gone to bed. Rose hugged herself and asked, “Is it necessary?”
Without hesitation, I said, “Yes, and let me explain why. I want her to tell the judge in her own words why she doesn’t want to go to her daddy’s and why she’s afraid. Of course, Miles will have to do the questioning because it’s his case. We’ll talk to her first and make sure she understands that she’s safe. Petey will be there, right up front, so she sees him. Does this make you more comfortable?”
“To a point. I don’t want her to feel threatened when she sees Greg.”
“We’ll take care of that by explaining where he’ll be in the room. We’ll draw a picture of where she’ll be sitting and show her where he’ll be. Then we’ll emphasize to her not to look at him. I used to do this all the time and demonstrated it with dolls and stuffed animals. It gives kids a better representation. I’ll do the same with her.”
She rubbed her hands up and down her thighs and stood. She paced, but I didn’t interrupt her thought process because this was something she had to work out on her own. The last thing I wanted was for her to be uncomfortable with this. It was a parent’s nightmare to pit a child against the other parent. But Greg was not a good man. We both worried what went on in that house and the way Montana was so fearful of going there gave us really bad vibes.
I knew everything was going to work when Rose said, “Fine. You are obviously the expert here and her counselor says she’s doing really well. I’d like to discuss this with her though. As much as I hate for her to be up there, I’ll do anything to keep her away from him and if this is what it takes, then let’s do it.”
I stood and pulled her into my arms. “This is going to work. I promise.”
“I hope you’re right. But I have to tell you I’m impressed by the way you’re handling this. With the dolls and stuffed animals, I mean. It sounds like you’ve had a little bit of psychology in your background.”
“The firm I worked with employed a psychologist so I can’t take credit for that.”
“Very professional. I’m happy you picked that up.”
“Same here. Now, will you give me the kiss I’ve been thinking of all day?”
“All day?”
“Umm hmm.” I didn’t wait for her but brushed my lips across hers. Then I lifted her up and took what I’d been deprived of all day. Her kiss was soft and demure at first, but I wasn’t going for that. I owned this mouth, so I showed her exactly that. My tongue swept past her lips and our tongues collided. Every time it happened, I wanted more. One hand reached under her shirt to feel her warm, smooth skin. She pulled back from the kiss and one word came out of her in a breathy rush.
“Bedroom.”
Holding her, I walked us there, closed the door behind us, and we fell onto the bed. The sound of metal clinking as she unbuckled my belt made my already hard cock, even stiffer. She wrapped her hand around it, slid down and put her luscious mouth on me. My breath turned jagged as she took me deep. It was slow and perfect, just like her hand cupping my sac. Even as great as this was, it was nothing compared to being inside of her.
“Take off your clothes,” I told her.
She stopped, and her eyes latched onto mine. “I want to be inside of you. Like now.”
Her shirt and bra went first, followed by her pants and panties. My pants, boxers, and shirt disappeared in a flash.
“On your knees.” I didn’t give her much time to get situated before I slid all the way inside her drenched core. “Oh, God, you’re amazing.”
Her moans were the sexiest things I’d ever heard. Every time I slid back in, she let one out and it drove me to the brink of orgasm. I wrapped an arm around her waist and bent over her as I continued to pump into her.
“Ah, yes.”
“Damn, that’s hot.”
I reached between her thighs to set her off, and it didn’t take, but a few strokes with my finger before her inner muscles clenched down on me in a series of spasms. That was enough for me to get my own. I poured myself into her until she milked me dry. We both panted as I hugged her to my stomach. Rolling to my back, and taking her with me, I said, “That was epic.”
“Mmm. Yes, it was.”
Turning her over to face me, I tugged her in for a quick kiss. “You are the sexiest woman. I adore the sounds you make.”
“Yeah?”
“They’re a total turn on.”
“I thought it was just me.” Her finger circled my nipple and sent shivers all over me.
“What do you mean?”
“You make this groan that totally sets me off. I thought I was the only one to react like that.”
“It’s mutual. And if you keep playing with my nipple like that, we’re going to go in for round two.”
“Is that a threat or a promise?” She put her mouth on my nipple and proceeded to suck and bite it.
“It’s both.” I threw her on her back, pushed her legs up to her chest and asked, “Are you ready?”
“Do you even have to ask?”
I crawled down and my mouth went straight between her thighs. She sighed softly at first, until my tongue picked up speed and my fingers found their way inside her.
“Oh, yes, please.”
I met her demands until she moaned out another orgasm. My dick must’ve heard her, because it roared back to life. Kneeling between her thighs, I entered her, and she let out a squeal of surprise. Then we got down to business.
“I didn’t think you could …”
“Neither did I but you made it happen.”
“Harder.”
I was happy to find she liked it a little rough. I stared at this beauty as she lay there, legs spread wide, taking the length of me eagerly, and wondered where she’d been all my life. We banged another one out, and when we finished, we both
lay there gasping.
My hand reached for hers and I said, “I was wrong. You don’t need to run. You’ll get your cardio in the bedroom with me.”
She moved my hand to her chest. “Feel that? I believe I do need cardio. I’m totally out of shape.”
“No worries, babe. I’ll have you there in no time.” I pulled her over, so she was lying across me.
“I hate to even bring this up but …”
“You don’t have to. It’s late and I need to sleep too.” I kissed her, long and slow. Then I got up.
As I was leaving, I said, “I can’t wait for the day we can sleep in each other’s arms all night.” I didn’t give her a chance to respond before I softly closed the door behind me. If I had stayed to listen to anything she said, I would’ve crawled back in the bed, held her against me, and refused to leave her side. We couldn’t take the chance of Montana finding us because if any kind of misbehavior between us came out, it would not look good for her. I wanted to ensure her reputation as a mother was as pristine as possible.
Sleeping alone wasn’t the worst thing I could endure. I’d already been through that. Those demons still visited me at night, but when they did, I brought my arsenal of weapons to the surface—thoughts of Rose and Montana. It didn’t push the desire for drugs completely away, but as long as I had their beautiful faces to conjure up, I felt anything was possible.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Rose
* * *
The delicious soreness between my legs reminded me of what Pearson and I had shared the night before. It brought a huge grin to my face as I showered and got ready for work. Seeing him in the kitchen that morning, looking utterly sexy and edible after his morning run, made me want to crawl on his lap and kiss him all over. Montana was chatting away at the table so that wasn’t remotely possible.
Axel was waiting on me and Petey was there for Montana when I walked out, ready to go. The trial was next week so tonight, Pearson and Miles were going to review everything with Montana for the first time. Miles would be coming for dinner and afterward, we would sit down and discuss it with her.
Sylvie popped into my office to see how things were going right before lunch. “I just wanted to check in. You already know I’m testifying so I’m going to be talking to Pearson and Miles before the trial.”
I suggested we go to lunch to discuss what’s been happening.
“I’m super nervous over everything,” I told her.
“Where’s your medallion diffuser?”
“I know, I keep forgetting it.”
“Don’t forget that and you also have the best attorney representing you.”
“Sylvie, you don’t know Greg.”
“Hello, it’s me. I’m the one who’s been by your side this entire time. Of course I know that jack ass. I saw him attack you. Why do you think I’m a character witness?”
“Okay. You’re right. You get it. But I’m still nervous. Just knowing he’s going to be in the same room with Montana and me, freaks me out.”
“Listen. You’ll be safe. Pearson would never put either of you in danger.”
I grabbed her hand. “It’s not Pearson. Greg is manipulative. I don’t trust whatever it is he has up his sleeve. If he loses, which Pearson is certain he will, all bets are off. I’m so scared for Montana. We have bodyguards—”
She squeezed my hand, painfully, and said, “Wait. What did you say?”
“I’m fearful for—”
Sylvie waved a hand like she was swatting at gnats. “No, not that. The part about bodyguards.”
“I thought I told you.”
“No, you did not.”
“Pearson hired bodyguards right before Greg was released. He wanted to make sure we were safe.”
Her knowing grin told me what she was thinking. “Aw, you two. I knew you’d make the perfect couple.”
“Stop,” I said, my face heating.
“Don’t be embarrassed. You deserve the best and there’s none better than his family. So, how’s he doing since his release?”
“Pretty good. He’d mentioned getting a place of his own, so he could test himself on living without me. He wants to ensure he doesn’t need a crutch and I encouraged it. Only now he wants to wait until after the trial and I do too. I’m too scared to be alone right now.”
Sylvie nodded. “That’s completely understandable and the two of you don’t need the added stress.
Frowning, I said, “Marrying Greg was a huge mistake, but if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have Montana who is my greatest joy. By the way, she adores Pearson. She’s so funny with him too.” I told her how she refuses to stop calling him Mister.
“Even after all this time?”
“It’s become kind of special between them now.”
Her hands covered her chest. “That’s too sweet. Never thought of Pearson as the sweet kind of guy, but then again he hadn’t met the right woman either.”
I know I’m blushing furiously. My face feels like I stuck it in a kiln.
“What aren’t you telling your closest friend, Rose?”
“Nothing.”
“Come on. I’m not stupid and not only that, the color of your face is a dead giveaway. You’re hiding something. You’re a terrible liar, you know.”
“I’m not lying.”
“Okay, but you’re also keeping something from me and it’s about my cousin. You guys are pretty serious, aren’t you?”
“Maybe,” I mumbled.
“What?”
“Oh, all right. Yeah, we are. We’re exclusive and we’re serious. But he doesn’t want to commit until he’s a year out in his sobriety and I agree. It’s not only me in this relationship. I have Montana and I don’t want her hurt in any way.”
“I love the way you two are going about this. And after you’re both comfortable and your ex is serving a sentence for domestic abuse, Pearson can get his own place to prove to you both that he’s capable of living on his own. You guys are awesome, but I knew that before you two were together.” She’s practically jumping up and down in her chair.
“Calm down.”
“One other thing. I want to be maid of honor in your wedding.”
“Oh my God. You really need to calm down. And do me a huge favor. Do not share any of this with anybody. No one knows.”
“You have to be joking. Looking at the two of you paints the picture. I’ve never seen you so happy as when you talk about him.”
Sylvie was right. Pearson made me extremely happy. Happier than I’d ever been. “I am very happy with him, but I have a huge obstacle to get over next week. Afterward, I can relax a bit and I’ll really relax when or if he goes to prison.”
“There’s no if on that.”
I shook my head. “He’s a slimy bastard. If anyone can get out of it, he can. I don’t put anything past him.” I didn’t add that I had a really bad feeling about it all. Even though I trusted Pearson to win custody, there was something foreboding about it all. Montana’s safety would still be a concern. If Greg didn’t go to prison, I knew there would always be a chance he’d try to abduct her, and I would never rest knowing that risk existed.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Pearson
* * *
The trial went as I expected. Greg walked into the courtroom cocky as hell, with Tom as his attorney. That surprised me. I didn’t anticipate Tom to dirty his hands with someone who’d served jail time for domestic abuse or aggravated assault. When he saw me sitting with Miles as Rose’s attorney, his eyes bulged. He hadn’t banked on me being there either. I suppressed a laugh when his surprise turned to smugness. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind he figured he had this one in the bag. I couldn’t wait to see his expression when the judge named Rose as the sole custodial parent.
Miles called Rose to the stand to give her testimony. We prepared her for the kinds of questions Greg’s attorney would ask her. Knowing Tom as I did, I knew he would play dirty. I slipped her a note before she went up to appri
se her of this.
He’s going to use every trick in the book. Use your expertise, as you would with a drug addict.
She nodded her understanding. I was so proud of her as she walked up to the stand, head held high.
Miles approached Rose after she was sworn in and asked her to chronicle the domestic abuse. It took a while, but she did. Then Miles submitted his proof to the judge. There were X-Rays and hospital documentation from her many visits. Greg squirmed in his seat as Tom’s face grew more crimson by the second. For a moment I didn’t think he’d be able to hold his temper.
Then Miles asked, “What made you stay?”
Rose shrugged. “I was scared he’d find me and do something even worse. He threatened it all the time. And then there was Montana’s safety I was concerned about.” She dabbed the tears that spilled down her cheeks.
“And now?” Miles asked.
“I’m frightened to death, especially for my daughter’s safety since he’s been released from jail. He’s told me he’ll stop at nothing until she’s back with him.”
“When did he do this?”
“Last week on the phone,” Rose said, her hands trembling as she still wiped her tears.
“Thank you, Ms. Wilson.”
He looked at the judge and said, Your Honor, I would like to submit evidence to support the witness’ statements. There are audio recordings of Ms. Rose Wilson being threatened by Mr. Greg Wilson on several occasions.
“I object,” Tom said. “We knew nothing of this.”
“Counsel, approach the bench.”
Miles and Tom were whispering feverishly to the judge, and I surmised what was being said. Tom was arguing that the evidence was inadmissible since Greg hadn’t known about it, and Miles was arguing that if he had, he wouldn’t have said it. This went on for several minutes until they both returned to their seats. Miles was smiling.
From Smoke To Flames— Amazon: A West Brothers Novel Page 22