Emerging Temptation: A BWWM Romance Limited Edition Collection

by Peyton Banks

  He kissed my lips. “That’s to be expected all weekend long.”

  I purred. “Mr. Cassady, I can’t wait.”

  12

  Gabrielle

  The renovations were moving along well at Gabby’s Cake shop. Cuddled on the sofa under a blanket, I waited for Chandler to return with the pregnancy tests. All I wanted to do was sleep. He tried to persuade me to quit my job. He said he made enough money as a firefighter to take care of us. I told him I couldn’t let him make my loan payments. I’d keep working.

  “Baby, wake up.” He nudged me with his nose in the crook of my neck. “Long enough to take the pregnancy tests.”

  I giggled. “Ok.”

  Fifteen minutes later, I stared at the six positive pregnancy tests.

  “Chandler, come here.”

  He stepped into the bathroom. His eyes roamed each stick. His gruffy face lit up. Those blue eyes were the brightest I’d ever seen them. “We’re having a baby.”

  A single tear streamed down his cheek. I moved closer, clutching his bearded face. Chandler wrapped me in his arms and caressed my ass.

  A huge smile took my lips. “Chandler, I can’t believe we are starting a family. I am so excited.” I kissed his wet cheek.

  “This is the best day of my life.”

  I pulled back. “Wait, I thought meeting me was.”

  He laughed. “Funny, Gabrielle.”

  * * *

  The doorbell rang.

  “I’ll get the door.”

  “Ok.” I snapped a pic of all the positive tests, before I chucked them into the waste-paper basket.

  “What the fuck are you doing here,” Chandler yelled in a whisper.

  “You need to leave.”

  Panic set in. Who needed to leave? Chandler wouldn’t cheat on me. I scurried into the living room.

  The tall, muscled man stood draped in a navy custom suit. They had similar eyes.

  “Is this a cousin I wasn’t aware of?” I glared at Chandler.

  “No, this is my brother, Brian.” He ran his hand along the back of his neck.

  “Brian, this is my girlfriend Gabrielle.”

  A chill swept up my spine. How could he not tell me he had a brother?

  “Nice to meet you.” We shook hands.

  “Let me guess. You and your father are on good terms?”

  He flashed a handsome smile. “Yes.” He peeked at Chandler. “Smart woman you have here. Not sure how much Chandler told you about our family.”

  I shook my head. “Where are my manners? Have a seat.”

  We gathered around the kitchen counter.

  “Can I offer you something to drink?”

  “No, thank you.”

  “Chandler blames dad for mom’s death.”

  “He is to blame. That bastard sent a man to burn the house down. The guy didn’t anticipate me being there. I was supposed to be on that fake male bonding trip with you and dad,” Chandler growled.

  “Chandler, that’s nonsense,” Brian scowled.

  “It isn’t. I hired a private investigator. He uncovered all dad’s skeletons. He was jealous. Mom was having an affair with a man named Chuck Gilmore. He owns the marina in L.A. After I uncovered the truth, I reached out to Mr. Gilmore on a conference call. He confirmed he indeed was having an affair with mom. She was leaving Dad that weekend. He said they were going to raise their baby and us as a family. Mr. Gilmore said he wanted to adopt us. He was the man who saved me from the fire. I can’t believe mom was pregnant. She and our sister or brother died. All because Dad couldn’t let her go.” Chandler leaned on the counter, gripping his tousled hair. I caressed his back.

  “I’m so sorry, baby.”

  Why didn’t Chandler share any of this information with me?

  “So, if you want to continue being the favorite son to a murderer go right ahead.”

  “I can’t believe he killed our mother. And we lived with that monster all those years.” Brian dropped his head in his hands. “When will dad be arrested?”

  “He won’t. The guy, Casey Kent who set the fire confessed. Said he acted alone. I guess the money dad paid was enough for him to lie and go away for the rest of his life.

  Casey said he realized after he already set the fire he had several missed calls from dad. He learned I was in the house and the only survivor. He thinks dad only tried to halt his plan because I was at home.”

  “How much did Dad pay?” Brian stared at the counter.

  “One million from an offshore account.”

  “That’s a hefty payout. Fucking bastard. I want to kill him.”

  “Brian, the feeling’s mutual. I don’t ever plan to see him again.”

  Brian scanned the room. “What’s with the tiny house?”

  “I think it has character.” I smiled.

  “Grandfather said you hadn’t spent more than a million dollars from your trust fund until recently.” I thought he was joking. “What did you purchase for two point two million dollars?”

  I plopped on a stool farthest away. “Trust fund?” My body vibrated. I clenched my sweaty palms.

  Brian’s eyebrows rustled together. “Yeah, Chandler is a billionaire.” He glanced at his brother.

  “Come on she knows who you are? Tell me she knows.” Chandler’s jaw tightened.

  He didn’t say a word.

  “Have you ever heard of Cassidy Energy?”

  I shook my head. It was too much information to take in at one time.

  He typed something on his phone then turned the screen to face me.

  “That’s our website. You can look it up when you have time. I know this is a lot to take in. Our grandfather─” “Jack,” I whispered.

  “Yes. So Chandler told you he’s moving back to California so he and I can run the company?”

  “No, he received a TV.” I waved my hands in the air. My anger brewed and I was still in shock.

  “You’ve lied to me this entire time, Chandler Jack Cassidy. You even spelled your last name differently.”

  “I withheld the truth about who I was because I had no plans to ever return to that life.”

  “So, our baby growing inside of me doesn’t get a chance to know who his or her family is?” I jumped up.

  “You don’t have to answer me. Chandler, you trusted me with partial truth when it came to your life. Billionaire plays firefighter. That’s original. Poor rich boy just wanted to be a regular person. Didn’t want to face up to his family’s responsibilities.”

  Brian walked over. “Wow, you’re carrying his heir?”

  “I don’t care about any of the material or monetary shit,” I growled.

  “Baby, I know you don’t.”

  His eyes darted to his brother. “Bye, Brian.”

  He shrugged. “I am staying at the Ritz up the street. I’ll bring grandfather up to speed.”

  “No, you will not. I’ll tell him about my child myself.”

  Brian slicked his fingers through his blond hair. “Ok.”

  He flashed a smile at me. “Nice meeting you, Gabrielle.”

  I couldn’t look him in the eye or address him.

  The second the door slammed shut, Chandler inched toward me, pulling me into his arms.

  “Gabrielle, I love you.”

  My heart beat against my chest like a freight train. I shoved my palms against his chest. I needed to get away from him.

  “No, I don’t know who you are. Were you really a virgin?”

  I waved my hand between us. “Doesn’t matter. I can’t believe anything you say.”

  “Gabrielle, I made a decision to walk away from my family.”

  “So, what you are telling me is that one day you would have walked away from us.”

  His eyes widened. “No, I needed to get away from my father. I didn’t trust him anymore.”

  “And your grandfather?”

  Chandler’s bright blue eyes stared back at me. “Tried to control me. I don’t want to run the company.”


  “Why? If your mother wouldn’t have passed away, what do you think you would have done with your life?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I will pay Seth as agreed.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  “I don’t want your money, Chandler,” I roared.

  “The shop is paid for.”

  My eyes bulged. “What? My deal wasn’t real?”

  “It was. I called later that afternoon and paid off the loan.”

  My entire body heated. I pulled back and released my hand across his cheek. A loud crack echoed around the room.

  The side of his face turned beet red. He didn’t move. His jaw ticked.

  My hand pulsated at my side.

  “I love you, Gabrielle. That won’t ever change.” He cupped my neck. “You don’t love me?”

  I slammed my eyes shut.

  “Tell me you don’t love me.”

  His tongue slid along my collar bone. “You don’t want us, Gabrielle?”

  “No. You’re a liar.”

  He didn’t say a word. Chandler yanked my jeans and panties down my legs.

  “I hate you. Keep your dick away from me.”

  “Ok.”

  He dropped to his knees, slipping my leg over his shoulder. I tried to brace myself against the back of the sofa. Chandler sucked my clit into his mouth.

  “Why did you have to destroy us?” I cried.

  “I love the way you taste, Gabrielle.” His tongue darted in and out of my pussy.

  “It feels so fucking good.” My first orgasm electrified my body.

  Chandler stood, stalked through the house, holding me flush against his body. I was a disheveled mess. Tears flooded my cheeks.

  He laid me on the bed.

  “Why Chandler?” I opened my wet eyes. He was completely naked and stroking his cock.

  “I knew I needed to tell you.” He positioned himself between my legs.

  “I was trying to think of the right time.”

  “The right time to tell me you’re a billionaire?”

  “Yes.”

  I grabbed his cock and pushed him inside me. What could I say? I was weak for his good dick. The only dick I ever had.

  He whipped my T-shirt over my head.

  “I hate you, Chandler.”

  He smashed his lips into mine. “I know.” Chandler hovered over me, pounding my pussy so fucking good.

  “I hate you so much,” I sobbed.

  “You can hate me.” He flipped me on all fours and slid into me from behind.

  “Oh, yeah.”

  Whatever we were fighting about went on the back burner. I was chasing that next orgasm. Chandler sat on his calves and slid my pussy down his cock. He tugged my jaw and pressed our lips together. Chandler circled his finger over my clit.

  The tears burst forth. Our love making was bitter sweet. I knew it was our last time together. He destroyed us and broke my heart. My head dropped back on his shoulder as I bounced up and down on his long cock. Another orgasm tore me apart in the best way.

  “I love how you make my body feel.”

  “We belong together, Gabrielle. I fucked up. Baby, I will make it right.” He tugged my nipples as our bodies moved together. Chandler palmed my stomach.

  “Don’t, Chandler.”

  “What? Our baby’s growing inside of you. All I want to do is take care of my family. Let me prove I am the man you were destined to be with.”

  “No.”

  He picked up the pace, bit down on my neck as he came hard.

  “Chandler,” I screamed, as I came after him. I panted and cried tears of ecstasy in his big, strong arms. Heart still racing, I didn’t want to break our connection. I needed to be held. Even if it was by the man who betrayed me.

  My eyes popped open in the middle of the night. I was tangled in his arms and our fingers were locked. His lips brushed against the back of my neck. I didn’t want to leave. But I had to. I slipped out of his arms.

  “Gabrielle, I’ll leave. You can keep the house.”

  “I don’t want anything from you. I’ll stay with my sister.”

  “Keep the keys. If you decide to come back, that’s fine. I’ll stay at my condo.”

  I nodded. “I’ll think about it.”

  * * *

  An hour later, Chandler rolled to a stop outside of my sister’s apartment.

  “Can you drop off my baking pans while I’m at work? I don’t want to see you, Chandler. We’ll share custody of the baby.”

  He grabbed my neck and hungrily kissed my trembling lips.

  The uncontrollable tears returned. “You have to let me go.”

  “Never,” he growled.

  ∞

  My sister grilled me the moment I walked through the door after Chandler left. What a messed-up way for her to meet my boyfriend. I told her we were taking a break. Failed to mention it was permanent. I sighed in route to the office. Taking the Marta never bothered me. Only Chandler.

  He did as I asked and dropped off my pans.

  “How long do you plan to cry yourself to sleep?”

  I poured the cake batter into a round cake pan. “Until I am over him.”

  “He sits out there in the middle of the night. Not sure why.” She tossed her long black locks over her shoulder.

  My heart skipped a beat. I tried not to think about him.

  Erica sipped a glass of red wine. “Tell me right now what he did wrong?”

  I cut my eyes at her. “He lied to me, Erica.”

  “Tell me everything. Not like you ever told me much about him.”

  “Fine.”

  In the midst of telling her about my fucked up situation, I burst into tears. All I wanted to do was to be back in Chandler’s arms. It was so hard not to call him. He respected my space. Never came to my job. Maybe that was because he was watching me and I didn’t know it. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. I couldn’t wait until the middle of the night. I’d peek out of the window. I needed to see him.

  She paced the wooden kitchen floor. “Let me get this straight. He lied about being a billionaire, and you’re carrying his heir.”

  I threw my hands in the air. “Girl, he pretended to be someone else.”

  “Oh, and he paid for your bakery.” Her lips twisted. “Why are you still working?”

  “Tomorrow is my last day.”

  “Maybe he had identity issues. Wanted nothing to do with his family. That didn’t mean he didn’t love you.”

  “Right, so it’s ok that he left his family. Then one day he walks out on us too. No, I’m good.”

  She grabbed my hand and led me to a chair at the table.

  Erica sat beside me. “Everyone ain’t momma and daddy. And I am not saying what he did wasn’t wrong. You can make him sweat a little, but clearly that man loves you. What billionaire runs around impregnating women. He was supposed to take precautions. There are women out here who would love to be pregnant with his child and never have to work again. He knew the kind of woman he had. You aren’t like that, Gabrielle.”

  I threw my arms around her neck. “Thanks, Erica, I love you.”

  “You’re welcome. I love you, too.”

  * * *

  ∞

  “Gabrielle, we’ll miss you?” Justine and Kathy hugged me tight.

  “We’ll see each other. Bring the kids into the bakery any time.”

  “We will, Chica.” Justine smiled.

  Kathy threw her hands in the air. “All you’re taking away is a cactus plant and family photos.”

  We laughed. “I hoped one day my dream would come true, and I’d open up my bakery. It doesn’t feel real.”

  Kathy rubbed my back. “It’s real.”

  “I better get going. I want to stop by the bakery tonight on my way home.” I waved goodbye.

  * * *

  I strolled out of the door of Oak Prime Payroll for the last time. Stuffing my hands in my coat pockets, I trekked toward the Marta station.

&nb
sp; I thought back to the other night. My sister was right. Chandler’s truck was parked outside the apartment building. I couldn’t sleep knowing he was downstairs. Not sure what made him step out onto the desolate city street. The moment he did, our eyes locked.

  The spare room I slept in was my sisters craft room. Yards of fabric and rolls of vinyl were stuffed in bags throughout the cramped space. I tugged on a sweater, pushed up the second story window, and leaned on the window seal.

  “Erica informed me you were out here every night.”

  He braced his forearms against the hood of his truck. “My family’s here.”

  A tingling sensation swept through my belly.

  “My job is to protect you and our child no matter what.”

  “You could hire someone to watch over us.”

  “I could. But I’d rather watch over my family.”

  “You haven’t gone to work?”

  He cleared his throat and squeezed his eyes with two fingers. “It’s been a rough road. You’re here and I’m at my condo. You know what, I am going back to work tomorrow. Do me a favor.”

  “What?” I grimaced.

  “Go home. I’ll sign the house over to you.”

  “Will I find you parked down the street from the house too?”

  “Gabrielle, wherever you are I’ll be.” He tapped his hand against the hood of the truck. “Go to bed.”

  Chandler hopped back behind the wheel, but didn’t drive away.

  I closed the window and cried myself to sleep. The roar of the rickety subway screeching to a halt rattled me from my thoughts.

  The second I sat down, I texted Chandler.

  Me- I am sleeping at home today and tomorrow. Can we meet at Centennial Park Saturday morning at ten? I am ready to talk.

  The signal was shitty on the Marta sometimes. The text would probably send once I was on the platform.

  “Next stop, Buckhead Station,” the conductor announced.

  A few minutes later, I walked down a side street toward our house. Chandler was at work. Sleeping in my comfortable bed was heavy on my mind. I’d call my sister in a bit and let her know I wasn’t coming over. The wind whipped through my body, reminding me Thanksgiving was upon us.