by S. Moose
Once I get him buckled into his booster seat, I climb into the car and start the drive to the park. Through the drive, I listen to Alex talk about camp and how he’s learning how to play different sports.
“I think we should get a pool.”
I laugh, shaking my head, and thinking about the idea of a pool. All I see are money signs. “Maybe next time. I think we need a bigger yard.”
“So, can we move?”
Shaking my head, I laugh again. “Nice try. We can talk about this more. For now, I can look into swim classes for you.”
“Sure! That’s cool. Alec’s mom and dad let him take lessons. I want to too.”
“Got it. When we get home, you can make me a list.”
“I’ll make Dad a list too,” he says, raising up a thumb.
“Yay.”
There’s a parking spot close by. Once I’m parked, I grabbed the tote bag I use when we go out and get Alex out of his booster seat.
I look down at what I’m wearing and internally cringe. Joggers and a tank top.
Nice choice, I think to myself.
“Mom, I see some of my friends by the swing.”
“Okay, babe. Have fun. I’ll be over there.” I point at a bench under the tree. “Just don’t go too far.”
“Okay!”
While I’m watching Alex run around and play, I turn and see Clayton coming toward us. He’s holding two cups of coffee, and I’m internally cheering because I need another cup to get through the morning.
“Hey.”
“Hi.” I smile and take the coffee from him. “Thank you for getting me coffee.”
“I knew you’d need a cup.”
“How?”
Clayton shrugs. “Just do. What’s Alex doing?”
I point over by the swings where Alex is with his friends. “He’s hanging out.”
“This is a nice park. I forgot things like this exist around here.”
I take a sip of my coffee and nod. “Alex likes coming here with his friends. It’s a nice break, and I love watching him play and laugh.”
“Did he tell you how you wanted him to ask me to come today?”
I nod as I sip on my coffee. “Sure did.”
“Hope you’re okay that I’m here.”
“Yeah, of course. No big deal.”
I recognize some of the parents from Alex’s school. We wave to one another, but I don’t make it a point to go over to make chitchat and introduce Clayton to them. I keep away as I don’t want to answer any uncomfortable questions. The moms, as loving and sweet as they are, can be a bit on the nosy side. I’ve never thought about being a stay-at-home mom, and some of the moms are, so gossip is what they know and love.
I’m hoping they don’t take it upon themselves to come over either. I’m not entirely ready to tell them about Clayton and how he’s come back into our lives.
“How’re things going?”
I rub my face. “You know. It’s work. Hard and getting to me. I’m thinking about taking some time off. I need to get away with Alex, but I don’t know if that’ll happen anytime soon.”
“Try to make the time if you can. Taking a day won’t hurt. I’m sure, if you want, we can go on a day trip. I can plan it all and surprise you. Whatever you want. I don’t want you to overwork yourself and take on the world. That’s why I’m here, Ashley. Let me take away some of your stress so you can breathe.”
When he says things like this, my heart skips a beat, and I need to catch my breath. He makes me feel like I can hand him the problems of my life, and he’ll solve it with a flick of his wrist. It’s easy to remember all the reasons I fell in love with him and forget all the reasons we aren’t together. It’s moments like this that make things brighter for me and makes me want to push a wrecking ball through my concrete walls.
“We can talk more about it.”
“Dad.” We turn and see Alex rushing over. “Hey, you’re here.”
Clayton leans over and gets on his knee, letting Alex rush into his arms, and they hold one another. “Hey. Of course, I’m here. How are you?”
“I’m good. I’m with my friends right now. Is it okay if I go back?” Alex looks at Clayton then to me.
“Sure, son. Your mom and I will be here watching you play. Maybe we can hang out later if that’s okay with your mom.”
I nod. “It’s okay. Your dad can also come over with us for lunch if that’s what you want, Alex.”
“Yes. I do. Okay, I’m going back to play.”
“Have fun.” We shout to him and turn back to one another.
I let the silence between us build for a few beats before I turn to Clayton. “Would you like to go out to dinner tonight?”
“Yes.” He doesn’t hesitate to answer.
“Oh. Wow. That was fast.” I burst out laughing. “Yeah. So I guess pick me up around seven, and we’ll find a place to eat.”
“How about I get takeout and pick you up so you can come over. Alex hasn’t seen my place and I’d like to show him if that’s okay with you.”
“Sure. That sounds like a plan.” I clear my throat and make a mental note to get in with my wax lady. “Alright, it’s a date then.”
You are so lame, Ashley.
So lame.
Chapter 28
Ashley
The one thing I enjoy about dating is the preparation for the date. It shouldn’t be hard, and I shouldn’t be so nervous. I’m looking at the dress Leigh’s letting me borrow. It’s a mermaid style gold dress with some bling. It’s not a part of my normal attire, but it’s something different.
Like tonight.
As I’m sitting here in my white robe, my hair in curls, and staring at my almost finished face, my stomach flutters with nervousness, and it fills me with some happiness because we’ve reached this point where I can trust him.
I still don’t know how it happened. Seeing him with Alex and trying puts me at this point. My love for Clayton has never gone away, and watching him with our son, exemplifies my love for him.
He should be here in the next hour, and I want to be ready. I want his jaw to drop and for this night to be amazing. We deserve it.
Alex is with Leigh tonight as my mom’s staying with Dana during her pregnancy. I’m thankful she’s able to drop her plans to watch him and help me out.
I grab my phone and check the time and see there’s a message from Clayton.
Clayton: I feel like we’re teenagers again. I changed my shirt a few times. Is this what women do?
Ashley: Sort of. I’m nervous. I think it’s normal since we haven’t done this in a while.
Clayton: The best kind of nervous. How are you feeling? Besides nervous.
Ashely: Happy.
Clayton: Me too.
I let out a sigh and grab my deep red lip gloss, sliding the applicator across my lower lip, my eyes fluttering close as the memories of Clayton and me rush through my head. The ache between my inner thighs increases and I have to remember to breathe. Jumping on Clayton when he gets here isn’t lady like. As much as I want to be with him tonight, like really be with him, I know we shouldn’t cross that line right now.
When the hour hits, I hear the doorbell ring and give myself one last look in the mirror before going down the hall to answer the door.
My breath hitches as I open the door and see a very handsome Clayton before me. He’s holding a bouquet of white lilies and red roses, wearing gray slacks and a baby blue button-down shirt. I see every muscle in his abdomen when he shifts toward me.
Down, girl. Don’t jump him.
“You take my breath away. You did before, and you still do to this day.”
My cheeks turn red from the compliments. “I’m glad I can still do that to you. Are you ready?”
“I actually have a different idea. Let’s go to the back.”
I’m stunned, and my eyes open wide. “What’d you do?”
“Come on.”
When I follow Clayton outside to the backyard, I’m s
tunned. I’m standing in front of the beautiful setup he has.
“Your mom, Leigh, and I were here while you were getting ready. We were quiet. I’m surprised you didn’t hear us.”
My hands cover my face. “I was too busy getting ready and being nervous.” I laugh and look around, looking at the beautiful table setup and the twinkling lights around us. “This is beyond beautiful.”
“It’s all for you. Everything I do is for you, Ashley. The fact that you’re standing here, looking the way you do, it means more to me than you’d ever know.”
“This. What you did will mean more to me. More than you’d ever know.”
He stops in front of me, and I tip my head back, hoping he’ll place his lips on mine. My eyes flutter close when he places his hand on the small part of my back and leans in, placing his hand against my cheek and gently brushing his lips against mine.
“You’re perfect.”
My eyes open and land on Clayton. I notice the way he’s looking at me, taking me in, and making me feel like I’m the only woman in the world. Right now, it’s just the two of us.
“Are you ready to eat, baby?”
“I’m ready.”
Right now, I know I’m making the right decision. Being here with him, just us, he’s worth breaking down my walls and giving up my sadness for him.
He’s worth it all.
As we’re sitting down to dinner, Clayton pours me more wine. “My parents know about you and Alex. They’re going to visit soon. Whenever you’re ready, let me know, and we can schedule something.”
“I’d love to meet them, and I know Alex would love to meet them too. How did that go?”
“Oh.” He rubs his face. “Awful. Mom is so mad at me. Dad’s in his own world. He gets it, but he’s not happy. He’s blaming himself for the way things are.”
“Oh, no. I hope he realizes that things are better, and he doesn’t have to blame himself.”
Clayton sips his wine. “Yeah, I’ve been telling him that.”
“Good. Keep telling him. I don’t want anyone to have regrets or be sad. This is a new start.”
“I’ve waited for tonight. I hope it’s perfect for you.”
“More than perfect.”
“I’m glad you love everything.” He pauses and looks at me. “I want to come home to you and Alex. I know things are going slow but going well, and I want you to know the idea of leaving you tomorrow kills me.”
“I know. Me too. Maybe we can start spending nights at your place, or you can sleep over more too. I’d like for us to talk to Alex, so he understands it too.”
He nods his head. “Absolutely.”
I’m speechless. Hearing him tell me what he wants, it makes my breathing accelerate, and when I look into his eyes, I see his fear and hope. I see that he wants the same thing as I do. We’re both sailing on uncharted waters. We’re running down a path without a map. The thing we have going for us is trust and love. That’s the foundation we need to ensure won’t break. It won’t crumble.
“I don’t know what to say after that.”
He leans in and holds his eyes on mine. “Say you want a second chance with me.”
“I want a second chance with you.”
Chapter 29
Clayton
I’ve hired a cleaning crew, and they arrive promptly at ten in the evening. I take Ashley’s hands, and we head inside. I can see she’s relaxed as she rests against my stand, and I follow her lead into the bedroom. Closing the door, she slowly lifts her head and looks at me. Without saying anything, she pulls down the straps of her dress and lets it pool around her feet.
Holy fuck.
Standing before me is the most beautiful woman in the world. She’s wearing a black bra and lace panties. My dick instantly becomes hard.
“You’re beyond beautiful.”
She steps out of the dress and moves toward me. Her scent fills the room, and I meet her, pulling her against me and playing with the band of her panties. It makes my body physically ache, seeing her nearly naked and her skin touching mine. I move my lips to her exposed neck, and she tilts back her head, raking her fingers up and down my back.
A soft hiss leaves my lips when she fumbles with my buttons and pulls my shirt up to pull it off.
“Are you sure?”
“Shhh,” she whispers. “No more talking.”
“Anything for you.”
Softly, I bite her neck and hear her moaning. I move her toward the bed and place her down, getting on my knees and sliding off her panties. I press my lips to her inner thighs and breathe in her scent. It’s driving me crazy.
“I need a taste.” My tongue moves up and down her wet pussy, nipping at her and pulling her clit in my mouth.
“Clayton.” She softly moans and places her hands on my head, pushing me in farther. “Keep going. Please.”
I continue to slide my tongue against her mound, sucking in her wetness, and have her writhing in my hands. When she hits her peak, I pull away, slide off my jeans and boxers, and hover over her.
“I love you, Ashley. I always have, and I always will.”
A tear slides down her face. “I love you too. I never stopped.”
Before anything more can happen, I grab my jeans and grab a condom, ripping the package and sliding it over my hard length.
“Do you want this?” She nods, and I slide into her, feeling her tightness around my length.
Perfection.
The next morning, I leave Ashley in bed and kiss her forehead. After writing her a quick note, I quickly get ready and hurry to the office.
I hate leaving her and not letting her know. The text from Nolan has me moving fast, and I don’t want to wake her up.
Back in my office, I pull up the files I need today, thumbing through the papers and organizing the stacks of papers.
“Mr. Turner?” I look to see my assistant, Carol, at the door. “Do you need anything?”
I smile. “I’m okay, Carol. Thank you for gathering this information for me. I appreciate it. How’s Nolan?”
“Not a problem. He’s in a frenzy, but I think now that you’re here, he’s okay. Buzz me if you need to.”
“I sure will.” I nod.
These mornings stress me the hell out, and I hate the idea of not being ready for this meeting.
The door opens again, and Nolan pops his head in. I wave for him to come in, and he takes a seat across from my desk.
“I’m sorry for making this urgent, but here’s what we’re dealing with.” Nolan hands me another file from legal, and I read through the complaint. “I don’t fucking understand this shit. We checked everything.”
“They don’t have a case,” I mumbled. “It’s reaching. It’s speculation. Have our team look through the complaint again, look through the files and paperwork. This is our idea. I signed off on the patent, and I know for a fact I didn’t say anything. You didn’t say anything.” I shut the file and look at Nolan. “We have a mole. I need you on this. Pull everyone to the side. If we have to hire an outside company to figure this out, then we will. I won’t let anyone or anything destroy what we’ve built.”
“Got it. Damn, sorry.” Nolan rubs his face. “I should’ve caught that. Whoever’s behind this, fuck, they’re going to wish they didn’t mess with us.”
“We’re a team, Nolan. It happens.”
I’m about to tell him more when the door opens, and I see Alex rushing in and jumping on my lap. Nolan sits straighter, and his eyes are on Alex, his nephew. The nephew he has yet to meet.
“Hey, Dad. I wanted to come see you before camp. Mom didn’t think it was a good idea because you’re busy working, but I begged her and gave her the sad eyes like you taught me.”
“You taught him that?” We look and see Ashley standing in the doorway. “Seriously?”
I laugh and get up, holding Alex’s hand. “What can I say?” Nolan stands up when I round the corner of my desk. “Buddy, this is my younger brother, Nolan. Nolan, this i
s my son, Alex.”
Nolan kneels and extends his hand. “Hey. It’s really nice to meet you. I’m your Uncle Nolan.”
“Nice to meet you too. You’re my uncle?” Nolan nods. “This is so cool. I have a lot of family now besides Mom, Grandma, and my aunts and other uncle.”
Nolan laughs and looks at me. “You also have another set of grandparents who really want to meet you.”
“Whoa.”
“I know.”
Alex turns to me. “More family?”
“Yes, buddy. My parents want to meet you too. I need to set it up with your mom first, and then we can have a big family meeting.”
“This is the best day ever. More family means more presents.”
“Alex,” Ashley mutters. “Manners, please.”
“Okay. I’m sorry, Mom. More presents, please!” Alex looks at Nolan. “So, you can be Falcon since Dad’s Captain America. They were friends too.”
Nolan laughs and shakes his head. “I think you got it right, kid.”
“Hear that, Mom?”
“I did, honey. Anyway, Alex wanted to come by and see you before camp. I hope it’s okay we stopped by. I wasn’t sure if I needed to give you a heads-up or make an appointment.” Ashley says and smiles, leaning down and kissing my cheek. “Thank you for the note.”
“Anytime, baby. And you never have to do that. If you and Alex want to see me, then come right to my office. I’ll be sure Carol gives you a parking pass and alert security that you have every right to be here. It’s not a problem.”
I turn to Alex. “Want to walk around Dad’s work? I can show you the break room.”
“What’s so special about a break room?”
Nolan throws his head back, laughing. “Wait until you see.”
“What am I missing?” Ashley asks.
Nolan turns to her and walks toward her. “Hey. Sorry. We haven’t met, but I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Nolan.”
“Ashley.” She smiles. “It’s nice to finally meet you too.”
“Likewise.” The two stand there having a silent conversation, and I hold back my annoyance. I knew they’d get along, and even though I’m happy they get along, I’m not sure how much I like they can have a conversation without words.