Reconcile

by Nicole Dykes

  “I didn’t want her raised by nannies.”

  “Why didn’t you come to me? I’d have helped.”

  She shakes her head. “I hated you. I didn’t want you to know about Audrey. I thought I was a fool who let you trick me, and I was worried the bitterness inside me would hurt Audrey. I wanted to do it by myself, Sawyer. When I graduated, I fired the nanny and moved here. I don’t accept anything from my parents, and I send them a check every month. I don’t want my education to belong to them. I don’t want to be indebted to them.”

  “So, that’s why you lived in that small apartment despite making decent money?”

  She confirms that with a nod. “I’m trying to pay it all back. I don’t want to owe anyone. I want Audrey raised the way I always dreamed of growing up. Happy.”

  I smile and press a kiss to her lips. “I want that to. You’ve done an incredible job.”

  She smiles too, not pulling away from me. “I’m sorry I hid her from you.”

  “I’m sorry I fucked it all up. I love you, Piper.”

  She gasps, “Sawyer.”

  “Let me earn it back,” I breathe against her lips, and she nods her head slowly.

  “Okay.”

  Easier said than done. But I swear on everything, I will earn her trust and her heart back, no matter how long it takes.

  It’s been a little over a month since we told Audrey that Sawyer is her father, and I hate to say it, but everything feels pretty perfect. There’s been no drama. Sawyer is the model father. And I’m not sure what we are, but I know he’s trying with us too.

  I want so badly to give him my heart, but I’m held back by the past. I don’t want to be a fool again. Still, with his hands caressing my back as I kiss him softly, our skin slick with sweat after making love in his bed, it’s easy to get lost.

  My body is still trembling with the aftershocks of several orgasms, but it’s like I can’t get enough. I drag my fingers over his defined abs and smile against his mouth. “I really need to take a shower.”

  He pulls me flat against his body so my bare breasts smash against his chest. “You really need to stay here with me.”

  I smile, not wanting him to let me go. He’s been everything I thought he was when we were kids and more. Watching him as a father to our daughter has been a beautiful experience. “I have to go to work.”

  His lips graze my neck, causing me to loll my head to the side, lying on his shoulder. “I still think you should consider Viv’s offer.”

  Viv has been trying to get me to work with her nonstop over the past month. I can’t say I’m not tempted, but the stubborn part of me doesn’t want a job handed to me. Although technically, my current job was handed to me by Cole.

  “I’m thinking about it.”

  He grins and then quickly flips us so he’s hovering over my body, keeping me protectively tucked beneath him. “Good. Then we’d have more time for this.” He leans down, drawing me into an intense kiss that has my body begging for more.

  “You’re killing me,” I groan as his mouth moves to my sensitive nipples.

  “Don’t. Die.” He pops my nipple in his mouth and sucks hard. My back bows up as I moan and grind my pussy against his already hardening dick.

  I gain my wits and push on his chest but not because I want to push him away this time. “Audrey will be up soon.”

  He grins, looking down at me like he could devour me. “Yeah, she probably shouldn’t witness this.”

  “No. That wouldn’t be good.”

  He moves off me, climbs off the bed and then reaches for my hand. “The door is locked, though, and I think we both need a shower.”

  I grin, feeling like a teenager again. “Fine. But a quick one, I’m already late, and I do still work for your brother, who’s a giant ass.”

  He grimaces. “Yeah, he is.”

  We climb into the shower and quickly soap up, my mind going to Audrey and hoping I’m making the right decisions for her. In my gut, I know Sawyer is good for her, and so are Baz, Asher, and Viv. They’ve all become her instant family, taking care of her without question.

  “You’re thinking awfully hard. Please tell me it’s about my dick.”

  I shake my head, rinsing shampoo from my hair. “You and your dick. I think you could have a relationship all on your own.”

  He chuckles and then spins me around, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Nah, we need you.”

  I smile, letting the water run over my face. “I was actually thinking about Audrey and that fancy ass school you convinced me to enroll her in.”

  He leans his chin on my shoulder, pulling us back a step so the water is running over my chest and not my face. “That school is a good one or I wouldn’t have suggested it.”

  “I don’t want her to be like us, Sawyer.”

  He turns me around, his hands resting on my hips. “I promise you I’ll never do anything that will hurt her in any way. But we can’t hold her back either. She’s an amazing kid, and that’s on you. But we can’t deprive her of the best start we can give her.”

  “I agree, and the school did seem like a good one.”

  “It’s great.”

  “The students didn’t seem like stressed-out zombies.”

  He grins and brushes a sweet kiss over my mouth. “No. And if she ever starts to get that dead look in her eyes, I promise you, we’ll remove her right away.”

  I trust him. My heart squeezes tightly at that thought because I know it isn’t just with Audrey. I trust him with every aspect of my life . . . including my heart.

  I love you.

  The three words bounce around my mind, begging to come out of my mouth, but I’m still scared.

  “I love you, and I love her.” He kisses me, moving under the spray of the water and rinsing off before I do the same. We climb out and get dressed—me in my nightgown from last night and him in slacks and a button-down shirt. The words are still begging to escape, but I don’t let them.

  When I open the door to Sawyer’s room, I’m instantly greeted with a bouncing Audrey. “Mommy! There you are!”

  I smile and pull her into a great big hug. “Hi, sweetie! Good morning!”

  “I couldn’t find you.”

  We’ve been pretty good about going back to our own beds after exploring each other’s bodies, but last night I couldn’t get my legs to work and walk upstairs to my lonely bed. “I’m sorry, I thought I’d spend a little time with Sawyer before work.”

  Not untrue. I can feel Sawyer behind me as he holds his hand out for Audrey. “Mornin’, kiddo.”

  She slaps his hand, giving him a high five and giggles, still totally enamored with Sawyer. “Good mornin’, Daddy!” She giggles after calling him “Daddy,” which makes us all laugh. She’s not totally used to it yet, but she seems pretty content with him being her father.

  “Want me to make you some breakfast?”

  She nods excitedly. “You make the best food!”

  I roll my eyes at that, and Sawyer chuckles, “Because I allow sugar.”

  Audrey nods in agreement and takes his hand, pulling him toward the kitchen. I follow behind them. I run upstairs to quickly get dressed for work and then go to the kitchen. Sure enough, Audrey is eating a bowl full of sugary cereal, and I shake my head at Sawyer.

  He comes up behind me, circling my waist and holding out a mug of coffee in front of us. “You want something to eat?”

  “No, thanks. I’ll just have coffee.” I take the mug from him and look over my shoulder into those dark eyes I know I love instead of hate. “Do you mind taking her to Viv’s this morning?”

  “Not at all. That okay with you, Aud?” Sawyer asks Audrey as she stuffs her face and gives him a thumbs up. His mouth moves to my ear, his voice a rumbling whisper, “I can’t wait to be inside of you again tonight.”

  Damn him, I feel my panties growing wet just from a simple sentence and squirm in my skirt. “Save that voice for later.”

  I give him a quick peck on th
e lips, and he winks at me before releasing me. “Have a good day, Pipes. I’ll see you tonight.”

  How could I not after that promise?

  “Are you sure she’s okay?”

  Sawyer just chuckles and kisses my neck sweetly. The water in the pool is warm, and the backdrop of the sun setting is gorgeous. I should be totally relaxed. “She’s totally fine. I promise she’s having a blast with Baz and Jacee.”

  I let Sawyer convince me to let Audrey have a sleepover at Viv and Ash’s with Baz and Jacee tonight since they start school in a few days, but a part of me is freaking out. She’s never stayed the night away from me before. “I know.”

  He kisses my neck, nipping and sucking and causing my head to loll back against the edge of the underground pool. “It’s just you and me right now.” He wags his eyebrows playfully looking up at me. “Now what could I do to distract you?”

  I laugh happily at that as my legs wrap around his waist, my heart growing fuller and fuller every day, letting go of the past and seeing the man in front of me. His feet touch the floor of the pool, and his arms rest on the pool’s edge. “Hmmm . . . I’m not sure.”

  “What would we do, Pipes?”

  I can’t stop my lips from turning into a devilish grin. “We’ve already done the whole pool sex thing before.”

  “It’s been a while. I think we should do it again.” No argument from me. He uses one hand, gripping my chin and tilting my head up, pressing his lips to mine in a searing kiss that makes me doubt nothing. In one quick motion, he pushes his swim trunks down, my bikini bottoms to the side and he’s thrusting inside me, leaving me deliciously full.

  “Yes, Sawyer,” I gasp, wrapping my arms around his neck. He unties the strings of my bikini top, tossing it behind me onto the concrete and leans down to suck and bite on my nipples, making my pussy clench tightly around his engorged cock. “Yes.”

  “This seems to be a good distraction.” He moves his hips in expert thrusts that make me sees stars, hitting that perfect spot deep inside me.

  “You know this is how Audrey was conceived. Better be careful.”

  He laughs at that, nipping on my bottom lips. “I swear to God, I didn’t think you could get pregnant in the water.”

  “We were idiots.”

  “Best mistake I ever made.” He kisses me deeply, helping me get lost in him, my body quickly climbing to the highest peak.

  That is, until I hear a familiar voice that makes my blood run cold. “Piper. Oh my God.”

  I’m stunned as I freeze, and so does Sawyer. I look back over my shoulder. “Paisley.”

  “I see not much has changed.” She stands at the edge of the pool, sporting her designer purse that’s slung over her arm, five-inch heels, and a pretty golden dress. “I’m sorry, I rang the doorbell, but you didn’t answer so I thought I’d check back here. You really should lock that gate.”

  “Apparently,” Sawyer says through clenched teeth, his cock still buried inside me.

  “What are you doing here, Paisley?”

  “Can we talk? Please.” Paisley never says “please.” That’s new.

  I look at Sawyer, worrying my bottom lip through my teeth. I wonder what he’s thinking. I’ve forgiven Sawyer, I have. But my sister? I’m not sure I can ever do that. Still, I heard Sawyer out, which was the best decision of my life.

  “Can you wait inside?” I motion toward the patio door. “It’s unlocked too.”

  She nods, and I hear her heels clicking on the pavement before the door slides open and then shuts. I look at Sawyer, who looks concerned but then grins. “Are we finishing this?”

  I roll my eyes and shove him back from me and reluctantly say, “Later.”

  He grins and pulls his trunks over his erection, looking so not happy. “You okay?”

  I nod my head, pulling up my bikini bottoms and walking out of the pool to grab my top. After it’s securely in place, he moves to me, wrapping a towel around my shoulders. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to hear what she has to say.”

  I sigh and look toward the house. Sawyer kisses my lips softly. “If you need me, I’m here.”

  I don’t want to leave him, but I force myself to go inside where my sister is sitting at the table in the kitchen, waiting for me. “You look good, Piper.”

  I stare at her, seeing she has aged well, which isn’t surprising. We have good physical genes even if the personalities embedded in our DNA are abhorrent. “What are you doing here?”

  “Right to it, huh?” She looks nervous which is also strange for her. She tucks her hair behind her ear and straightens her back. “Okay. Mom told me you had a child.”

  I look at her, shocked. Part of the deal with my parents was that I could tell no one about Audrey. I hadn’t minded because at the time, there was no one I wanted to know about her. I was appalled by almost everyone I knew. “She did?”

  Her head nods in one quick motion. “She let it slip at the fundraiser we were at a few days ago. Too much champagne, I guess.” Her eyes meet mine, and I swear I see remorse in them. “I didn’t know, Piper.”

  My throat is dry, and it nearly hurts when I say, “I didn’t want you to.”

  She doesn’t look surprised. “I’m so sorry, Piper. I was such a cunt.”

  I can’t argue, but it still surprises me. I take a seat across from her, my eyes wide with shock. “You knew I loved him. Even if you were doing it just to hurt Spencer, you knew. You could have found a better way.”

  “You know about me and Spencer?”

  I give a clipped nod, not wanting my sister to be in pain, despite everything. “I do. And you both deserve each other.”

  “God, no. I don’t want him.” Her eyes are shiny, but that can’t be right. I don’t remember ever seeing my sister cry even when we were children. “I don’t want to be like her, Piper.”

  Our mother. “I thought that was all you ever wanted.”

  “Not anymore. God, I’ve watched her over the years, a woman I thought I admired, and I finally saw the emptiness in her. The gaping hole she’s been trying to fill with things and lovers young enough to be her sons. I don’t want to be her.” She wipes away a tear. “But I admire the hell out of you for getting out.”

  I think my jaw hit the table. “You do?”

  “I was awful to you. For our entire lives. The pressure of being the older sister crushing me and making me lash out, but it’s no excuse. And then I find out that you had the courage to not only have a child on your own, but to escape from our parents and their ways.”

  I know they put a lot of pressure on me, but that was even more true with Paisley. Even though she rebelled pretty hard, it was usually in secret so to not upset the parents. “Why are you here, Paisley?” I ask in a much softer tone.

  “I want to know you. I want to get to know your daughter. I miss you.”

  “You hated me.”

  She shakes her head sadly. “That’s not true. I hated me, and that’s a huge difference. I hated who I was and what I did. And then I saw you getting out. I saw how much you loved Sawyer, and I couldn’t handle it. I crushed you. And it was the biggest mistake of my life.”

  “We all made mistakes.”

  “You and Sawyer seem happy.” A slow smile spreads over her face, which causes me to smile too.

  “We are. I want to love him.”

  “I think that ship has sailed. You’ve loved him for a long, long time.”

  “I’m afraid,” I admit.

  “I’m sorry. God, I’m so sorry.”

  Damn it, I believe her. “Does Mom know you’re here?”

  “I’m moving here, Piper. To California. I don’t want that life anymore. I can’t take it. I told her that I won’t become her, and she cried, but it was all fake. All of it. Her crocodile tears were for Dad and to try to gain his pity.”

  It was always Mom’s go-to move. “Not surprising. What did Dad say?”

  “That he’s disappointed. That both of his daughters turned out to be utter di
sappointments.”

  I roll my eyes. “Again, not surprising.”

  “I want to meet your daughter. I want to be in your life. I want to earn your forgiveness. I’m so damn sorry, Piper. I was so awful to you.”

  “I . . .” I sigh and look through the window, smiling when I see Sawyer is swimming laps in the pool and then turn back to my sister. “I want that too.”

  Her eyes light up with hope. “Really?”

  “It might take me a while.”

  “Understandable.” She stands up, her eyes drifting toward the pool. “I should get back to the hotel and let you get back to your evening. I’m sorry I interrupted.”

  I stand too, needing to confirm one last thing. “Did you really send Spencer that picture?”

  Her face falls. “Yes.”

  “Were you in love with Spencer?”

  Her eyes darken, and her jaw tenses. “Yes. At least I thought I was, but he’s just like them.”

  I nod. “I’m glad you know that.”

  She pulls me into a cautious hug. “I love you, Piper. I’m sorry. For the rest of my life, I’ll try to make it up to you.”

  “Just be a good aunt to Audrey, and we’ll be okay.”

  She smiles, pulling back but leaving her hands on my shoulders. “Audrey. I love it.”

  I smile and then walk her to the door with a promise of meeting her for lunch soon. I can’t believe my sister is here. That she left her comfortable life to be here.

  But for whatever reason, I have a really good feeling about it.

  Paisley is here.

  This is just fucking great. Way to bring back memories.

  I finish swimming laps and prop my elbows up on the outside of the pool, catching my breath just as Piper slides the door open and walks out to me, sitting down and dipping her feet in the water.

  “So, what was that about?”

  Piper looks almost whimsical as she looks out at the sunset. “She told me she’s sorry. And that she’s moving here. My mom let it slip about Audrey.”

  “She didn’t know?”

  Piper looks down at her feet sliding through the water. “No one knew. I had to keep it a secret in order for them to pay for college. I wasn’t allowed to come home.”