Hot Single Dad Page 20

Ever since I stood up to her, she’s treated me differently. Like a woman capable of making my own choices. Both my parents accepted my relationship with Caleb and haven’t said another word about major symphonies or auditions. I’m not sure if it’s what I said, or simply the fact that I finally asserted myself that made the difference. Whatever the reason, it’s been a relief to start rebuilding a relationship with them—to feel like they’re finally beginning to see me for who I am.

  The three of us have dinner at our favorite restaurant to celebrate. After we get home, Caleb puts Charlotte to bed. She’s tired after all the excitement of the day.

  While he’s upstairs, I close the lid on my new piano to dampen the volume, and play a few chords. It is a bit out of tune from being moved, but the sound is rich and deep. Closing my eyes, I begin the Schubert piece I played in Pittsburgh. It’s still one of my favorites. I keep my touch light so it’s not too loud, and drift with the music. It flows through me, thrumming through my chest, tingling my skin.

  When I finish and slowly open my eyes, Caleb is standing next to me.

  “God, I love hearing you play.” He slides onto the bench and I scoot over to make room. “I think I bought this piano as much for me as for you.”

  “I still can’t believe you did this,” I say.

  He brushes my hair behind my shoulder and leans in to kiss my neck. “I’m glad you like it.”

  I tilt my head as his lips press against the sensitive skin below my ear. He reaches out and closes the fall, covering the keys, then moves me in front of him. Grabbing my hips, he lifts me so I’m perched on top of the covered keys.

  He stands and kisses me while he slides his hands up my thighs, beneath my dress. His fingers hook around the thin fabric of my panties and he yanks them off. My breath quickens. His mouth is insistent, his hands rough as he grabs my hips, hiking my dress up my legs.

  “Get on top,” he says. “I want to taste you.”

  He helps me up onto the flat lid and I lie back. Pushing my thighs open, he leans in and caresses me with his tongue. My eyes roll back as waves of sensual heat roll through me. I don’t know how he does it, but his tongue is like magic. He sucks on my clit and I’m ready to burst apart. My hips move with his rhythm and I bite my lip to keep from crying out.

  The orgasm sweeps through me and I’m practically vibrating with pleasure. Shock waves reverberate through my whole body and my breath comes in gasps. He growls into me and doesn’t let up, drawing out my climax until I’m panting and begging him to stop.

  “Oh my god, Caleb… please… I can’t…”

  He kisses my thighs while I catch my breath, then helps me sit up. “I really like this piano.” He runs his hand around the back of my neck and draws me in for a kiss. Tasting my flavor on his lips makes me crazy, and he knows it.

  “Caleb, I need you inside me.”

  “I’ll give you everything you need, beautiful.”

  He stands and picks me up over his shoulder. I laugh as he carries me upstairs and tosses me on the bed. I finish undressing while he pulls off his clothes, revealing his strong arms, broad chest, and toned abs.

  I love the way he climbs on top of me, nuzzling my breasts with his mouth as he moves up my body. His skin against mine is heavenly. I slide my arms up his back and wrap my legs around his waist.

  He kisses along my neck, his cock teasing the outside of my opening. His voice is low in my ear. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  I gasp when he thrusts inside me. I love feeling so close to him. With our bodies joined, we move together, drowning in bliss. The intensity builds and he increases the pace, taking us from slow and tender to fierce and rough.

  No one has ever made me feel so needed. So beautiful. So sexy. So alive. He makes love to me like he could never get enough.

  I’m ready to detonate, on the brink of climax. His cock pulses, thickening inside me. He brings his mouth to mine and the simple pleasure of our tongues caressing sends me over the edge. I cling to him, moving my hips with the waves of my orgasm. He groans as he comes, a low noise in the back of his throat. His hips drive into me and his muscles flex. There’s nothing like this moment, when we’re overcome with the feel of each other.

  He lingers inside me, slanting his mouth over mine in a slow, lazy kiss. When he slides off, he pulls me close, wrapping me in his strong embrace.

  “I’m glad you said yes,” he whispers.

  I smile, nuzzling my head against his chest. “Well, you did butter me up with a piano.”

  He laughs. “Obviously it worked. There’s just one problem.”

  “What’s that?” I ask.

  “I don’t know how I’m ever going to top that,” he says. “What can I ever give you that will be better than a grand piano?”

  I lift my head and meet his eyes. “I can think of something.”

  He puts his arm behind his head. “Yeah? What?”

  My mouth turns up in a shy smile and I look up at him from beneath my eyelashes. “A baby.”

  28

  Epilogue: Caleb

  “Almost done, Dad.” I slide the end of the dark blue tie through the knot and pull it tight. Perfect.

  He turns to the mirror and adjusts his jacket, then fusses with the knot again.

  “It’s straight,” I say. “Quit messing with it.”

  Alex pats him on the back. “Caleb’s right. You look great. Are you nervous?”

  Dad blows out a breath, still eying himself in the full-length mirror in his guest bedroom. “Don’t think I’d be human if I wasn’t nervous. I’m about to get married.”

  Alex and I are both dressed in suits and ties, as is Weston. Our brother-in-law sits in a chair next to the guest bed, a little pink bundle in his arms. He has his six-month old daughter, Audrey, cradled in the crook of his elbow while he feeds her a bottle.

  The wedding is here, at my dad’s house, so it’s not formal. Dad and Jacqueline have both been married before, and neither of them wanted a fancy wedding. But they did want a way to celebrate their marriage with their adult children—and grandchildren.

  There’s a knock and Kendra pokes her head in the door. “Are you guys ready?”

  I put my hand on Dad’s shoulder. “Let’s do this, Dad.”

  We walk out to the backyard where the guests are waiting in folding chairs. It’s a small gathering—a few of Dad’s old friends, some of Jacqueline’s friends and family, and several people from the physical therapy office where they met. Thankfully the weather cooperated, and the sun is out, with just a few wispy clouds in the blue sky.

  Someone starts the music, and Weston goes first, carrying Audrey, sound asleep in his arms. I’m next, then Alex, and finally my dad. He walks with his back straight, and although he’s leaning on his cane, his stride is sure. I feel a little choked up seeing him walking so well—up the aisle at his wedding, no less.

  The women come out the back door. First Gwen, Jacqueline’s daughter, followed by Kendra. Mia pauses to adjust her glasses and rests her hand on her very pregnant belly before walking up the aisle.

  Behind Mia is Linnea, holding Charlotte’s hand. Her blue dress drapes over her body beautifully, showing the swell of her belly. She’s not as far along as Mia—who scared the shit out of everyone at dinner last night by having regular contractions for an hour. But the curves of her body have changed, and she’s visibly pregnant.

  My beautiful wife, pregnant with my baby.

  Charlotte is wearing a pale pink dress with a big bow in the back. Someone curled her hair and she has the pink butterfly hair clip Jacqueline gave her as a flower girl present. She was extremely excited to add yet another run as a flower girl to her resume—her fourth, if you count Kendra and Weston’s impromptu wedding. Which of course, Charlotte does.

  Linnea and Charlotte come up the aisle, hand in hand, and I can’t stop smiling at my beautiful girls.

  The bride appears at the back in a long, strapless dress. Instead of white, it’s turquo
ise with layers of purple in the skirt—colorful, and very Jacqueline.

  It’s a nice ceremony—short and sweet. Which is good, because Audrey wakes up before it’s over and Weston has to walk up and down the side of the yard with her so she’ll stay quiet.

  When it’s over, everyone stays for the reception—which is simply a lot of food and booze in the backyard.

  Linnea and I sit with Charlotte at one of the tables set up for guests. Mia waddles over with Alex right behind. He holds her chair while she carefully lowers herself down.

  “This kid must be ten pounds by now.” She winces and shifts around, like she can’t get comfortable.

  Alex takes the seat next to her and draws his eyebrows in. “Really? You still have a few weeks before your due date.”

  “I’m exaggerating, but he feels huge.” She presses down on her belly. “I think his butt is right here.”

  Charlotte giggles. “Can I feel the baby?”

  “Sure, Bug,” Mia says. She shifts again and blows out a breath while Charlotte goes around the table to sit next to her. “Right here.”

  Charlotte puts her hand on Mia’s belly and her eyes light up. “I can feel him!”

  Kendra and Weston sit down. Audrey is awake, but no longer fussy. Weston takes her from Kendra and perches her on his knee, facing out so she can see. Her little bit of brown hair is tied in a ponytail on top of her head—Kendra calls it her whale spout—and she has gray eyes like her dad.

  “Linnea, how are you feeling?” Kendra asks.

  “I feel good most of the time,” Linnea says. “Just tired.”

  “When do you have an ultrasound?” Mia asks. “Are you finding out if it’s a boy or a girl?”

  “Yeah, we have a lot riding on this,” Kendra says. “The girls finally outnumber the boys in this family. Are you keeping our streak alive?”

  “Actually, with Audrey, and now Gwen, girls are ahead by two,” Mia says.

  “True,” Kendra says. “But I still want to know.”

  Linnea and I smile at each other. We had an ultrasound a few days ago, but we haven’t told anyone. Charlotte knows, because she came with us, but she’s good at keeping secrets.

  “You know, don’t you?” Kendra asks. “Come on you two, tell us.”

  “Bug, do you want to tell them?” Linnea asks.

  Charlotte smiles. “I’m getting a baby brother.”

  Mia and Kendra both “aw” at the same time.

  I kiss the back of Linnea’s hand, just below her ring. We had a small wedding—Linnea didn’t want a lot of fuss. Charlotte stood with us, holding both our hands, as we said our vows in front of our friends and family.

  Linnea’s parents flew out for the wedding and to their credit, they were pleasant guests. I don’t think I’ll ever be their favorite person, but they seem to be doing their best to love their daughter for who she is. They doted on Charlotte, and I have to admit, it’s hard not to feel some affection for people who love your kid.

  I put my hand on Linnea’s belly and she covers my hand with hers. I always love touching her, but since she got pregnant, I can’t keep my hands to myself. If I could have my arms wrapped around her every minute of the day, I would.

  Life is still busy. My schedule is hectic and the pressures of my job are still there. But I’m no longer facing it all alone. From the moment Linnea walked into our lives, she fit like she was always meant to be with us. Like she was meant to be with me.

  Things don’t always turn out the way we plan, and sometimes we have to travel a dark road to get to our destination. But I couldn’t have imagined a better life than this. I’m the luckiest guy in the world.

  Turn the page for a special bonus chapter. Just a little something I wrote as a treat for my readers, featuring a certain cocky asshole we all know and love. Enjoy!

  Want to read more about the Lawson family? Sign up for my newsletter to get Her Best Friend, a short story about Caleb’s daughter, Charlotte.

  Keep reading for a preview of Always Have: A Bad Boy Romance.

  Bonus Chapter: Audrey Reid

  Weston

  Kendra stops next to her car and looks back at me. “Are we sure about this?”

  I move from the open doorway and walk down the porch steps to stand in front of her. “Yes. We’re sure.”

  “Okay,” she says, but I can tell she’s not convinced. “But… maybe I shouldn’t go.”

  Touching her chin, I lean down to kiss her. “It’s one day. You’ll be back tonight.”

  “I know, but this is the first time I’m leaving for an entire day,” she says.

  “Don’t you think I can handle it?” I ask.

  “No, that’s not it at all,” she says. “I know you’ll be fine. I’m sorry, I’m just nervous.”

  I kiss her again. “It’s okay. I’ll miss you, but you should go. This will be good for you.”

  “Yeah,” she says. “You’re right. I know.”

  “Don’t worry, baby. I’ve got this.”

  “Just… be nice if you’re out and about, okay?” she says.

  “Be nice?”

  She smiles and puts her hand on my chest. “You know what I mean.”

  I wrap my arms around her, giving her one last hug before she leaves. I step back onto the porch, my hands in my pockets, and watch her pull out of the driveway.

  I am going to miss her—I hate it when she’s gone—but this will be good for her. She was invited to a large writer’s conference to be a panelist in two sessions on editing. I’m so proud of her, but I understand why she’s nervous.

  After closing the front door behind me, I head into the kitchen and take a seat at the little round table.

  “It’s just you and me, Peanut.”

  My seven-month-old daughter, Audrey, looks up at me from the mess on her highchair tray. I left her with a few bits of very soft banana while I walked Kendra out. I had a feeling Kendra wouldn’t leave if she had to say goodbye to her again.

  The banana is smeared everywhere. I wonder if any got in her mouth.

  I raise an eyebrow. “You’re a mess.”

  She smiles, showing the two little teeth just starting to poke through her lower gums.

  “I think Mommy is worried about leaving us.” I get up and run a fresh washcloth under warm water, then wipe Audrey’s face. And hands. And arms. And neck. Jesus, this kid is sticky. “But we’ll show her, won’t we? I’m a goddamn surgeon. I can take care of my own baby for a day.”

  I toss the washcloth onto the counter and glance at her again. Her bright gray eyes—which look just like mine—get bigger and her mouth closes.

  “I probably shouldn’t talk like that in front of you.”

  She smiles again and it gives me that warm feeling in my chest.

  Despite my assurances to Kendra, I’m not sure how this day is going to go. I’ve never taken care of her by myself for more than a couple of hours. I came into this fatherhood thing without a clue as to what I’m doing. I’ve never been around kids, except for my niece, Charlotte. But I didn’t spend any time with her when she was a baby. And my own dad certainly didn’t set a good example.

  Kendra is the most amazing mom on the planet, so together, we’re doing pretty well. But with her gone, it’s all on me.

  “Come here, Peanut.”

  I get her out of the highchair and take a moment to just hold her. She always smells so good. I lean my face down to her soft head and breathe her in.

  I didn’t realize how much my life would change when I became a father. I was on board with getting pregnant—not that I knew it meant Kendra would turn me into a sperm factory for months. But I wasn’t hesitant about it. Kendra was meant to be a mom. When I asked her to marry me, I knew this was part of the deal.

  But nothing could have prepared me for the moment I saw my daughter for the first time.

  Kendra had a few complications with her pregnancy, and needed a C-section. So, when our baby was born, the doctor handed her to me first. I had thi
s tiny, wet, wrinkly little thing in my arms and all I could do was stare. She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.

  There was a lot of blinking and throat clearing on my part. If anyone suggests I cried at my daughter’s birth, I’ll tell them to fuck off.

  Although maybe I teared up a little.

  When Kendra said we should name her Audrey, after my mother, there was probably more throat clearing. But fuck, can you blame me? I’d just become a father for the first time, and my wife said we should name our baby after my mother who died when I was a kid. I’d challenge any man to get through that without a bunch of goddamn feelings. It’s not like I don’t have a soul.

  Audrey is still in her pink pajamas; they zip up the front and have little bunny ears on the feet. When Kendra was pregnant, I swore we weren’t going to dress the baby in pink all the time. But now that she’s here, I’ll admit, pink looks pretty adorable on her.

  I kiss the top of her head. “Should we get you dressed? Or do you want to be like Mommy and hang out in your pajamas all day?”

  She kicks her little feet.

  “Dressed it is.”

  With Audrey dressed in a shirt that says Daddy’s Girl, a soft pair of pants, and little slip on shoes, we head out. I toss her diaper bag full of all the baby shit we bring everywhere now into the back, and strap her in her car seat.

  “See, Peanut? I’ve got this.”

  First stop is the gym. I’ve never brought Audrey with me before, but Kendra says she’ll be fine in the daycare. There’s a big window where parents can check up on their kids, but I’m still eying the whole thing with skepticism while I sign her in. I’m not sure I want to hand my daughter over to some stranger.

  The girl behind the desk looks like she’s twelve. I pass her the diaper bag. She shoulders it, then reaches for Audrey.

  I hand Audrey over and she looks back at me. She seems fine—she’s such a laid-back baby, it takes a lot to piss her off. Still, it’s hard to walk away.

  After changing clothes and warming up on the treadmill, I go back to the daycare window so I can peek inside. Another girl is holding Audrey, propped on her hip, while she walks around. I guess that’s fine. She isn’t crying or anything.