“I know you’re tired,” I said, inserting one finger into her tight channel. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head. “But my best friend, Hunter, is in town, and I really want you to meet him.”
“I thought we agreed we weren’t telling anyone.” She clutched the edge of the couch.
“Yet,” I said, meeting her eyes. “We aren’t telling anyone yet.” It was important to me to make that distinction. “And we don’t have to tell anyone anything.”
I added a second finger, curving them toward that magic spot.
“Right there. God, yes.”
I chuckled, knowing she was close. I could tell from the rosy hue spreading across her cheeks, to the way she squeezed my fingers.
“Yes, you’ll go?” I asked.
“Can’t,” she panted.
I stilled, keeping my fingers inside her. I wasn’t ready to give up, and I wasn’t above playing dirty.
“What…?” She opened her eyes and stared down at me. “What are you doing? Why did you stop?”
“Do you want me to continue?” I asked.
She bit her lip and nodded, and I wanted to take her lip between my teeth. “Yes.”
“You want an orgasm. I want you to go with me.” I circled her clit with my thumb, reminding her how good I could make her feel. “I think we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement, don’t you?” I circled faster, driving her wild before stopping again when she still hadn’t answered.
She gripped my wrist. “Preston, I swear to god—”
I smirked, knowing I had her right where I wanted her. “All you have to do is say yes.”
She let out a huff. “Fine.”
“Fine, what?” I pressed, knowing she was a woman who paid meticulous attention to detail.
“Fine. I’ll go.”
“Yes.” Warmth spread through my limbs. “But first, I’ll make you come.”
An hour later, our ride pulled up to the front of Apt. 608. Alexis glanced up at the loft-like space as I threaded my fingers through hers. Music and conversation filtered down to us from the rooftop bar, and I was eager to get inside.
A bouncer greeted us at the threshold. “ID?”
Alexis went to grab hers, but he held up a hand. “Just his.”
I cringed, dreading how that comment would set our relationship back. For a woman who was so confident, she struggled with what other people thought. She forced a smile and closed her wallet, while he verified my age.
“Great. Up the elevator to the top floor,” he said.
“Come on,” I said, tugging Alexis’s hand. “Let me introduce you to my friends.”
Her bronze eyes, the eyes of a cat, peered into mine as we rode the elevator to the top floor. “I’m telling you, this is a terrible idea.”
“Terrible idea or not, we’re already here,” I said, brushing her hair over her shoulder. “And we don’t have to stay long. Okay?”
She nodded as the elevator doors opened to a bar that was more like a house party than a club. The décor had a hipster vibe and the music, a chill beat. Some people were even playing games on the large outdoor patio—darts, cornhole, and horseshoes. It was all very relaxed.
I easily spotted Hunter’s blond hair across the bar. He stood out among the crowd—taller than most. I reached back for Alexis’s hand, eager to introduce her to my best friend. She smiled, but her attention was elsewhere, scanning the crowd.
As we neared the spot where Hunter and a few of our other friends had gathered, Alexis removed her hand to dig for something in her purse. I tried not to let it show—how much that simple action pained me. She was here; she was meeting my friends. I reminded myself that I needed to respect her wishes, but it wasn’t easy. It took every bit of my restraint not to do something stupid like pound on my chest and declare she was mine.
“Preston!” Hunter slung his arm around my shoulder. From his glassy eyes and loose limbs, I wondered how much he’d had to drink.
I grinned, patting his chest. “Hey, man. Happy birthday. I want to introduce you to somebody.”
“Oh yeah?” He grinned, speaking low in my ear. “Tired of stalking the cougar?”
“I, uh.” Shit. Fortunately, I didn’t think Alexis hadn’t heard that. “Hunter, this is Alexis.” I gestured to her. “Alexis, Hunter.”
Hunter extended his hand to shake, and I watched as he took her in with a smirk. She’d worn a gray romper that dipped low in front, bared most of her back, and showed a ton of her legs. It was sexy as fuck, and I couldn’t wait to undress her later. Or at least, I’d loved it when it was just the two of us. Now that every other man in the club was eyeing her, I wasn’t so sure.
“It’s nice to meet you, Alexis.” Hunter flashed her a brilliant smile, turning on the charm.
“Same.” Alexis smiled.
I made the rest of the introductions, and Alexis seemed to relax more once she had a drink in hand. She was currently discussing vintage fashion with Kate. I frowned, wondering where Kate’s nose ring had gone, or if I’d simply imagined it the last time I saw her.
Hunter leaned in. “Dude. She’s the MILF, right?”
I gripped his shoulder, my mouth close to his ear when I spoke. “Call her that again, and…” I tightened my grip, knowing he’d understand my threat.
He nodded, and I released him.
“So,” Kate said. “Preston didn’t tell me. How did the two of you meet?”
My attention snapped to Alexis, my eyes pinging back and forth between her and Kate. This was her chance to embrace our relationship, to stop hiding what we were. I held my breath waiting for her answer.
Alexis smiled, but it was tight. “I, um, we…”
“We met at her daughter’s school.” I threaded my arm around her waist, wanting to do a fist pump when she didn’t stiffen or try to shrug out of my touch.
“That’s so cute,” Kate gushed. “How old is your daughter?”
“She’s six. Well, about to be seven in a week or so. Actually, I think you’ve met her—Sophia.”
“Oh my gosh, yes.” Kate smiled, brushing some of her long blond hair over her shoulder. “I can’t believe I didn’t see the resemblance before. She’s adorable.”
Alexis’s cheeks glowed. “Thank you. Most people think she looks more like her dad. Probably because they both have those piercing blue eyes.”
“Let’s see,” Kate said, setting down her drink. “Do you have a picture?”
Alexis pulled her phone out of her purse. It took her a minute, but she found a few. She handed the phone to Kate.
“Wait…Sophia’s dad is Callum Kinnison?” Kate glanced between the image on the screen and Alexis. What was I missing?
“Yeah.” Alexis chuckled, though she didn’t seem surprised by Kate’s reaction.
“You know him?” Hunter asked.
“Know him?” Kate’s eyes were wide. “I love his music.”
She stared at the phone a moment longer before passing it back to Alexis. “You have a beautiful family.”
“Thank you,” Alexis said. “We’re divorced now, but we have a beautiful daughter together.”
Hunter clapped a hand on my shoulder, steering me in the direction of the bar. “We’ll be back,” he called over his shoulder. “With a round of shots.”
Everyone cheered. Alexis gave me a reassuring smile, returning to her conversation with Kate.
“Man, you are so screwed.” Hunter chuckled as he led me to the bar. “Do you know who Alexis’s ex is?”
I shook my head. “Should I?”
From what I knew of him, he’d bailed on Sophia for the summer. And it wasn’t the first time. I didn’t get the feeling he’d been the best husband either.
“This,” Hunter said, typing on his phone, “is Alexis’s ex.”
He held up the phone, which displayed an image of a tattooed man holding a guitar. The muscles of his arms flexed as he played the instrument, his long, black hair falling into his face and covering his blue eyes.
“He’s
walking, talking sex appeal. He could bottle it up and sell that shit.”
“And I’m not?” I shoved the phone back at him, not wanting to dwell on Alexis’s past. “I think Alexis finds me pretty appealing.”
“Yes, but…for how long?” he asked, echoing some of my own fears. “Maybe it’s fun now, but I see the way you look at her. You want more.”
He was right—I didn’t want to be the nanny. I wanted us to be a family.
People bumped into us as they made their way to the bar. A beat thumped in the background, making my head throb. I massaged my temples.
“And what’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing,” he said. “At least, if you’re both in the same place. But she’s older, established in her career, divorced, has a kid.”
“Why are you telling me what I already know?” I grabbed one of the shots and tossed it back.
“Because you’re at very different places in your lives. Plus, she may be hot now, but how old will she be when you’re thirty? Fifty?”
“It doesn’t matter.” I was sick of having this argument—first with Alexis, now with Hunter. Age was irrelevant; we belonged together.
“You say that…” He placed a hand on my shoulder. “But what about kids? I know how much having your own would mean to you.”
“First of all, she has an amazing daughter, whom I adore. And if we wanted more kids, we’d figure it out—together.” I was so tempted to grab the empty shot glass and smash it to the floor. Instead, I shrugged out of his hold, annoyed with him. With this conversation. With everything.
“You’ve been through a lot, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Yeah, well, what do you know about relationships? About love?” I snapped. “You never sleep with a woman more than once. You’ve never been in love.”
His expression shuttered closed. “You know what? You’re right. What do I know? I only spent two years watching you go through treatments, watching as you fought for your dreams, your fucking life.”
He turned away, asking the bartender for something.
“Hunter,” I said, once the bartender had gone. It wasn’t fair to take out my frustration on my best friend, not when I was more annoyed with myself and Alexis than him.
He grabbed the tray of shots without giving me a second glance. “It’s fine, man. Let’s get drunk and celebrate being alive.”
I followed him, but it was with a sinking feeling in my gut. Hunter was my best friend; he’d been at my side the entire time—through my diagnosis, treatments, recovery. He’d even shaved his head with me to show his support.
Considering how difficult it had been to get Alexis to take off time to do something fun like go to the aquarium with Sophia and me, could I honestly say I thought Alexis would have done the same? And if not, then what was I even doing considering a future with her?
Chapter Nineteen
“And this,” I said, gesturing to a large, open space with pipes sticking up out of the floor, “will be the master bath.” A saw buzzed in the background as I led Lincoln on a tour of the house.
“It looks great.”
The house was shaping up, and I was getting excited. It was the first property I’d be developing from the ground up. I was making all the design choices and taking all the risk, but it was a great opportunity. And something I’d been wanting to do for a long time.
I leaned in so he could hear me over the power tools in the background. “Why don’t we head out to the balcony?”
He nodded, gesturing for me to lead the way. I stepped delicately over a piece of lumber, mindful of my Valentinos. The balcony was large, but—like the rest of the house—still under construction. The railing hadn’t been installed yet, so there was a temporary barrier.
“Great location. Great property. Great potential,” I said, taking in the sweeping view of LA.
“Definitely.” Lincoln nodded. “How much is it going for?”
“It’s not on the market yet. You’re actually one of the first people I’ve shown it to,” I said, knowing how much he’d like that.
We’d been friends in high school but only recently reconnected. I had a feeling he was interested in more than just business, but I’d continue to show him houses in the hope that he’d buy. He certainly had the means to afford the multimillion-dollar homes.
“When complete, it will have five bedrooms, five baths, and a huge pool,” I continued. “Not to mention, some of the best views of the city.”
He nodded, tucking a hand into his pocket. “And the price?”
“Four nine.”
“So, really, five.”
I nodded. “Just under.”
My phone rang, and I glanced at the screen to see Preston’s name. He usually texted, so for him to call…alarm bells started ringing in my head. Something was wrong.
“I’m so sorry,” I said to Lincoln, stepping toward the doorway to the house as I held up my phone. “I have to take this.”
“Hey, sexy,” Preston’s deep voice rumbled over the phone.
“Preston,” I hissed, glancing back over my shoulder to ensure Lincoln was a fair distance away. “You can’t call me at work, not unless it’s about Sophia.”
“This is about Sophia. She misses you. I miss you.”
I dodged a worker carrying a bucket of paint. “I miss you guys too. But I’m in the middle of a showing, and when you called…I worried something was wrong.”
“Everything’s fine, I promise.”
“Hi, Mommy!” Sophia shouted in the background. “Will you be home for dinner?” she panted into the phone.
“Hey, baby.” I laughed. “I’ll do my best.”
“Great!” she squealed. “Because Preston’s making something special, and I get to help.”
I smiled, wishing I could be there. I loved that he was teaching her how to cook. I loved seeing her sense of independence and pride grow with each new skill she mastered.
“I can’t wait,” I said, knowing that no matter what it took, I’d keep my promise.
That was the difference between Cal and me. Which reminded me, I needed to call to remind him about Sophia’s birthday party.
“See you later. I love you,” she said.
I could hear her giggles, the garbled conversation between her and Preston, before I finally disconnected the call. I longed to be there with them, whipping up something in the kitchen. Laughing. Watching movies.
“Everything okay?” Lincoln asked when I returned.
I smiled, smoothing a hand down my skirt. “Of course. Now, where were we?”
“I believe we were about to discuss the property over dinner and drinks.”
I was flattered, but not interested. Still, I didn’t want to piss off a potential buyer, and I was used to deflecting such attention. It was an occupational hazard.
“Unfortunately, I already have plans,” I said.
He leaned against the makeshift railing. “Tomorrow night, then?” He was persistent, I’d give him that.
I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’m kind of seeing someone.”
It was the first time I’d admitted it aloud, and I was surprised by how easily it rolled off my tongue. Maybe it was because he didn’t know Preston, didn’t know that he was my daughter’s nanny and a younger man. But it was nice to be able to tell someone that I was in a relationship.
“Can’t say I’m not disappointed.” He turned for the front door. “Whoever he is, he’s a lucky guy. Another musician? A movie star?”
I laughed. “Um, no. He’s actually training to be a counselor for pediatric cancer patients.”
He smoothed a hand over his mouth. “Wow. That sounds…intense.”
“It is,” I said, wishing I knew more about it.
“Well…” He extended his hand to shake when we reached the front door. “Thanks again for showing me the property.”
“Of course. It was my pleasure.” I shook his hand, applying some pressure but not too much. “Let
me know if you’re interested, or if you’d like to see something else. I’d love to help you find your dream home.”
After he left, I checked in with the contractor, making sure everything was on schedule for the property, before heading to my car. I slid into the driver’s seat, navigating to the contacts on my phone and connecting the call to Cal before pulling out of the driveway.
“Hello.” He sounded groggy when he finally answered on the third ring.
“Cal, it’s Alexis.”
“Oh.” He paused, and I heard some shuffling in the background. Had he been asleep? “Hey, babe.”
I rolled my eyes but didn’t argue. I just wanted to get this conversation over with so I could move on with the rest of my day.
“I’m calling to remind you about Sophia’s birthday party.”
He yawned. “When is it?”
I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath, holding it for a count before letting it out. I’d sent him an invitation by mail and email, as well as texted the date and time. I didn’t know what more I could do.
“Next Saturday.”
I heard him mutter “Shit,” but I pressed on.
“Cal,” I chided, though I wasn’t sure why I was even surprised. “You promised Sophia you’d be there.”
“Okay,” he huffed. “Okay. I’ll try.”
“Which means you’re going to disappoint her. Again.” I sighed, hoping that the party, the decorations, her friends, everything else would make up for the fact that her father wouldn’t be there. Even so, I knew nothing could compensate for his absence.
“No,” he ground out. “It means I’ll do my best.”
“Whatever, Cal,” I snapped, gripping the wheel tighter as I approached a red light.
I didn’t know why I was surprised. After all these years, I should’ve known better. Still, I always held out hope—for Sophia’s sake.
“I have to go,” he finally said.
“Yeah.” There was a hard edge to my voice. “Me too.”
My phone chimed with a calendar reminder, and I knew it was time to move on. I would continue to drive forward, regardless of what Cal did. And I would continue to put Sophia first.
By the time I arrived at Sophia’s school, the parent-teacher meeting had already started. I slid into one of the empty seats, silencing my phone as they continued discussing the business at hand. There were a few men in attendance, and I marveled at what it must be like to have a dad who was so involved. A man who was actually present in his child’s life, a man like Preston.
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