Then There Was You: A Single Parent Collection

by Gianna Gabriela

  “Good morning to you too. You can go back to sleep for another hour if you need it to wake up a little more cheerful, you know.” Her smile makes her more stunning than she already is. “I’m Hallie Mae, Chester’s sister. Calm your tits and sit. We can totally gossip about my brother if you’d like.”

  My feet make fast work to get my ass on a chair.

  Hallie Mae places a steaming cup of coffee in front of me. “You want milk or sugar in there?”

  I shake my head. “No, black is fine. Thanks. Oh, and sorry for the grumpiness. I’m Serenity.”

  She takes my hand and I’m surprised by the tightness of her grip. “No worries. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, my brother is out front with your daughter, Amelia. They watched the sunrise together on his jammock. He loves that you know. His Jeep, sunrise, getting up early to lay there and enjoy a moment in time. Weirdly enough he never wants people around him. Yet he called me early this morning to come over with groceries and Walnut. He wanted to introduce someone to Walnut. That’s something that had me intrigued and out of bed the moment he hung up on me.”

  “Who’s Walnut?” My cheeks hurt from smiling.

  “That’s my pet rat, he loves walnuts so that kinda sealed the deal with naming him.” Her face brightens while mine must be screaming yikes! Oh, gosh. A rat, really creeps me out but it fades when I see sadness wash over her face.

  “He’s three years old and I know I have to take him to the vet sometime soon. They told me he’s got maybe a few weeks left before he dies. Walnut is still all happy and hungry, but there’s this huge lump on his back, it’s a tumor so…life sucks, even for those tiny things that crawl the earth, you know?” She swallows visibly and shoves a plate of cookies in my direction.

  Not knowing what to say, I grab one, nod and shove it in my mouth.

  “Chester is the oldest of my brothers. Then there’s Earle and Zeke. They are twins that seem to be attached by the hip. Seriously, where Chester prefers to be left alone, those two don’t go anywhere without the other. Then we have Roscoe, he’s been out of contact for almost a year now. We don’t have any bad blood or anything. He’s just caught up in his work. Undercover, FBI, makes sense, right?”

  “I guess so. It’s far from things I’m familiar with, well, other than what I see and hear in movies anyway. Maybe he’s doing it to keep you safe.”

  Hallie Mae releases a deep sigh. “Probably. Anyway, Cyrus is our other brother. He married Bertie, from Snap and Wrap, the Gator farm where your cousin works and you met Chester.”

  I check my watch. “You seem to know an awful lot when it’s still early. Sorry, I don’t mean it in a…”

  “Nah, I get it. Believe me, I do, because Chester isn’t like this. At all. But I came here, at half past five in the morning. And no worries, I’m always up at the crack of dawn to workout because I have busy working days so I like to start my day bright and early… but he couldn’t stop talking. About how he met you guys, spent the day, and now that your brother went back home…”

  “Oliver left?” I gasp.

  “Yeah, around four in the morning and then Chester got behind his computer and started to dig around. He found a trail that he needs to dig deeper into but then he heard Amelia stirring and that’s when he called me. Pretty sure that…”

  “Oh, here you are.” A voice from behind me flows through the air and I have to say it’s a bit weird because it seems very similar to…

  “Wow. How did your parents manage that? Talk about a carbon copy…that’s just…” I keep looking back and forth between Hallie Mae and the woman standing in the doorway.

  Hallie Mae chuckles. “That’s Elsie, my twin. And you probably recognize the guy behind her. I know you and your brother missed their wedding so you’ve never met. Elsie works at Snap and Wrap too and they came over to pick up Amelia if you’re okay with that. Dale is expecting some eggs to hatch today and Chester thought Amelia would love to be there when they do. We figured since he was your family it would probably be alright but seriously, only if you’re okay with it.”

  Little feet patter across the floor. “Oh, Mom, can I? Please? Dale told me all about the babies and I want to see one getting born. Elsie said she had a soft fluffy one I could take home, can I, can I, please?”

  Shoving my chair back, I open my arms in time to catch my little girl. “Sure, Sunbeam. But I don’t know about taking a fluffy gator baby home, no matter how small it is.” Looking up I smile a greeting at Dale and hopefully convey my confusion.

  “No worries,” Elsie whispers. “I work in the souvenir shop, it’ll be a stuffed toy, but I bet she’d be just as happy with it.”

  I don’t know if I should cry or smile so bright we won’t need sun for the next few days. It’s like we drove out for a vacation day but stumbled into a whole new future. How can I dare to even think these people could be my family, even if only by marriage? Yet they welcome us, all of us, with open arms.

  “Thank you. All of you. I bet she’ll have a great time.” I sigh and slide a hand over Amelia’s hair. My heart squeezes when I see her beaming happy face.

  She gives me a hug and a kiss on my cheek. “Love you, Mom. Back later.”

  She dashes off and takes Elsie’s hand.

  Dale steps forward and places a note in front of me on the table. “Here’s the store’s number and Elsie’s. You already have mine. Chester has them too but now you have them as well. Chester also made us promise to call and text often so no worries. ”

  Dale’s familiar Texas drawl calms any last minute hesitation on my part. Dale tips his hat and stalks out of the door where Elsie and my daughter went through.

  “That’s my cue. I’m leaving too so you have some alone time with my brother.” Hallie Mae shoots me a wink before she disappears into the same direction.

  Suddenly I’m nervous and yet excited by the knowledge of being alone with Chester for the day. With this realization, I head on up the stairs. I need a shower and a new set of clothes to get ready for what this day might bring.

  9

  CHESTER

  I am stalling. One step a minute while I make my way up the stairs. I gave her a twenty-minute head start when everyone left the house, knowing she went up to shower. But I’m done waiting. I showered before I got behind my computer to work. I’m close to finding out what’s causing the steady stream of money pouring out of their company but I had to stop because Amelia was awake.

  I’ll get back to it when I can, but that’s not right now, or any time soon. It’s not like I had it all planned out this way, but you gotta admit, it’s damn perfect. When my sister, Hallie Mae came over she mentioned Elsie talking to Dale about the hatchlings and being busy with them all day. Remembering how Amelia loved to see and hold them yesterday, I wanted her to enjoy something as simple as that.

  The perfect part being I now have time alone, with Serenity, in my house. Oliver left early this morning, clearly giving me his blessing and trust. With that being said…I’m done taking my time, I need to show her exactly how she deserves to be worshiped. I’m taking what is mine and won’t ever let her go. If I need to sell my damn house and travel across state to follow them. So. Be. It.

  Standing in the doorway, I admire her bare feet while my gaze travel up her bare legs. She’s wearing a sundress that falls over her knees and also accentuates her hips. Her hair is wet and draped over her shoulders falling to mid-back.

  “Good morning.” My words make her spin around to face me.

  Her eyes travel over me. I changed into jeans and a red and black flannel shirt that’s unbuttoned.

  “Heard I missed out on a sunrise in a Jammock, and meeting Walnut.” Serenity takes a step toward me.

  I close the distance and cup her cheek. “But I’ll make it up to you later today with the sunset in the Jammock, or in the swing on the porch. There are a lot of ways to enjoy it and I intend to show you everything.” Inching closer to her face, I add, “And more.” Before I cover her mouth with mi
ne.

  Her hands grip my shirt and drags it off my shoulders. Regretfully, I tear my mouth away and place my forehead on hers. “Peaches. You deserve a fine time of dating and wooing, and you will get that, but I need to give you my dick first. It’s been jealous ever since you had my heart the second I laid eyes on you.”

  My shirt hits the floor. I back her up to the bed, making her fall backwards onto the covers. Her hair is spread out in wild waves. “Absolutely stunning.” I whisper the words while I take her in.

  She raises herself on her elbows and pins me with a gaze that overwhelms me with her desire. For me. It’s all for me. Feeling the need to worship what’s in front of me, I drop to my knees. Placing a hand on each knee, I gently slide her legs open and trail upwards, taking the fabric of her dress with me.

  Air escapes me when her pussy comes into view. It’s covered with a light blue scrap of lace that’s almost the same color as her sundress. The scent of her arousal is wafting around me, inching me forward. Hooking the fabric with a finger, I ease the fabric away, revealing a nicely shaved mound complete with a tiny strip of blond.

  My tongue slides through her lips. I can’t contain the groan that leaves my throat. “Damn, you taste so good, Peaches. You need to come in my mouth soon because this is just a hint from what’s to come and I need your taste to intensify.”

  Grabbing the lace, I pull it down her legs and throw it over my shoulder. I take the liberty of shedding my jeans. My dick, that’s already standing to attention, swells some more underneath her intense gaze.

  Taking myself in hand, I tighten my grip. “I could stand here and shoot my load with just the sheer, stunning appearance you’ve graced me with. I’m sure it won’t even have a chance to soften before I’m ready to blow again. That’s what you do to me. You’re the fuel that runs through my body and keeps the craving flowing. It’s nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I’ve warned you, once I’m making you mine, I won’t ever let you go.” Placing one knee on the bed, I loom over her and lock eyes. “Are you ready to be mine, Serenity?”

  The tip of my dick nudges her entrance. Ready to sink down into her tight heat.

  Her legs wrap around me, just as her arms surround my neck. A hint of a smile tugs her lips when my world flips. My eyes close with the sensation of sinking down into her tight heat. When I open them, I find myself on my back with Serenity impaled on my dick, satisfied look on her perfect face.

  My fingers dig into the skin on her hips as she starts to grind and slide back and forth. I’m ready to blow and she hasn’t even started to slide up and down my length. Clenching my jaw, I let my thumb find her bundle of nerves.

  Pressing down, I make tight circles, drawing a gasp that’s chased by the sweetest moan. She lifts herself up and I’m enthralled by the way my dick appears from her slick pussy. It’s glistening from being surrounded by her walls that start to close back in.

  Serenity starts a rhythm that’s guaranteed to rip pleasure from both our bodies. She wins the race by falling apart above me, creating the most exquisite tight embrace of clenching my dick has ever experienced. My eyes roll into the back of my head while I fight back my orgasm. I’m not ready to surrender yet.

  Flipping her over, I crawl down and put my mouth on her pussy. The need to savor her taste is intense. Groaning in pleasure, I lick inside while I spread her more open with my thumbs. Lazily sucking her clit while I flip it with my tongue. Her hands grip my face and I have no other choice but to look at her while I rub my beard against her slick pussy.

  “How’s that, Peaches? You want my tongue making you come again? Or shall I rub my chin against it so you can spread your cum all over my beard?”

  “Oh, hell, Chester. Both, all, now, dammit….I…”

  Stealing the opportunity to voice some more words, I fill her up with two fingers while I gently take her clit between my teeth and shake my beard against her pussy. She falls apart on me and treats me to the overwhelming reward I asked for.

  I grab both of her legs, and place them over my shoulders and grip my dick while balancing on one hand. Throwing my hips forward, I fill her up in one stroke. Her nails find my biceps as I start pounding her pussy like I’m on a mission to show who it belongs to. Although there isn’t a question about it by the way it’s surrendering to my every touch.

  “Who do you belong to, Serenity?” I growl close to her face.

  She grips me tighter with both her hands and the walls that surround my dick. “You, Chester, you. I’m yours.”

  “Damn, right.” I groan and start to increase my pace, moving her forward with every grunt I release, slamming my hips against her.

  It doesn’t take long for her to scream her pleasure. Watching her come undone steals away my ability to hold back my orgasm. From my toes all the way to my beard, my body starts to flame up and explode with heated pleasure. Spilling hot strokes of cum into her body while her name spills from my lips.

  “That…wow…I didn’t know it could be like that.” Serenity releases in awe.

  The grin that I feel spreading my face is predatory. “It is when you make a woman yours and yours alone. I warned you, didn’t I? You’re mine now and I’m not letting go. So be prepared for a lot more where that came from.”

  Her pussy agrees by hugging my dick tightly. Serenity’s hands slide into my hair, bringing my head closer while her lips reach for me. Opening my mouth, I let her tongue swirl around mine. I’ll never grow tired of her taste while I’m devouring her lips, top or bottom for that matter. My hips start to rock by their own free will, my dick never softened while being inside heaven.

  This time I keep it to leisurely strokes, my gaze locked with hers and our foreheads touching. Serenity’s legs slide down from my shoulders, locking them around my waist. My arm snakes around her back, fingers curling around her shoulder so I can keep her in place while I thrust my hips forward, filling her up harder with each stroke.

  She grips my dick in rapid waves. My name rolls over her tongue and I inhale her next breath when I claim her mouth. Pumping three more times before I follow her with my own orgasm. Both completely spent, we drift off to sleep, holding each other tight.

  We actually have to sleep for a few hours before we’re able to leave the bed to take a shower together. Remembering the words of her brother, I need to make sure she’s aware; I’m not going anywhere and for effin’ sure will be there for every step of the way. Whatever our future might hold.

  But before I let her know, I enjoy watching her pull on her underwear and dress, while I lean against the wall. I’m back into jeans and a black denim shirt this time. Yes, I’m done wearing clothes to ward off people and dress in a pair of jeans that cover my whole ass.

  I’ve also asked Serenity to give my beard a slight trim before we went into the shower. Had to make her do it because she didn’t think I should change it. I wanted to go for a goatee and mustache but that made her frown and shake her head. Mainly because she told me the reason. What if it feels different against my pussy? Still makes me chuckle when I think about it.

  “Peaches.” The endearment rumbles through my chest, making her gaze land on mine. “We didn’t use any protection.” Pushing away from the wall, I close the distance between us. “I’m clean and with that said, I never want anything in between us. If it so happens that we’re pregnant, I would welcome it because I hope that it will be the inevitable. Our future, because that’s what I desire, a family all of us, no matter how high the number will be.”

  A look of pure horror washes over her before her throat bobs. “Oh, shit.” She croaks. “How could I forget? And you…you and your sperm. You have two sets of twins as siblings and I…Oh. My. God. That’s what you mean by high number?”

  My head tips back and laughter rips through me.

  Serenity jabs a finger against my chest. “Don’t you dare laugh. You shoot it in with pleasure while I need to squeeze it out magnified by a gazillion.”

  Can’t. Stop. Laughing.

/>   It takes her a moment before she joins in and wraps her arms around me. Sighing in content, I press her tighter against me. Feeling like a damn lucky man to have something so precious walk into my life. Even if we’ve been together for a blink of an eye, I’m ready to spend eternity with her, Amelia, and God knows how many other kids that might lie in our future.

  10

  SERENITY

  I can’t believe how fast the last few days have passed. Well, it might seem like a fairytale and maybe somehow in a weird sense of it all, it is…yet it’s the solid reality I’m experiencing. Like how at this moment, I’m lying in Chester’s arms. We’re sitting in the swing on the porch, softly swaying back and forth. My feet are tucked underneath my butt while my head is resting on his shoulder.

  My gaze is set on a huge swing that Chester made for Amelia. It resembles more like a bed then a swing. He strung up thick ropes to a large tree in front of the house. Night has fallen and he draped string lights all over the tree. It’s amazing. Amelia is holding her stuffed toy up in the air. I hear her babbling about the lights as if they were stars. She needs this so freaking much. I wish I could give it to her…

  And we’re back to the fairytale. Why is everything so hard? Why can’t I just pack up my stuff and move here? Oh, I know…Amelia would have to go to school here, I have to work for a living, and can’t let Oliver run the company on his own.

  The company…Chester found out what the leak was and handed all the information over to Oliver. When I demanded to see it, he told me that Oliver was the one who he made a deal with and that it was my brother’s decision to tell me. When I called Oliver and asked him about it, he said he would meet me tomorrow at the office, to explain everything.

  Tomorrow. We have to go back tomorrow, early tomorrow morning. I don’t want to leave, but Amelia has her six-year-old checkup. I could reschedule but it’s the hard reality I need to face.