by Karen Deen
“Zara, would you like me to get you a coffee while you wait to see Emily and Zach?” Again, that soft sensual shade of pink spreads across her cheeks. I have a terrible urge to reach out, place my hands on those cheeks and smooth that flush away.
“Thank you, Grant, but I should really go. I am intruding on a very important family moment and I can see that Sophia is safe with you all, so I will just take off. Please congratulate Emily and Zach, and I can’t wait to meet the new member of the family when he or she arrives. Sorry about this afternoon, and it was lovely to meet you all.” With that, she turns and races to an open elevator. She’s inside, the doors closing, before I have a chance to stop her. What the hell just happened? Where was the snarky, fiery woman I’d met earlier? The one who had me discreetly adjusting myself more than once. I want to chase after her, but my place is here with the family. Zach needs me and so does the rest of the family.
Standing staring at the elevator doors, I feel Mom slide her arm around my waist and tuck herself in. “Well, wasn’t she a lovely girl, Grant? Beautiful looks and very sweet, with the confidence of a lion. Perfect for you, Son. I think you should tie her down and marry her now.” I nearly choke on my own spit. Where the hell did that come from? This is not what you want to have visions of while hugging your own mother. Picturing a beautiful woman who’s sent my body to high alert today, tied up naked on my bed while bringing her to the point of screaming my name.
Think about Brussel sprouts, sweaty guys in a gym, needles, or anything that you can’t stand, to clear that vision. Otherwise, I will be embarrassing myself in front of my mother and the rest of my family. I will be sporting a serious pants issue. Dad just looks at me and bursts out with a deep, hearty laugh.
“You know how she is, Grant, God help you. She won’t give up until she has you walking down the aisle with Zara on your arm. You may as well give in now.”
I just shake my head at my mom and start walking over to the rest of the family.
“We will see, Grant Stevenson, we will see.” Mom sits down next to the kids and turns her concentration to entertaining them while we wait. Dad and I make our way over to the windows, both needing a few seconds just to settle and focus
Luke makes his way over to where Dad and I are standing. We settle in to discuss the problem with the Branch Street electricity. Luke claims he has things sorted and has just received a message stating all is okay and the problem has been repaired. This calms me. Taking a seat, I try to pass the time, waiting until we hear word from Zach. The longer it takes the more nervous I become. I know one of my biggest faults is hating not being in control. I’m not sure I will ever settle down and have children. I know this situation of childbirth would do my head in.
Sammy and Sophia start to get restless and mom does her best to keep them settled. Dad’s gone downstairs to the cafeteria and returns with hot chips for the kids and coffee for the adults. If one thing’s for certain, food keeps Sammy happy. Checking my cell for emails, I hear the doors open to the labor ward. We all jump up at the sight of Zach coming through the doors with a deliriously happy look on his face and relief runs through my body. His look tells me everything will be okay. Now to meet the newest member for me to look after.
Zach was trying to talk when the twins rush to his side. He crouches down and hugs them with all his strength, tears down his face.
“Mommy had the baby and it’s all fine. You now have a beautiful little brother, Thomas Mitchell Stevenson.”
The kids are bouncing with excitement and as I look around, my dad wraps Mom in a loving hug. They both have tears of joy running down their cheeks. Alesha and Lilly are crying, hugging each other, and trying to get a hold of Zach to smother him, too. Luke’s trying to get the kids under control, so Zach can stand up to embrace them.
Standing there, I can’t help myself. “Zach, are Thomas and Emily both physically all right, with him being early and you know, the other issue?” I just need to know so I can finally settle. Zach stands, takes two steps toward me and falls into my arms.
“They’re both perfect, man. Just perfect.” I wrap my arms around him and my shoulders sag down as the relief washes through me.
“Thank God, Zach. You both deserve all the happiness in the world. Now go take care of your family.” I step away to give the rest of the family a chance to celebrate.
Zach settles everyone down at least to the point of not too many tears. Good luck to him with the twins. They are so excited, I’m not sure it’ll be possible to keep them calm. Dad steps in to help and take control of the family.
“Samuel and Sophia, come to Gruffy for a minute, please.” He sits down on a chair and puts each of them on his knees. “Now let’s just have a little talk before you go in to see Mommy and Thomas. I know you’re excited, but Mommy is very tired, and Thomas is not used to loud noises yet. When you go in to Mommy’s room, you need to be very quiet and gentle with her and baby Thomas. Can you do that for me?” He has their complete attention and their two little heads bob up and down. When Dad speaks we all listen, there is no other option.
“Mommy will be excited to see you but just be nice and gentle with her and give her nice big cuddles and kisses. Daddy will take you in to see them now so give baby Thomas a kiss from Me-Me and Gruffy, and tell Mommy we love her and will see her soon. Okay?” The heads bob up and down once more. “One more thing before you go.” They both look up into his big, warm eyes. “Always remember that Me-Me and Gruffy love you very much and we always will. You are our special grandkids just like baby Thomas.” Dad struggles to keep his emotions at bay but looking around, there isn’t a dry eye in the room. “Now go and give Me-Me a big cuddle and kiss so Daddy can take you in.” Sammy and Soph jump down from his lap and run over to Me-Me where they’re swallowed up in a loving embrace.
“I’ll take the kids in for a while and come back out, so you can all come and meet …my…son.” Struggling with the emotion of the day, Zach turns and walks through the door with the kids. I couldn’t be prouder of my brother tonight.
Sitting quietly in the waiting room, I have time to reflect back over the whirlwind that was the last few hours. Firstly, realizing how rude I was to Zara. I need to apologize for my behavior. The stress and worry for Zach, Emily and baby Thomas made me act in a way that isn’t right. Something about Zara was stirring feelings. Why, I don’t know.
What I do know, is that I need to see her again.
My visit with Emily and Thomas is amazing. He looks so peaceful wrapped in Emily’s arms. Sitting on her bed watching Zach and Emily looking down in wonderment at their treasured son, I realize someday I would like to have what they have. A family to love and raise. A love to cherish between each other. An unspoken connection that is stronger than anything in this world. Leaving with a kiss on Emily’s cheek and smoothing my hand over Thomas’s head, I pass on Zara’s message to them. They both look a little confused. I can tell the day has been overwhelming so I let it go. Zach gives me a hug and I can feel his emotion. I realize no matter what, we love each other so much and that will never change.
My head leans against the car head rest while I just sit and process the day. Getting out of bed this morning and hitting the gym did not prepare me for what the day would bring. One thing’s for sure, I need to apologize to Zara.
4
Zara
Scrolling through my playlist, I need something that will totally take me away and shut my mind off to the world. I’m still trying to process everything that happened this afternoon. I don’t know what came over me to become so fired up.
Every time Grant opened his mouth it just made me stand my ground and fire straight back at him.
I know I can be a stubborn woman. My mother has told me enough times over the years, but I usually pick my battles. It seems when Grant walked into my studio this afternoon, I lost all control and that rationalization went straight out the window.
I could see that Sophia was completely comfortable with Grant. I kn
ew Emily was off to the hospital to have the baby at any time. Why did I have to be so pig-headed and insist I speak to them? It made me look so stupid in front of Grant. I know I’d never let any of my kids be put in a dangerous position while they’re in my care but that was no reason to act like a mad woman.
The night sky looks so peaceful from the studio windows. I stand, trying to calm my mind by taking deep breaths. I need to dance to take my head to a happy place that only freedom of dance gives me. Stretching my body, the only thoughts now running in my head are the constant pictures of Grant on repeat.
He rubbed me the wrong way and made me carry on like a lunatic. That, however, doesn’t take away the reaction I had to his amazing hot body.
The way his suit stretched across his broad shoulders and tailored down his body to show a very attractive firm, strong back. The shape of his body leads me to want to see more. When he took off his jacket to get into the car, the view of his tight ass in his nicely-fitted pants was enough to drool over. Looking hard at his arms, I saw his muscles bulging under the white shirt and could imagine their strength and what they could lift. Like me up against a wall while he had his way with me.
Lordy, I need to get him out of my head. He may be hot, but he’s also a cocky, arrogant man.
Grant was definitely not someone I need in my life.
He will be looking for a perfect little trophy wife who will sit and just agree with him. I could never be that type of woman. I learned a long time ago that unless you are perfect, men won’t be bothered with you. I’ve managed in this world on my own for a while now and that’s how it will continue. I’m almost where I want to be through hard work, and no man is worth changing that journey.
I find my go-to-playlist of songs I use when I need to work out my emotions. For the next hour, nothing else will exist, except for me and the soul of the music.
Grant
Standing, holding my hand on the handle of the door to the studio stairwell, I hear music coming from the open window. Wondering if I should go up or not is making me nervous. Nothing in life has ever made me feel unsure but Zara certainly sent me off-line today.
Would there be class this late at night or maybe Zara just has music going while she works in her office. Although, if she’s alone then this door would be locked. Perhaps I’ll just go and look in on the class and see if I can work out how long it will last. I’m dying to go home and have a shower and a cold beer. Before I can do that, I need to apologize, otherwise I won’t be able to settle.
Not that I’m the only one at fault for this afternoon. Zara was bloody stubborn and acted irrationally about the whole thing. It was obvious I’m Sophia’s uncle. However, I shouldn’t forget Zara was just trying to keep Sophia safe. That’s important to me. I didn’t show her respect for the protection of my niece and for that I should apologize.
Reaching the top step, the door to the studio is ajar so I slowly lean forward to peer inside. My eyes are drawn to Zara who’s dancing solo across the floor. She’s oblivious to everything apart from her moving in time with the music. Her body looks like it’s a part of the sound weaving in the air. Curving and dipping, she tells a story you want to see more of. There is so much power centered in her legs as they carry her across the floor. Dancing with her eyes closed, Zara feels her performance rather than watching it in the mirror.
The beauty of a woman who’s so in tune with her soul is seductive. It’s like a light shining from Zara holds me glued to the spot. I don’t want to break the moment as it’s magical. The music starts to wind down toward the end of the song, and Zara starts to slowly open her eyes. Her cheeks are flushed and sweat glistens on her smooth skin. The room falls silent as she catches sight of me in the dance mirror. She jumps from fright, a small scream escaping her lips as she backs up to the mirror.
I rush toward her. “I am so sorry, Zara! I didn’t mean to startle you. I was just watching and didn’t want to interrupt.” Her chest’s heaving while she tries to catch her breath.
“Jesus, Grant! Did you even think to knock? You made me lose ten years off my life just now. Why are you even here this late?”
I see the agitation in her eyes. Gone is the beauty of the dancer and back is the sassy teacher I saw this afternoon.
“Firstly, Zara, why the hell don’t you lock the door if you’re up here on your own? With the music that loud, anyone can sneak up here and you wouldn’t know. It’s not safe and actually pretty stupid.
“Secondly, even if I knocked you probably still would’ve jumped from fright as you had your eyes closed and were totally into your dance. Why is it that you are such a pain in the ass when it comes to the safety of the kids, yet you leave yourself totally vulnerable?” By now the peaceful part of my thoughts is gone, my anger levels skyrocketing. What is it about this woman that sets me off every time she opens her mouth?
Still trying to settle her breathing, Zara’s posture stiffens. I can tell the moment she opens her mouth, it’ll be all-guns blazing. “You are such an arrogant cocky man, Grant. I’m a big girl and can handle myself. I am not normally here this late, but someone stuffed up my schedule this afternoon. In fact, truth be known, you are the reason I’m here this late. I needed to clear my head and the only way I know how to do that is to dance. So, I suggest you start talking fast and tell me why you’re here. Then once again, I can dance away my frustration of a meeting today with a man who sure as hell thinks he controls the world.” I can’t take my eyes off her face. When she gets worked up her face lights up and she is so hot. I can feel my cock stirring again for the second time today.
If she wants to really see cocky, then I’ll show her the real me in action. In a split second, I’m across the studio, stopping a breath away from Zara. I lean forward and place my hands on the mirror either side of her head. My face is level with hers, our mouths so close I can feel her breath tingling my lips.
“You have no idea how arrogant and cocky I can be.” I push my hips forward until my hard cock finds a new home between Zara’s legs. Her breath hitches and I see her eyes glaze over. “Maybe this will give you an idea. I don’t know why, but this is what seems to happen every time you open your mouth today.” I hold her stare as she tries to control her reaction to me being this close.
I slide one hand down the mirror and slowly run my finger down her cheek. I lean closer, dropping my mouth to her ear. “I actually came here to apologize for my attitude this afternoon but now, that would be a waste of time. What I think I should be doing is taking you over my knee and stripping those yoga pants off your ass. I’ll spank that attitude clean out of you and love the red marks I’d leave on your cheeks. You would like that, wouldn’t you, Zara?” I feel her breath on my neck quicken as I continue to whisper in her ear. “You don’t need to answer, Zara. Your body is talking for you. I have only known you a few hours and you have me that aroused watching you dance and opening your mouth. So fucking turned on. What I would love to do is lift you up and push you against this mirror while I wrap your bare legs around my waist. I would slam my cock inside you and fuck you hard. So hard, you would change your opinion of my cockiness. The only thing you would be yelling at me then would be for more, screaming my name as you fall over the edge of the best orgasm you have ever had.” I step back to see that beautiful full pink blush on her cheeks. Zara is totally frozen in her thoughts as she pants. “The whole time you will be watching us in that mirror over there. It will be the most erotic dance you have been involved in.” My hand drops from her cheek and runs slowly down the side of her body, skimming the side of her breast. Her body arches forward to fill the gap as I start to pull away.
She wanted that just as much as I did.
I release Zara and turn to walk away. If I’m going to miss out on sleep tonight it’s only fair that Zara suffer the same frustration. Over my shoulder I call out to her.
“Still think my cocky attitude is an issue for you, Miss Zara?”
When she doesn’t answer, I continue.
“When you work it out, let me know. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, Sophia has a little brother, Thomas. Mom and Baby are doing fine, and Sophia is so happy she was there for the excitement.
“Lock the door when I leave. You never know who might just walk in and what their intentions are. Sweet dreams, Zara.” I leave, walking down the stairs and straight outside. I need fresh air and I need it fast. My dick’s about to burst out of my trousers and my breathing is rapid.
Zara
Oh. My. God, what just happened? That man infuriates me and makes me wet all at the same time. Holy Shit, life just got interesting.
Grant
Oh. My. Fucking. God, what the hell just happened? That woman infuriates me and makes me hard as steel all at the same time. Holy shit, life just got interesting whether Zara likes it or not.
5
Zara
The floor feels cold under my feet this morning. I don’t have the usual spring in my step as I roll out of bed. The lack of sleep last night has me needing coffee as my first priority.
While that may be normal for most people, it’s not for me. Working hard on my dance career, I make sure my body is running on healthy fuel. My morning starts with a fruit smoothie to get the energy levels up and a protein shake after my gym session. Hitting the gym for strength work every morning has been critical in getting my knee and leg back into shape. After five years of seeing Natalie and Xavier, my personal trainers, every morning, they are now like family. They have been there every step of my journey. Being brother and sister, they think on the same level, making a great team. They have taken me from thinking my dance life had ended, back to where I am today. They never let me make excuses and push me hard to keep going. Even on the days I want to give in.
