by Harlow Layne
His eyes dart toward where Kari is standing with her eyes on us. “Because you act like I’m only your son’s coach when we’re out in public.”
“You’ll never just be Beck’s coach. You’re so much more than that and I’m sorry if I made you think that.” It breaks my heart he’d think such a thing.
He dips down and brushes his nose to mine, his breath a whisper against my lips. “I want everyone to know you’re mine.”
I’ve given Max enough grief thinking we’re moving too fast and thinking his feelings can’t possibly be real. Believing in what December said, I go all in with this sweet beast of a man. “Then what are you waiting for? Show them I’m yours.”
16
Max
I look through the report Cobi brought me for at least the tenth time, unsure of what to do. Someone has been asking questions about Delilah and Beckham, and I’ve got a good idea who it is. Who else but that asshole ex of hers would be looking for her? Her parents know exactly where she is. But do I keep Delilah and Beck inside and away from all eyes, or do I let them live their lives and worry about them every second of the day?
Small hands are placed lightly on my shoulders before Delilah dips down and kisses my cheek. “Is everything okay?”
Setting down the papers, I pull her down onto my lap and wrap my arms around her tiny waist. “Someone’s still asking around about you and Beck.”
All the blood drains from her face and tears threaten to spill down her cheeks. I hear the gulp rather than see it before she says, “I hate to say it, but maybe Beck and I need to leave.”
“You’re not going anywhere without me, so don’t even think about it,” I growl out. “Beck has to go to school, but I’m thinking you should stay home. I can take him to and from school and practice.”
Her bottom lip trembles as she asks, “What if they recognize him while he’s at school?”
She’s right. Either I tell December what’s going on or Beck gets homeschooled until we know they’ve moved on.
“I don’t have all the answers, beauty, but I’m trying to figure out how to keep you out of harm’s way. What I do know is you’re not leaving Murfreesboro.”
“What if I’m never safe? I don’t want to have to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life.” This time when she blinks, a tear falls down her cheek, but she hastily wipes it away.
“And you shouldn’t have to. Why don’t you stay here while I take Beck to your parents? I can update your dad so he’s apprised of the situation and I can hear what he thinks we should do.”
She sits up a little more in my lap. “I thought we were going out for dinner?”
“Maybe it’s best if I pick up some takeout. We can sit out on the deck and turn on the lights you put up with the heater going.” Then I can have her all to myself which is something I don’t get too often. Plus, I can’t do inappropriate things to her while we’re out in public.
One night while we were sitting out on the deck when I had Delilah curled up next to me with a blanket covering us to keep out the chill, she suggested putting up twinkling lights in the trees closest to the house and along the deck. I was happy she was starting to see this place as somewhere permanent she’d like to decorate, so I gave her the go ahead.
She’d spent long hours skillfully arranging the lights to not be intrusive, but an accent to the night when we were outside.
“Yeah, okay,” she says. Deflated, and starts to move off my lap.
I clamp my hands around her waist and keep her right where I want her. “Hey, it won’t be forever, but for right now we have to do everything we can to keep all of you safe. Let me think about what options we have, but for now, staying home is the best option I can give you.”
“You’re right. Please don’t think I’m not grateful for all that you’ve done because I know you do more than you tell me. It would kill me if something happened to you or anyone in your family for having any involvement with me.”
She slumps against me and I know this can’t be easy for her. She left one horrible situation to now feel imprisoned here. “I’m tired. I think I’m going to go tell Beck goodbye and then take a nap until you get back.”
She moves to crawl off my lap again, but I hold her in place and bring her mouth to mine to get a taste of her. Only then do I let her go. “If you’re still asleep when I get home, I’ll come wake you.”
Trudging up the stairs, she looks back when she reaches the landing with a sad smile on her face. Maybe I should take them to some exotic country until this passes over? I don’t know the right answer, but I hate to see her like this.
Since it’s not time for Beck to go over to his grandparents’ house yet, I pull out my phone as I make my way into my office. I don’t go in here often because I don’t have much use for it, but I don’t want my conversation overheard by Beck if he comes down.
My dad answers on the second ring sounding distracted. “Hello?”
“Hey, Dad. It’s me. Are you busy?” I sit down in my leather chair and turn it until I’m facing the window so I can see out back.
“You know I always have time for you. What’s wrong, Son?”
“How did you know something’s wrong?” I ask curiously.
“Because I know you better than you know yourself. I can hear it in your voice.” I hear the back door slide open and then shut. “Give it to me.”
For the next few minutes, I tell him everything I’ve learned since I last spoke to him about the situation with Delilah and Beck. “What do I do?”
He lets out a sigh. “Is there something in the water here that brings trouble to any couple the second they fall for each other?”
“There might be,” I say, cracking a smile. “Murfreesboro sure has itself quite a bit of trouble when involving the Mayson clan.”
“If you want to stay by her side—”
“Of course, I do,” I say, cutting him off.
“Alright then, your options are to keep them in the house or go somewhere else. Both I know you don’t want to do.”
He’s correct about that.
“They need to be caught and put in prison for the rest of their lives, so Delilah can live free and clear of their wrath,” I growl down the line.
“That they do, Son, but you’re not going to be the one doing it. You’ve got a woman now, a little boy, and a kid on the way.” He chuckles. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think you’d be the reversal of me.”
What the hell is he talking about?
“How’s that?” I ask and turn in my chair when I hear some noise in the kitchen. Unfortunately, from my vantage point, I can’t see in there.
“When I met December, I was single with two boys, and here you are finding your woman and you’re inheriting two kids.”
“Yours and mom’s relationship definitely helped pave the way for me. It’s taken Delilah some time to come to terms with the fact that I don’t care that Beck and the baby aren’t mine. One day they will be though.”
“That’s what I like to hear. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help to you.”
“It’s a good thing you can’t. If you could, it would probably mean you’d have a lot of trouble on your end. You’ve had enough to last a lifetime with my mom. I was thinking of getting a dog who could help guard the house, but I’m not sure if Beck is ready for that after the attack.”
“It’s not a bad idea. Why don’t you ask him, and if he doesn’t seem opposed, let him pick out the dog,” he answers wisely.
“That’s a good idea. I should probably go. I can hear the little guy now. I’ll mention it to him when I take him over to see Ryder and Lexie.”
“You know if you ever want me and Mom to watch him, we’d be more than happy to. I know it seems like you’ve got plenty of time right now before the baby comes, but in a matter of months there’s going to be a baby who will need you both all hours of the day and night.”
“We’ll take you up on that offer, and soon. Will you also take a dog f
or a night?” I stand then and open the door to my office to see Beck bouncing around in the kitchen with his polar bear.
“I’m not potty training no dog, but I’ll watch one for a night,” he huffs down the line.
“When I know a date, I’ll let you know.”
“And keep me informed on what’s going on. If you want, I can talk to your mom and see what she says about homeschooling Beck for a little while until you feel it’s safer.”
“If I take him out of school that means no more baseball too, and it would break that kid’s heart.”
“Better to break his heart than for him to get hurt, or worse,” he states.
“I think if Delilah stays away from practice and the games, he should be safe, but I’ll talk to her and see what she thinks. What we do know is they’re looking for her.”
“Don’t think they won’t use that boy to get to her. If they find him, they know she’ll do whatever she has to do to save him.”
Fuck if he isn’t right.
“I guess it’s a good thing the season’s over next weekend. I was thinking of having the kids continue to practice until summer. Maybe I can get a couple of guys together to make a makeshift field on the back of the property.”
“Did you ever think you’d meet someone who would turn your life upside down, but in a good way?”
“Never.” I laugh. “But I’m glad I did.”
“Me too, Son. Me too. And if you need help with your field, let me know. I’d be happy to lend a hand.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I say before I tell him goodbye. I walk into the kitchen where Beck is still playing with his polar bear.
“Hey, buddy. Are you ready to go see your GiGi and PopPop?” He nods and keeps playing. “Do you have your bag to take for the night?”
“Oh, let me go grab it.” He runs out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
I chuckle and watch as it sounds like a herd of elephants are stampeding through the house even though it’s just his little body that’s filled with excitement. He’s only in his room for a second before he’s coming back down the stairs with a smile, his backpack slung over his shoulder, and his bear in his hand.
“Ready?” I ask as I start for the garage.
“Yeah,” he nods. “Do you think Mom will be alright here by herself?”
His question takes me off guard, making me wonder if he overheard anything earlier, because why else would Delilah not be okay?
“She’ll be fine. After I drop you off, I’m going to get us some dinner, and then I’ll be here with her.” I scan his face to see if my words appease him.
“Some days she doesn’t feel good, but she tries to pretend like she’s not sick,” he states.
“Growing a baby inside of you is serious business and some days are hard on her and makes her feel sick, but today I think she’s only tired. The baby makes her tired too.”
“You promise to take care of her?” he asks like up until now he’s been taking care of her, and maybe he’s felt that way. He is the best damn kid I know and if I have to build a whole baseball stadium on my land so he can play and be safe, I’ll do it. I’d do just about anything for him and his mom.
I open the back door to my truck for him to crawl in and wait until he’s firmly seated and has his seatbelt on. “I promise to always take care of you, your mom, and the baby. You don’t need to worry about that.”
“I knew I could count on you,” he says.
And damn if his words don’t make my eyes get a little misty.
17
Max
It’s two hours later, and I thought for sure Delilah would be up from her nap when I got home, but as I look around the downstairs area, she’s nowhere to be seen. For an instant, I get worried that while I was gone, her ex found her, but then I hear the strains of soft music coming from upstairs.
Setting down the takeout I picked up on the way home, I head upstairs wondering what she’s doing. I wanted to get back sooner, but when I gave over the file I’m slowly amassing on Bradley Stanton the first, second, and third to her dad, he wanted to go over everything with me.
The bedroom door is closed when I get to the master bedroom, and it’s quiet except for the light music. “Beauty?” I call as I open the door.
Stepping into the room, I take in the sight before me. Delilah has on a tiny black scrap of lace covering her luscious tits and nothing else.
“I thought I’d welcome you home a little differently.” She chews on her bottom lip as if she doesn’t know she’s the most breathtaking woman on the planet.
My dick salutes her and begs to be let out of the confines of my jeans.
“A man could get used to coming home to this,” I growl and rip my t-shirt over my head as I start to prowl toward the bed.
“So, you like?” she questions, getting up on her knees where I can see her glistening pussy waiting for me.
“I more than like, beauty. I love. I guess you’re not hungry if this is how you’re greeting me.”
“I’m hungry for one thing and one thing only, and that’s you. Take off your pants and let me taste you.” She curls her finger in a come-hither gesture.
I give her what she wants. Pulling off my shoes and then my pants, I grab my boxers by the waistband and tug them down my thighs, letting my cock that’s hardening at a maddening pace free to slap against my stomach and then point directly at her. He wants her just as badly as I do.
The second my thighs hit the edge of the bed, Delilah reaches out and wraps both hands around my length. Dipping down, she swipes her tongue across my slit and then sucks my mushroom head into her wet mouth. I shudder at her touch.
Brushing her hair out of the way, so I can watch as she works me up, I pull it back and keep my grip on the makeshift ponytail.
Opening her mouth wider, she takes me in until I hit the back of her throat. I can’t help but groan. It’s hot as fuck when she tries to swallow my cock down her throat. Her pillowy lips stretch around my length. The sight before me nearly has me spilling my load, but I grit my teeth and hold off, enjoying the moment.
What’s even hotter is how turned on she gets as she bobs up and down my length. Rubbing her thighs together, Delilah squirms and moans.
“Touch yourself as if it was me touching you,” I say and then let out a long groan as she spreads her legs wide and slips her hand between them.
“Dip your fingers inside and give me a taste,” I demand. If my cock wasn’t halfway down her throat right now, I’d throw her down on the bed and bury my face between her legs.
Two fingers come up wet with her juices as she reaches her hand up to me. I dive and suck the sweet honey off her fingers until it’s all gone and I’m dying for more.
Pulling my dick out of her mouth, I pick her up by the waist and crash my mouth to hers. It’s short and desperate, just the way I’m feeling for her in this moment.
When I pull back, I take her with me as I lay back on the bed. “I want you to ride my face while you suck me off. Turn around and sit on my face.”
She doesn’t waste any time turning around in my arms. In an instant, her pretty pink pussy is hovering over my face. “What are you waiting for?”
She takes it as me wanting her mouth on me when it’s the exact opposite. I want my mouth on her.
Licking her.
Sucking her.
Tasting her sweetness.
I pull her down by her hips and quickly arrange my hands so I can spread her lips wide open for me. I want every inch of her exposed to me. I use my thumbs to open her hood and then swirl my tongue around her clit as if my life depends on it.
Delilah starts to ride my face just the way I want her to. She moans and I feel saliva start to drip down my shaft and to my balls. Never one to waste, she takes my balls in one hand and massages them, coating them with her spit.
I’m close to blowing, but I want her to come with me. With two fingers, I start to pump in and out of her, making sure I hit her in the right spot with e
very stroke. It doesn’t take her long before her walls start to flutter.
“Baby, I need you to come with me. Do you think you can do that?” My hips shoot up, chasing her mouth.
She nods and starts to bob faster. Her little hands pumping along with her mouth.
I feel myself start to swell, about to blow, and she finishes me off by sucking on my tip and ringing my crown with her tongue. I shoot off in her mouth, trying to keep my hips under control and not gag her as I come down her throat. I quicken my fingers and crook them as I suck hard on her nub.
Delilah lets out a scream that I swear shakes the house as she grinds down on my face and rides me harder and faster until she lays spent on top of me. Her face on my thigh as she pants and shakes.
Holy hell, what a way to come home.
I don’t leave her like that for long. Picking her up, I cradle her in my arms as I walk us into the bathroom and turn on the shower.
She picks her head up and smiles sleepily at me. “Welcome home.”
“Welcome home, indeed. How about we get cleaned up, then we have some dinner, and then I’ll get you all dirtied up again?”
Her eyes light up at that. “I like the sound of that.”
Sticking my hand in to see if the water is warm yet, I find it the perfect temperature and then step inside with her still in my arms.
She looks up at me with a shy smile. I know what she wants. She wants me to fuck her in the shower and what Delilah wants, Delilah gets. At least where my cock is concerned.
“Put me at your entrance if you want me to fuck you,” I say as I nip along her jaw and down the column of her neck.
Not wasting any time, Delilah positions me at her opening and then slowly starts to slide down my shaft. The moment she’s fully seated, I feel her walls flutter around me. I know it won’t take much to bring her over the edge again.
Leaning back against the cool wall, I place one hand at her waist to help her move as I thrust up hard. She moans with each stroke of my cock and her nails dig into my shoulders.
