by Tina Saxon
“Oh,” Lexi says, disappointed.
“Sweet girl, you know Ketchup is helping a lot of kids, just like he helped you.”
“I know,” she pouts. “I just miss him.”
“Tater Tot, I’m sure he misses his girl, too.” Aiden pokes her nose. She softly giggles and nods her head. We’ve talked a lot about what Amy is doing on the ranch and how important it is.
“How about you go with me to pick out a horse that’ll be just yours?” Max says.
I hit Max on the shoulder. “Max! Would you stop spoiling her?”
Lexi reaches her hand over and puts it across my lips to silence me and giggles. “He’s not spoiling me. It’s just a horse.” I roll my eyes. “Please, let Max get me a horse?” she says, her innocent eyes plead.
I sigh. Like I can say no. I’ll forever be the villain who didn’t let Max get her a damn horse. I look at Max and narrow my eyes. He laughs out loud. Oh, you can laugh now, Max, but later we are having a little talk. I hear Aiden chuckle, too.
“You are in so much trouble,” he murmurs to Max. That makes Max laugh louder.
“Lulu, right now, let’s just worry about getting you into bed,” I say. Brooks walks over and joins us.
“In my new room?”
I look at Aiden and he shrugs as I look up at the ginormous house. We’re not staying here tonight, so I don’t know how I feel leaving her here. What if she gets scared or has a bad dream? Will she ever be able to find Max?
“Robin is up there with Presley in one of the rooms. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind watching over Lexi, too,” Brooks says.
“The room is actually right by Lulu’s,” Max adds. Lexi looks at me with hopeful eyes.
“Okay,” I resign. “But Amy and Ted will come get you later to take you back to their hotel since we’re not staying here tonight.” I look at Max, biting my bottom lip. I hope he doesn’t think I’m being a bitch by not letting her stay here. “It’s unfamiliar—”
“It’s alright, Addison. I understand,” Max says, stopping me. His lips curl into a smile and he nods, reassuring me that it is okay.
“Okay, Lulu, let’s take you to see your new room.” Ted puts her down, and she hops over to me, slipping her little hand into mine.
“It’s three doors down from where you were today,” Max explains.
“So, top of the stairs, do I go left or right?”
“Left,” Max and Aiden say simultaneously. I quirk an eyebrow, looking between the two.
“Secret spy business on the right. Got it.” I chuckle.
The guys smile, but don’t confirm. Or deny. Aiden and I walk up the hill with Lexi, the three of us linked hand in hand like the ring on her finger. I hope she knows that even when we have a baby, the love we have for her won’t ever change. She will forever be our first child.
She excitedly runs down the hall, counting doors to find hers. When she does, she looks back at us before entering. We nod, giving her confirmation, and hear her squeal before we make it to the room.
My mouth falls open and I gasp as soon as we walk into the room. I slap Aiden on the chest. “You thought I was bad?”
Aiden chuckles and shrugs. “I didn’t know what kids liked then.”
I watch her run up the stairs of a princess castle with a play area on top and a bed on the bottom. She slides down the slide on the other end. It’s a freaking playhouse. Feeling slightly jealous that she loves it so much, I turn to Aiden and say, “Couldn’t he have just bought her a normal bed?” He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into his side.
“Don’t be jealous, momma bear.” I pinch his side, hating that he can read me so well. “You know Max would do anything for Lexi. This shouldn’t be a surprise,” he says, leaning his head on top of mine.
I wrap my arms around him, and we stand there watching Lexi go up and down over and over. It doesn’t take long before she wears herself out.
“You ready to get your jammies on?” I ask when she falls on her bed. Her eyes start to droop again, and she nods.
Aiden and I sit beside her when she’s all tucked in. Robin sticks her head in and lets us know she’ll text us if Lexi needs anything.
“It’s been a long day for you,” I say, moving her hair out of her face.
“Thank you,” she says softly.
“For what, sweet girl?”
“For adopting me. I want to be with you forever.” Tears automatically pool in my eyes.
“Oh, Lulu. You have made our lives better. We love you and now your ours. Forever.” I sniff.
“Do I have to call you Mom and Dad?”
“You can call us whatever you want. Whatever feels comfortable to you,” Aiden says, rubbing her stomach.
“I want to call you Mommy and Daddy, but it feels weird,” she says, scrunching up her nose. My heart beats faster hearing those words. I smile at her.
“How about we take it slow. Today is the first day we are officially a family. There isn’t any need to rush if it feels uncomfortable. Whatever you decide won’t hurt our feelings, just remember that. And you can always talk to us about how you are feeling, okay?” She nods and I lean down and give her a hug, kissing her on her forehead before standing up. Aiden does the same thing.
“We love you, Tater Tot. We’ll see you in a week. And then we’ll go on our familymoon,” Aiden says. I giggle at the word. We had to explain to Lexi what a honeymoon was, so she coined the phrase familymoon when we decided to take her somewhere to celebrate her adoption after we get back.
When we reach the door, she says, “I love you, too, Mommy and Daddy.” I hold a hand over my heart, knowing how hard that must be for her to say. It’s been a year since she lost her parents, and I can’t imagine how confusing it is for a six year old to say that to someone else. My smile reaches my tear-filled eyes. Aiden squeezes his hand around mine, and I watch him blink back his tears. We blow her a kiss and turn the lights off. I roll my eyes when the ceiling twinkles with pinhole lights resembling a star-filled night.
She audibly gasps. “Look at the stars,” she exclaims.
“I see it,” I say, trying to sound excited. Aiden laughs. Damn Max! She’s not going to want to come home.
Chapter twenty-eight
“Aiden,” I say, laughing. “You better behave down there.”
“Sweetheart, there are no rules when I’m down here.” He winks, flashing a wicked grin. I’m sitting on a chair in the middle of the dance floor and he’s on his knees, slowly lifting my dress. Whistles and laughter cheer him on. I can feel the blush creeping up my face, as his fingers graze my bare legs, moving higher and higher.
I laugh awkwardly and grab his hands, which are now above my garter. “Stop,” I whisper-yell.
He leans forward, his mouth close to my ear. “I fucking love it when you blush.” I shiver from the warmth of his breath that’s laced with the smell of whiskey. To the outside world, he’s just showing me love. They can’t see his fingers continuing their ascent to my center. He glides a finger across my silk panties. I glare at him with wide eyes and sit up taller to move away from his fingers.
“Stop. Or I’m going to give you the worst case of blue balls you’ve ever had,” I whisper into his ear. His laughter rings out as he sits back on his feet. “Now do your job without getting touchy feely.” I lift my dress and motion with my head toward my leg.
“Yes, ma’am.” A devilish glint in his eyes tells me I probably shouldn’t have said that. He dives in headfirst under my dress. I can feel his teeth score my thighs as he slowly pulls off my garter with his mouth. I cover my face with my hands, hiding. When I feel him remove it from my foot, I lower my hands. The crowd goes wild. He’s dancing around with it in his mouth, showing off his handiwork. He’s thirty, right?
“Let’s get all the single men on the floor,” the DJ announces. Thank God that’s over. I stand and scurry off the stage. Sydney comes and stands by my side, giggling at me. I slap her arm and glare at her.
We stand th
ere and watch the guys get ready. Some crack their knuckles, others stretch. You’d think they were getting ready for a football game. Aiden holds up the garter and looks at me, wagging his brows. I roll my eyes. Just throw the damn thing.
He looks at all the guys and spins around as the DJ starts the music. Aiden plays around with where he’s going to throw it before he launches it. The guys crowd around where it falls, fighting for it. They make great actors. Damon breaks free and waves around the garter, pointing at Sydney. Her arm is wrapped through mine, and she laughs.
“Well, crap, now there’s pressure. I’ll be the smallest one out there.”
I look at her through the sides of my eyes. “You might be small, but I’m positive that’s not going to stop you,” I chuckle.
“That’s right,” she says, hopping from foot to foot. “I’ll cut a bitch.” I burst out laughing. I hold my stomach because it starts to hurt from laughing so hard.
“I’m serious. I’ll take someone down.” She punches the air like she’s boxing. Oh, my gosh, it’s hard to breathe. Tears running down my cheeks.
“Stop,” I say between laughs. “You’re going to make me bust, little bean.”
The DJ calls me to the dance floor. I blot the tears from my eyes and take a couple of deep breaths. I hear Syd say behind me, “I got this.” Yes, you do, Pixie.
The girls crowd the dance floor. My eyes go wide. I thought the guys were intense. I’m a little afraid of the mob behind me. I glance at Aiden, worried our plan isn’t going to work. These girls have serious game faces on. They are here to win. I grasp my bouquet in my hand, eyeing the dance floor of hungry woman before I turn around. Three…two…one. I toss it over my head and whip around to see the melee ensue.
In the end Sydney holds up the bouquet in triumph. She looks like she’s been in an actual fight. Her face is beet red, hair falling out of her side bun, and her dress is askew. But her smile reaches her sparkling ice blue eyes when she spots Damon. She waves the bouquet around like she’s saying “look what I got.” He smirks.
He grabs a chair and slides it onto the dance floor near where I’m standing. My nerves are crackling, I’m so excited. I reach up and give him a hug. “Good luck,” I whisper in his ear and stroll to the side of the dance floor. Aiden comes to my side, wrapping his arm around my waist as we watch our best friends. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch someone leaving. Max is walking to the bar. I elbow Aiden and jerk my head in Max’s direction. Aiden sighs and shrugs.
“Maybe this is what he needs to move on,” he leans down and says in my ear. I watch Cherrie walk over to him and whisper something in his ear. He glances at the dance floor, downs a shot, and they walk into the darkness, outside the tent. When the music starts, I turn my focus back to Damon and Sydney. I hate that Max is upset, but there isn’t anything I can do. It’s been almost a year since he and Sydney spent the night together, and he made it clear that it didn’t mean anything.
The DJ plays “Bad Boys” by Inner Circle, and I giggle, knowing that is Damon’s ringtone on Sydney’s phone. Damon points at Syd and curls his finger. She saunters over and he reaches for her hand as soon as she gets close enough, helping her sit down. Damon twirls the garter on his finger and kneels, grabbing Sydney’s leg. He drags the garter up her leg. When he pulls it over her knee, Jaxon yells out from the crowd, “Keep going.” Sydney looks in his direction and laughs. The song quickly changes to “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri. When Sydney looks back to Damon, he’s holding a ring up in between shaky fingers. Sydney gasps, covering her mouth. Tears burn my eyes and my nose starts to tickle again. I pull out a tissue from my bra. Aiden’s arm tightens around me, and I lean my head on his chest, trying to fight the tears but failing miserably.
It’s hard to hear what Damon’s saying over the music even with the silent crowd. When she nods her head and holds her hand for him to put the ring on, the crowd goes wild. Damon pulls Sydney up into his arms, and they dance to the rest of the song.
Aiden and I sway to the song, and I think about our lives. How intertwined our worlds have become. People slowly make their way to the dance floor, joining Damon and Syd, dancing next to them. Ryker pulls Bryn to the dance floor. Ryan holds Macie’s very large belly as they dance. Jaxon and Katie whisper back and forth, embraced in each other’s arms.
This is our life.
This is our family.
This is what Fate has given me. Love.
A tear rolls down my cheek. I place my hand on my chest as warmth spreads through my body. The euphoric feeling makes my nerves tingle. My heart has never been so full of love.
“Mrs. Roberts, you ready to join them?” Aiden says, glancing down at me. His emerald eyes gleam, reflecting the love that I’m feeling. I wipe the tears that have fallen, smile, and nod. His fingers slide between mine, and we move to the dance floor.
When the song ends, I smack a kiss on Aiden’s lips and run to grab Syd. She squeals and jumps into my arms. “Congratulations,” I say, squeezing her.
She pulls back. “Are you okay with this?” I jerk my head a little, taken back by her question. She knows that I love her with Damon. “I mean him asking me at your wedding,” she explains.
“Are you kidding? I’m more than happy to share the spotlight with you. And Damon had already asked us before the wedding just to make sure.” I snatch her hand to see the ring. Damon wouldn’t let me see it earlier. “It’s beautiful, Syd. I’m so happy for you.”
All the girls from the wedding party come over to congratulate her. We start dancing to a rock song when Aiden and Damon bring a tray with flutes of champagne for all of us. My eyes go wide, looking at Syd. Shit. There’s no way for her to run off and change my drink. I’m sure there are numerous eyes on us so it’s not like I can dump it in other glasses without getting caught.
I swallow. It’s just a drink, I remind myself. Aiden moves the tray around for everyone to grab a flute. Once I have one, he takes the last one and passes the tray to a random person walking by. His hand slinks around my waist, and he pulls me into him.
“We couldn’t be happier for you two,” Aiden says, smiling at the happy couple. “Congratulations and all that other shit.” He laughs, holding up his glass. Glasses clink with cheers all around. I brink the flute to my mouth and take a sip. Tiny bubbles dance on my tongue, the crisp taste of fruit fills my mouth before the warmth moves down my throat. Mmm. It tastes…like the forbidden fruit. I lick my lips, still tasting it. I’m staring at my glass debating if I can have one more sip when Aiden asks me if I’m okay. Yep, don’t mind me. I’m just getting your child drunk.
The song for the electric slide begins to play. Sydney excitedly yells my name, takes my drink, and hands it to Aiden before whisking me off to join in the line dance. Sydney to the rescue. She looks at me when we move to the left, rolling her eyes, knowing that we both hate this dance.
“Thanks,” I say, moving back a few steps. She nods, dancing in front of me. “I swear I banned this song.” When we turn, I catch a glimpse of her giggling. I wince, my ankle reminding me that it hasn’t healed all the way and it’s time for me to sit down. I look over at Syd when we’re side by side again. “I’m done. My ankle is starting to hurt.” I lift my dress and can see it’s beginning to swell.
“Sit,” Sydney barks. “I’ll go find you some ice.”
Chapter twenty-nine
Aiden
I glance around the room and my eyes freeze when I see Addison. Sydney is putting some ice on Addison’s ankle. I stop a coworker who’s rambling on about something that I’m not even paying attention to. “I need to go check on Addison,” I say, pointing in her direction and walking away.
“Hey, gorgeous.” I lean down and kiss her. She’s sitting in a chair with her foot propped up. She looks up at me and frowns. “Seems you overdid it.” I lift off the ice to see how bad it is. Not too bad, but bad enough that I’m ready to take her home. Almost. One last thing to do. “I’ll be back in a little bit. Stay h
ere.”
“Yes, sir,” she says. My smile grows wide. Fuck, I like hearing her say that. She narrows her eyes at me, and I laugh. I’ve had submissive women before, not really my thing. Give me a strong-willed woman who will take charge and ride me like a superstar, now she’s my thing. Addison fits that bill to a T.
I walk away before my semi-hard dick goes full Monty. I roll up my sleeves, walking to the stage. This is the last song of the night. At least for us. Then I’m going to take my wife to our new home. I shake my hands out, nerves getting the best of me. I hope she doesn’t freak out about the apartment. I’m not sure what I’ll do if she doesn’t like it.
Hopping up the three steps to the stage, I grab my guitar. The guys are just getting done with a song, and they see me coming from the side. I nod, telling them it’s time. This was already planned ahead of time. I walk to the mic and clear my throat. Damon whistles and Sydney hollers. Attention turns to me, and I smile and wave. “I’m sure you’re getting tired of hearing me,” I chuckle. “But I have one song left. Now that the little ones have gone to bed, this one’s for you, sweetheart.” I give the audience the once-over and then pin my gaze on Addison. I won’t see anyone else the entire song. Her smile reaches her eyes, and she blows me a kiss. The look of worship she gives me when I’m on stage is the most heart-pounding rush. It’s fucking intoxicating.
At the wedding, when the door opened and I saw her standing there, my words slipped from my mind. I was stunned stupid at how beautiful she looked. I don’t remember how I found the words, they just came out.
I know exactly what I’m want to say now. The band begins to play behind me, and I grip the microphone and close my eyes, letting the melody soak in. When I open them, I sing directly to Addison, singing “Slow Hands” by Niall Horan. Whistles with whoops and hollers fill the whole room. Addison blushes and covers her face with her hands for a few beats. I grin, loving making her flustered. She leans over and grabs a napkin, fanning herself as I tell her I want to take my time and I will certainly have slow hands.
