He shook his head. “Nah. So, where are you from, Katana Reeves?”
“Portland,” I told him. “But now I live here.”
He nodded and ran his hand through his thick, dark wavy hair. “And why’s that?”
I found him quite nosy, but I supposed neighbors liked to know who was living next to them. “Well, if you must know, I’m pregnant with Nixon’s baby.”
“Oh!” he said with raised brows. “Now that’s some news.”
“Are you a reporter?” I joked with him.
“No,” he said with a chuckle. “Just a nosy old man with little to do.”
“You’re not old,” I said as I looked him over. He wasn’t super young, but he wasn’t old either.
“How old do you think I am?” he asked with a smile. “And don’t sugarcoat it. I really want to know how old I look to you.”
“Forty,” I said without thinking too much about it.
He nodded. “Forty-two. But I feel much older than that. I guess going through a divorce does that to people.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. How long ago was it?” A little stab in my heart had me asking.
“It’s nearly been a year since it became finalized. But it took two years to get the whole ugly thing done.” He ran his hand over his brow. “I waited too long to leave my wife. I stayed for our two kids. I spent twenty years with the woman I thought loved me. Some six years back I caught her cheating, and only then did I find out she’d been doing it all along. I even had to get my kids tested to make sure they were mine. They were, so I stayed. I stayed and stayed until our youngest graduated from high school and moved off to college. Then I left, and that woman who’d done me so wrong tried to do even more to me. She wanted half of everything. So it took a long time to get the divorce finalized—my lawyer had to fight hers just so I could come out losing only a quarter of what I had, instead of half.”
“That sounds awful,” I said as I shook my head.
“It was.” He nodded. Then he pulled his shades down and looked at me over the top of them. “So you and Nixon, had you known each other long before this happened?”
I felt embarrassment heat my cheeks. “No. Not at all.”
He clucked his tongue and shook his head. “Damn.”
“Yeah, well, it is what it is.” I didn’t know what else to say.
“And your plan is what, exactly?” he asked as he slid his sunglasses back up his nose.
“To live together and have the baby and let life take us wherever it takes us.” I sighed, knowing that sounded like a flighty plan.
“Oh, one of those kinds of plans. Got ya.” He laughed and slapped his denim-covered leg. “I don’t envy you guys, I can tell you that.”
Although I was slightly offended by the blunt man, I found myself asking, “And why is that, exactly, John?”
“Well, my wife and I had a plan, and even that didn’t make things work out for us.” He sighed, and I could feel his sadness about how his marriage had turned out. “We started our marriage out of love, not merely because she was pregnant. The odds are stacked against you two.”
“I’m not worried about any relationship between Nix and me. What worries me the most is how our child will be affected by both of us. That’s all that really matters. I believe Nix and I have the baby’s best interest as our focus.” I leaned back, feeling great about what I’d said.
John just laughed again. “Oh, honey!”
Oh, honey?
I shook my head. “What does that mean?”
“It means you’re living in a fantasy world. That’s what it means.” He smiled at me as if what he was saying should make me feel better, which it didn’t. And I had been feeling pretty damn sure about everything before he’d arrived. Especially since the doctor’s appointment and that special moment Nix and I had shared, where I had felt my heart open up to him.
Sure, I hadn’t gone so far as to let Nix know about that little miracle, but I would. One day. Time had to pass, or he’d think I was telling him I loved him much too soon. I couldn’t have that. So I’d keep it to myself, for now.
But this guy, this virtual stranger had just told me I was living in a fantasy world, and he didn’t even know the half of it. So I enlightened him. “I don’t think I am living in a fantasy world. Well, that’s not entirely true. You see this place, this home, the man who comes home to me each day—now that is just like a fantasy. And not one I’d ever had before. I hadn’t meant for any of this to happen, and for things to have fallen into place so easily is a gift. Nix is a gift.”
John smiled. “Now that’s a pretty sweet sentiment. So, you like this guy a lot then?”
I nodded. “I love him.” I couldn’t believe I had just admitted something so huge to this man, a man I didn’t know from Adam. “And I think he’ll grow to love me. I think he and I can make a fantastic family together.”
John’s brows shot up. “Oh? I don’t suppose—since you’re from Portland—that you know much about the man you’re living with.”
“Not a lot about his past. But I’m getting to know him more and more with each passing day—and he’s a good man. A man I respect immensely.” I picked up the bottle of water and took a drink of it, as my impassioned bits of speech had made my mouth dry.
A cluck of his tongue told me John wanted to fill me in on something. “Well, you should know the man has quite the eye for beautiful women. And he’s never kept any of them around for long periods of time. Being his neighbor, I can tell you why that is. Would you like to know?”
I did, and I didn’t. What did it matter how he’d been with other women in the past? But that damn curiosity raised her ugly head and used my mouth to say, “Yes, I would love to know why. I’m assuming it’s because you think he’s quite the player.”
When John shook his head, I had to admit I was surprised. “Nope. I mean he’s been with a boatload of women, but I don’t think it was by choice necessarily. You see, Nixon Slaughter is easily distracted, and not by other women, but by business. His downfall is that he’s neglectful of people. I’ve seen him out on this very deck with beautiful woman after beautiful woman, and I’ve watched him get phone call after phone call and end up leaving them all alone on his deck with the perfect view. And I watched as he forgot he had a woman waiting for his return at all, sometimes even leaving her to go somewhere else without giving so much as a goodbye.”
It didn’t seem that he could possibly be talking about the man I knew. “Are you sure you’re talking about the man who lives here? Because the man I know isn’t neglectful in the least.”
“Maybe the baby has something to do with that right now,” John offered. “But I do believe his natural ways will kick in sooner or later. And where will that leave you, Katana? Here, home alone with a baby and no one to help you with it?”
“I don’t think …” I tried to say.
John shook his head. “I know you don’t think he’ll be that way with you or with this child,” he said. “I’ve been around the block a time or two. I’ve lived next door to this man for nearly three years. I’ve seen him. I know him. You don’t. He’s high on the fact he’s about to be a father for the first time. The man is almost thirty and probably didn’t even know himself how ready he was to be a father. Even men yearn to have children at a certain age.”
“Maybe it’s the baby that’s changing him. Maybe that is true. But I think it’s a change that will stick. I have faith in that,” I said, then looked over my shoulder when I heard the familiar beep of the security system that signaled someone’s arrival. “I’ll have to say goodbye and nice meeting you, John. He seems to be home now.”
John got up and waved as he headed down the stairs. “See you around, Katana.”
When I got inside, I found Nix coming in through the kitchen, having come through the garage after parking his car. His smile was the first thing I noticed and then his arms were around me, holding me close as our mouths met in the sweet kiss we always shared when
he came home.
I loved the little ritual. But I couldn’t help feeling a little uncertain after the conversation I’d just had. John’s words about Nix’s past had me a little worried about admitting my love for the man too quickly. I couldn’t stay in a neglectful situation again. No child deserved that—and neither did I. It was a total deal breaker in my book.
Chapter 21
Nixon
Each day that passed had us growing closer. Katana and I talked more than I’d ever talked to anyone about anything, even in my business life. With only a few days until Christmas, I found myself doing things without thinking about them at all, having settled into our own little routine.
After watching a movie downstairs, I turned off the television and got off the sofa. “Time for bed, baby.”
A sexy little smile curved her lips as she took my hand and let me pull her up, and she moved right into my arms. “I’m feeling a little feisty tonight, Master.” She pulled my hand down to cup her ass. “Maybe a little punishment will calm me down.”
“I can see the healthy diet I’ve been making you eat has gotten you back in good shape. Maybe we can play a little.” I scooped her up and took her up the stairs to my bedroom—which had quickly become our bedroom, in my mind. “You know, you should just let me move your things into this bedroom.” I sat her on my bed and loved how she lit up at the idea.
“Like make this thing a bit more real?” she asked.
“Is that something you’d like?” I asked her as I unbuttoned her shirt.
Her breasts spilled over the top of her bra. Her Ds would soon become double Ds and my mouth watered for them already. Pushing her shirt off her, I took her bra off next, pausing a moment to admire the works of art I’d revealed.
Katana’s voice broke the spell her tits had put me under. “I’d love nothing more than to make things more real between us. I’ll move my things tomorrow if you’d like.”
“Nothing would make me happier.” While there was at least one thing that would make me happier, I wasn’t about to mess up my Christmas surprise.
Pushing her to lie back, I pulled her jeans off and made her gasp when I ripped her panties off, tossing them on the floor. She bit her lip as she watched me.
I took my shirt off, stepping out of my jeans as well, but leaving my tight black underwear on. Wiggling my finger at her, I had her turn over to get on her hands and knees. She moved over the bed like a tigress, appearing more than ready to play.
Her dark hair hung down, covering her tits. “How do you want me, Master?”
Without saying a word, I moved my finger in a circle, indicating that I wanted her to turn around. She did, presenting her round ass to me. I moved one hand over her soft flesh while moving the other over my growing erection.
Just the sight of her tight little ass did things to me that seemed impossible. I had no idea how she did this to me. The woman consumed my thoughts. I found myself stopping everything I was doing throughout my busy workdays just to call her and hear her voice.
Without even trying, the woman had me in the palm of her hand. And what was even crazier was that she had no clue as to how much she had me. But even if she did come to realize it someday, I didn’t see her ever using her hold over me in any kind of bad way.
Her moan took me out of my inner thoughts, and I came back to reality. Her smooth flesh flowed under my hand, and I pulled back and popped her one. She moaned even louder. “Yes, Master.”
A smile moved across my face that I thought might never go away. I gave her three more smacks, and she wiggled her ass at me, wanting more. After another three smacks, I leaned over and kissed her sweet ass, nibbling away at her tender skin.
She made a magnificent sound when I pushed my tongue into her asshole. Then she whispered, “Oh, Master, would you please fuck me in the ass?”
Hell yeah, I will!
Her request spurred me on as I tongue fucked her ass first, getting it wet and ready to be spread wide for my cock, which was growing by leaps and bounds.
Reaching around her, I pushed a finger into her soaking pussy and knew she was ready to go. I pulled my face away from her delicious ass and dropped my underwear. Pressing the tip of my cock to her asshole, I was surprised when she pushed back with a sudden jerk, forcing my cock to sink into her as she groaned.
I smacked her ass. “You’re supposed to let your Master do that, you little minx.”
“Sorry, I just wanted it so bad, Master.” She turned her head and looked at me over her shoulder. “My bad.”
I gave another smack. “You’re forgiven, slave.”
She kissed the air then turned around, moving her hands up the bed and lowering her head to get her ass up higher in the air. My cock sank further into her and I could feel her spreading even more to accommodate me.
Being in such a tight area, my cock was in heaven. I moved back and forth, using her ass to stroke my engorged cock. “Faster,” she begged.
I moved faster and thrust into her harder. My balls bounced off her pussy with each hard thrust, and soon her legs began to quiver. Her moans grew and grew until she made one shrill screaming sound as her body gave in and climaxed.
Not wanting to miss a thing, I pulled out of her ass and took her by the waist, turning her over. I hungered to lap up the juices I’d made her release. Pushing her legs up to bend her knees, I leaned over and planted my face in her pulsing pussy.
Sticking my tongue into her, I drank up as much of her as I could before the orgasm waned and the juices stopped flowing at such a high rate. Her hands tangled in my hair as she made the hottest sounds I’d ever heard.
“God, Nix! Baby, you fuck me so well,” she moaned.
I put a halt to my delicious meal to push her up the bed a bit, and then I climbed on top of her. My cock pushed into her, feeling the last aftershocks of the orgasm.
Moving fast and hard, I pulled one of her tits into my mouth and sucked her as I fucked her. Her nails ran over my back, leaving hot streaks in their wake. Harder and harder I went until she came hard, taking me with her on that journey.
I heard a terrible groan coming out of me as I shot my load into her hot pussy. Her legs wrapped around me, holding me to her as if she never wanted me to take my cock out of her throbbing cunt.
Not that I was in a hurry to leave her warm embrace. I held my weight off her as we both caught our breath. As the heat ebbed, her legs fell away from me, and I collapsed to one side of her, my hand resting on her still-flat stomach.
She ran her hand over mine as she whispered, “Our little orb is okay. Not to worry, Daddy.”
“Daddy,” I echoed her. “And how’s Mommy? Did she like what Daddy did to her?”
She giggled. “Now you’re skirting on the edge of creepy, baby. But I very much liked what you did to me. That ass kissing was a pleasant surprise. Never thought I’d get to feel that.”
“Yeah, I was waiting for a client to show up at my office earlier today and was looking for something to read. I found this smutty novel on my Kindle and scanned it for the sex scenes. That’s where I got the idea. Glad you liked it.” I was pretty proud of myself for taking the time to research new ways to please my lady.
“How thoughtful of you, Nix.” She turned on her side to face me. Her lips touched my nose. “You know, I think you’re just about the most thoughtful man I’ve ever met.”
“I haven’t always been that, Katana. It’s funny how you affect me. You’ve changed me without even trying to.” I kissed her on the forehead. “I mean, I never knew I could be like this. The truth is my business has consumed me for years. Before that, it was sports. I’ve never been the kind of guy who thought much at all about the woman I was with at any given time. But you—somehow you’ve taken over everything. It’s you who consumes my thoughts now.”
“I hope it stays that way. You consume my thoughts as well, you know.” She ran her hand over my chest, tracing my tribal tattoo. “My life has gone from one of mere contentment to one I�
��d never have even dared to dream about. Thank you, Nixon Slaughter.”
“No, thank you, Katana Reeves.” I pulled her closer to me, holding her tight. “I thank God every single day for taking me to you that Halloween night. I’ll never forget that night.”
Even if we hadn’t had a permanent reminder on the way, I would never forget the night I’d found Katana and changed into the person I was meant to be.
Chapter 22
Katana
Christmas Eve arrived, and Nix came home with a real Christmas tree. I met him at the door as he told me he had a surprise. “Wow, a real one, huh?” I asked as he pulled it through the door, pine needles leaving a trail in its wake.
“Always a real one, baby.” He leaned it against the wall and came to me, pulling me into his arms and giving me his usual hello kiss. “This is a tradition in my family. We don’t put up a tree until Christmas Eve, and we take it down the day after New Year’s.”
“Why wait so late before you put it up, Nix?” I asked as I ran my hand over the tree, finding it somewhat sticky and prickly.
Nix went to the closet under the stairs and pulled out a box that had Christmas written on it. He came to the tree and sat it on the floor. “Well, my family is big, I told you about that. And with a lot of kids, Mom and Dad found out a lot of begging and pleading to open just one present got to be annoying.”
“I can imagine,” I said as I helped him take the things out of the box and laid them on the coffee table to sort them out.
“So they came up with the idea of only putting the tree up on Christmas Eve, and we each got to open one present that night. The next morning we’d open the rest, giving Santa a chance to bring us more presents and fill our stockings with candy and little toys.” His eyes lit up as he pulled out the tree topper, an old star with hardly any silver glitter remaining. “This came from my gram-gram’s Christmas ornament collection. I got this out of a box full of them after she passed away.”
With a nod, I understood why he had the ugly old thing. “I see. What a sweet sentiment.” I began to notice that all the ornaments looked old and worn out. “Did you inherit all of these?”
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