“But it’s just you, Mother, and Beth,” I pointed out.
“Do we need more? Courtney and Brittney aren’t ready to sit around and listen to us.”
“No, they’ll have other things to do.” I grinned.
“Such as?” Beth began to ask.
“Don’t let him trick you, Beth. They expect us to sit in the house and take care of the kids and knit or something. Tonight, once the babes are asleep, it’s our time.”
I shook my head as Beth stuck her tongue out at me, and the two of them walked off. I could see them becoming thick as thieves. Zara needed a friendly female in her life. Especially if Ashley was out of Angus’s.
Peter and I locked up the house as the others deserted us in pursuit of something more fun.
“This is nice, Dame. It suits you.”
“Yeah, I’m liking it more every time I see it. I still can’t believe Ethan did what he did. You know he bought Beth her house?”
“No, I didn’t know that. That says a whole lot for the young man. He could be completely into himself and his music. Instead, he comes back on his days off and participates in a family he really knows nothing about.”
“I know. I wish I could have known him when he was younger. But I’m happy to have him in my life now.”
“I know you are.”
“How long are you and Mother here?”
“A week. Daniel and I thought it was time for your mother to take a break. Let Mary get used to having the baby’s on her own.”
“Yeah, I can imagine Mother being on duty all day, every day basis could be nerve wracking. She means well, but...well, you know how she can get.”
“Yes, trust me, I do. I’m hoping she’ll go along with Courtney to one of her lessons and listen.”
“From what I’ve heard at home, she’s greatly improved. And she was good to begin with.”
“I’m trying to let your mother consider getting back into her playing.”
“Not pushing then. Smart man.”
“Aye. Sometimes, one must let your mother think it’s her idea all along.”
“I can understand that.”
We walked into Amadeus’s house and found it relatively quiet for once. Mother was sitting on the sofa reading to the toddlers. Everyone else, I expected, was involved in tent raising.
Elizabeth, however, curious as ever, saw me walk in with Peter. “Uncle Dame, you know what?”
“What, Elizabeth?”
“Granny’s reading to me and Wolfie.”
Glancing over at Peter for help didn’t do any good. He was all but laughing over Mother being called granny. I tried to suck it in. “That’s fun. You enjoy it.”
“Where you going?”
“Um, I’m going to see if they need any help outside.”
The late afternoon progressed into evening. The kids had settled into their activities, and the little ones were in bed. About the only sanctuary we had was the living room. That or the studio. Zara had been threatening us with board games or charades. We took that as a push for us to let them have the family room. So, we headed outside. Give Ethan his first look at what my brother had.
My new stuff hadn’t been heard by anyone except the girls, Beth, Amadeus, and Zara. Not counting Peter or people in his organization assigned to it.
They were all equally blown away. Angus and Ethan especially.
“No wonder there’s Grammy chatter,” Angus said. “You’ll be nominated for sure once this hits the stores and airwaves.”
“That would be icing on the cake,” I replied. “All I’m interested in is getting it heard.”
Everyone sat around chatting about various stuff. I was glad to get the heat off me. I knew my stuff was good, and yet at the same time, I was nervous as a cat, wondering how it might be viewed.
The following morning I reluctantly let Beth leave with Ethan. It was his last day before rejoining his tour. Though she’d invited me to come over later, I felt like an interloper. They had a routine, and I didn’t wish to disturb it. Soon enough, there would be changes.
Instead of wallowing in my sadness, I reminded myself that Angus needed to get settled in. If I hadn’t gone out and spoken to him, he’d have quietly gone and lived on his boat until he figured things out.
The girls were running around per usual when I arrived. I called them into the living room.
“What’s up?” Britt inquired sitting down across from me.
“Did we do something we shouldn’t?” Court asked.
“No, but I need to share something with you, and for right now, it can’t go beyond this house. No one knows. Understood?”
“Sure,” they grumbled.
“Uncle Angus is going to be staying here at least for a few days. So, I need one of you to give up your room.”
“Why? Did Aunt Ashley kick him out?” Britt asked.
“You might say that. She’s filing for divorce, and never bothered to tell him until just before the party.”
“That’s why he was so quiet at times,” Courtney mused.
“Yes, and if I hadn’t forced it out of him, he’d have gone to live on his boat until he can make other arrangements.”
“That’s so cold. Is she taking the house? The Tudor family house?”
“It looks as though she’s going to try, Britt. Anyway, just wanted to let you know. Please keep it quiet. He’s not ready to tell the whole family yet.”
“Well, what’s he going to do if Granny Grace goes over to visit? Or if she comes here. Unannounced.”
“Excellent questions. I’ll discuss with him. I’m sure his head is running over, so give him his space. If he doesn’t want to talk or joke around, it doesn’t have anything to do with either of you.”
“Okay. Well, he can crash in my room. I just cleaned it and the sheets are clean too,” Court offered.
The doorbell rang. “Go get whatever you need out of your room Court. This is probably him.”
He stood at the door like a lost puppy. Holding one bag, he walked past me.
“Is that all you’ve got?”
“There’s more in the car. This is all I felt like hauling upstairs.”
Britt grabbed the bag after hugging her uncle. “You’re going to stay in Court’s room. She’s getting some stuff she needs right now.”
“Thanks, Britt,” he replied.
I watched as she walked out of sight. “Come on in. You hungry?”
“No, not right now. I just came from the house.”
“How about a beer at least?”
“Sure, why not. I take it you told them,” he said, as he followed me into the kitchen.
“Yeah, I felt I’d better. If I hadn’t, they might have called Destiny and demanded to know why you were staying here. I thought hearing from me was the wiser choice.”
“You’re right, and I appreciate you doing this. I just need a few days to figure out what is what. Where my finances stand, which isn’t too hard.”
“What do you mean? She clean you out?”
“The checking account and the smaller savings we kept handy. I think she knows better than to mess with anything else until a judge hears the case.”
“Still...”
“I have my secrets as well, Dame. My checks from the tour went into another checking account. In another bank and in my name only.”
“How did you pull that off?”
“I’d just deposit money into our joint one on a regular basis. Told her the rest was put into my IRA.”
“Smart move in the long run, all things considered.”
“Yep. She thinks she’s going to walk away with everything,” he said, taking a long swallow off the beer I handed him. “I think she’s going to be a little shocked.”
“Hard to believe her attorney wouldn’t have informed her better. I mean, this is one of those states where things are usually split fifty-fifty. Community property.”
“He may have, and knowing Ashley, she chose to hear what she wanted to hear.”
“What do you want to do?”
“I would like to keep the house, since it is our family home. I’d be willing to give her money for what would be her half of fair market value.”
“Talk to an attorney, man.”
“I am. Tomorrow.”
Court walked in and put her arms around Angus. “I’m sorry you’re having to go through this. But things will get better. Look at Daddy.”
“Thanks, girl. I know it will turn around. Just a huge unexpected adjustment.”
“Oh, I put clean towels on the bed for you. Just so you’d know which one is yours when you hang it.”
I gave her a look, letting her know I needed to talk to him. Smart girl got it.
“Thanks, Court.”
“You’re welcome. Anyway, I have an interview at an antique music store. You two have fun.”
“What sort of artifacts do they deal in, old relics like your dad and me?” Angus joked.
“Ha ha! No, you two aren’t old enough. Sorry.”
“Thank goodness. I was afraid you were going to sell us off to the highest bidder.” He snorted.
“Very funny.” She stuck her tongue out and marched out of the room.
This was what he needed, not being alone on his sailboat. Angus never had done well on his own. Thus, his prankster persona. This divorce was going to be a pivotal turning point in his life. I silently hoped for the good.
Over the next two days, Beth and I talked. She understood my need to stay close to my brother in his time of need. I had enough going on to keep me busy and keep my wanderlust to cross the sound at bay.
Having confided to Amadeus, baby brother came up with an excellent solution. Provided Angus didn’t go and turn into a party animal. It was his solution when things got tough. Amadeus offered a condo he and Zara kept in Bellevue for company or just as a getaway for the two of them.
But first, I had twenty-four hours of exclusive use of the condo. I begged my brothers to let me have one day. Beth and I hadn’t had much alone time. At her place, we had to stay out of sight of the paparazzi. Mine, well I had the girls, and now Angus. Sure, I could take her to a hotel, but that seemed a tad on the sleazy side.
Angus agreed, because he had appointments all that day, and driving to the eastside after didn’t entice him.
Beth was more than amenable to the idea of a day and night together. She took the ferry again as a walk-on. Once she called me that she was aboard, I would leave, giving myself just enough time to greet her.
I caught a glimpse of her as she walked toward me bag in hand. I threw open the door as traffic was buzzing by my side. She threw her bag in before her.
“Hi,” she said in that tone that makes me melt.
“Hey, yourself,” I replied, leaning over her way to kiss her.
“This was such a wonderful idea, Dame. I was beginning to wonder if I would seriously have to bribe you to come to Bainbridge.”
“If that’s what our option was, I would have. I like this better. We’ll have the place to ourselves. It’s a nice place. View of the lake, the Olympics. Perfect.”
“Sounds perfect. How’s Angus, by the way?”
“Coping. His day was filled with attorney visits and some other ones. The girls will keep an eye on him once they get home.”
“Is that such a good idea?”
“Yeah, I think it is. He needs some time for him. He has a lot to deal with. Today is the real test.”
“I can’t even imagine, but I know you can.”
“Yeah, well, spending time with you is a priority.”
“Do we need to go to the grocery?”
“We’ll find out shortly. I thought we could either stay in and cook our own dinner, or we could go try one of the restaurants.”
“Sounds interesting. Oh, before I forget, Ethan said if you’d like to pop in at any of his remaining shows, let him know. He’d love to have you.”
“That’s tempting.”
“He figured you might want to use your voice before the release.”
“I’ll think about it. I know interviews are going to be starting up in the next week or so. Need to prep for those.”
“Just in case they throw a curve ball?”
“Something like that. Now, I think that’s enough of business for today. Let’s talk about anything else. This is our time.” I reached for her hand with my free one. “I really need some time with you, Bethie.”
“Then that’s what we shall have.”
We rode most of the way in silence. Beth was in awe as we drove through the town of Bellevue. It had changed in a big way since we were kids. Skyscrapers everywhere, traffic that never ended.
“This was why I wasn’t too interested in looking at Ethan’s building over here.
“No doubt. This is horrible.”
I pulled into the underground parking deck and drove until I found my brothers spot. Grabbing both my own and Beth’s bags, we made our way through the lobby and upstairs.
She gasped as she walked through the door. “This is gorgeous. Do they ever use it?” She walked over to the drapes and opened them, letting in the grayish day.
“Rarely. They got a deal on it, but I believe with the babies, it’s used more for company than a get-away.”
“That’s too bad.”
“Yeah, well, it’s a good place to deposit my mother when she’s in town. The lake does give us some reprieve from her when she’s on a roll.”
“Damien! That’s so mean,” she scolded with a grin.
I was in the kitchen, trying to get an idea if there was anything to eat, or if we needed to make a run to a grocery store. I gave the bad news.
“Let’s do that now. We’ll get enough, that if we don’t use it, Angus can.”
“Does that mean when we get back we’re not leaving here until tomorrow morning?”
“Absolutely, Mr. Tudor. When we return, you’re all mine.”
Only I turned the tables on her when we did. Our tongues and lips dancing madly. It was all I could do to get the groceries to the kitchen. Beth moaned long and hard into my mouth, driving me crazier than I already was. I started unbuttoning her blouse. Finishing somehow, I reached for the clasp of her front-clasp bra and popped it open.
I peeled out of my t-shirt and pulled her up to me, wrapping my arms around her. Her breasts against my bare chest. Paradise. She pulled her lips off mine and backed away, unzipping her jeans and slowly shedding them off her hips, letting them drop to the floor. It was fucking erotic to watch.
She was in front of me in black lace panties and nothing else. Her lips were swollen, but she looked like a goddess. She took me by the hand and led me into the living room, where she pushed me playfully down on the sofa. She unbuttoned my jeans, her eyes locked on mine. I lifted up and my cock sprang free, hard and ready for her. When she leaned toward my dick, I lifted her back to my face. I wasn’t sure how much I could endure of having her mouth on me.
I set her on me, her knees resting on either side of me. With one hand, I pushed the lace between her legs to one side and inserted two fingers inside her. She moaned loudly as I slid them all the way in. She was soaking wet. I pumped in and out as she rode my hand, whimpering. I couldn’t stand much more. I ripped off her panties with my free hand. She slowly sank down on me. Then, she rose up before sliding back down, taking me deep.
Damn, had I gone to paradise? Nothing could compare to this. My hands held her hips as I helped her ride my cock. Our mouths were intertwined, open, kissing and nipping. All of a sudden, she bounced harder and faster, clearly ready to come. I kissed her neck, leaned down, and took a hardened nipple in my mouth, rolling my tongue around it then sucking hard.
I thrust into her, knowing I wasn’t going to last, pulling her hips down on me as I did. I couldn’t get enough of her closing around me. When her muscles contracted, I thrust up again as I came, hard.
“Oh. My. God. That was fucking incredible, Dame.”
“Yeah.”
“No, I want more of you. But water would be a nice touch.”
I watched her as she lifted off my lap and walked to the kitchen. I groaned, following her.
Biting her lip with a smile, she handed me a bottle. My god, she was gorgeous. Taking her hand, I led her down the hall to the master bedroom.
Beth threw the covers back and crawled up on the bed, laying on her back. I wanted to explore every inch of her body. That thought had me hard, again.
I settled between her legs as her knees fell open. I could feel how wet she was as she pushed herself up and rubbed against me. She wanted more.
Kissing my way down her face and neck to her breasts, I sucked on one. I gently bit her nipple. Her breathing was hard as she groaned my name. I kissed a trail down the center of her stomach and proceeded lower. I nibbled at the top of where that triangle of hair started. Only there was no hair. Beth had shaved herself, or whatever it is women do. She smelled like Beth. Nothing else.
She arched off the bed as I licked her wet slit. I held her immobile by pushing her hips down with my hands. I did it again, and she cried out. Louder this time.
Pushing her thighs apart, I continued to lick her, spreading her wider. I pushed my tongue in and out of her. I heard her moaning. At that moment, I sucked her clit into my mouth and slipped two fingers inside.
My god, she was hot and wet. I caught my hips rubbing against the bed. Still finger-fucking her, I flattened my tongue and circled her nub.
“Damien...”
I needed to see her come again, so I moved my fingers faster, my tongue teasing her. I watched her, the ecstasy as she went rigid.
“Oh fuck!”
I felt her hands in my hair as she pushed me toward her cunt. In a moment, she began to relax.
Hell, I was just getting started. I covered her body with mine and slid into her. She was tight and slick, and she clenched around me. I slowly pulled out then pushed back in. Then, I thrust faster, watching the pleasure on her face.
I hooked one arm under her knee to raise her leg up over my shoulder as our bodies slapped together hard and fast. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could last.
Finally, I thrust into her one more time, riding out the most intense orgasm I’d experienced. I groaned as my arms collapsed, and I fell on her with my full weight. She kissed me as I struggled to catch my breath.
Tudor Redemption (Tudor Dynasty Book 4) Page 18
