by Nikki Ashton
I frowned, wondering what he was getting at. I’d been pretty clear I didn’t like Sophie’s hands on him or the idea of them flirting. There was no way he hadn’t understood what had pissed me off – even if I had been wrong.
“Because I accused you of flirting with Sophie.”
Dex gave a single shake of his head. “Nope, that was the consequence of you being an idiot.”
“There’s a difference?”
“Yep, there sure is.”
“So, do you want to tell me what it is?” I asked, struggling to understand what he was getting at.
“I say this with the utmost respect, darlin’, but you’re a damn idiot because you’ve let Carl and that wife of his undermine your confidence,” he said, glancing at the trolley as he threw the bag onto it.
“I haven’t,” I protested. “I’m very confident. I drove all the way to Cornwall on my own last year.” I pushed out my chest and tipped up my chin, just to prove how confident I was.
Dex’s lips twitched and his eyes softened as he crossed his arms over his chest and looked at me, and I actually let out a little sigh. Because that was what Dex always did, he looked at me – really looked at me. He didn’t just watch me like I was a ‘to pass the time’ program flashing away on the TV, no Dex looked at me like I was a beautiful piece of art that needed to be appreciated and admired. He studied me and noticed every little nuance about me, but best of all, he understood all the crap that went on in my brain.
“You know exactly what I’m gettin’ at,” he said, his tone serious. “So why don’t you tell me.”
I didn’t have to think very hard. When Carl had told me that he’d met a girl, just six months after our divorce, I’d felt genuine happiness for him, but the second he blurted out that she was only twenty-two, that happiness turned to resentment. I resented Carl for being able to meet someone so young and yet still manage to have a good relationship with her, but most of all, I resented Sophie for her age.
“I’m an idiot because I’m jealous that Carl is starting over and has replaced me with a much younger model,” I whispered, finally saying it out loud after four years of it festering in my head.
“Yeah darlin’, you are.” He let out a sigh and dropped his hands to his hips.
“I don’t want him back,” I cried. “I don’t want to be his wife. Eighteen years of being his wife was plenty, thank you.”
Dex chuckled and lifted a hand to cup my cheek. “I know that, Katie Cat.”
Oh God, I loved the low rumble of his voice when he called me that.
“And I know you know that. You just gotta tell your damn brain that, because I’m gonna tell you somethin’.”
“What?” I asked, leaning into his touch.
“Carl knows exactly what he lost when he let you go, and he thinks replacing you with some bright, new, shiny little thing will fill that gap that you left behind.”
“He didn’t let me go,” I protested. “It was a mutual thing. We agreed we were more like friends.”
“Believe me darlin’, if he’d treated you right, in and out of the bedroom, there’s no way you’d be more like friends.” He placed his other hand on my hip and pulled me closer. “Are you and me, just friends?”
I shook my head slowly, trying to catch my breath as his closeness took it from my lungs.
“Exactly.” He leaned in and kissed me softly. His lips were warm and gentle, but his grip on my hip said that there was nothing soft about this kiss. As his tongue played with mine and his fingers moved to lace through my hair, he pulled me closer. My nipples were rock hard as was his dick as we kissed, desperately and brutally.
Finally, with his chest heaving, Dex pulled away.
“I don’t care how long you’re married, but when you have a woman like you, that is how you should kiss her every single day. That darlin’ is why you and me will never be, just friends.”
With a contented sigh, I gazed up at him.
“Okay,” I replied breathily, on a haze of lust.
“Stop thinking about what he has, and more about what he lost. What he’s trying to replace and more importantly, what you have.”
“What I have?”
“Yeah. You have me, Katie Cat, and that means a whole load more of those kisses are comin’ your way. Those kisses and plenty of laughs and happiness too.”
Yep, just press my clit now and watch me explode. I’m ready.
“You’re so fucking hot,” I gushed, earning myself a beautiful grin.
“Yeah and I’m so fuckin’ yours.”
I was just about to open my mouth when there was a knock at the door.
“That’ll be my next appointment,” Dex said with a groan and a quick readjustment of his hard on. “The kids still at Carl’s tonight?” I nodded. “I’ll come over later, that okay?”
I gave him a starry eyed nod and with a quick peck to his cheek, turned to leave. As I opened the door, I almost fell back with surprise.
“Sophie,” I gasped.
“Oh hi, Katie. I’m sorry to interrupt, but I left my bra here earlier.”
Dex
We were trying the family meal thing again – but this time it was at Katie’s house, and I was being careful about what I said. Katie had agreed that if I thought she was being disrespected, I could say how I felt but anything else, any other matters of discipline, I was keeping out of it. I was more than happy with that; I wasn’t their dad and so that was how it should have been.
I was also happy that we’d sorted the Sophie thing out. No, it hadn’t been the best timing when Sophie came back to the studio for her bra, but Katie had laughed about it later. I think my face must have shown how fucking shit scared I was, but as soon as Sophie whipped out her cell and showed Katie the photo of her back, and Carl’s name permanently marked on it, I saw her relax and realization dawn that she’d been really fucking wrong about me and Sophie.
“Dex, did you always want to own your own studio?” Annie asked, tucking into her chicken.
“Never thought about it until I was about twenty-eight and the guy who trained me decided to retire.” I took a mouthful of my own food and agreed with Katie, it was damn tastier than any chicken shack and her kids were fools to think otherwise.
“So what happened?” Annie leaned forward, seeming genuinely interested.
“He offered me the place and a loan at a reasonable rate of interest, so I went to night classes to learn about business and that was the start of Heaven & Ink.”
“Is it still called Heaven & Ink in Dallas?” Katie asked. “You sold it to the guy who worked for you, didn’t you?”
“Yep, Benny. He changed the name to Dibujo – some Latin or Spanish name for drawing. He’s a real artsy type of guy,” I explained, as Katie furrowed her brow at the strange name. “I brought the name Heaven & Ink with me.”
“Why Heaven & Ink?” Isaac asked.
I smiled. “When I was opening it, I had no damn clue what to call it – nothing that didn’t sound too corny anyway, so I mentioned it to my neighbor, Janice, one day and she just came out with it. I pretty much loved it straight away.”
“Your neighbor hey.” Isaac grinned. “Was she hot?”
I laughed. “Janice Hart’s a lovely woman Isaac, but happily married with grown up kids and also eighty years of age.”
“Do you ever plan on opening any more studios?” Annie asked.
“If business keeps on going the way it is, I’d like to open a second studio in less than two years.”
“Really,” Katie said with a grin. “That’s amazing.”
“Where?” Isaac asked. His eyes wide with interest.
I shrugged. “Not sure, maybe the center of Manchester.”
“Sick.”
“Isaac,” D’reen, Katie’s mom reprimanded. “Do we have to discuss vomit at the table?”
Isaac rolled his eyes. “It’s not vomit, Nana. It means good.”
“Sick is good?” she asked, amazed.
“Ye
p.”
“Oh I don’t understand you young people,” D’reen muttered. “All these silly words and rapping music about women’s footwear. I just get lost with it all.”
“Women’s footwear?” Charlie asked. “What do you mean, Nana?”
“Well, they’re always going on about their women’s booties and wanting to slap them, for some reason. It’s all very bizarre. Why on earth would you want to slap a pair of boots?”
We all looked at each other and burst out laughing.
“Oh, you’re all weird,” D’reen stated and forked a potato.
“Well it’s your DNA that’s in all of us, Mum,” Katie said, raising her brow at D’reen.
“I think my DNA is the good bits.” D’reen patted her orange hair. “You get your good hair from me.”
Katie choked out a cough and grabbed her glass of water, taking a long slug.
“Oh yeah,” Isaac added. “I’ve seen that photograph.”
Katie gave him a glare. “That photo is never to be mentioned.”
“Which photo is that?” I asked, nudging Katie’s foot under the table.
“Not one that you need to worry about. Now eat your lunch.”
I let out a laugh and turned to Isaac. “Okay, spill the beans buddy.”
“Isaac! No!”
“Oh Katie,” D’reen said with a grin. “Don’t be so silly, it’s a lovely photo.”
“How do you know which one he’s talking about, Mother?”
“There can only be one that fills you with dread.” D’reen turned to Isaac. “I think Dex should see it, don’t you?”
“No,” Katie snapped. “Don’t you dare.”
“It’s not that bad,” Annie chipped in. “I mean, it was ninety-ninety-three.”
“I’d really like to see this picture,” I said, as I cut up a piece of chicken. “You know, so I know what I’m getting myself into.”
“It’s not happening.” Katie shook her head and let her concentration go back to her lunch.
“Do you mean this one?”
No one had noticed Charlie leave the table, and then reappear holding a Polaroid snap between his thumb and forefinger.
“Don’t you dare,” Katie cried, making a grab for it.
Charlie was too quick and ducked away, flicking the picture to land in front of me. Leaning across the table, Katie tried to take it, but I was also too quick. I grabbed it and pushed myself away from her reach. I looked down at the picture and burst out laughing.
“Dex,” Katie groaned. “No.”
I looked up and when I saw the look of horror on her face, I slapped a hand over my mouth and then let my eyes fall back to the snap.
“Shit darlin’, I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
I looked up to see pursed lips and a furrowed brow.
“Oh very funny.”
Everyone at the table seemed to think so, because there was laughter all round.
“It’s…well, I have no idea what it is.”
It was fucking awful, that’s what it was. Katie was evidently a bridesmaid because she was standing next to a bride, and was wearing what could only be described as a hideous damn monstrosity. It was bright pink, with puffy sleeves and the skirt was hitched up with big bows to show layers of petticoat underneath.
“It was Bo Peep style,” D’reen informed me without taking her eyes off her lunch. “It was her cousin Angie’s wedding.”
I looked again to see Katie was holding a shepherd’s crook in one hand and had some sort of cuddly toy, which I guess was meant to be a lamb, under her other arm.
“Well damn,” I muttered.
“There was a bonnet too,” Katie groaned.
“You took it off for the picture.” I looked up to see her pale blue eyes were cast down, as she rubbed her forehead.
“No,” she replied, bringing her gaze back to mine. “It wouldn’t fit because my hair was too big.”
Looking back at the snap, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Damn it, Katie Cat, that’s real bad.”
Katie nodded slowly in agreement.
“I know. I look like Roly from Eastenders.”
“Who?”
“He’s a dog,” Charlie offered.
“A dog in a soap opera,” Katie added, on a long sigh.
“This is him.” Annie shoved her phone under my nose.
I looked at the image of the huge cream colored poodle and…well, fuck it, she was right.
“I’m sorry darlin’,” I laughed out. “But this ain’t your best look.”
Katie’s face was crestfallen, but after a few seconds she broke out a smile and we all started to laugh.
“For that,” Katie said, “you kids can clear the table.”
Annie and Charlie groaned, but Isaac was too busy concentrating on his phone.
“That Scarlett you’re texting?” Katie asked, licking something off the end of her thumb.
Isaac’s head shot up, his eyes darting between me and his mum.
“What?”
“You heard your mom,” I laughed. “Is that Scarlet you’re texting?”
“No. Why would I text Scarlett. I know my hours for next week. I don’t need to text Scarlett.” His face had gone a lovely shade of red, and if Katie and I hadn’t already witnessed their coordinated peeing sessions in the bar, his embarrassment would have given him away.
“Because,” Katie said, leaning closer to him, “you’re having sex with her and I have a feeling you’re hoping to escape there once dinner is over.”
“I…I…how do you…what makes you think that?”
He ran a hand through his hair, swallowing hard, knowing he’d been rumbled.
“Because,” Katie replied. “I noticed how you went to the toilet together and that you were both the same color as her knickers, which Dex noticed were in your pocket, when you came back.”
Isaac’s hand immediately went to his front jeans’ pocket, as though Scarlett’s knickers were still there.
“Busted, buddy.” I laughed and slapped Isaac on the back. “Just don’t bring any crap to work if it goes wrong.”
Isaac was evidently speechless, simply nodding at us with wide eyes.
“Now help clear the table before you get back to your sexting,” Katie said. “And make sure you’re good to her- and be careful.”
Isaac grinned, the sort of grin only a nineteen-year-old getting his rocks off every night could give, and helped his brother and sister clear the dishes away.
Katie had just poured some coffee, when my cell rang. I looked to see that it was international again, but this time I recognized it as a Houston area code. Sam had retired to Houston, so I wondered if it was him trying to contact me on a different number. He was almost eighty now, and wasn’t in the best of health.
I flashed my phone at Katie. “I think this might be Sam, my ex-boss. You okay if I take it?”
“Yes, of course.” She flashed me a warm smile. “Go into the lounge, it’ll be quieter.”
Her gaze went to Charlie, who was giggling hysterically at something Annie had said. I stood up, leaned across the table to kiss her cheek, and then answered my phone as I left the room.
“Hey, it’s Dex,” I said, closing the kitchen door behind me as I stepped into the hall.
“Dexter John Michaels, previously of 2399, Thomas Avenue, Dallas?” A guy with a clipped tone asked.
“Yeah, it is. Is this about Sam Daniels?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Michaels, I don’t know who that is. This is Houston Social Services, would it be okay for me to ask you some security questions?”
“Social Services?” I scratched at my head. “What the hell is this about?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Michaels, I can only tell you that if you answer the questions.” The guy’s tone was sharp and to the point.
“But I want-.”
“Please sir, let me ask you the questions and then I can tell you what the call is about.”
I hesitated
for a few seconds and then with a sigh said, ‘fine’.
He asked me for date of birth, my social security number, and Mom’s maiden name. I obviously passed because then he stunned me.
“It’s about your daughter, Mr. Michaels. We have her in a foster home and thought that you should know.”
Katie
“He’s been ages,” Mum said, as she helped herself to another chocolate. “I wanted to go and watch that new telly program that started last week.”
“What’s it about?” I asked, distractedly as I glanced at the door.
“No idea, Derek at badminton club said it was a little bit cheeky, so I thought I’d give it a go.”
“When you say, cheeky, do you mean there’s sex in it, Nan?” Annie asked, nudging me.
“Ugh.” Charlie gagged. “That’s disgusting.”
“What is?” I asked, turning back to the table. “There being sex on the TV, or your nan watching it?”
“Both,” he groaned.
“You don’t stop having sex the minute you reach sixty you know.”
“Oh God, now I’m going to be sick.” I pulled a face as though I was about to vomit.
My kids all burst out laughing, while my mum shook her head in disgust.
“He has been in there a while though, Mum,” Isaac said.
“Hmm.” I sighed and turned to the door once more.
Almost an hour after he’d left the kitchen, Dex wandered back in.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, pushing up from my seat. “You look as though you’ve seen a ghost. Isaac, go and get Dex a glass of brandy.”
Dex ran a hand down his face and looked at me with fear in his eyes.
“What is it, Dex? What’s happened?”
“I need to sit down.” He flopped down onto a chair and linked his hands at the back of his neck. “Shit, I’m…I don’t know what to think.”
He looked up at me, his bright blue eyes much duller than usual against pale skin that was normally tanned.
“What is it?” I asked, cupping a hand against his cold cheek.
“That was Social Services, in Houston.”
“Houston, Texas?”
“Yeah, darlin’, Houston, Texas.”
