For The Love of Easton : A Single Parent Romance and Sequel to For The Love of English

by A. M. Hargrove

  “Why that grin?”

  A hearty chuckle rose out of me as I explained.

  “I’m all for that. We can always have a renewal of our vows later.”

  “You wouldn’t mind?”

  “No, it’s what my parents did. Then they had another wedding and honeymoon later.”

  We began planning that night. The following Monday, we met with my attorney so the contract could be drawn up. It was relatively straightforward. English wasn’t asking for anything except Easton’s college tuition. My attorney suggested something like a prenup. English would walk away with a substantial amount, but couldn’t access any of the family’s assets. We also arranged for adoption proceedings for Easton to begin. We decided not to tell her until everything was final.

  Then we planned our trip to Vegas. That evening, we broke the news to Beck and Sheridan.

  “Uh, haven’t you forgotten something?” Beck asked.

  “What’s that?”

  “Our trip to Vietnam. We’re scheduled to leave in three days.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  English

  My heart crashed to my stomach. “Vietnam? When did you decide this? I thought you canceled?”

  “We didn’t cancel, munch. We postponed. With Stuart in jail, I figured it was okay for us to go.”

  “Fine,” I answered tightly.

  Dad put his hands on my shoulders, but I brushed them aside. “Obviously it’s not,” he said.

  “You didn’t even consult me, or Tristian for that matter.”

  “You’re right. I didn’t and I apologize. I meant to tell you and it slipped my mind.”

  “Slipped your mind. So now what? Our adoption proceedings have begun and we have to be married by then.” I rubbed my temples.

  Rather than answering, Dad opened his phone and scrolled through only God knew what. I looked toward the ceiling and blew out a long, noisy breath.

  “Give me a sec, English, I’m checking to see if I can rearrange something.”

  My toe-tapping was annoying even me, so I stopped. Tristian rubbed my back but I shrugged his hand off. The only thing that would help now was Dad saying he’d push the trip back.

  “I’ve got it. You two go to Vegas. I’ll fly to Vietnam as scheduled. Tristian, you’ll meet me there, but will fly from Vegas instead of here. It will make the trip slightly shorter for you. Will that work?”

  “I guess.”

  My non-exuberant response had Tristian replying, “Come on, English. It’s a perfect solution for everyone.”

  My mind said, Traitor, but that was childish. “You’re right. Thanks, Dad.”

  “Then I guess congratulations are in order,” Mom said.

  I finally grinned. “Thanks.”

  “How about a toast?” Dad asked. He disappeared and returned with a bottle of champagne. They always had everything on hand. He poured four glasses of the bubbly and we toasted.

  Tristian’s smoldering gaze had my knees weakening. We all clinked glasses, but his eyes never left mine.

  “What are your plans so far?” Mom asked.

  “Um, I don’t know.”

  Tristian took my hand and said, “I thought we’d stay at one of the fancy hotels and then get married at one of those cheesy chapels, if that’s okay with you.” He directed his statement toward me.

  Mom chuckled as she glanced at Dad. “That sounds familiar. I highly recommend the Bellagio. Beck, do you still have any contacts there?”

  “Not any more.”

  “It’s fine. I’ll make the reservation tonight.” Tristian’s eyes were still on me. He should stop as my body was already tingling in places it shouldn’t.

  “Why don’t you two leave as soon as you can?” Mom asked.

  “We can try. What about Easton?” I looked at my parents.

  Dad answered. “You don’t even have to ask. She always has a place here.” Mom and Dad were awesome. They had a bedroom designated for her.

  We left a little while later and went home to make our reservations. Our trip would begin the day after tomorrow, with an early flight out in the morning. We would stay for five days and return home. Or at least I would and Tristian would fly on to Vietnam. I hated the thought of him going without me, but I couldn’t leave Easton for that long.

  It was a rainy morning when we boarded our flight. Easton kissed me goodbye and told her soon-to-be daddy the same. She clapped her hands when Tristian wheeled my bag out to the car, which I would drive home from the airport. “Will you bring me back a sprise?”

  “Only if you promise to be good for Mimi and Boppy.” Mom was there to take her back to their place.

  “I promise.”

  I hugged and kissed my sweet daughter and then she reached for Tristian. She patted his cheeks and told him to buy me a tiara.

  We drove to the airport with excitement growing in my belly. I was eager to see Vegas. I’d been when I was a teenager, so it had been a while. Tristian had made reservations for a couple of shows as well, which I was excited for.

  The flight went well, we landed, and a car waited for us to drive us to the hotel. I loved this place and all the fountains out front. “Easton would love this. Can you imagine trying to keep her out of them?”

  Tristian laughed. “We’d be banned from coming back.”

  An image of Easton bossing the staff around came to mind. “I don’t know. Miss Bossy Pants would probably fire them all.”

  Our room was amazing. It was a suite with everything one desired. A living area overlooked Vegas with large glass windows. That room led to a large bedroom with the most inviting bed I’d ever seen. All I wanted to do was throw myself on it… until I saw the spa-like bathroom. “Whoa. Check this out.”

  Tristian came in behind me. “Nice. I have lots of ideas of what we can do in here.”

  “I’m sure you do. That tub is large enough for four.”

  “Good thing there are only two of us. More room.”

  “Dang, look at the shower!”

  “Don’t know about you, but I’m feeling a lot dirty.”

  I chortled and looked to him, but there was only heat in his eyes. Oh, man, was he ready. He backed me against the clear glass door and unbuttoned my shirt. As he kissed me, he removed every item of clothing I wore, except my underwear. This time, I’d chosen carefully and it was a black lacy thong.

  His warm lips traveled down to my belly until they made it to the panty line and stopped. Then he gazed up over the length of me and his mouth covered my mound and sucked. The friction of the satin with the motion of his tongue was unbearable. My moans sounded faster and louder until I came, grabbing his hair and pulling.

  “Christ, you are sexy when you come.”

  I was speechless with post-orgasmic ecstasy as I watched him strip. Magnificence stood before me and I danced my fingers over his flesh until goosebumps rose.

  The shower door opened with a swoosh and I was whisked inside as he turned on the water and tested it. Then the spa jets came on. Our bodies were massaged everywhere and Tristian didn’t hold back. He dropped to his knees and began where he left off, only this time I was naked. My leg ended up draped over his shoulder and he tongued me to another magnificent orgasm.

  His arms wrapped around me, he lifted me, and I was impaled in one full thrust. My back rested against the cool marble as the water pulsated our skin and his cock plunged in and out. Flames nibbled my core until they erupted into an inferno, setting me free as I climaxed. Warmth filled me up as he followed. My dazed brain was lust-infused as we stood beneath the water.

  Until a shockwave hit. “Tristian! The condom!”

  “Fuck!” He jerked away, pulling out, and I wriggled free of his hold. Then I hopped around in the shower like a fool.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Trying to get it out!”

  His roar of laughter was like fingernails screeching across a blackboard.

  “Stop! This is serious. What if I get pregnant?”

&
nbsp; “My gorgeous starshine, jumping around like that won’t prevent it. What will is the morning-after pill. Or, on the other hand, would that be so bad?”

  “Yes! I mean, no, if we work out. But if we don’t, I can’t handle two kids on my own.”

  “Understood. Then we’ll find a pharmacy and get what you need.”

  Something poked the inside of my ribs, though. What if I had done that with Easton? I never would’ve known that joy in my life. “Is that killing a baby?”

  “I don’t think so, but I’m not sure. Maybe we should look it up.”

  After we dried off, I used my phone to research it and was relieved to find it just delayed ovulation. “Whew. That’s good.”

  “Shall we dress and go buy it?”

  “Yes. And since we’re on the subject, are you safe? I know I am because you’re the first person I’ve been with since the doucheface and that was when I got pregnant with Easton.”

  He took me into his arms. “English, I am safe. I’ve been tested, but to ease your mind, I’ve never had sex without a condom until today. I guess I lost my mind back there.”

  Touching his cheek, I said, “I’d say the same. That was the best shower I’ve ever taken.”

  “By the way, those underwear were fabulous.”

  “Thank you.” I winked.

  “I’m going to buy you a drawer full of them.”

  We dressed and our first stop was a pharmacy where the purchase was made.

  As we were leaving, Tristian asked, “Have you ever considered birth control?”

  “I never had a reason to, but I suppose now would be a good time.”

  “I’d love that.”

  We moved down the street at a leisurely pace. The weather was gorgeous for a March day. He steered me into a store, which I paid zero attention to until we got inside.

  The showcases upon showcases of jewelry had my eyes saucering. “Uh, Tristian, what are we doing here?”

  “Getting our wedding rings, of course. I’m going to pick them out, so just go look around.”

  “Okay. Nothing too fancy, please.”

  With a nod, he left. There were bracelets, necklaces, watches and everything under the sun. I knew about jewelry. Dad rained it on Mom. On every occasion and just for the hell of it he presented her with something, and he had excellent taste. Many times he’d had things specially designed for her. This place was not low-end and the brands in the cases told me that. I nibbled my thumbnail as I wondered what he’d pick out for me.

  After an hour or so, I finally found a chair to sit on, and Tristian came over to find out my ring size. I tried on a few of those trial sizers and he left again. Another hour passed and he came back with a bag.

  “Ready?”

  “Been ready.”

  He took my hand and we left.

  “I was told you need an appointment for the cheesy wedding chapel,” Tristian said. “There’s one right up here. Let’s do that.”

  “Cool. Are you going to show me what you bought?”

  “In due time, nosy.” There was a cool restaurant on the right that he pointed out. “Are you hungry?”

  “Starving.”

  We got a table and ate. After, we went back to the hotel to get ready for the show we had tickets for that night. It was an early one so we’d eat dinner after.

  Easton called and wanted to talk to Tristian. She already cared more for him than me. He left the room while he was talking to her and when he returned, he handed the phone back to me.

  “She didn’t want to talk to me?” That left an ache inside of me.

  “She had to ask me some secret things. You’ll find out soon enough.”

  I nodded sharply, until he pulled me against the wall of his chest. “Don’t spoil my surprise, luscious.”

  A grin tugged at the corner of my mouth. “I won’t.”

  He smacked my bottom and said, “Go get your pretty self dressed. We have to leave soon. And wear some sexy underwear.”

  I bowed. “As you wish, master.”

  “I love the sound of that.”

  I hustled it to the bedroom and threw on a sexy little black dress. Nothing fancy, but it showed off all the right curves. It was strapless, which meant no bra, and I was okay with that. I’d never been well endowed, and was grateful for that. After I stopped breastfeeding, my boobs had returned to their normal size. I pulled on a black thong, but this one was held together by ribbons. I didn’t know why I’d ever bought the thing because I hadn’t been dating at the time. It was so pretty though, I couldn’t pass it by. My final addition was a pair of black heels. I didn’t go for stilettos, as they were impractical, but these were high enough to show off my legs.

  After giving my makeup a quick touchup and running my fingers through my hair for a fluff, I was ready. When I entered the living room, he stood there, all suited up. Good Lord, the man was utterly delicious. He wore a navy coat and pants with a crisp light blue shirt, undone at the neck. I wanted to leap into his arms and tell him to cancel our plans.

  “Wow. I’m going to start calling you Sexy Q. You look amazing. Except there is one thing missing.” He pulled a bag from behind his back and handed it to me. Inside was a rhinestone tiara. “Courtesy of Easton.”

  I plunked it on my head. “Take my picture, please, so I can send it to Mom. Easton will be disappointed if she doesn’t see this.”

  He grinned and snapped a few photos, then I messaged Mom. She hit me back saying that Easton was thrilled. Then a picture of my daughter showed up with her thumbs pointing in the air. I shared it with Tristian.

  “Now for the real thing,” Tristian said. He dropped to his knee, and asked, “English, I know this is a bit unconventional, but will you marry me?” He cracked open a ring box and inside was a beautiful—and huge, I might add—Tiffany-set diamond. It was plain, without any embellishment, but perfectly stunning in its simplicity.

  I broke down and sobbed.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Tristian

  When English had said she wanted something plain, I’d figured this would do. The tears totally threw me. “I didn’t expect this to make you so sad.”

  Using the heels of her palms, she wiped away the tears and offered me a watery grin. “They’re happy tears. I never expected anything like this. It’s perfect.”

  “I had to get you something special. Those were Easton’s orders.”

  “Oh, my God! You have to stop letting her order you around.”

  “I adore her ordering me around. She’s absolutely precious. I think she inherited it from her mom.”

  English pinched my side. “Well, we know she didn’t get it from her father.” Then she did an exaggerated eye-roll.

  “So true. But, starshine, you haven’t answered me.”

  She palmed her forehead. “Duh. Yes! I’ll marry you.”

  I took out the ring and slid it on her finger. It fit perfectly and sparkled like a star on her finger.

  “Thank you. I love it.” She threw her arms around my neck and I touched my lips to hers. It was sweet and not heated.

  “I hate to break up the party, but if we don’t get a move on, we’ll be late for the show.”

  It was fantastic. I’d never seen anything like it. The choreography had the dancers appearing like waterfalls at times and they were stunning. English’s dazed expression had me grinning throughout the show.

  As I escorted her to dinner, we talked about what our favorite scenes were.

  “You were really enchanted by it, weren’t you?” I asked.

  “Completely,” she breathed. “It was magical. I’d watch it over and over if I could.”

  “Then we’ll have to come back and see it again.”

  “Really?”

  “Why not? It’s not that long of a flight.”

  “I’d love that.”

  We arrived at the restaurant and were seated. Dinner was delicious. When it was served, steam rose from the plates, so we had to wait a bit before we could
eat. Luckily, it was pasta, so it didn’t take too long for us to dive in. My plate was polished long before English made a dent in hers.

  Our wedding chapel appointment was the following afternoon. English walked out of the room, wearing the sides of her hair up, leaving the rest cascading down her back in a waterfall of waves. She was exquisite in a cream-colored dress that was simple, yet elegant. It was sleeveless with a wide neckline, showing off the long slender column of her neck. I had to maintain my focus because in truth, I wanted to rip that dress off her, toss her on the bed, and fuck her mercilessly. She was a dream and was unmatched in her beauty.

  We arrived at the chapel, and cheesy didn’t come close to describing our Elvis-impersonating minister. English bit her knuckles to keep from laughing. His lovely wife wore a full-blown Priscilla wig, but she looked more like Dolly Parton had in the seventies—huge-busted, with sky-high hair, her gigantic chicklet teeth glowing in the dark (or they would have if the lights were off). Her dress was covered with gaudy sequins and ended up in a flounce of ruffles right above her knees. She was a sight to behold.

  Mrs. Elvis said, “Oooh, darlin’, would you look at you. Why, I’d give anything for your hair. Elvis, honey, can you imagine her hair and my…” She looked down at her gigantic breasts.

  Elvis ogled them. “Oh, the things we could do.”

  I really didn’t want to imagine that. “So can we get on with the ceremony?”

  “Step right over here,” Mrs. Elvis said. She was standing in as our witness.

  Elvis opened up with a line from I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You. Only he was terrible. I squirmed as he made eyes at his wife. English squeezed my hand and my gaze went to her. She was biting down on both upper and lower lips. Now I had the urge to laugh. It was like when I was a kid in church and couldn’t stop.

  When Elvis finished singing, he had us repeat our vows after him, during which Mrs. Elvis wept. One of her fake eyelashes fell off and hung over her eye as she tried to jam it back on. He finally pronounced us married and we signed the marriage license. As we scurried out of there, Mrs. Elvis chased us down. “Don’t you want the lovely video we made?”