Stolen Tyme

by S. L. Ziegler

  I was captivated by what she was saying. “Thank you,” I say, but it doesn’t seem like the right words to tell her.

  Her cheeks flush slightly as she speaks. “X.” It’s like a call to me.

  “Omi.” My excitement at how she’s looking at me washes away all my doubt.

  Her eyes blink back the moisture, and deep in them, I see forgiveness. For the first time…I’m free. Naomi may have forgiven me, but soon, the time will come when that same thing will cloud over what I did and the things I said, and we will be one unit again. One day soon she will feel it. She will see it. She will shake out of this with the worst being over.

  That is the thing I hold onto most.

  The time for our…more.

  The sound of silence fills the house. It’s been a long time since one of them didn’t make a noise. Today is also the first time Naomi trusted me alone with Hollis and Caitlan. It was only two hours while she went to her final post-baby appointment.

  She drops to the table. “How were my babies?”

  They’re always her babies when they do well, but when they both poop at the same time, they belong to me.

  “Good. One or both of them were awake ‘til about five minutes ago.”

  Naomi glances over at the two bouncers. “Glad to see you’re all alive.”

  “You doubted me.”

  “Nah. That’s why I didn’t call you.”

  “More than twice,” I say with a hidden smirk.

  She giggles. “What did you expect? I needed to check on you.”

  “Glad you have faith in me. What did the doctor say?”

  “Oh, I’m good. I can have sex now. Oh shit. That just slipped out…” Naomi awkwardly says.

  We’ve flirted, cuddled, and even kissed a few times since the night she asked me to hold her. But the topic of it going any further never comes up. Doesn’t mean I don’t stroke my dick thinking about what she has under her clothes, though.

  “I can’t believe they’re six weeks old. It’s going by so fast,” I say, trying to get my mind off her. And sex. Us and sex. Her and sex. Jesus, I need a fucking bucket of ice poured over me.

  “Do you remember it moving this fast with Charlie?”

  I shake my head. Now that’s the ice I need. I don’t remember much of anything.

  “Sorry, X. I just…” She places her hand on top of mine, her declaration startling her.

  I shrug it off. The last thing I want is for her to feel she overstepped by talking about it. “It’s okay. You didn’t know I was that out of it.”

  “I guess I didn’t. But still, maybe I should have thought more about it. I forget sometimes about you not being there, because with ours, you’re so hands on. Hell, it seems like you’re better than me half the time.”

  Never. Naomi is the perfect mother.

  Damn perfection wrapped up in pink and blue damn bows.

  And staring down at the kids, it hits me in my gut that if it had been up to me, I wouldn’t have ever had a chance to figure it out.

  The realization of that grows each second I catch her watching our children. “I don’t think I ever said thank you.”

  “Thank you?” Her brows raise in question.

  I’m not sure those two words will ever hold the same meaning as they do right now. It’s beyond thankfulness. It’s a damn blessing.

  “Yes, thank you. For not giving up on them when I did. If it wasn’t for you…I don’t know what would have happened.”

  God. What a fucking lucky-ass thing that her birth control failed. We were able to make some mind-blowing miracles. Every morning I wake up, the hole in my heart from the past slowly becomes smaller, one diaper change at a time.

  “X, I always knew you were going to come around. Okay, maybe not at the very beginning, but after the night in the hospital when we found out about Hollis and Caitlan, a voice in my head wouldn’t let me forget the look in your eyes when I kicked you out. You loved them—it would just take you a few weeks to get there on your own. Not to mention, it was nice to say ‘I told you so’ to Lock.”

  Lock, the man hasn’t said one evil thing since he beat me at Reed’s gym the day we found out about the twins. I overheard Omi tell her dad she loved me. I heard the raw feelings pour out. It was the worst moment in my life, the unknown of what I was walking into. After the dust settled, Lock knocked my shoulder and said, “She was mine to take care of.” I took that to mean the bruises on my body would finally have time to heal.

  Six weeks. I remember Hadley telling Reed that’s the night they always go on their first date. Naomi needs that, a break just for her. “Can I take you somewhere tomorrow?”

  Naomi’s head pops up, her eyes as big as saucers. “Like a date?”

  “Yep,” I state. My voice even, only the muscles in my body working overtime to stop from showing I’m nervous.

  “Who will watch the kids?”

  “I’ll have it worked out. But will you, Naomi Minter, mother of my children, please go on a date with me?”

  Please, for the love of music, say yes. A nod even. I would take a damn maybe. But some kind of positive confirmation is necessary.

  Naomi waits, her head turning to the kids, then back to me before she says, “As long as you don’t think you are going to get lucky at the end of the date.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

  I don’t need the damn dream in the center of my head when I’ll be in the shower the very next spare moment to take the vision of her and sex out of my mind.

  Her damn left eyebrow lifts, like she knows the images of her riding my dick are playing like a porno in my head. “Just because the doctor said I could get lucky doesn’t mean I will. And if you do, it won’t be with me.”

  “Got it.”

  “Because—”

  “Naomi, on my honor, I will not try to sleep with you. Be ready by eight. That leaves you time to do the routine for bed with Hollis and Caitlan.”

  “Ha, I’ll believe that when I see it. But I guess all of this may need to be seen if there is something to us again. We owe it that much. Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.”

  “You’re hiding something.”

  “Am I? Hmm. Don’t know what you are talking about. Guess you will see tomorrow. Go get changed and let’s have a lazy day, because tomorrow is date time, baby.” I bend down, placing a soft kiss on her cheek before picking up Hollis.

  I have hope growing inside me, for the first time in what feels like an eternity. Since the moment we spent in bed holding onto each other, we haven’t delved into what our relationship is. I know I see it as more, and she feels it as more. We just need to get on the same page. A page that after tomorrow night, we will get on.

  Naomi stands in front of the mirror, examining her outfit. I think she looks hot as sin, but I know she hates it. Along with the other million dresses and shoes that scatter our…well, her room, Naomi mumbles something about a Kim K ass. But to me, the extra junk she has in the trunk makes her ass look even more sinful.

  “Baby, our sitters are here. The kids are in bed, so we better head out if you want to get to where we’re going.”

  “Do I look okay?” Her neck turns red as she asks.

  I step into the room, the vulnerability pouring off her is suffocating. “Naomi, you look perfect.”

  “Not too fat?”

  “Never.” That never crosses my mind when I see her.

  “But…”

  “Your body is fucking perfect, always has been. It’s a body I dream about, think about, want to make love to. Now get that sexy ass down the stairs so we can get this date going before we have to come back.”

  “You said you weren’t going to get laid.”

  “I did. But doesn’t mean I can’t tell me baby momma that she’s hot. You have never looked better.”

  Naomi squints one eye as she studies herself before throwing her arms up in the air. “You sold me.”

  My eyes travel down her body, then slo
wly going back, the shine of something catches my eye. My breath hitches. She’s wearing it. For the first time since the night I asked her to marry me.

  “You wore it.”

  She grips the ring, and a slow smirk forms on my face. “I…you know…with this stuff. You know, the trying again. I figured I would throw it out there again. If I didn’t, it kinda feels like I’m not putting all of this in.”

  “Putting all of this in. I like the way that sounds.”

  Love it.

  “Shut up. I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “I know, and it wasn’t dirty. I’m just glad you’re willing to give this a try.”

  “You’re my baby daddy. Easier to try with you than go out with another person. They may frown upon my living with you.”

  I drag her into me. “Don’t joke.”

  “Wouldn’t think of it. Shit, now we need to go. Who’s here?”

  “Lock, Hadley, Reed, and Charlie.”

  “Four people?”

  “Well, Hadley and Reed brought their two, so I figured we would need even more hands here to help.”

  “Okay then, let’s get this date going.”

  The lights shine around us, the soft voice of the singer off in the background, and the best person I know in my arms.

  “This is the perfect date, X. Truly, it’s been magic.” She sinks lower into my arms.

  Tonight, I knew she needed a quiet and romantic night out.

  “I’m glad.”

  “No, I wanted to tell you something. Well, more like ask you.” She pulls at her dress, and the sight of her becoming nervous puts a knot in my stomach.

  “Okay?” The lump in my throat grows each second Naomi doesn’t speak.

  “We never talked about me turning you down and this push and pull we’ve had going on these past few months.”

  “What do you want to talk about?”

  I’m not going to drown us or push her into something she clearly isn’t ready for. However, with her this close to me, I don’t think I have to do any of that.

  “I want to give it a try. Us. You know…not only the flirting, or small touches. But like a real romantic relationship again.”

  My insides twist. “You’re ready to try it? We can take this slow. See where it goes.”

  I was fucking miserable being alone in more ways than I can count.

  Her eyes search mine, her small hand on my cheek. “We have a good thing going, but an even better thing coming. It’s time. Ours. You paid for your harsh words one hundred times over again. I forgive you. Damn, that feels like a million pounds off me now. That forgiveness means more than what happened. I have to let it go. To be with you, and to be happy, I can do that. I did that.”

  Without anything else between us, our lips meet. The music fades, the world becomes only us. Somewhere between the months of trying to get back into the good graces of her heart and actually getting here burns the night up in a blaze of glory. Nothing will ever taste as sweet or as perfect as this. Forgiveness, forgetting, friendship, love—it’s a perfect mixture.

  The waiting—the lingering for more between us will never go away.

  Chapter 29

  Naomi

  I’m locked in this one spot; my heart melts as Xavier hums a melody with Caitlan and Hollis in his arms while Charlie sits next to them playing the piano. This scene will never become old to me. When the twins have a fit, the only thing that calms them is music, and Charlie said she wanted to learn to do something that would help. The poor girl can’t sing, but one finger on the keys of the piano and it became her passion. Dance has been on the back burner for a while now that her mother isn’t down her throat about a music career making her turn into X.

  If Hollis and Caitlan continue their love for it, we’ll have our own little band. With each day they grow up, I know I could never turn my back on them the way my mother did to me, and I could never use them as pawns the way Zoey does with Charlie. It’s a different type of love. A love that is meant to be.

  “Hey, Omi,” Charlie says with her fingers still hovering over the keys.

  “I like that song. It sounds familiar.”

  Charlie throws her head back, barking out a laugh. “Pops, you were right—she doesn’t remember.”

  Xavier moves closer to me, placing a kiss on my forehead before turning back to Charlie. “When are you girls going to get it through your skulls that I am always right. I’ll take the money you owe me out of your allowance.”

  “And why were you betting?” I step into the sound booth, kissing Xavier before sitting next to him.

  “I said you wouldn’t remember the song I wrote you, just the melody.”

  “Was that really it?”

  I instantly feel guilty. I should have.

  “Yep. Charlie made some changes to it, though.”

  “Like what?”

  “She just changed the cord and put in a couple note changes. But I think she may have gotten her father’s great lyrical DNA.”

  “I think this one is just on her.”

  “Thanks, Omi. That means a lot.” Charlie’s whole face beams. “Hey, is Lock still coming over tonight?”

  “That was a surprise.” I give her a stern glance.

  “Oops.” She shrugs.

  “Why is it a surprise?” X asks, giving us his complete attention.

  “You and I are going on a date.”

  “A date?” His eyes go wide.

  “Did I stutter? Yes, a date. You need to be ready to leave here at nine.”

  “That late? I’m an old man and need sleep.”

  If it weren’t for the fact we stay up most nights tangled in each other’s arms ‘til well past midnight, I may believe him.

  “Yes, that late. That way Lock doesn’t have to worry about getting the twins ready for bed since they sleep through the night.”

  Knock on wood. They have been for the last two weeks. It’s glorious. But leave it to one of them to have a stomach ache or fever with Lock here to ruin that.

  “Are you sure?” X raises one brow. He’s suspicious. He should be, but I had this planned for too long to ruin it before we get there.

  “Yes. I’m sure I made the plans. I’m sure I got my dad coming over. Now, your ass needs to go get ready so I can.” Sarcasm litters every word.

  “Such language in front of the little ears.”

  “Right, we need to toughen their ears before Lock and Reed get around them anyway.”

  “I’ll give you that one.”

  Damn right he will.

  I seal my lips tight as I park next to what I have planned. Xavier is going to die. I’ve had this night planned since we decided to become a couple again.

  I knew what he had in his pocket. The same thing he has carried since I turned him down. The bag…with the ring that doesn’t symbolize a center, but a future. But I had to start tonight off with our past.

  “What are we doing here?” His eyes are wide with surprise.

  “You’ll see.”

  “This is our date?” He glances around the outside of the place I used to perform at, and I can practically hear the wheels turning.

  “Didn’t you liked it when we were here last time? Well, both times if my mind remembers it right. Maybe you forgot. Makes sense, considering you’re an old fart.”

  I lean over the center console before kissing him on the lips.

  “Shut it.”

  “Now get out.”

  “Bossy woman. I like it.”

  I giggle. Tonight, I hope he ends up liking the bossy woman.

  As soon as the crimson red curtains fall around us, our fingers are laced together, and Xavier is left silently wondering why I would bring him here. Now or never. I repeat it over and over again. My heart beats rapidly against my chest, and I haven’t been this nervous for a performance in quite a while.

  The candles are already set up. The same throne he sat in right square in the front of the stage. I had help, lots of it from an unlikely sour
ce, Callum. He was so happy I was finally showing up, as he called it, that I could have asked him to do anything and he would have done it.

  “What the hell, Omi. No one is here.”

  I have to bite my lip to stop from laughing.

  “Oh, I know. Did the empty parking lot not give it away? But you, Xavier Scott…I’m going to give you a show.”

  “A show?” he stutters out.

  And this time, I let the laugh out before I answer him. “Yep, one that you have never seen before. It’s brand new. I think you’ll really like it.”

  “Oh really?”

  “Yep, so, Mr. Scott, could you please follow me? Your seat is over this way, sir, and we wouldn’t want you to miss this spectacular show I worked so hard on.”

  “Sir?” He smacks my ass as I walk.

  “Yes, idiot. I’m trying to get into character, so shut it.” She winks. “Now, no touching the staff, sir.”

  This is so much more fun than I thought it would be.

  “Wouldn’t want to be kicked out.” His voice squeezes out.

  “No, you wouldn’t want that. It would mean I wouldn’t get whatever show you had planned.” He shakes his head.

  “Quite right. Now this is your seat. Does it look familiar?”

  Xavier shakes his head, the grin forming on his lips. “Best damn hand-job of my life.”

  “Damn right. Now sit your ass here. I have a plan, and your ass isn’t going to stand in my way. So don’t.”

  “Got it.”

  My legs tremble with each step on stage, my fingers shake so badly I’m barely able to press the button on the iPod.

  I harshly pull air into my lungs. I can do this. He thinks I’m sexy anyway. Nothing he sees tonight will change his mind. Only my heart should know that as well.

  The sound of the zipper of my black dress gets all Xavier’s concentration. His eyes slowly travel from where the dress lands in a pool at my feet all the way up my legs to the lace panties, and then to the corset. Then suddenly, his mouth drops open.

  “Holy fuck.”

  I cover my breasts with my palms, the corner of my mouth pulls into a smirk. The one aspect of burlesque that Xavier always had a love-hate relationship with is the topless parts. I did it one time, and that was enough. He never brought it up, but he has made mention of that one dance I did in Atlantic City with the red glitter corset.