by Riley, Alexa
“His office. He and Bailey are in a meeting.” My whole body goes tight as I head straight for the office. I don’t stop to knock as I throw the door open. I fly across the room when I see her sitting in the chair, with him leaning over her, his hands braced on the arms. It’s an intimidation tactic and he’s in her space. Bailey looks frightened.
I barely catch all of this before I crash into him and knock him to the floor.
“Fuck,” he grunts as I grab him.
I pull him from the floor, and rage like I’ve never felt rushes through me. I toss him across his desk and he slides over it before falling on the other side. He hits his chair then hits the ground with a loud cry. I go for him again, but Bailey jumps in front of me and stops me in my tracks.
Putting her hands on my chest, she pleads with me. “He’s not worth it.”
I calm at her simple touch as I look down at her. God, I love her so much. I can’t stand that this fucker has been messing with her, likely making her life harder.
“Are you okay?” I ask her, cupping her cheeks. She gives me a small smile.
“Yeah.” She rubs her hands on my chest. “Are you?” she asks.
“I will be as soon as this prick is gone.” We both turn to look when we hear a groan. Mason stumbles as he gets to his feet.
“I’ll sue you!” he yells.
“Don’t worry. You’ll be hearing from our lawyers. Now get out. You’re fired.”
“Pfft. She’s not even worth it,” Mason spits. I try to go for him again, but Bailey stops me. She wraps her arms around me, and I breathe. She’s right. He’s not worth being thrown in jail over, and that would upset her and Hazel.
“She’s worth everything,” I say back at him. He knows it, too, because now I see how bad he wants her. She’s mine, and someone would have to kill me to take her or Hazel from me.
Like the coward that he is, he makes sure he puts some distance between us before he talks shit on the way out. “This place will fall apart without me.”
I don’t even dignify that with a response because if I’ve learned anything while being in the store, it’s that Bailey has been running this place. I’ve seen how she does the scheduling and ordering for the store. She could run this place blindfolded. By the time I’m done with Mason he won’t be able to get a job in the city, if he doesn't end up in jail for harassment.
As Mason leaves, some of the employees gather around to see what happened.
“Everyone back to work. Nothing to see here,” Bailey tells them as she steps in front of me.
“You heard your new manager. Let’s make sure the customers are taken care of,” I say, and Bailey turns around to look at me. She’s shocked and I’m not sure why. She should have had the job a long time ago.
“I can’t be the manager,” she finally says after everyone clears out. “I’m the assistant manager.”
“Not anymore. I’m sure you’ll find someone to fill that role.” Before she can say anything else, I kiss her and cut off any protest.
Instead, I give us what we both need.
Chapter 12
Bailey
“Don’t stop,” I cry, even though I know he’s not going to. In fact, most times I have to beg him to stop because my body can’t take anymore. I dig my fingers into his hair as he licks and then sucks my clit. My orgasm spikes when he pushes a finger inside me and goes right for my sweet spot. I come undone as I throw my hand over my mouth to keep from crying out loud. He’s relentless as he makes sure to get every drop of pleasure out of me. I lie there boneless as he climbs up my body.
“Morning, beautiful,” Shawn says against my mouth before kissing me.
I taste myself on him, and I want more. I wrap my legs around his waist as he slides inside of me.
“I love waking up like this,” I tell him when he starts to thrust in and out. This is how I’ve woken up every morning since our first time together. He really is the perfect alarm clock. There’s no wanting to hit snooze in the morning with this man.
“I love waking you like this,” he grunts.
We haven't talked about moving in together, but we might as well at this point. We never sleep apart and I don’t think Shawn would ever let us. He pushes up on his knees, sliding me with him so my ass is in his lap. He grips my hips as he thrusts harder in and out of me. The desire on his face alone has my second orgasm pushing down on me.
“Give it to me, babe. It’s mine and I want it,” he commands, and I do as he says, coming undone again as I feel his release deep inside of me.
He falls down on top of me and I feel him everywhere. His cock jerks inside of me and he groans into my mouth as I feel more of his cum release inside me.
He rolls us over so I’m lying on top of him, and I kiss his chest and cuddle into him. I glance over at the clock on the nightstand and see it’s already after ten.
I’m not shocked we’ve slept this late. We stayed out late at the carnival last night and didn’t get home until a little after midnight. We had so much fun and I’m still not sure how we got all the stuffed animals into the car. Shawn and Hazel won everything there, then when we got home she piled all of them into her bed and passed out.
I lazily trace my finger over his tattoos.
“I wanted to talk to you about something,” he says, and I slide over so I can look at him.
“Isn't we need to talk a bad sign?” I tease him, already knowing it can’t be too terribly awful. More than likely it’s something he’s going to try and talk me into. Something he wants to do for me or Hazel. I never thought a person could be so gentle and sweet but at the same time be such a bulldozer.
He slides his hand into my hair. “Everything I ever do for you will always be good.”
“I know.” I turn my head and kiss his chest. “Out with it.”
“Hazel has been asking for a dog.”
“Oh, I know,” I laugh, ready for what’s coming. Shawn is putty in Hazel’s hand. She gives him a pout and he caves. It would be annoying if it wasn't so freaking cute.
“Well, a while back I was doing some volunteer work and learned about these therapy dogs. They are highly trained, and I think if we get her a dog, we should get one of those.”
“And let me guess, you already have your eye on one?” I raise an eyebrow at him. He smiles at me. “If you think it's a good idea, then I trust you.”
I slide back on top of him and he digs his hands further into my hair. I’ve learned to go with the flow with Shawn. He always has our best interests at heart, and I know he would have researched this. One of Hazel’s doctors actually recommended one once, but it was never something we could afford.
“Bailey?” I freeze when I hear my mother's voice. Shawn is instantly on his feet.
“It’s my mother,” I whisper to him. “God, what is she doing here?” Of course, when life is going good she shows up to ruin it. I sit up and start to scramble. “Get dressed,” I whisper, not wanting my mother to see Shawn naked. If there is one thing my mother loves, it’s men. A close second is money. My bedroom door starts to open, but Shawn’s hand comes down on it and keeps it closed.
“She’ll be right out,” Shawn says.
“Fine,” my mother snaps.
I’m surprised she didn't ask why a man is in my room. But I’ll think about that later. I rush to pull on clothes and Shawn does the same. Thank god my sister is still asleep. I don’t want whatever this conversation is about to be to happen in front of her. My mother wouldn't care one way or another, but I do.
“You sure you want to talk to her?” Shawn asks me as he pulls a shirt over his head.
“We don’t have a choice. She’s Hazel’s mother. Technically she still has custody of her. This is still her house and she could probably kick me out if she wanted to.” The thought is chilling, but I don’t think she will. She doesn't want the responsibility of Hazel.
Shawn’s face hardens, and I can tell he’s getting pissed. “Let’s see what she has to say.”
“There are some things you can’t control,” I tell him, but I want to believe him so badly.
“You’ll learn soon enough I’m always two steps ahead.” With that, he opens the door and puts his hand on my back. He guides me out into the living room where my mom is sitting on the sofa playing with her phone.
She looks up, and I notice she’s dressed to kill. She looks like she’s about to go out on a date and it’s not even noon. She was always really pretty, but that’s what happens when you have kids in your teens. Though right now she’s looking a little worn down in the face. It takes her a moment, but she puts on a fake smile as she stands up and walks over to me.
“Bailey, how are you?” she asks as she gives me an awkward hug.
“Donna,” I respond. She never liked us calling her Mom. Especially in front of men.
“I heard you’ve got a man. I wanted to come and see for myself.” Her eyes roam over Shawn.
I want to reach out and smack her, but instead I clench my fist at my side. Keep it together for Hazel, I remind myself.
“Who told you that?” Shawn asks. His voice is so cold.
“A little birdy.” She winks at him and his jaw clenches.
“Really? Who’s talking about me to you?” I ask, wanting to know.
“Mason,” she says flippantly. I hear Shawn let out a noise that sounds like a growl. “I ran into him over at Moxie’s when I was getting a drink last night. He had a lot of things to say. I thought I should come home and check on Hazel.”
“Now you come check on her?” I fight to control my anger, not wanting to yell and wake Hazel up. “Now, really?”
My mom goes to responds, but Shawn cuts her off. “Cut the crap, Donna. What is it you really want?” I glance over at him.
Her face turns sour and she raises her chin. “You know I could kick you both out of here.”
“You could try. We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” he says as he steps forward. “Trust me, you don’t want to do this the hard way. I have a lot of friends in high places. They can make things as difficult as I need them to be.”
My mother darts her eyes between Shawn and me. “I want half a million dollars and you’ll never see me again.”
My jaw drops. Did she just actually say that?
“I know why you skipped town, Donna, and I know why you lost your job.” My mom’s face pales. “I can make that all go away.” Shawn walks over to the counter and opens his briefcase. He pulls out a file and holds it open. “Sign over custody of Hazel, along with this house, and I’ll make it all go away.”
“I need money,” she blurts out.
“Then I suggest you get a job,” he tells her. “Though if you don’t sign these papers, you won’t need a job where you’ll be going.”
She could go to jail? What the hell did she do?
“It all goes away?” she asks. She’s wringing her hands together in front of her and doesn’t look so sure of herself anymore.
“Yes, and you never come back here.” Shawn picks up a pen. “All you have to do is sign.” He sets both documents down on the counter.
She hesitates for a moment before going over and signing the papers. I’m shocked as I watch the whole thing play out. When she turns and looks at me, I’m still so angry with what a shitty mother she’s been, but I can’t help but be grateful.
“Thank you.” It’s the first good thing she’s ever done for us.
She nods and picks up her purse then walks out the door without another word. I turn to look over at Shawn in complete shock. “What just happened?” It’s too good to be true, but everything’s been that way since he walked into my life.
He holds up the papers. “No more worrying. That’s what just happened.”
He closes the distance between us. “I’ve been looking into your mother and trying to find out what it would take for you to get custody of Hazel. I found out she’s been stealing pills from the retirement place she’s working at.”
“Jesus.” I shake my head.
“So while my lawyer has been working on things, he gave me these papers. Just in case your mother stopped by.”
He hands me everything and I look down at them. I’m unable to read them because my eyes are filled with unshed tears. I throw myself at him and wrap my body around his.
“I love you so much,” I tell him, burying my face in his neck.
“I love him, too.”
I turn my head to see Hazel standing in the doorway to the living room. She’s rubbing the sleep from her eyes with one hand and the other hand is holding one of the stuffed animals she won last night.
“I love you, too, Hazel,” Shawn says.
The tears I was trying so hard to hold back slip free. I had no idea I could be this happy.
Chapter 13
Bailey
It’s been a long day at work, but I have to say, things are going much smoother than I thought possible. Of course, having Kyle as my assistant manager has been a life saver. Hazel has been ecstatic scheduling all the baggers, and she’s taking her job as the bagger manager seriously. Shawn even made her a name tag and she wears it with pride.
I didn’t realize how much stress I was carrying around over my mom possibly coming back into our lives until Shawn took it away. It’s like a weight has been lifted and I feel free for the first time in my life. Now I have no fear of her trying to derail our progress or upset Hazel. There’s no looking back, and I’ve got my man to thank for that.
“It’s time to go,” Hazel says, looking at her watch.
“You’re right.” I grab my bag and my keys and we walk out of my office, switch off the light as we go.
Shawn said he had a late meeting at the corporate offices this afternoon and wasn’t sure he’d be back in time to pick us up. So I drove with Hazel in the SUV today and he said he’d meet us at home.
“Don’t stay too late,” I call out to Kyle, who is talking to a couple of people in our kitchen area.
“We’re on the way out,” Kyle says and waves at us.
“Hey, do you guys want to come with us and get pizza?” Claire, one of the cashiers, asks.
“Pizza?” Hazel perks up and looks at me.
“No!” shouts Kyle, and we all turn to look at him. “I mean, Shawn isn’t here,” he says defensively and starts to look around. “You wouldn’t want him to miss out on pizza. He loves pizza.”
“Yeah, I guess,” I say, narrowing my eyes at him.
“You don’t want to disappoint him,” Kyle says, grabbing his keys. “Okay, guys, let’s get out of here. Let these ladies get home.”
He rushes everyone out of the kitchen and out the back door before I can even blink.
“What was that about?” I say, mostly to myself.
“He was probably hungry. I am, too,” Hazel says as she follows out behind them. “Let’s go get Shawn and get pizza.”
“Sounds good to me,” I say and shrug.
I send Shawn a quick message before we pull out of the parking lot.
Me: On our way. Be home soon. I love you.
His reply is instant.
Shawn: Can’t wait. See you when you get here.
“Oh great, he’s already there,” I say as I tuck my phone in my purse and we drive towards the house.
When we get there, I see Shawn’s truck parked off to the side and I smile. I love coming home to him. Hazel gets out and when I come around she holds my hand as we walk inside. I’ll never get tired of these sweet shows of affection she gives me. For so long she was shy about expressing her love or just showing the world how happy she was. She’s come so far since my mom left and even more so in the time we’ve been with Shawn. Her future is open to so many possibilities no
w that we never had before.
When we walk inside the first thing that hits me is the sweet smell of flowers. The whole living room is filled with yellow roses. Every available surface is covered in my favorite flower, and in the middle of it is Shawn.
“Oh my god, what did you do?” I ask as I drop my bag and put my hand over my mouth.
“It’s so pretty,” Hazel says, looking around.
“Come in and have a seat,” he says as he holds his hand out and motions to the couch. “You too, Hazel. Come sit down with Bailey.”
“If you’re in trouble, this is not a bad punishment,” Hazel says as we walk over and sit beside one another.
Shawn laughs then comes to stand in front of us. “Nobody is in trouble. I just want to talk to the both of you.”
He pushes the coffee table out from in front of the couch and then kneels down in front of Hazel. I watch as he takes her hands and smiles sweetly at her.
“Hazel, you are so important to me, and I know how much you mean to Bailey. You are her whole world and I’m so happy that I get to be a part of that.”
My throat gets tight because anytime he’s sweet with her I get emotional.
“You are the center of Bailey’s heart and I know that she wouldn’t make a decision unless it was what you wanted. So, I’m asking you, Hazel, will you let me marry Bailey and become your big brother?”
He takes a ring box out of his pocket and opens it up for her. Inside is a simple band with a row of pink and white diamonds. The tears are falling down my face and I can’t speak as I watch the two of them.
“Yes,” she says as she looks over at me. She’s grinning from ear to ear as Shawn takes her hand and slides it on to her ring finger. She reaches out and gives him a great big hug, and I can’t breathe because it’s so beautiful.
When she lets him go he turns to me and takes my hands.
“Shawn.” I shake my head as he kisses the back of my hand. I’m openly sobbing now, and I don’t think I can speak.
“Bailey, I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you. I know that Hazel is in your life forever and I’m the luckiest man in the world that I get to be a part of it.” He kisses my hand again and I watch as he takes another ring box out and opens it up.
