“Elodie, Maggie is inviting me to their family beach house next weekend, what should I say?”
“Duh, the answer is yes. Yes, I will go to the beach house and please make sure your super-hot brother is there so I can have some ‘quality time’ with him.” She says giggling and using air quotes as she says quality time.
“I don’t know El. I haven’t seen him in over a year, our schedules just conflict too much. What if he doesn’t want me there? He isn’t the one inviting me, Maggie is. I’ve seen Maggie a few times when she’s hired us for events, I don’t know about being around him. We talk almost daily and yet he never invites me to visit. Maybe he doesn’t want to see me.” My phone chimes, another text alert.
Pls, I wanna c u. Kenna is coming 2. It’s 4 Harry’s birthday. It’s a surprise and everyone is coming so don’t tell him. He thinks it’s just for the family. Pls come
“It’s for his birthday Elodie. Should I go? Everyone is going to surprise him. Do I fit in with everyone? Like do I belong there?”
“Oh honey, please. They wouldn’t ask you if you didn’t belong. They want you there, he wants you there whether he has said so or not, and you want to be there. Go, what’s there to lose?”
Ok. I manage to reply with my now shaking fingers.
Eeeeeekkkk u being there will b the best present of all. Thx ur the best
The look on my face must show my insecurities. Elodie laughs.
“Relax Tiff, all work and no play makes for a cranky friend. You’ve been going through the motions, time to live again. Worst case scenario, you’re at the beach hanging out with Maggie and Kenna.” Elodie says, soothing my nerves.
The days fly by as the beach weekend arrives before I know it. I’m packed and on the road wondering what Harrison will say when he sees me. Will he have a girl with him? I know Sophia ended things and even when he tried to call her, she refused to speak to him about any of it. Eventually he quit calling and accepted it. Being it’s been months now, he’s moved on most likely, right?
Harrison
“Hell no, I’m not going.” I’m trying to get my point across to my bull headed brother in law.
“Lawson, your parents are expecting us. You can’t say no. Plus all work and no play make an irritable Harrison.”
“I said no a week ago, no one listened. I don’t want to go to the beach house this weekend. Fuck off.” My anger is beginning to build.
“Hey man, chill the fuck out. Dina and I are going with Lauren. You don’t want to miss out on Lauren’s first time in the sand and water, do you Uncle Harry?” Ryder smirks.
“Shit, that’s low. You know I can’t resist that little girl. That’s my heart.” I reply shaking my head. “Fine. Fuck. Fine. I’ll go. I think it’s bullshit you used a baby against me. Damn it. I better be the first one to build a sand castle for her to crush.” Yes, that baby has me whipped. I will fight these boys to be the first one to give her something to make her smile.
Leaving the shop early, I go home to pack a quick bag and hit the road. I call Tiffany on the way, but she doesn’t answer. I miss her, but she has her life established well now, I don’t want to intrude. It would be fun to have her at the beach house with me now that she’s comfortable with everyone. She and my mom share recipes and talk regularly. I don’t think she goes more than a day without some sort of text conversation with Maggie; those two can be thick as thieves. Maggie has taken on extra events down that way for an excuse to go hang out with Tiff.
Cory, my brother, even vacationed in Augusta, Georgia. Maggie was visiting Tiffany so they both went and met him for lunch. Even Cory liked Tiffany. I never thought she would fit in with my family after I brought her home before. Yet, here we are, she’s as much a part of our family as Dina, Ryder, Brayden, Jake and Kenna. We may not all be blood but we’re family.
Pulling up to my parent’s home, I’m lost in my own thoughts. I don’t notice the familiar little car parked a driveway over. I walk in, immediately heading for the kitchen, not remotely prepared for the site before me. Tiffany has her back to me, standing side by side with my mom and sister behind the stove area as they are all prepping food for tonight’s meal. My instinct is to go behind her, wrap my arms around her and pull her to me. I control that thought and instead greet everyone.
“Damn, something smells good.” I say drawing their attention.
Tiffany is the first to turn around. Without a second thought, she runs over and throws her arms around me. I wasn’t expecting this, but damn she feels good in my arms. I pull her tight and whisper in her ear.
“This is a pleasant surprise, I wasn’t expecting you. I’ve missed you.”
“It was Maggie’s idea, she wanted to surprise you. I’ve missed you, too.” She replies back, burying her head in my chest.
My mom is clearing her throat waiting for her hug. I don’t want to release Tiffany so I let go with only one arm, pulling her over to my side but not letting go. I pull my mom over with my free arm and kiss her forehead. Maggie follows suit, giggling as she does.
“Do y’all need Tiffany or can I steal her for a walk down on the beach?” I ask hoping she’s free to be with me, and I mean that in more ways than one.
“You two go on, Maggie will help me. Have fun, relax.”
Happy Birthday to me, Tiffany is here with my family and friends.
Chapter Seventeen
Fitting In
Tiffany
Since I arrived before Harrison, I’ve had time to spend with everyone. It dawned on me how seamlessly and casually I fit in. Me, fitting in. My chest tightens, wishing Matt was here to see this.
Harrison holding me close calmed any nerves I had left about him rejecting me being here. Putting on my flip flops we head out the door fingers entwined. I can’t get enough of this man and I notice when he’s around I can’t stop smiling.
On our way down to the beach, he points out Dina’s house for me. They came down for the weekend too. I get to meet baby Lauren Renee. Harrison talks about her nonstop. I wonder what it will be like to see Harrison holding a baby. What does Harrison think of marriage and kids? I know what he used to want, but that was years ago. Since Sophia ended things with him, we haven’t talked about relationships at all. I assume that his arrival here solo means he’s single. Then again, you know what that say about assuming. Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t realize we’ve made it to the sand until Harrison is leaning down to take off both of our shoes. Flip flops in his hand he looks up at me and smiles. He pulls me to him, holding me briefly. He plants a simple kiss on my forehead before he tugs me along to walk down the beach.
“What were you thinking so seriously about back there?” He asks after we’ve walked a little ways.
“Nothing really.”
“Try again; you were lost deep in thought or a day dream.”
“Okay, it’s silly though, consider yourself warned.” I say and he laughs.
“You pointed out Dina’s house. Well, I got excited thinking of baby Lauren. Then I started thinking of you holding a baby.” I giggle.
“Are you laughing at the thought of me with a baby?” He asks clutching his hand to his chest as if he’s offended.
“No, not laughing at you. I don’t know. It’s silly. Forget it.” I say blushing, embarrassed at where my thoughts were.
“Oh, no. I gotta know now.” He says with an almost boyish charm.
“Okay, I was thinking of you holding our... er I mean your own baby.” I slipped up.
“I love Lauren, cuddling with her is almost as nice as snuggling with you.” He said stopping us. He drops our shoes to the sand and pulls me up to him as he comes down kissing me. Apparently kissing is a good distraction of my slip up.
I open my mouth letting his tongue lead the dance in our mouths. Oh, how I’ve missed kissing this man. This trip is already going in a direction I never would’ve imagined. Is he kissing me because he’s lonely? Or is he kissing me because he really wants me? Passion ignites in my core, I don’t care why he�
�s kissing me just please don’t stop.
The fire inside seems to be burning through both of us as Harrison’s hands sweep down to cup my ass. With a gentle nudge I lift up, wrapping my legs around him. The sounds of the waves crashing behind us, creates one of those moments where time stands still. We are brought out of our embrace by the sounds of laughter nearby. I bring my legs back down, my toes now back in the soft sand. Coming out of my lust filled haze, I see the biggest smile on Harrison’s face as he’s looking over my shoulder to something behind me. He grabs our shoes and my hand, spinning me around.
The sight before me is precious. Ryder is struggling, hands full of blankets, baskets, bags, and an umbrella. Dina is holding a beautiful baby girl in the most precious sun hat and bathing suit close to her chest. The laughter we heard came from Dina, as Ryder is obviously cussing up a storm at all of the essentials he had to carry. It’s comical to see this man in black board shorts, no shirt, tattoos on display, struggling. Ryder is built, with a washboard stomach; he’s tall with short, spiked dark hair. He’s hot, but he’s not Harrison. Beyond the amazing body that Harrison has created for himself, the fact that he is over six feet tall only adds to the allure, but Harrison’s eyes have a depth that one can drown in. When he looks at me I feel like he’s seeing into my soul.
We approach them, laughing at the enormous size of Ryder fighting with a simple beach umbrella.
“Need a hand, man?” Harrison asks as he leans down and kisses baby Lauren’s forehead. “Hey Princess, Uncle Harry is here my baby girl.”
“Uncle Harry, huh? You hate to be called Harry.” I retort.
“The women I care about call me Harry. You could too if you wanted to.” He replies with a wink as he begins to help Ryder.
“Tiffany, pick your jaw up off the sand girlie. How are you? We’re so glad you could make it.” Dina says, shaking me out of my shocked expression.
“It’s nice to be able to hang out with everyone and relax. You have a beautiful home, Dina. And Lauren is absolutely the most adorable baby I’ve ever seen.”
“I know. I was so worried. This may sound shallow, but I was afraid I would have an ugly baby. I know, I know…..all babies are cute. Let’s be real, no they’re not. I didn’t want to have the ugly baby and no one tell me. Here she is though, and she’s absolutely perfect.” Dina replies beaming down at her daughter with a mother’s pride. “Would you like to hold her?”
“Is that okay? I’d love to, but I don’t want to impose.”
“Look, you’re family now; I would expect nothing less than for you to hold her, love her, and be around her. I know you and Harrison had issues in the past. I don’t know what the future holds for the both of you, but you’re family too. What I do know is, Maggie adores you, Kenna loves you, and I think you’re fabulous. And all of that extends beyond business. I know I don’t get to talk to you much, but Maggie and Kenna do. They consider you part of our group. Relax and be yourself, we all have moved past the first meeting when you came home with Harrison during Brayden’s issues. Keep that inner bitch of yours tucked away and all is good. Regardless of you and Harry, you’ll still be our friend. Take note, though, he may be big and tough, but he’s a gentle giant. Be careful with his heart, Tiffany, he really cares for you. I can see you care for him too, but know that he’s sensitive. Don’t hurt him again.”
Her reassurance of my acceptance into the fold is just what I needed to hear. I tentatively reach out meeting Dina half way as she hands me a wiggling Lauren. The precious baby snuggles into me like I do this all the time. A calm feeling washes over me as I sit down with Lauren in the sand. Something about the way her baby blue eyes look up at me with excitement takes away all the insecurities I’ve ever felt.
Harrison
Ryder and I get the umbrella secured, blankets laid out, toys arranged, and cold beers in hand. I look up, and to my surprise, I see Tiffany holding Lauren. My heart skips a beat at the sight before me. The way she’s holding Lauren looks so natural. An instinct deep inside me screams this is right; finally everything is as it should be. Tiffany has always had my heart, even when I was blind to what she really needed from me and pushed her away; even when I gave my body freely to someone else. The timing wasn’t right, but I’ve always been hers.
She leans down cooing at Lauren, and my chest tightens. I want to plant my seed so deep in this woman’s womb. I want her holding our baby. I want to see the love she has towards baby Lauren reflected back to her by our own babies. In this moment, everything becomes clear.
I sit down in front of the two girls that rule my world. Tiffany smiles at me as Lauren blows raspberries. I begin making a sand castle, laughing that Brayden isn’t down here. We fight over being the uncle to teach her something first. Yes, this little girl brings four grown, tattooed, motorcycle riding men to their knees and she hasn’t even said her first word.
As I reach over to take Lauren’s little hand, I pause to rub the back of my knuckles over the soft skin of Tiffany’s cheek. She leans into my touch and smiles warmly at me. I take Lauren’s little fingers spread them out and bring them crashing down on my freshly made sand castle. Tiffany is laughing. Lauren is smiling as she moves her fingers through the sand, relishing the new texture. Dina is crying, as Ryder wraps his arms around his wife and then kisses her to distract from the moment.
“You okay, D?” I ask once they break away from their kiss.
“Yes. I know you can’t handle it when women cry. It’s happy tears because Lauren did something new.” She says with a laugh.
“Women. Sheesh. Lauren, Uncle Harry’s going to teach you not to be so sappy.” I say to my niece in a kiddie voice that once would’ve driven me nuts to hear.
There is nothing I won’t do for this little girl. Her being in Tiffany’s arms, this all feels domestic and so right. Dina can only go with empty arms for so long before she picks Lauren back up. Taking advantage of Tiffany already sitting in front of me, I turn and lay my head in her lap stretching my body out. She lazily begins to rub her fingers through my hair. Every touch ignites a new fire burning deep inside me.
All that work to set up and within an hour, Dina is ready to pack up. “Harry, Ryder, it’s too hot for Lauren, pack up and let’s get back to the house.” Without a second glance, she carries the baby away, calling out for Tiffany to go with her. Tiffany pushes me up, my moment gone. I could spend forever with her in easy companionship.
Back at the house, everyone is enjoying hamburgers from the grill and mom’s potato salad. Given I haven’t discussed anything with Tiffany, I should probably keep the public displays to a minimum in front of my family. I can’t help myself. She gets up to go in the kitchen and instinctively I reach out and pull her on my lap with no intention of sharing her. Thinking she’s going to get up I’m surprised when she reaches her arms around my neck and settles onto me.
“I really have missed you Tiff.” I whisper in her ear.
She smiles at me with an uncertainty in her eyes. I need her to believe me. I have missed her, there isn’t a moment of any day I haven’t thought of her. Sophia was right, we didn’t have closure before and I sure don’t want closure now. I want what we had before and so much more. I want the relaxed Tiffany that’s on my lap now, the one my family and friends love being around, and I want her to be with me. Tiffany was a bitch before, but she’s always been faithful, loyal, and considerate to me. The Tiffany she has become, since losing Matt and breaking free from her father, is everything I’ve ever wanted. I know she’s insecure in her place in my life. Hell, she’s probably still insecure of her place in her own life. I need her to know what she means to me, that she’s secure with me.
I pat her hip as I whisper, “We need to talk. Let’s go upstairs.” She tenses but gets up.
I interlace our fingers as we make our way to the guest room of my parent’s beach house. I shut the door and lock it out of habit of having a girl in my room. I lean down and slowly kiss her. Gently brushing my lips against he
rs, I kiss her, no tongues, just lips. I suck on her bottom lip as I guide her to sit on the bed. Pulling away is hard to do, but I know if I don’t I will never tell her what I’m feeling. I sit down to face her on the bed.
Rubbing my fingers across her cheek, I begin. “Tiffany, I don’t know what’s going on with us, but I do know I’ve missed you. Over the last few months, the more I talk to you, but don’t get to hold you the more, I crave you. Given our history, desire and want are an obvious reason. I need you to know, it’s more than that. You’re different now, we’re both different. I didn’t want to be here this weekend at all, but having you here with me, I don’t want to leave.”
Before I can continue, she’s climbing into my lap and kissing me with more passion and fervor than ever before. Lost in her, I quickly respond, giving back as hard as she’s dishing out. I roll us over with me now covering her stretched out body. Our breathing quickening in pace as anticipation, arousal, passion, and emotions undefined begin coursing through us simultaneously. I kiss her neck, working my way to suck on her earlobe as my hand finds its way under her shirt.
Her voice now raspy in lust, “I need you, Harrison.”
Her desire pushing me beyond the limits of my self- control, I hurriedly remove our clothes, giving no second thought to the buildup. I reach between us to find her folds. I slowly stroke her with my fingers, her body arching up in silent request for more.
“So wet for me baby,” I state.
“Only for you Harrison, it’s only been you.”
Something in her words, her tone, awakens the cave man inside of me. My need to fill her is deepening to an unimaginable level. I insert two fingers, stretching and preparing her. The metal of my piercing feels taut, as my erection swells seeking out the warmth of her core. When she bucks against my hand, her slick opening pulsing around my fingers, I’m ready to slam into her. I remove my fingers to go in search of a condom listening to her slight whimpers at my retreat, quickly retrieving it from my wallet in my pants pocket, I sheath myself.
Love and Repair Series Box Set Page 35
