“They said that they were rich and could provide a stable two parent home and I couldn’t and that they would fight for her. They know I don’t have the money to fight for her like they can. They don’t even know her! How can they want to take her from me?”
“Hush, honey.” He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. “It won’t happen. I won’t let it happen. I won’t let them take her from you.”
She didn’t know how he could prevent it, but for some reason, in that moment, she believed him.
*
Clayton took one last look in the mirror before he left his house. He almost didn’t recognize the man looking back at him. Only he did. He knew that man all too well. It looked like the man he used to be before the IED took some of his unit and too many innocent kids. He wasn’t sure that he would ever see that man again, but it was time.
Time to start a new chapter in his life.
He walked out the door to see that Daisy’s guests had arrived. Aubrey’s grandparents. The senator and his wife. He had looked up their son. Extremely good looking. Extremely privileged. Spoiled. Never worked a day in his life. He owned a professional fundraising company. But as far as Clayton could tell, it seemed like the only thing he had ever done was throw lavish parties.
And not take care of his kid.
Clayton spotted Daisy and the Scotts sitting on her porch. Daisy was standing, wearing a sweet looking butter yellow sundress. Her long hair was loose down her back and she looked simply pretty today. Part of him just wanted to stand there and take her in for a moment, but she must have felt his eyes on her and she looked away from her guests and directly at him. Her face lit up. She smiled at him in a way that made the blood rush from his head. Only she could manage to smile at him like that when she was going through such a tough time.
She was something else.
She hurried off the stairs and ran towards him. He felt himself smiling back. He couldn’t help it. And even though he only left her a few hours ago, it felt like he hadn’t seen her in weeks.
“Clayton!” She kissed his cheeks a dozen times. He couldn’t remember the last time he had been kissed like that, maybe when he was a very small child, but he knew that Daisy’s kisses made him feel much differently than the ones he received as a child. “I’ve wanted to do that forever.” She slid her hands up to his now bare cheeks and he realized how much he wanted her to touch his face with no barriers, to feel her lips on his skin. “I’m not sure I can take this. You might just be the most beautiful man I have ever seen.”
“I thought you liked my beard.”
“I did.” She ran her fingers through his drastically shorter hair. “But this is going to make kissing you much easier.”
“Excuse me. Who is this man?” They heard the senator ask.
“Oh, that’s Mr. Calhoun,” Aubrey said as Daisy took a step away from him. “He sleeps with Mama sometimes.”
“What?” Both Clayton and Daisy said in the same moment.
“He sleeps with you, Mama. I saw.”
“What do you mean you saw?” Clayton asked, knowing that Aubrey had been away both times they had been together.
“That night we had the bats and you fell asleep on the couch. And then last night when Mama was sad you slept on the couch with her.”
“Oh, you saw us sleeping!”
“Yes, Mama. That’s what I said.”
“I know, Cookie. I’m a little frazzled. It’s Clayton’s haircut.”
“I like it.” Aubrey nodded. “He doesn’t look like a scary man anymore.”
“Scary man?” The senator’s wife asked. “You are sleeping with a man my granddaughter thinks is scary. I’m not sure I approve of this.”
“She doesn’t really think I’m scary, do you, honey?” He walked forward extending his hand. “I should introduce myself. I’m Clayton Calhoun. I’m Daisy’s fiancé.”
*
Daisy wasn’t sure she heard Clayton correctly. She could have sworn he had just said that he was her fiancé but that couldn’t be right. She had partied hard in her college days and was fairly sure she had lost more than a few brain cells, but she was pretty sure Clayton Calhoun had never asked her to marry him.
And if he had… Was he crazy?
“You’re going to marry, Mama!” Aubrey gave Clayton a big happy smile. It was rare that she saw Aubrey smile like that and while Daisy wanted to be happy to see it, she knew that in the end she would only end up disappointed.
“Am I marrying you?” she asked lightly, very aware that the Scotts were watching them intently. They had been here for the past hour, trying awkwardly to get to know their granddaughter.
Clayton had been with her when she told Aubrey about them. About her father whom she would never meet. It had been difficult. Difficult to find a way to tell her that there were more people in her life who wanted to love her, but at the same time keeping away the fact that those people might want to take her away.
Daisy wouldn’t let that happen no matter what. But she was still enormously pissed off that these two people with their money and their privilege would take a child from the only mother she knew just to keep a promise to their deadbeat son.
Aubrey didn’t react to the news much. She didn’t seem very excited to learn about her grandparents. She didn’t seem hurt over her father’s loss. But maybe she had numbed herself to it. Maybe at seven she had experienced loss so many times that she held back. She didn’t form attachments or expectations like another small child might. And that depressed the hell out of Daisy.
“It’s okay to tell them, Daisy. It’s a delicate situation. Daisy still works closely with her former mother-in-law and we haven’t told her yet. We haven’t told anyone yet.”
“Congratulations,” the senator said coolly and Daisy suspected he wasn’t buying what Clayton was selling.
“Aubrey.” Clayton looked down at her. “Do you think you can bring out the cake we bought yesterday?”
“And the little paper plates and the forks, Mr. Calhoun?”
“You don’t have to call me that anymore, baby.” He bent to kiss her forehead. “Just Clay. And if you can manage all of that without dropping it, go for it.”
“I’ll use a tray. Mama has one with flowers on it.”
Aubrey was growing attached to Clay, Daisy realized. She had always seemed to like him. Had always seemed to see another side to him that most people had missed. That Daisy had missed. She couldn’t allow Clayton to break her heart.
He would too.
She had been so blown away by his transformation. By how much he looked like a cross between a young Marlon Brando and Paul Newman that she didn’t realize why he had transformed.
He had mentioned the meeting he had gone to yesterday. He didn’t go into details. He just said it was about his job offer. He must have decided to take it. The short haircut. The shave. It was all in preparation to go back. To be a soldier or something that was dangerous and would take him away from here.
She didn’t know how long he had left here, but she realized that she would miss him when he went. And so would Aubrey. She had lost enough men, enough loved ones in her life. She couldn’t allow this to go on any longer.
“Good girl,” Clayton said as he opened the front door and let her inside. “Please sit.” He motioned to the white wicker furniture on the porch and the Scotts took their seats again. “Daisy told me about your meeting yesterday. You kept throwing around the phrase stable two parent home, like being a married couple could make that little girl any better than she already is. She’s sweet. She’s kind and she’s more respectful than most adults I have known. You would not be better parents. That child has been through a lot and the fact that she has turned out as well rounded as she has is a testament to Daisy’s parenting. But if you plan to pursue this, the fight won’t be as easy as you think.”
Daisy just stared at Clayton. He was transforming again before her eyes. She knew he was a commanding officer in the army. She knew
he had been a leader, but seeing him now… She could just picture him issuing orders to his unit. It was kind of sexy.
“I was a first lieutenant in the United States Army. A Ranger. Honorably discharged and highly decorated. My father, grandfather and great grandfather were all high ranking officers. I got my recommendation to West Point by the vice president when he was still a senator and he was there when I received my Bronze Star. I run Sanna and Son Property Management which is being turned over to me shortly when the current owner retires. Go ahead and check me out if you don’t believe me.” Clayton looked from the senator to his wife. “If you want a fight, you’ll get one. I’m not a God damn politician who makes threats and side deals. I’m a soldier. I know how to get things done and if you think you’re going to come here and take Aubrey you’re dead wrong. Who do you think the public will side with? The injured veteran with the spotless record or the old senator with the asshole son who never bothered to care for his only daughter? You think about that.” He opened the screen door and stepped inside. “I’m going to go check on Aubrey.”
Daisy exhaled when Clayton was gone from sight. His threat hadn’t been directed at her and yet the force with which he gave it make her heart beat faster.
“I’m aware of Clayton,” the senator said after a moment. “His family has a long history of service. He’s actually a fourth generation West Point graduate. I knew his grandfather, the general. He’s incredibly brave. But I’m sure he has already told you the story of how he came to be awarded.”
“No,” she said honestly. “He didn’t even tell me about his Bronze Star. Clayton is the kind of man who doesn’t think he should be awarded for doing his job. He’s out of uniform now, but he brings just as much honor and integrity to everything he does. He’s a good man and he’ll be a wonderful father.”
“But you’re marrying another veteran of the same war,” Mrs. Scott said. “Aren’t you concerned about that?”
“No,” Daisy said truthfully because she knew she wasn’t marrying Clayton. But if she was it’s something that might trouble her a bit. “Danny wasn’t a veteran when I married him. And Clayton is a very different man from him.”
“We’ve rented a house here for the summer. We haven’t decided how we would like to proceed yet, but we would like to get to know her. She’s our family.”
“I could be spiteful. I could not allow you to see her until you came back with DNA proof and even then I could choose to keep her away, because as her grandparents you don’t have any rights. But I’m not going to do that, because I wouldn’t deny her the opportunity to have two more people love her. But if you mention anything to her about coming to live with you, I’ll ban you from her life so fast your heads will spin.”
“Understood.” The senator nodded. “We would like to take her for lunch if that is okay with you. And maybe for a little shopping.”
“Books. Buy her books. She loves them. And technology. She is going to learn how to code this summer. Maybe you can get her a book about that.”
“We will. Thank you, Daisy.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll go get her.”
She went inside to see Clayton and Aubrey sitting in the kitchen in deep conversation, but they stopped as soon as Aubrey spotted her.
“We were waiting for cake. What happened?”
“Sorry.” Clayton turned to look at her and it was like she was seeing him for the first time all over again. “We were just talking.”
“About what?”
“It’s private, Mama.”
“Private? You want privacy in my house?”
“Yes, Mama. It’s important.”
“Fine,” she sighed. “Your grandparents would like to take you to lunch and then shopping. But I’m forbidding you to come home with a horse, pony or any other animal that needs to be stabled. You got that?”
“A dog doesn’t need to be stabled,” she said matter of factly.
“No animals. No living things. No drum kits. No property.”
“Property?” Aubrey squinted in confusion.
“Yes. Don’t come back and tell me you own a brownstone in Tribeca because it was a good investment.”
“Okay.” She hopped off her chair and gave Clayton a big hug before she approached Daisy. “Pick me up, please.” She reached upward and Daisy felt a wave of emotion slam into her. Aubrey used to ask her to pick her up like that when she was just a baby.
“I love you, Cookie.” She squeezed her.
“I love you too, Mama. I’m happy you’re getting married.”
“Oh.” Daisy locked eyes with Clayton. “Thank you. Are you going to be okay with your new grandparents?”
“Yes.”
“Are you feeling okay about all this? It’s a lot.”
“I’m okay. I’ve always wanted grandparents.”
“You have?”
“Yes. I want a big family.” She wiggled to get down. “But having just you is nice too.” She walked away then, leaving Daisy feeling empty and kind of guilty.
“Come here.” Clayton reached for her hand and pulled her close. He rested his head on her chest. “You sure about letting her go off on her own with them?”
“No.” She ran her fingers through his short hair. “But right now I’m more concerned about you telling them we were getting married.” She smacked the back of his head. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“That they would back off. I’ve never used my connections to get ahead, but my family has them and I wanted to let them know I’ll use them. I’m pretty sure I made my point. They won’t push it anymore.”
“I think you made your point too, but what happens when we don’t get married? They’re staying here for the summer. They are going to find out you lied. Especially about the business. Do you know how easy it will be to verify that? And then they’ll really try to fight me for her when they find I out I’m involved in this scheme with you.”
“It’s not a scheme. Mr. Sanna wants to give me his business. He has had the papers drawn up. I didn’t lie about that.”
“He wants to turn it over to you?”
“Yes. Alex never wanted it and he said I’m like his son.”
“But you were offered a job overseas.”
“Yes. I was.”
“And what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to be your fiancé for a while. Nobody has to know but the Scotts.”
“But Aubrey knows. That’s who I’m concerned about. She really likes you and she wants us to get married. I don’t want her getting hurt, Clay.”
“Don’t worry about Aubrey. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Just trust me on this.”
She wanted to, but she didn’t think she could.
Chapter 11
“We should probably get dressed now,” Clayton said to Daisy a little while later as she lay naked on her bed.
“We probably should,” she said, not moving.
He was glad she didn’t move to cover herself. She didn’t even have a blanket over her body for modesty. All those long thick legs, and curvy hips and beautiful full breast were on display for him. He ran his hand across her stomach, loving the way the soft slightly curved surface felt beneath his hand. He was getting hard again just touching her.
“Why do you touch my stomach all the time?”
“I like it.” He leaned down and nipped her right above her belly button. She let out a surprised squeak and squirmed beneath him, but he kissed her where he bit and that little yelp turned into a moan.
He lived for that moan. That throaty sound she made whenever he did something she liked.
“With the scruffy beard and hair, I could see why a guy like you would like me. But now that you look like a Greek god I would have pegged you for more of a super-fit-beach-body-perky girl.”
“I don’t even know what that is.” He kissed up her belly, giving her slower, more scorching kisses as he traveled upward.
“You know. A girl with abs and sun ble
ached hair. One that runs on the beach for fun and lives in yoga pants and a sports bra.”
“Why the hell would you think I wanted that?”
“Because you look like you belong in California or Hawaii surfing on the beach. And guys who look like you, go for girls who look like them.”
“That’s why you shouldn’t go by looks.” He cupped her breasts in his hands and squeezed them, loving the way the warm plump flesh felt in his hands. Her nipples went hard again and he ran his tongue across one, just to hear the sweet sounds she made. “I like women with tattoos and long dark wavy hair and cute tummies that are perfect for kissing.”
“You smooth player. Come here and kiss me.”
He positioned himself between her legs and slid inside her. She was ready for him. She was always ready for him and he kissed her as he thrust inside. “Like this?”
He thrust again, accompanying it with another hot wet kiss. “Don’t tease me,” she moaned. “I don’t know how much time we have and I’m close.” She pulled his mouth to hers and moved beneath him, spurring him on. Her climax came quickly and powerfully and as soon as he felt her squeezing around him he lost control too.
He collapsed beside her, not wanting to move away from her yet. His kissed her throat, her skin was slightly damp. She smelled of sex and flowers. It was becoming his favorite smell. “You have got to stop kissing me, Clay. Or we’re likely to start all over again.”
“I don’t see anything wrong with going for a fourth time.”
“Last thing we need is Aubrey walking in here and catching us. She already told the senator and his wife that we were sleeping together.”
“As far as they know, we’re engaged. There’s nothing wrong with us sleeping together.”
“Engaged.” She shook her head. “I still can’t believe you told them that.” She got out of bed and reached for her dress that he had flung on the dresser when he stripped her. “I’m going to take a quick shower. You stay here or we’ll end up at it again.”
“I’m okay if we end up at it again. In fact I would really enjoy that.”
She smiled at him and he wanted to freeze that moment and lock it away in his memory. Her standing before him naked with just a yellow dress in her hands and smiling only for him.
A Curvy Girl for the Cadet: A Perfect Fit Novella Page 11
