Return to Me

by Jacquelin Thomas

  Regardless of what they were doing, Austin was acutely aware of her every movement. Bree felt comfortable around him and he felt comfortable around her. She had allowed him into her space and he had allowed her into his. He’d never shared this kind of closeness with any woman—not even Jasmine. At one point Austin figured he never would, but Bree had proved him wrong.

  Just as he rang the doorbell, he heard Emery crying.

  Bree opened the door.

  Austin halted abruptly at the sight of her holding a sobbing Emery in her arms. His throat constricted at the picture they made. The sight of Bree and his son together did something to his heart he knew he’d never get back.

  He instinctively reached for Emery. “What’s wrong, buddy?”

  “I got a boo-boo...”

  “He fell halfway down the stairs,” Bree explained. “He has a little bruise, but he’s okay.” She touched his arm. “I’m glad you’re back. We missed you.”

  Austin broke into a grin. “Really? Can’t live without me, huh.”

  “Naw...” she uttered. “I just said that to make you feel good. I didn’t think about you at all.”

  He laughed. “Good, ’cause I didn’t miss you, either.” Austin felt his pulse take off at just the sight of her. She was wearing jeans and a pale pink sleeveless top. Her dark brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail.

  He calmed Emery enough to put him down, then followed Bree into the kitchen. “What are you making?” he asked, watching her drop a stick of butter into a skillet on the stove, Next, she begin chopping cloves of garlic.

  “Shrimp scampi.”

  Bree swept the chopped garlic into the melted butter, the scent wafting through the kitchen and making his stomach growl. She turned back to the stove, slid several dozen fresh deveined shrimp into the skillet with the butter and garlic, then began to chop some scallions with a cleaver.

  It wasn’t long before they sat down to eat.

  As the hour drew later, Austin offered to give Emery his bath.

  “Thanks, I appreciate it,” Bree said. “I could use a few minutes to make a couple of phone calls.”

  After he climbed into bed, Emery handed Austin a book that was already well-read, the pages opening easily to the beginning. “I want to hear this one.”

  He was curled beside him, holding tight to a blanket and his Thor figurine.

  “Yes, if you do not know my face, you will know me by my deeds. I am Loki...” Austin read.

  “He Thor’s brotha,” Emery uttered. “Bad man.”

  Smiling, he read on, loving the sound of his giggles.

  Austin finished one book and was handed another by Emery. “Goodnight Moon,” he muttered.

  “This is the last one for tonight, okay?”

  The little boy yawned.

  Austin’s eyelids grew heavy as a yawn overtook him.

  Emery cuddled against him. “I happy you here.”

  “Me, too.” He stifled another yawn. “I don’t want to be anyplace else.”

  * * *

  Bree hovered in the doorway, her gaze on Austin and Emery as they slept. She wavered with indecision on waking him. She pulled out her phone and snapped a photo of the two, then eased out of the room.

  She went to her office and uploaded the photo to her computer.

  He looks so handsome, she thought. They look like they are truly father and son. No man had ever shown this much interest in her child, but then she hadn’t given any a real chance to do so. Austin was different, this much she did know. He was unlike any man she’d ever met, and this list included her late husband, Caleb.

  Things were great between her and Austin. The more time she spent with him, the more her body yearned for him. Bree was ready to take their relationship to the next level. Austin had been wonderful by waiting until she was ready.

  Her eyes traveled to the picture on the screen. Austin, I’m ready.

  She heard a sound and looked up.

  “Hey, sorry about that,” Austin said as he entered her office. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep like that. I guess I’m more exhausted than I thought.”

  Bree turned off the monitor, got up from the desk and walked toward him. “It’s no problem.”

  “It’s late, so I’ll get out of here.”

  She stood as close to him as she could get. “You don’t have to leave, Austin.”

  He met her gaze. “What are you saying?”

  “I want you to stay,” Bree responded. “You can sleep in my room.”

  “Are you sure about this?”

  “Yes.” His steady gaze bored in her in silent expectation.

  In response, she led him by the hand to her bedroom.

  He took her mouth as if it was his to do with as he pleased.

  Bree’s fingers curled into his shirt; her moan sliding free of her mouth and into his, awakening feelings that had lain dormant for a while.

  Hot desire.

  Explosive.

  Consuming and intense.

  Standing in the middle of the floor, they undressed each other in silence.

  His arms slid around her waist, pulling her in tight. “I knew you were special from the first time I ever saw you. The reason I’m telling you this is because I want you to know where you stand with me before we become intimate. I’m not looking for casual sex. I want something more.”

  Bree was moved by his words. “I feel the same way.”

  She watched the play of emotions on his face. Bree lifted her arms, linking them around his neck, holding Austin to her.

  His arms tightened until she could hardly draw breath. “I need you,” he whispered, dropping his mouth to the line of her jaw, nibbling at her throat.

  Austin swept her, weightless, into his arms and carried her to the bed. After placing her in the middle of the bed, he crawled in behind her.

  Bree could feel his uneven breathing on her cheek as he held her close. The touch of his hand was almost unbearable in its tenderness. His mouth covered hers hungrily, leaving her mouth burning with fire.

  The touch of her lips on his sent a shock wave through Austin’s entire body with a savage intensity. As he roused her passion, his own need grew stronger.

  Passion pounded the blood through her heart, chest and head, causing Bree to breathe in deep, soul-drenching drafts.

  Holding her close, Austin rolled her across the bed and she went with him willingly, eagerly, entangling her legs with his.

  Heartbeats thundered and each breath was a sigh sifting into the quiet. All that existed was the slide of skin on skin, the soft sighs of their heightened breathing, the crashing beats of their hearts.

  Later, Bree watched the rise and fall of Austin’s chest as he slept, thinking about what had transpired earlier. He made her feel loved in the way that he touched her, kissed her and held her in his arms.

  Austin placed a protective arm around her, pulling her closer to him. He never opened his eyes.

  When he was sleeping soundly, Bree eased out of bed and padded barefoot to the bathroom to shower.

  Afterward, she slipped on her robe and went to check on Emery.

  The little boy was asleep, his Iron Man toy in his hands.

  A smile trembled on Bree’s lips as she watched him, her heart full of love. The hair on the back of her neck stood up.

  She glanced over her shoulder to find Austin standing in the doorway. He must have awakened and found her gone.

  He didn’t enter, but his gaze was trained on Emery.

  No words passed between them as they lovingly watched over the little boy.

  Together, they returned to her bedroom.

  * * *

  The next morning Austin slid out of the bed, careful not to make a sound. He tucked the blanket higher around Bree’s sleeping form. It was nearly dawn, and th
e temperature was cool in the bedroom.

  He couldn’t sleep.

  There was too much on his mind. He felt a thread of guilt at the thought of keeping secrets from the woman he was in love with. There shouldn’t be any secrets between us.

  He stretched and yawned.

  She mumbled something in her sleep, but didn’t open her eyes.

  He pulled her closer to him.

  Austin never considered that he would fall in love with Bree. His focus had been to right the wrong that had been done to him. But getting to know her changed everything. He found in her a kinship. Before long she had stolen his heart and now here they were—it was time for him to come forward.

  No more secrets.

  Chapter 13

  Bree came downstairs dressed in a pair of denim shorts and a tank top. When she reached the kitchen, Austin already had a skillet on the burner and was half-buried in the refrigerator, pulling out ingredients.

  “I wondered where you were,” she said.

  He closed the door, put a carton of eggs on the counter and turned to face her. “Good morning, gorgeous.” Austin kissed her. “Any regrets?”

  She lifted her chin, squared her shoulders and looked him dead in the eye. “None.” Her body was still humming, buzzing with sensation. “What are you making?” she asked.

  “Spinach and mushroom omelets, bacon and toast.”

  “Can I help?”

  He cracked eggs into a bowl and handed her a whisk while he put butter in the pan. “Here you go.”

  Minutes later Emery ran into the kitchen. “Hey, Mommy...hey, Au’tin.”

  “Good morning, sweetie,” she responded before bending down to plant a kiss on his forehead.

  He climbed onto a chair at the counter. Propped on his knees, he asked, “What you makin’?”

  “Austin’s making us a special breakfast. Isn’t that nice?”

  Emery nodded. “I happy.”

  “Me, too, buddy,” Austin murmured. “I’m happy, too.”

  Bree took a seat at the counter while Austin moved around her kitchen as though he’d spent time in it before. Humming softly, Austin opened cabinets, pulling out the ingredients he needed for his meal.

  * * *

  After breakfast, they took Emery to the park.

  Austin wanted to talk to Bree, but didn’t want to distract her from keeping an eye on Emery. Maybe it was too soon to tell her, especially after making love to her the night before. She looked so happy and he didn’t want to ruin that happiness.

  “You look like you’re in deep thought,” Bree said.

  “I was thinking about you.”

  She inclined her head. “What about me?”

  “Just in the short time I’ve known you... Bree, you make me feel in a way no other woman has made me feel. You’re incredible.”

  She smiled.

  “The last thing I’ve ever wanted to do is hurt you.”

  Bree’s eyes traveled to where Emery was playing and stayed. “I’m not worried about you hurting me, Austin. It’s strange because I don’t trust easy, but with you—I don’t have any doubts in my heart.”

  Her words should’ve touched him, but instead he was filled with guilt.

  She reached over, placing her hand in his. “The way you treat Emery—it’s as if he were your own flesh and blood. My son adores you, Austin. He’s never taken to anyone the way he took to you. I pride myself on being a good judge of character, so I know that you’re a good man.”

  “I hope you’ll always feel this way,” he uttered.

  Bree gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m sure I will.”

  * * *

  A couple of days later, Bree met Jordin at Indulgence, their favorite locale for spa dates.

  “I’m so glad you booked this appointment because I really need a massage.” Jordin sank down in one of the chairs in the reception area. “This was a crazy week for me. I’m so glad it’s the weekend.”

  Bree pulled the folds of her plush robe together. “I needed a girls’ day.”

  “You’re tired of my brother already?”

  She laughed. “No, not at all. I just miss hanging out with you and Jadin. I didn’t know she was going to Los Angeles or I would’ve picked another date.”

  “She and Michael are trying to sort out their relationship.”

  “Long-distance relationships are a challenge,” Bree stated. “It could work if they both put in the effort, which it looks like they’re doing.”

  Jordin took a long sip of her mimosa. “My brother is in love with that little boy of yours.”

  “I know. You should see them together. Austin gets down on the floor with him, and it’s like he and Emery are the only two people in the world. He is going to be a great father.”

  “Are you thinking about him as Emery’s dad?”

  Bree smiled. “I’d like that. Austin and I are in a really good space. We love each other, and we’re both looking to settle down. I think there’s a possibility that we might seriously consider marriage.”

  “I think it’s more than a possibility,” Jordin said. “You both want the same thing and that is a family.”

  * * *

  It was past one o’clock when Austin knocked on Jordin’s door. “Busy?”

  She shook her head. “Come in.”

  He swung the door closed and took a seat on the chair in her office. “I’m going to ask Bree to marry me.”

  “Wow...that’s great,” she murmured. “When?”

  “I was thinking about tonight, but before that I’m going to tell her everything.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “She’s a good mother to Emery.”

  “I told you that there wasn’t anything to worry about with Bree.”

  “You were right. She’s the kind of mother I would want for my son. As much as I hate what Jasmine did, I’m glad Emery has Bree. I can tell he adores her.”

  “How do you think she’s going to react to finding out that you’re Emery’s father?”

  “I wish I knew,” Austin muttered. “I hope she’ll understand the toll this has taken on me. My child was stolen away from me before I ever knew he existed. I intend on being in his life and I was willing to do whatever I had to do to make that happen.”

  “But then you met Bree...”

  He smiled. “I love her. The three of us belong together. The first time we went out with Emery—it felt so right. This is the way it’s supposed to be. We are a family. I want to make it official by marrying her—we will raise Emery together.”

  “I would still advise that you petition the court for paternity and have his birth certificate amended with your name as his father.”

  “I intend to do that. I want his last name changed to DuGrandpre.”

  “As it should be.”

  Chapter 14

  “Is Austin in his office?” Bree inquired.

  “I think so, Dr. Collins. Do you want me to call him or do you want to just go back there?”

  “I need to see Jordin, too, so I can just walk to the back.”

  Bree decided to go by Jordin’s office first. As she neared, she could hear Austin talking and smiled.

  What are those two up to?

  Just as she was about to open the door, Jordin’s words stopped her.

  “How do you think she’s going to react to finding out that you’re Emery’s father?”

  “I wish I knew,” she heard Austin say. “I hope she’ll understand the toll this has taken on me. My child was stolen away from me before I ever knew he existed. I intend on being in his life and I was willing to do whatever I had to do to make that happen.”

  Bree shuddered as shock penetrated her core.

  Austin... Emery’s father?

  She glanced around, hopi
ng no one was paying attention to her. Bree backed away from the door, turned and walked briskly toward the elevator. She couldn’t see Jordin or Austin right now.

  His words, “I intend on being in his life and I was willing to do whatever I had to do to make that happen,” played over and over in her mind.

  He had been using her to get to Emery.

  Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.

  Bree wiped her face with the backs of her hands as she made her way to her car.

  I can’t break down now. I need to think.

  Austin wanted to take her child from her and she wasn’t about to let that happen.

  I can’t lose my baby.

  Bree drove straight to the preschool to pick up Emery.

  Once home, she immediately started packing. “I’m not going to let him take you from me,” she whispered as she packed a suitcase.

  “Where we going?” Emery asked. “Au’tin coming with us?”

  “No, baby, he’s not going to be able to come. It’s just going to be you and Mommy.”

  “Why you cryin’? You got a ouchy?”

  Bree thought of her broken heart. “Mommy has a big ouchy.”

  Emery gave her a hug. “You feel better now?”

  She nodded. “Thank you, baby.”

  An hour later Bree stopped by her neighbor’s house to let her know that she and Emery would be away for about a week. In truth, she wasn’t sure how long they would be gone, but she didn’t want to worry her friend.

  In the car, she tried to put the pieces together. Now she could understand why Austin was so enamored with Emery. Jordin knew this and aided her brother in getting to know Bree. She had never felt so betrayed in her life.

  Bree prided herself on being a good judge of character, but she had been completely off the mark where Jordin and Austin were concerned. It would be a while before they realized that she and Emery were gone. By the time they found out—they would be long gone.

  * * *