by Claire Woods
She cashes the checks even though Tommy's ended up staying with me during the week because Tiff has to be available for auditions whenever her agent calls.
But he never does.
I haven’t called her out yet because I have what I want—Tommy. She has what she wants... my money.
He doesn't say anything, but I know it confuses him, that she's never around. But how do you explain to a five-year-old that their mother is a selfish piece of garbage?
I don't want to break his little heart any more than it has been. I can try to force Tiff to be a better mom, but I have no control on what happens in school. I need Kate to straighten her son out, not only for Tommy's sake but for Luca's. Both boys have been affected by their parents’ divorce, but it's manifesting in different ways.
Sighing, I tap in the first number Carla wrote down for me.
"Good morning. This is Gianni DeLuca from DeLuca's Renovations and Design. My secretary mentioned you were looking to gut a kitchen? Well, I'm the man for the job. Let's get something on the calendar."
The back of my neck throbs. It's been one hell of a day; in a lot of ways. I spent what was left of my morning traveling to the granite yard on Staten Island picking out slabs for a high-end kitchen I'm designing in the Upper East Side.
The client wants white Carrera marble in her kitchen, and I checked every slab on the lot, handpicking the best pieces. The stone just needs to be cut to spec and polished then it will be ready when it's time for installation.
I love tearing down a room and building it back up again. My father was a carpenter by trade, and I worked alongside him as much as I could when growing up. There were days... years of learning the craft by watching first, then the doing—that were invaluable. I could never wear a suit all day stuck in some skyscraper. I love the freedom of traveling, and the buzz from my power saw as I build shit with my bare hands. At the end of the day when I sit in the finished room; whatever it is, kitchen, bath, or an entire home remodel—there's nothing more satisfying than the smell of fresh paint and the gleam of granite counters.
I'm damn good at what I do and proud to be a small business owner. I make more money as a blue-collar man without a formal degree than most of the prick husbands on my block riding into New York on a train like a herd of cattle.
Fuck that shit.
I'm my own boss, and I provide for Tommy and Tiff. She's always going be in my life. She's Tommy's mother for better or worse. He needs her, even if she flakes out. Speaking of Tiff—my phone lights up with a text from her.
Can't take Tommy this weekend... something came up.
I suck in a breath through my teeth.
Fuckin’ Tiff.
Sometimes, I hate it when she does come through for him because I don't trust her to take care of him the way I do. But fuck—she's flaked out the last two out of three weekends, and I can't bear the pain that I'm going to see in his eyes when I tell him she's busy, again.
I don't bother texting back but call instead.
Of course, she puts me straight to voicemail—she's dumb like a fox.
"Tiff. This shit is unacceptable. Grow the fuck up already, or I'll take you back to court and prove I'm paying you child support for a kid that actually lives with me—full-time."
I drop my phone back on the desk feeling the anger build. Tommy is so fuckin' perfect. How could his own mother strive to weasel her way out of spending time with him? It’s a miracle she even bothered to show up to the meeting at the school this morning. She’s up to something; wants something besides another ride on my dick. I shudder in disgust at the thought of ever doing her again.
Tommy friggin’ deserves more—much more. In the meantime, I need to head to the gym and pummel the fuck out of a bag. I've been working more extended hours than I should, and shit is starting to fall through the cracks. After the meeting about Luca bullying him, his teacher pulled me aside. She’s worried that he’s not reading and writing as well as the other kids.
I shut my laptop and grab my gym bag stopping to take a piss before I leave the office. I have a rep to uphold. I can't have some other meathead trying to steal my title. I need to lift extra weights today.
“Man candy,” I mouth, while flexing my biceps in the mirror. They should change my nickname to lady slayer. Maybe, instead of a puppy, what Tommy needs is a new mom for Christmas—one who actually gives a shit.
“Go home early Carla. I don’t like you working alone in here at night.”
“I need to finish up these invoices.” She waves me off with a hand, “We’re in a busy office park. I’m fine.”
I shake my head, “I still don’t like it. I want you gone by four.”
“Whatever boss-man.”
“I’m gonna stop back and make sure you’re gone. Go to a hot yoga class or something.”
She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “If I go anywhere, it’ll be to happy hour.”
With a grin I close the door, locking it behind me. It smells of snow. The clouds hang low in the sky, and although it's only two in the afternoon, the faint smell of woodsmoke lingers in the air. I’m dreading telling Tommy he isn't going to see Santa in Macy's like Tiff promised. I just can't bring myself to see disappointment in his eyes, a look that's been there far too much lately.
My fingers tap on the steering wheel as I wait for the light to change. Maybe I’ll surprise Tommy by picking him up from school and taking him to his favorite pizza place for dinner. It's next to an arcade, I could keep him busy having fun... praying it'll take away the sting when I break the news that Mommy isn't coming.
“This is the best pizza on the planet.”
"I agree," I answer savoring my bite of thick crust and hot cheese.
Tommy starts telling me about his first "buddy" session with Luca, and I listen intently, wanting to hear if Luca’s shaping up.
But I look up, distracted by something I can't help but notice.
It's primitive.
It's in my male DNA.
Her juicy ass is showcased in a tight—I mean a tight pair of skinny jeans. I can't see her face yet, and I bite down on my lip—wishing I was biting down on whoever's ass I'm staring at instead.
"Dad? DAD?!"
"Yeah?"
My eyes cut back to Tommy's, but all my energy is focused in the other direction. I shift my legs and wince—I’m swelling inside my jeans.
It's been too long.
I've been too busy raising Tommy to even have the time, and there's no way I would ever bring a woman home while he's sleeping upstairs.
No effin’ way.
But my libido has always been high, and my dick’s enraged—screaming at me to do what I'm hard-wired to do: fuck a hot woman and then fuck her some more, making her scream my name while we both get lost in the best possible way.
I sigh, taking another bite of pizza. Maybe I should have my mom watch Tommy next weekend. I could drive down to the clubs in Atlantic City and work out so much tension. There's never a shortage of woman down there—looking for a man like me: a piece of man candy to spend her weekend with, before leaving the lights of the casino for reality.
My mouth freezes mid-chew. Ms. Juicy-ass has turned around, and I grin like the bad wolf finding little red riding hood caught out in the snow with her goodies.
Bingo.
I see you Kate Gilletti and I'm coming to get you. I just added you to the things I want on my Christmas list. I've been a good boy this year, and I deserve nothing less than to taste your moan, inhale it, and swallow it down, so it becomes a part of me—before I tease your nipples with my tongue and slide between your cotton candy thighs.
I bite my lip again, reaching one hand under the booth to re-arrange myself.
Forget Atlantic City.
Why waste my time with some stranger? Kate is in a league of her own, and she lives in town. We're both divorced and functioning as sole parents—from what I can tell anyway.
I stare, waiting for her to notice us. Anticipating
her reaction when she does.
I’m not disappointed.
Before she can hide her surprise, her eyes widen… her step slows, eyes involuntarily falling to my pecs and biceps.
My elbow rests on the table, and my arm is naturally bent in an "L" showcasing my thickly, ripped muscles. Thank fuck, I threw on an old short-sleeved Henley.
Kate bites her own lip but quickly recovers as our eyes meet.
I raise an eyebrow letting her know I caught her checking me out. Her tray wobbles as she tries to decide what to do. So, I make the decision for her.
“Kate! Luca! We have plenty of room over here!”
“Are you serious Dad?”
“Yes. This will be good for you," I whisper gently before sliding out of the booth taking the tray right out of Kate's hands.
I turn away placing it on our table. My body language implying that I'm not taking "no" for an answer.
"This is a surprise," I tell her attempting to give her a kiss on each cheek.
"Luca's father bailed... I'm not sure if this is a good idea. He's angry, and I don't want him to take it out on Tommy."
"I'm sorry. I know how much that sucks. Tiff—you met her yesterday morning, she canceled on Tommy this weekend, too." I whisper in her ear.
"Oh, Gianni..."
"I know."
She places a hand on my arm, my heart flutters from her quiet compassion while my hormones rage out of control from the smell of her.
My eyes dip, thirsty for any inch of skin I can burn into my memory as her snug sweater cups her breasts giving me a tiny peek of the shadow in between.
I want to bury my face there—in that space and claim it as mine.
"My dad bailed on me so he could bang his new girlfriend."
"Luca!" Kate shouts, with a crimson face.
"What? That's what you told Aunt Jen... I heard you on the phone."
Kate looks defeated. Before she can protest, I pull her into a hug and whisper into her hair, "It's okay. I've got you. I get it Kate—I really do."
I feel her inhale against the side of my neck as her arms cling to me like a lifeline. It feels good, damn good. "Your ex is banging her girlfriend this weekend, too?"
"Probably. Tiff always was a wild one."
She laughs so hard I see tears.
"It's been a really shitty week."
"I know, for me too. Let the kids have soda. I'm buying us something stronger. Can I get you a glass of Pinot or Chardonnay?"
"How about a beer instead?"
I smile, I knew she was fucking perfect when we met, but she is exceeding every expectation I had.
“I'm winning!” I shout as Luca, and I battle it out in the arcade. The kid is a video game genius, but I have more years of playing on him.
I let him win, on purpose, knowing he needs a win more than I do. My eyes find Kate's and she mouths, “thank you.”
I give her my best grin and hope she's feeling what I am. I can't remember that last time I had so much fun on a Friday night, and even though it’s getting late for Tommy's bedtime routine, I don't want this feeling to end.
“Attention folks, the arcade is closing in ten minutes.”
“It's late...”
I grab her hand, “I know... but I don't want the night to be over… yet.”
“The kids are tired...”
I turn her arm over and draw circles on the middle of her palm with my index finger.
“Jesus, man candy, we just met yesterday. What are you doing to me?”
I answer with eyes full of promises. Dirty, hot promises you fulfill in the dark.
She sucks in her breath; her knees shake as she tries to take her hand back.
But I won’t let go.
Instead, I drop my face pressing my lips to her palm before looking back up. In that moment, I make a silent promise to her—a vow that this is going to happen someday.
"I'm not dating, Gianni."
"Good. There's no one in my way then."
"But there is..." She nods over to Luca whose teaching Tommy how to play.
"Nah, I know you’re a package deal. So are we." I nod over to Tommy.
"You wanna do a playdate tomorrow at my house?"
"Gianni... "
"God, I want you."
"Slow down."
"I can't. It’s been so long, you get it."
"I don't do casual sex."
"Oh sweetheart, it's going to be anything but casual. I can promise you that."
She moans, biting her lip, "I can't. I'm still figuring out how to breathe on my own."
"From what I can tell your doing just fine."
"But I'm not.”
She steps away to sit on a bench.
"Let the boys play until they kick us out. What’s on your mind, sugar?”
"It's been hard since my split from Tony. Not financially, or anything, but in every other way. My career is in jeopardy, Luca has transformed into a kid I don’t recognize, and I feel so lost. Like, I drive in circles all day never going anywhere."
"He's doing just fine. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Look at them now." I gesture over to Tommy and Luca. Their heads are bent together as they count their tickets, conspiring to pool them together so they can turn them in for bigger prizes.
She nods, but she's hesitant; afraid to believe what she's seeing. I grab her hand, lazily drawing circles on the inside of her wrist.
"Come on Kate, they're practically BFF's now that they bonded over being ditched by a parent this weekend. Tell me about your job, what do you do?"
"I'm in sales... IT sales to hospitals. I sell software that can streamline getting medications and authorizations approved by insurance while cutting down on admittance time when transitioning from the ER."
From the way, she's speaking and the passion in her eyes, it’s clear she really believes in what she's doing. "That sounds amazing. What’s the problem?" I scoot closer to her side and put one arm around her. She smells so damn good. Like honey and roses.
"My boss Chet, he's a real piece of work. But besides that, I've missed some meetings trying to juggle all I do for Luca. You know—the sports, camps and principal meetings.”
"It'll pass. It always does. I admire you. What I wouldn't give to have a smart and sexy woman like you be mine. Your ex, was an idiot. I'd never let you go."
Leaning over, I breathe in against her hair and hold her tight. My eyes close, imagining what it would be like if she were mine. I’d get to drive her home and keep her close. I’d lick and kiss every square inch of her—commit every curve to memory and hear her sweet voice pant my name as my body moves over hers.
She doesn't reply... at least not with words. But her eyes soften, and I hope I'm breaking down the walls she put up.
Actually, it doesn’t matter. If they don't lower—I'm going right the fuck over.
I've seen enough to know what I'm looking for. I wasn't planning on dating anyone seriously right now, but when someone's put on your path that makes you feel incredible—you don't squander the chance to see where things can go.
I just need to convince Kate of that.
Hell, I'll play dirty if I need to. I saw the way she eyed me up and down. She likes my total package, and Kate hasn't even seen my tool belt... yet.
“Look at all the stuff we got!”
Tommy’s clutching a purple dinosaur the same size as him. While Luca’s clutching a handful of toys.
“Come on. I’ll walk you out.”
Standing, I lower my hand. She hesitates for a second, before placing her warm one in mine.
The temperature’s dropped. She shivers pulling her hand out of mine and burying it in the pocket of her coat. The parking lot’s empty, but I scan the perimeter, looking for any threats; ready to throw down if need be.
We’re in a safe suburb, but I always have my guard up—especially around kids and women. Her SUV honks and blinks its lights when she hits the unlock button.
“Bye,” Luca says climbing in
to the back.
“Stay close,” I say to Tommy. I open Kate’s door, she turns to face me, the white puffs from our breaths mix together in the air, combining into one misty cloud. The glow from the street light overhead falls on her face.
I groan, dying to kiss her. It’s all over my face, and she scrambles inside before it can happen.
“Good night,” she whispers softly.
“Drive safe,” I whisper back, reaching down and tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear before cupping her cheek with my hand.
I tap her door gently after she shuts it. With eyes full of determination, I clutch Tommy’s hand, watching her drive off until I can’t see the tail lights of her car any longer.
“That was fun.”
“It was. Wasn’t it?”
“Luca wasn’t mean to me like he is at school. He was nice.”
“Good, ‘cause you’re gonna be seeing him a lot more.”
“Really?”
“Really,” I vow.
Tiff was a relationship I fell into. I haven’t pursued a woman out of pure hunger in years. I’ve forgotten what it was like to burn for someone. Want them so goddamn much it consumes you. I tip my head back to the night sky, wondering how many nights it’ll be until I can take her in my arms making her mine.
A thrill runs through me at the thought.
I GROAN TRYING TO CLING to the last remnants of sleep. My thighs rub together, sticky wetness clinging between. Moaning, I bite my pillow. I used to love morning sex—the feeling of being taken from behind when your body is still warm from sleep, and you just need that sweet spot hit over and over.
But I’m alone.
There’s no hot piece of man meat here to relieve my ache. I must be ovulating because I’ve been horny as hell the past few days. My fingers reach under my mattress, hunting for the vibrator I hid.
Whipping my shirt off, I close my eyes. “Gianni…,” I whisper, rubbing my nipples before turning on my ten-inch plastic lover.
