I hadn’t seen the backyard, so I nodded and followed him. The grill was on an expansive deck and overlooked a perfect yard. It wasn’t huge, but Max did a great job with it. It had a small garden as well as a swing set and pool for Riley. There was plenty of room for a little girl to get lost in her imagination out there and just be a kid. I sat down near the grill and watched as he lifted the lid and checked the coals. I could tell that Max was comfortable cooking and taking care of his home. I sipped the wine, imagining that he grew up to be just what I expected. “Were you at the lab tonight?” he asked me as he placed the meat on one side of the BBQ. I listened to it sizzle.
“I was. I was there all day, but it isn’t the same when you’re using someone else’s stuff. I feel like I’m an inconvenience.” I shrugged and tried to push the day behind me. “What do you do?” I knew that Max was headed to medical school before, but I never learned what he decided on.
He gave me a long look before grinning. “I’m in gynecology.” I wrinkled my nose and he laughed, holding up one hand. “It isn’t like that. I swear. I had an aunt that died from ovarian cancer and I wanted to help women survive. It isn’t the sexy job that some people think, but I am making a difference.” That made sense. I mulled it over as he spread a lot of vegetables over the other side of the grill.
We ate outside, sharing the bottle of wine. Max reminded me of how easy he was to get along with and truly like, making it hard for me to keep myself from bringing up our past. I’d been lying this long and it would look bad to do that now, so I decided to just keep playing the part of Lucinda.
We took the dishes inside, washing them side-by-side at the sink. I was feeling the wine now and laughed at all of his jokes. I felt the weight on my shoulders fading. This was fun and familiar. I placed the last fork in the rack before looking at him.
Max was staring intently at me as I swallowed the lump in my throat. He stepped closer, cupping my face with his hands before his lips claimed mine. It was familiar and intense – I felt like I belonged there. I wasn’t the teenager that I was the last time, but I also couldn’t admit who I was to Max.
His tongue swept my mouth as I considered just giving in for one night. What could it hurt?
The scene from his bedroom with that woman played back through my mind. I hadn’t seen her again, but Max was a good-looking man – probably one that slept around a lot. Mrs. Hastings and some of the other women hinted around to that. I knew how he was back in school and that he had split up with Riley’s mother early on. It probably wasn’t even a real marriage.
I moaned as he gripped my hips and lifted me to the counter, his mouth claiming mine with his lips and tongue. He pushed between my thighs as one hand drifted down over the front of my shirt, making me jump.
I pushed him away and slid from the counter, my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn’t give myself to him like this: in a lie and feeling weak. “I have to go. Thanks for dinner.” I hurried to the front door without looking back and then to my apartment, unlocking the door and falling to the floor as I started to cry.
Chapter Seven – Lucy
I was in a daze as I walked further into my living room. I felt the ache in my breasts and the throbbing between my legs. I’d felt desire before, but it was never anything like this. I cried out with the frustration of it all. I couldn’t let this go. I considered going back over there and finishing what we started.
Sleeping with Max like that for my first time would be wrong. As his neighbor or a former fling, it was wrong. I wanted things to be serious with a man before I gave myself to him – possibly even waiting for marriage.
I went to my fridge and pulled out the open bottle of wine, taking a long sip as I stood in my dark kitchen. I was already feeling the bottle that I’d shared with Max, but I needed more. I needed to pass out for the night.
I needed to forget his kiss, but my lips were still tingling. I touched them, drank more wine, and headed to my bedroom. I was going to drink and sleep for hours tonight. I slipped down my pants and kicked them to the floor as I sat down and drank more wine.
I looked over at my open window, the wind blowing in. I knew that my light was on and I could see that Max’s was as well. He walked into his bedroom and ran a hand through his hair. It was messy and long. I wondered if he’d been angry after I left. He unbuttoned his shirt and dropped it to the floor before he raised his face and looked at me.
I froze, but the aching need in my body only increased. He stepped closer to the window, his blue eyes wild with need as he let them slide over my body. I was only wearing the shirt now and I blushed as I realized that he could see my pussy if I pulled my legs apart.
Max reached down to stroke the denim over his cock as I breathed out. I parted my legs and he licked his lips as I brushed my hand over my slick folds. I moaned and pushed a little harder, finding my clit as I dropped back to my pillows.
What was I doing? He was watching me.
I circled my clit and opened my eyes to see his pants pushed down and his cock in his hand. He was staring at my hand as he pushed his hand up and down his cock, hard and slow. Oh, God. I wanted him. I slipped two fingers inside of me as I pressed my palm against my swollen nub. I heard a voice and opened my eyes to look at him. “Take off the shirt, Lucinda. I want you to touch your nipples for me.”
I cried out and pulled my hand away, arching my back as I ripped the shirt off. I was bare now but needy, and one hand slipped inside of me again while the other slipped over my left breast and found the hard nipple. I pinched and pulled as I watched him speed up his hand, listening to me whimper as I grew closer to an orgasm.
I plucked at my other nipple and spread my legs apart further. I added a finger and met his eyes as he watched me, his feet planted apart on the floor as he jacked off.
I came with a jerk and a loud cry, rocking through it as I let the sensations take me over. I dropped against the mattress and pulled my hand away to play with my clit as he started moving his hand harder. “I want to lick your pussy. I want to suck on that clit,” he told me as he jerked forward. “I want to fuck you.”
Only I could hear him with the nearness of our windows, but I sincerely hoped that Mrs. Hastings wasn’t home. I was still whimpering as he arched his back and came, shooting towards the floor as he moaned.
I reached for the wine and drank it, feeling dirty and sated. I had never done anything like that before and I was stunned that I did for Max. He raised his gaze to meet mine, sweeping his eyes over my body as I felt adrenaline running through my veins.
Was this my way of completing my fantasy with him without being with him? Was this my way of preserving my innocence even though I felt like a slut right now? I had a good thing going, living here, and I was sabotaging it so much right now.
I watched as Max retrieved something from the bathroom and leaned over to clean up the floor, still naked. He seemed resigned and frustrated as he stood to look at me again.
Oh, my God. What did I do?
I pulled my shirt on and walked over to the window, staring at him. All my old feelings had resurfaced along with new ones – more mature ones. I didn’t know if I could turn back from this, but I had to find a way. I had to move on and find a way to get a new place as soon as possible. I needed to get away before Max realized who I was.
I closed my blinds and walked back to the bed, reaching for the wine. I needed it more than ever now.
Chapter Eight – Max
I was restless all night, playing back the sight of Lucinda getting herself off over and over. I don’t think that I’ve ever jacked off so much in my life. When the alarm clock went off in the morning, I felt the raw skin of my cock in the air.
Watching her was the most erotic thing I’d ever done. I rose and slipped on some boxers to make some coffee, thankful that Riley wasn’t here. I was picking her up later. I brewed some coffee to take to the bathroom with me. I showered, hoping to relieve some of the pain as I cleaned up and got ready to go see m
y lawyer.
We were just a few weeks shy of my custody battle in court and we needed to find a plan that was going to ensure that I got Riley. That was the only option for me while Blake was playing the role of the brokenhearted mother that missed her baby. I knew that she wanted more money for herself and that it would not go to Riley.
I dressed in black slacks and a white shirt. I looked towards Lucinda’s closed blinds. What did she do last night after she cut me off? I wondered if she continued to masturbate in her bed as she thought about me. I let out a slow breath.
I got into my car and drove into the city to meet with my lawyer, taking some coffee from his receptionist before we settled in his office. He took a deep breath and looked at me across the desk. “She’s going with the idea that she is beginning to suffer from depression over being limited to short visits with Riley now. Not actual depression, since she was supposedly taking medicine and seeing a therapist, but heading there.” I looked at the papers that he slid across the desk to me from her therapist, recommending that Blake was safe for her daughter and would benefit from her getting custody. She was settled and living in a good part of town, working and ready to raise her daughter.
I knew that it was all lies. She never cared about Riley. I knew that a few months into the pregnancy, but I had wanted everything to be okay. I wanted to have a daughter that had a mother who would care for her while I did what I could to support all of us. I just wanted all of us to be happy, but Blake never was. I saw her go off the rails when we split up, drinking and seeing tons of men in addition to the one she was cheating on me with. I fought Riley being with her then and had proof of it all. I won, but I did give her alimony just to end the process. I didn’t think that she’d come back for Riley, but now she needed more money.
“Do we still have time to get anything from the PI?” I asked as he sighed.
“She’s playing it safe, Max. She knows we’re watching her. Blake has a house and a job now. She’s doing better in the eyes of the court. She’s the mother. You are single and a doctor who works a lot – they are going to consider that. Have you thought about the wife angle any further?”
“I know someone that would be perfect for that, but I need to convince her. She’s reluctant right now. I need to sweeten the pot.”
I sipped my coffee as he looked at me. “You can have any woman that you want, Max. How is this an issue for you?”
“I don’t think that a woman I met at a bar is someone I want to make me look good in court. I don’t think anyone that I’ve slept with from the office works either. This girl… She is kindness and innocence. She has met Riley and they get along. Riley loves her. It’s the perfect front for this case, but what if it breaks Riley’s heart when it ends? She didn’t have to experience losing her mother because she was too young, and I don’t want her to do it now.”
“Maybe this won’t be a front. Do you have feelings for this girl?” Liam asked me as I looked at him. “I know that Blake burned you and you are not looking for love, but it is bound to happen at some point. Maybe this is it.”
“Are you getting sappy on me?” I demanded. He shrugged.
“I just don’t think you should hold out so much. Blake was one woman and you’re doing fine without her. You can raise Riley, but maybe she needs a woman in her life as well. Maybe this is the one for both of you.” I knew that Liam was happily married, but that didn’t mean it was meant for everybody.
“For now, I’ll convince her to do this for me. I just need to win in court and I’ll take it from there. Hell, I’ll offer her some cash and make this work. I want Riley.” I told him as he nodded.
“Is she in financial need?” Liam asked. I thought about the story about her lab. I nodded. “That might work. You can keep it casual for Riley’s sake, but have everything on paper and everyone wins.”
Could I? Riley had adored Lucinda from the first time that she met her. If we spent any time together, lines would be crossed and people could get hurt. Thinking about losing her to Blake and knowing that she wouldn’t be raised well was what made me come to my senses. That was what made my choice. “I’ll talk to her soon. Do I need to be married or engaged by the court date?”
“Married. It can be a whirlwind relationship, but it needs to look foolproof. What would be even better is the girl expecting a baby – giving Riley a family. Blake is still single. I am going to try to dig up as much as I can to prove that you’re the better choice. I know there’s something.” I raised my eyebrow and nodded my head. “How long did it take you to have Riley with Blake?”
“She was six weeks pregnant when we got married after dating for three months,” I reminded him. He chuckled.
“You can do it, then. Seduce this woman and sweep her off her feet. Offer her money. Do whatever you have to do to get a wife,” Liam said as he glanced at the clock. “Want to grab some lunch?”
We left and walked over to a diner to eat as he talked more about Blake. He was a friend before he was my lawyer, well-aware of the bitter split between me and Blake. He knew that my loyalty was to my daughter and that I’d fight for her.
I left and went to my office for a few appointments, working on autopilot. I’d been doing this for seven years now, and every day I thought about my aunt and how she waited too long to save herself. My friends teased me about doing this to hook up with women, but they were wrong.
It didn’t help that I made a lot of money. I had a good life, and now I needed to use my wealth to convince Lucinda to play a part for me. I went to pick up Riley after work and had dinner with my sister before bringing her home. “Where’s Lucinda?” Riley asked as she looked at the house, running up to the door. The light was on. I ran after her as she looked inside. “Lucinda doesn’t live there, sweetie. She lives in the apartment around the back. Let’s not bother her.”
“I want her to have ice cream with me,” Riley pouted. I shook my head at her.
I started over to our house as Riley ran off. “Lucinda! Come have ice cream with me.” I looked at the beautiful woman. She avoided my eyes and knelt to talk to Riley.
“Don’t you need to go to bed soon?” Lucinda asked as Riley shook her head.
“I ate all my dinner tonight and Daddy promised. We have a bunch in the freezer and I want to share with you,” Riley pleaded. My heart tugged in my chest. She liked Lucinda – I was going to invite her into my life to save her.
This was twisted.
Lucinda agreed and came over as Riley told her all about her day while I unlocked my door. We walked inside and I watched as Lucinda dropped her face to follow Riley to the kitchen. “Is it okay if she has some?” Lucinda asked. I looked up and meet her eyes.
“Yeah, but don’t let her scoop it.” I said. She nodded and asked Riley where the bowls and spoons were. I listened as they talked in the kitchen and thought about my approach with Lucinda. I had money and I could fix all her problems. She could fix mine.
Lucinda stayed for a while and even tucked Riley into bed as I went into the kitchen for a beer. She came out and I looked up to her face flushing pink. “She’s asleep. I’m sorry that I monopolized your night with her, but she’s very convincing. She’s so sweet.”
“She likes you,” I told her. She nodded. There was tension between us as we stood in silence. I cleared my throat. “Can we have lunch tomorrow? I’d like to discuss something with you.” I moved closer to Lucinda, drawn to her. She pressed her lips together.
“What?” Lucinda asked as I listened through the house to see if Riley was asleep.
I reached out to touch her face and Lucinda whimpered as she stared at me. I knew that she wanted me. I felt my body responding to her as I pressed my forehead to her own. “I want to make an arrangement with you.” I brushed my lips against hers and she stilled. I didn’t just want the arrangement right now. I wanted her. I slipped my hand into her hair and she moved her head, parting her lips so I could taste her mouth. I slipped my tongue in and she met my passion with her o
wn, pressing herself against me as images of her body rushed through my mind.
There was something about this kiss that I couldn’t pinpoint. There was some memory involved in it, but I pushed it away because I’d been with so many women. I’d kissed so many that it all had to blur together somewhere.
I held her by her hair and waist as I continued to claim her. I knew what her nipples looked like and how she liked to touch them. I saw her with her hand inside of her pussy, fucking herself as she came for my eyes alone.
I turned and pressed her to the wall, kissing her harder as I ran my hands over her side. She was curvy and beautiful. Lucinda gasped as I slipped my hand just under her breast. “Max,” she breathed as her hands gripped my waist. I kissed her neck and brushed her nipple over her bra, finding it hard. An image of her tugging on it played through my mind. “Oh, God. I can’t.”
“I need to taste you, Lucinda. I watched you pleasuring yourself on your bed last night and I haven’t been able to get the memory out of my fucking head,” I whispered as I sucked on her neck. She lowered her hand to stroke me over my slacks, making me suck in my breath. “You have watched me.”
“I need to leave, Max. I lose control with you.” Lucinda pushed me away, but I kissed her again.
“Have lunch with me,” I urged her as she looked at me. “I work in the city. I’ll send a car for you tomorrow. I need to talk to you.”
“What time?” she asked in a frightened voice as I dropped my hands away from her body.
“Noon,” I replied. She nodded and walked towards the front door.
Fuck the way she was affecting Riley. I was more concerned with what she was doing to me right now.
Chapter Nine – Max
I dropped Riley off at Mom’s and went to work, still thinking about the night before. I was going to propose paying Lucinda to marry me and have my baby today at our lunch – something I swore that I would never do. The scary thing was that the idea of having her in my bed to make love to – to impregnate – was one of the hottest things that I could think about.
Shattered Daddy: A Billionaire Suspense Romance Page 30
