“Sure.” He squeezed her hand, and hopped out of the car without asking who was on the phone. His trust further proved he was the one.
“Hi, Mason,” she smiled, knowing that he’d probably heard about what was going on from Barb.
“Hello, Mila. Why didn’t you tell me about all the bullshit? You realize I would have come out right away? I’m in your corner and can be there in twenty-four hours. I can’t believe that douchebag thinks Cherish is his. It was some random sexy Phantom of the Opera Halloween night.”
“Not so random—at least not now,” Mila answered with a tremble in her voice.
“How so?” The question held a cautious tone.
“The move down here was the best choice I could have made, for more than one reason. Turns out the very sexy fireman next door happens to be the Phantom of the Opera, my Phantom of the Opera. And I’m falling hard for him.”
“So spill, but skip the details about all the dirty stuff. You’re still my baby sister and I can’t scrub my brain out.”
Mila laughed. “Well, we didn’t know it until Barb showed up. We wore masks the whole night. There were things that were familiar, but I thought I was crazy. I mean, what were the chances?”
“It’s a small world, Mila.” He chuckled. “Are you sure, though?”
“Yes, and he’s ecstatic. And the best part is we were falling for each other before we figured out our shared past. I’m finally starting to believe this will work. And you’re going to like him. He’s a great guy.”
“Okay, I’m definitely coming out soon. I need to see this for myself, but Barb likes him. That gives me hope. Does he make you happy?”
“You have no idea. I’m elated, and he loves Cherish. I wish the results were already in, but that should be tomorrow.”
“How are you holding up?”
Mila groaned, leaning back in her seat. “Paul showed up. He tried to convince me to let him see Cherish, but I can’t believe he thinks I’m that stupid. I don’t know if he believes she’s actually his, or that he has an easy solution because his wife can’t have a child. Though I’m willing to bet he’s the sterile one in that relationship. Would serve his ass right.” Mila took a deep breath. “Sorry, I’ll stop bitching. Kyle’s inside waiting for me.”
“Go enjoy your date. We’ll talk later, and set up some time for us to come visit you. You’re okay with that, right?”
“Sure, I can’t wait. Cherish misses you guys, and you’ll like Kyle.” Mila grinned, already feeling better.
“Bye Mila,” he hung up.
She hurried inside where Kyle was still waiting. The hostess was eyeing him like he was her favorite dessert. She might have been jealous if Kyle looked at the hostess the same way.
He was too busy watching her, and it made her smile. Mila was still buttoned up in her blouse, paired with a knee-length skirt and sensible shoes, but he always made her feel like the sexiest woman alive.
Then the hostess smiled at her, seemingly genuine, which won her a few points. She’d have to be dead not to admire Kyle. “You’re Mila Day, right? My little brother thinks you’re amazing.”
“That’s me, and thanks. Who’s your brother?”
“Marcus Desantos, the school’s quarterback.” She was obviously proud. “Science used to be his least-favorite subject.”
She blushed. “He seems to enjoy class now.”
“He told me you’re the difference. Not because you’re pretty, which you are, but because you are the reason he’s still on the team. You helped him understand all the things he wasn’t getting before.”
Mila smiled. “I’m glad I could help. He’s a smart kid.”
“Come, let’s get you seated. Kyle wouldn’t let me take him back until you joined us. I must say, you’re a lucky woman.”
“I certainly am.” She grinned at Kyle, who smiled back at her like she was the only woman in the world.
“Enjoy your dinner.” Their hostess went back to the front.
“I knew the quarterback had a crush on you,” Kyle teased.
“Yeah, well I have a thing for the hot fireman next door,” she replied saucily.
“Good, because he’s in love with you,” he kissed her hand, and looked deep into her eyes with a stunning smile.
* * * *
Kyle loved the way Mila lit up, loved it when she was playful. There wasn’t a thing he didn’t love about her.
“I have great news,” Mila blurted out, excitement dancing through her eyes. “My brother is planning to come up in the next month or so. I’ve missed him so much. His wife, too.”
“That’s around the same time my dad is coming out. So you get to meet my family also.”
“Do you think he’ll like us?”
“Of course,” he squeezed her hand tighter, and moved to sit next to her, as opposed to across the table.
The waiter chose that moment to come over. He took their orders and hurried off. Kyle licked his lips. “I do. I want you to meet my father. He’s going to love both of you.”
“I hope so. Maybe my mom will come out eventually. But after she called Paul, I don’t know that I want her here. She’d like you though.”
“I have a feeling you’ll work things out. You said she tried to apologize. She keeps calling, which means she must realize her mistake. When you’re ready, you’ll listen, and maybe she’ll find a way to make it right.” If Mila could forgive Rene, he knew she would forgive her mother in time.
“I’ll call her tomorrow, after the results come in.”
“Can I ask why you hadn’t told her about us?” He wasn’t sure what to make of her omission.
“I told Barb, I told Mason tonight, only because I haven’t talked to him since that first week here.” She shrugged. “I guess I felt like I might jinx us if I told Mom too soon.”
“Why jinx us?” he asked softly.
Mila sighed. “She’d be pushing us together already. Asking when we were going down the aisle. I don’t want her to interfere with our relationship. I want it to unfold naturally, without her pushing. Stupid, huh?”
“No, not at all.” He pulled her closer. “It’s a relief too. Your reasoning makes a hell of a lot more sense than my assumption.”
“Why did you think I didn’t tell her?” She pouted, and he felt the urge to kiss her, but held off.
“It’s stupid.” He frowned.
Her head tilted to the side. “Tell me.”
“That maybe you were ashamed of me. Being a fireman instead of a lawyer or something.”
“Please, that’s my mom’s issue, not mine. I’m proud of you, and besides, Mom was married to my father until he passed away. Dad was a cop. So I’m sure she’ll approve of your career choice. And you are a great guy, who treats my—our daughter—better than I could have hoped for. She’ll love that.”
“I hope so. I can guarantee my father and his wife will love you.”
“I believe you.” She took a deep breath, but her smile was genuine. “So, you’ll get to meet my brother, his darling wife, and their kids. Cherish loved going over there. I’m glad she has Jenny here, and some of the other kids from school.”
“Miss Day,” Brad Slate said in a smarmy tone from the end of the table. He was one of her co-workers. One who had his eyes set on Mila. And there he was at the end of the table with a shitty grin when she looked up. “I didn’t know you were seeing anyone. I thought you said you weren’t interested in dating.”
“Changed my mind,” she answered simply.
His face lit up like a kid on Christmas. “Then you’d be interested in going out with me?”
She shook her head, a soft smile on her lips. “I’m only interested in dating one man, and he has his arm around me right now.”
“You won’t even give me a chance?” he asked.
Kyle held back his laugh as her eyes widened slightly. He spoke up, “Did you not hear Mila? She said she wasn’t interested.”
Brad’s gaze snapped to him. “I asked her,
not you.”
Shaking her head, Mila informed Brad, “No, but you are embarrassing yourself. I’m obviously not shoving Kyle away. That should tell you I am with the man I want to be with. This is more than a date, we’re serious about each other.”
“I see that.” Brad frowned. “I suppose I’ll leave you alone then. Good luck with her, Kyle. She’s awfully frigid.”
Kyle stood up, towering over Brad with a glare. “You expect to win a lady over by insulting her?”
Mila took his hand, pulling him back to his seat. “Don’t bother, Kyle. He’s not worth it. He’s entitled to his opinion.” She leaned in to kiss him slowly.
It took everything he had to rein himself in and not molest her in public. When he pulled back, Brad stood there, dumbstruck, watching with wide eyes.
“Okay, point taken,” he grumbled and moved to sit with his sister and her husband. Kyle almost felt bad for the guy.
“Sorry,” she whispered, smiling down at her hands. “I may have gotten carried away, but he makes my skin crawl, and I hoped to put a permanent stop to his come-ons.”
Kyle chuckled. “You can get carried away anytime, and I will admit to loving that side of you. Besides, your way got the point across without involving my fist. I can’t believe his parting shot.”
Amusement danced across her face as her shoulder lifted in a shrug. “I don’t care if one ass-wipe thinks I’m frigid. Better he never know what I’m like behind closed doors.” She leaned in and whispered the next in his ear, “Because I plan to scorch the paint after I get Cherish to sleep tonight.”
“Mmm, Mila, you’re killing me, babe. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to wait.”
“We could always skip dessert and create our own,” she taunted.
The waiter chose that moment to bring their food.
Chapter 26
Apparently Paul got the message because he stayed away. Kyle helped get Cherish to sleep. He read her and Ash a story, and Mila fell even harder for him. Hell, she was glad she put that show on for Brad and anyone else who was there.
Kyle shut Cherish’s bedroom door and followed Mila into her room. “You know, Kyle,” she walked back to the bed, stripping clothes off as she went, “you’re amazing with Cherish. I never wished I’d done anything differently that night, but now I do.”
He smiled back, pulling off his clothes as he stalked her across the room. “I wanted to know your name. I wanted your number. I wanted that mask off. I thought maybe I’d get it off sometime before you woke, but you beat me to it. I always wondered if you regretted that night. I didn’t.”
“I never regretted it. I wish I’d let you take my mask off. But I was afraid you would throw my whole world upside down, and I would roll over and let you rip apart everything I’d built.” She shrugged, losing some of her confidence. “Other than me bailing, I wouldn’t change a single moment.”
“Neither would I.” He laid her down on the bed and crawled up her body. As they made eye contact, she knew beyond all doubt she belonged with him.
Mila rolled him over, climbing on top, and slid over him until he met her end.
“So damned good. And to think Mr. Slate thinks you’re frigid.” He groaned as she rose up only to rock back down.
“Let him think that. Maybe he’ll leave me alone now.”
“I don’t know, he saw the way you kissed me. He’s probably dreaming about it right now, because you have a mouth right out of a wet dream.” He grabbed her head and pulled her in for a deep wet kiss then rolled her over, craving control. Kneeling, he took ankles and placed her calves on his shoulders as he drove into her hard, watching the way her exquisite breasts bounced with each stroke. “So beautiful, Mila.”
“Mmm, you don’t need to flatter me, you’re already in me, a part of me,” she panted as her body undulated.
“You are though,” he groaned as he came, bringing her with him. They collapsed on the bed in a heap.
“Tell me you’ll stay tonight, and not sneak out before tomorrow.” She whispered the last, “Unless it’s too weird.”
“I’ll stay, at least until you leave,” he promised. “In fact, when I can move, I’ll go grab a change of clothes. If you won’t miss me too much.”
She smiled, feeling at home with him. “I sleep better in your arms.”
“I sleep better with you in my arms, love.”
Chapter 27
By the next day, most of Mila’s doubts were gone. Kyle had filled her days and nights with love and happiness, washing away most of the fear. Then the results came in at lunchtime.
It took her ten minutes to work up the courage to open the envelope. Tears filled her eyes as the results confirmed what she already knew.
She was tempted to call Paul and give him a big fat fuck you, but didn’t. Vance had told her it was better to let the results speak for themselves, and she agreed.
Vance was the one who delivered the envelope, but he didn’t stay long. He did invite her, Cherish, and Kyle, to dinner that weekend. She didn’t expect him to be his father’s age, but he was an old friend of the family.
When she tried to call Kyle with the good news, he didn’t answer. He had errands to run on his day off. As much as she hated waiting to hear from him, she knew she would.
* * * *
Mila didn’t hear from Kyle before she left to pick up Cherish, and that sucked, but she understood. He wasn’t home either, but he told her he had a lot to take care of while she was at work.
No reason to stress. Not that her mental reminder helped at all. Her hands trembled, her heart fluttered, and she was sick to her stomach. What-if, what-if, what-if, dancing around her head.
Mila offered Cherish a smile. “Let’s go change out of your favorite dress, and then we can go down to the park for a while.”
Her head bobbled. “Okay. Can we invite Jenny?”
“Of course, baby. Go change and we’ll stop by on the way.”
Mila’s hands shook as she changed into jeans and a t-shirt. What if something happened to him? What if there was an accident? What if…
She squeezed her eyes shut to ward off fear she had no reason to feel. Ash batted at her hand with a mewling sound. When she picked him up, he nuzzled her face with a purr.
A slight smile graced her lips. Finding courage, Mila walked down the stairs, and found her daughter opening the front door.
Kyle stood there with a big smile and a pink bouquet of roses. “I thought you might like these,” Kyle presented the flowers to Cherish, who smiled up at him with big, pale blue eyes. “Oh, thank you! You’re sweet. And they smell pretty.”
“Cherish, honey, why don’t you get a vase and some water? They’re under the sink,” Mila prodded, and Cherish bounced into the kitchen.
“Vance told you?” she whispered.
He nodded. “I wanted to call, but it’s been a crazy day. I was hoping we could tell her. If you are ready, of course?”
Her heart stuttered as she nodded, trying to fight back tears of joy. “Very. You want to do it?” He nodded, and she grinned. “Okay, you’re up. I think she’s going to be happy.”
Cherish came skipping out with the vase. “Here.”
Mila arranged the flowers and set the vase on the table.
* * * *
Kyle took a breath, got down on his knees, and took his little girl’s hands. “I have something important to tell you.”
“Okay,” Cherish smiled, her head tilting eagerly.
“I’m your daddy.” Cherish lit up, and he rambled on. “We didn’t know right away, and one day we’ll explain the whole story, but you don’t have to call me daddy until you’re ready.”
“Really? I had a dream you were.” Cherish threw her arms around his neck. “Does that mean you’ll stay with Mommy forever? You make her happy too.”
“Yes, baby. I’m never leaving as long as you want me.” Tears flooded his eyes. He was so full of joy he could burst. “That’s up to you and your mom though.”
“Yes, baby, very.” Kyle freed one arm to pull Mila into the hug. “You’ll see a lot more of Kyle. Are you okay with that?”
“Very okay, and my dad’s cooler than Brian’s.” Cherish grinned, obviously pleased with the news. “Can I tell Jenny?”
Mila smiled and looked to him with a nod. Kyle grinned and kissed his little girl’s cheek, “Go ahead.”
“Are we still going to the park?”
“Sure.” She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Jenny’s number, handing over the phone. Cherish traipsed off to the kitchen to sit at the counter.
Kyle stood up, pulled Mila to her feet, and into a hug. “Were you on your way out?”
“You weren’t here,” she whispered, feeling stupid for freaking out. “I was getting paranoid, the what-ifs swirling through my head. So, to get my mind off what could go wrong, I was going to go by Cadence’s, to see if she wanted to take Jenny to the park.” With a weak smile, she shrugged. “So we may have company.”
“I had to take care of a few things, and then I needed to get flowers. I’m sorry I didn’t call, but don’t ever worry I will leave, because I’m not letting you go.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
“You do realize that I’ll want to spend all my free time with my two favorite girls. And we will have to tell people. Are you going to be okay with the questions that are no doubt going to come?”
“Yes, I hope it doesn’t affect my job.”
“It won’t. You aren’t the only single parent teacher, and if it was going to affect your job, it would have from the beginning. You are too good a teacher for the school to lose. I guarantee you’ll be fine, sweetheart.”
Cherish skipped into the living room and cheered, “Jenny’s ready. She’s excited.”
“Then let’s go,” Mila grinned.
* * * *
Heart on Fire Page 17
