“Promise me one thing?”
Turning, I searched his eyes while waiting for the question that held him at bay.
“Promise me that no matter what, you will never keep me away from my daughter.”
It stung. He knew it would.
“I, um, I can’t promise that...how do you know it’s a girl?”
“I just do,” his whisper soothed.
We made love slowly and with tremendous emotions and feelings. Touching, tears, joy and all the sensations that had been missing from my life for the last seven months all came back together in a single, beautiful night. Every time he made contact with my nipples or my sex or touched me anywhere, my body tingled from his connection. He hadn’t lost any talents with his tongue, and my orgasm spazzed through me as if powered by Duracell. There was so much chemistry between us, it was electric and undeniable—like we hadn’t been separated even a day.
I craved the taste of his essence on my tongue, and when I asked, he obliged.
He was the master of sex and had taught me well. I couldn’t wait to get home and find the ribbons to be tied up with. It was the one way to show him I was his fully and submissively. No questions asked.
Power came in knowing what and whom I wanted…
He pulled me tight to his side, and we kept the conversation light. As it turned out, he still owned his house on our street. The lady’s funding fell through during the buying process, and he decided to lease it to her. He admitted to being in town on multiple occasions, watching us from a distance, but never had the courage to reach out to me.
Courage. It was something we both fell short of and something we could work on as a team.
At least, we were together, and that was the promise I held on to as I fell asleep in his arms.
Chapter Thirteen
While putting on my makeup the next morning, Ian stood beside me in the bathroom and shaved. I watched him as he struggled to do it with his left hand.
“Can you use your right hand at all?”
He stopped with the razor and showed me his hand. “This is as much grip as I’ve been able to get, but, during the last three weeks, I’ve had more tingling and sensations that I had this whole time, so I know I’m getting nerve growth finally. Which means I can have another surgery to help.”
“More surgery means more pain meds.”
His eyes lowered. He slowly shook his head. “No, not necessarily. There are different meds that I can use, and with willpower, I can make it. Willpower is the key ingredient in fighting addiction.”
I was confused. He had it years ago, but he didn’t before right now. He did when we were together, but then he didn’t after the injury. Now he does again. Whiplash. “I don’t understand. What makes you have it now?”
“Goals. I don’t feel all is lost. It was the same when I had Oliver. I didn’t touch the cocaine or the prescriptions. I was all he had.”
I finally got it. Ian needed someone to depend on him.
“Makes sense.”
What happens on a day I don’t make him feel important?
“I’ve been making so many wrong turns in my life. But meeting you wasn’t one of them. 5th Avenue is my home. Our home.” He used a towel to wipe off excess shaving cream, then pulled me close and held me as if afraid I’d leave if he let me go.
When we got to the airport in Helena, I discovered that Ian had booked us a private charter back to Dallas with a buddy of Brooks’. “You didn’t want to fly commercial?”
“I wanted us to be able to talk and get more on the table before we get in front of our boys. Can’t exactly do that with people around.”
I took the seat next to the window. “Right.”
“So, Isabella is getting married. Is she going to stay at the store?”
“Yes. In fact, she planned her wedding in between our busy seasons. But, with our baby and everything that’s been happening, I needed another pair of hands.”
“Will mine work? I mean, it’s not a complete pair, but—”
“Yes, yes, I’d love to have you with me every day. Are you kidding?”
His smile was welcoming.
I napped most of the way home, unable to stay awake since Ian kept me up most of the night. I held his hand the entire time and reminded myself that we would come back stronger and better for our family. But, it would take both of us committing everything, and he still had to prove he wouldn’t leave again.
The boys were still at school, which gave us time to get him unpacked and settled. Since Denise was staying at the house, I gave up on all the virtuous opposition I’d stressed over before his accident and welcomed him into my bedroom.
“I want to tell the boys that we’re having a baby, I just don’t know when the right time is. I’m beginning to show, so it’s not going to be hidden much longer.”
As he had many times before, Ian pulled my feet onto his lap and started massaging them with his left hand. “I say we get the cards out on the table from the beginning. Deal with everything at once.”
“Good idea. Let’s tell them tonight in a family meeting. It’s going to be a full house here.”
“My house is bigger, but the lease was for a year. Perhaps she’d be willing to vacate early, I can ask her. When is the baby due?”
I smacked his arm. “You don’t remember the night?”
He leaned forward and stroked my breast. “I’ll never forget. Best sex I’ve ever had.”
“Me too. But why did you dress me back in my pajamas?”
“Huh?”
“You didn’t put my pajamas on?”
“No. I snuck out right before dawn. You were naked and out cold. I wanted to wake you, but I heard Ty stirring and knew I had to leave.”
Margie was right. I dressed myself and blamed him for making it look like a dream.
“I woke up dressed and thought you did it so that I wouldn’t remember or pass it off as a dream. I’m sorry. I’ve blamed you unnecessarily. In fact, I was so angry that I got rid of everything that reminded me of you, including the lingerie and expensive heels you bought to replace Yolo’s chewing.”
He stuck out his lower lip in a pout. “Bummer. Means I need to go shopping for you.”
“Where’s your car and all of your things?”
He laughed. “In storage right down the street. Everything is close.”
“Lots to do.”
He looked towards the kitchen. “Any chance you got snickerdoodle cookie dough in the freezer?” The twinkle in his eyes melted me. He looked just like Oliver at that moment.
“Maybe. How about we make a trade. One orgasm for one dozen?”
“Deal.”
And just like that, we were making love again…
Ian reached out to Sylvia, and Richard, and they agreed to bring Oliver over after school. They were happy Ian was home, which I knew they would be. We both wondered how Oliver would react.
“What’s going on between you and Oliver exactly.”
He sighed heavily before biting a hot cookie. “He’s got a mouth on him. He tried to parent me so-to-speak, and when I came out hard on him, it wasn’t pretty.”
“Well, I’ve never witnessed you being tough on him.”
“I was high at the time. Cocaine will give you that power—you fear nothing, even execution by your children. Trust me on that one.”
I plated up the rest of the cookies and got out another batch from the freezer. I knew Mam and Grumpa would want to take some home. “All those years of using and never a drug charge.”
“Not one that stuck.”
His parent’s attitude summed all up. They were done with him a long time ago. I recalled Elizabeth’s words. “You don’t know Ian like you think you do.”
“Oh.”
I heard the front door and waited until Denise and Ty rounded the corner. Watching their reunion made me giddy and light as a feather. Ty loved him, I knew that. But they’d missed each other and with everything both of them had been through,
tears stung my eyes, begging for release. Denise was right in the middle of their group hug. She missed him too.
“You’re moving back,” Ty asked with a plea.
“Yes. In fact—”
“Hey, can we wait on that for a moment?” I interrupted.
Ian nodded his head towards me in agreement. “Do you have soccer tonight?” He asked Ty.
“They canceled due to rain,” Denise answered.
Thank goodness somebody had their finger on the home pulse. I was failing miserably at taking care of things, but that was going to change. Normalcy was right around the corner.
They all caught up while I started dinner. It was amazing how loud the banter was, but truly something is missing from our home. I listened as Ian explained his injury to Ty and how he hoped to be able to throw the football and do a lot of things one day.
“I’m a big helper, and I’ll do things for you.” Such sweet sounds from the mouths of babes.
When the doorbell rang, I jumped, buried somewhere deep in my own thoughts and my anxiety over the boys’ reactions to our news. When I opened the door, I expected Ian’s in-laws with Oliver, but it was Shawna and baby Sam.
“Jorge got a text from Ian that said we need to come over.”
Ian hadn’t said a word. She followed me back to the kitchen, and I made eyes at him while she rushed around me to hug him.
“How did it go at the store?” True, I was interested, but I was also killing time before my mouth-of-the-south boyfriend said something he shouldn’t.
“I didn’t get to do anything because your new boy wonder had the place wrapped up with a bow. You did good with him, girl.”
I smiled. “He is awesome. I can’t get too spoiled because I know he’s going to branch out soon. He has dreams of bridal designs.”
“He told me that a For Lease sign went up in the building next door today.”
I dropped my spatula and made a mess on the floor. “The shoe repair shop is going away?”
“How about gone already. The place is empty.”
The wheels in my brain began to turn. With a new baby coming, I didn’t have the bandwidth for yet another business. But I did remember that Ian had wanted to open a wine bar.
“Did you look at it?”
“Only through the windows. It looks much like the Bistro side. Had to have been the same builder.”
Those wheels just went into overdrive.
“Maybe it’s time I think about my wine bar,” Ian offered up.
Yay. Positive vibes, wahoo. We were on the same page. Something he’d always wanted to do.
I turned at looked at him. We shared a smile, and he winked.
When Oliver, Sylvia, and Richard finally arrived minutes after Jorge, we shared the salad, cashew chicken and cookies that I threw together. It was mostly small talk, but I watched as Oliver warmed quickly to his father. Funny, but he didn’t have much to do with me. It was like he was choosing with whom to be loyal.
When Ian took his knife and tapped on his glass, the noise level dropped immediately.
“It’s been a great homecoming. I’m grateful to Chelsie for coming up to Wyoming and bringing me home. There are a lot of things that need to be done shortly, but we have some wonderful news to share. I’m going to be living here while I wait for the lady to move out of my house. Oliver, if you’d like to join me here, you’re welcome to, but that’s up to you. Also, Chelsie and I are going to have a baby in May. I’m going to be a daddy again. That means you boys are going to be big brothers.”
Cheers all around the room. Even Oliver was happy. Everyone was hugging, and then I noticed Ty. He wasn’t happy at all. I pulled him to the side.
“Hey, buddy, what is going on. Just this past weekend you wanted Ian home. Now you aren’t happy?”
“Everybody has a dad but me. I want Ian to be my dad too.”
I looked up when I noticed Ian’s shoes right behind Ty’s, and I met his eyes. He winked.
“Thank you all for the well wishes. I invited Jorge and Shawna over here because, Jorge, I believe you have something that belongs to me.”
What the heck? I looked between the two of them, and they were both smiling. Jorge removed something from his pocket and handed it to Ian.
“I planned this months ago, then a tragedy hit our lives and got in the way. Chelsie, I love you with all my heart. I’ve made awful mistakes, and you’ve forgiven me. I hope you will consider being my wife and allow me the opportunity to have a beautiful life with you and our children. Will you marry me?” He’d made it down to one knee in front of me.
All eyes were on me. I thought it was too soon after everything had happened, but perhaps a long engagement would give my mind time to settle.
“Chelsie?” He repeated.
“Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Chapter Fourteen
I woke up with Ian by my side and it was both beautiful and strange. He seemed settled, but inside, I was everything but. Ty was beyond happy and for that, I was riding the wave. As I stirred, so did Ian.
“What time is it?” His voice is groggy.
“Early, but morning sickness is rearing its ugly head.”
His eyes lowered to my t-shirt covered stomach and back up my body. “Have you been sick a lot? You’re very thin.”
“Migraines mostly and they’ve been awful. That’s what sent me to the doctor. I was shocked to learn I was pregnant. I’d stopped taking birth control after you left, so when you came to me that night, I was a bullseye. I faded into a deep depression and struggled to eat. It hasn’t been pretty, but I’ve gained some weight back, so I just hope I fit into my dress today.”
“I’m so sorry honey. I left because I didn’t want you to see the ugly side of me.”
As if I didn’t feel it. What’s the difference?
It was wedding eve for Izzy, and home and work were a bustle. I’d hoped my bridesmaid’s dress would fit—after all, morning sickness had zapped my appetite for weeks. But it zipped instead of lacing up the back, and there was zero forgiveness. The seamstress came to the boutique and set up shop in my office. I gave Parker free reign of the boutique, so he made himself busy by reworking the front window display into a bridal scene. Where he came up with the vintage bridal gown, I had no idea, but I wanted the gown for my own and made a mental note to talk to him about it when the wedding was over.
Oliver had chosen to go back home with Sylvia and Richard because of the school, which meant additional travel back and forth, and I couldn’t have been more relieved to have Denise agree to shuttle Ty and him, sparing additional burden on Sylvia, mostly. Since Ian was home, Denise went back to her place on the other side of town. Traffic could be difficult, which was the reason she stayed with me so much. It was just easier on everyone. Plus we both enjoyed the company.
At the boutique, Ian was in and out, but on more than one occasion I noticed him going out the front door and down the sidewalk to the building next door.
“Is it still available?” I asked when he returned.
“It is.” He took Izzy’s chair and propped his feet up on her desk with a cocky smile.
Happiness looked good on him.
“She’s going to be here any minute, and she’ll have a fit if she sees your shoes on her desk.”
“Is she always a neat freak?”
I frowned. “You can’t tell by that desk?”
“Okay, Ms. Peterson, I’ve let out both sides as much as I can. If you grow in the next twenty-four hours, this dress is trash.” The seamstress wasn’t laughing.
I slid out of my jeans and T-shirt and slipped the dress over my head. She helped me zip it, and there was no room for dinner and dessert. It was that tight.
“You look stunning, hun.”
My boobs felt like they were bulging from the plunging neckline of the sapphire blue gown. Most of the groomsmen were from the fire department, and they were wearing their dress uniforms, which is why Isabella picked blue dresses for the girls to w
ear. Our gowns were long, silky and had a slight ruching across the hips on the diagonal. Very elegant and sexy at the same time.
She unzipped me, and I threw my clothes back on before anyone walked in.
I hadn’t told Izzy anything about the baby or that Ian was back. When she came through the back door, she was shocked to see him.
“Get your boots off my desk, dude, and get over here and give me a hug.”
He got up and managed to step through the sewing machine fray to get to her.
“God, I’ve missed you and so has she.” Izzy squealed.
“That’s what she tells me,” Ian chuckled. “Congratulations on your marriage. You’ll be an amazing wife. Where’s the groom?”
“He’s down the street checking on something. He’ll be right up.”
“Good, because Chelsie and I have news of our own that we’d like to share with both of you.”
“You’re getting married.” She started jumping up and down and clapping.
No one answered her, and she leaned over the seamstress and raised her brows at me. “If not marriage, then what? You’re living together?”
“Yes, we are living together. Ian still owns his house, but it’s leased. So, for now, we are living together.”
Her attention span is short, so she went to see what Parker was doing which bought Ian a few minutes. But, Miss Needtoknow wouldn’t stay gone more than a few minutes. It was enough, however, to bridge the gap until Mick arrived.
I walked out into the boutique and with everyone together, including Sabrina, I thought about how lucky I was. They were great, loyal young people who truly cared about making my business the best it could be, and they were good friends on top of that. I felt like their little mother hen.
Ian stood beside me, arm in arm. When he looked down at me with a questioning face, I nodded permission.
Captivated On 5th Avenue: Book 3 (5th Avenue Romance Series) Page 8
