Caution

by Tara Mills

  “Sure. I love my kids. I’d probably fall deliriously in love with another but the decision to carry a child isn’t mine so I’m not going to pressure you either way.”

  “I guess I’ll have to give it some thought.”

  “Just keep me posted, let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

  “You’ll be the first to know.”

  Chad stiffened beneath her. “We’re on the wrong side of the covers.”

  “Come on.” She crawled off of him and when he got up she peeled back the comforter and exposed the sheets. “Thread count?”

  “Six hundred?”

  “Acceptable.” He laughed and she burst out suddenly, “Hey, I have to call my parents and tell them what’s going on.”

  “Can’t they wait until tomorrow?”

  He gave her an expressive look, framing the obvious with his open hands as he stood there, erect and impatient.

  Piper grinned. “Yeah, let them wait.”

  • • •

  Chad drew Piper down on the mattress where they proceeded to take a slow and thorough survey of each other’s bodies using every means available.

  “My god, Piper, you’re sexy,” he said with a husky catch in his throat.

  The look in her eyes was a heady swirl of love and lust. “My thoughts exactly.”

  He rolled into the center of the bed, taking her with him.

  “I love it when you do stuff like that,” she said breathlessly.

  He laughed. “Like what?”

  “Move me, lift me, pick me up. You’re so strong and you’re not even trying to show off. It’s just so incredibly hot.”

  He grinned. “Oh yeah? Maybe I should do more of that.”

  “I recommend it.”

  “Tell me, what do you think of this?”

  He drew her up his body then lifting her under the arms, he set her down directly over his face. Chad skimmed his hands lightly down her sides and took hold of her hips, holding her exactly where he wanted her. Then his tongue came out to play.

  Piper’s pelvis jerked and she gasped. “Okay, yeah, you’ve got my attention.”

  She could feel the spread of Chad’s smile between her thighs.

  “This is not the last time,” she said sternly.

  “Not by a long shot,” he said with a chuckle, inhaling the very essence of her. “Honey, I’m home.”

  Piper’s eyes fell closed and she swayed gently, lulled into submission by the loving attentions of the man beneath her. Why had she fought this, fought him — fought herself? Joy was right, he satisfied — oh god, he satisfied — everything she ever wanted from a man.

  She’d never been so intimately connected to anyone like this before. She’d feared it, run from it. Now she didn’t even understand that early version of herself. She couldn’t fathom warning Chad off again. He was her lover, her life, her very future. He was the lottery and every fantasy she ever contemplated all rolled into one. There was always a part of her, there must have been, that recognized immediately that he was going to bring big changes. He opened her up, loved her, and healed her bruised heart.

  Touched and impossibly grateful to him, Piper began to weep. She covered his hand with hers and he wove their fingers together.

  He gave her a wet though infinitely tender kiss. “You okay?”

  “I’m going to marry you, Chad,” she told him, then shuddered as he nuzzled in deeply. With a gasp she let go, feeling all her defensive barriers dissolve in a powerful rush of exquisite bliss.

  Then they made love.

  • • •

  Chad watched the woman he loved softly exhale with every slow thrust. Her lashes fluttered sometimes and that made him smile. She had quirks, amusing intoxicating quirks and they had a lifetime to discover all of them together. He couldn’t wait.

  He leaned down and kissed her tenderly, lingeringly and wove his fingers with hers. He could feel Piper building, swelling tight around him. She rose to him, straining more as she took him deeper. They were both struggling for air but they had time yet and no one was going to interrupt them tonight or force a hasty finish. He smiled, understanding that wasn’t always going to be the case.

  The kids would be home tomorrow night. He wasn’t ashamed of wanting Piper in his bed, as his wife, for their mother, but how would this news go over with them? He’d never introduced a woman into their lives like this before. He supposed they’d find out tomorrow. And they needed to work on Piper’s screaming orgasms.

  “Why are you smiling?” Piper asked.

  “It’s nothing,” he whispered, giving her another cryptic smile.

  He drew his hands free and made a small adjustment to their position. Piper gasped on his next drive.

  “Hurt?” he asked with a slight frown.

  “Don’t you dare stop that.”

  He smiled and redoubled his efforts and Piper started to hum like a teakettle, her face and chest flushing with heat.

  “Oh god, Chad,” she cried, her voice trembling.

  “What is it sweetheart?” he asked plunging with even more determination once he saw her color flare.

  “I can’t hold it in,” she said panicking.

  “Then don’t,” he said softly. “Let it out, rattle the windows if you have to. I want you to let loose tonight.”

  She stopped fighting herself and let her fevered eyes defocus. A low wail vibrated up her body, coming from her very depths and escaped through her mouth, making her laugh and weep at the same time. Chad kissed her, swallowing her cry. He could feel it pass through him like a warm red glow traveling down his throat, through his body, finally bursting out of him as white liquid heat right into her again. It was a loving return.

  They slept little that night, sharing the double shower around two in the morning before finally falling into a heavy, sated but short sleep with their arms and legs entwined.

  Chapter 29

  “I have to take you grocery shopping,” Piper said as she reached for the thermal mug of coffee Chad held out to her. “I can’t believe you have nothing to eat here besides Fruity O’s.”

  He rolled his eyes and pulled the mug away, holding it high in the air out of her reach. “I told you I don’t do breakfast.”

  “That’s going to change,” she said trying to take back her mug. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Now give me my coffee. I have to go.”

  Chad leered at her and leaned down. “For a kiss.”

  “You had a kiss,” she said impatiently. “You had more than a kiss and you know it. You’re going to make me late.”

  “One kiss.”

  He turned his cheek towards her and she stretched up to deliver a quick peck but he was quicker. His left arm snaked around her waist and pulled her against him, his right redirected her lips. The plastic mug conked Piper in the back of the head but that wasn’t the reason her brain went foggy. When Chad finally released her, dazed and distracted, he had to feed her hand through the handle of the mug for her then curl her fingers around it.

  “Hold it upright, sweetheart, or you’ll spill,” he said, quite pleased with himself.

  “I’m going to get you for this.”

  “Promise?” He laughed at the look she shot him as she bolted out the door.

  “Drive carefully!” He yelled after her.

  Piper gave him a single, silent salute and climbed into the driver’s seat. Hers was the only car on the otherwise empty street when she drove away.

  • • •

  Chad went back to bed for two more hours. He was relaxing in the kitchen reading the newspaper with his slipper-covered feet resting on a second kitchen chair when Kenny and Missy burst into the house.

  “In the kitchen,” he called to them.

 
; They both ran to their father for hello hugs.

  “Did you have fun?” he asked.

  “Uh huh,” Missy nodded. “And we got to make Jell-O.”

  “No kidding.” Chad laughed and gave the side of her head a loving stroke.

  “I made sloppy Joes,” Kenny told him.

  “No, you didn’t,” Missy countered.

  “Yes, I did.”

  “No, you didn’t.”

  “Well, I helped.”

  “You hoo!” Alice called from the front door. “I see bags here. Am I supposed to trip on them coming in or what?”

  Chad chuckled. “Go bring your stuff to your rooms. Dirty clothes in the hampers please.”

  “Yes,” they grumbled in unison and wandered out, passing their grandmother on her way in.

  “How were they?” Chad asked.

  “Fine.”

  She set her purse on the table and took in Chad’s appearance, the dark circles under his eyes, the uncombed hair, and dark stubble. “You’re not dressed yet?”

  Actually he was, but she didn’t know that. “I put on a t-shirt.”

  “You could have put on pants, too. That robe hardly counts.”

  “I’m covered.”

  Alice pursed her lips and considered him carefully, her manner softening. “So, it didn’t go well then?”

  Chad broke into a smile that stretched the boundaries of his face and warmed the entire kitchen.

  Alice’s eyebrows shot straight up. “What are you saying?”

  He shook his head. “Let’s wait for the kids.”

  “In that case, maybe I’d better have a cup of coffee. Something tells me I’m going to need it.” She gave him another curious look then went to the cabinet and pulled out a mug.

  Chad folded his section of the newspaper and laid it on the rest. “It’s probably cold.”

  “That’s what microwaves are for.”

  Missy was the first one back and she went right to her dad and hopped onto his lap. He wrapped her close and rested his chin on her head. The girl reached up to rub his whiskers.

  “Ouch, Daddy, your face is sharp.”

  “Yeah, I know. Sorry sweetie.”

  “That’s okay. Can I have a juice box?”

  “Sure.”

  Missy hopped down and danced over to the refrigerator.

  Kenny wandered in and saw her. “Hey, can I have one too?”

  “Yes.”

  When they were both ready Alice opened the floor. “Your father has something to tell us.”

  Chad smiled at her. “Thanks, Mom.”

  Naturally she smiled right back. “Anytime.”

  With everyone looking at him expectantly, Chad sat up straight and tidied his robe and combed his fingers through his hair before finally confessing, “I asked Piper to marry me last night.”

  Alice and Missy turned to each other with wide eyes and Alice dropped onto a chair. Kenny just looked astonished. Everyone stared at Chad.

  “And?” his mom prompted impatiently.

  Chad laughed and to the amazement of everyone he blushed. “She said yes.”

  His news was met with squeals and shrieks.

  “Does this mean that Piper is going to be our mom?” Kenny asked.

  “Yes.” Chad nodded. “Can you handle it?”

  Kenny thought about it for a second. “I guess I don’t mind.”

  Chad got up and whether Kenny was amenable or not, gave him a big manly bear hug. It went over well.

  “I had a feeling.” Alice shook her finger at Chad as she hugged Missy then dabbed her eyes with a tissue.

  “I didn’t.”

  “Have you discussed when?”

  “As soon as we can get a license.”

  “I see.” Her amusement was obvious.

  “So sue me for wanting to settle things fast,” Chad said churlishly.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  Her response made him smile. “Thanks. I thought you’d understand.”

  “More than you know,” she said softly.

  That’s when it hit him, like a sucker punch. How easily he forgot that they were both widowed in the same year. She really did understand his impatience, the emptiness, and the longing to connect with one special person.

  “My god, I should have remembered.” There was pain and apology in his eyes.

  “Honey, it’s okay. I didn’t expect you to worry about me. You had enough on your plate and you were so young, much too young to be alone. I’m happy for you, for you both.” Unshed tears were making her already bright eyes sparkle even more.

  He held up a hand and looked at his children. “One more thing. Piper and I want you two in the wedding. Ken, will you be my best man?”

  “What do I have to do?”

  “Give me Piper’s wedding ring when I ask for it.”

  “I can do that.”

  “Do I get to hold your ring?” Missy asked.

  “Why not?”

  “I get flowers, too, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Yea, I’m going to be in a wedding!” Missy jumped up and down like a rabbit.

  The kids raced off to tell their friends the news and Chad was able to get back to the topic that suddenly interested him.

  “So, how was your date last week?”

  “Fine.”

  “Just fine?”

  Alice blushed and Chad’s eyebrows shot up.

  “Don’t look so shocked,” Alice said. “I’ve been seeing Charles for a while now.”

  “Charles?” His eyes went impossibly wide now. “Charles Little? Dad’s old friend and lawyer?”

  “The same and for your information, Charles protected my interests when I sold the banks after your dad died. He looked out for me and made sure I was financially secure.”

  “That’s right, I remember now. How is he?”

  “Wonderful. He was always so gracious, so proper and polite, I never expected there was a furnace in his heart, too.”

  “So you like him.” It was a statement, not a question.

  She blushed again and looked down, uncomfortable meeting her son’s eyes. “Yes, I like him — very much.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

  Alice shrugged a shoulder. “I didn’t know how you’d take it.”

  “Mom,” Chad reached out and grabbed her hand. “I always wanted you to be happy. I still do.”

  She patted the back of his hand. “I want that for you, too.”

  Chad grinned. “Then I think we’re wasting our time sticking with this cold coffee. I think it’s time to switch to mimosas. What do you say? A little champagne in orange juice seems more fitting. We both have celebrating to do.”

  “Do you have champagne in the house?”

  “No, but I can run for some.”

  “I’ll go. You get upstairs and clean up. You’ve got a fiancé coming back in a few hours. She shouldn’t see you like that.”

  “She already did, this morning when she left.” Chad laughed at the pained expression on his mother’s face.

  Her hand shot up to stop him. “No need to tell me everything.” Alice picked up her purse. “I’ll be back in a flash and you’d better be showered and stubble free.”

  “Promise.”

  • • •

  Joy stared at Piper in shock. “That’s unbelievable! You and Big Daddy are really tying the knot? That is so fricking amazing I don’t know what to think. I’m making your cake.”

  Piper laughed. “Seriously, you really want to?”

  “Yes! Hell yes! I never get to make cakes for people I know, especially not wedding cakes.” She dusted the oven door with
the towel in her hand and sighed. “Wow, I didn’t expect you to be engaged when you came to work today. I just hoped you would have worked things out with Chad. This is so unbelievably incredible!” She laughed again and grabbed hold of Piper, spinning her around excitedly.

  “I can’t get over how happy I am.” Piper thought again of the tender send off Chad gave her that morning. She could get used to that kind of treatment.

  “The woman who wouldn’t be rushed is rushing to the altar.”

  “You know why.”

  “Of course,” Joy teased. “You want your Big Daddy.”

  Piper scrunched up her face. “You know we have to think about the kids, too.”

  “Admit it, you want him.”

  Piper’s eyes closed and her head fell back. “Every minute of every day. I’m surprised I can function at all.”

  “Then there’s only one thing I need to know.”

  “What’s that?”

  “When you’ll want your cake.”

  • • •

  The wedding took place two weeks later on the deck, the railings festooned with fluttering streamers and simple flower arrangements provided by the store.

  Though the ceremony itself was brief, a good thing with two fidgety attendants, the celebration that followed grew into a neighborhood block party as people stopped by to wish the couple well and were asked to stay for cake and punch, this time made by Alice. Joy, cuddling the bridal bouquet like a treasure, was sweet enough to keep Dom out of the kitchen and far away from the punch bowl this time.

  Brent and Pam provided the champagne and every glass and cup in the house was eventually put to use by the time the last cork popped.

  Pam pulled Piper aside and shook her head. “I can’t believe you’re not taking a honeymoon.”

  “I told you, we are, just not until the end of the month. Neither of us can escape work right now. It’s the busy season and Chad is knee deep in the Weber construction.”

  “But that doesn’t count. You’re taking the kids. What kind of honeymoon is that?”

  Piper looked over at lovely Missy in her fairy princess dress and her flower coronet and handsome Kenny, a photographic copy of his father, and smiled. A fast friendship had sprung up between the kids and Piper’s father who, after pointing his little penlight into their mouths and inspecting their teeth, had pronounced them perfect. While they bonded over gums and proper brushing her mother was warming up to Alice and Charles Little. Piper’s heart softened as she looked at the older gentleman. Sweet Charles hadn’t left Alice’s side all day. Piper had high hopes for that romance.