by Jane Henry
My mom stares at me, her brows knitting together, as if I’m the one with dementia. “Miranda, was there turbulence on that flight? Did you hit your head? Yes, I’m talking about Gabriel Lord. Your boyfriend.”
“Ex-boyfriend.” Lexi gives me a pointed look.
Mom points her fork at me. “He’s all you think about.” She goes back to her food, twirling more pasta on her fork. “I can see it in your eyes. Just like I was with your father.”
My mother is right.
The truth is an icy cold slap of a wave. It doesn’t matter if he’s right by my side, or a thousand miles away. He’s never far from me. And he’s always on my mind.
And even if you leave me, I hope I’ll still be in your heart. I drop my tray onto the floor. Grab my bag, pull out the note. I reread his words, and one line I read over twice more — Even if you leave me, you’ll always be my babygirl.
I can no longer deny what I feel. I love him. And he loves me. And even through his flaws and his mistakes, I want him. Even if it means risking being hurt, all I want is to be with him. Always.
Holding the note, I fly from my chair, sprinting through the room. I tear past the nurses’ station, Emmie shouting, “Miranda! You okay?”
I wave to her. “I’m fine, I’m fine!” And I run. My heart races as I scan the building for him. Have I missed him?
I catch a glimpse of his square shoulders. The brown curls that just touch the collar of his black coat. He’s further down the hall, walking through the exit doors. I reach out as if I can grab him, stop him. “No, Gabriel! Don’t go!”
The door closes. He turns. He sees me. The weight lifts from his shoulders. The pain erases from his face. He reaches for me and I open the door and run straight into his arms.
Chapter Nineteen
Gabriel
I hold her to me, and it’s hard to believe she’s here, in the flesh, holding onto me like she finally really accepted those words I wrote to her. Her shuttered gaze and cool detachment have fled.
I breathe her in, the subtle scent of flowers and spice.
God, I’ve missed this.
I cradle her to me and we stand there on the sidewalk as buses pass and pedestrians walk past, a crisp wind making her blonde hair fly. I tuck her against me, shielding her from the wind, on instinct. I want to hold her even tighter, but I can’t push too hard.
“What is it, baby?”
She’s trembling a little, and I don’t know if it’s from the cold or something else.
“Mom just… Mom said she… she knew you loved me,” she says hesitantly, and I don’t know if she’s scared I’ll deny the truth or if it’s something else.
“Of course I do.” I kiss her cheek, then pull her tightly to me again before I hold her at arm’s length so I can look into her eyes.
“I love you, Miranda Montague. I love everything about you. And I’m sorry I ever gave you reason to doubt that or reason to fear me.”
She swallows and nods, but doesn’t speak at first. She opens her mouth and then closes it again. Finally, she draws a shuddering breath and continues.
“And I know I love you, Gabriel. I feel like there’s so much we still have to get to know about each other. But… well, there’s time, isn’t there?”
My chest warms and my heart soars. I’ve wanted this so badly. So fucking badly.
“Yeah, baby,” I say softly. “Of course there’s time. I fucked things up, and I’m sorry.”
“And I have to admit I overreacted,” she says with a sigh. “I’m just scared. There are so many unknowns, so many variables, you know?”
“I do know, baby. I get it. And I don’t blame you, not at all.”
She nods, looking up at me. “Now that I know you had a wife that cheated on you, I can almost understand where you’re coming from?”
My car drives up, ready to take me back to the airport. To leave her.
I need her alone for a little while. I need her to remember who we are. I need to show her she’s mine, that she’s my babygirl.
“Come with me, for a little while?” I ask her like it’s a question, but I’m pulling her along with insistence. Now that she’s back, I don’t ever want to let her go.
She nods. “Yes, Gabriel.” She ducks her head shyly. “Yes, daddy.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. God, it’s good to hear her say that. I didn’t know how badly I needed that.
I open the door and usher her in, joining her a moment later. I shut the door.
“Where to, sir?”
She looks at me, all wide-eyed and wondrous.
“I need to get back,” I tell her. “Will you join me?”
“As soon as I can. I’ll get Mom situated.”
I nod. “Of course. But you’ll call me, won’t you?”
It seems unfair that just when we get back together, we have to be separated. The car begins to drive me back to the jet. By the time I get to the airport, it will be prepared and fueled up. Ready to take me back to Vegas.
Her voice is soft when she asks, “Are you sure you have to go?”
I pull her to me and kiss her, the instant connection making me groan. Her hands are around my neck, and mine around her waist, and it feels so good to taste her again, my eyes close in bliss. God, this is good. So damn good.
I push a button and a dark, soundproof screen rolls up between us and the driver. We have total privacy back here and the ride to takeoff’s long enough. I lay her back on the seat, kissing my way down the column of her neck to her full, beautiful breasts. She closes her eyes and sighs.
“Daddy.”
I lean in and whisper in her ear. “I love you, Miranda. I love you so much.”
“And I love you,” she says, making my heart beat faster and my need to claim her even more insistent. Her eyes hold mine as I shimmy her dress up her thighs. I feel cotton panties covering her, my low growl of disapproval filling the leather interior.
“Who gave you permission to wear those?”
She bites her lip—oh God, to see her do that again—and gives me a coy look. “I gave myself permission.”
I cluck my tongue, right her dress, and tug her over my lap. She squeals and giggles even as she protests, but when I position her with my hand on her lower back, she wriggles like a little puppy.
I smack her ass good and hard. “That’s for fighting daddy,” I say, with a teasing lecture in my tone. I part her legs, shove the panties aside, and finger her hot, slick entrance.
“Oh fuck,” she moans, parting her legs even further.
I remove my hand just long enough to spank her again. She bucks and squeals, but a second later, she’s moaning as I stroke my fingers to her core again, pausing only long enough to circle her clit.
“That’s my girl,” I whisper in her ear. “Take daddy’s fingers, baby. Let yourself go.”
The car cruises on as she wriggles her hips and I stroke her clit. I bend down, nibbling her ear as I finger her, until she’s moaning, on the cusp of release.
“Come for daddy, baby,” I coax, and it’s all that she needs. Moments later she’s moaning and whimpering, writhing against my hand as her powerful climax overtakes her. I milk every spasm, wringing it out of her, and before she’s done coming, I lay her on the plush leather seat beside me.
“Spread those legs,” I order, as I unzip myself and take my cock out.
She obeys, her eyes sex-sated and lust-filled as I glide my cock between her legs. She’s so hot, so wet, and I groan when I tease the tip of my cock over her clit. She whimpers and moans, until I glide myself into her tight, hot pussy.
“Fucckkk,” I groan, as the walls of her pussy clench around me. “Jesus, baby.”
I lower myself over her, working a rhythm that makes her moan and gasp, her eyelids fluttering closed with the thrust of my hips. Her pussy welcomes my cock, her body begging for more with every stroke.
“Miranda,” I groan. “You feel so good, baby.”
She whimpers, but smiles, her hi
ps rising to meet me as I thrust. “Take it, daddy. I want you.” There’s a catch in her throat and tears in her eyes as she whispers. “I want us, again. Together.”
I stroke again and again, every movement bringing us closer together, reuniting us. I welcome her little moans and squeals of pleasure.
“So fucking good,” I groan. This is what we needed, right here, this reconnection. “My baby needs to come again. Can you come again for daddy, baby?”
She nods, her arms encircling me as I chase my release and she milks my cock.
“Yes, daddy,” she breathes. “Oh hell yes. Please, daddy. So damn good. So. Good.”
Her legs wrap around me as I thrust again, until her head falls back and she screams my name.
“Gabriel!” She’s panting, writhing, coming as I spill my seed in her, my own groans of release mingling with hers. I lose myself to this, to this moment of her surrender and our coming back together, until we’re both panting and sated.
“That was so fucking good,” she groans, with a little moan. “So good.”
I kiss her cheek, brushing damp tendrils aside. “We needed that.”
She sighs in contentment. “We did.”
I push the button to speak with the driver, and order us back to the hospital. “Sorry, I say, not at all sorry. “Change of plans. Please take us back.”
“Yes, sir. Certainly, sir.”
We head back. She tells me what her mother said about me, and how what her mother said was the impetus for her coming to find me.
She sighs. “And she was right. Thank God, she was right, Gabriel. I honestly think if Lexi hadn’t found out Tom was cheating on her, I wouldn’t have been as troubled by what you did.”
I nod slowly. Makes sense. Her sister’s ex was about to marry her, had the nerve to cheat on her, then the two of them were more sensitive than they normally would be.
“And I’m so sorry,” she says. “I mean, I was a little freaked out, not gonna lie. You have to understand that I coach my girls about safety. We have classes and seminars on being safe with your clients and how to avoid people that are too clingy or possessive.”
I wince. “Touché.”
She smiles, placing a hand on my cheek and holding my gaze. “But I’m honored you were into me. I really am. No more of the snooping, though, right?”
I shake my head. “Of course not, baby.”
“Not that I have anything to hide,” she says quietly. “It’s just the principle of the thing.”
“Of course.”
I hold her hand when we arrive back at the hospital.
“Lexi’s inside with her still?”
“Yes. Want to come up together? I’m sure there’s plenty of food left for you, your driver, and probably your entire staff combined.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “Went a little overboard?”
She smiles and shrugs. “A little.” She takes my hand. “But that’s who you are. Generous to a fault, and who can really blame you for that?”
I pull her back to me just before we head back inside to go see Lexi and her mom. I kiss her cheek. “You’d be surprised.”
She giggles sheepishly as we enter the building.
My reception is at once hot and cold. Her sister’s reluctant to shake my hand, but her mom breaks into a grin.
“There he is,” she says approvingly. “The man of the hour. Look who came to pay us a visit.”
I’m thankful for one ally in this, anyway. I walk over to her, ignoring Lexi’s narrow-eyed fury. There’s a knock at the door, and a nurse comes in.
“Mr. Lord!” she says, grinning. “The nurses’ station thanks you so much for your generosity!”
Lexi rolls her eyes. “There was enough food for an army, showoff,” she mutters.
“Lexi, stop.” Her mom gives her a disproving look. “Honestly, Lexi, how could you, after all Mr. Lord has done.” She smiles at me and extends her hand to shake. “Did you talk to my husband about this? Have you seen him, Mr. Lord?”
I feel Miranda tense and Lexi sighs. I reach for her mom’s hand and shake it gently.
“I haven’t seen him, ma’am. But I’m told he’s very pleased you’re happy here.”
Miranda sighs. Even Lexi seems to soften a little.
“You have been very generous,” Lexi admits, then she rakes her gaze over Miranda.
“Girl, do you think I was born yesterday?” She looks at the clock, then at Miranda’s mussed up hair, swollen lips, and disheveled clothing. She shakes her head. “The make-up kind is the best, though, isn’t it?” She gives a wistful sigh, and Miranda flushes pink.
“You like your new home, Miss Montague? Are you ready to leave the hospital and go back?”
She nods, but her gaze wanders out the window. “It’s lovely, yes,” she says softly. “I wish my husband could see it. But he isn’t here anymore, is he?”
I look to Miranda and Lexi. They stare back at me. None of us really know how to respond. Finally, I clear my throat.
“He isn’t.”
She turns to me bravely, a sad smile on her lips. “Lexi mentioned she might like to relocate, and I think... I think I’m ready to move, too. Join you youngsters in Nevada. Are there any places like this that are nearer my girls?”
Hope blooms in my chest. Miranda squeezes my hand.
“I’ll see what I can find, I promise.”
“You don’t have to, Gabriel, really,” Miranda begins, but her mom stops her with a hand in the air.
“Girl, didn’t I teach you better? Mr. Lord’s the type that likes to look after people. Aren’t you, son?”
I love this woman.
“Of course. It’s my pleasure.”
“Good,” she says, nestling back in her bed. “Then let him, Miranda.”
Miranda’s eyes are shining at me as she smiles and nods. “I will, as long as he realizes that goes both ways.”
I give her a wink. Lexi rolls her eyes, and Miranda giggles.
We’re back. Hope fills my chest. The thought of a future with this woman is everything I’ve ever wanted.
Emmie gives us an apologetic look and tells us visiting hours are over. We leave Mrs. Montague happily chatting with the nurse, her romance novel in one hand, and a leftover breadstick in the other. The nurses said they’ve put her on some medication to help with preventing another stroke, but other than that, she’s doing better than ever.
“I swear Mom just needs some extra attention some days,” Lexi says when we’re back in the car. “She chippers right up when she has someone to talk to, doesn’t she?”
“She does,” Miranda says, nodding.
Miranda and I will take Lexi back to her mom’s old house to sleep then we’ll take the jet back to Vegas.
It’s a cute house. “Lexi, are you planning on staying here?”
She shakes her head. “Only until we get Mom figured out. Then, I’m going back to Miranda’s.”
“I see.” She’s going to need to sell this place and I know just who can help her. “Do you know real estate in this area’s booming? If you wanted to sell, this is something Shane could help you with.”
Lexi looks relieved. “Sure. Can we give him a call?”
I dial up Shane and give the phone to Lexi. When he answers and she hears his voice, she seems to relax. “Hey, Shane!” He says something that has her laughing and with my phone in her hand, she heads into the house. The screen door slams behind her.
“I suppose she’s forgiven you,” Miranda says with a smile.
“Looks like it. For now,” I say with a chuckle.
I sit on one of the rockers and tug her onto my lap. “This is a beautiful place here.”
We rock quietly, each lost in our own thoughts for a moment.
“You’ve never seen my real home,” I remind her.
“I haven’t. It’s hard to imagine that gorgeous suite at Vegas, Baby isn’t your real home.”
I smile. She’s so adorable. “Well, it’s one of them. But I hav
e a pretty big house as well. Huge garage, guest houses. Really, lots and lots of room. You girls can stay anytime.”
She smiles at me. “My mom is right, Mr. Lord. You’re a very generous person, you know that?”
I shrug. “Generous with most things, baby.” I run my fingers through her hair and kiss her. I lean in and whisper in her ear. “But in others, I’m very, very selfish.”
She grins. “You know, given the right context, that sounds seriously hot.”
I give her a teasing smack to her ass and hold her tight.
I won’t ever let her go.
Chapter Twenty
Miranda
My desk, my computer, my phone are all working overtime with me to play catch up from another quick dash to Cali. I’m just making a plan of attack when Shane calls me to give me the great news.
“Miranda, I’ve found it.” It’s the most excited I’ve heard him.
Hope rises in me. “Really? Because the last two places we looked were just… not…”
He finishes my thought. “Perfect?”
I nod. “Perfect. Exactly. I know I’m asking a lot but she’s my mom and I just can’t picture her somewhere that isn’t right.”
He gives a low whistle. “Well, doll, I’ve found it. And when you see it, you are going to say, this place is—”
We say it at the same time. “Perfect.”
I snap my fingers, pointing as if he’s standing in front of me and not on the other end of the phone. “Jinx! You owe me a coke.”
“You can have a case of coke if you want. Just get down here and see the place.” He pauses and I know what he’s going to say next. “And bring that spitfire of a sister of yours with you.”
Totally could have jinxed him again. But I don’t drink Coke. And, I don’t want to tease him, even though I know he likes Lexi. “Okay, just text me that address and I’ll grab an Uber.”
He snorts. “Yeah right, little lady. That man of yours would kick my ass if I let you take an Uber. Gabe wanted to come get you himself but he’s wrapping up a shoot that went late. He’ll be here when you arrive. Just let me know where and when to pick you up and I’ll send the driver.”
