Single Dad’s Fake Fiancée: A Cowboy Romance

by King, Imani

  I’m not alone anymore, I realized. For too long my life had been focused on only survival. I’d stopped respecting myself. I’d allowed the worst aspects of humanity to infect my own sense of honor. Now, with him, I was finding something else—a future to hope for, to fight for, to live for.

  Nothing in this world was too broken to be fixed.

  People were capable of redeeming themselves if they allowed love into their hearts.

  I could respect myself again, love myself again, and become someone worthy of love and respect. Miles saw this the first moment we met. How stupid I’d been for being blind to it for so many years.

  I kissed him fiercely as the friction between us raised our pleasure to new heights. It wasn’t just sex. It had never been just sex between us. Miles lived and loved with his entire heart, and I did too. I’d just lost myself along the way. But in a small town in Wyoming, I’d found myself again, and I’d discovered the two things I’d been searching for all my life.

  Love…and family.

  His hot breath shot past my ear as he fucked me. I bucked into him and he gripped me tenderly, matching me thrust for thrust. I wanted more. I wanted everything. And for the first time in my life, I was going to take what I wanted. I threw myself into our lovemaking with no restraint.

  Sometimes when you’re in the throes of passion, you forget where you are. That there might be something you should be paying attention to.

  Like the fact you’re on a hospital bed that isn’t really meant for two people to be fooling around in, let alone fucking in like the world was gonna end in fifteen minutes.

  My legs were moving wildly and I hit an unused IV stand next to us. My foot hooked around the cord as the IV stand clattered to the floor.

  Oops.

  Miles disengaged from me and I actually cried.

  “Just one moment, I don’t want to…”

  What the hell was he doing? I couldn’t wait any longer! I hopped up and pushed him down onto the bed.

  He looked up at me, grinning. “You’re pretty damn greedy, you know that?”

  I grinned back. “Never stop what you start. Not around me. You should know that by now.”

  “Are you going to punish me, Nurse?”

  I slid over him, parting my thighs over his shaft. “No. I’m just going to change your treatment.” Then, I lowered myself onto him.

  Miles hissed. His good hand gripped my ass nice and hard and his hips thrust up, hitting my clit as his cock penetrated my deepest depths. I sucked in a breath and started to ride as he thrust deeply into me from below.

  The more he gave me, the harder I fucked. His rough hands felt wonderful on my breasts, hips, and ass. My body was his to appreciate and explore. His masculine appraisal of my curves made me feel even more feminine. It just felt right to let myself go in his strong arms.

  I was so close to the edge, and Miles knew it. He gazed up at me tenderly as he brushed my clit. That one last stroke took me over. Bliss shot through me, powerful, intense and strong. I didn’t know how I was going to survive it. I seemed to shoot up to the stars, but Miles was there to catch me as I feel, crashing back into his arms. I cried out, allowing myself to let go completely, giving everything to this man.

  I trusted him with my life…and with my heart. It scared me, but I also knew it was right. So I opened myself even more, begging to be filled even deeper, as we both found our release.

  His cock soared through my channel, pushing past any barrier that was still left. My hips hit his pelvis and I squeezed, aching to feel him inside me. I knew I was being greedy with my injured lover, but I couldn’t help it. Miles brought out that part of me. I wanted him for myself—every single part of him.

  He groaned, thrusting up one last time and holding my hips in place with his rough, strong hand. He flooded me with his seed. It spilled into me, hot and thick, soothing my soul.

  He wrapped his arm around me, bringing me back down to hearth. I rested my cheek on his shoulder. My chest fell on his chest. Our hearts thundered against each other, beating in unison. Miles hugged me to him, holding me so close that it felt like he’d never let me go.

  I looked up at his rugged jawline, into his dark eyes, and knew that there was nowhere I’d rather be than in his arms. He looked down at me, smiling just enough to show off his signature dimple.

  I closed my eyes, finally at peace, saturated with his love…and confident in mine.

  Yes. I loved him.

  I loved him so much it scared me most of the time, but right now it just felt right. Natural. Inevitable. Destined.

  Miles Corbett was my destiny. Wherever he was felt like home.

  We may have well fallen asleep right there, but there was a knock on the door.

  “Mr. Corbett? Mr. Corbett, I heard a crash, are you okay?” A feminine voice said from the other side of the door.

  Miles and I shared a look at one another, and knew that we needed to act first.

  “Mr. Corbett? Are you okay? I can’t hear anything in there.”

  Panic hit us. There was a sudden whirlwind. between us. Chaos. Something. I wasn’t even thinking, just acting.

  “Mr. Corbett, I’m coming in.”

  The door flung open. The nurse walked in, and looked toward the two of us.

  “Is everything okay in here? Mr. Corbett, are you having a fever? You seem to be sweating.”

  “I am fine, thank you. Could you turn on the AC?”

  “All of the rooms should be kept about 72.”

  “I like it colder, no offense.” Miles smiled, grinning like a maniac.

  “I’ll see what I can do Mr. Corbett.”

  She looked at me, and at Miles. Miles had recovered himself with his gown and the sheets of the hospital bed.

  I noticed that my panties were sitting on the floor. I kicked them under the bed, and continued to act as if nothing had happened.

  “Let me know if you need anything, Mr. Corbett. Take it easy, please, you don’t want to re-injure your arm. You could cause permanent damage if you don’t let it heal.”

  “Thank you, Nurse. Your concern is appreciated.”

  She shot us a glare, then walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

  Miles then just looked at me. Not my face, but my chest.

  “Don’t you think we’re way past the point of you checking out my boobs?” I said.

  “Your shirt is on backwards.”

  “Oh.” I looked down. He was right. “Guess that’s preferable to the nurse seeing the alternative.”

  “Really?” He did the eyebrow thing again. “I’d be just fine with letting her see the fine woman I was enjoying.”

  “Do you want me to call her back in so you can tell her?”

  “Would you?”

  I punched him.

  In his good arm.

  “Ow, watch it. I just got shot. You need to be nice to me you know.”

  I just shook my head, laughing.

  You want someone who can be your friend and give you the best of everything at the same time. Miles was that everything for me.

  I leaned on the side of his bed, and he pet my hair until he fell asleep.

  I suddenly felt a wave of gratitude. Miles was wearing a stupid looking hospital gown like everyone else. He was sleeping in a hospital bed with bars that raised and lowered. He looked beautifully at peace, lying in what looked like an oversized crib. At any rate, he slept like a baby.

  Chapter 27

  Miles

  Stinging, agonizing pain. Getting shot hurts.

  This is the most obvious thing I’ve ever said, of course. It being obvious makes it no less true.

  What’s worse is, I needed to have my head clear so that ruled out taking any medication stronger than double Tylenol.

  I figured I’d live. Considering how everything hinged on my day in court, worry about a little pain in my arm was the last thing on my mind.

  Destiny would kiss it and make it better as soon as the opportunity pr
esented itself.

  “You ready for this,” I asked her. She was standing there, looking all professional in her pantsuit.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be. You sure I should be in there?”

  “Yes, I’m certain. I’m not going to let them shame you, Destiny. You’re a good woman, and I will stand by that.”

  “But with Ashley...”

  “We’ve already determined that won’t be an issue.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  She took a breath. It wasn’t her at all, but it was what society expected of her nonetheless.

  Together, hand in hand, we walked into the family courtroom. Vivian and her lawyer were already seated.

  When Vivian saw Destiny, she smiled, and started laughing. Yes. Relish it. For now.

  Ashley was by her side. She looked devastated, frowning and generally miserable. She lit up the moment she saw Destiny and me, but Vivian quickly turned and whispered something to her.

  Probably some threat or bribe. Whatever, Vivian was a born manipulator. Manipulating a child was second nature to her.

  My lawyer stood waiting. We sat down all together.

  “The court will come to order,” Judge Taylor said, looking at his papers. “This proceeding is to decide who will gain full custody of the minor Ashley Lynne Corbett.”

  “Your honor,” Vivian spoke up. “I would like to move to file for a name change. I don’t want my daughter to share a name with a known lecher.”

  “Miss Miller, such things can be addressed later.”

  “Just saying.”

  I rolled my eyes at Vivian’s audacity.

  “Miss Miller, you and your counsel may make your final argument before I make my decision,” Judge Taylor said, as his hand was poised over the heavy walnut gavel.

  Vivian’s lawyer shifted in his chair but Vivian placed an arm on his coat sleeve. She smiled and mouthed ‘I got this.’

  Vivian stood and paraded around the room. She looked me up and down, and scornfully looked at Destiny.

  “Judge Taylor, your honor, it should be plain to see, Mr. Corbett has showed up in court today with a woman not yet his wife, but who soon will be. A woman who, if you unwisely granted him full custody, would prove to be young, innocent Ashley’s role model.”

  She approached me, still smiling that horrible fake smile she smiled.

  “Her name is Destiny Lowell. She is an entertainer if you want to be the most politically correct about it, but that doesn’t tell the truth. She’s an exotic dancer – a stripper. She takes her clothes off for men’s enjoyment. Is that the sort of woman who should be a role model to anyone? Let alone a young, impressionable girl like my daughter. No one wants their daughter to grow up to be a stripper. It’s a failure of parenting, and marrying such a failure is simple guilt by association.” She looked my way. “I mean, what kind of man lets himself be charmed by such an obvious woman out for his money? Who’s to say she’s not already pregnant with a trap child, who will grow up unloved because they were conceived as a simple tool of exploitation?”

  Projection was a hell of a thing.

  “I plead with you, Judge Taylor, do the right thing, and protect my daughter from the foolishness of her biological father, and the company he keeps.”

  “Are you finished, Miss Miller?”

  “I don’t think there’s anything else that needs to be said. Yes.”

  She returned to her seat, having surprisingly, heard enough of her own voice.

  “Mister Corbett, may I hear your closing arguments?”

  “Gladly, your honor,” I said, standing, nodding and doing my damnedest to be respectful of the man who had the power to take my child away from me.

  “Your honor, Vivian has made this debate not about whether she or I would be the most competent parent, but about the suitability of my fiancée. When I met Destiny, I did not know of her history. She wasn’t open with it, fearing I would hate her for it. I don’t blame her. With our society’s narrow attitudes, we judge people by what they do. Even if they do it to pay their bills. Put food on their table. When they have no other options.”

  I looked at Vivian, willing my eyes to blast her with disdain.

  “Every attack on Destiny has been about her doing something that is not illegal. Not incriminating. She has been singled out because of her status, because she wasn’t born as privileged as Vivian or myself. Are we to hold this against her? No, and that’s not even at issue. What’s at issue is Destiny’s character.”

  As a mirror to Vivian, I smiled Destiny’s way.

  “In the short time I’ve known her, she’s proven to be the kindest, gentlest, and sweetest person I know. When she plays with Ashley, she is able to switch from being her best friend to an adult in an instant. This proves Destiny also has good judgment. I adore Destiny and, more importantly, Ashley adores her.”

  I made my way to my Ashley and spoke directly to her.

  “I love my daughter more than anything. I want what’s best for her. Not once, I suppose due to her age, have we ever asked her to choose where she wants to go. I can tell right now, she’s been crying. Because her biological mother has been telling her that she’ll never see me, or Destiny again. This poor girl has struggled to make friends, form relationships. None of her problems interest Vivian. She only seeks to take away the home I’ve provided Ashley. Vivian is a greedy woman who uses her daughter as a tool. I ask the court to allow me to put this question to my daughter. My daughter who, mind you, has not had contact with me in days, nor has she been near my fiancée.”

  “I’ll allow it,” Judge Taylor said. “Her words will be taken under advisement. I cannot allow a minor to be solely in control of her own destiny.”

  “Ashley, sweetcake,” I leaned down to her. “What do you think of Destiny?”

  Vivian shot me a death glare. She then proceeded to tug on Ashley.

  “Miss Miller, please do not try to coach your daughter now. I want to hear her speak. Go on, Ashley.” Judge Taylor frowned.

  Ashley looked around. “I... I want... um.... I want Destiny to be my new Mommy.”

  I glanced over at Destiny. She was smiling and holding a hand against her cheek.

  “She’s fun, and makes good cookies. She makes Daddy happy, and all sorts of stuff. She lets me tell her about my horses. This Mommy always just tells me to shut up, she doesn’t care.”

  “Ashley, don’t you talk about me like that!” Vivian yelled out.

  Ashley went silent and bent her face towards her lap.

  I shook my head. “Your honor, it is true that my fiancée had worked as a stripper. This doesn’t make her less of a person. She is the woman I want in my wife. The woman I want to start a family with. I want my daughter to grow up to become as smart, sweet, and generous a woman as she is.”

  I returned to my seat. I had meant every word I’d said, stated on public record for anyone who would want to besmirch the honor of my soon to be wife.

  “Is that all, Mr. Corbett?”

  “No, it’s not,” my lawyer said.

  “What else do you have Mr. Silverstein?“

  I paid Tom well. One of the reasons you go for a high priced lawyer was not because you believe they would be more skilled than their more affordable peers. Another is you are paying for the connections they have formed.

  Tom rose with a folder in his hand. “Before I entered the courtroom today, I had a meeting with District Attorney Walker.”

  “Relevance? This is a family court case, Mr. Silverstein.”

  “Completely relevant. Miss Miller is involved in a criminal conspiracy.”

  Vivian jerked her head towards Silverstein. ‘Really?’

  Tom approached the bench. “The FBI has been investigating Quinn Northwest Services for a few years now. They’ve been trying to build a RICO case against them, but hard evidence has been hard to come by. What I have here is signed confessions from several members involved, many of whom attest to Miss Miller’s involvement. Primarily,
she has been, off the record, pressuring Mr. Corbett to sell his land to QNWS, using his daughter as leverage. They have promised Miss Miller a great deal of money to help them in their scheme. This corresponds to their use of similar tactics throughout Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada, South Dakota, among other states throughout the Rocky Mountain region.”

  The judge went over the papers. “How did you come across this so quickly?”

  “My client’s daughter is on the line. I worked as swiftly as I could to assure that the real motives of Miss Miller are brought to light. This hearing is to determine custody in the best interests of the child. I trust the court will concur that Ashley must not be raised by a criminal. Which parent should be awarded custody, your honor, I believe it can’t be more cut and dry than that.”

  Vivian blurted out, “Objection!”

  “Miss Miller, this isn’t a trial,” Judge Taylor said.

  “Well, this is obviously a smear tactic. I’ve done nothing wrong and I’ve never associated with low class criminals. He’s the one sleeping with a stripper.”

  “Miss Miller, you’ve had your chance to speak. Is that all, Counselor?”

  “Nothing further.”

  Tom Silverstein returned to my side.

  Vivian’s face went red as hell with her surprise and effort not to speak further. I fought to stay seated and respectful. My whole life turned on the decree from the Judge.

  The judge took his sweet time getting there. He flipped back and forth through the pages of the documents. He whistled softly and shook his head slowly from side to side, but stayed buried in those documents for what seemed like a half hour.

  “Well then,” the judge said. “Going by Mr. Corbett’s passionate testimony, the child’s wishes, and the mountain of evidence before me, I have no choice but to award full custody of Ashley Lynn Corbett to her biological father, Miles Corbett.”

  “No, you can’t do that!” Vivian screamed.

  “That is my ruling. After careful reading of the evidence I have discovered a document that confirms counselor Silverstein’s testimony. It appears that you, Miss Miller, have been named as a co-conspirator by Bruce Patterson, owner of Xotica, in Los Vegas, NV. Mr. Taylor has already been taken into custody. Racketeering is a serious charge, Miss Miller. These files also contain a warrant for your arrest. You are innocent until proven guilty. If you are acquitted of all charges, then you will be allowed to file an appeal. “