by Tonya Brooks
Jolie walked into the living area and picked a drowsy Bryce up in her arms. “Time to leave, sweetheart,” she said gently and placed a kiss atop his head.
“Weave?” The boy asked sleepily and scrubbed his knuckles against his eyes. “Why?”
“So you and I can start a new adventure,” she said and tried to force some excitement into her voice.
“Wifout daddy?” He queried with a frown.
“Daddy has to stay here.”
“Want to stay wif daddy,” the child insisted.
“Bryce, you and I are going to find a home of our own,” she explained as patiently as possible. “This is daddy's home.”
“Wanna stay wif daddy,” the boy repeated stubbornly and wiggled to get down. As soon as she placed him on his feet, he ran over to his father to demand, “You don't want us no more?”
Reece
Reece had been elated to hear that his son didn't want to leave him, but now the boy had put him in a hell of a predicament. If he told the truth he'd piss Jolie off and if he lied, he'd hurt Bryce. One look into those sad eyes and the decision was made. No way in hell was he going to let his son down again.
He knelt down until they were close to eye level and admitted, “I do want you, Bryce. Both of you. More than I can say.”
“Why we haf to weave?” The boy demanded in confusion. “Why can't we stay wif you?”
“Your mom wants a house,” he explained, hoping he could find the right words and manage not to completely alienate his wife in the process. “With a big yard where you can run and play.”
Bryce pointed to Central Park visible from the floor to ceiling windows and said, “Dat's big.”
At over eight hundred acres it was a hell of a lot bigger than any yard. The toddler was smart as hell, and he didn't miss much. “But no children to play with,” Reece forced himself to concede to the items Jolie had said she wanted.
“I wike pwaying wif you,” the boy said solemnly and stepped closer to wrap his little arms around Reece and hug him.
His arms closed around the child, and he held him as tightly as he dared. “I like playing with you, too,” his father admitted brokenly and felt as if his heart was being ripped out of his chest. Raising tormented eyes to Jolie, he saw her standing there with a hand over her mouth and tears welling in her eyes. Yeah, it was ripping her apart as well.
“Bryce,” Jolie said softly, a slight catch in her voice. “We can't stay with daddy forever, but we can stay a little longer.”
“How wong?” The boy demanded as he twisted around to face her. Reece found himself waiting with bated breath for her answer.
“A few more days,” she hedged and obviously didn't want to commit herself any longer than she had to.
“What if daddy goes to sweep again?” Bryce asked anxiously. “I haf to be here to open his eyes.”
His mother appeared not to have an answer for that bit of logic. Right then and there Reece decided to postpone that Rip Van Winkle discussion indefinitely. Yeah, it was wrong, but he really was a ruthless bastard and willing to use any means to keep his wife and son with him for as long as possible.
Deciding to change the child's focus, he suggested, “What do you say we open these bags and see what's inside?”
While mother and son began digging through the multitude of purchases he'd had his assistant make for them, Reece ordered dinner. After they ate, the three of them settled in on the couch to watch another Iron Man movie and it had barely begun before Jolie and Bryce were both fast asleep.
He stood with his son in his arms and took three steps toward the master suite before he abruptly changed direction and headed down the hall to the guest wing. He chose a room that did not have access to the rooftop balcony. No sense tempting fate if his son was half the daredevil he'd been, and placed the sleeping child on the bed.
Going back into the living area, he couldn't resist stretching out beside Jolie on the couch and just holding her. She snuggled deeper into his embrace and his heart damn near exploded with happiness. Her mind might not trust him, but her body responded just as it always had to his. God, what he wouldn't give to be able to touch her and make love to her again.
Jolie
Jolie became aware of a hard male body pressed against hers, and she sighed in utter contentment. Mmm, she loved the way he felt, the intoxicating scent of his cologne. Everything about Reece was mind-numbingly delicious. One of her legs lifted and wrapped over his as her arm snaked around his lean waist, seeking to draw him closer.
A groan rumbled from his chest and a smile flirted with her lips as she nuzzled her face into the space between his neck and shoulder. Her tongue darted out to slowly lick a trail up to his ear, and she felt his big body shudder. She nipped his lobe gently and ground herself against the steel rod of his cock.
“Jolie,” the ragged whisper of her name was both a benevolent prayer and a plea for mercy. Too bad she wasn't feeling very merciful. She ground against him again and the hand splayed at her lower back slid down to cup her ass and assist in the endeavor. Reece shifted her until his cock was pressed directly against her clit and her moan rivaled his.
Tilting her head back, Jolie focused on turquoise eyes glittering with desire and felt a surge of need so elemental it bordered on painful. She was lying in the arms of the only man she'd ever loved, the only man who'd ever been able to make her body shatter with more pleasure than she could bear.
And he could still make her tremble with just a look.
No, she hadn't forgotten that he had cast her aside and left her to fend for herself and their child. Nor would she ever forget it. She also knew that despite his protestations to the contrary, that he was perfectly capable of doing it again. After all, Reece was a completely ruthless bastard, but he was her ruthless bastard, and she wanted him.
“Make love to me,” she invited softly.
Reece
Either he'd died and gone to heaven or Reece was having the best goddamn dream of his life. Jolie, his beautiful sunshine girl, was looking at him with eyes burning with desire, and she'd asked him to make love to her. His senses were reeling, his soul sang the hallelujah chorus, and every fucking emotion he'd ever known filled his heart to overflowing.
“Are you sure?” He heard his voice asking from a distance and wondered if he'd lost his goddamn mind to question her at a time like this.
“I want you, Reece.”
A sob of sheer joy bubbled up from his chest and escaped in a rasp of breath before his lips claimed hers in a kiss filled with pure reverence. He undressed her slowly and worshiped every inch of her gorgeous body with his hands, savored her with his mouth until they were both panting and desperate for more.
The moment was surreal as he slid into place between her quivering thighs. His heart hammering like a timpani, and the fine sheen of sweat covering his body assured him that this was really happening. Then he took both of her hands in his, palms connecting, and made love to her as slow and beautiful as their first time together had been.
His cock thrust into her tight sheath in slow, measured increments. Jolie was so wet and ready for him, her inner muscles gripped his sensitive flesh and held on tight. The sensation of being one with her again was almost more than he could stand. The pleasure was too intense. His eyes damn near crossed in sheer ecstasy.
“Reece.” His name, a cross between a moan and a plea, was music to his ears. “I missed this. Missed us. So much.”
Elation filled his soul. “I love you, Sunshine,” he choked out hoarsely. Though she did not return the words, her grip on his hands tightened in acknowledgment. It was enough. Having this much of her was more than enough. One day, Jolie would love him again. But for now, he was going to love her so completely that she never doubted his feelings for her again.
He lavished her neck and shoulders with kisses. Whispered, “I love you,” with every slow, deep thrust. Reece imbued her with his need, saturated her with his desire, filled her with his adoration. When
Jolie was poised on the edge of climax, he gently bit her neck. She cried his name brokenly as he followed her into the only tranquility he'd ever known.
Afterward, he lay there with her wrapped around him as if she could not bear any degree of separation. Just like she always had. Reece placed a tender kiss on her lips as blue eyes, sated and slumberous lifted to his. “Please don't regret this, Sunshine,” he pleaded. “Swear you'll never regret this.”
“Never,” Jolie purred in contentment and snuggled trustingly against him before sleep lulled her.
Reece dressed her in his shirt and carried her to the bedroom to place her on the bed beside their son. Then he slid in behind her and the three of them curled together like a human spoon. Never before in his life had he felt such peace and contentment as falling asleep with his wife and son in his arms.
Jolie
Jolie came awake slowly, her body floating on a languid cloud of satiation. A delicious smile curved her lips as she savored the feel of Reece against her back, and their son pressed to her front. Her eyes snapped open in realization, her expression becoming horrified. Sweet Mother of God! She'd made love with Reece!
Barely biting back a moan of pure anguish, she carefully turned her head to look at him. The sight made her heart skip a beat. Her ex rocked the rumpled hair and scruffy beard look into an off the charts level of sexy. A shiver zinged up her spine as her eyes traveled over his broad shoulders and down a powerful chest and arms corded with muscle.
The man was still masculine perfection.
Lifting her gaze back to his handsome face, she found those beautiful turquoise eyes fixed intently on hers. “You swore you wouldn't regret it,” he reminded her quietly before she could speak. “Tell me I didn't fuck up again.”
Jolie could have blamed her lapse in judgment on the amount of wine she'd consumed, but dinner had nullified any effects that she had felt from it so that would be a lie. The vulnerability in his eyes deserved nothing less than the absolute truth. She had known what she was doing, and she'd wanted him.
Desperately.
In spite of the fact that she didn’t regret it, last night had been a mistake of epic proportions. They weren't back together, and she'd do well to remember that they weren't going to be. So there would be no more making love. Her heart just couldn't take it. But, oh, God. It had been wonderful while it lasted.
Shifting around to face him, Jolie kept her voice just as quiet when she admitted, “I have a lot of regrets, Reece. Last night isn't one of them.” There was no way that she could ever regret something so beautiful. “But it was a mistake.”
He captured her hand in his, their fingers interlacing without conscious thought. “Nothing about us is a mistake,” Reece denied. “Except not being together, and that's on me. I'll regret it until the day I die.”
Jolie pulled her hand free and held his gaze evenly when she replied, “Last night can't happen again.”
“It can,” he countered. “And it will. If you'll give us another chance.”
“That's the one thing I won't do,” she refused and saw the light of hope fade from his eyes. Knowing that she was hurting him wrenched her battered heart, but giving in to her desire would leave her open to total annihilation if he changed his mind again. “We are not getting back together, Reece.”
“You woked up wifout me,” Bryce said in surprise as he sprang up and peered over Jolie's side to see his father.
“Your mom woke me up,” Reece grinned at the boy.
“Wike Sweepin’ Beauty?” He asked and rubbed his fists into his sleepy eyes.
“No, not like that,” Jolie laughed although Reece did look awfully kissable with his morning scruff.
“The Disney version sounds like a good idea though,” his father said with a wicked wink.
“I wanna go to Disney,” Bryce announced in excitement as he bounced up and down behind her. “Mommy said she'd take me one day.”
Jolie had promised Bryce that when she had enough money they would visit the famed amusement park. Now that she had the money, she could make his dream come true. “How would you like to celebrate your birthday there?” She asked indulgently.
Bryce was speechless for all of three seconds before he screeched, “Can we weawwy?”
“We can,” she laughingly agreed and it felt so good to be able to give her son something that he wanted for a change.
“Can I come too?” Reece queried hopefully. “I've never been to Disney.”
“Can he, Mommy?”
“If he's not too busy with work,” she hedged.
“I'll never be too busy for you and Bry, Sunshine,” Reece said seriously and honest to God, she believed him.
“Yippee! We goin’ to Disney!” Their son shouted before he jumped up and began bouncing all over the bed in his exuberance.
“Our first family vacation,” Reece grinned, his own expression just as excited as he caught Bryce around the waist. Both arms extended straight up, he held their son horizontally above them and said, “Fly, Iron Man, fly,” while the boy giggled uncontrollably.
Jolie watched in a combination of pleasure and dismay as the pair played. They were so perfect together. Not only did Reece possess the knowledge to answer their son's never-ending questions, but he was also able to do it so the boy understood. Bryce was flourishing under his father's attention, and she just didn't have the heart to separate them yet.
But that day was coming very soon.
CHAPTER TEN
Jolie
The house hunting plan had taken an unforeseen detour into an entirely different direction. The realtor quickly discovered that Reece and Jolie had very different ideas about what was needed. She wanted a small home with a low maintenance yard and good schools in a family-friendly neighborhood.
He insisted on a mansion in an affluent gated community with security guards patrolling the grounds. Naturally, an argument ensued until Reece had explained his reasoning in terms that wouldn't frighten their son. He was trying to take precautions so that unscrupulous people couldn't target his wife and child in an effort to extort money from him.
It took a minute for her to comprehend what he was saying and her heart nearly stopped. Reece was filthy rich, so he wanted their son protected from kidnapping attempts. Dear God. The thought of kidnappers taking her baby sent pure terror through her soul. In the blink of an eye, Jolie changed her mind about buying a house.
She was perfectly content living in a high-security building with a doorman if it kept Bryce safe. They agreed that Reece's building would be ideal so the boy could see his father whenever he wanted to. When they viewed an available unit a few floors down, the toddler had his first temper tantrum, and she had caved again at his refusal to move.
As odd as it seemed, they made the situation work and the days flew by filled with fun and laughter. Bryce had never been happier. He'd made friends with other children in the building, and they enjoyed frequent play dates in the park. Reece had begun to tutor their son on whatever sparked the child's interest and was thrilled at the boy's level of intelligence.
They fell into a comfortable routine where Jolie would cook breakfast and then Reece would give Bryce a tutoring session. Then they went out for lunch and a field trip based on whatever the morning's lesson had been. It was amazing how much diverse knowledge was stored in her ex's brain, and she learned as much as their son did.
If they didn't go out for dinner, Reece usually insisted on ordering in, claiming that she needed a break after their afternoon excursions. Which she usually did. After bath time where their son treated the soaking tub as his own personal swimming pool, the three of them would settle on the couch and watch a movie of Bryce's choice.
The housekeeper handled all of the cleaning and shopping which left Jolie with so much free time that she didn't know what to do with herself. Reece solved that problem as well. During their afternoon outings, he'd had the fourth guest bedroom converted into a dance studio, complete with mirrored walls and
a sound system.
The studio was an exact replica of the one he'd had designed for her in their home while they were married. The only difference was the first one had been a wedding present, and they didn't christen this one with hotter than hell sex. Even so, the memories still haunted her every morning when she used the room to hone her craft.
That wasn't the only change he'd made. Reece had hired a contractor to childproof the entire penthouse. Every door leading to the balcony and rooftop terrace now contained safety locks to prevent a child from opening them. Unfortunately, they had not been designed for toddlers with a genius-level IQ, so they were re-installed out of Bryce's reach.
The newly refurbished master bedroom sat unused at the opposite end of the penthouse. Reece had moved into the bedroom next to hers and on several occasions, Jolie had been sorely tempted to sneak into his room. Fortunately, their son had developed a habit of waking up and climbing into bed with one of his parents which proved to be an excellent deterrent.
Her ex had also created the bedroom of their son’s dreams and Bryce absolutely loved it. Murals depicting the boy’s favorite scenes from the Ironman movies adorned the walls, and he’d had an Audi R8 Spyder converted into a toddler bed. There was even a secret hiding place built into the hood that was undetectable unless you knew it was there.
Bryce had everything he could possibly want or need, including a father who doted on him. Reece was so loving and attentive and their son absolutely adored him. Watching the two of them together filled her with mixed emotions. Sadness at all the time they had missed together, and joy because this was the way it was meant to be.
If she wasn’t careful, her ex would spoil the boy rotten.
Jolie was feeling a bit pampered herself.
She couldn't remember when she'd ever felt as carefree. Her life had completely changed for the better. All of the stress and worries she'd been carrying were gone. She no longer feared that someone would break in while she slept, or had to degrade herself to make a living. She didn't have to cut coupons or do without other things to be able to buy healthy food.
