by Jill Downey
Marcus continued, “Mom never told me who my father was until she was on her death bed. She died from cancer when she was forty-five years old! Died because she didn’t have access to good health care, because she was still dirt poor.”
“Why didn’t you just reach out to me or my sister or brother?”
“Fuck you, do you know how enraged I was after holding my mom in my arms as she took her last breath? I swore revenge for her. I watched and waited. For seven years I bided my time.”
“You let it rob you of your soul,” Kyle said sadly.
“I let it, ha that’s rich! The Bennetts took it! I was the victim. The billionaire’s bastard! I managed to confiscate a bar glass with his DNA on it and had a paternity test. A look in the mirror would have proven it without the science, but armed with the evidence, I met with him. Five million would have been a drop in the bucket. He refused. He had the gall to laugh at me!”
“That’s when you turned your sights on me isn’t it? You tampered with my brakes. You tried to kill me.”
“I wanted to destroy my father, take something from him equal to what he had robbed me of.”
“Your mother.”
“Yes. And you, in your ivory tower, buffered by more money than could be spent in three lifetimes, while I could barely get by.”
All the anger had drained from Kyle and he felt an enormous loss for what could have been a completely different story. He had lost a brother before he’d ever found him.
41
Finn was sandwiched between Kyle and Ella on the ride home. The police had taken a brief statement, but Kyle was expected back at the station after he got Finn settled in. When they pulled up to the front doors, Kyle saw that his father’s car was still parked there.
Ella said, “I’ll put Finn to bed to give you some time with your father.”
“Grandpa’s here?”
“Yes, but you need to go straight to bed.”
“I want to say hi first.”
Ella met Kyle’s eyes and shrugged. “Just for a minute then you’re off to bed,” Kyle said.
“Okay.”
“Grandpa!” Finn ran to his grandfather who was sitting at the kitchen island drinking coffee and talking with Richard Drake.
James Bennett’s eyes glistened with tears. “Finn, thank God you’re all right!” He squeezed the child in a tight bear hug, the tears escaping and slipping down his cheeks.
“Yeah, my nanny took me to spend the night with her accounta dad being busy, but then there was this bad guy there. It was weird but I wasn’t scared.”
Everyone’s eyes were suspiciously bright as Finn proudly announced his bravery. “That’s good little guy. You were very brave.”
“I kept asking Lindsey to take me home then that guy yelled at me. Ella, we saw him at the place where we bought those toys, remember?”
“I remember.”
“He was kind of weird and mean but I knew Lindsey liked him, so I figured he wasn’t taught his manners.”
They all laughed with relief that Finn seemed to come out of this unscathed. It appeared as if he never knew he was in any danger until the rescue.
“Come on Finn, I’ll put you to bed,” Ella said.
“Will you read me a story?”
“Absolutely.”
“Night everybody,” Finn said walking to each person and giving them a hug.
“I’ll be heading back to the station after I talk with father,” Kyle said quietly to Ella.
“I’ll be here. I’ll probably crash in Finn’s room until you get back.”
“I’ll come get you.” He leaned down and kissed her.
After they left the room, Richard got up and cleared the counter, then said goodnight, leaving father and son alone.
Angrily Kyle said, “You destroyed two lives, one of which was your own flesh and blood and the other the mother of your child! How could you? How do you sleep at night?”
“Frankly, at the time, I didn’t believe her. She was a flirt and a seductress. I had a weak moment and gave in to temptation. One time, one mistake.”
“You’re telling me that she seduced you? You expect me to believe that a seventeen-year-old threw herself at her rich boss?”
“It’s what happened, you can believe it or not. I know what you think of my parenting skills and I don’t blame you for that, but you were on easy street compared to how I was raised. I may have been distant, but I never laid a hand on you kids. You have no idea what your grandfather would have done had I disgraced the family name by getting a maid pregnant. Your mother and I were engaged to be married.”
“I don’t give a fuck! Nothing excuses your cowardice.”
“Until you’ve walked a mile in someone’s shoes…as the saying goes.”
“I have walked in your fucking shoes and I hated myself! I had become everything I detested about you. I buried myself in my work, using the excuse that I was providing, and yet my child still loved me, forgave me, ran to greet me every chance he got…” Kyle choked up. “The way I loved you. I used to pray that you’d throw a ball to me, praise me, hell… just acknowledge that I existed.”
“I wasn’t raised that way…I’m sorry son, I do love you, I’ve always been proud of you. I didn’t want you to grow up with a big head. I didn’t want the privilege of money to create little monsters.”
“Every child needs love to thrive. I needed a father, not a shareholder.”
Sadness clouded his father’s features, “I’m sorry Kyle. I couldn’t give you what I’d never been taught. I hope you’ll forgive me one day.”
“What about Marcus?”
“What about him?”
“When did you finally believe that his mother had been telling the truth?”
“When I met with him. I took one look at him and there was no denying that he was a Bennett.”
“Then why didn’t you pay him the money he deserved?”
“Give in to blackmail? Never! What I did do was decide to set up a ten-million-dollar trust account in his name. He hadn’t been notified yet… it was still in process.”
James Bennett buried his face in the palms of his hands. Kyle had never seen his dad look anything other than powerful and his chest felt tight seeing him so vulnerable. He walked over and draped his arm across his shoulders.
“I forgive you Dad, now you’ll have to learn how to forgive yourself.”
“I’m sorry Kyle.”
“I love you dad. You’re my father.”
“I hope I can make it up to you kids. Family vacations, I want to know my grandkids. It took almost losing you, then Finn, to realize how walled off I was from my own family.”
“We’ll work on that. Listen dad, I have to go back to the station, why don’t you sleep here tonight and have breakfast with your grandson in the morning.”
“Testing me already. Yes, I’ll stay.”
“I’ll get Rich to prepare your room.”
“I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Get some sleep Dad, you look like hell.”
“After I call your mother. I have a lot of explaining to do. I hope she can forgive me.”
Kyle’s eyes were glossy as he said goodbye and left to find Rich before heading downtown to the precinct.
42
“Grandpa look what I taught Charlie to do,” Finn had been sitting on the floor with the puppy on his lap, but now he placed Charlie on the ground and kneeled in front of him.
“Charlie, sit.” The puppy promptly sat, looking pleased with himself. “Good pup! Now Charlie shake.” He lifted his paw and Finn shook it, a huge grin plastered across his face.
“Good boy.” Handing him a treat, Charlie gobbled it without chewing.
“He’s a smart one,” James said approvingly.
Lucy, feeling left out, nudged Finn’s hand for a treat. “I’ll have to work on that with you Lucy.”
“Yes, I’m feeling guilty, I haven’t taught her anything,” Ella confessed.
; “I’ll teach her, don’t worry.”
Kyle placed the mound of pancakes on the island next to the pile of bacon and pitcher of orange juice, “Everyone dig in, don’t be shy.”
Finn climbed up to sit on the stool next to his grandfather. “Grandpa, I don’t remember if you’ve ever eaten with us at the house before, have you?”
“I don’t remember either, but we’ll have to change that won’t we?”
“That would be great, and Ninny too.”
“Yes, she is flying in this afternoon.”
“Sweet!” Finn said with a mouthful of pancakes.
“Finn don’t talk with food in your mouth,” Kyle admonished.
Mouth still full he said, “Sorry.”
James chuckled. “Mini-me. Reminds me of someone.”
Kyle came up behind Ella, who was perched on a stool taking her first bite of bacon and wrapped his arms around her. He whispered into her ear, “I love you.”
She looked up at him and smiled, “Me too.”
“I’m wondering if Finn might like to stay with his grandmother and me at the hotel tonight?” James said.
“YES!” Finn pumped his fist in the air. A private look passed between Kyle and his father.
“Why not? I’m sure Mom will be thrilled,” Kyle said.
“Finn can go with me when I pick her up from the airport. Make sure he has a bag packed before I have to head out. Her flight arrives at three o’clock.
“Faye and Griffin are coming over tomorrow night for dinner. It will be a reunion of sorts. You and Mom have to come.”
James eyes flickered with doubt then he straightened and said, “I’d like that.”
Ella didn’t know what had transpired between Kyle and his father since she had been fast asleep when he had returned the night before, but she knew it had been epic.
“I hate to leave the party, but I’ve got to get ready for work,” Ella said.
“Don’t go,” Finn said.
“I don’t want to but unfortunately I have no choice.”
“You know we’re in the market for a new full-time nanny,” Kyle said.
Finn’s eyes widened then a smile spread across his face, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“It was only a matter of time. I’m going to walk Ella to her jeep. I’ll be right back,” Kyle said.
Kyle pinned Ella to her jeep and covered her mouth with his own.
“It’s been way too long,” he said against her lips.
Her arms locked behind his head, she answered breathlessly, “Yes.”
“Spend the night tonight?”
“Sounds good, I have to pick up Lucy anyway.”
“I’m going to make love to you all night long.”
Ella’s body throbbed in anticipation. “I hope I can get through work today.”
“I’ll see you tonight.”
She got into her jeep and pulled away, watching him in her rearview mirror.
After all that had transpired in the last twenty-four hours it seemed surreal to be returning to work. She felt like she had been forever changed. All she knew for sure was that everyone was home and safe. Thank God!
43
When Ella entered the house, she followed the faint notes of piano music and found Kyle bent over the keyboard, forehead creased in concentration. He was shirtless and barefoot, sitting in a pair of cut off blue jean shorts. His hair had grown out slightly, which brought out the natural curl. A dark lock fell across his forehead, begging to be brushed away from his brow. Engrossed in the song, she was able to observe him unnoticed.
Her heart ached; she loved this man so much. Perfection. His strong tanned back and broad shoulders, the muscles of his forearms sinewy and pronounced as his fingers slipped across the keys, made her hot with desire. Like everything, he did nothing half-way. He was an accomplished pianist and every chord he played was filled with passion.
He saw Ella standing there and his eyes lit up. He segued into another song and the opening notes from Rhianna’s hit Stay, floated and hung in the air like a kiss. Then he began to sing in that sexy warm tone of his and her legs suddenly felt wobbly. She moved to stand behind him, lightly resting her hands on his bare shoulders. His words caressed her… “Makes me feel like I can’t live without you…I’m the one who needed saving…I want you to stay…”
When he had laid down the last note, she slid her hands from his shoulders down the front of his hard chest and kissed his neck. The emotion still lingered in the air. Ella felt like Kyle had just made love to her. He stood and took her hand in his and without a word, he led her down the corridor, up the imposing spiral staircase and into his bedroom suite.
His cobalt eyes burned with intensity as he studied her, almost as if trying to burn her image into his memory. She felt consumed by him. Tracing his sculpted lips with her fingertip, she trailed it all the way down to his navel, only stopping when she reached the waist of his jeans. She unbuttoned them, then unzipping his pants, pulled them down around his ankles. He stepped out of his shorts and she proceeded to back him up until his knees hit the club chair. She gave him a little push and he plopped back into the soft cushion.
Kyle watched as Ella tugged off her own tee-shirt and threw it aside. The bra followed. She pulled her pants off then the lacey panties. Kyle’s eyes were glazed as he stared at her sexy dark mound of hair and her beautiful breasts.
Ella kept eye contact with Kyle as she kneeled on the rug in front of him. As she tugged at his boxers, he lifted his hips so she could pull them off, leaving his glorious erection exposed. She stroked his strong thighs, enjoying the sensuous feel of his soft hair against her sensitive palms.
She kissed and licked the tender skin of his inner thighs then her tongue teased him until he was writhing. Kyle groaned and spread his legs wider. Cupping him in one hand then wrapping her fingers around the base of his shaft, she took him into her mouth as she glanced up at him through her lashes. His head was thrown back, eyes squeezed shut, and his hands tightly gripped the armchair. It made her wet and crazy with desire to see him aroused.
She massaged as she let her lips and tongue move up and down his shaft. Kyle panted, close to losing control, his pelvis thrusting as his passion rose to an unbearable level. He pulled her up onto his lap, kissing her wildly as he climaxed.
As Kyle shuddered and jerked in the throes of his orgasm, she rubbed her sweet spot against him, moving faster and faster until she was on the precipice of her own release. Kyle reached up to grope her breasts, squeezing as he rolled her nipples between his fingers. She rubbed against him, frenzied now as he tugged and teased. She arched her torso, throwing her head back, as she bucked wildly. Ella trembled, vibrating as she surged toward release. She cried out and shuddered, leaning forward to lay against Kyle’s chest as he held her tightly against him.
Kyle would never get enough of his temptress. Her soft body lying on top of him, a perfect fit, her erect nipples pressing into his chest, her wild mane of hair tickling his neck and shoulder, their hot sweat mingling, he wanted to stay like this forever. Kissing her temple, he whispered the bars of a line, “Something in the way you move...”
Ella smiled against his chest, nipping him with her teeth. His hands were now splayed cupping her buttocks in his palms. When she bit him again, a little harder this time, he playfully swatted her behind.
“I’m hungry,” she said.
“So am I,” he said, his eyes burning leaving no doubt he wasn’t talking about food.
“I mean it. I didn’t eat any supper. I wanted to get here faster. By the way, I owe Richard big time for watching my pup today. We should get them out of their crates and take them outside.”
“I let them out right before you got here but you’re right. We’ll move their crate into our bedroom tonight. They can sleep together.”
“Lucy may not agree to that.”
“Yeah, I don’t think Charlie will be too thrilled about it either. He usually sleeps with Finn, but they’ll ad
just for one night.”
“What cha’ got to eat?”
“Leftover Chicken Cordon Bleu, some parmesan lemon orzo, and steamed broccolini with goat cheese.”
“I take it chef Jacques cooked this evening?”
He grinned and said, “Would you believe me if I said otherwise?”
“No.”
“Here, just slip on one of my tee-shirts.” She did and it came to about mid-thigh on her…perfect.
44
Several hours later, after Ella had devoured the leftovers and tended to the pups, they decided to take advantage of the hot summer night and a sky full of stars. Slipping out of their clothes, they took a quick dip in the pool. It was a luxury to be able to swim naked since there was seldom a time when there weren’t workers or a six-year-old running around. Ella wrapped her legs around Kyle’s waist while he held her, their slick skin feeling like silk against one another. Kyle was hard again, and Ella’s flesh responded immediately.
Being weightless in the water made Ella feel light and free. She leaned back and let her upper body float while gripping Kyle tightly with her thighs. Her breast bobbed to the surface and her long hair fanned out in the water. Kyle leaned down and kissed her belly then blew a raspberry against it making her scream with laughter, “That tickles!”
She released him and swam away, he quickly caught up with her grabbing her from behind, pulling her tightly against his chest. He cupped her breasts in his hands and sucked on her neck.
“Kyle, you’re going to give me a hickey.”
“Your point?”
“That will look great at work. We’re not teenagers you know.”
“I feel like one. I need to mark my territory. Me Tarzan you Jane.”
“Did you really just say that?”
“Yes, see what you’ve done to me?”
Laughing she said, “Let’s get out and play in bed.”
