by A. m Madden
“Always.” Pert nipples pushing behind the silky fabric…a rosy hue to her cheeks…full lips still glistening from my tongue forced me to say, “Night, Jade.”
Once the door was slammed shut, I hastily drove off. Jade managed to overshadow the memory of our day. I really enjoyed being with her. And knowing how great we were together continued to stack layer upon layer of more desire each time I saw her.
Earlier, she handled herself better than anyone could have expected. It wasn’t just her beautiful face, stunning body, or enchanting personality that drew me in. It was her tenacity, and once home, I knew I’d be taking a cold shower before attempting sleep.
…
Jade
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I lost track of time.” I threw my bag into my side of the booth before sliding along the cushioned seat across from Amy.
“I ordered you one,” she said, pointing to what looked like pulverized hummus in a glass.
“What the hell is that?”
“The Power Twist. Bananas, oranges, and carrots.” Ignoring my scrunched expression, she asked, “You look tired. How did it go Saturday?”
“Awful.”
“Really?” she asked. “Your family is always so supportive.”
“I should clarify. My mom and sister eventually came around, and both have called me no less than a dozen times since last night. Greg had nothing of substance to say, but I know he’s disappointed in me. My father, on the other hand…” I left my sentence to dangle. I still couldn’t wrap my head around his behavior. It scared me.
“Well, you had to know, going in, he would have a hard time with this. He was always very protective of you and your sister. Do you remember your first date with Billy Landon?” Her eyes widened to emphasize her point. “The poor kid practically peed himself when he saw your dad sitting on the porch. In the dark. Waiting for you while holding a baseball bat.”
“I was sixteen then. I’m a grown woman now.”
One perfectly sculpted brow lifted. “Not to him, Jade. You’re still his little girl.”
“I suppose.”
“How did Max handle it?”
“I could tell he refrained from saying what he wanted to. He sat there and took it. Dad was very hard on him.” I hated being in conflict with my father. My entire life, all I wanted was to please him. It was never an issue before. I wasn’t a misbehaved child or defiant teenager…unless Amy got caught doing something wrong, and I was only guilty by association.
But even then, my father always knew I was only involved because I was such a good friend, one who would never abandon her bestie even when it meant trouble for me. Dad once claimed, during one of his lectures after Amy had been caught with a boy in the library, although playing lookout was noble, it was wrong. He then went on to say that quality would serve me well when I became a lawyer.
So, all in all, even during the missteps that I had throughout my youth, he still made it known he was in my corner. He had different expectations for Sapphire and me. He’d always known my sister would marry young and be a mom.
He knew I’d get there eventually as well, but my drive and ambitions meant family would come later for me, which was fine. And the day they eventually would, Dad expected love, marriage, and baby…in that order.
From an early age, he saw himself in me. I was so much like my father. He was always my biggest fan, but that supportive man I knew was nowhere to be found Saturday night.
Amy shook her head. “He’ll get over it. Give him time.”
“I’m not so sure, Aim. All I keep focusing on is my father doesn’t even know about Max’s other child yet or his life in Miami.” Part of me wished I had gotten that out last night, even if it would worsen the situation. Because now that piece of Max’s puzzle hung over my head like a cartoon anvil ready to drop on its unsuspecting victim at any moment.
Her crystal blue eyes flipped up to stare at the ceiling with a very dramatic sigh. “How many times do I need to tell you that isn’t the important part of this equation? The man is into you; that’s obvious. Focus on you and him, spend time together, and build a relationship.”
“That’s easier said than done when neither of us has the time to nurture one.”
“Oh, come on, Jade. We’ve been through this before. Find the time. You can’t work twenty-four-seven.”
True, the reminders of my stressful job seemed to vanish whenever I floated in a Max-induced euphoria, but that didn’t ease juggling my pregnancy and work. Adding emotions and feelings into the mix could very well muddy the waters, and then drama and heartbreak would be sure to follow.
“Just take one day at a time.” Clueless to my inner turmoil, Amy leaned in with a devious leer spreading over her full lips. “So, when are you seeing him again?”
“No clue. He’s back in Miami for a few days. I know he hasn’t told his mother and stepfather yet, and I offered to be with him when he does. After his support, it’s the least I can do.”
“You need go with him to Miami one of these times. Have mind-blowing sex on the beach at night.”
“You’re delusional.” I shook my head. “I can’t drop everything and go with him. Besides, he didn’t ask.”
“I’m a hopeless romantic, not delusional. There’s a difference.” Her hand flew up to catch the attention of the waiter walking by.
Amy recited her very detailed, very specific, very annoying dinner order. Meanwhile, I zoned out, thinking about Max. Him being on my mind so much lately was getting distracting.
My friend, the enabler, wasn’t any help when she said, “Okay, back to Max. Why do you have a look of panic on your face when you talk about him?”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Maybe because I worry a man like Max can destroy me.”
She considered my words and with a firm shake of her head responded, “Yeah, but in the best of ways.”
I hadn’t realized Max had called and left a message until Amy and I got back to our apartment. Amy looked over my shoulder at the missed call notification and shook her head. “Keeping your phone on vibrate all the time doesn’t work when you’re in a relationship.”
I really couldn’t argue with her. Amy couldn’t understand how I wasn’t glued to my phone like other people our age.
“I need to call him back.”
“What you need is to have FaceTime phone sex with him and make up for missing his call,” she said before sauntering into her room.
Even though it was only nine p.m., I rushed through getting ready for bed so I wouldn’t have any distractions once we got on the phone. And, well, that phone sex recommendation was still stuck in my head.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said as I settled on my bed.
“Hi.” Sounding a bit winded, I cleared my throat before asking, “How was your trip?”
“Good.” There was a slight pause on his end. “Um…I went with Tracey to her sonogram appointment.”
“Is everything okay?” I asked, ignoring the twinge of jealousy that pinched in my thoughts. I shook my head to clear the negativity, reminding myself this was Max’s child. He had every right to be there…even if I wished I were the only one he experienced it with.
“Yes, everything is perfect. It’s a girl.”
Another pang hit hard as I said, “That’s fantastic, Max. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Silence drifted between us before he asked, “Have you spoken to your father?”
“Not yet. I’ll give him a few days and then I’ll call him.” I really didn’t want to waste our call on something as depressing as my father’s reaction. “So, tell me about the gym.”
“Every visit brings me closer to finally opening.” He painted a picture of all the work that had been done and all that still needed to be done. “It’s been a long time coming, but it’s getting there.”
“Who
takes care of your Manhattan gym when you’re away?”
“I have a great assistant manager who I’ll be promoting soon and three amazing trainers.”
“That must give you peace of mind. Why did you wait so long to open your gym in Miami after you graduated?”
“The gym idea came later. While I played football, I wanted to stay in Miami after I graduated to become a personal trainer.” Remembering that picture I saw on his desk of Max instantly distracted me…specifically those tight white pants molding over every delicious inch of his legs…including what was hidden behind a protective cup. Somehow, I’d have to subtly find a way to get him to model that uniform for me.
“Sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan,” he went on, oblivious to how I had clenched my thighs together still stuck on the image of Max playing college football. “But the fall after I graduated, my dad suddenly passed away, and I chose to come back to New York to be with my family.”
His last comment slapped me out of my salacious thoughts, and a reactive gasp came automatically. “I’m so sorry, Max.”
“Thanks,” he said with a sigh. “It was a tough time for us. Dad was a firefighter. His department called him Big Mike…so fit and strong. His death shocked everyone. It came on quick, out of nowhere, massive heart attack. One day he was fine; the next he was…just gone.”
My breath hitched. I couldn’t imagine losing my dad so suddenly. “Oh my gosh, that’s awful. And your mom?”
“She’s great now. Remarried and is still living in the home we grew up in. Funny, she was so scared of his career choice and the danger he’d always be in, but in the end, it wasn’t what killed him.” He paused for a bit. “Anyway, life is too short. It’s important to not take anything for granted.” Someone called his name in the distance. “Crap, I have to go. I’ll talk to you soon?”
“Of course. Good night, Max.”
When the line went dead, I pushed aside the disappointment that came from our call being cut so short. More and more, I found myself aching for him. And not only physically, but even the connection that came when we spoke on the phone or when he texted me just to check in. Without the distractions of work to focus on, it was Max that now consumed my thoughts.
Chapter Sixteen
Max
A mother’s guilt is a heady thing. Mine pulled no punches when I called her after getting back from Miami. She promptly ripped me a new one because I hadn’t seen her in months. Just as she often did when my brothers and I hadn’t visited her in a while, she took matters into her own hands. Through that same phone call, I learned she and my stepfather were heading into the city that Saturday, and we all better be available for dinner that night.
Besides the guilt I felt over being too busy for my own mother, not having had the chance to tell her about Jade made it monumentally worse. In a perfect world, I would’ve taken Jade out to Long Island to meet my parents. However, I was walking proof my world was far from perfect.
Jade had mentioned she wanted to be with me when I broke the news, so I invited her to come along. After agreeing to meet at the restaurant that my mom favored, I hopped out of the cab to see Jade waiting out front for me. Always beautiful, tonight she looked stunning with her silky brown locks caressing her shoulders in soft waves. Slim black slacks and a cream sleeveless blouse showed off her perfect figure. At twelve weeks, her bump was slight, but I could see a subtle change in the fullness of her breasts.
Ironically, since we decided to officially date, going slow hadn’t been a problem. It was hard to have sex when you barely saw each other. Christ, I ached for her. Was it normal to intensely miss something you’d only experienced once?
She gave me a sexy smile as I approached, but the way she fidgeted with the strap of her purse told me she was nervous. “Jade, stop stressing,” I said when I stepped directly in front of her.
“You of all people should sympathize,” she countered.
“I do. But you have it easier.”
A perfectly arched brow rose in question. “And how do you figure that?”
“We had to tell four members of your family. Tonight, we only need to tell two.”
“Why only two? Did your brothers cancel?”
“No…my brothers already know.” I searched her eyes for a moment. “Are you mad?”
“Of course not.” Her response came quickly. “You had every right to tell them.”
“Okay, good.” I blew out a breath. “So, that should make you feel better, no?”
“No…” she admitted. “But thanks for trying. What did they say?”
“Brad reacted in his typical go-with-the-flow attitude. Nate was a bit more…”
“Suspicious?” she interjected at my pause, pegging him perfectly.
“Only at first.”
“He’s a lawyer, Max. I’m sure he advised you to protect your rights. I would’ve. You know I’ll have a paternity test.” After a pause, she opened her mouth to speak, closed it, and then decided to say what was on her mind. “We also need to discuss custody details and finances; every burden will be shared between us fifty-fifty.”
I got she was also a lawyer, and like my brother, she believed protecting legal rights should always come first and foremost, but…for some reason hearing her tick off the list bothered me.
Instantly, she picked up on the shift in my mood. “Are you okay?”
Needing to ignore the way she so casually turned this into a business partnership, I nodded and said, “Absolutely.” When I gave her a genuine smile, her reciprocating one took my breath away, and in an instant all my ire dissipated. That was the Jade I craved. The unguarded version that, when making an appearance, could bring me to my knees.
Unable to resist her, I pulled her closer for a long and hard kiss until a familiar voice barked, “Get a room.” Knowing who it was, I had no intention of stopping. But that proved difficult when Jade jerked away. “Hello, Jade.”
At the sight of my jackass brother, along with a few passersby staring at us, Jade’s cheeks tinged pink, but her eyes feistily narrowed.
“Hey, don’t stop on my account. That was a solid performance, impressive tongue action. Jade, your lean-in was well executed.”
Jade folded her arms defiantly. “Is creeping a side job for you?”
He ignored her. “I especially appreciate the two-handed hold my brother had on your ass, although the lack of gripping could cost him some points. He didn’t commit to the move.” Brad then raised his hands, pretending to hold up a sign. “The American judge gives a 9.0 for originality but an 8.6 for technique.”
“I keep warning you the jury will have pity on me after they’re briefed on all the crap you pulled over the years,” I warned, bringing Jade to my side. “And now you’re making her an accomplice.”
“And I’ll make sure the charges don’t stick,” she said flippantly. “Judges love me.”
“Well played.” Brad maneuvered Jade out of my hold and into his arms. “It’s nice to see you again, Jade.”
“Nice to see you, too.”
Over her shoulder, he wiggled his eyebrows at me. “Off the record, did Max ever tell you about the time I—”
“For fuck’s sake. Shut up.” I pulled her right back into my hold. “And don’t touch my girlfriend.”
“He’s afraid you’ll fall in love with me,” Brad goaded. He reached for the door and opened it with a flourish. “After you, gorgeous.” As she walked through shaking her head, he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, turning Jade into a human yo-yo. “Once she gets to know me, you’re toast, big brother. We’ll let you visit the baby, though.”
Jade looked back at me and with a smile and a wink made me wish we could ditch my family. “You and my friend Amy would get along great.” Like a magic trick, her statement stopped him in his tracks.
“Oh yeah?” Brad looked down at Jade, his
heavy arm still holding her hostage as we waited for the hostess to get off the phone. “Maybe I need to meet this friend of yours.” He suddenly widened his eyes. “Wait, is this friend the hottie you were with at my bar?”
“That’s Amy. Actually, on second thought, she’d probably chew you up and spit you out.”
“Is that a challenge? What does she do? Wait, let me guess…professional wrestler, cop, catholic school principal?”
“Books.”
“Books? Like a sexy librarian?” The excitement in his voice mimicked the expression on his face. “Please tell me she wears tight white blouses, tighter black skirts, and glasses.”
“No, not a librarian. An author…of erotica.”
Like a magic trick, Brad’s arm fell from Jade’s shoulders, and his mouth fell open.
“May I help you?” the hostess asked.
Brad looked at her and blinked just as I pushed him aside and said, “Navarro.”
“The rest of your party is seated, Mr. Navarro. Please, follow me.”
Jade and I followed the hostess to a table where my parents and Nate sat staring at us as we approached. Brad had yet to move.
“Max, darling.” My mother stood to embrace me. “You look tired. Are you getting enough sleep?”
Here we go. “Yes, Mom.”
Nate and Mitch stood as well but remained silent as my mom continued to fret to the point where I had to pry her wrists from around my waist.
“Hey, Max.” Mitch gave me his typical handshake-hug combo. “Why is your brother standing there staring into space?”
“Because he’s a jackass.” I greeted Nate before moving aside to introduce Jade. “There’s someone I want you to meet.” She gifted them with that gorgeous smile as I took her hand. “This is Jade Easton.”
Nate was the first to hug her. “We haven’t officially met, but I feel like we have.” When he pulled away, he offered a comforting smile of his own. “I’m Nate, the lawyer…but I was warned not to talk shop with you.”
