(Dean)I look at Ethan and shrug. "No matter what, I love her Ethan, that hasn't changed," I say and sigh. "But every time I try to get close, she shuts me out, like she's already made up her mind." I say, downing the entire glass.Ethan gives me a sympathetic look and then runs a hand through his hair. "I think she's hurting, scared even. People build walls for a reason, it might just be her way of protecting herself," he straightens up and holds my gaze. "But she's letting you close to the twins, that's something. I suggest you give her more time, try to be friends again,"I bring down my glass, and tilt my head. "How is it that my friend, a veritable lecher, who knows little or nothing regarding women is suddenly a guru? Is there something I'm missing?" I joked, and raised my eyebrows playfully.Ethan flips me a bird. "I just did my research the best way I can, just in case someone I know needs it," he says. "So, no, thank you." He rolls his eyes and brings his glass to his mouth.
(Bella)I stood there, looking at Dean, who looked like he fell out of a freaking magazine.A little overdressed, yeah. But he's such an awesome sight to behold.And then, it hits me that I was visibly checking him out. I shouldn't.Christ, Bella, get a goddamn grip!I quickly pulled my gaze away, a little mortified that he caught me staring, and then I invited him in. I have never felt this awkward in my entire life.I walk him to the living room, and before he could sit, Javier and Jasmine came running up to him.Dean dropped the bag he was holding and crouched down, enveloping them in a warm hug.After a while, I figured I should get on it, before they bring up him being their stand in dad.My heart began to race, my insides kept twisting into a thousand little knots, my hands clammy as I think my words through.I forced a breath into my lungs and glanced at Dean, who in return gives me a reassuring nod."Hey, sweety." I began, stretching my lips into a trained smile as I waved them
(Bella)Air escaped me as if someone had stabbed my lungs with fork.Did I just ask Dean for friendship?I take a deep breath that seems to barely reach my lungs, but it doesn't stop my racing heart.I couldn't believe I said that aloud, but Dean's reaction seem to make it less nerve-wracking.I could see the excitement in his face, he was pretty much stoked, and barely a second away from wrapping me in his arms.A few days back, I was so sure that I wanted nothing to do with him, uhmm, I still don't anyways, it's just a sacrifice I'm willing to make for my kids.But one thing is sure, being friends with Dean screams potential danger, I couldn't be more wrong and I would be lying if I say it doesn't scare me, it does.And I'm not so sure how I'd cope with it, but I'll have to try.I truly hope I will.I forced more air into my lungs, tonight's going to be one hell of a long one.I walk into my room, hoping to soak away all these emotions and weird thoughts roaming in my head but just
(Bella)I never would have thought for a mere second that co-parenting with Dean would be this easy, he makes it seem so easy.We both shuffle between taking the kids and picking them up from school. At first, I tense a little at this, I knew it'd be a normal every day thing, and I trust Dean with the kids, I really do. Well, after a heartbeat later, I agreed.It's going to take a lot of getting used to but the excitement I saw on Javier and Jasmine's face the first day Dean came to take them to school warms my heart, it was worth it.It's been less than three weeks, and Dean has been super sweet, to the kids and he extends that to me as well, a painful reminder of what we once had.And whenever I watch him switch into his dad role effortlessly, I can't help but think about how our lives could've turned out, if any of these didn't happen. I'm not sure I talk about how good of a husband he was to me, he was an incredible husband and now he's turned out to be an amazing father.But now
(Bella)I still couldn't stop thinking about what Derrick said, perhaps I was slacking off, getting too comfortable around Dean.My head is just so messed up right now. It feels like Dean has plaqued my senses, and no matter how hard I try to turn off my thoughts, it keeps drifting back to him.I find everything he does intriguing, perhaps a little too much.But I can't let myself fall any deeper than I already am, and I also need to work through this feeling that has stirred up since we got close again, I can't let it linger on.It's quite risky, especially when I'm trying to protect myself from what it will all bring.That's it, I sigh.I need to guard my heart, by all means.******So, I try to keep my distance, only speak when spoken to, and I also tried not to get excited by Dean's presence.I avoid any awkward situations, I leave the room right when he walks in, and lastly I avoided eye contact.I wasn't unkind though, I just tried not to be too friendly, that way I might focus
(Dean)I shouldn't. But she closes her eyes, and my mouth is on hers. My tongue entered her with ease, tangling with hers.The thrill of our tongues meeting races through my body. I fist her hair and drag her in more, she opens her mouth to me, and I'm flooded with need.The taste of her, the feel of her, the need, it's intoxicating, overwhelming.My mouth opens, and the kiss grows more intense, her body melts into mine and for a moment everything ceased to exist, just us, just this.God, I've missed her, this. Why did l ever let her go?But just then, her eyes slowly opens, and she pulls away quickly, breaking the moment.She tensed and looked away, she bites her lower lips, as if realizing what we've done. I see something flicker through her eyes, leaving me all confused.Does she regret kissing me back?She stands up quickly, and grabs her car keys, her nervousness seeping from miles away. "You should have Doctor Raven come in the morning for a proper checkup,"Thrown off, I blink.
(Dean)I turn to Rihanna, who's been watching me silently from across my desk. She finally speaks up. "So, not only are you avoiding your mom but the entire family?" Rihanna says, raising an eyebrow.I give her a look. "Don't be dramatic," I reply, shaking my head.She feigns a frown. "But that's what it looks like, you don't take your calls, and you barely return them,"I clear my throat and throw her a glare. "Well, it wasn't that bad, until you started bringing mother up, you know the rules, Rihanna and yet you choose not to abide by it," I tell her outrightly.Yeah, and not to mention that I know she's here to lecture me.She shrugs and lets out an exasperated sigh. "I know, and it's not like I have too much of a choice here, I have a sulking mother at home, and Judy came by the house yesterday, visibly sobbing. I've never in my entire existence seen Judy cry, I almost thought she's untouchable,""Don't be deceived by their stunts," I huffed, I know not to take whatever mother and
(Bella)I haven't been able to get Dean, the kiss out of my head, from one lewd thought to another and it pretty much unsettles me.I'd like to think I've been ignoring him quite well and I'm sure he knows.I must be a terrible person because I didn't even ask if he was okay now, if Doctor Raven said anything that'd be of concern.I should ask but the urge to stay away from him was greater. And the next day we slipped into our co-parenting roles, and I try to keep away from him.I see his efforts into getting us to talk though, I feel his scorching gaze but I paid no mind, making sure there's no situation that'll leave us alone in one setting.Of what use will opening up to Dean or accepting my feelings for him be? It'll rile Judy and Ashley up, and then what?I can't risk it.They might be quiet now, staying off my back but I know it's only a matter of time.If they see I'm not here for Dean, and that I only have my kid's best interest at heart, maybe they'll finally let me be.Speak
(Dean)The smile on her face makes my stomach clench with happiness and every ounce of jealousy I had felt suddenly ebbs away.I don't reply, my words failed me, all I did was stare at her, my desire laid bare.My eyes darken and the next thing I knew, I leaned over and claimed her lips, kissing her so hard. I need to get lost in her so bad, I want to eat her out for hours.She moans into my mouth and my dick throbs in my pants. I whirled her around, resting her back on the couch, towering over her, and claiming her lips once more."What are you doing?" She asks, out of breath, while I gently nibble on the nape of her neck. "Dean…Anne could…,""She's out to get groceries. It's just the two of us, baby." I murmur against her skin, running my hand over her hard, sensitive nipples through her silky top."She'll be back— in no time," she croaked out, causing me to pause and look at her.Fine, I picked her up and maneuvered us to her room, I gently put her down and pulled off her silky top
(Dean)I have called Arthur and asked him to urgently look into how those pictures got to the press and I know I'll have my answer in less than a day.I stood in front of Bella's front door and exhaled deeply, ready to face this strange lady but this time I won't be leaving if I don't see my woman.I press the doorbell and waited and after a while the door creaks open and this lady stood before me yet again, bearing an unreadable expression.But instead of telling me off, she shifts to let me in, and I see a smirk creeping up her face.Is she messing with me?"Come in," she says, giving me quite the look.I step in, still as confused as hell."Didn't you say you just —," I tried to voice out but the approaching footsteps cuts me off.I turn to see Bella, and she paused as soon as she sees me, staring into my eyes.The warmth in her eyes somehow takes all my worries and fears away."Babe," I call out softly and rushed to her, pulling her close and wrapping my arms around her, I hold he
(Bella)"Why didn't you say so sooner?" I smack her arms and she giggles slightly."Well, that's part of the surprise, telling you would have ruined the fun, don't you think?" she says, lifting her eyebrows.I shake my head, and walk over to her car to meet a beaming Aria, I pause.She's gorgeous, pretty eyes and a cute smile like her momma."Hi," I say, flashing her a smile.Her grin grows bigger and she throws herself into my arms. "Aunt Bella!" She squealed.I ruffle her hair and when I look back to where Ivy was standing, she isn't there anymore, she has opened the door of my car, leaning over and talking with the twins, I could literally hear their soft giggles.I snap my eyes back to Aria and kiss her forehead. "What's her name?" I pointed to her big doll behind her."Star," she says, her smile growing even wider."Such a cute name," I retort, ruffling her hair gently, my smile still in place. I just love her, I've loved her long before now.After we had our moment, I step aside
(Bella)Whoever was behind this aimed to ruin me, hence the reason my social handles were all over the media, notifications were pouring in, tons of hateful words, dirty comments and some even tagged me a whore and a golddigger.The blogs didn't relent, they're clearly milking this for all it's worth.Tired of reading through all the nonsense about me, I drop my phone and exhaled deeply.I'm handling this a lot better than my emotional self would, it baffles me but well, I'll have to do me, the world will be just fine.But then….. I pause, a thought comes to mind. If this lingers on, it won't be long before they drag my kids into this drama.I sigh, running a hand through my hair. Soon enough, it'll be the gold-digging wife and her secret babies.My kid's faces will be all over the media, I wouldn't put that past the person behind this chaos.God, I don't want them to drag my innocent kids into this and I definitely do not want this kind of ridiculous attention for them.I sucked in
(Dean)Unease, worry, a surge of helplessness, all of it scratch it's way through my skin, seeping through every pore.It's been over five seconds since this strange lady shut the door in my face, and here I am, glued to a spot.That isn't even the disturbing part, but wheels are already turning in my head at her response. She moved in?If that's not strange, then I don't know what is. A pang of uneasiness, fear, and a little bit of anger settles over me.Maybe if I hadn't freaking silenced my phones, I would have been here in time.But moving out? Did Bella really do that?I'm not believing any damn thing till I hear from her, and there's only one way to find out, actually two ways.Shit… I pause.I can't contact Derrick, I had angrily deleted his number when I thought Bella left me and I still don't have it now.Ugh. I run my hand through my hair, and then I lift my eyes and slowly walk over to meet the building's concierge.He bowed down to greet on seeing me.I give him a curt n
(Dean)Full tilt into my meetings and I've barely come up for air. It's been a busy day, even so more than usual.And I can't wait to get done with it and head back home to my woman and kids. I couldn't wait until I could hold Bella in my arms again.But then, I had an odd feeling when I called Bella before getting on with these meetings and she didn't answer, I texted her and waited for a while but got no response.Humphrey came to inform me that it was time for the meeting, my eyes had flickered on the phone before I put it on silence and handed it over to Humphrey, alongside my other phone.I do that whenever I have important meetings to avoid distractions, and this one is with international investors, so yeah."We're looking forward to working with you, Mr. Brennan." One of the men says with a grin as he extends his hand toward me.A smile sits on my lips as I take the hand he's offering. "It's a pleasure, Mr. Duke."Once done, I head out to where Humphrey is seated, waiting.He g
(Bella)I got home in time before Javier and Jasmine woke up, I had to, Anne isn't too strong to get them ready for school on her own, and I needed her to get all the rest she can.I didn't get Ivy's call nor text, she usually calls every morning or leaves a text. I had called but she didn't answer and hasn't returned the calls.I pocket my phone and help get the twins ready for school before heading to make us breakfast.As I move around the kitchen, plating the food, I couldn't help but reminisce about last night, it was beyond what I could put into coherent words, it was beautiful, it was passionate and it felt right, more right than anything has in a long time.I had a corking good time.We made love till we were both tired out, we talked about a lot, from how I felt when I realized Ashley and his mother had set me up down to how challenging being pregnant and alone was, how helpful Calvin has been.My stomach twisted when I mentioned Calvin, a subtle reminder of our unresolved is
(Bella)Those words were all it took, and Dean's lips are on mine again, devouring every inch of my mouth, I could barely catch my breath as the kiss grows more intense with every second.It feels like we're both starving, the passion is still there, as fiery as ever.Dean lifts me up against the wall, his lips still on mine, while I wrap my legs around his waist.After a few minutes of kissing me none stop, he gently brings me down, and striped me bare, discarding my dress and I watch his eyes darken as he stares at my body, eyes filled with admiration."You're so beautiful," his voice is hoarse and soaked in desire, he undid his button, shrugging out of his shirt, revealing a well-defined chest and sculpted abs.My eyes roams his body, exploring every fascinating inch of his chest and abdomen and then my face flushed as my eyes drifted to a certain bulge in his boxers briefs. When I look up to meet his gaze, he has a smirk.He took a single step forward and that was it, he whirls me
(Bella)The awkward silence lasted till Calvin was out of sight. I turn to look at Rihanna and she looks a little sad, her eyes pinned in the direction Calvin had taken.I clear my throat, snapping Rihanna back to reality. "Is everything okay?" I say, my eyebrows lifting in question.She forced a smile. "Oh, it's nothing," she waves it off. "How have you been, Bella. It's been such a long time," she says, her eyes lightening up again.There, she's being too obvious about changing gears but that's okay. I understand awkward moments better than most.I exhaled, offering a smile as warm as hers. "I've been great actually. It's so nice to see you," I say earnestly."Yeah," she mutters, her gaze softening. "We should catch up sometime," she says and I nod."Yeah, we should,"We talked a little more before she excused herself to join her date.As I watch her leave, I couldn't help but think about earlier, what was that?There's definitely something, it can't be nothing.Calvin looks like he