I squeal. “I can’t believe you brought me here. I love Paris.”He smiles. “I guessed. The handbag, the purse, your backpack, tee-shirts. Is there anything without the Eiffel Tower on?”I shake my head. “My parents brought the twins here for a commercial they acted in. All I asked for was to go to the Eiffel Tower.” I sigh and chew my lip, trying to hold back my emotions from the memory of that time.“They didn’t take you,” he states.Shaking my head. “Too busy.”“Well, my beautiful Scarlett. Today and tomorrow you will visit anywhere and everything you want. I have a few things in mind, but don’t hold back if you want something.” He stops andstares at me and smiles. “I’m going to give you everything. You will never want for anything ever again.”I grin, arching an eyebrow.He rears his head back, laughing. “Later. Now you have to get in the shower before I tie you to this bed and we don’t get to see anything of Paris. Don’t let me break my vow to you.”It was mid-afternoon when we lef
Epilogue - AntonThree years later…I carry my wife over the threshold of our home.I do this on every anniversary. It’s become a tradition of sorts. Today is extra special. Not only because Scarlett graduated with flying colors but also because we found out she’s six weeks pregnant with our first child.It took us a long time. But we never wavered from trying. Never cried when she got her period. We kept on with our lives, loving each other as though it would never happen.We made a plan to start IVF once she reached twenty-five years old, and also when we were going to put in a request for adoption.And then it happened without warning.We’ve already prepared the baby’s room. Opting for a neutral gray color on the walls, and we’ve commissioned an artist to paint a mural on one wall. All colors, because we don’t want to find out the sex of the baby before he or she is born.Her father is desperate for a boy in the family.It took him some time to get used to us being together. He was
Epilogue - ScarlettOne year later…“He’s so strong,” he says as he bounces our baby son in his arms. I stroke over my baby’s rosy cheek and see Anton’s little finger going a shade of red, with Caleb's tiny finger wrapped around it.He’s nearly three months old now, and we’re at Jade and Max’s house. They’re having a party for their second daughter, Belle. She turned one-year-old today.“It’s all your fault, beautiful girl,” I say to my gorgeous niece, Ella. She is nearly four now and smiling in my arms. While Jade runs around and keeps her guests happy.“You shouldn’t be lifting anything,” Anton growls in my ear.I probably shouldn’t be.It seems my body was ready to get pregnant the moment Anton and I started making love again after having Caleb. Because I’m six weeks pregnant with our second child.Ella wants to go down the moment she sees the candles flicker with flames. “Let’s get some cake.”Her little legs run to the table her mum is at.Anton puts his arm around my shoulder, a
BLURB**Mr. Parker is my dad’s best friend but the alpha male's eyes have been following me.Mr. Parker is my dad’s buddy from way back when. They do everything together, poker games, playing tennis, and taking us on family vacations. And when my parents invited Mr. Parker to the cabin for a weekend, it was perfect, I couldn’t have been more excited to see the handsome male.But something’s different this year.Because Mr. Parker has been watching me.His eyes trail my curves, wandering over the hills and valleys.And last time I caught him, he didn’t look away!Is that wrong? But if so, then why do I feel so tingly inside?chapter 1 Mandy“Oh crap,” I muttered, stumbling to the cabin. My family has a place in the Poconos, something my grandparents left us after they passed. Each year, we come here to swim, relax, and generally have a good time in each other’s company.Except I’d just stepped in some unnamed gunk on the path to the front door. Typical Mandy. I’d only just gotten here and
RobertI didn’t mean to look. It just happened. I’d pulled up to the Jones’s driveway, Porsche humming quietly. Bending down to pick up something from the passenger side, I hadn’t thought twice. But looking up, suddenly Mandy was there, in those short as shit shorts and too-tight tee.Shit. Mandy. Mandy, my buddy’s daughter, for crying out loud.When she was a kid, it was fun and games. I’d take the little girl to play tennis, we’d go swimming in the pool together, do all sorts of favorite-uncle type stuff.But then Mandy grew up. Last time I saw her had been her high school graduation, and it’d been awkward. Awkward in a touchy-feely yet fucking awesome kind of way. Because I’d shown up at the Jones’s house, graduation gift in hand, and the girl who opened the door was no longer Mandy Candy or Mandy Pandy. She was Mandy the Mancatcher. I could hardly breathe, chest going tight, cock suddenly aching.“Hi Mr. Parker, is that for me?” she smiled sweetly, reaching for the box. Frozen, I
MandyI tapped my toe impatiently, sitting on the stoop in front of the cabin. Where was Mr. Parker? We were supposed to meet at noon, and now he was a full thirty minutes late. I sighed again and looked around. Well, I guess there are silver linings because at least I was dried out now, no more embarrassing wet patches, although my hair was still a mess. I’d futilely tried to put on some make-up, but it was impossible. I was still me, plain ole Mandy.Well, I’m kind of me. Because the Mandy of the past, the little girl with a straight, ruler-like body has disappeared, and a curvy woman has taken her place. I’m not sure how it happened, but Mom says it practically a rite of passage for all the Jones women. We look like boys until we’re almost twenty, and then overnight, poof! We become full-figured goddesses.Because I’m not small, or even medium-sized. I’m curvy. Huge. Junk in the trunk, bumpin’ rumps, all the good stuff. I’ve got great big sassy Double Ds, and hips that swing as wid
And my mom sniffled a little more then, head bent, greying hair in a neat bob.“I know baby, I know,” said my mom. “It just happened so soon, you know? I still remember you in diapers with a poochy tummy and big smile,” she sniffled again. “But it’s not about me, today is about you. Now go down there and enjoy yourself, the first few guests have already arrived.”I smiled and hugged Linda one last time.“It’s no worries Ma, we’ll hang out over the summer and spend some quality time together, okay? We still have a couple months before I head off to college."And Linda nodded, sniffling and nodding, wiping her eyes one last time as I went down the stairs. To tell the truth, I was feeling a little weepy too. I love my parents, I’m connected at the hip to the parental units, and they mean the world to me. It’s a little freaky I know, because most teen girls are dying to get away, to establish their independence. But I guess it’s because I’m an only child. With just the three of us, Linda,
“Hi Rob,” I said, louder this time. “Thanks for coming to my party.”The big man chuckled deep in his chest, blue eyes appreciative.“Hey honey,” he rumbled, leaning over to give me a peck on the cheek. “Happy graduation, Amanda.”I blushed. God, having him so close made me hot all over, my body was going to explode just from his nearness. And oh god, this dress, it was uncomfortably tight all of a sudden and I silently cursed myself for wearing it. Why had I given into Linda’s demands? I could literally feel myself growing hot, the material scratchy, and shit, but my nipples betrayed me again. Because around Rob, it was like I’d been overtaken with all these urges. I wanted to show him everything, give him everything, let him touch wherever, kiss anywhere he wanted. The thoughts running through my mind made me blush and of course, my tits perked up stiffly, poking out like rocks, impossible to miss.Embarrassed, I turned like I was headed back into the party so he couldn’t see, calli
WhitneyThe insistent doorbell ring startles me out of sleep.Yawning, I swing a leg over the other, dragging my way out of the bed.I probably got maybe two hours of sleep. It took me forever to close my eyes last night, after the heartbreak Maddox put me through. I was restless, fidgety, and devastated. All the words he told me about falling for me meant nothing.If he was really invested, he wouldn’t use the first obstacle to dip out.It was my dad, but what else could it have been? Would he have used just a different excuse later on?A part of me wants to believe he has strong feelings for me, butdoesn’t wantto have them. He acted like he succumbed to it, but maybe he’s still fighting it. This isn’t a fight I can do for him.I’m aware of my love. But his? He has to own it.Sighing, I run into the bathroom, wash my eyes quickly. They’re still a bit puffy from all the late-night crying, but the doorbell keeps reminding me there’s someone out there who’s probably not a mail carrier d
She fishes her phone from her pocket. “Do you want to schedule a post about hmmm, the pictures you were tagged on?”“No. I couldn’t care less at this point. I wasn’t doing anything illegal. I was on a date with my boyfriend.”She puts her phone back in her pocket, then looks at me with a flicker of surprise in her blue eyes. “Boyfriend? Thisisa soap opera. I usually don’t enjoy them, but it’s different when you know the main characters.”I roll my eyes. I bet I’d enjoy it too if I wasn’t one of the main characters. “Talk to you tomorrow, Astrid,” I say, and turn around. I beeline to his table, shoulders straight and heart pumping its way up my throat.“Whitney,” he says when I slide into the booth and sit across from him.“What happened with Dan?” I ask, the professional in me not wanting personal things to take priority. Even if my nerves are pulsing through invisible knots right now. I keep my hand under the table, tapping my fingers on my lap, fidgeting.A flash of anger sparks in
WhitneyI walk into the club,and the first thing I see is Astrid on the corner. Why didn’t she text me back?I dash over to her, my gaze scanning for signs of Dan and Maddox, but because there are a few more patrons than usual, and I can’t find either. Thank goodness for Astrid’s hair color and bold fashion choices making her easy to find in a crowd.“What’s up?” I ask her.She peels her gaze from her phone then tilts her head at me. “Did you see your dad as you walked in? He just left.”My dad? I thought he was with his team on the opposite side of the property. Busy. “No.”“Maybe he took the other exit… the emergency one that leads right out of the hotel.”My shoulders sag. Shit. Does my dad already know? I thought I’d buy some time, at least a couple of hours until he found out. I need to get to Maddox first, before Dad talks to him. Or maybe I’m too late already. Apprehension sweeps over me. I stand in front of her, finding it hard to sit, my body restless. “What’s going on?”“Wel
He’s a coward.Anger rises in me again, and I reach my drink and take it to my lips.I’m enjoying it when I see Charles walk up to me. He’s told me he’d be working with his team until late on a small gathering they’re throwing the next day for people of the trade. I wave at him, and he comes to my table with a determined expression, and long strides like he knows what he’s looking for. Who he’s looking for.My gut clenches. Something isn’t right.Was Dan an ass to him too, on the way back? Did Dan say anything bad about Whitney?Or did a bastard like me do something bad to Whitney?Like fuck her, again and again? I feel color draining from my face, and when Charles gets on the table with a disappointed look on his face, I already know it.“You jerk! I trusted you all those years. My daughter, really?” Charles says, flushed.My throat is dry and tight.Somehow he found out, and denying it will only make him angrier.Guilt crawls its way into my chest, and it’s hard to breathe. How can I
Maddox“And this is where guests and locals come for drinks and music,” I say, gesturing as we emerge into the club. I see quite a few more patrons than the past few weeks, which shows me that Whitney’s efforts have worked. We’ve had more visitors and increased sales. Always a plus.I’d be a lot happier if it weren’t for the company.My body is still stiff, as I had to go through an entire dinner with Dan Walters who happens to be almost as annoying as he is misogynistic. I guess it’s been a while since I last sat through a meal with the guy. We’re not friends, and I’ve met him in social events and basically small talked.I want to give him the benefit of the doubt and say maybe the reason why he’s been talking about women nonstop and not under the best light is because of his divorce. Maybe he’s broken, and feels more powerful if he’s bragging about all the pussy he’s getting.But the cynical part of me knows better.This guy is a certified douchebag, and I hope Astrid can get a good
WhitneyI strideinto the hotel lobby.Right now, Dan Walters the politician should be having dinner with Maddox. Maybe dinner is already over and they’re touring the hotel. Astrid is there in the club, ready to snap a couple of pictures as planned, and then send it to a gossip columnist friend of ours.If this was another client, I wouldn’t be here. My presence isn’t required since Astrid is here, as per her text.But I am shamelessly using every excuse in the book to be around Maddox, to see him more often, to spend more time with him.Ever since our ax throwing date, I can’t stop thinking about how far we’ve come. From him avoiding me for years to hinting about having children together one day. Who would have thought?A ball of joy rolls inside me, like a bowling ball running down the lane. Striking out.I add a little bit more pep to my step, and my goal is to pass by the restaurant and see them without introducing myself. But before I make it there, I almost bump into them, with b
Maddox“Your turn,”she says, handing me the ax.I hold the weight of the tool, and clasp it. This is the first time visiting an ax throwing joint, and if at first the idea seemed silly at best, now I’m actually enjoying myself. Then again, why wouldn’t I? For the past few days, we’ve been together non-stop, or as much as our schedules allow.Still, it doesn’t feel like it’s enough.I shoot the damn thing at the target, hitting it right at buzz’s eye. She squeals, cheering me on, then takes a sip of her beer.She’s invited me here because she needed to come for an appearance and check out the place, take some pictures, then post about it later. So even though this should technically be work, it’s still relaxing. At least, to me.Besides, I get to see how she fills those skintight jeans and plaid shirt she’s wearing. I’ve seen how a couple of men looked at her, and wanted to punch each one.Though I know she’s mine.Mine forever.A warm glow flows through me, spreading into my veins. Wh
“Maybe,” Maddox says, then clears his throat. “I hate to cut this short, but I have some phone calls I need to make soon.”“Oh, sure, no problem,” Dad says, then stands. We’ll leave you to it.”I hold the arms of the chair and am about to surge to my feet, when his gaze connects with mine and pins me to the spot.“I still have a question for you, Whitney,” Maddox says. “About the posting you’ll do later.”“Sure,” I say, and plop down on the chair again.Dad leaves and closes the door behind him.Quietly, Maddox stands and walks up to the door, and locks it. “You’re upset,” he says, picking a chair next to mine and sitting.I cross my legs, then uncross them and cross them again. “What? No,” I say in a hissy voice that betrays my words. I’m upset, and also embarrassed for being upset about him not acknowledging he’s seeing someone to my father. And maybe a tad jealous. What if Dad really tries to find him a date? My heart lurches. The idea of him with another woman gives me instant aci
“There you are,” my dad says, walking up to us, bursting that bubble.I withdraw as if I’ve been burned.“Hey, Dad,” I say in an extra chipper voice. “What’s up?”“Can we all meet at the conference room for a quick meeting? I have some news to share.”I have some too, I say inwardly.I slept with your best friend and can’t wait to do it again.A twinge of guilt twists at my heart, like the sharp end of a new blade. My dad doesn’t deserve to be hurt in all this, but would his hurt last? Besides the immediate surprise, would he really put up a long lasting fight against our relationship? I doubt it.Dad isn’t the typical father.He tends to be more open minded than most. Growing up, I always kept a channel of communication open with him. I confided in him about tiffs with friends, dates gone wrong, and when things started to happen for me as a digital influencer, he was my biggest cheerleader. He encouraged me and my dreams.The thoughts keep me busy as the three of us walk through the h