Heart on Fire (22 page)

Kyle shut Cherish’s bedroom door and followed Mila into her room. “You know, Kyle,” she walked back to the bed, stripping clothes off as she went, “you’re amazing with Cherish. I never wished I’d done anything differently that night, but now I do.”

He smiled back, pulling off his clothes as he stalked her across the room. “I wanted to know your name. I wanted your number. I wanted that mask off. I thought maybe I’d get it off sometime before you woke, but you beat me to it. I always wondered if you regretted that night. I didn’t.”

“I never regretted it. I wish I’d let you take my mask off. But I was afraid you would throw my whole world upside down, and I would roll over and let you rip apart everything I’d built.” She shrugged, losing some of her confidence. “Other than me bailing, I wouldn’t change a single moment.”

“Neither would I.” He laid her down on the bed and crawled up her body. As they made eye contact, she knew beyond all doubt she belonged with him.

Mila rolled him over, climbing on top, and slid over him until he met her end.

“So damned good. And to think Mr. Slate thinks you’re frigid.” He groaned as she rose up only to rock back down.

“Let him think that. Maybe he’ll leave me alone now.”

“I don’t know, he saw the way you kissed me. He’s probably dreaming about it right now, because you have a mouth right out of a wet dream.” He grabbed her head and pulled her in for a deep wet kiss then rolled her over, craving control. Kneeling, he took ankles and placed her calves on his shoulders as he drove into her hard, watching the way her exquisite breasts bounced with each stroke. “So beautiful, Mila.”

“Mmm, you don’t need to flatter me, you’re already in me, a part of me,” she panted as her body undulated.

“You are though,” he groaned as he came, bringing her with him. They collapsed on the bed in a heap.

“Tell me you’ll stay tonight, and not sneak out before tomorrow.” She whispered the last, “Unless it’s too weird.”

“I’ll stay, at least until you leave,” he promised. “In fact, when I can move, I’ll go grab a change of clothes. If you won’t miss me too much.”

She smiled, feeling at home with him. “I sleep better in your arms.”

“I sleep better with you in my arms, love.”

Chapter 27

By the next day, most of Mila’s doubts were gone. Kyle had filled her days and nights with love and happiness, washing away most of the fear. Then the results came in at lunchtime.

It took her ten minutes to work up the courage to open the envelope. Tears filled her eyes as the results confirmed what she already knew.

She was tempted to call Paul and give him a big fat fuck you, but didn’t. Vance had told her it was better to let the results speak for themselves, and she agreed.

Vance was the one who delivered the envelope, but he didn’t stay long. He did invite her, Cherish, and Kyle, to dinner that weekend. She didn’t expect him to be his father’s age, but he was an old friend of the family.

When she tried to call Kyle with the good news, he didn’t answer. He had errands to run on his day off. As much as she hated waiting to hear from him, she knew she would.

* * * *

Mila didn’t hear from Kyle before she left to pick up Cherish, and that sucked, but she understood. He wasn’t home either, but he told her he had a lot to take care of while she was at work.

No reason to stress.
Not that her mental reminder helped at all. Her hands trembled, her heart fluttered, and she was sick to her stomach.
What-if, what-if, what-if,
dancing around her head.

Mila offered Cherish a smile. “Let’s go change out of your favorite dress, and then we can go down to the park for a while.”

Her head bobbled. “Okay. Can we invite Jenny?”

“Of course, baby. Go change and we’ll stop by on the way.”

Mila’s hands shook as she changed into jeans and a t-shirt. What if something happened to him? What if there was an accident? What if…

She squeezed her eyes shut to ward off fear she had no reason to feel. Ash batted at her hand with a mewling sound. When she picked him up, he nuzzled her face with a purr.

A slight smile graced her lips. Finding courage, Mila walked down the stairs, and found her daughter opening the front door.

Kyle stood there with a big smile and a pink bouquet of roses. “I thought you might like these,” Kyle presented the flowers to Cherish, who smiled up at him with big, pale blue eyes. “Oh, thank you! You’re sweet. And they smell pretty.”

“Cherish, honey, why don’t you get a vase and some water? They’re under the sink,” Mila prodded, and Cherish bounced into the kitchen.

“Vance told you?” she whispered.

He nodded. “I wanted to call, but it’s been a crazy day. I was hoping we could tell her. If you are ready, of course?”

Her heart stuttered as she nodded, trying to fight back tears of joy. “Very. You want to do it?” He nodded, and she grinned. “Okay, you’re up. I think she’s going to be happy.”

Cherish came skipping out with the vase. “Here.”

Mila arranged the flowers and set the vase on the table.

* * * *

Kyle took a breath, got down on his knees, and took his little girl’s hands. “I have something important to tell you.”

“Okay,” Cherish smiled, her head tilting eagerly.

“I’m your daddy.” Cherish lit up, and he rambled on. “We didn’t know right away, and one day we’ll explain the whole story, but you don’t have to call me daddy until you’re ready.”

“Really? I had a dream you were.” Cherish threw her arms around his neck. “Does that mean you’ll stay with Mommy forever? You make her happy too.”

“Yes, baby. I’m never leaving as long as you want me.” Tears flooded his eyes. He was so full of joy he could burst. “That’s up to you and your mom though.”

“I’m so excited!” She squeezed tighter, and Mila knelt down, putting her arms around both of them. “Are you happy, Mommy?”

“Yes, baby, very.” Kyle freed one arm to pull Mila into the hug. “You’ll see a lot more of Kyle. Are you okay with that?”

“Very okay, and my dad’s cooler than Brian’s.” Cherish grinned, obviously pleased with the news. “Can I tell Jenny?”

Mila smiled and looked to him with a nod. Kyle grinned and kissed his little girl’s cheek, “Go ahead.”

“Are we still going to the park?”

“Sure.” She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Jenny’s number, handing over the phone. Cherish traipsed off to the kitchen to sit at the counter.

Kyle stood up, pulled Mila to her feet, and into a hug. “Were you on your way out?”

“You weren’t here,” she whispered, feeling stupid for freaking out. “I was getting paranoid, the what-ifs swirling through my head. So, to get my mind off what could go wrong, I was going to go by Cadence’s, to see if she wanted to take Jenny to the park.” With a weak smile, she shrugged. “So we may have company.”

“I had to take care of a few things, and then I needed to get flowers. I’m sorry I didn’t call, but don’t ever worry I will leave, because I’m not letting you go.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

“You do realize that I’ll want to spend all my free time with my two favorite girls. And we will have to tell people. Are you going to be okay with the questions that are no doubt going to come?”

“Yes, I hope it doesn’t affect my job.”

“It won’t. You aren’t the only single parent teacher, and if it was going to affect your job, it would have from the beginning. You are too good a teacher for the school to lose. I guarantee you’ll be fine, sweetheart.”

Cherish skipped into the living room and cheered, “Jenny’s ready. She’s excited.”

“Then let’s go,” Mila grinned.

* * * *

Kyle stood off to the side with Gavin and Cadence while they watched their girls play. Mila sat on a park bench trying to decide what to tell her mother when her phone rang. She groaned, because she didn’t recognize the number. There was only one person it could be.

“Yes?” was all she offered by way of greeting, when she wanted to yell at him to go to hell.

Paul’s voice was fueled with rage. “Congratulations, you’re a slut.”

Mila managed a calm tone. “Whatever I am, I’m happy I never have to deal with you again. You have no tie to me or my daughter. My lawyer put in a no contact order which is already approved. So don’t call again.”

She hung up and decided on calling her mother before she talked herself out of it.

Kyle joined her as the phone rang. He was obviously concerned, but didn’t say anything.

It only rang twice, “Mila, I’m so glad you called. How did the results come out? Were you right?” her mother asked, sounding awfully upset.

She tried to keep the bitterness out of her voice, but failed. “Of course I was right. I told you she couldn’t be Paul’s, but I’m mainly calling to tell you my amazing news. At least for me. I’m sure you’ll find some fault, but it’s not your decision to make.”

“You won’t disappoint me. You never have.”

If only that were true. “I found Cherish’s father, like I told you, and we’re together. It’s serious, we love each other.”

“Mila, if I could go back, I would never have told Paul about Cherish. I was desperate to have you home.”

“Mom, I am at home now. Your place hasn’t been home in a long time.”

“It could have been,” she argued weakly.

“No. I needed you to stop interfering with my life. I didn’t need to have a man pushed at me every time I turned around.”

There was a note of confusion in her voice. “But you love a man now?”

Mila rubbed her temples. “That’s not the point. Kyle and I developed naturally. It wasn’t forced or coerced. It’s real, and yes, I’m in love.” She closed her eyes to hold back the tears. “Can you be happy for me?”

She heard her mother sniffle. “Yes, of course. I just want you well cared for.”

“I am, Mama. Very.”

“Can I meet him?”

“Mason’s coming out in a few weeks. Maybe you can come around that time?”

“Sounds good. I miss my babies.”

Mila couldn’t repress the laugh. “Mom, we haven’t been babies in ages.”

“You’ll always be my baby, Mila. I’m sorry I caused such a mess. I didn’t realize my mistake until it was too late.” Her mother sniffled.

“I appreciate the intent, but Mom, my path might not have been the one you would choose, but that doesn’t matter because I wound up where I need to be. I have a great life, wonderful friends, and now an incredible man. Sure, I did a few things out of order, but I couldn’t ask for better, so please, accept my decisions.”

“Okay, I won’t doubt you anymore, you always do so well for yourself. I shouldn’t have called Paul. I didn’t realize he was still married, and he let me think he wasn’t. That he might want you back.”

“Yeah, well that’s cleared up. Here’s the thing though, Paul and I were never going to work out. We wanted completely different things. I didn’t love him, and we always fought. So this is better. A million times better. Trust me on that, please.”

“I do, I love you, honey.”

“Love you too. Call me when you figure out your travel plans. I can’t wait for you to meet Kyle.”

“Bye, baby.” Her mom hung up and she leaned into Kyle’s embrace.

“You okay?” he asked sincerely.

“Yeah, uh, you’re okay with meeting my mother too, right?”

“Of course. My dad can’t stop asking about you. He’s excited to meet you both.”

She fought back tears, determined not to fall apart at how sweet he was, not here, not in public. “I can’t wait.” He filled her full of love. “How about staying the night with us? And if you want, we can talk about the future after she goes to sleep.”

“You’ve got yourself a deal, little devil.” He kissed her neck, squeezing her tight. “You’ve filled in all the empty spaces in my life, Mila.”

“You do the same for me,” she whispered back.

Gavin and Cadence came to sit down with them.

Cadence grinned. “You two are perfect together. We’re thrilled for you both.”

“Yeah, Kyle always wondered what happened to his little devil. I’m glad he finally found you again.”

“How do you think we should tell people? I mean, I don’t want to keep it a secret, but Mila is worried about her reputation and her job.”

“Please, it’s not that scandalous. The fact that she didn’t know who the father was might have raised questions when she took the job, but it didn’t. I say you tell people next week at the barbeque. Joe is throwing it this time. He wanted to make certain you were invited.” Gavin nudged Mila. “I told him Kyle would make sure you came.”

“All right.” She no longer felt like an outsider.

Chapter 28

“Time for bed, princess,” Kyle instructed Cherish. “I already told your mother I would read you a bedtime story, but do you want her up here too?” Cherish grinned over his shoulder, and he looked. Mila was standing in the doorway, with a big smile.

“I want both of you,” Cherish bubbled.

“All right then.” He scooped Ash off the floor and settled the kitten next to his daughter with a grin. “Which story do you want?”

She pointed to the book on her table and he read the first story. Cherish fell asleep before he was halfway done. He kissed her forehead, gave Ash a brief pat on the head, and followed Mila into her room.

Mila turned to face him with an expression full of love. She took his hands. “I know your house is full of work you did with your own hands. I hate not having you here, but are you sure you want us there all the time?”

“I am.” He pulled her into his arms. “I want you with me always, and you can’t be when you’re at school, or when I’m at work, but the rest of the time, I want to be with you. Here, there, anywhere. Though, I do have more room in my house. Enough for you to have an office, Cherish to have her own room, our bedroom, and a guest room.”

“Okay, we’ll talk to Cherish about it in the morning. She’ll want to paint her room pink.” Mila sighed, her nose wrinkling.