Sunday (Timeless Series #7) (16 page)

“You look hot, by the way.”

“You’re just saying that.” I couldn’t face him. I was too embarrassed.

“I’m really not.” He grabbed my shoulders and turned me around slowly. Then he grabbed my hand and pressed it into his crotch. “Definitely not just saying that.”

“I still look goofy as hell.”

“Not in the least. But I admit you do look just as good in other things.”

“Like what?” I had no idea what he talking about.

He opened one of my drawers and pulled out one of his t-shirts. “Nothing beats a boyfriend’s shirt.” He tossed it on the bed beside me. “And it’s cheaper than the fortune you spent on that.”

“The girl at the store talked me into buying it…”

“I really like it. But maybe we should use it some other time…down the road.”

“Yeah?”

He cupped my face and forced my look on him. “I want you—just you. I don’t want some hot supermodel look alike. I want you just as yourself, with no make up, a baggy t-shirt, and that look of love in your eyes. That gets me hot like nothing else.”

“I thought if I dressed like this we could power through and you wouldn’t think about—”

“I don’t want to power through. If anything, I want to slow down. And I don’t think about anything but you anyway. When will you start believing that?”

I looked down because I didn’t have an answer.

He pressed a quick kiss to my neck. “Change. I’ll try to salvage the dinner.” He walked out and shut the door behind him.

Feeling just as embarrassed as before, I changed into the oversized t-shirt and washed the make up from my face. He said I looked sexy, which increased my confidence, but he also knew I was trying too hard. In the event of trying to push this relationship forward I may have pushed it back.

***

When Kyle dropped the bag he spilled the food everywhere and it couldn’t be saved. So we ordered a pizza instead. It wasn’t as delicious as the Chinese food we originally ordered, but it would do.

Kyle draped his arm over the couch and gently rubbed the back of my neck. “All of the attorneys at my office are booked up with cases so I may have to take on some clients.”

“You can’t just turn them away?”

“I feel weird doing that. If they come to us for legal help we should be there. But I’ve never been in this situation before, where all my attorneys aren’t available.”

“Maybe you should hire more people?”

“I think I may have to. But I hate the process…all the interviews and resumes.” He pointed a fake gun to his head and pulled the trigger. “So much reading and they all say the same bullshit.”

“Why don’t you have someone else do it?”

“I like to know who I’m paying. So I have to do it.”

“In Manhattan there are probably some pretty good applicants.”

“Like, a million,” Kyle said. “And that’s the problem.”

I snuggled into his side and wrapped my arm around his hard waist. The empty pizza box sat on the table, only the crumbs left behind.
America’s Funniest Home Videos
was on the TV but I wasn’t paying attention to it. “I love the way you smell.”

“Strange compliment, but I’ll take it.” He kissed my forehead and kept watching TV.

“It makes me feel good. I can’t explain it.”

“No, I know what you mean.”

I looked up into his face and saw him looking down at me. After enough hours passed my confidence had returned after the lingerie incident. Now I wanted to feel him, just like we did in the kitchen the other day.

I sucked up my courage and straddled his hips, my hair falling down my shoulders and toward his face.

His hands immediately went to my thighs, where they normally rested.

My hands slowly guided up his chest until I reached his shoulders. The muscles of his body always got me aroused. I loved how fit and strong he was. I loved his natural power and strength. He had the body of a warrior but the heart of a child.

Within a minute I felt his hard-in form underneath me. It was like a tree log poking me in the inner thigh. The touch aroused me even more. Even when I felt the least sexy, he found me attractive.

I pressed my chest to his and kissed him slowly. The TV was loud in the background, the audience laughing at a video with a cat in it. Without breaking our embrace, Kyle turned down the volume with the remote and continued to kiss me. His hand returned to my thigh a moment later, gently feeling me.

My hands dug into his hair as I deepened our kiss, and I felt the ecstasy all over my body. I was hot and cold at the same time, feeling everything a person could feel at one time.

His hands moved to my hips then my stomach, gripping me tightly. His hips rocked slightly, his hard-on rubbing against me through his jeans.

Our kiss went on for nearly thirty minutes until I reached a new point of arousal. My body was burning hot and desperate for more than just his kiss. I wanted to go further tonight, finally make love and move on with our lives. I was so turned on that I knew it could happen. “Let’s go in my room.”

Kyle left the couch with my body wrapped around his. With perfect ease he carried me into his bedroom and placed me on the mattress. His body immediately covered mine and he kissed me with more excitement.

My hands worked his clothes, removing his jeans and his shirt. I stripped him down until he was naked, hot and hard. He did the same to me, getting me down to my panties before he removed those too.

I wrapped my legs around his waist then grabbed his dick and pointed it at my entrance, telling him I was ready for something more than just kissing.

But instead of sliding inside he pulled his hips away.

“I think I’m ready.”

He placed a kiss between the valley of my breasts before he looked me in the eye. “Don’t rush it.”

“I’m not—”

“You are.” He dug one hand into my hair. “This isn’t something you can just rush and get through. It doesn’t work like that.”

Then when would I be ready?

He answered my unspoken question. “I’ll know.”

“How?” He knew me better than anyone but he still couldn’t read my mind.

“Trust me. I’ll just know.”

“I don’t think that’s something you can just detect.”

“Not for anyone else. But for me, I can. Just relax and be yourself. When the time is right, I’ll handle everything.”

It was a strange thing to say, but I knew I needed to start trusting him. I had the greatest guy in the world right in front of me, and I needed to appreciate him more. “Okay.”

When I finally agreed he smiled. “Thank you.” He scooted down and widened my legs, his lips immediately moving to mine. His tongue did something amazing to my clitoris and I immediately dug my nails into the sheets.

“Oh god…” My back naturally arched and I held back the scream.

“I’ve wanted to do this for a long time.”

And now I wanted him to do it for a
long time
. “Kyle…”

He pressed his face further into me and did amazing things. All I could understand was how good it felt. Everything else faded into the background. My hands moved from the sheets to his forearms, and I dug my nails into his skin. I knew what was about to happen and my body was never prepared for it. It was a crescendo of sensations, and it rocked me every single time.

Kyle moved up my body until we were face-to-face. His hand moved to my clitoris and he rubbed it aggressively, looking me in the eye as he did it. Then he kissed me slowly, the taste of myself on his lips.

The feel of his lips against mine and the aggressive way he touched me sent me over the edge. I felt my body tighten painfully before the blissful release. I’d been so hard up from all the kissing we did, and now my entire being was grateful for the explosion. It seemed to go on forever because Kyle dragged it out as long as possible. His fingers continued to work my clitoris, and even when my mouth widened to scream, he still kissed me in the most seductive way imaginable.

“Oh god…” When the orgasm passed my nails stopped cutting into his forearms and I felt logic descend. I looked into his eyes knowing my face was still slack and unexpressive.

The desire was still heavy on his face, like he got his own kick from watching my show. “You’re beautiful when you come.”

Instantly, my cheeks reddened. I knew he’d been watching me, but at the moment I didn’t care. Now I did. I became self-conscious and a bit doubtful.

“It was hot.” My legs were still open to him so he grabbed my hips and shifted me against him before he pulled the covers over us.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting ready for bed.”

I wasn’t the kind of girl to be selfish in bed. It’d been a long time since I had a physical relationship but I knew that, at least. I pulled the covers down again and moved toward him.

He grabbed my shoulder and gently guided me back against the mattress. “I’m fine. I’m paying you back for that little performance you did last week.”

“You’re still hard.”

“I’m always hard around you.” He set the alarm on my nightstand then turned off the light. “So, that doesn’t mean anything.” He cuddled into me, his large arms wrapping around me like bent cages.

“Well…thank you.”

He chuckled. “You’re welcome. But you don’t need to thank me. Believe me, I enjoyed it.”

“No. I mean, thank you for being so patient and understanding…” No other guy would put up with my issues. They’d all leave the second they knew the truth. Kyle was a hero in my eyes.

His face softened immediately. “I’d wait forever for you, sweetheart.”

“I’ll never understand why you love me so much.”

His fingers glided through my hair slowly and pulled the strands from my face. The concentrated expression told me he was about to say something. Even his lips parted. But then they abruptly closed again and he fell silent. His fingers trailed across my cheek and his thumb rested in the corner of my mouth. “One day you will.”

Babysitting

Kyle

I was sitting at home during the day when I got an unexpected call from Hawke.

“Hey. Are you ready to go over the plans for the new office?”

He barked into the phone. “Busy right now?”

“Uh, I’m at home. Why?”

A crying baby sounded in the background. “Axel is in California for a conference, Marie is sick, and I have a really important meeting to get to. Can I drop off Suzie for a few hours?”

Here? With me
? “I’ve got to be honest. I don’t know anything about kids.”

“That’s fine. Just make sure she doesn’t get hurt for two hours.”

“Uh…”

“Are you going to help me out or what?”

“What about Frankie?”

“She’s in the middle of making a wedding cake. She can’t handle Suzie right now.”

Was I the only option?
“You don’t have any other friends?”

“Why are you being a dick right now?” he asked. “Is Frankie your friend or what? You go to her every week for advice and help with Rose. You’re really going to leave us hanging?”

When he put it like that I did feel like an ass. “I don’t mind helping you. I just don’t have any experience with kids. Are you sure you want to leave your newborn baby with me? Some guy?”

“You aren’t some guy,” he growled into the phone. “And is that a yes?”

It was only for two hours. I could handle that, right? “Yeah.”

“I’ll be there in five minutes.”

***

Hawke set the car seat on the ground with Suzie inside of it, and handed me the backpack full of diapers, bottles, and toys. “I’ll be back in two hours.”

“What do I do with her?” I eyed her in the car seat. She was kicking her feet slightly with a smile on her face.

“She’s not an alien,” he snapped. “Just sit with her. Play with her.”

“What if she’s hungry?”

“Surely, you know how to give her a bottle.”

“What if she poops?”

“Change her diaper.”

“Do I look like I know how to do that?”

“Have you heard of YouTube?” He eyed his watch. “Look, I’ve got to go. Call me if you have a problem—not Frankie.” He kneeled down and gave his daughter a kiss. His voice completely changed when he spoke to her. “Daddy will be right back. Love you.”

She reached out with her small hand and grabbed his nose.

Hawke chuckled then kissed her small fingers. “Uncle Kyle will take good care of you.” He rose to his feet and headed to the door. “Good luck.”

“Thanks.” I watched him go then redirected my eyes to Suzie.

She stared at me blankly, like she had no idea who I was.

“So…”

The same blank stare.

“Are you hungry or anything?”

She kicked her feet.

“Um, what do you want to do?”

She farted.

I tried not to laugh. “Well, let’s watch TV.” I picked up the car seat and placed it on the coffee table. I turned the car seat so she faced me and I started watching TV again.

She stared at me and giggled from time-to-time.

“Babies aren’t too hard…” They just sat there quietly. When she wasn’t crying it was pretty nice. And if I were lucky enough she wouldn’t poop or pee so I didn’t have to change her diaper. My house would reek for a week.

Someone knocked on the door.

Was it Hawke?
“Who’s there?”

“It’s me.” Rose opened the door with a bag of take-out on her arm. “I thought I’d bring your lunch.”

My life lit up like it always did when she walked in. “Free food and free service? This is starting to be a pretty good day.”

She smiled then set the food on the table. That’s when she noticed Suzie. “Uh…who’s this?”

“Oh.” I turned back to Suzie and gave her foot a gentle pinch. “This is Suzie.”

“And who does she belong to…?”

“She’s Hawke and Francesca’s daughter.” I carried Suzie to the kitchen and placed her on the table. “Hawke asked me to watch her for a few hours.”

Rose looked into the car seat and smiled. “Awe. She’s so cute.”

“I know.”

She peered her head inside then gently tickled Suzie’s stomach. “Adorable.”

“She’s quiet too. Haven’t heard a peep from her since she arrived.”

“I’m sure that will change,” she said with a chuckle.

“I’m glad you’re here. Now you can babysit her.”

“Whoa, hold on.” She turned to me and raised her finger. “They asked
you
to watch her, not me.”

“But since you’re here you may as well take over.” I wrapped my arm around her waist and gave her a kiss.

Like always, she melted and forgot about our argument.

“So, what did you bring me?”

“Sandwiches.”
              “Awesome. You’re the perfect girlfriend.”

“Because I bring you food?” she asked incredulously.

“Let me explain something to you. Men are very easy to understand. As long as you keep them fed, they’ll be happy and stick around.”

“How romantic…”

I shrugged in guilt. “It’s the truth.” I sat down with my food and began to eat.

She took the seat beside me and took a few bites of her vegetarian sandwich while looking at Suzie. “I didn’t realize you were so close to Hawke and Frankie—enough to babysit.”

“I’m not. Hawke said he had nowhere else to take her. His sister-in-law is sick, and Frankie is busy.”

“They don’t have family?” she asked.

“Well, I don’t think Hawke does. Not sure. He never talks about it. I know Francesca’s grandmother is around but since she got remarried she’s been doing a lot of traveling.”

“What about Francesca’s parents?”

I shook my head in response.

Rose caught onto my meaning and remained silent. “Well, since you agreed once they’ll probably ask you again.”

“If she’s cute and quiet like this I don’t mind.”

“You’ll have to change her diaper eventually.”

“That’s what you’re here for, woman.”

She threw a chip at me. “You’re lucky I know you’re joking.”

“Or am I?” I wiggled my eyebrows.

She threw another chip at me.

“Keep it up and you won’t be getting any action from me,” I warned.

“Is that really a threat?” she asked with a laugh.

“Yep. My face won’t be between your legs.”

She rolled her eyes but didn’t throw another chip at me. And that told me everything I needed to know.

***

Rose changed Suzie’s diaper and cleaned her up. “That wasn’t so bad.”

I grabbed the dirty diaper by the very tip then shoved into a plastic bag. I tied up the ends into an unbreakable knot before I threw it in my garbage. I was breathing through my mouth the entire time. “Yuck.”

“Your mom changed your diaper. I bet it wasn’t yuck then.”

“Of course not. My poop smelled good.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m sure.” She fixed Suzie’s clothes before she returned her to the car seat.

I came back into the living room and sat on the floor beside Rose. “I’ll need you on baby duty if I have to watch her again.”

“What will you do when you have kids?” she asked. “Just let the woman do it?”

I didn’t like the way she spoke of our future. She acted like there was a possibility that I would be married to someone else, have kids with someone else. Rose was the woman I was going to marry. Did she not feel the same way? Was she not there yet? “I can tell you’ll be a great mother. I won’t have to do anything.”

She turned to me, surprise and anger on her face. “Yes, you will have to do things. And I’m going to let that comment go because of what you said right before.”

“And what was that?”

“That you want me to be the mother of your children…”

“No. You
will
be the mother of my children.” I had that faith, that foresight. Unfortunately, she didn’t. Hopefully one day she’ll have the same belief.

***

“How was she?” The second the door was open, Hawke headed into the living room and picked up Suzie from the car seat. He held her in his arms and against his chest with his eyes directed on her exclusively. Wearing a black suit and tie, he looked like an enormous giant with a tiny baby. “Sorry Daddy was gone for so long.” He rocked her slightly and held her tiny hand in his.

“Oh my god,” Rose whispered. “That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”

“What?”

“How much he loves his daughter.”

“All dads love their daughters.”

“But he’s so stern and stiff all the time. It’s cute that he’s not like that with her.”

“I guess.” I still didn’t see it.

Hawke returned Suzie to the car seat then packed up her things. “Does she need a diaper change?”

“Rose took care of it,” I answered.

Hawke carried Suzie’s car seat back to the door. “She’s a keeper, Kyle.”

“I know.”
But I already knew that.

“Thanks for watching her,” Hawke said.

“Anytime.” I said that too quickly. “Anytime Rose is here. I don’t exactly understand babies just yet.”

“Whatever,” Rose said. “Kyle was great with her.”

Hawke shook my hand. “You really helped me out today. If you need anything let me know.”

“I’m pretty sure I’m paying you back for the favor you already gave me.”

He chuckled. “I guess so. Are you guys doing anything tonight?”

Probably just full around.
“Nothing exciting. What about you?”

“Francesca and I don’t have any plans. How about the four of us have dinner?”

Hawke just asked me on a double date?
“For real?”

“Yes,” he said with a smirk. “For real.”

“Uh…sure.” I spent time with Francesca all the time. All four of us being together shouldn’t be weird.

“That’d be great,” Rose said. “We could see Suzie more.”

“I’ll talk to my wife and let you know.” He walked out with Suzie on his arm. “See ya.”

“See ya.” I waved then shut the door.

“He’s such a good father,” Rose said. “He’s so sweet.”

“He used to be a goblin.”

“A what?” she blurted.

“When Frankie and I were dating he was a nightmare. We were close to ripping each other’s heads off.”

“It looks like you got over that.”

“Thankfully.” Now that time seemed like a lifetime ago.

“I think it’s nice that the three of you can be friends. Not many exes can do that.”

The only reason why Francesca and I started talking again was because of Rose, but she didn’t need to know that. “We’re both in such different places now. She’s happily married, and I’m happy with you.”

“I think it’s great.”

“So, what should we do before dinner?” I asked.

She shrugged. “What do you want to do?”

I wanted to make out and get naked—what I always wanted to do. “Let’s watch a movie.”

“Okay.”