Single Mom’s Guide to Love (Guide to Love #2)

32. Maeve

32

maeve

“Maeve, I know you weren't looking for a husband, or even a boyfriend, but you sure did hit the jackpot with that one.”

I smile at Stella's statement as I look back toward the living room, where Logan, Jayce, Simon, and Emmett are all huddled around the TV, playing one of the video games Logan got Simon for Christmas.

But what I really can’t take my eyes off is Logan cuddling my niece Laney on his lap. She has taken quite a liking to the newest member of the Banks extended clan.

“Okay, now that’s an ovary buster,” Quinn says. “God, your children are going to be freaking beautiful.”

“Whoa! Slow down,” I say as I walk back into the kitchen, because she’s right, that sight was way too fucking cute. “I’m just getting the hang of being married. And being pregnant again? We haven’t even gone remotely there yet.”

“Did I hear the word pregnant?” That ridiculously hopeful voice comes from Mom, who, not shockingly, could have twenty grandchildren and still want more.

“Not yet,” I say. “Much to everyone’s surprise, this time I did not get married because I was pregnant.”

“Damnit,” Quinn says. “I owe everyone ten.”

“Excuse me?” I look around to the numerous guilty faces of my sisters, sister-in-law, and mother. “Did y’all have bets as to why we got married?”

“What were we supposed to do?” Stella asks. “Just not take guesses and try to make money off it?”

“Really, Maeve,” Quinn says as she shakes her head. “It’s like you don’t know us at all.”

I shouldn’t be shocked or surprised. If this was happening to any of my siblings, I’d not only be in on the bet, I’d be the one collecting the money.

“So are you ever going to tell us?”

Ainsley slaps Quinn’s arm, though not hard because she’s the nice one. "We said we weren't going to ask."

“She brought it up!” Quinn points to me, and I know we’re talking about my marriage, but I have a flashback to the old days of Quinn trying to pin something on me that she actually did.

“Still. She’ll tell us when she’s ready.”

Quinn looks back to me. “Maeve, it’ll just be easier if you tell us. Get it out in the open. Take that weight off your shoulders.”

Maybe it’s time. I mean, by this point, I think telling them might help things. If I keep lying they’ll come up with crazier scenarios. Or make more money off me.

Then again, my mother’s here, and I’m not sure Demetria Banks is going to appreciate certain aspects of this story.

Like she knew I was thinking about her, she weighs in. "I'm just here, not saying a word, just listening to my daughters talk. What I hear or not hear, I will take in and process the information however you would like me to."

I look back to the living room, where the men are gathered, completely unconcerned about what we’re doing. My father is napping in his recliner—you know, because he's had such a hard day holding the garbage bag for the wrapping paper to go into.

“Fine. I’m only telling this story one time, so everyone better buckle in.”

“We need wine,” Stella says.

"And snacks," Ainsley adds.

"Wait for me!” That comes from my soon-to-be sister-in-law, Charlie. “I am not missing out on this story.”

Minutes later, all of the women are huddled around the dining table, drinks and snacks in hand, like I’m about to tell them the best story they’ve ever heard.

"Spill," Quinn says. "And don't leave a thing out."

Even though my sisters know how Logan and I met, to make sure everyone is up to speed, I start at the beginning—though it’s an abbreviated version. Charlie has probably heard it already, between Simon and seeing my sister Stella every day. And my mom, well, she doesn't need to hear about my one-night slutty escapades.

What I do focus on is the situation with Josh, and repeat, or fill in gaps, of everything he’s done and asked for over the past month. His sudden marriage. Him asking for primary custody. Being unwilling to even talk out of court about going fifty-fifty, or extending his time if he really thinks I’m a horrible mother.

“I still don’t get it,” Quinn says. “Nothing about that seems like something he’d do.”

“I know,” I say. “But he’s not budging.”

“Would the courts really give him primary custody?” Ainsley asks. “You’re Jayce’s mother!”

My shoulders slump at the question. “I’m not sure. I don’t think they would, but could I take that chance? I couldn’t, so I did what I had to do. And luckily, Logan needed some help from me as well.”

A second of silence is interrupted by a loud gasp and Stella pointing at me. "Oh my God, you're a PR wife and he’s helping you keep custody!”

“Bingo,” I say. “I’m taking it that was your guess?”

She does a little shimmy in her seat as everyone around the table, including my mother, groans. “We’re going to put these winnings to some new boots I was eyeing the other day.”

“Fuck your boots. Back to the story,” Quinn says.

“Quinn Elizabeth! Language!”

“Sorry, Mom.”

She might be in her thirties. She might live in another time zone. But my mother will never not scold Quinn and her perpetual potty mouth.

“In basic terms, yes, I was a PR move for Logan. And he was a husband in a pinch for me. Your classic marriage of convenience.”

Without telling too much about why Logan needed me, as it’s not my story to tell, I fill in my family with the rest of the details—most importantly, that Josh is still fighting me for custody, even though now I’ve evened the playing field in terms of a traditional family, and that our court date is set for February.

“I can’t believe my sister is in the category of relationships for Logan Matthews as Candace Kross and Sabrina Rome,” Stella says. “This is a big day for me.”

“Glad I could be of service.”

Little chit-chat fills the table, and as I look around for people’s reactions—especially my mom’s—I see Quinn staring at me.

“What?”

“It isn’t really PR is it?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I mean, I know, but I didn’t realize I was that easy to read.

“You love him, don't you?"

Yup. Busted.

"I do.“

Wow, I said it out loud for real.

And judging by everyone’s faces, they’re just as shocked as I am about that.

"I wasn't expecting it. I didn't see it coming,” I continue. “And God knows if you would’ve told me a year ago that I'd be married to a twenty-nine-year-old billionaire, I would have laughed in your face, let alone being in love with him.”

"But you are," Ainsley says, a loving look in her eyes like she just finished reading a fairy tale. “Your smile says it all. You’re happy.”

“I am.” I can’t help but realize that now Ainsley is the second person I love who has commented that I’m smiling again. “He was unexpected, I admit. But I'm happy.”

Every woman’s face around the table softens, including the head of our family.

“Mom? Anything to add?”

She takes a second to gather her words, and when her eyes meet mine, I know that she’s one-hundred percent Team Maeve and Logan.

“I hate to rehash the past,” Mom begins. “You would’ve never married Josh if it wasn’t for getting pregnant with Jayce. And while he was a surprise, I know none of us can imagine life without him. But what I also can’t imagine is you still being married to Josh. Y’all did it for the baby, and I respected it. But you weren’t happy. Neither was he. No one ever thought it was going to work out. And that's why I never told him to call me Mom.”

She pauses for a second and glances back out into the living room where Logan is still in video game heaven with the boys. They’re loud, and screaming, and my dad is the most unbothered man on the planet.

“That man out there, though you might’ve married him for reasons that weren’t originally for love, I could tell from the second that he walked in my front door that he was somebody different. The pictures I saw of you two the other night online, I've never seen you look happier or glowing in my life. I saw my daughter in love. And that's all we ever want for our children. That’s all I ever wanted for you.”

I stand up and walk over, embracing my mom in a hug as the tears start leaking from my eyes. “Thank you.”

Before I know it, a group hug has engulfed me, with all my sisters wrapping their arms around me. The sentiment is wonderful. The love that I have for these women is unmatched. But I also can't breathe, so I need this to stop.

“All right, air is necessary.” My message gets across as everyone walks away while laughing and dabbing tears from their eyes. “I do, though, want to apologize to all of you. I hated having to keep the reasons quiet and not be completely honest.”

Quinn shakes her head. “You did what you had to do.”

Stella follows. “Like you always do.”

Just when I think we’re done, Mom clears her throat. “Yes, you did. You’re a fighter, and you do what you need to do to protect your family.”

“I feel a but coming on…”

“You’re right.” Demetria Banks is nothing if predictable. “But if this is going to be something that’s going to last, I would love to see my daughter get a proper ceremony. It doesn’t have to be big or fancy, and your father and I will pay for everything.”

“Mom, she’s married to an actual billionaire. I don’t think they need you to help with flowers for their redo.”

“Shush, Quinn.”

“I understand,” I say, not knowing how to gently temper my mother’s wishes. “But can I have some time? Contrary to what people are seeing today, I just realized within the last week that I love my husband. I’d like to go on an actual date with him before our second ceremony.”

“Fine,” Mom groans, but then sets her sights on my eventual sister-in-law. “Now, Charlie! When is that son of mine going to get his head out of his ass and put a ring on your finger?”

With the interrogation lamp off me, I walk back toward the guys, who are still in their video game glory.

Actually, I’m just looking at Logan. Between the baby on his lap, the words I just said, and well, him, how could I not?

“I know that look.” Stella says as she slides up next to me.

“What look?”

“Like you want to fuck your man but your family is around so you can’t.”

“Stella!” I whisper yell. “I do not.”

“Liar.” She leans a little closer. “I’ll cover for you. Do what you need to do.”

“I don’t need to do anything,” I say. Though now that she’s put it in my head, I can’t get it out.

“Go. I got you. But be quick. I can only distract for so long.”

I smile and bump her shoulder. “I got you next time.”

“I know,” she says with a smile. “Now go! You’re on the clock.”

The guys are celebrating something. Well, everyone except Simon, whom I’m guessing just lost, and I take that opportunity to grab Logan’s hand.

“Hey,” I whisper and tilt my head. “Follow me.”

Without asking where we’re going, Logan places the controller on the coffee table, and hands Simon’s daughter back to him, as I do my best to discreetly sneak away with my husband.

“Is this the grand tour?” he asks.

“Something like that.” I look around for a second, making sure no one followed me, as I grab his hand and pull him upstairs.

I try to be as quiet as possible, which, luckily for me, doesn’t need to be too quiet since every member of my family is here, as I lead Logan into my old bedroom.

“Is this what I think it is?” Logan asks as his eyes move around the walls that look like I left the house last week, not twelve years ago.

“It is,” I say as I shut the door, lock it, and for extra measure, jam it shut by putting a desk chair under the knob.

“Love, I’ve been up front and honest that you married a certified nerd,” he says as he takes down my spelling bee trophy. “What I didn’t know is that I married one as well.”

“I wouldn’t say I was a nerd,” I say as I take the trophy from his hand and place it back on the shelf next to my valedictorian cords. “I just wanted to be the best. And since I clearly wasn’t going to do that on an athletic field, the classroom was the logical place.”

“Sure,” he pretends to agree, but also points out my district champion debate plaque. “And what about this?”

As much as I love when Logan compliments me on my brain or my work, right now I just need my husband to fuck me. So I do the only thing I can think of at the moment to make him focus on the task at hand—I take off my shirt.

“Oh…Oh!” he says, and I shush him immediately as I hurriedly shove down my leggings and panties.

“We don’t have long, Matthews. So quit looking at my trophies and take off your pants.”

He does as I ask, his switch flipping from surprised to aroused in a second. I take a moment to look around to figure out exactly where I want this to happen. The bed would get too crumpled and we’d have to remake it. The floor means someone could hear us if they walked below as we’re on the second floor. And against the door, while a good option for tidiness, is more of a sound problem than the floor.

But before I can make a decision, a shirtless Logan is behind me. His hard cock is pressing against my ass as his arms come around me, one hand around my waist while the other is gently placed at the base of my neck.

“I’m assuming we have to be quick?”

“Yes,” I say as a breath.

“And quiet?”

This time I can’t say anything as Logan’s fingers start tracing lines down to my breasts. “Then you better not scream when I fuck this pretty pussy.”

Logan spins me around and captures my mouth in his before I can say anything else. Our hands are all over each other, knowing we’re on the clock, but also wanting—no, needing—to bring each other to pleasure.

Logan begins backing me up while simultaneously trailing his fingers down my body. As soon as my legs hit the back of the bed and I fall back, Logan’s fingers are inside me, working me quickly, efficiently, and most important, perfectly.

This man wasn’t lying that first night when he said his fingers were his superpower. I swear to the Goddess of Orgasms, this man could make me come with just his fingers in two seconds flat and no warm up. He knows just the spot, and his fingers do some sort of acrobatic moves to get the job done.

I swallow a groan as Logan picks up the speed and pressure, and just as I’m about to let out a sound that would probably be a half scream/moan, Logan’s mouth is on mine, swallowing any reaction as my orgasm hits me fast and hard.

“Just like that, Love,” he says as he starts to bring me down. “Come on my fingers. Soak them.”

Oh this man and his dirty mouth…

And while I’d love to just lay back and bask in this afterglow, I came up here with a reason—and that was to fuck my husband.

“Your turn,” I say, pushing him down so I can straddle him. “I want to ride you.”

Logan gives me a devilish grin. “Happy Christmas to me.”

I quickly line him up to my center and easily slide down on his cock. I throw my head back as I let him fill me, always needing a second to get used to him before I can chase what I want.

“That’s it,” he says as he grabs my hips. “Take all of me.”

His hands run up my stomach and take down the cups of my bra, letting him squeeze and tease both breasts as I begin to ride him. My hands find his muscular chest, needing his built pecs to hold onto as my speed picks up more, especially when he tweaks my nipples like he’s doing now.

“Logan…” I moan, and probably a little too loud, but both of us are too in the moment to care. “You feel so good.”

“Yes…” Logan replies his hips starting to buck into mine. “So perfect.”

I throw my hands back behind me, letting my back arch slightly as the new angle is hitting just the spot I needed to scratch. And judging by the low groan from Logan, he likes it too.

“Right there,” I say. “It’s right there.”

“Keep going,” he says. “Take it. Take me. Take whatever you want.”

With his words of encouragement and Logan’s fingers flipping the switch on my clit, I’m coming harder than I ever have in my life. Logan’s not far behind, grabbing onto me and holding me against his chest as I we both do our best to ride out, then recover, from orgasms that seemed to pulse through our entire bodies.

“Maeve! I know you’re in there!”

My bubble of bliss is popped when I hear Quinn outside my door.

“Don’t say anything,” I whisper to Logan, who nods in agreement.

“I can hear you whispering, and frankly, I’m just glad I didn’t hear other things. Stella’s trying to distract, but Mom is starting to ask where you two are. You have five minutes, tops, before she goes on the hunt.”

“You’re my favorite sister!” Logan yells, which earns him a playful slap on his chest.

“Damn straight.”

“Hurry!” I instruct, responsible Maeve coming back to her senses. I slowly pull myself off him, but realizing in the process that I’m a mess, both of us need to be cleaned off, and this comforter needs probably more than a tumble through the wash cycle.

“This isn’t good,” I say. “What are we going to do?”

Logan chuckles as he grabs his pants and pulls them back on. “Offer to decorate this room for your mother? Maybe she’d like to make it her sewing room.”

“Oh! Good idea!” I say. “Then I can just burn the comforter.”

Logan kisses my head, then gently slaps me on the ass. “You think of ideas for that. I’m going to go back downstairs and distract her with my accent and compliment her on her cooking.”

“Kiss-up.”

He just shrugs and leans in to kiss me on the nose. “Correction. People pleaser.”

I wrap my arms around him, but as soon as I do, I hear footsteps coming from outside the door. “I love you.”

He rests his forehead against mine. “Not nearly as much as I love you.”