Chapter 26
Twenty-Six
“I swear to god, Lawson! Don’t you—! Lawson! Don’t you dare!” Lucy squeals as I hold a white bass over her.
“Come on, baby, he just wants a little kiss!” I laugh as slimy lake water drips onto her chest, and she scrambles to get away.
Throwing herself to the other end of the boat, the old frame pitches back and forth as she cries, “Lawson Morgan, I hate you!”
Her words are filled with faux contempt as she wipes off the fish water, but a smile stretches her swollen lips. Her little yellow bikini does nothing to hide the love marks I gave her last night, and I take great pride in seeing my brands on her flesh as she stretches out again.
“Aww, you don’t hate me, rainbow. As a matter of fact…” I secure the fish in the cooler and grab another piece of bait. “…I seem to remember you telling me over and over again how much you loved all my parts last night—and this morning.” I grin at her before casting my line out .
Last night would have been the perfect time to tell her that I love her, and Lucy caught herself almost saying it multiple times, covering it up with remarks about loving my mouth, my fingers, and my cock.
We’re both ready to say the words, yet we’re both holding back.
That damn conversation we still need to have hangs over our heads like a cloud full of rain.
Lucy flips me off and pulls her sunhat further over her eyes. “You’re impossible.”
I don’t respond, letting the sounds of the lake and nature fill the space between us.
For a Saturday, there aren’t many boats out, and the ones who have passed by are mindful not to send huge waves our way.
The birds chirp from the tree branches that line the shore, and there’s laughter from children playing on the banks in the shallower water.
It’s peaceful, and as I look at Lucy, it feels right—like home .
“We should probably talk about everything,” I softly state, reeling in my line so I can focus on her.
As she sits up, Lucy lifts her hat and peers at me from beneath the brim. “Yeah.”
“Where is your head at?” I hate how vulnerable I sound. It’s a big decision to make—coming clean to everyone.
“I mean, you know how I feel about you, Lawson.” Lucy reaches for her discarded sundress to play with the hem, something I’ve noticed she does when she’s deep in thought or nervous.
“Come here.” I motion for her to sit between my legs, where she’d been before I teased her with the fish. She does—but only after I lay my shirt over the fish water so she doesn’t have to sit in “ fish goo .”
“This is nice.” Lucy sighs, settling against my chest. “I love it here.”
I’m sure she can feel the rise in my heartbeat as I take a deep breath, preparing to bare my soul. Hugging her to me, I settle my chin on her shoulder. “We can come out here every weekend if you want.”
She hums with approval, fingers tracing idle patterns on my forearms. “And what about New York? Are you still thinking about returning once the office is fully integrated into M.I.G.?”
“I won’t lie and say I don’t miss the city.
But I think my future is here in Chicago with you.
” My voice is husky as the words tumble from my lips.
“We started something all those years ago, rainbow. Something that’s turned into a whirlwind of emotions I didn’t think I could feel again.
And it’s going to be hard… telling everyone.
If I’m being honest, I don’t know that we’re quite ready for that.
” Lucy tenses in my arms, and I reach for her hands, lacing our fingers together as I kiss her temple.
“Do you think you’re ready to come clean to your parents? ”
“Yes.” Her answer is immediate, and she twists in my hold, climbing into my lap to wrap her arms around my neck. “Yes, Lawson, I am ready. Aren’t you? Don’t you want to stop sneaking around? It’s getting exhausting. I don’t want to hide anymore.”
“I’m still married, Lucy. There’s a lot to figure out… and Rhys... Fuck, when Rhys finds out?—”
Her eyes have become glassy. “It’s okay, Lawson.”
“Baby, don’t cry.” I cradle her cheek as her eyes fill with tears that she tries desperately to keep at bay.
“No, it’s stupid, I know.” She shakes her head, pulling from my grip to wipe at her face. “You’re not ready. It’s fine.” Her voice hitches, cracking like the little fissures her tone puts in my heart.
“Lucy.” I pull her face to me again. “Lucy, look at me.” Holding onto my wrists like a lifeline, she does, and I capture her lips, pouring every ounce of what I’m feeling into our kiss.
“Baby, I love you.” My declaration pulls a gasp from her chest. “I love you so goddamn much it hurts not to be able to show you off in public.” I kiss her again.
“That’s why I want to do this the right way.
I don’t want to tell your parents while I’m still married to Charlotte.
And I don’t—” I turn away to look out at the water as I think about all the times I took Rhys fishing in this same boat on this same lake.
“I don’t know how to tell Rhys. That is going to be a fucking nightmare I don’t want to put you through. ”
Lucy is silent, and when my eyes slide back to hers, her lips are parted in surprise. “You… you love me?”
Chuckling, I draw her in for another kiss, whispering against her lips, “I don’t think love is a strong enough word for what I feel for you, rainbow.
You make me fucking crazy. Whenever I see another man look at you, I want to take you right there just to show him that you’re mine .
I can’t get my fill of you, and I suspect I never will.
You’re it for me, Lucy Bradee. If you want me, I’m yours. ”
“Of course, I want you, you idiot!” she exclaims before pressing her lips to mine. “I love you, too.” Another kiss. “ So fucking much that I feel like I’m going to explode sometimes.”
Abruptly, she jolts from my lap, pushing back so roughly that the boat rocks with her movement. Grabbing the oars, she shoves them into my hands. “Take us back home right now before I get us a ticket for public indecency.”
At my raised brow, she fixes me with a heated stare. “You just told me you love me, Lawson. Now I want you to fuck me while you say it.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Her cheeks grow pink as she shoots me a saucy smile. “I think I like the sound of that.”
I double-time it back to the shore. “Don’t get used to it, rainbow. I’m still your daddy. I’m still the one in charge.”
“For now,” she singsongs as her grin turns devilish. “Because you love me, I’m sure you won’t mind giving up control every once in a while.”
Lucy sinks to her knees, flattening out on the deck of the boat as she reaches for the drawstring of my shorts. “What are you doing?”
Her hazel eyes are dark, the gold rings around the irises so fucking bright as she looks up at me and pulls my cock out. “Keep rowing, Lawson.”
As she takes me in her mouth, I nearly come right there.
Sassy little brat.
After spending the rest of the afternoon in bed, continuing our discussion between rounds of sex, Lucy falls asleep. I leave her naked and tangled in the sheets as I begin dinner so it’s ready when she wakes up.
Oil sizzles and pops in the pan as I lay a piece of fish down. Garlic permeates the air as I open the oven to check on the parmesan potatoes, and the green beans have the perfect amount of crunch to them as I bite into one before removing their pot from the stove.
Everything couldn’t be more perfect.
I have a plan. First things first, I need to finalize my divorce.
I didn’t admit it to Lucy during our earlier discussion, but I already called Charlotte the night I got home from the BBQ and told her we needed to talk.
I need to show Bree and Will that I’m serious about their daughter—show Lucy that I’m serious about her —and I can’t do that if I’m still legally married.
Next comes the bigger problem. Rhys.
Over the years, things have remained strained between me and my oldest son. I’m not sure how I missed Charlotte sinking her claws so far into him, filling his head with absolute bullshit about how I never wanted him and how I love River more.
It’s all a fucking lie, but I’ve never been able to convince him of that. He’s always felt like he’s a burden, and now? What the fuck am I supposed to do now ?
No matter how I present it, Rhys will take this as the ultimate betrayal.
And I’m stuck in the middle, having to choose between my son and the woman I love .
Lucy is worth it… I just need some time to figure it all out.
“Dad?”
I’m thinking about it to the point where I’m hallucinating his voice now. Get a grip, Lawson.
“Dad!”
My son’s voice echoes through the kitchen, startling me as I drop the fish in the oil, causing the hot liquid to splatter on my hand. “Shit!”
“Fuck, sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. You were off in your own little world there,” Rhys says as he strolls in, dropping his bag on the floor before sliding onto a stool. “What are you doing here?”
“What are you doing here?” I move to the sink, turning the water on lukewarm before placing my hand beneath the stream.
“Just wanted to get away for a little bit. Looks like you had the same idea. Or are you working?” Rhys tilts his head curiously as he takes in the dinnerware I laid out earlier. “Are you here with someone?”
Before I can reply, Lucy’s voice rings out from down the hall. “Mmmm, something smells good!”
Fuck.
Rhys’ head snaps toward the hall, no doubt recognizing the sweet timbre of his ex-girlfriend.
Please don’t be naked. Please don’t be naked.
My heart hammers against my chest, and I’m sure Rhys can hear it as he stares at the spot where the hall opens into the living room.
“Lucy?” His voice is barely audible .
“Rhys?” There’s surprise in her tone, but underneath, it’s tinged with… joy?
They laugh as they greet one another, and I turn to look over my shoulder to see Lucy wearing a sky-blue linen romper, her hair hanging in waves down her back.
“Wait…” Rhys’ tone turns serious. Suspicious. “What are you doing here?”
I slam the water off, spinning to see Lucy staring at me with rosy cheeks as Rhys’ bright blue eyes dart between us.
“Working.” It’s out of my mouth before he can put two and two together. “I didn’t realize Lucy worked for the company M.I.G. took over. Turns out she’s my new assistant while I’m here.”
Lucy visibly deflates, staring at me with a look that clearly says, ‘this is the time to tell him! What are you doing? ’
As Rhys’ gaze swings her way, she flashes him a small smile. Her fingers tangle together, and she twists them in front of her.
“Why are you here, then?” Rhys questions her, still watching us both skeptically. If he knows her nervous trait, he doesn’t show it.
“You know service is shit out this way. I asked her to come so we didn’t get our wires crossed if I needed something.” The lies keep pouring out, making me feel like absolute shit as Lucy bites her lip, either to keep her anger at bay or her disappointment.
After a few moments, Rhys makes a huffing sound. “Well, I guess this is just fate, then.” He takes a small step toward Lucy, reaching up to rub the back of his neck. “I’ve been meaning to reach out. You know, I’m moving back.” He beams at her as though he can’t believe his good luck.
“Ye-yeah.” Lucy has to clear her throat before forming a clear sentence. “I, uh, overheard River saying something about it to Rose. Are you excited to come home?”
“I am now.” His eyes fill with that familiar gleam he always used to look at her with. “What are the chances? I was actually going to drop my stuff off, then go into town to grab dinner. Would you… maybe like to join me?”
My stomach roils as her eyes dart to me and then to the stove where our dinner is nearly done cooking. “Lawson cooked?—”
“Don’t mind me,” I interrupt, noting how her eyes shut with annoyance. “Go for it. I don’t mind.”
Rhys is completely blind to the sadness that darkens her face, but I see it.
I see it, and knowing I put it there pains me.
Silently, I try to convey how sorry I am.
This situation took me by surprise, and I’m not ready to blow my son’s world up.
This is a hard decision because I love them both so fucking much and don’t want to be the reason for their hurt.
Lucy’s voice is pure steel. “Okay. Let me grab my purse.”
Thankfully, Rhys doesn’t watch her go, so he doesn’t see her enter the room we share to retrieve her things. Instead, he leans on the island and reaches for a green bean.
“It’s crazy that she works for you now. It’s fate, I’m telling you. The universe wants us back together.”
“Back together?” I turn the burner off and pull the potatoes from the oven, careful not to use my burnt hand.
His intentions have my body reacting possessively, wanting to make it clear that Lucy is off-limits. The sound of the oven slamming harder than I intended reverberates through the house.
“I mean, it’s too good to be true, right? I’m moving back. She still lives here. She’s working for you. It was meant to be.” He sounds so hopeful, so excited , and I silently chastise myself.
How am I supposed to do this?
Lucy reappears, now dressed in a simple navy dress that highlights her assets. Her eyes harden when she looks at me and waves. “Don’t wait up, Mr. Morgan. Have a nice night.”
Rhys raises his eyebrows with a smirk. “Night, Dad.”