Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
F ollowing the GPS directions that were quietly coming through her speakers, Raven made a left at the intersection. Supposedly she’d arrive at Zion’s house in twenty minutes. That gave her twenty minutes to get her nerves under control.
Her heart had been beating a little faster since hearing from him earlier in the day. Like her, yesterday he had gotten the results of the paternity test, and she knew he’d reach out at some point. What she hadn’t expected was for him to invite her and the babies over to his place for a sleepover.
Yeah, that had knocked her sideways, especially considering how rocky things had been for them when she first arrived in town. In Zion’s defense, she completely understood his shock and insistence on having the paternity test done. She just hadn’t been sure what to expect after that, and she still didn’t really know for sure.
During the phone call, when he suggested she bring an overnight bag, her mind immediately went to the night they’d spent together in Las Vegas. She had formed her lips to say “no,” but before she uttered the word, he jumped in, assuring her that this visit would be nothing like that night. He wanted them to talk privately, while also giving him a chance to begin bonding with the babies.
No way could she say no to that, especially when he told her she and the twins would have their own space at the house. All she needed to bring for all of them were clothes. So she’d said yes. Besides, she was curious to see where and how he lived.
As per the directions to his home, she made a right at the next street, passing an elementary school. Raven thought Zion would live downtown somewhere in a luxury bachelor pad. Sure, he might live on a police salary, but she had a feeling he was doing well for himself financially. She wasn’t sure why, but there was an air about him she couldn’t quite explain.
Now that she was nearing his neighborhood, she was starting to think maybe he was different from what she imagined. She wouldn’t have pegged him for someone who would live in what looked like a family-friendly neighborhood. The tree-lined streets and manicured yards complemented the one and two-story homes.
Thankfully, she still had a little daylight left. It was almost eight at night, and if she didn’t get there soon, it would be hard to see the addresses on the homes. According to GPS, Raven was ten minutes out. That gave her a little more time to brace herself to see Zion again. Even though she’d gotten mad at him during dinner the other night, it hadn’t squashed her attraction to him. Nor did it stop her from dreaming about him.
As a single mother with two infants, the last thing she should be fantasizing about is a man. Even if he was her kids’ father. It didn’t matter if she’d told herself that her only interest in Zion was because he was a daddy to their babies. She needed to be honest with herself. She would love to get to know him on a more personal level, a more intimate level. If that made her come across as a little hussy, oh well.
But just because she wanted to experience him again didn’t mean she’d act on those feelings. Tonight, will be a perfect time for her to ask the questions that she should’ve asked when they met. Like was he involved with anyone. Or what he did for fun. Or even if he ever wanted kids. No more surface level conversations for them.
Raven’s phone rang through the speakers, and a number popped up on the dashboard that she didn’t recognize. Her first thought was to let the call go to voicemail, but she was expecting a call from her apartment manager. She wanted to see what it would take to break the lease a month early.
She pressed the talk button. “Hi, this is Raven.”
“Hey, sweetheart. It’s good to hear your voice,” Maximus said, his voice a little too loud through the SUV’s speakers.
Raven wanted to kick herself. She should’ve let the call go to voicemail. He had left her a message earlier, saying he was looking forward to seeing her when he returned to the States. There was something he wanted to talk to her about, and something he had to show her. Whatever it was, she was sure she wasn’t interested.
What the heck would it take for him to finally get the message that she was done with him? Maybe when she left and moved to Chicago it would sink in.
Hopefully .
“Maximus, I can’t talk right now,” she said, just as the GPS told her to make another left.
“Where are you going where you need your GPS to get to in Houston?” he asked as if he had every right to.
“That’s none of your business,” she snapped.
“You’re my woman! It damn well is my business. I have every right to know where you are and that you and the kids are alright,” he growled through the speakers. “What the hell is going on with you? You haven’t been returning my calls, and when I call you, you’re in a hurry to get off the phone.”
Shock and anger warred within Raven. How had she not seen his controlling nature when they’d first started dating? It had taken months into their relationship before she’d realized it. By that time, she had also noticed he was jealous, possessive, and did everything he could to keep her away from her friends. In hindsight, she had dated him a year too long.
“Maximus, I don’t know what you’re up to, but you don’t have a say in any part of my life. We are no longer together, and you know that. So whatever game you’re playing, give it up. We’re done. So stop calling me.”
Andrew whimpered, and Raven glanced in the review mirror. She was able to see the babies in their backward facing car seats thanks to mirrors on the backseat headrests. Thankfully, her son was still asleep.
“Is Andrew okay?” Maximus asked, his voice calmer.
Raven didn’t know how he did it, but whenever he called and heard one of the babies in the background, he knew which one it was. It was probably a lucky guess, but it was still a bit unnerving.
“Maximus, if you don’t leave me alone and stop calling, I’m going to the authorities,” she said, anger causing her hands to grip the steering wheel tighter. “I’m done with you harassing me.”
“Harassing you? Are you fucking kidding me right now?” he roared, and she quickly turned the volume down. “I’m calling to check on you and my kids, and you think I’m harassing you? You have lost your mind.”
Raven’s heart was beating a mile a minute. Something was seriously wrong with this man. She pulled over and put the car in park before taking a few steadying breaths. No way was she going to let this man get to her, and it was time she put a stop to whatever game he was playing.
“I’m done, Maximus.” Struggling to keep her voice steady and calm, she inhaled and exhaled slowly. “You calling me at all times of the day and talking crazy is emotional abuse, and I’ve had enough. Don’t ever call me again. Otherwise, I’m getting a restraining order,” she said through gritted teeth.
He cursed under his breath, and the moment he started to say something else to her, Raven disconnected the call. She had to remember to block the number he was calling from. She didn’t want to go through the trouble of getting a restraining order or whatever was available to her in this case, but she would if he forced her hand.
After mentally and emotionally pulling herself together, she continued to Zion’s house. They had a lot to discuss this evening, and no way was she letting Maximus get into her head.
Following GPS, she made another left and then another one before she slowed. His house should be coming up shortly, and she started looking for his address. She pulled up to a brick, ranch style home with a two-car, street-facing garage and a long driveway.
“Here we are,” she mumbled to herself as she took in the beautiful, manicured hedges and a huge oak tree in the front yard. Instead of parking on the street, she drove up the driveway, unsure of where to park. Before she reached the house, the garage door opened and there he was, the man of her dreams.
Zion was inside, standing near his huge truck as the overhead door rolled up. Raven’s pulse amped, and her breath hitched. Something it did whenever she saw him.
Goodness. The man seemed to get finer with each passing day. He was wearing an old T-shirt that hugged his upper body and had Marines stamped on the front of it. Well-worn whitewash jeans covered his long legs and gym shoes were on his feet. He looked totally relaxed and absolutely delicious.
How the heck was she going to have a platonic sleepover, when what she really wanted was him naked?
As Zion headed to her car, his dark eyes steady on her, Raven got an even better look at him. Geesh, the man was too hot and sexy for his own good, and the five o’clock shadow he was sporting on his cheeks made him that much more alluring.
Okay. Just be cool.
She swallowed hard and rolled down the driver’s side window.
“Hey,” he said, his appreciative gaze sliding down her body before glancing in the back seat. “I’m glad you guys made it. Any trouble finding the place?”
Raven shook her head. “Not at all. Where should I park?”
“In the garage.” He pointed to the empty parking spot to the right of his truck. “If you want, I can pull the SUV in for you.”
It didn’t take her long to decide to let him do just that. His truck seemed to take up a lot of space, and the last thing she wanted to do was scratch it with her bumper. She also didn’t want to lose a side mirror either.
After she stepped out, Zion climbed in and pulled into the space as if it were no big deal. Maybe it wasn’t. Maybe he did it all the time for women he invited over.
Shoot! I’m not going there .
No way was she going to torture herself with thoughts of all the women he’d probably been with since her. Nope. She wasn’t going to do it. So what if every second of every day of the last 12 months were filled with thoughts of him? Heck, she saw his face not only in her dreams, but also in her babies’ features. While he probably barely remembered what she looked like because of being with God knows how many other women.
She sighed, frustrated with herself at the route her thoughts had gone. If she kept this up, she might ruin a perfectly nice evening. It was kind of him to invite her over, so they could plan the next steps. She wouldn’t tank it with insecure or jealous thoughts about women who may or may not exist.
When he climbed out of her vehicle, Raven noted there was more than enough space on each side of her SUV. It wouldn’t be any problem getting the babies out.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Anytime.”
“Do you have a girlfriend?” she blurted, the words flying out of her mouth before she could pull them back. So much for being cool.
The right corner of Zion’s kissable lips quirked up. “No and for the record, if I did, I wouldn’t have invited you and the kids here for a sleepover. I haven’t been in many committed relationships, but I would never disrespect someone I was dating.”
Raven nodded. She headed to the other side of the vehicle to get Andrew from his car seat, but Zion stopped her when he touched her hand. He gently pulled her close, and Raven let him. It had been a long time since she’d been in a man’s arms, and right now, she could use a hug. She loved her babies more than life, but this was something she missed. Intimate adult contact.
As if knowing exactly what she needed, Zion wrapped his muscular arms around her and held her tight. Melting into him, Raven’s eyes drifted closed, and she absorbed his heat. When he placed a lingering kiss on the side of her forehead, it took everything within her not to whimper.
He was so sweet, and he was being so gentle. She could get used to this, though she knew thinking like that wasn’t a good idea. Yet, she’d allow herself this moment to just be.
They stood that way for a few seconds while she inhaled his masculine scent. The fragrance he wore was spicy with a hint of leather that almost made her swoon. This, spending time with him like this, was going to be hard. Harder than she originally thought, especially knowing he wasn’t involved with anyone.
“I think you already knew I didn’t have a girlfriend,” he said, his deep, rumbling voice making her tremble. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have come over.”
After a slight hesitation and a little squeeze, she released him. “You’re right. I wouldn’t have, but I wanted to make sure no jealous girlfriend would be storming through the door with a hatchet or something.”
Zion chuckled. “Uh, no . That’s not going to happen. You’re safe here.” The smile on his face slowly disappeared, and then he ran the back of his fingers down her cheek before lowering his hand. “Thank you for agreeing to come. I thought it would be better for us to talk here instead of at the B & B. I love my family, but they are good at getting into my business, especially my mom.”
Raven laughed at that because of something his mother had said a couple of hours ago. “I understand, and your mom might or might not have mentioned that I should give you a chance to show me what an upstanding man she raised.”
Though Raven was smiling because she thought it was sweet, Zion frowned.
“That woman just can’t help herself. I don’t know what I’m going to do with her.”
This time Raven laughed. “Well, I personally think she’s fabulous, and she adores you.”
“Yeah, yeah, but sometimes she’s too much,” he said as he stared into Raven’s eyes. “I’m glad you’re back in my life, and no, that’s not a line. I can’t begin to tell you how much I thought about you since Vegas. I’m glad we found each other again.”
That voice. That incredibly smooth, deep, and sexy voice continued to send goosebumps scurrying over her skin. It just added to his well-packaged body.
Good Lord . Would she ever get used to it or him? Especially when he said sweet things to her while continuing to stare into her eyes.
Raven tried not to fidget under his perusal, but she couldn’t stop the shiver that gripped her at the intensity in his gaze. She wasn’t sure if it was because of the chilly weather or his gentle touch as the back of his hand glided down her cheek again.
Either way, he noticed and put his arm around her shoulders. “Come on. Let’s get you guys inside. We’ll grab the babies, and then I’ll come back out for anything you want me to bring inside.”
“Okay. I’ll get Andrew if you can get NayNay.”
“I can handle that.”
After she went to the back passenger side, she opened the door and unbuckled a sleeping Andrew. She lifted him out of his seat along with the baby-blue blanket while Zion did the same with Zanaya.
“God, she’s so precious,” Zion whispered, looking in awe as Zanaya stretched her tiny body and started to fuss. “All right, sweetie.” He wrapped the pink blanket around her and pulled her against his large body. Their little one squirmed a bit and then snuggled against him.
As Raven watched Zion, and the way he looked at their daughter, she was pretty sure her ovaries quivered. The twins were small, but when in Zion’s strong, muscular arms, they seemed even tinier. There was so much pride in his expression, and Raven’s heart melted.
“I can’t believe I have a baby girl,” he whispered, looking down at Zanaya as if she was the eighth wonder of the world.
“And a baby boy,” Raven added when she went to stand next to him.
Zion glanced at Andrew and a crooked grin kicked up his sexy lips. “ My boy ,” he said with unadulterated joy and shook his head. “Raven, they are perfect. You’ve given me something I didn’t even know I wanted. These two are truly a gift.”
The words were spoken with such conviction, she teared up a little. A week ago, he’d told her she must’ve been mistaken. That there was no way he could be the father, but now… God , she was so thankful he was embracing this huge change in his life. She just hoped he didn’t renege and decide being a father was too much of a responsibility. Especially the first time he got to witness the twins waking up at three in the morning wanting to eat.
The babies were doing better with sleeping through most of the night, but still, there were days when they didn’t. So far, Raven wasn’t hearing any warning bells that Zion would bolt at the first sign of trouble, but time would tell.
Barking sounded as they neared the door, and Raven paused. “I didn’t know you had a dog.”
“Yeah, Onyx. Come on in. He’s crated,” he said as they entered a mudroom where a washer and dryer, as well as coat hooks were located.
Raven followed Zion through the eat-in kitchen, and that’s when she saw the dog who started barking and whining. Zion released a quick whistle, and the dog went silent except for a barely audible whine. Through it all, the babies stayed asleep.
“Follow me,” Zion said. “I’ll introduce you to Onyx as soon as we lay the babies down. I’ve been doing some research on the best way to introduce him to the twins. He’s well trained and gentle with kids, but I still want to ease him into an introduction with you and the twins.”
“I can’t wait to officially meet him,” Raven said of the dog.
She had always wanted a dog. At first, her parents’ excuse was they didn’t think she was responsible enough to get a dog. Then, by the time she got to middle school and then high school, they kept her so busy with various sports and other activities until she didn’t have time for a pet.
“Come this way. There’s something I want you to see,” Zion said as he headed down a hallway.
Raven followed a few feet behind, taking in his home. On the walls along the hallway were a few family photos mixed in with gorgeous African art that were strategically placed. The display was beautiful, and she wondered if Zion had done it or if he’d had a designer. Maybe one of his sisters helped him decorate.
From what Raven had seen so far, the place was truly a bachelor’s pad with leather furnishings, a gigantic flat screen television on a wall in the living room, and there’d been a small bar in the corner of the dining room. The house was larger than it looked on the outside.
After passing a couple of bedrooms and a bathroom, Zion stopped at the door at the end of the hallway. Then he nodded toward it as she approached.
“This is a gift from my parents and sisters. I hope you like it.”