Chapter 20
ELODIE
“I’m here,” I whisper delicately to Hayes as we lie on our sides facing one another in his bed. Something feels stronger between us just from the way we lie in bed together. A smile plays on my lips because of last night.
His hand is already traveling along the curve of my hip, his palm warm. “I’m happy you are.”
Sputtering a laugh, I’m going to highlight the obvious. “Because your mom strong-armed me.”
“She likes you.”
“Really?” I’m doubtful.
He scoots closer so the crook of my neck is within reach of his lips. “Yes. You both talked for hours.”
We did. Initially, I was petrified of being judged.
But once Colleen got her few snarky, half-serious comments out of the way, the walls between us broke down, and we got to know one another.
She had so many questions about Lola, and I was happy to share.
Lola took to her instantly and even let her read the night’s bedtime story.
It’s not that I didn’t want to spend the night, I always do if Hayes is involved.
But I figured that he and his mother would want some bonding time alone.
I’m trying to avoid everyone’s eyes on Hayes and me in the romance department.
I don’t need the added pressure from our families, but as the night went on, I realized that it doesn’t matter.
No matter what we do, there will be opinions, and we shouldn’t factor them in.
And that’s how I ended up spending the night.
It doesn’t faze me, though, that Colleen is in the room down the hall.
“Lola is lucky to have her now in her life.”
He agrees with a mumble. “But I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” His stubble scrapes against my skin. My body is turning to liquid again as he touches me the way he wants.
I begin to open my legs, and he’s already shifting down the bed until he’s on his belly with his hands braced on either side of my hips.
The gentle kiss from his mouth on my inner thigh causes my clit to throb due to anticipation of what is coming next.
He moves purposely slow, and I’m not sure he wants me to beg or if taunting me revs him up just as much as me.
Hayes looks up at me with dark eyes as his tongue taps my clit, causing me to grind up against his mouth.
Then he licks me, open-mouthed and painfully slow, up and down. It’s so good my back arches off the mattress. He laps at me, steady and confident, circling just right. The prickle of his stubble against my warm skin intensifies the feeling.
Remembering that we have a child and a guest in the house, I bite my finger to keep my moans in check as I drift away, both drowsy and so alive at the same time.
Hayes growls against my pussy as he spreads me wider, the whole time his tongue working me into a frenzy.
His mouth gets slicker, his own moan vibrates against my flesh, and his eyes, occasionally catching my own, don’t need approval; he’s already satisfied with his efforts.
“Ahh,” I rasp, and it only eggs him on to work me methodically, tongue and lips teasing. “Is this your way of calming me?” I breathe heavily.
“It’s my way of waking up with you.” His voice is low and thick with lust before he continues to explore me.
He dips his tongue inside me once before circling my clit with speed.
It sends me straight into a world of stars, and I’m completely spent from my orgasm.
He slithers up my body, satisfied with his efforts, and kisses my lips to ensure I taste myself. “I need to taste you more often on my lips. One of these days, I will lock the door in my office and do it when I’m craving you.”
I swat him with my drowsy smile intact. “Don’t do that. I’ve lost focus on life right now. I don’t need that at the office.”
My hand searches for his cock, and I feel him hard. I want him in my mouth now, and I squeeze him.
“Breakfast is needed.” And he gets that I 100% mean him in my mouth.
Hayes eases my body to my side to enter me from behind. “No time. Now be a good girl and stay quiet while I quickly fuck you.”
“Yes, sir.” And I shimmy against his body.
After a shower and a change, I enter the kitchen and see Colleen cutting up toast for Lola.
“Morning,” I greet her, and she gives me a smile.
“Good morning. I woke a little while ago as east coast time kicked in. I figured I would get her ready.”
Yawning, I stretch as I tread over to the coffee machine. “Yeah, a good idea, thanks.”
“You made her dress that was laid out?”
I nod my head with a hint of pride. “I did.”
“It’s beautiful. Working on anything right now?”
“A sweater that I’m knitting, but I’ve kind of forgotten about it lately due to… life.” I’m so occupied with this life change that I haven’t taken a moment to unwind.
We both listen to the grinding of the coffee machine, and it’s quiet until I join them. I’m quick to notice that she is lost in thought as she watches me take a sip from my mug.
“My son is a family man. His father’s influence. Hayes takes pride in that. He’s a provider, too. The first thing he did when the money started rolling in for him was rebuild the kitchen at my house because I’ve wanted that forever. Don’t ever be resistant to his commitment to provide.”
“When it comes to Lola, I would never.”
“Lola is lucky, you are lucky. Hold on because you won’t ever want to let it go.”
Huh, we’re starting deep for the day.
“He truly is wonderful with Lola. I’m not blind to that.”
“And with you.” Her stoic expression reflects her seriousness. I sense it enough, her undertone warning that I’m not going to hurt her son.
“My eyes are wide open, Colleen.”
“Hmm, good. Some might say he is a little traditional, but he has ten years on you, has no reason to wait if he feels he has the missing puzzle piece.”
I bite the inside of my cheek because I want to smile, and I’m not sure it’s because she’s coming on strong.
Our eyes hold as we accept the magnitude of the situation. I’m relieved when Hayes enters the room to break the mood.
Now freshly showered and dressed, he claps his hands once. “Okay, ladies, ready for the day? The caterer will be delivering things at any moment.”
She gives Hayes a stern look. “I’m not sure this is right. I could have had a turkey in the oven by now and Irish soda bread freshly baked.”
He shrugs it off. “It’s easier this way. You don’t need to worry about anything.”
“I’ll remind you of this error of judgment for eternity.” She only half jokes and returns to checking on Lola’s plate. “I thought I would take Lola to the playground. You can have some alone time with Elodie’s parents.”
“Maybe that’s a good idea,” I say, my voice uneven. “Lola always loves the playground. She probably wants to wear the new coat you got her as well.”
“Then it’s settled,” she replies.
She has a point. This is the first time Hayes has met my parents.
A while later, they’re gone, and Hayes and I are in the reversal of roles from yesterday, except he doesn’t have an ounce of nerves, or at least it isn’t showing as we sit together on the sofa.
Still, I feel the need to remind him. “They know the score and don’t blame you for not being in Lola’s life. They’re even excited to meet you.”
“Great,” he says so coolly. The sex appeal to him today is extra. Granted, he always wears dark jeans and a neat shirt, whether a t-shirt or a buttoned shirt; he most definitely chose his button-up with intention today.
I give up on cracking his exterior to discover if he is holding up a charade; instead, I decide that I’ll do something that might calm me. Finding my way to straddle him, I give him a sultry, mischievous smirk as I begin to play with his belt.
“Sure I can’t help ease any concerns you might have?”
The corners of his mouth twist. “Tempting.” His hands clasp my wrists. “But not now. My thoughts are too dirty for this time of day. Having you on your knees with your mouth stuffed with my cock is only the beginning of how I will ruin you.”
I’m aching for him again, and I pout because he won’t give in, which turns out to be a blessing.
The front desk phoned that they sent my parents up in the elevator, I’m the one rushing to the door to wait for them, and when the elevator door opens, I spot my mom carrying white boxes with pies inside them right away.
“Hey, guys.”
They’re already carrying their coats, and I see my dad in his usual polo with his favorite hockey team’s logo on the chest. My mom is wearing a long skirt and a cream-colored sweater, and both look in good spirits.
My mom gives me a side hug. “I know Hayes handled food, but pie from Everhope is a must.”
“I agree.” I quickly hug my dad. “Okay, Lola is with Colleen, and they will be back soon. Just Hayes and us for now. You’ve only ever told me that you will let us do things our way.
Please show me that it’s true.” I feel vulnerable right now.
This is a big deal. They’re meeting their granddaughter’s father for the first time.
“Of course,” they both agree in unison.
My body eases, and my head tips in one direction. “Come on.”
I take the boxes from my mother’s hands and feel slightly weighed down by my parents following me.
We take a moment to deposit their coats in the hall.
Soon, comfort finds me when we arrive in the open living room to Hayes standing by the window with that swagger that infuses an air of confidence and dominance.
He walks to us with his hand already outstretched to shake theirs.
“These are my parents, Janet and Michael.”
“I think he gathered,” my mom teases me.
Right away, my eyes fall to Hayes shaking my dad’s hand. I’m not sure whose grip is tighter, but it's sending a message between them. I have a strange feeling it’s my father with a warning to treat me right, and Hayes isn’t fazed.
“So great to finally meet.” Hayes turns to my mom, who has a wide smile; she’s already mentioned a few times how handsome he is.
“Great for Lola,” she compliments.
“Thanks. Please, come in. A drink, perhaps? Coffee, tea.” He checks his watch. “Something stronger.”
Covering my mouth, I’m teetering on a laugh, and all eyes fall on me. “What? I think strong drinks might be a necessity right now,” I defend.
My mom rubs my shoulder as we enter the living area.
“Drinks can wait,” my father insists, and it surprises Hayes.
Hayes extends his arm to show the seating area, suggesting we all sit down, and we do. They’re on one sofa, and Hayes and I are on the other.
“Finally,” I announce awkwardly with a bit of dramatic pep in my tone.
Hayes sets his hand on my knee, and my parents, for some reason, zone in on that gesture, and Hayes most definitely notices and clears his throat. “Let’s break the ice, shall we? The situation is unusual, but it seems we’ve all fallen into place.”
My father nods. “Indeed. Lola has her father, and my daughter has the support.”
Hayes is quick to answer, his stoic expression adamant. “No question about it.”
“Good.” My father seems satisfied. “I’ve been wondering for the last two years where Lola got her stare-down technique for bedtime negotiation from, and it seems to be you.”
It causes the corner of Hayes’s mouth to stretch.
“Probably did get that from me.” He’s proud of that.
“We’ve discussed implementing quarterly reviews for her stuffed bunnies, too.
” Wow, he is breaking out the jokes. “Now, hopefully, we will have a nice afternoon. My mother, obviously, has only just met Lola and is already crazy in love. We can all get to know one another, and Lola will have a great day.”
“She’s the best,” my mom gushes.
“Perfect. Pleasantries over, and we can check that off our list,” I’m thrilled to announce and hop up with intent to make drinks.
Hayes gently touches my hand, a feathery touch but just enough to stop me from moving. “Why don’t you go on ahead with your mother. I’ll show your father the place and chat.”
I sway my gaze between the men, or rather, I squint my eyes at Hayes, attempting to digest his thoughts. It’s pointless. The man is insistent on whatever he’s up to.
“Sure.”
My mom and I leave them be and head into the kitchen. We can’t hear them as they begin to walk around the penthouse. I feel the tug on my sweater and turn to my mom.
“You two doing well?”
“Yeah. We have everything figured it out with Lola, so it’s going fine.”
She raises her brows at me. “Not what I mean.”
I can’t hide a blush from my mom. It’s not that we’re best friends like some mother-daughter pairs are, but we’re close enough. I stay diplomatic.
“Mmhmm.” She grins. “Anyways, his mom?”
I begin checking the stack of plates on the counter I pulled out earlier and take inventory of the count.
“Actually, really okay. She completely lights up with Lola, and I see the way Hayes is with her. I have a better understanding of her relationship with Hayes. Obviously, she’s protective of him, maybe more than most, now that his father has passed.
But in the end, I’m Lola’s mother, and she respects that. ”
“It will be nice to have someone join the grandparent club. A shame she lives so far away.”
“I think she’ll visit more.”
My mom leans against the counter, taking in her surroundings. “How’s the office?”
“Also fine. Or are you trying to pry and ask how it is at the office with Hayes there?” She has a Cheshire smile in response. “We’re on the down-low. I mean, people know we have a child together, but we don’t make a point to display it. Well, most of the time.”
“Not what I meant. I’m just pointing out that there are some power dynamics that maybe a mom should worry about. Age, money, and a high role in the company where you work. You’re an adult, it just crosses my mind.”
When she states it like that, then it triggers me slightly.
For the next few minutes, while we check the table settings, I ponder more.
Perhaps I haven’t held the lens from that angle.
Maybe I should do more. After all, in the first few days, he was adamant that lawyers get involved. He has a lot to hold over my head.
Yet I feel completely safe.
Especially when I see him reenter the living area with a reassuring grin, my father next to him, in good spirits.
Hayes walks straight to me while my father joins my mom, who has just headed back to the kitchen. I cross my arms and just stick my chin out as Hayes arrives in front of me.
“What was all that about?”
His hand touches my arm in a soothing gesture. “Nothing for you to worry about. Just a little man-to-man conversation.”
I roll my eyes. “When you say that, then maybe I should worry,” I joke.
He encourages me to join him on his side to walk together with his arm wrapped around me. “Trust me, you never need to worry when you’re around me.”
And I don’t think he’s wrong.
Because I’ve already begun to feel that way for a while now.