Chapter 25
Darius
“I’m going to sleep in one of the other rooms if you don’t stop,” Ingrid whispers as my hand slides under the t-shirt she borrowed to sleep in. “I’m not even kidding.”
Kissing the side of her neck, I hum. “It’s my birthday, cupcake. Are you going to deny me on my birthday?”
I know it’s wrong to make her feel guilty, but fuck if I care. Sleeping next to her is torture, and if that’s what it takes to get her to let me get what I want, then so be it.
“Is it really your birthday?” She moans when the hand between her legs shifts upward and my fingers rub softly against her silky knickers. “How do I not know this?”
“Yes. My mother was hoping I’d be a New Year’s baby, but I had other plans. Made her wait ten more days before gracing her with my presence.” I slip one finger between her thighs and across her wet pussy. “Come on, sweetheart. Let me lick your frosting; it’s my favorite.”
Her legs part, giving in to my wicked ways, making me smile through the uncomfortable pain I’m still experiencing.
I’m so done with feeling like hell, figure if I’m going to be in pain I might as well have a damn good reason for it.
Playing with Ingrid sounds like the perfect one; it will be well worth it.
But before I can do more, the doorbell rings, and she’s brought back to her senses quickly. Swatting my hand away, she rolls over to look at the clock on her nightstand. “Who the hell is here so early? It’s barely seven?”
Flopping onto my back, I stare at the ceiling and moan. “That’s likely my mother. She always makes me breakfast on my birthday.”
True, sort of. My mother doesn’t make the breakfast. She has her staff do it for her.
Then shows up to my house early, if I’m in town, and forces me to have a meal with her.
I call it her annual ambush breakfast, where she does her best to convince me that I’ve had my fun, bucked the system long enough, and now it’s time to man up and take my responsibilities as the Duke of Falcon seriously.
Usually, she ends it with a list of ladies she thinks would be a perfect match and approved by all involved.
Which is when I kick her out and typically take off, needing to put space between the crazy.
Ingrid sprawls out on the bed, her limbs spread out like a dead starfish. “I guess I’d better get up and head downstairs. Probably should shower first, and dress.” She pushes herself up and sighs. “Look presentable.”
I snag her wrist and tug on it until she turns to look at me. “You always look presentable. Please don’t go the extra mile and get all dolled up just because the duchess has a stick up her arse. In fact, it’s my birthday, so I’m making it PJ day. Anyone not dressed in PJs has to leave.”
Ingrid rolls her eyes as she laughs. “Even your mother? Because you and I both know she’s wearing one of her expensive pantsuits.
I think she may even sleep in them. Every time I’ve seen her, she’s had one on.
Even when she rushed over three nights ago around midnight when that bitch of a night nurse called her with false allegations. ”
“Which is why I fired her on the spot.” With tenderness, I raise her hand to my lips. “Sent my mother home and told her to mind her own damn business.”
“You’d better go before she comes looking for you. I really don’t want to listen to her again.” She leans forward and kisses my lips then glances down at my lap. “Might want to get a handle on that first too. I’d help, but I know she’d walk in, and this time I just might enjoy giving her a show.”
And I’d let her if I thought it would send my mother running. Unfortunately, I doubt it would. She’d only squawk out her disapproval like she’d done that night.
The nurse, who was also one of the chosen, reported to my mother that Ingrid was refusing to let her do her job.
Not true. The only thing Ingrid had done was tell the eager little nurse that if I required assistance in the bathroom cleaning up, she’d be the one helping me.
Then locked her out while she helped me get in the shower, stayed to make sure I didn’t get too tired or overdo it.
I hadn’t had a shower since the shooting, and I was desperate for one.
Sponge baths just weren’t cutting it, and after returning home I’d refused to let my mother’s hired help touch me like that.
So once my doctor agreed I could take a shower, I jumped on it.
Since I was still a little uneasy on my feet, I needed someone to keep watch.
I tried convincing Ingrid to join me, but she’d refused, said I’d try to do more than shower if she did.
She’s not wrong; that’s exactly what I’d planned to do.
But after a few minutes in the shower, I realized how weak I really was, and had to take a seat on the damn old man’s chair placed in it to keep me from falling on my arse.
My mother showed up and barged in right as Ingrid was helping me out of the shower.
Caught both of us laughing at my weak arse, found me in a predicament no mother should, then accused Ingrid of taking advantage.
I’d lost my shit. Said things that I probably shouldn’t have before sending her and her nurse away.
I’ve refused to speak with her since. Ignoring all phone calls and texts.
But I knew she’d show up today, like she always does.
And because I’m not a complete arse, respect her as my mother, I’ll appease her by joining her.
But as soon as she starts in, I’ll kick her out again, because that seems to be part of this crazy birthday ritual.
Slowly making my way down the stairs, I’m not surprised to hear several female voices invading my space. Seems she’s brought the entire gang with her this time, knowing I won’t kick her out as quickly with my three sisters flanking her.
“Where’s your friend?” Mother asks when I walk in alone. “Did she head back to the States?” There’s an excitement in her tone, one I can’t wait to squash.
“No.” I mosey over to the coffee machine and lie through my damn teeth. “She’s taking a shower after giving me the best damn birthday gift ever.”
It would have happened too, had she not shown up. So it only serves her right I ruin her day by sharing.
Suze clears her throat, stifling a giggle as she steps up next to me. Once she’s close enough, her head lands on my arm, and she sighs. “Please don’t push her.”
I glance behind me to see the duchess instructing her staff on how to set the table while they unpack the food. The frown on her face when she glares my way tells me she heard me and doesn’t approve.
Turning back around, I grab my mug as I say, “I make no promises.”
Lina joins us, pats my other arm as she smiles up at me. “We had to come see for ourselves, this friend of yours. Mother can’t stop talking about her. And Suze says she’s the real deal.”
“You really did it, ruined all her plans.” Juna walks up and gently hugs me from behind. “It’s good to see you. Happy birthday, baby brother.”
I’m quickly wrapped up in all three of my sister’s arms and try not to get sappy.
It’s nice to see them. We don’t get together like this much now that we’re older.
They all came running when they heard about the shooting.
And while I hate that is the reason for this little reunion, I’m glad they are here.
“Thanks. It’s good to be celebrating another one.”
“Come sit.” Mother claps her hands sharply to get our attention. “Breakfast is ready. We don’t want it to get cold.”
Ingrid walks in wearing exactly what I told her not to wear. I’ll make her change as soon as everyone leaves. When she notices Mother didn’t come alone, she looks skeptical, likely thinking she’s walked into an ambush. But my sisters quickly do their best to wash her worries away.
Juna is on her first. “You must be Ingrid. I’m Juna, the other rebel.”
“Hey, I’m a rebel now too.” Suze smiles as she puts an arm around Lina. “This one is the saint. She’s the only one of us who’s living by the rules.”
“Not all the rules.” Lina blinks a few times. “I’m not one for sharing. Thankfully, neither is my husband. Hi, I’m Lina. Don’t worry. We’re here to make sure Mother behaves.”
I step up behind my woman and wrap her in my arms. “Good, because if she doesn’t, I’m kicking her out and banning her from returning.”
We finally make our way to the table and take our seats. Suze takes the seat next to Ingrid, forcing my mother to sit next to me. It’s quiet for a few minutes while we plate our food and eat. But that only lasts so long.
“So you’ll be returning to school soon, correct?” Mother says it all too eagerly. “It’s too bad Darius won’t be able to travel for several more months. Long-distance relationships are so hard. Most couples don’t make it.”
Ingrid looks up and smiles at my mother, setting her fork aside. “Actually, I’ve withdrawn.”
That’s news to me. “What?”
Waving a hand, dismissing my question, she keeps talking. “I can’t be in two places at once. And Darius needs me here, so I’m staying.”
My mother scoffs, that frown from earlier back in place.
“Are you sure?” I lay my hand on her leg. “You worked hard to get into Princeton. What about fútbol?”
“I’ll miss it, but my knee is still fucked, so I’m not sure I’d have been able to play.
” She reaches for her cup. “I spoke to the administrator at the university here. I’ll miss this semester, but they don’t see any reason I can’t take a few online classes once my transcripts come through.
We’ll just wait and see how much you annoy me since we’ll be spending so much time together.
Taking online classes could be a good change of pace, giving me space away from you and your annoying ways. ”
I shake my head and snicker, and am about to say something when my mother cuts in.
“That’s rather rude of you to speak to my son like that,” Mother scolds.
“I think it’s kind of cute.” Lina snickers, not afraid to tell it like she sees it. “She’s gonna keep him on his toes.”
“It’s about time he had someone not stroking his ego.
” Juna’s eyes meet my mother’s hateful gaze.
“Stop being such a bitch, Mother. You need to accept that you’ve lost. Haven’t you figured it out by now?
The more you complain, the more we enjoy rebelling.
Plus, this could be your one chance to get a grandson. ”
Ingrid studies my sisters, putting a few pieces together. “Wait? Don’t you all have children?”
“We do.” Suze grins, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she leans back. “All girls.”
“And my baby factory is closed for good.” Juna taps her knife on her plate. “Four girls are all I can handle. I made sure of that after my last C-section.”
“Two’s enough for me,” Suze admits. “I have an IUD. And don’t plan on getting it removed. Plus… well, that’s a conversation for another day.”
“I’d have more if I could,” Lina sighs. “But after my third nearly killed me, my doctor advised me to stop. Which is why my husband stepped up and got a vasectomy.”
“Oh?” Ingrid blinks a few times. “Well, I’m not in a hurry to have babies. I’m not even twenty-one yet. Even though we plan to get married, babies are several years away.”
“Best news of the day,” my mother says with a huge smile on her face. “There is hope yet.”
I lift Ingrid’s left hand, where my ring sits on her ring finger. “Not really. I talked her into marrying me, didn’t I? And we’re doing that very soon. In a few short months.”
The color drains from my mother’s face, leaving it ashen. “But it takes at least a year to plan a wedding, Darius.”
Ingrid rests her head against my shoulder, her soft auburn hair brushing my cheek. “I don’t care about a big wedding. I just want to marry your son, Geneva. I’m not picky; a courthouse wedding would be just fine.”
“No, you cannot.” My mother pushes herself up, her hands pressed firmly against the table.
“Falcon’s do not get married in courthouses.
If my son insists on getting married to…
you… then we will do it right. With the girls and me handling it, you can be sure the job gets done properly. Won’t we, girls?”
“Of course,” all three of them say, smiling.
Funny how quickly Mother had a change of heart when she thought her only son, a duke, wouldn’t have a proper society wedding. She’ll still be a pain in the arse, but now I know how to keep her in line until the nuptials.
“Now, when do you plan on doing this? July or maybe October?” Mother is doing her best to push it as far back as she can without making it too obvious.
Before I can say anything, Ingrid blurts out. “I was thinking of April. It’s the same month Darius trampled his way into my life and feels like the right month. I hope that’s not too soon.”
“Not soon enough,” I say just so she’s clear and my mother knows where I stand. “I’d marry you tomorrow if you’d let me.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. First of all, you’re still healing.
” Snapping her fingers, Mother makes it official.
“April should be fine. It’ll be pushing it, but I think we can make it work.
Everyone will think the worst, assume this is happening because you are…
with child. It’s a good thing that’s not true. ”
The duchess turns and walks into the kitchen, pulling out her phone. Good grief, she’s on a mission now.
A smile spreads across Ingrid’s face as she looks at me. “I’d marry you today if I thought you felt well enough to do it. But it’s probably better we wait. Maybe your mother will come around by April.”
“Doubtful, but maybe.” I kiss her nose.
“Now, who wants cake?” Mother asks as she returns with my favorite. “I made this just for you, son. I know how much you love my carrot cake.”
After my sisters sing happy birthday to me and we all have a piece of cake, Ingrid gets this look on her face and says, “Hmm, if your mother can make carrot cake, then it can’t be that hard, right?”
I shrug. Seems logical, since the only thing my mother dares to make is this. Maybe my soon-to-be wife will also be able to make my favorite cake. The best part after all is the cream cheese frosting.
Hmm, maybe that’s why I love her frosting so much—it’s sweet and addictive, just like this one. Actually, it’s better. And before this day ends, I plan on licking it off her. It’s been way too long since I’ve done that.