Episode 62
Episode 62
My New Family
MAIA
The bathroom door opened, and a cool blast of air entered as the steam from the shower escaped. The change in air temperature shocked me out of my daydream. Instinctively, I covered my private parts the best I could, and faced the clear glass doors. Rhodes stood there and pulled his t-shirt over his broad chest and tossed it to the floor.
“I thought we could save time by showering together…unless you’d rather not.” He swallowed as his gaze traced my naked form, even while I still covered myself.
My heart rate spiked as I watched him curl his fingers at the waist of his lounge pants.
“You’ve got three seconds to decide,” he murmured as I looked at him, feeling like a wild animal ready to flee, but I had nowhere to go. If I didn’t want him to be in here with me, naked , I needed to speak up.
“Three,” he warned.
I licked my lips and watched as one of his eyebrows rose toward his hairline. Instead of answering, I moved my arm covering my breasts, allowing them to bounce free.
“Two,” he growled the way a man did when a nice juicy steak was set in front of him and he was starved .
In response, I removed my hand from below, allowing him to see all of me as I shifted under the water, soaking my hair.
“One,” he bit out while shoving down his lounge pants. His cock sprang free, hard and pointing up toward his abdomen.
I gasped at the sight.
Rhodes had an incredible body. Tall, with sculpted broad shoulders. There was a smattering of hair across his square pecs and another line of it going from his belly button down to the neat curls surrounding his impressive cock.
He stepped forward, and I watched the muscles in his toned thighs flex and shift as he opened the shower door and stepped inside.
“You are so damn gorgeous,” he rumbled.
I could practically feel his gaze on my bare, slick skin, delight and desire at war with his gentlemanly side.
Feeling brave, I arched my back, jutting my small breasts forward. The combination of cool air and hot water made my nipples tight and erect.
His nostrils flared as he stared. “May I touch you?” he asked, his body vibrating as he breathed deep. He looked as if he was barely restraining himself from pouncing.
I spun around and presented him with my ass. He groaned as I looked over my shoulder and smirked. My ass was my absolute best feature, and based on the hungry look in his eyes, my soon-to-be husband agreed wholeheartedly.
“We are engaged,” I said playfully shaking my asset. “But we need to hurry.” I was about to remind him of his daughter when both of his hands landed on my hips, and he pressed his naked body against mine. One of his hands immediately came up and cupped a breast while the other palmed and squeezed my booty.
Rhodes put his lips to my neck, laying a line of worshipful kisses there. “I’ve never seen a sexier body. Jesus, Maia, you’re perfect everywhere ,” he growled, rubbing his thick cock between my ass cheeks.
“Gawd, you have the best hands,” I sighed, loving how he purposefully touched me.
He pinched and plucked at my breast, making me cry out. “There’s a lot I can do with them too,” he murmured against my skin. “But this ass, damn baby, it’s legendary.” He thrust his cock between the fleshy globes. “It squeezes my cock beautifully.” He sank his teeth into the space where my neck and shoulder met, spiking my lust even further.
I reached out and grabbed my vanilla spice body wash. “Hold on,” I said as I squeezed a large amount into the palm of my hand.
“I want to fuck you so badly,” he grated through clenched teeth, while I turned around and slathered his cock with the slippery soap.
“Soon. When we have more time,” I promised with a deep kiss. He tasted of coffee and man, a delectable flavor I wanted to experience every morning. Slowly, I pulled away and eased back around, then I pushed my hips back until his cock was nestled between my cheeks once more.
Rhodes dug his fingers into my hips and thrust his cock back and forth. His balls slapped against my tender flesh as I rocked my hips and squeezed his length the best I could.
As I moved, Rhodes walked us closer to the wall. I braced my hands on the tile as he wrapped his entire body around mine from behind. One of his hands went south and the other cupped a breast.
He palmed my center and groaned. “So wet,” he murmured, his hips never losing speed against my bottom as he plunged two fingers deep inside me.
I moaned at the mind-melting intrusion. His thumb made quick work of circling my clit. My breath caught as pleasure tore through me. I’d expected to get him off, and suddenly, I was barreling toward a fast and intense orgasm of my own.
“That’s right, Maia. Ride my hand, sweetheart. Take what you need,” he grunted against my neck.
It felt like he was everywhere at the same time. His hand working between my thighs, the other cupping my breast and manipulating my nipple, sending lightning bolts of desire in every direction. Then there was his hard length, rubbing across my forbidden hole with every driving thrust. He paired his movements, so that he was working every aspect of my body, all while chasing his need.
It was too much.
Too fast.
Too good.
My vision darkened, and I pressed harder against him, working my hips as he fingered me and lifted me up onto my toes with his raw strength and powerful thrusts. I was his puppet, and he the puppeteer, pulling pleasure from my body as easily as pulling strings.
“Come, Maia,” he demanded, his massive form shaking with his own need for release as he removed his fingers and pinched my clit.
My body exploded, straining against his hold, the orgasm so intense it was as though I needed to get away, but he held me tightly, plunging his fingers back inside. My internal muscles clamped around them and didn’t let go while I felt him cling to me, his mouth biting down on the ball of my shoulder to hold back his moan as he too found his release. Warm liquid pelted my lower back as he breathed roughly against my skin.
The water had cooled significantly as we came down. He eased his fingers out, and I mewled at the pinch of discomfort.
“You okay?” He murmured between placing soft kisses along my shoulders and the back of my neck.
I turned around and looped my arms around his neck, then grinned. “I’m amazing, though now I feel like I need another nap.”
He chuckled and pulled me into a hug. “After shopping, yeah?”
“Yeah. I do want to get to know Emily better.”
“I want that too. Let’s finish showering and get ready. Emily’s probably dying to leave.” He laughed.
“Hey, it was you that chose to get in the shower with me. If we’re late, it’s your fault.”
“Guilty as fuck, but I don’t regret a second of it.” He reached for my body wash and soaped up the rest of his body.
“You’re going to smell like me,” I warned.
“I know.” He smiled with a devilish smirk. “I like having your scent all over me. It will remind me of this moment all day when I have to lug around a bunch of shopping bags.”
I chuckled and rinsed off, then slid past him. “Well, last one ready has to answer to the teenager.” I opened the door and wrapped a towel around my body.
“Dammit!” he cursed, humor in his tone. “I’ll get you for that one!”
“I’d like to see you try,” I called out and left the steamy bathroom to get dressed.
* * * *
“Oh my God, Maia! This will look sooooooo good on you!” Emily thrust a purple dress on a hanger toward me. It was way too fancy for my tastes, but I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.
“It is cute, but maybe a bit too young and trendy for me?”
Emily spun around, her ponytail flying to the side as she mock-glared. “Aren’t you, like, twenty?”
“Actually, my birthday is in a couple days, and I’ll be twenty-four.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Your birthday is in a couple days! We have to celebrate it! Dad! Did you know that Maia’s birthday is in two days?”
Rhodes’ gaze went from his daughter to me and narrowed skeptically. “Is it now? I do believe that bit of information had been kept from me.”
I shook my head. “Remember, I told you I had a birthday coming.”
“You didn’t say it was this close,” he grumbled.
I shrugged. “Well, it is.”
“Dad, we should totes have a party!”
“Um, I’m not much for parties, Em. I prefer a lowkey approach to birthdays,” I deflected.
She stared at me silently, blinking as if she didn’t understand a thing I said. Then the girl straight up ignored me and went over to Alana.
“Auntie Alana, did you know it is Maia’s birthday in two days?”
Alana turned her head toward me, and her eyebrows rose as she read my expression, which was filled with anxiety. “I had not made that connection, no.”
“We should have a big bash! Invite all Dad’s and Maia’s friends.”
Little did she know. The only friends I had were members of a motorcycle club.
Alana laid down her wisdom. “Emily, when someone is having a birthday, it is best to ask what they want. Perhaps Maia is not one who prefers to celebrate in such a lavish and exorbitant way.”
I could have fallen over with relief. “Yep, exactly what she said,” I agreed.
Rhodes came up behind me, encircled my waist and pressed his chin to my shoulder. My breath caught as he whispered against my ear.
“It would have been nice to know your birthday was this close.” His stubble tickled my cheek as he spoke.
I leaned back against him and put my hands over his where they covered my abdomen. “I’m uncomfortable with birthdays.”
“Would a nice day out to see the sights and a family dinner be acceptable?” he asked.
He already knew me well in such a short time. “That would be lovely,” I sighed. “Fun for all of us.”
“Em, no party. However, Maia would love to see the sights and have a nice dinner out. I’m thinking dinner in the Eiffel Tower.”
Her mouth dropped open, and she fist pumped triumphantly. “That is sooooooo cool, Dad! I get to go right?” Her blue eyes were sparkling with such joy and excitement, it moved me to see how genuinely herself she was allowed to be in front of these adults.
When I was a kid, it was best not to bring attention to oneself. Today, Emily was the star of our outing and the adults around her enjoyed her exuberance. It was the exact opposite of my past experiences and something that would take time for me to get used to.
Rhodes laughed at her question. “Of course, you get to go.”
“Awesome,” she whispered with barely contained glee. “Then we need to find new outfits.” Those stunning eyes got even bigger as this new idea lit her soul on fire.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Alana stated. “Maia, you’ve been excellent at avoiding trying on or purchasing anything this afternoon. I’m afraid you no longer have a choice.”
I groaned. “It’s so much more fun watching you guys go hog wild.”
Christophe snickered, lifting up the six bags he’d been carrying for Alana and Emily.
Emily skipped over to me, looped her arm with mine, and yanked me from her dad’s arms. “Sorry, Dad. Your woman is in dire need of a birthday outfit.”
“Go hog wild.” Rhodes encouraged, using my phrasing.
“You suck, you know that?” I squinted at him as Emily pulled me away.
“I do know that, and you love it.” His eyes heated with that inner desire we’d banked earlier, which was coming to the surface once more.
Before I knew it, I had a pile of clothes in my arms, and Alana and Emily were dragging me toward a dressing room.
“Poor thing never had a chance.” I could hear Christophe chuckling.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t wrong. Alana and Emily pushed their way into the ridiculously large dressing room. It had a full-size couch with a privacy screen in the corner.
Emily and Alana sat on the couch. “Okay, model for us, Maia!” Emily encouraged.
“This will be an experience,” Alana remarked in that elegant tone that oozed class.
I blew out a breath and tried on the first item. It was a jumpsuit that had such long legs they dragged on the floor. It was meant for someone tall and statuesque.
“It doesn’t fit,” I said as I came out from behind the screen. “And how the heck do you go to the bathroom in something like this? You’d have to get completely naked.”
“I vote for that one.” I heard Rhodes’ deep, playful rumble come from outside of the room.
“You just want me to be naked,” I blurted, forgetting who was in the room with me.
“Damn straight!”
Emily’s cheeks were pink, but she was giggling like the young girl she was, completely at ease, while I was dying of embarrassment. “At least Dad likes it,” she joked.
Alana shook her head and sipped on a glass of champagne that had magically appeared while I was getting dressed. “Next item. Try the short silver dress, chérie ,” she instructed.
I went back behind the privacy screen and pawed through the hanging items until I pulled out a slinky, form-fitting dress. It had spaghetti straps and hugged my body in all the best ways. It clung to my rounded ass like a second skin but had enough give that it didn’t feel tight. The hem fell to just above my knees, appropriate, yet still unbelievably sexy. I looked at my reflection from the left and right, then over my shoulder.
I was hot as fuck in this dress.
With a little more pep in my step, I came around the screen to find not only Alana and Emily in the room, but Rhodes was leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, waiting for the show.
He gasped. “Jesus, fuck!”
“Dad!” Emily snapped, still giggling.
“We’re getting that,” he announced. “You look phenomenal.” There was such awe in his tone, my heart beat rapidly, and I couldn’t help the wide smile that stretched across my face.
“ Magnifique , Maia,” Alana agreed.
I smiled and danced around. “It makes me feel pretty too.” Then I noticed the tag hanging from the side seam. I walked over to the mirror and tried to read it.
Rhodes stomped up behind me and covered my hand with his around the tag. He shook his head. “No looking at prices. You don’t live that life anymore,” he murmured.
“Rhodes…” I used my best serious voice.
“You’re not going to win this one. Just take off the dress and try on the next item. Let me spoil my fiancée,” he kissed my temple.
“Your fiancée!” Emily cried out suddenly and jumped up, her mouth hanging open.
“Em…” Rhodes lifted a hand, as though he could stop this train from crashing into us. No such luck.
Instant fear threaded through my veins, and my temperature rose as my hands went clammy.
“You’re getting married!” she screeched.
“I was going to tell you…” Rhodes tried.
Emily looked at me then to Rhodes, her face a mask of shock.
“Darling…” Alana went to the girl and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Emily stood with her eyes wide. “You meant it,” she whispered, her gaze planted on her dad’s face. “You’re not getting rid of me.”
“Never, baby girl. I told you that. Maia is to be added to our family. Me and you. Alana and Christophe. And now Maia.”
Her eyes filled with tears, and her expression softened. “You really aren’t going to push me away. That’s why Maia’s here. Because you want me to like her ?”
“Yes, Em. That’s exactly why we’re here,” he agreed. Which was the truth for the most part. Before the threats, we’d hoped to have more alone time alone together, but life and some psycho had other plans. Still, the whole point of us being here with Emily right now was not only to allow Rhodes to keep us both safe, but for us to connect.
And as Emily dashed into her dad’s arms and hugged him tightly, I realized this time together was also so I could get used to being a part of an already established group.
A family.
My new family.
Holy shit. This was my new family.
Rhodes would be my husband, but that would make Emily my…
Emily pulled back from Rhodes, tears tracking down her sweet little face. Her gaze met mine and contained such longing I couldn’t look away. There was something there in that one look that pierced my tightly shielded heart and broke it wide open.
“You’re going to be my stepmother ,” she breathed. “I’m going to have a real mom in my life.” She jumped up and down and then raced over to me, plowing into my arms.
I didn’t know what to do other than wrap my arms around her and hold on tight.
That opening in my heart filled up with the sudden and unbelievable burst of acceptance pouring from the young girl. I cupped the back of her neck as she sobbed in my arms.
Without a single word, Rhodes came over to our huddle and wrapped his arms around us both. I could hear the sound of Alana’s heels clacking on the title floor and the dressing room door closing behind her.
After both of our tears subsided, Emily shifted so she could look at me.
“Can I be a bridesmaid?” she asked.
Rhodes and I burst into laughter.