Chapter 13
Vic stood in the middle of his backyard and stared at the superhero-themed kingdom that had taken over his property.
It looked like Marvel Studios had exploded across the grass.
Balloons in red, blue, and gold, a giant inflatable Hulk bouncer, a Captain America shield-toss station, a face-painting booth, and tables draped in comic-strip linens with a cake that was stacked incredibly high.
All because Kian had turned five.
Where the hell had the time gone? How was his son five years old already?
A faint ache filled his chest, and before he could get lost in his sentiment, a small body slammed into his leg.
“Daddy! Look! I’m Spider-Man!” Kian wore a full Spidey suit with a mask. His giggling was infectious.
Vic bent down and scooped him up, tossed him on his shoulder, and spun around a few times, which earned him a squeal that pierced the air.
“I thought it was the real Spider-Man!” Vic laughed and set him back down on his feet.
“I tricked you, Daddy! Watch me run!” He sprinted across the lawn and ricocheted between a cluster of guests.
Vic shook his head at the sight of his son having so much fun.
Everything was perfect, thanks to Addison. She sure knew how to throw a party. No wonder her business was thriving. Addison had looked Vic dead in his face when she’d started working on the party and said, “We are doing what we want for this party.”
“Who is we?” he’d asked.
“Me and Kian.”
He had gladly handed her his credit card so Kian could have what he wanted. He was glad he had, because the woman knew what she was doing. This party was better than anything he could have imagined.
It wasn’t the decorations or the crowd or the sunshine and unseasonably warm weather that made his breath catch in his throat.
It was her.
Tachina.
She stood across the yard talking with her parents. A slight breeze caught her hair and lifted it. The sunlight kissed her skin and made it glow. She wore a fitted cream sweater, high-waisted jeans, and boots. It was hard not to stare at her.
Just a week ago, he’d had her writhing beneath him in her bed. Her channel had gripped him ever so sweetly as she had come with him deep inside her.
He tried to mingle and not be obvious that he kept staring at her. He checked in on the catering team, greeted family members as they arrived, but for some strange reason, his eyes kept finding her.
And every time their eyes met, he wanted to go to her and carry her away to somewhere private where they could be alone.
Last weekend had imprinted a lasting memory on him.
He now knew what he wanted. He had wanted to leave before Kian had awakened.
It had taken everything in him to walk away.
They had lain together peacefully. He’d listened to her breathe; her leg had been draped over his, her hair tickled his shoulder, and it had felt so right.
Just perfect.
And that did scare him.
He’d slipped out of the bed while she had slept, kissed her on the forehead, then dressed.
He’d even made note to check on Kian. He’d needed to ensure they were both safe and comfortable once he’d gone.
Leaving had put a damper on his entire week.
They’d seen each other, but it had been only briefly for drop-offs, pickups, and every single time the sexual tension was through the roof.
“Victor!” He turned as his mother swept in to stand beside him.
Nancy Maxwell didn’t know how to do casual. He doubted the woman even owned a pair of jeans. She was dressed in a cream blouse with matching-colored slacks and sensible low-heeled shoes. Her hair was perfectly coifed, and she had her mother’s pearl necklace around her neck.
“There you are,” she said. “This is some party.”
Her gaze traveled around the yard. If he hadn’t paid attention, he would have missed the way her nose tilted in the air.
He bit back a chuckle. He was actually shocked that his parents had even stopped in for Kian’s party.
Not that they didn’t love the future heir to Maxwell & Sons, they did, but in their own strange way.
“You remember Addison? Tachina’s friend. She coordinated everything, and I stayed out of the way,” he said.
“Smart.” A small smile graced her lips. “Your brother brought the gift we ordered for Kian. I wanted to make sure you see it. I think he will love it.”
“I’m sure he will,” Vic murmured.
She smiled ever so sweetly, and he narrowed his gaze on her. She was up to something.
He tilted his head and blew out a deep breath. “What do you really want, Mother?”
“What? I can’t come over and speak with my oldest son?” Her chin tilted upward, and she huffed.
“I know you, Mother, and you want something.” He folded his arms.
At that moment, Tachina’s parents walked by. Nancy put on her infamous smile and waved. He nodded to them as well. He’d already spoken with them several times.
“Mother.”
“Oh, all right. When are you and Sydney going to sit down and work things out? I’m sure it was just a big misunderstanding between the two of you.” She turned to him, the smile disappearing.
He already knew the woman had planned his and Sydney’s wedding out in her head. Sydney, in her eyes, would be the perfect wife for him. She came from old money lineage, was well connected, and their families being joined would create a family dynasty.
That wasn’t what he was looking for in a wife.
He wanted someone he got along with, considered a friend, worked well together, enjoyed the same things in life, was attracted to, loved to hear her laugh and see her smile. His attention drifted back over toward Tachina.
He swallowed hard.
“It’s none of your business, Mother.”
“But the girl felt humiliated. Just think. She put in all of those years and no ring? No promise of a future?” Nancy whispered fiercely. It sounded as if she and Sydney had been speaking.
“Mom. It’s not going to happen. She broke it off, and it was honestly for the best. I will be okay,” he said. He wanted to remind her that he was her son and that’s where her concern should be.
“I know you will be, son.” She paused as if she wanted to stay something else but thought better of it. She sighed and followed his gaze. “Is there something going on between you and Tachina?”
“What?”
“You’ve stared at her three times since I have been talking with you.” She leaned in. “You aren’t considering a relationship with her? What the two of you have right now is perfect. I know Kian wasn’t planned, but—”
“Mom. Again, none of your business.”
“You’re right. I’m just an old woman who is trying to help her son get married and have a happy life. Who I am to try to care?” She blinked rapidly.
Vic bit back a groan. Now she was going to play the victim.
“Mother…” He sighed.
“Don’t worry about me. I will be fine. I will go help Kian pick out his cupcake. Maybe he will appreciate what I do for him.” That chin tilt of hers was back again.
“Kian doesn’t need help picking out a cupcake,” he said dryly.
His mother was always overdramatic. He should know this by now. She cut him a look as if he’d just told her the family was broke.
“He will always need help and guidance from his grandmother.” She turned and sailed away with her head held high.
“What the fuck?” he breathed. He couldn’t help but laugh at the situation. If he didn’t laugh, he’d be ripping his hair out.
Vic found Tachina by the shield-toss game, laughing with one of her cousins. That laugh did something to him. It got under his skin every time he heard it.
She caught him staring at her, again. Her lips pulled into a slow smile that curled heat into his stomach.
Get it together, Maxwell.
She excused herself and walked toward him. No, she sashayed toward him. Her hips swayed, her eyes were bright, and she looked breathtakingly beautiful.
There would be no getting it together when it came to her.
“Having fun?” Tachina stopped in front of him. Her eyes sparkled, and she was completely relaxed.
“Yeah. You?” he asked softly.
“Honestly? This might be the best damn kids’ party I’ve ever been to. Addison certainly outdid herself.”
“I know. I never would have thought of half the stuff she did.” He glanced around. He barely recognized his own backyard. The kids’ laughter and screams echoed through the air. He smiled at Kian running around with a few of his friends.
“Same. Kian is happy,” she murmured. Her gaze was on their son also.
“Yeah. He’s perfect.”
She glanced back at him. Something warm invaded her gaze. Her lips curled up, and she stepped slightly closer to him. His breath caught, and he wondered what she was about to say. Whatever it was, the answer was yes.
But before she could say anything, a voice he did not want to hear cut through the laughter behind him.
“Vic! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
He closed his eyes. What the fuck?
Sydney.
She approached him in an emerald-green sweater, cream pants, and knee-high riding boots. Her blonde hair was left flowing down around her shoulders while her makeup was a little heavy for attending a child’s party. Her expression sweetened with the kind of smile she used when she wanted attention.
“Hi, Tachina,” Sydney said. Her voice was syrup sweet, but her eyes were sharp. She came to stand next to Vic. “Cute party.”
“Thanks,” Tachina replied cooly. Her attention turned back to Vic. “I’m going to head back over to the games if you need me.”
She spun around and stalked away. His gaze dropped down to her ass, unable to resist the peek. Sydney cleared her throat.
“I came to drop off a present for Kian.” She held out a bag to Vic. Her smile widened even more.
Right. Because she really wanted to come to a five-year-old’s party and bring a gift.
“Appreciate it. You can leave it on the table over there.” He tilted his head toward the patio where there was a table set up.
She of course didn’t move.
“So, what is going on with you and Tachina?” Sydney slipped closer to him and lowered her voice.