20. Londyn
LONDYN
“What do you think?”
“About?”
“Today? Tonight? All of it.” Concern marked Malcomb’s face as he asked, “Did it go okay? Do you think Dalton had fun?”
“It couldn’t have gone better.” Malcomb had taken us down to the marina for several hours, and after, we went back to his place for dinner. “Dalton had such a great time fishing and seeing all the boats and then grilling burgers with you. It couldn’t have been more perfect.”
“So, you think he enjoyed it?”
“He loved it, Malcomb. All of it.” I reached over and placed the palm of my hand on his chest. “You did good.”
“I just want him to like me, you know?”
“Of course, he likes you, Malcomb. He thinks you’re some kind of hero.”
“Well, we both know that’s not the case.”
“I don’t know. You can be pretty heroic when you wanna be.” I smiled as I told him, “I can still remember those late nights when you would go help the brothers out and all those times when you were there for your mom and sisters when your dad couldn’t be.”
“That doesn’t make me a hero, babe.”
“Maybe not to you, but it does to me. And I bet your mother would say the same.”
“Have I mentioned that I’m glad you’re here?”
“A time or two.” I laid my head back on the pillow as I whispered, “But just so you know, I’m glad I’m here, too.”
“Does that mean you’ll stay?”
“Maybe... I’m still thinking about it. But before I make any final decisions, I have a question for you.”
“Oh? And what’s that?”
“How many?”
“How many what?”
I inched up on my elbow, looking down at him as I asked, “How many women have been in this bed?”
“None. Not a single one.”
“Oh, come on. I know better than that.”
“It’s the truth.” He brought his hand to my face, gently brushing my cheek with his knuckles. “I’m no saint. Never claimed to be one, but believe me when I say, no other woman has been in this bed. This spot has always been yours, and it always will be.”
“You’re gonna have to stop with the sweet stuff.”
“Just stating the facts.”
“How’s this for a fact.” I eased my leg over his waist, straddling him at the hips. “I’ve missed you. You’re here right now, and I still miss you. I’m afraid I’ll never stop missing you.”
“I know the feeling. You were gone so long.... too long.” He reached up and slipped his hand around the nape of my neck, gently pulling me towards him. “And now, I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you.”
His mouth landed on mine with a hard, demanding kiss.
He kissed like he was in complete control, like he had no doubts about what he was doing or how he was doing it.
I needed that. I didn’t want to think. I didn’t want a chance for my insecurities or doubts to creep in.
I simply wanted to be in the moment, and he did that for me.
His hands began to roam, and it wasn’t long before we both were lost in the moment.
He quickly maneuvered my cotton nightgown over my head and let it fall to the floor.
His hands immediately dropped to my waist as he pulled me in for another kiss.
I could feel the heat of his body pressing against my bare skin as he delved deeper into my mouth.
His deft fingers made their way up my back to my bra.
Once he’d released the clasp, he slipped it down my arms, and his gaze fixated on my breasts.
I could feel the scorching heat of his stare on my flesh, and the hungry look in his eyes had me squirming against him.
“Damn. You’re incredible...so damn beautiful. ”
As I sat, straddling him, I felt so wanted, so desired, which only made me want him more.
Malcomb could see what I wanted, and he spent the better part of the night making sure all my needs were fulfilled.
We fell asleep tangled in each other’s arms, and I couldn’t remember a night when I’d slept so well.
The next morning, I woke just after sunrise. Being careful not to wake Malcomb, I eased out of bed and made my way into the kitchen. I put on a pot of coffee and cleaned up a bit while it brewed. As soon as it was ready, I poured a cup of coffee and carried it out to the front porch.
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect.
As I sat there watching the sunlight dancing across the water, I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was.
Malcomb’s home was a gorgeous four-bedroom house that was surrounded by forest and had an amazing view of the ocean.
There wasn’t another house around for miles, and it was the perfect place to raise a family.
While the idea of moving here gave me a bit of a thrill, it also terrified me.
I already had my heart broken once, and I wasn’t sure I could survive going through it again.
And it wasn’t just my heart I had to consider.
Dalton was my world. From the time I found out I was pregnant, I’d been watching over him, protecting him, and making sacrifices so he would have everything he could possibly need.
I wanted to believe that Malcomb would make the same kind of sacrifices, but there was no way to be sure—especially when so much had changed.
It was a thought that had me distracted, and I hadn’t noticed that Malcomb had come up behind me until I heard him say, “Hey, you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good. Why?”
“Just seem quiet. That’s all.”
I glanced over at him with a smile. “There something wrong with being quiet?”
“Not at all. I’m just not used to it.”
“Well, trust me when I say quiet can be good. Very good, in fact.” I giggled as I told him, “I have a four-year-old, remember?”
“We have a four-year-old, and I’m looking forward to the loud and the quiet. Whatever comes our way.” He lowered his mouth to my neck, lightly trailing kisses below my ear. “You know what else I’m looking forward to?”
“I have a pretty good idea.” I giggled as I inched away from him. “And that sounds great and all, but I was thinking we might get out and do something today.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“I don’t know. I was hoping you would come up with something.”
“Yeah, I can come up with something, but first...”
Malcomb reached for me, pulling me towards him, and pressed his lips against mine.
The kiss was soft and tender and filled with promise.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer until there was no space left between us.
Being with him felt like home, and my entire body melted into his.
A low moan escaped through my parted lips as he kissed me deeper, and suddenly, everything changed. We both became frantic and full of need. Just as we were getting carried away, Malcomb suddenly broke the kiss. “Get dressed and meet me out back.”
“And Dalton?”
“He might need to stay inside for this one.” He noticed my hesitation and added, “We won’t be long. Maybe he can watch a movie or play one of his games?”
“We’ll be close, right?”
“Yep. Just out back.”
“Okay. I’ll get him sorted.”
I went back inside and went to Dalton’s room, and to my surprise, he was still sleeping soundly.
I used the opportunity to tiptoe down to Malcomb’s room and change out of my gown and into a pair of denim shorts and a T-shirt.
I pulled my hair up into a ponytail, and I was about to put on a little makeup when I heard Dalton ask, “Where’s Mal-come? ”
“He’s outside.” I walked over and knelt in front of him. “How’d you sleep?”
“O-kay.” He rubbed his eyes, then said, “I’m hun-gry.”
“Okay, sweetie. Let’s go to the kitchen and find you a bite to eat.”
He nodded, then followed me down the hall. When we made it to the kitchen, Dalton climbed up on one of the stools and watched as I made him a bowl of cereal. Once I had it ready, I asked, “Do you want to eat it here or over by the TV?”
“In ‘dare wit’ TV.”
“Okay.”
I led him into the living room, and he sat on his knees in front of the coffee table—something he’d done many times before. I turned on the TV and put it on one of his favorite shows, then leaned down and said, “Malcomb wants me to come outside and do something with him for a few minutes.”
“What ya gonna do?”
“I don’t know. He hasn’t told me.”
“I wanna go.”
Before I could respond, a man’s voice echoed through the room, “Holy shit. It’s true. Savage really does have a fucking kid.”
“Whoa. Language, please.”
I whipped around, and my mouth dropped when I found Thomas standing there.
The last time I’d seen him, he was just a kid—tall and thin with acne and bad hair.
But over the past five years, he’d grown into a man.
He was broad-shouldered and handsome as could be.
It took me a second, but I finally managed to respond, “Thomas? Is that really you?”
“The one and only, but folks call me Torch now.”
“Torch? That’s an interesting road name.”
“What can I say? I’m an interesting guy.”
I laughed, then walked over and gave him a hug. “It’s really good to see you, Torch.”
“Good to see you, too.” He hugged me back, then leaned to look over my shoulder at Dalton. “He looks just like him.”
“Yeah, he does.” I agreed with him.
“What’s his name?”
“Dalton.”
“Dalton’s a good name. It suits him.” Torch motioned his head towards the door as he said, “Ah, Malcomb’s out there waiting for ya. I’ll hang with him while you two do whatever it is you were gonna do.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
I nodded, then went over and knelt down next to Dalton. “Hey, this is Torch. He’s one of Malcomb’s friends. If it’s okay, he’s gonna watch TV with you for a bit.”
Dalton glanced over at Torch and then back to me. He thought for a moment, then nodded. “It’s o-kay.”
“I’ll be right outside if you need me.” I stood, then hurried over to the door. Before I walked out, I shouted, “I won’t be long.”
“Take your time.”
As soon as I started down the steps, I spotted Malcomb in the backyard.
He was talking with a brother I’d never met before.
He was tall like Malcomb, but he was a bit broader in the shoulders and had a much thicker beard.
He was also a bit older than Malcomb, and there was clearly something going on between them.