Chapter Eight
Lia
“Ughhh!” I groan, before running down the hallway and into the bathroom. No doubt, Lucian is still standing at the front door trying to figure out what’s going on. Today is my first OB/GYN appointment and we were just getting ready to leave when I felt the now familiar roil of my stomach. I’ve learned the hard way that I have very little time after that feeling to get to the toilet.
“Oh, baby,” I hear behind me as my stomach heaves. He holds my hair with one hand and rubs my back with the other. “I hate seeing you go through this every day. It makes me want to cut my dick off.”
Despite my misery, I can’t contain my laughter at his grim statement. “Let’s not do anything drastic,” I joke weakly, even though the same thought has crossed my mind a few times while worshipping the porcelain god.
“Are you finished?” he asks when a few minutes have passed without any additional throwing up. I nod and he quickly and efficiently goes about cleaning me up. I have no doubt that Lucian will be as equally caring for our baby.
When my teeth have been brushed and my top changed, we’re once again on our way out the door. This time without incident. Lucian chose to drive us and not use Sam. I think he likes time to absorb any new “baby” information before he has to answer questions from his friends. I feel the same way as well. I no longer panic over every reference to my pregnancy, but I’m still a bundle of nerves about it. Since the morning sickness hit though, I’ve had less time to dwell on my impending motherhood. My focus is usually trying to work around my heaving sessions so I can make it to school on time.
I put my hand on Lucian’s strong thigh as he drives us through the streets of Asheville. “Thanks, Luc,” I say, feeling emotional. I cry over nothing these days. I dropped my glass of juice two mornings ago and sobbed for thirty minutes. Lucian was beside himself by the time I finally got it together.
His hand briefly covers mine as he throws me a quizzical look. “For what?”
“For taking care of me and overlooking my mood swings. I know it can’t be easy for you.” He’s dealing with so much already that my weepiness is the last thing he needs added to his plate.
“Ah, baby, you don’t have to thank me. It’s my privilege and never a chore. You’re carrying our child inside you. I’d be a bit of a bastard if I walked off to let you deal with everything alone, wouldn’t I?”
I can’t help but smile at his teasing words. “You would be, yes.”
“I don’t want to miss anything, Lia. Nothing in my life is as important as you are.”
“I know, Lucian,” I assure him. “You’re the best boyfriend in the entire world.”
He grimaces, before saying, “That always sounds so…odd. I know we’re in our twenties, but I just feel too old to be your ‘boyfriend.’ It seems so inadequate for the way I feel about you.”
Somehow, I don’t think this is the time to suggest he call me his future wife. I can’t believe the thought even crossed my mind. I’m not ready for that—am I? “How about my baby daddy?” I joke instead.
“Only if I can call you my baby mama.” He laughs when I cringe.
“Please, I already have to hear that from Rose. Let’s just stick with my sex slave for now, all right?” He gives me a look that melts my panties and has me panting as we park in front of the doctor’s office.
He gently rubs my leg before he takes my hand. “I’ll see if I can live up to that name when we get home,” he drawls.
I’m flushed and sweating as I fill out my paperwork. I’m once again faced with the box asking for my insurance coverage. Lucian looks down as I hesitate and rolls his eyes at the question. He points to cash and gives me a warning look not to argue. I return the paperwork to the receptionist and take my seat once again. It’s almost comical to see Lucian sitting here surrounded by women, the majority of them visibly pregnant. I see more than a few of them looking at him with frank appreciation. It makes me feel like a queen when he clasps my hand in his, before dropping a kiss on the side of my cheek. That’s right, ladies. This is my man candy; eat your hearts out!
My name is called and Lucian gets to his feet without hesitation. We step through the doorway and a woman who doesn’t even look old enough to work says, “Hi, I’m Brittany and I’ll be doing your ultrasound today.” She escorts us to a dimly lit room and hands me a paper sheet. She points to a dressing room with a curtain in the corner. “If you’ll remove your clothing below the waist and then have a seat on the table.”
Lucian gives me a lecherous grin. “Mmm, I didn’t know there would be nudity today. What exactly happens at this appointment? You and Brittany…?”
I pop his butt with the sheet as I walk toward the dressing room. “In your dreams, Quinn. Now try to keep it together while I undress.”
He gives me an innocent look before asking, “Need any help in there?”
I wag my finger in his face. “You’re going to get into trouble with Brittany if you don’t behave,” I warn sternly. He chuckles, not sounding too concerned about my threat. I quickly remove my pants and panties, then pull the stiff sheet around me. I slide my feet back into my flip-flops and walk past Lucian in my less than glamorous attire.
“You look hot,” he deadpans as he helps me up onto the exam table. I’m right in the middle of sticking my tongue out at him when there is a knock at the door before it opens.
Brittany gives me a confused look as my tongue is still pointing at Lucian. “Are we ready?” she asks briskly.
“We are,” Lucian answers. Lucian and I both startle when Brittany lifts something that looks like a vibrator, then precedes to roll a condom over it. “What the hell?” I just nod in agreement, since I’m thinking the same thing.
The corners of Brittany’s mouth twitch before she asks, “You’ve never had a transvaginal ultrasound before?”
“Um…no,” I say, knowing my face must be bright red. It’s not as if Lucian isn’t intimately familiar with my body, but somehow hearing part of it being discussed so clinically is a bit embarrassing.
“The baby is too small right now to be seen on an abdominal ultrasound. I’ll insert this wand into your vagina and rotate it so we can see your uterus and ovaries. Some women find the pressure slightly uncomfortable, but it should be painless.” Holding up the phallic-like instrument, she asks brightly, “Are we ready?”
I want to ask her who “we” is since I’m the only one getting that thing stuffed inside me, but I think it’s probably not wise to make an enemy out of her. I don’t want to give her a reason to “accidently” use the wrong hole.
I turn to look at Lucian since he’s fallen silent during her graphic explanation of the ultrasound equipment. It’s hard to be certain with the dim lighting, but he looks unusually nervous. “Are you okay?” I whisper while Brittany is occupied punching something into her computer.
He takes my hand, squeezing it reassuringly. He looks as surprised as I am to learn the details of the ultrasound. The child Cassie carried was a boy, so I wonder if he was at the ultrasound with her. This isn’t the time for that question though, so I let it go for now. “I’m just excited,” he finally says, and then adds, “and a bit scared.”
Brittany looks up, obviously having caught his words. She studies him for a bit longer than would be considered professional before saying, “There is nothing at all to be nervous about, Mr.—”
“Lucian Quinn,” he replies.
No doubt she has noticed our last names are different. I feel the crazy need to stake my claim on him, just in case there is any question in her mind. I draw our clasped hands to my lips, effectively bringing his eyes back to me. “I love you,” I say loudly enough for her to hear. I know it’s silly, but I’m having a needy and possessive moment.
His lips curl into that sexy smile that gets me every time. “I love you too, baby,” he replies without hesitation.
Without further delay, Brittany inserts the wand and I shift slightly before I can stop myself. Lucian and I stare at the large screen hanging from the wall to the side of us. She begins by measuring my ovaries before moving on. Suddenly, we see something that looks like an oblong circle with a shape moving inside. Brittany points out the head, which looks huge in relation to the rest of the body. She then says that the fluttering movement is the baby’s heart and that the two small stick-like figures are the feet. You can barely make out the arms because of the way the baby is turned. I vaguely register her telling us that the measurements are spot-on at eleven weeks. I feel tears running down my face and as I look over at Lucian, I’m surprised to see he’s wiping at the moisture of his own.
The rest passes in a blur as I fight to keep my emotions under control. Both Lucian and I are silent as she finishes up and leaves the room for me to dress. I begin to sit up, preparing to get off the table, when Lucian suddenly envelops me in his arms. “I love you so much, Lia,” he rasps in my ear as he lovingly drops one hand to cradle my stomach. “Did you hear our baby’s heart beating?” he asks in wonder.
I can only nod, my throat too tight to get a word out. We sit there for another few moments, holding each other until I say, “I need to get dressed before she comes back to get us.” Even though my sheet is barely covering the essentials by that point, Lucian doesn’t make a sexual comment. We’re both struggling to get our emotions under control.
I have just buttoned my pants when a nurse leads us to the laboratory. There is no sign of Brittany. She takes some blood, before recording my weight. Finally, we’re settled in an exam room and wait for the doctor. “That was intense.” Lucian sighs and I know he’s talking about the ultrasound. “I went once with Cassie, but it was different. Truthfully, things were pretty bad between us by then and I was preoccupied with everything that was going on with her. She resented being pregnant so much that she didn’t enjoy seeing the baby, nor did she want me to either.”
“Oh, Luc.” I run my hand over his face, trying to soothe the sudden tightness in his jaw. “I know this baby can’t take the place of the one you lost, but we’ll be together for this every step of the way. There is no one else I would rather be the father of my child than you.”
He kisses me tenderly. When he pulls back, he gives me a lopsided smile. “I’m sorry for bringing that up. This wasn’t the time or place for that.”
“Luc, I don’t care where we are. I always want you to feel free to share your pain with me. Of course, things bring back memories. You don’t have to hide that from me.”
We’re wrapped up in each other, oblivious to the world, when a throat clears behind us. A woman in a white coat stands smiling at us. She looks to be in her late forties or early fifties. She has long, dark hair with some silver threaded through. “I’m Dr. Sitton, and you must be Lia and Lucian.” Lucian releases his hold on me to take her hand. She tells us that Dr. Kay has sent her a copy of my chart and she’s reviewed it. Lucian takes a seat beside me, clasping my hand lightly. “Everything looks good on the ultrasound. The baby measures perfectly and I don’t see any cause for concern.” The visit is rather anticlimactic after the ultrasound. She instructs us to make an appointment for next month and then points to the front desk to checkout.
From the swift intake of breath and tensing of his arm around my waist, it seems my alpha male is again preparing to rear his head when the receptionist gives me the payment schedule. “This is an estimate of the cost of the medical care for your pregnancy. This includes your monthly visits as well as a standard delivery. The hospital will bill you separately for costs incurred in their facility.” She gives me a sympathetic look as she circles a number on the paper. “Since you don’t have insurance, this will be your monthly payment amount.”
Lucian abruptly pulls out his wallet and hands her his black American Express card. “Charge the full amount to this, please. We don’t need a payment plan.” She picks up the card gingerly, as if expecting it to bite. From the look on her face, apparently this is an unusual occurrence. “Just let us know if there are additional charges and they’ll be taken care of in full,” he adds as she returns his card to him.
Clearing her throat, she stammers out, “Of course, sir.” I can’t help but roll my eyes as she recovers from her shock and begins gushing over him like some groupie. The sex appeal of Lucian Quinn appears to be far-reaching and all consuming. Without even bothering to look at me, she gives him a dazzling smile and says, “If I can help you with anything else at all, please let me know.” To his credit, he doesn’t even bother to give her one of his panty-melting smiles in return. Dear God, if he had, she’d probably have taken her clothes off right there.
“Oh, brother,” I grumble as he leads me out the door with a hand on the small of my back.
“What’s that, babe?” he asks as he opens my door and helps me inside.
“All of those women in there were thinking nothing but dirty thoughts about you,” I say crossly. Even though I’m barely even showing now, I still feel like his fat, pregnant girlfriend. He’s so unbelievably hot and I’m going to be a whale in another few months. Brittany probably only eats lettuce leaves…the bitch.
“What women?” he asks, looking genuinely confused.
“Oh, come on,” I huff. “Like you didn’t notice them staring at you?” I do a perfect imitation of twirling my hair just like the receptionist before batting my eyelashes at him as Brittany had done.
If I thought my words would bother him, he proves me wrong as he begins full-blown laughing. He can barely buckle his own seat belt as he shakes. “You’re jealous,” he wheezes. “Ah, baby, I fucking love that!”
“You’re such an ass,” I snap, ready to hit him over the head with my purse. Could he be any more insensitive to my feelings?
As if suddenly clueing into the fact I wasn’t joking, he sobers immediately. “Lia, honey, you’re really upset, aren’t you? Shit, baby, I’m sorry. I thought I’d made it clear that I don’t notice other women anymore. You’re all I see. You and our baby are my sole focus. I couldn’t care less if another woman looks at me or flirts because I’m not interested. I have everything I want; there is nothing they could offer that would change that.”
Once again, I start crying like the basket of hormones I am. He just holds me until I’ve stopped then cleans me up as best he can. “I love you,” I blubber out, which comes out more as “I wuv you,” but he appears to understand. Before he can start the car, I get up the nerve to ask, “Do you have some time this morning to have breakfast with me before you go to the office?”
I know he has a million things to do, but he answers immediately. “Of course, baby. Where would you like to go?”
I pull my phone from my purse and scroll down my old text messages until I come to the one with a name of a restaurant on it. “Seraphina’s on Main Street. Do you know it?”
He looks curious at my request but shrugs and pulls out into traffic. “I’ve been there before since it’s close to the office.”
As Lucian navigates traffic, I nervously clasp and unclasp my hands. I should tell him that it’s not the desire to eat that has me asking to eat at a restaurant I’ve never been to before. I just know that this is a mistake—but he’s texted me the same thing every day for the last month. Why I decide to give in this morning, I have no idea. My musings abruptly end as we come to a stop in front of a quaint building. There are tables with colorful tablecloths set up on a patio; flowers and green plants provide each table with some privacy. Lucian walks around to open my door. He takes my elbow and helps me to the pavement while I look around. I must admit, I’m surprised. This is hardly the type of place that I’d expect my—
“Lia, Lucian, I’m happy you could make it this morning.” Both Lucian and I whirl around to see Lee Jacks smiling at us. Lucian looks down at me, clearly nonplussed at my father’s appearance. Shit, why hadn’t I told him he would be here?
Being the polished businessman he is though, he recovers quickly, extending a hand to the other man. “Lee…this is a surprise, but obviously only to me. Lia forgot to mention we were meeting someone.”
I shoot him a look of apology as Lee points to one of the tables in the corner of the patio. A nearby server takes our order before leaving us in uncomfortable silence. I am opening my mouth to make some sort of explanation when Lee beats me to it. “I’ve texted Lia a few times letting her know that I’d be here every morning at this time for an hour if she wanted to talk. I’ve gained five pounds from eating these elaborate pastries for the past month.” He grins ruefully.
Lucian relaxes slightly, but I can see he’s still annoyed that I didn’t tell him beforehand. I can’t blame him. I wouldn’t want to be blindsided either. I hadn’t started out planning to come here. I’d scoffed at each text, thinking, Yeah right, that’s not going to happen. I had wondered how he’d gotten my cell phone number but figured it was simple with his connections. After all these weeks had passed, a part of me didn’t believe he’d actually be here today so it had seemed easier not to make a big deal out of it. Still though, there is no excuse for not preparing Lucian. I’ll be groveling for his understanding and forgiveness later.
Lucian pulls a chair out for me before seating himself. Lee settles into a chair on my other side. As is so often the case when I’m nervous, I begin rambling. “This is a really nice place. Isn’t that your office across the street?” I ask Lee. Before he can answer, I look at Lucian. “And your office is nearby. You two should meet for lunch sometime. You’ve probably got a lot in common, with the whole taking over the world one million at a time thing, right?” Lucian grins while Lee surprises me by laughing. I think I expected him to be subdued and uptight, but so far, he is anything but. He seems happy for the lack of a better word. Maybe he’s a morning person.
“Regretfully, Lucian and I aren’t lunch buddies. If I’m in my office, Liza usually brings in something.”
“That’s your assistant?” I ask, vaguely remembering the attractive woman who helped me at Lee’s office.
“Ah, she’d never agree to be called anything so simple. She runs my office and everyone in it. Including me,” he says fondly. His answer has me wondering if there’s more between them than a simple employer/employee relationship. After my initial wave of anger at his absence from my life, I’d been curious enough to Google him. There are random pictures of him at different functions with women, but much like Lucian before me, the same woman rarely appears more than once. There were no mentions of previous marriages or relationships. He flies below the radar where his romantic encounters are concerned and I have to believe that is strictly by design. He is a very handsome man, who could easily pass for someone in his thirties rather than forties. “Are you out of school today, Lia?” Lee asks, jolting me back to the flow of conversation.
“Oh, um, no,” I stammer, knowing I sound guilty. “I…had an appointment this morning. My class isn’t for a few more hours.”
“I hope everything’s okay,” Lee says, looking at me with concern.
“Things are good. No, great,” I say brightly, causing him to raise a brow in question. I drop my hand and squeeze Lucian’s knee. “We’re pregnant,” I divulge before I can think better of it. Lucian jerks against my hand in surprise, while Lee stares at me with widened eyes. “I mean, I’m just ten weeks…almost eleven, but we had our first appointment this morning. I started thinking about your recent text while we were there and I don’t know…I thought I should come today.” I cringe as my verbal diarrhea stalls. Both Lee and Lucian are now openly gawking at me.
“Congratulations to you both,” Lee manages.
Lucian finally comes out of his stupor enough to say, “Thanks. We’re very excited.”
“And terrified,” I add and then wince. Good grief, can I say nothing right today? I sound like some airhead Barbie. “Just the normal kind of new baby nerves,” I try to clarify, hoping he doesn’t think otherwise. I haven’t had a panic attack since the day we found out about the pregnancy.
“I would think that’s to be expected,” Lee says, sounding supportive. “It looks as if I’ll have gained both a daughter and grandchild this year.” Now he’s the one cringing at his words.
“Damn,” Lucian suddenly says, “you two are a disaster together, aren’t you?” Both Lee and I turn to glare at him before we all explode in laughter. The awkwardness dissipates in that instant as we realize the conversation can’t get much worse.
I give both men an embarrassed look. “When I’m nervous, I say whatever pops into my head. My common sense completely deserts me. Lucian and I have only told a few close friends about the baby, so it’s not common knowledge.”
“Even though I don’t belong to that group, I’m still honored that you told me,” Lee says, sounding as if he genuinely means it. “I hope that in time, you will be comfortable enough to at least call me a friend.”
I shift uncomfortably in my seat, not expecting to see the type of longing from him that he’s not attempting to hide. “I’ve been so angry,” I admit quietly. “I know you’re not to blame for the things my mother has done, but a part of me wants to hate you for not being there.”
Lee looks crushed at my words, but not surprised. Lucian takes my hand but doesn’t attempt to interrupt me. Finally, Lee says, “If our positions were reversed, I would feel the same way, Lia. That’s what’s so hard about this. I want your forgiveness, but I could never blame you if you didn’t give it. I’ve thought of little else since finding out about your existence. I still can’t fathom how I could have missed the fact I have a daughter. I don’t leave anything in my life to chance, but I never had an inkling, Lia—not the first clue.” Looking down at his hands, he swallows audibly. “You may not believe it, but as rough as I was back then, I would have still protected…and cherished you. I would have destroyed anyone who tried to hurt you.”
“You’ve done that, haven’t you?” I find myself asking. I can’t help but think of my mother’s abrupt admissions of guilt and my stepfather’s death. Has my father already been exacting revenge on those who’ve hurt me?
He studies me intently, seeming to ponder his reply. “I’ve failed as your father for too many years. That will never happen again.” His answer is vague—but telling. Before I can question him further, our food arrives and the moment of honesty is gone.
I’m surprised to find that, even with his revelations, I’m ravenous. I tuck into my bowl of cinnamon and sugar oatmeal as if I haven’t eaten in a week. Lucian and Lee are both having the garden omelet with wheat toast. I’m sure they are cringing over the extra brown sugar I’m heaping on my oatmeal, but Lucian only smiles at me indulgently. “This is so good,” I manage to say between mouthfuls. My appetite has been a bit off in the mornings with the whole throwing up thing, so this is different for me.
Lee takes a bite of his own food and chews with relish. “So, Quinn,” he says after he wipes his mouth, “when do you plan to marry my pregnant daughter?”
Lucian begins choking while I come dangerously close to spraying the table in oatmeal. I thump Lucian on the back, and he uses his napkin to clean me up. “I see you’re embracing this father role fully.”
Lee surprises a giggle out of me as he says, “You bet your ass, now answer the question.”
“Oh God,” I hold up my hand. “Please don’t answer that, Luc.” Then turning to Lee I add, “I appreciate you wanting to look out for me, but Lucian and I haven’t been together for that long. People have babies all the time without being married as you well know.”
He grimaces slightly at the last part of my sentence, even though I hadn’t intended it as a dig against him. Lucian, seemingly recovered from his shock, doesn’t attempt to shy away from Lee’s question. “I’d marry Lia this moment if it were up to me. I love her as I’ve never loved anyone else in my life. When I think of the future, she’s the one constant that doesn’t change.”
I go all soft and gooey inside. I stare at him with all the love I feel inside written on my face. He kisses me hard before returning to his meal. I’m ready to toss my napkin on the table and drag him off to find a justice of the peace. When Lee clears his throat, I turn to find him looking at Lucian in approval. It occurs to me then, that if men end up marrying someone like their mother, then I’ll quite possibly marry the man most like my father. Considering I’ve known of Lee’s existence for only a matter of months and have hated him for most of that time, it seems surreal that I’m sitting next to him with these thoughts. It really shows how very much my life has changed in such a short amount of time. I never thought I’d get to the point of sharing a meal with him, much less enjoy the mostly relaxed mood of this first official meeting. Clearing my throat, I manage to say, “Yes, well, we’ll see where the future takes us.”
Lucian gives me a quizzical look and I raise my lips to kiss his cheek. I don’t want him to think I’m brushing him off, but I also don’t want Lee to push him into some kind of shotgun wedding. He’s dealing with enough right now and doesn’t need this added pressure. And even though he’s—well, Lucian Quinn, I still feel confident in his feelings for me. No man would have stuck by my side through everything like he has for a casual relationship. We’re building a life together. Maybe we’re not doing it in the traditional order, but it’s working for us. “I love you,” I say simply. He seems to understand that those three words are both my promise and reassurance to him that we’re on the same page.
Lucian
I feel as if I’ve stepped into an alternate reality. I had been stunned to learn we were having breakfast with Lee Jacks. After the initial shock had worn off that she had a father who was very much alive and well, Lia hadn’t mentioned much about him. I’d certainly had no idea he’d been texting her a standing invitation to join him for a meal. That wasn’t the most surprising thing though because I knew he was anxious to get to know his daughter. She had been so angry with him, so the fact she decided to meet him this morning without telling me is astounding.
Of course, I would like Lia to build a relationship with him, regardless of how questionable his past appears to be. Hell, for that matter, his present has been open to a lot of speculation as well. I can’t find it in me to hold that against him though. I can only imagine the rage he felt at finding out he had a long-lost daughter and then discovering she had been abused. I had experienced some of that anger firsthand when he’d mistakenly thought I had hurt her. Lee might well be many of the things he’s been rumored to be through the years, but I can’t argue with the fact that he’s clearly captivated by his daughter. As she speaks passionately about her classes at school, he listens to her as if spellbound. Maybe he never thought he wanted a child, but now that he has one, he seems helpless to walk away. I understand fully the allure that is Lia Adams. We may be drawn to her in different ways, but there’s no denying I was riveted from the first moment I saw her, too.
Maybe the inherited combination of Lee’s drive and will to survive makes her the woman she is. He may have well saved her life without ever having known her. I don’t see a trace of Maria Adams in her. The bitter, cruel woman we met in the courtroom months ago is nothing like the vibrant love of my life sitting next to me.
I want to be angry with her for not telling me that Lee would be here this morning. I don’t like secrets. Even small ones tend to fester and destroy. I know that better than anyone does. My secrets had come close to ruining my life. The wonder of our morning thus far has mellowed my anger though. Seeing my child even through the fuzzy gray of the ultrasound picture was nothing short of miraculous. It is something I never thought would happen to me again. After Cassie, I believed my direction in life was set: Casual sex, no attachments, and certainly no happily-ever-after. I had convinced myself I didn’t need love or a family of my own. Those things seemed a sure path to heartache and I couldn’t deal with losing another love.
Now, here I sit next to my pregnant girlfriend, whom I love more than life and I’m envisioning things I never believed possible. I was young when Cassie was pregnant, but if I’m completely truthful, I could never picture us growing old together. Fuck, most days, I could barely imagine us making it until the next week without some disaster occurring. It was stressful, but I got used to living my life on a wire back then. “Expect the unexpected” were words I lived by. Cassie thrived on chaos. I would draw up inwardly when she had that gleam of a bipolar mania in her eyes. I almost preferred the depressive episodes—unless she spiraled too low, then that was a completely new set of problems.
Just thinking about it all is enough to make me break out into a cold sweat. No good ever comes from remembering the past although it has been happening more as of late. The withdrawal from cocaine has left me clearer than I’ve been in quite some time. My dreams are more vivid and my regrets sharper. I am no longer self-medicating my pain away and some days the ache is particularly brutal.
“More coffee, sir?” our server asks, pulling me back into the moment. Lee is telling Lia about his company, speaking with obvious pride. Like Lia, I know he also had a hard life growing up. Now though, he’s wearing expensively tailored clothing and looks like the successful businessman he is. If you look closely though, there are still hints of the ruthless man he’s long been rumored to be. He’s a survivor as is his daughter. No matter how many challenges life throws their way, they will never give up. It’s simply not in their DNA.
Lia looks at her watch, seemingly disappointed by what it shows. “I need to get back to the apartment and grab my books for school.” Glancing at me, she adds, “I’m sure you’re needed at the office since I practically hijacked you for breakfast.”
Tucking a strand of blond hair behind her ear, I smile easily. “No worries, baby. I cleared my schedule until noon since I didn’t know how long our appointment would run.”
Lee insists on paying the bill and we all get to our feet. He rocks back on his heels, looking uncertain as to how to say goodbye to his daughter. I extend my hand to him, thanking him for breakfast. “I…um eat here every day through the week and so the invitation to join me is still open anytime you would like.” He looks at both Lia and me, but I know he’s really speaking to her.
She gives him a shy smile in response. “Thanks for inviting us. I enjoyed it.” She doesn’t make any commitments to coming again, but he looks hopeful all the same. I place my hand on the small of her back and lead her to the Range Rover. We’re almost halfway home when she says, “I owe you an apology. It was wrong of me just to spring that on you. I really don’t have an excuse.”
I just shrug my shoulders, now having gotten over my irritation of our impromptu breakfast with Lee. “You don’t have to be afraid to tell me anything, Lia. I wouldn’t have tried to talk you out of it.”
She reaches over to put a hand on my shoulder. “Oh, Luc, I know that. I think I just didn’t want to commit to going in case I backed out at the last minute. Up until the moment I took a seat at the table, I wasn’t sure if I was going to stay.” Sounding timid she asks, “It went okay though, don’t you think? I mean I still get really angry when I think of all the years he wasn’t around, but it doesn’t seem fair to hate him for something he didn’t know was happening.”
“I understand you’re torn over your feelings, baby,” I say carefully. “I think it would be difficult not to feel that way. I also believe that Lee probably has enough regrets to last him a lifetime. I’m not sure where that leaves you two, but he seemed thrilled to see you.”
“I resigned myself years ago to not having a father in my life. It’s hard for me to believe he’s here now. That we’ve been in the same city all along. I never imagined that. At first, I figured he lived far away and that was why he never came to see me. Then, after a while, I figured he must be dead. Otherwise, he would have come to save me.” My hands tighten on the steering wheel and I fight to keep my expression blank. “When I think about that, I get so angry. But I’m also drawn to him. I want to push him away, but in the same breath, I want to ask him never to leave. He reminds me a lot of you,” she adds in a lighter voice.
I look at her quickly in surprise before putting my attention back on the road. “How’s that possible? I’m much better looking,” I joke. Being compared to your girlfriend’s father probably wouldn’t be the highlight of most men’s day.
She giggles, relaxing back into her seat. “I’m not talking about your appearance although you both seem to love those power suits. It’s just the way you carry yourselves.”
“I could say something really dirty here, but I’m refraining since you keep grouping me with your father.”
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that,” she groans. “Anyway, I just meant that it’s obvious you’re a successful man and that you don’t take any shit, for lack of a better word.”
Pondering her statement, I say, “I can live with that. I would prefer the word cocky to successful, but you told me that I couldn’t talk about that…”
Shaking her head, she sighs. “All roads lead there, don’t they?”
“Are you complaining?” I ask as we pull into the garage and park.
She surprises me by dropping her hand from my shoulder to my cock. “Oh no, Luc, I have no complaints at all.”
I feel myself stiffening in her hand as I bite back a groan. I push my hardening length against her hand. “You’re going to suck me off before I leave for work, Miss. Adams.”
Fuck all, if she doesn’t lick her plump lips and clasp me tighter. “I can’t wait,” she purrs as she unbuckles her seatbelt and races out the door. Damn, I love that girl.