HAPTER 16
Shalia came over to the penthouse for lunch later that week. Derek went to school that day. Colton was still out of town.
Ellyn had been wandering around the penthouse for the whole morning, not sure what to do with herself. Shalia was off for the day.
Ellyn made chicken salad sandwiches. They sat in the living room enjoying the view.
“You actually eat in this room?” Shalia asked.
Her gaze roved over the expensive furniture.
“I don’t let Derek do it, but I will sometimes. It’s such a nice view.”
“True dat.”
Ellyn laughed. She hadn’t heard street talk in a few weeks. Felt like home, but not. She was no snob. She didn’t feel she had changed, but maybe she had.
“What’s got you glum?” Shalia asked. “You’re married to a rich man.”
“It doesn’t solve all of your problems.”
“Probably not, but it can’t be too bad.”
“I’ve made the mistake of falling in love with him.”
“So?”
“He’s not in love with me.”
“You are nuts if you think that. I saw how he looked at you and Derek at the wedding.”
“I think that was all for show. He’s been in LA all week and not a phone call. He sent flowers,” she said eying the large bouquet on the coffee table. Those came today. I’m going to have to move them when I go get Derek, but for now I’m enjoying them.”
“What did the card say?”
“Thinking of you.”
“I bet he is. How do you have sex with Derek here?”
Ellyn bit her lip and stared out the window. “We haven’t had sex.”
“At all?”
“Not since the wedding. We had it before then.”
“What the hell, girl? He’s fine looking man. You have to tap that. I don’t care if this isn’t a real marriage. Get some while you can. Might have a dry spell after that.”
Ellyn didn’t want to discuss her sex life with Shalia. “How do I know if he cares about me?”
“Girl, it’s in how he treats you. He looks at you as if you’re a work of art. He listens to you.”
“He hadn’t been here to listen to me.”
“He still has to run a business.”
“Then why hasn’t he called?”
“Because you ain’t giving him any so he doesn’t want to bother you. When’s he coming home?”
“Tomorrow night. He’s taking the red eye back.”
“Then you be here, looking sexy and seduce the man.”
Ellyn wasn’t so sure she could do that. She knew that Colton found her attractive, but actually telegraphing that she wanted to get naked with him was a whole other circumstance. “I’m not sure.”
“Men are easy. They want a beer and to see something naked. I’m sure you can skip the beer. Or make it wine if that’s what he wants.”
“I’m not the seduction type.”
“Then you better figure out another way to get that man in bed, girl.”
Ellyn laughed. She did want to have sex. With Colton. He was good at it. “We’ll see. How about that man you’re seeing?”
Shalia smiled. “He’s taking me to Las Vegas for the weekend.”
“Wow. That’s pretty cool. You like him?”
“I do. He’s been the perfect gentleman. I’m hoping he’s going to change that in Vegas.”
Ellyn couldn’t help laughing. Shalia was not a commitment fan, but her face lit up when she talked about Doug. Shalia was smitten, even if she didn’t want to admit it.
Ellyn admired the flowers that Colton had sent. He’d been thinking about her. That was so nice. Was it enough? Was this going to be a real marriage? If she got him in bed would he want to continue that?
“What if he doesn’t want to sleep with me?”
“Trust me. I saw how he looked at you. And how you looked at him. He’s in love with you.”
“I’m not sure I’d go that far. He cares for me.”
Shalia rolled her eyes. “Trust me. I know men better than you do. He wants you. Show a little skin and he’ll be begging you for it.”
Ellyn couldn’t imagine Colton begging for anything, but she was going to trust Shalia. “He wants to take us to Disney World,” Ellyn said.
“Not surprised. He wants to make Derek happy, too. Will you please see what you have in front of you, girl. Please? He’s a catch. You’re married to him.”
“I signed a prenup.”
Shalia shrugged. “So. You’re not divorcing this guy. He’s yours forever. You’ll probably have hot mocha-skinned babies.”
Okay, Shalia was taking this too far. “We’ve never talked about kids.”
“Trust me. That man wants to see you pregnant with his child.”
How could Shalia be so sure when Ellyn was not? She lived with the man and she wasn’t seeing what her friend was seeing. She let out a sigh. “It’s almost time to get Derek. You want to come with? See him?”
“No, I have to shop for Vegas.”
“Shop?”
“With what money?”
“I know that look. Doug gave me his credit card.”
Ellyn blinked. “Don’t go crazy.”
“I won’t, but I could use some new underwear and the kind that a man wants to rip off with his teeth. Not the Walmart flowered kind.”
Ellyn laughed as she rose to take Shalia’s empty plate. She didn’t want to envision that, but if Colton wanted to rip underwear off her with his teeth, she’d let him. Her practical side would prefer it be Walmart underwear which didn’t cost as much. That was just her.
***
Colton’s luggage had been the last off the plane. What was the point of first class if you had to wait at baggage claim? He’d hired a car service so that Paul didn’t have to pick him up at this awful hour.
He sat in the back of the Lincoln, trying to keep his eyes open. He wanted to crawl into his bed and sleep for two days. The negotiations had been very contentious in California and he felt as if he’d been through a ringer.
His bed would feel so nice and he’d already emailed Marcia that she might not see him until noon tomorrow. He had to sleep.
He gave the driver his address, then rolled down the window to get some fresh air. No need to fall asleep back here.
He must have slept because the trip from Kennedy Airport didn’t take long. He tipped the driver then lugged his suitcase into the building. Into the elevator he went, leaning on the wall.
The doors opened onto his floor. He unlocked the door and realized a light was on. Ellyn must have left one on for him. He dropped his keys and luggage by the door and went into the kitchen to get a drink of water.
When he turned back around, Ellyn was in the doorway.
“Hi,” she said.
He almost sprayed the water out of his mouth. She stood there in a red, satin teddy. Suddenly, he was wide-awake.
“Hi.”
“I waited up for you.”
He swallowed some more water as suddenly his mouth was dry. He hadn’t ever seen her look this sexy. Ever. His friend in his pants woke up, too. “It’s dangerous wearing something like that. I’m tired and I don’t think I have any self-control right now.”
She sauntered toward him. “I’m hoping not.”
He cleared his throat. “I mean it, Ellyn. I cannot be held accountable for my actions.”
She wrapped her arms around him. “I’m not a tease, Colton. I want you.”
He looked down at her big, gorgeous eyes staring up at him. There was no fear, just passion in them. He didn’t know what had changed while he was gone, but he thanked whatever did. He wanted her too.
He put his glass down, then leaned to her, capturing her lips in a kiss. Letting go of her lips, he scooped her into his arms. He strode to his bedroom, having no idea where this new-found energy came from.
He put her on the bed. “Last chance to say no.”
“I want this, Colton. I do.”
He ripped off his tie and made quick work of his clothes until he stood in front of her in his boxers. His erection strained the fabric.
Ellyn sat up, crooking her finger at him. “Come here.”
He smiled. Damn. He grabbed her hand and yanked her to him. The kiss he gave her was not soft or sweet. She responded in kind, her hands shifting his underwear down his legs. He stepped out of them and took a hold of the straps on her teddy. He slid them down her arms.
Ending the kiss, he slid her teddy down her legs. He knelt and kissed her belly as she stepped out of the lingerie.
“I can’t wait,” she said.
“I can’t either.”
She laid on the bed, he slid on top of her. “I missed you Colton.”
“If this is what I get when I get back, I may go away more often.”
She giggled. “Now, Colton,.I need a condom.”
He found on one his nightstand then ripped it open with his teeth. He rolled it onto himself then, without preamble, and slid into her. She was warm and wet. Her skin was soft as he kissed her neck.
“Hurry,” she said. “I’m going to explode.”
So was he. Sooner than he would have liked. He set up a slow rhythm, but her noises prompted him to move faster. She wanted quick and dirty, she was going to get quick and dirty.
He scooped up one leg to get deeper inside of her. He could thrust at a better angle. Her breath quickened. Her nails dug into his back. As if coming home for a second time, he felt as if he belonged here.
Her back arched and he knew she’d gone over the edge. So he followed her, thrusting a few more times before he spilt himself into the condom. Part of him wanted it to be in Ellyn. At some point he’d wanted to see her pregnant with his child.
Not tonight, but this night, this act, meant they were on the road to being truly married. He slumped onto her, his chest heaving.
“Welcome home,” she whispered in his ear.
He couldn’t help but smile.
*
Sometime in the night, after making love again, Ellyn had put on a nightshirt. Colton had put on his boxers in case Derek came in.
That they were sleeping together was not something they’d have to explain. They were married. The being naked was more than what Ellyn was willing to talk about with a five year old.
When she awoke, she knew it was a good idea. Derek was standing by her bed.
“Hi, Mom.”
She put a finger to her lips. “Mr. Hamilton got in late last night. He needs his sleep.”
Colton rolled in her direction. “Mr. Hamilton is awake. Tired, but awake.”
Derek looked from one to the other. “Should I still call him Mr. Hamilton since you’re married?”
Ellyn glanced at Colton. She hadn’t thought of that. “No, you shouldn’t. What should you call him?”
Derek sat on the edge of the bed. “I don’t know. I already have a Daddy, so that wouldn’t be right.”
“You could just call me Colton.”
Derek shook his head, his brow furrowed. This was important to him. He was thinking very heavily for a little boy. Ellyn wanted to squeeze him, but she knew he had to work his way through this.
“I’m not supposed to call adults by their first name.”
“But I’m not just any adult, Derek. I’m your mother’s husband,” Colton said.
Derek looked at Ellyn then at Colton. “What do you think Mom?”
“I think that of Colton wants to be called by his first name, then you can call him that,” Ellyn said.
Derek’s face broke into a big smile. He clearly liked the idea. “Okay. Colton it is.”
“You want to snuggle?” Ellyn asked.
Derek shook his head. “No, I’m hungry. Can we have pancakes?”
It was Ellyn’s turn to smile. “Okay. I’ll be out in a few minutes. You set a place for yourself at the kitchen table.”
He hopped off the bed then bounced out of the bedroom.
“Good call on putting some clothes on,” Colton said.
“Yep, he usually wakes up before I do,” Ellyn say throwing off the covers and putting her feet into slippers that weren’t there. She laughed. “Guess my slippers are in my bedroom.”
“I wish you’d leave them in here.” He rubbed a hand down her back. “And hang your clothes in my closet.”
She glanced back at him, not sure what to say. “That would be okay?”
“That would be wonderful.”
She nodded. “I’ll do it today. Now let me go make him breakfast.”
“You want me to do it?”
“You got in late.”
He yawned. “I did, but neither of us got that much sleep.”
“It’s okay. Go back to sleep.” He nodded and closed his eyes. She watched him for a moment. He was sexy even rumpled from sleep. This was the most disheveled she’d ever seen him.
“You can come back to bed after you take Derek to school.”
That sounded like a great idea. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I might do that.”
With a spring in her step, she entered the kitchen. Derek was waiting patiently as the table. She yawned, then turned on the coffee pot. She need a little jolt to get her awake enough to walk Derek to school.
“Mom?”
“Yes, honey?” She busied herself with mixing the ingredients for pancakes. Colton’s kitchen had a large cooktop which included a griddle for making pancakes. Or bacon which she sometimes made.
“Are you and Mr., I mean, Colton, going to share a room now?”
“We are. That’s what married couples do.”
“But you’ve been married for a few days. Why now?”
That was complicated. “Colton and I had a few things to work out first, but it’s all good. Do you like living here?”
“I do, Mom. I’m glad you married Colton. I like him a lot.”
She poured some batter onto the now hot griddle. The pancakes sizzled. “I’m glad, Derek. I like him a lot too.”
“Are you going to have more babies?”
The question stopped her dead. “We haven’t talked about it, Derek. What do you think?”
“I’d like a little brother.”
She nodded, taking that all in. She wasn’t ready for any more kids right now. Nor did she know exactly where she and Colton stood. All she knew is that she was going to be sharing his bed from now on.
What happened after that, she had no idea. She didn’t want to talk about it and jinx it. She just wanted to enjoy it.
After breakfast, Derek dressed himself and was ready for school on time. As if he knew that Ellyn wanted to get back to bed and Colton. Maybe it was just having the stability of a man in the house. Kids needed men. Little boys needed role models and Colton was an exemplary one.
Derek skipped alongside her as she walked him to school.
“Would you have a lot of kids?” Derek asked.
She tousled his hair. “You’re full of questions this morning aren’t you?”
“Well, a kid at school said his Dad married a new woman and they had a baby right away.”
Oh. That made sense. “Well, I have a career to get off the ground first, Derek. I’d like to be more established in my job before I stop to have another baby.”
He nodded as if he understood that. “Do you think Colton was serious when he said he’d take us to Disney World?”
“Yes, I do, but it may be a few weeks. Colton runs his own company and is very important. He can’t always take time off, so be patient.”
The arrived at the school. Derek took his backpack, hugged his mother, then skipped into school.
Ellyn’s heart was so full of love for her two men; she wouldn’t be surprised if her heart burst.
***
Ellyn returned to bed and woke Colton up. He made love to her again. They showered together and he went off to work. She was at home, moving her things into his bedroom.
Their bedroom now.
That made his heart sing. Now he was on his way home from work. To see his family. He’d had Paul drop him off a few blocks away, so he could walk the rest of the way. The day had dawned warm and sunny and he wanted to enjoy it.
Life could not get any better. Tonight was the night. He’d tell Ellyn how he felt. It was past time. She needed to know that he was in this with her and that he loved her. He’d never said that to anyone other than his mother. Not even to get a girl in bed.
To say he was excited to say it for the first time, was a no-brainer. And to say it to someone who was already his wife, was even better.
He whistled as he walked, not a care in the world.
Then someone yanked on his arm. And then yanked a second time when he was off-balance. He was a big man and the force with which he was taken off his feet, surprised him.
Someone forced his arm behind him and his body up against the wall.
“If you’re looking for money, my wallet’s in the front of my suit,” he said calmly.
This was probably why he never walked. He’d never wanted to be mugged. He felt impotent in the face of the knife that was clearly pressed into his back. He didn’t know martial arts.
Thankfully, Ellyn hadn’t been with him. Or Derek. He wouldn’t want to see either of them hurt.
How had this happened in his neighborhood? Whoever it was didn’t speak, just dragged him along the wall, further into the alley.
“Just take the money and go. I haven’t seen your face,” he said.
The person grabbed his hair and slammed his face into the wall. Colton was able to turn his head a little so he hit his cheek. He saw stars and couldn’t get his bearings for a moment.
The person yanked him off balance and onto the ground. Colton covered his head with one hand while he struck out with the other. He didn’t connect the first time. But the second time he grabbed a pant leg and yanked.
The person fell, but Colton was still too stunned to react. Then a foot connected with his ribs.
“Stop.”
Still, the person didn’t speak and Colton was unable to open his eyes enough to see who was attacking him. No one had responded to his yelling. There was no one to help him.
“What the hell?”
Each time the person kicked him, Colton grabbed for his foot and missed. His coordination was going. He thought he heard some ribs crack. Why was this person doing this?
The pain seared through him and finally the person stopped. Colton tried to open his eyes and look around, but they were swollen shut from meeting the wall. He groaned and heard footsteps run away.
Then he heard footsteps come back. “You okay, sir?”
“No. Someone jumped me.”
“I’ve called an ambulance. I’m Steve, the doorman at the building you are by. I didn’t get a good look at the man, sorry.”
“Help me up.”
He didn’t want to be laying on the alley floor.
“I don’t think you should move, sir.”
“Then help me sit up.”
The man took his arm and pulled. Colton gritted his teeth as he was becoming upright. He leaned against the alley wall, his breathing painful.
“Can I call someone?”
Colton thought of Ellyn. He didn’t want to worry her. He’d probably be home a little late. He pulled his phone out of his pocket, then handed it to the man. “Look for Ellyn. Tell her I’m okay.”
His head was beginning to spin and he wasn’t sure he was going to stay conscious. Did he have a concussion?
“Ellyn?” the doorman said. He explained who he was, then Colton heard him tell his wife what had happened. Or at least what he’d thought had happened. “She wants to talk to you.”
Colton shook his head. “Tell her I’m going to the hospital and I’ll be home late.”
He was sure if she heard him, she’d know how hurt he was. He didn’t want to burden her with that. She was a good woman who’d had a tough life. He wanted to protect her. Save her from this.
The doorman handed the phone back. “She’s worried.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“You don’t look fine, sir. Was that your wife?”
“Yes.”
“Then she needs to know where you’re going.”
“I don’t even know where I’m going,” Colton said.
Everything was spinning inside his head. He couldn’t stop it. He wanted to throw up so he leaned over and stuff came out. Holy shit.
At least no teeth came out.
“Aw, man,” the doorman said as he put a hand on Colton’s shoulder.
“I didn’t get your shoes, did I?”
“No, but there was some blood in there.”
“Aw, crap. Guess I’m worse off than I thought.”
Then his world went black.