Ollie

I curse myself for agreeing to my mother’s terms as I sit in the driveway of my father’s home with his wife, Karen. I can count on my hand how many times I’ve been here in my lifetime. I avoid it like the plague, opting to meet him on neutral turf. Now I’m stuck having Sunday brunch with just the two of them.

“Did you tell them I was coming?” Quinn asks.

“Me and my father don’t talk, so no.”

“What the hell, Oliver?”

I cringe at the use of my given name. “You’ll be a welcome surprise, believe me. Things between us are complicated at best, and I knew if I had to sit here by myself and shoot the shit I’d fail miserably. I’m only doing this for my mother.”

Sighing, she shakes her head. “I swear, God made you hot so you wouldn’t be murdered in your sleep.”

“Thank you?”

She huffs. “The only thing saving you from getting ripped a new one is the fact that making your mom date again is the sweetest thing I’ve heard of a son doing in ages. How’s it going for her?”

“Maybe too good. The woman’s been on a handful of dates already. The twinkle is back in her eyes. That’s all I wanted. She deserved more than a self-prescribed life of oneness.”

“You’re so cute when it comes to your mom, dude.”

I scowl. It’s not the first time I’ve heard this.

She laughs. “Come on, sitting here isn’t going to make the time move any faster.”

“Yeah.”

Climbing out of the car, I run around to open her door. Things have been tough for us since we met with Detective Kunes a week prior. I’m on board to testify, and she’s wavering. The attacks shook her up. I get it. I’m waiting around for my turn. Holding out my hand, I admire the navy blue and white polka dot skirt she’s wearing. The sleeveless number shows off her long legs, and muscular arms and shoulders. The yoga thing she has going on works for her. I wrap my arm around her waist and kiss her temples, proud to have her by my side.

“Thank you for coming with me.”

“Of course, babe. You’ll be attending my crazy family shindig next week. It’s the least I could do.”

We lock arms and stroll up the sandstone walkway to the massive two story home. My father’s always been wealthy, and unafraid to spend that money on comforts. I knock on the door and wait. Karen opens the door, polished in her navy blue maxi dress that shows off her tan. Her silver hair is pulled back from her face. She’s an attractive woman with her oval face, high cheekbones, and warm blue eyes.

“Oliver, we are so happy you’ve come for brunch today, and oh! You’ve brought a young lady with you. Please come in.” She ushers us inside.

“George, Oliver is here,” she calls.

“Thanks for having us, Karen. This is my girlfriend, Quinn. Quinn, this is my step-mother, Karen.”

“It’s so lovely to meet you, dear,” Karen says as she shakes Quinn’s hand.

“Likewise,” Quinn replies with a smile.

“Oliver.”

I look over Karen’s shoulder and meet my father’s green gaze. There’s a warmth I’m afraid to trust. My father’s always seemed cold to me. I know time can change people, but he’s always been the type to plan things. Is this a chance at a real reconciliation or an angle he’s working? Quinn nudges me in the side with her elbow.

“Hey, Dad. This is my girlfriend, Quinn. I hope you don’t mind that I brought her.”

“Of course not. Welcome to our home, Quinn.” He steps forward and shakes her hand.

“Thank you, Mr. Hemnway.”

“Please, call me George.” He flashes a confident smile and kisses the back of her hand. The petty part of me wants to push his face away. His charm only gets better with time. My mother would say it was the one thing I inherited from him.

“I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I made the basics ... eggs, bacon, toast, fruit, and oatmeal,” Karen says.

“That sounds delicious,” I reply, extending an olive branch. I’ll never approve of her affair with my father, but I’m done punishing her. Life’s too short for that.

We make our way into their kitchen, and she leads us to the breakfast island where she’s got everything set up buffet style. I admire the white subway tiles on the wall that contrast with the stainless steel appliances, and white and gray Pegasus marble counters. The dark wood high back stools contrast with the stark white of the kitchen. We all take our seats in front of the black square plates with the ornate napkins in rings on top of silver wear. She pulled out all the stops for this. We dish up our food and settle in.

“How are you healing?” my father asks.

“Good. I’ll be done with physical therapy soon, and the rest will be up to my body to finish healing.”

“That’s good to hear. The whole thing was frightening,” Karen says.

“Yes, it was,” Quinn agrees.

“So, Quinn, tell me what is it you do?” Karen asks, clearly trying to keep the awkward silences from falling.

“I’m a makeup artist. Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of beauty makeup for weddings, and other events, but my main focus is movie makeup.”

“Oh, how exciting,” Karen says.

“It can be. I love being on set, especially when it requires prosthetics which take a very specialize skill set.”

“Like monster movies?” my father asks.

Quinn smiles broadly. “Exactly. Or sci-fi. That’s always very interesting.”

“I bet it is. Have you ever worked with someone really famous?”

“Not yet. But I still have some years in me I think,” she says with a wink.

My father laughs. “Yes, many in fact. How’s business for you, Oliver?”

“It’s going really well. The money we invested in public relations has tripled out business.”

“That’s impressive.”

“Thank you,” I choke the words out and force a small smile.

Quinn rubs my knee and squeezes, silently lending her support.

“You’re welcome. I-I’m really proud of you and all you’ve accomplished, Oliver.”

My jaw drops, and I have to force it to shut. I could be knocked over with a pin right about now. Those are words I never expected to hear coming from my father. He was always so against every move I wanted to make.

“T-thanks, Dad.”

He nods. “I don’t tell you enough, and while I have you here, I just wanted to make that clear to you.”

Silenced, I shovel eggs into my mouth to stall until I can compose myself.

“How’s the law practice, Dad?” I ask.

His head swivels. I never ask him about work. I think I resented how much time it took away from us growing up and never grew out of it.

“It’s doing really well. We’ve taken on some young lawyers who I think will really do us proud.”

“That’s good.” We’re rebuilding our foundation one brick at a time. It feels good. This isn’t what I expected at all. My father’s not the austere man who demanded perfection and tried to punish me for being different because he couldn’t open his mind. This is a person I could have a meaningful relationship with. Not just could have. I want one with him. I started the day off dreading the time I’d spend with him. Now my eyes are opened, and I’m equally hopeful. There’s been a piece of me missing over the years. A part of me longed for his approval and acceptance, whether I admitted it or not. Having it now clicks something into place for me.

“We’ll have to do this again. Soon,” Dad says as they walk us to the door.

“I agree.”

He claps my back, and I guide Quinn to the car.

“How do you feel?” she asks.

“I’m not sure. It was surreal. I couldn’t have imagined have such a quaint brunch with my father before now.”

“Is that a good thing?” she asks cautiously.

“Yeah, it is. I needed this more than I realized.”

“Then I’m glad you came.”

“Thank you for doing this with me.” I kiss her hand.

She gives me a blinding smile as I help her into my truck and my heart beats faster. I’m head over heels in love with the girl and still falling.

***

“THINGS STILL CRAZY your way?” Houston asks as I walk into his office.

“Yeah, man. I imagine it will be until we take this shit to trial. They went after Quinn hardcore, and I think she might be close to breaking. She’s terrified to speak up against them.”

“Can’t blame her after they rolled up on her. What are you going to do?”

I shrug. “What can I do? I have her over at my place to try to keep her safe. We’re double checking everyone who hires her. If she bails on the testimony, I might be flying solo, and it may not be enough to get this guy sentenced.”

“Have you talked to her about it?” Houston asks.

“Mostly we avoid the subject as much as possible. There’s no way in hell I’m not going to testify, so we’re at odds.”

“That sucks, dude. Is it causing friction?” Houston asks.

“I’m trying hard as hell not to let it do that. I love her, man. I don’t want to lose her because she’s doing what she thinks will keep her and those she cares about safe.”

“And you’re not worried about that?”

“They already damn near killed me. I’m going to be afraid that they’ll what, finish the job? No. I can’t let them walk after all the pain they caused me. It’s too personal for me.”

“I don’t know. I’ve never been in the situation, but I think you should watch your back.”

“I am, believe me. I’m more worried by the fact that they haven’t tried shit with me yet.”

Houston frowns. “Maybe you should stay in a hotel for a while, dude. I know you got the money.”

“If it comes to that we will. I think the cop would put us in protective custody if he knew we were on board to testify. It seems a bit over the top, though. We’re not talking about the mafia here.”

“Hey, whatever keeps you safe. If you need the time off or different arrangements, you know I got your back.”

“I know, brother, and I appreciate it. Now fill me in on what’s going on with you.”

“I see what you did there. The news is in. We’re not having triplets ... but we are having twins.”

“Jesus Christ, dude, what kind of super sperm do you have?”

Houston laughs. “I don’t know, but I think Liv is plotting my death when I sleep.”

“I can’t blame her. Damn, dude, six kids under ten? Good luck with that.”

“Don’t rub it in or anything,” he mumbles.

“Oh, believe me, I will, just not in front of Liv. I don’t want to catch hands.”

“She wants to meet Quinn.”

“Haven’t they already?” I asked.

“Yeah, but that was when she was just a friend of Efia’s. Now that she’s your girlfriend everything is different.”

“So she wants to grill her?”

“More than likely. In the fourth month of pregnancy, I don’t ask too many questions.”

I snicker as I break open my brown bagged lunch and pull out a panini.

“She’s making you lunch now?”

“How do you know I didn’t do it myself?”

“Dude, you’ve never made a panini in your life.”

“True, but she brought home this machine, and it’s so easy and delicious.”

“That’s how it starts. Little by little you acquire her items and then ‘your’ items until you realize you’re pretty much living together.”

“If the circumstances were different, I wouldn’t mind doing this the right way, you know?”

He whistles. “You thinking about moving in together.”

“Yeah, man, having her home with me is incredible. I can’t imagine going back to having a bachelor’s pad when this mess is over. She’s going to leave a gaping hole if she returns to her own apartment.”

“You think she’s it?”

“Dude, has to be. I’ve never felt like this about a woman, and I’m not twenty-something anymore. If not now, when?”

“She’s really got you wrapped around her finger, doesn’t she?” Houston asks.

“This from the man who is tip-toeing around his wife.”

“In my defense, my very hormonal, pregnant with multiple babies wife.” Houston takes a large bite of his sandwich, and I laugh. I’m lucky as hell getting to do what I love with my best friend. It’s not every day we get to have lunch together like this, but right now we’re multi-tasking.

“So, I’ve been thinking about what we could do publicity wise. I think we should do some sort of charity event next year.”

“You have something in mind?”

“I’m working on that. Christmas would be an obvious time, but we’d get lost in all the other charity drives going on at the time, so we should do something that’s just us.”

“I really like that. What are you thinking of having the donations geared to?”

“Kids. That’ll keep it family-friendly, but super cool because come on, kids love cool cars.”

“This is true. Do you have a month or a specific cause?”

“Not yet. I know childhood hunger is a huge problem. Maybe we can pair up with your kids’ school, and donate to one of their programs or start up a new program with the proceeds?”

“You know what, that’s brilliant. We could really get the community involved with their endorsement. I’ll check out their website and see if I can come up with something that ties in with them directly to pitch.”

“Awesome. I notice traffic is up on the website since the revamp, and pre-orders for the calendar are through the roof,” I say, thinking of the numbers I’ve been keeping an eye on.

“How many?”

“Dude, over five hundred so far. Way better than last year, and we still have another month and a half until Christmas. Jesus, that’s scary, isn’t it?”

“As you pointed out, I’m the man who’s about to have six kids. It’s a lot scarier for me.”

His dry delivery makes me laugh harder than I should.

“Laugh it up. I hope when you and Quinn procreate you get molly whopped with multiples, too.”

“No way, dude, it doesn’t run in my family.” The thought of mini Quinns makes me grin.

“Damn, I thought you would balk at that.”

“No, I’m very okay with that. I’m shocked you said it.”

“I know you. When you really want something, nothing stops you, and I’ve never seen you like this about another woman. It’s only a matter of time before you guys make things official.”

“I hope you’re right. I’m meeting the family officially tomorrow for her dad’s birthday party at their house.”

“Good luck with that one. I’d stick to pregnant Liv over the meet the parents routine.”

“Yeah, me too,” I grumble as I finish off my lunch thoughtfully.

***

QUINN

My family is unique, to say the least. Dad is a psychologist married to an artist. It’s an interesting but well-balanced environment.

Ollie straightens the collar of his button-up. “Are you nervous?”

“Maybe a little.”

“Dude, you got the ultimate in. You saved my life.”

He snickers. “Really?”

I playfully punch his shoulder. “Shut up, corny or not it’s true. They’ve wanted to meet you long before this. I kept them at bay. My family is ... a lot.”

“You don’t say.” He widens his eyes, and I shove him playfully as we head up the walkway toward the two-story candy home where I grew up. The colorful flower beds and artistic sculptures carefully placed around the perfectly manicured lawn are the perfect representation of my parents. Organization with a creative flair. The door opens before we can knock and I laugh as my mother pulls Ollie into a huge hug. His eyes nearly bug out of his head with shock.

“Did I forget to mention we’re huggers?” I ask.

My father chuckles. “You set that boy up, didn’t you, sugarplum?”

“Maybe a little bit.” I walk around them and hug my Dad. “Hi, Daddy.”

My mother moves back, and I hug her as my father shakes Ollie’s hand.

“I want to thank you for what you did for our daughter.”

“I did what anyone would do, sir,” Ollie says.

“Call me Peter, son.”

“Let him in. Others want to meet him, too,” Riley calls.

I sigh as we move into the house. And the insanity begins.

I close the door behind me and watch, amused, as he’s accosted and grilled by Riley. Calling my sister overprotective is like calling turquoise a little blue. After the mess that was me and my ex, I can’t blame her. I spent nearly six years putting up with that loser, and I hid the worst of his behavior from everyone because I was embarrassed and young. I thought things would get better, and maybe this was what it meant to be in a committed relationship. It was when he made like he was going to hit me I snapped out of it less than eight months before I slated marriage. I’m chilled to the bone imagining what the hell being wed to a man like him would’ve been like.

“Why don’t we head out back? Dad’s been working on barbecue all day.”

“Oh, did you smoke some brisket, Daddy?” I ask as my mouth begins to water.

“You know I did. And your mom made her potato salad.”

“Hey, I made baked beans and Spanish corn,” Riley said.

“Can we skip talking and move to eating?” I ask only half joking.

“What? No? We have the yard games set out.”

“Wait, yard games?”

I roll my eyes. Why did you have to ask that?

“Yes, we have an old set of lawn darts, Yahtzee, and Jenga. I decorate those pieces myself.”

“What? That’s awesome.” His exclamation makes me laugh.

“Don’t forget about the corn hole,” Dad adds.

Ollie glances over his shoulder at me, and I laugh. He’s like a small child right now.

“Go.” I make a shooing gesture, and he moves to the other side of the backyard with my mom and dad.

“You didn’t tell me how sexy he was,” Riley says, punching my arm once the three of them are out of range.

I laugh. “Ouch. He’s pretty good looking, isn’t he?”

“Please. You knew he was.”

“He’s gotten a lot buffer since we first met. It’s all the PT.”

“I approve. A man that would give up his life for someone he doesn’t know, loves hard. You deserve that kind of devotion because it’s the only way you know how to love, with your whole being.”

I glance away. “We’ll see how it goes.”

“Are you playing it cool for me or you?” Riley asks.

“Both. It’s all happening so fast. I love him. We’re living together, and I can’t see going back to being on my own.”

“Wait a minute, what?”

“I haven’t felt safe since we agreed to testify against the robber we identified at the police station, so I’ve been crashing, and it’s the most ... normal thing in the world. I’m not annoyed or feeling caged in. He’s everything I could ask for in a man. I think he’s the one, Riley.”

“Holy shit. You’re serious?”

“As a heart attack. His little boy, Roland, is adorable. Rolly and I are fast becoming buddies, and I want to see him grow up.”

“That’s a big commitment.”

“I know. I keep telling myself to give it more time, but I know my feelings won’t change. His problems are mine and mine are his. I’ve never experienced this level of togetherness before. I didn’t think I could. After everything that happened with Joel, it was all about being on my own and remaining independent. I pushed away men who would’ve been a good fit because I didn’t want to give over control. With Ollie, it’s a compromise instead of a surrender. We find ways to meet in the middle, and talk it out. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.”

“Baby sister is in love.”

“I am.” It feels good to say to someone other than Ollie.

“Then I’ll welcome him with open arms,” Riley said.

“Thanks, big sister.”

“Anytime. Besides, you’ll need me once he meets Maximums.”

I groan. “Don’t remind me.”

“Come on, let’s join them. There’s no telling what Dad is asking him or Mom is telling him.”

“God, you’re right.” We rush toward them, giggling as we break out into a run and race one another like we used to do as kids.

“How did I do?” Ollie asks as we leave the house late that night.

“Passed with flying colors. I think my parents are ready to adopt you,” I say.

“They’re really cool. Your family is a good time, Quinn. I’m not shocked they raised such an amazing daughter.”

“Yeah, Riley is cool.”

“What?” He scoops me up and spins me around as I laugh. When he sets me on my feet, I loop my arms around his neck and pull his head down. I lean against the car as he cages me in with his arms. The bulge pressed against my belly makes me whimper.

“We should get home. It’s the last night we have the house to ourselves, which means you’re free to scream as loud as you want.”

“Only if you work for it.” I nip his bottom lip and press my palms to his chest.

He growls. The guttural sound sends butterflies flitting in my stomach.

“Be careful what you ask for, sassy.”

“Or what?”

“I’m going to have to own your ass and remind you who you belong to.”

My panties grow damp. “You think you could do it, big boy?”

“Oh, we both know I can.”

“I might need you to refresh my memory.”

His nostrils flare. “Get in the truck.”

I shudder as I rush to comply. Inside the car, I buckle in and grip the edge of my seat. The games are about to begin.

He pulls out of the driveway, and I lick my lips. Nervous energy has me fidgeting in my seat. Once we’re off the street, he reaches across the center console and caresses my knee. My heart skips a beat and the muscles in my belly jerk. He trails his fingers up, pushing my skirt to the tops of my thighs. Warmth spreads with every caress of his fingertips.

“Funny, you’re quiet now. Where’s all that yak you were spitting earlier?”

I lick my lips. “I’m saving it for you when you show me something.”

We brake for a red light, and he slaps my pussy. I gasp and jerk in my seat.

“Is that what you were expecting?” He delivers three more blows that have me spreading my legs as wide as I can and rolling my hips.

“Greenlight.” The humor in his voice as he returns his attention to driving would irritate me if I wasn’t a quivering mass of need. My panties are soaked, and a throbbing pulse is beating in my core.

“If you want something you have to tell me. You know how it works.” He wants me to ask him. I bite my tongue. “No? You don’t want me to play with your kitty? You must not be wet enough. I’m not doing my job properly then, huh?” He slips his hand under my skirt and traces the crease where my leg meets my hips. The whisper soft touch is torturous. He moves up and runs his fingers over the top of the band of my panties. My breathing is shallow, and my resolve is slipping. He runs his knuckles over my center, and I crumble.

“Please.”

“Please what, sassy?”

“Touch me.”

“I am.” He massages my inner thigh.

“My pussy. Touch my pussy.”

“All you had to do was ask, pretty girl,” he says huskily. He slips his hand inside my panties and circles my clit. The relief thrusts me back in my seat like a plane taking off.

“Yesss. Right there, Ollie.”

“Here?” He adds pressure and rubs faster.

“Oooh yeah.” My body shakes and I bite my lip. So close.

“Stop sign.”

He removes his hand, and I cry out, as my body is denied the last stroke it would take to set me off.

“Don’t you dare touch yourself.”

Gritting my teeth, I press my thighs together to relieve the intense ache.

“Not that either. Legs open.”

I whimper as I lose the friction and spread my legs wide.

“Good girl. I promise you it’ll be worth it.” His voice is downright devilish. He knows what he’s doing and that yes, he can back up the talk. So I’ll play by his rules to get the reward. I’ve never known this level of intensity before. My arousal fades slightly, and his fingers return, circling, flicking, and driving me back up. I close my thighs around his hand, desperate for more.

“So hot and wet.” He pushes two fingers inside and stills. My walls flex around him. There’s something about being filled without motion that has me squirming and rocking my hips oh so slowly.

“Be still.”

I moan as I ball my fists and count backward from ten in my head to try not to ride his fingers until I come. He circles my womb, and I choke on the air I’m afraid to breathe. When he removes his fingers, my eyes roll back in my head as my cream coats my upper thighs. Every bump and turn has me ready to burst. We pull into the driveway, and I’m afraid to move as he cuts the engine.

“You’ve waited so patiently, haven’t you?”

I nod my head, watching him through lowered lids. He unbuckles his seatbelt and moves over the console. My breath catches as buries his head in my lap, slips my panties to the side, and fills me with his stiff tongue as he rubs my clit with his thumb.

“Ollie,” I whisper, hanging on to my sanity by my fingernails.

He circles my entrance. “No more waiting, sassy. I want to hear you scream when you come.” He thrusts his tongue deep, and I arch off the seat, riding his tongue as he takes me higher and higher with his clever mouth and thumb. My body shakes and my belly tenses. I shake so hard I think I might break apart.

“Ollie.” I give a hoarse cry as the damn breaks and fireworks burst behind my lids.

I’m vaguely aware of being peeled off the seat and lifted into his arms. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I snuggle into his chest as I float in the space that comes from an explosive orgasm.

He carries me inside and tosses me onto our bed. I prop myself up on my elbows and watch him as he undresses revealing his tone muscles. The scar is mostly healed, but I’ll never forget the day it was made. His muscles flex as he pulls his T-shirt over his head and tosses it onto the ground. I lick my lips, hungry for more of him.

“Still think you can hold in those screams?” He pushes his jeans down around his hips, and his thick cock springs forward.

“You know I’m the type who has to be shown things, Oliver.”

“I’ve got few things to show you.” He steps out of his pants, grabs my ankles, and pulls me down to the edge of the bed. “Let’s put that wicked flexibility of yours to work.”

I lift my legs up and part them doing the air splits.

“I fucking love yoga.” He bends my legs back and slams home aided by the slickness he cultivated in the car.

“Oh, God.” I grip the sheets.

“What was that?” he asks, pounding into me relentlessly. I’m at his whim, unable to do more than feel as he bottoms out over and over. I thrash my head from side to side. I can’t hold out as the wave slams into me.

“Ollie,” I cry out, convulsing on his length as he continues to piston in and out of me. He swells, stretching me even farther, and I flex my muscles, ready to give back what he’s giving. He grunts, and I know he’s close.

“Harder, Ollie. Please.” He complies as our gaze meet and the world narrows to the slap of our bodies and his blue eyes.

“Hold your legs.” I keep my legs bent back by my head, and he reaches down to rub my clit.

“So, so close,” I chant.

He pinches my bundle of nerves, and I flex around him as the orgasm washes over me. He thrusts, once, twice, and floods me with his hot spray. We collapse onto the bed, and I hold him close as we drift back to reality in increments, certain this man is the love of my life.