Baylor
I WAKE UP in the world’s most comfortable bed. I stretch my arms and realize I’m alone. I move my head to see it’s already past eight in the morning.
“Shit.” I jerk the covers off and race out of Alden’s room and down the hall to where Kace slept.
He’s not there.
“Kace!” I yell in panic and bolt down the stairs.
“Calm down.” Amara holds up her hands to make me stop.
“Where’s Kace?” I whip my head around the kitchen to see where he is.
“Alden woke him up, fed him, and drove him to school before he took off to the airport.” She hands me a cup of coffee as I try to calm my racing heart. “I was about to come up and get you.”
“Thank you.” I plop down at the breakfast bar. “I can’t believe I slept so long.”
“Alden told me to let you sleep. Oh and to give you this.” She hands me a folded piece of paper.
I carefully open it and read the chicken scratch handwriting:
I’ll be back in four days. Be ready for our big, adult date.
“So…” Amara singsong voice makes me glance up. “Seems like between your smile and Al’s humming this morning, something big happened.”
“We decided to date.”
“Thank God.” She hugs my neck. “When I talked to Nathan last night, I told him you two were growing closer.”
“You and Nathan, huh?” I turn the tables on her. “You seemed upset by your brother’s comment last night, I figured it’s because of Nathan.”
Amara blushes. “Things are getting a bit hotter between us.”
“Details.” I sip my coffee.
“There’s more flirting and little sexual innuendos thrown out here and there.”
“But nothing physical?”
Her face falls. “No. I think it’s because of Alden.”
“Have you asked him?”
She shakes her head.
“Maybe he’s waiting for you to make the first big move.” Some guys like the way women take charge. Not Alden. He definitely commands our relationship.
His dark eyes flash in my mind. His words last night meant more to me than anything. I was certain Rocco would scare him off but seeing him being protective of us both is a trait I’ve never seen in a man who liked me.
Sure, Aunt Lois sticks up for me but never a guy. Rocco was my first. I’ve been out with a few guys in between but none of them made me feel like Alden does. His touch is loving, but his sex is rough. I love it.
I love it.
I love how he looks at me and no one else. I love how he lights up when Kace is around. I love how he pays attention to him.
I love him.
Oh my God, I love him.
“Baylor, you look as if you might faint.” Amara put her hand on my shoulder.
“I need to get ready.” I slide off the stool.
“Use Alden’s bathroom. It’s the best,” she yells.
I gather my items from the spare room and go back to his. I make up the bed and jump into his massive shower. When I finish, I slide into a pair of skinny jeans and an off the shoulder sweatshirt.
“Since Alden brought you, do you want to ride with me or I can drop you off at your car?” Amara asks as we head out.
“Just drop me off please.” I need time to think and be alone.
I DRUM MY fingers on the steering wheel waiting for Kace to come out of the school building. My mind hasn’t focused on anything. I had lunch with Aunt Lois and told her the situation. She advised me to stay the hell away from Rocco and give Alden a chance. She thinks it’s a good thing. She even said for me to keep my feelings to myself for right now. She’s right. I’d scare Alden away and I want to spend time with him.
“Mom, I’ve had the best day ever.” Kace bounces into the seat. “Everyone saw Alden bringing me to school and were talking about it all day.”
“Wow, that does sound like a cool day.” I pull away from the curb and head to the house.
Kace goes on to detail his day and is overjoyed to go to hockey practice. He’s ready to be on the ice. Like Alden.
“Dad’s here.” Kace shrinks back into his seat.
“What the hell?” I sigh. This is getting a bit out of hand now. He’s never around this much.
“Kace-Kace. Let’s go, son.” He waves him over to the car.
“I can’t. I have hockey practice.” Kace holds onto my hand.
“Rocco, what are you doing here?” I ask.
He walks up to me with a deep glare. “I’ve come for my son.”
“He’s my son too.” The hairs on the back of my neck stand up. “Kace, go get your bag.” I want him to be out of the line of fire when Rocco begins his screaming tantrum.
“You’re trying to keep him away from me.” He pushes his way through the front door and I’m right on his heels.
“Get out of my house.” I block his path from coming in any further.
“You need to get out of my way.” He bends down for us to be nose-to-nose.
I stand firmly planted to the floor. The aroma of vodka is choking me. I don’t care what happens to me, my fear is for Kace.
“Get out, Rocco.” I repeat.
He takes a step back and it feels as if I’m in a slow motion movie. His fist goes back and then connects with my cheek. I gasp in shock and pain – stumbling back. He catches me by my throat and slams me against the wall.
“Don’t hurt my mom.” Kace shoves Rocco throwing him off balance for a second. It gives me enough time to catch my breath.
“Run...Kace...run.” I push Rocco away from him as he bolts out the door.
“You’re going to pay for that, bitch.” He seethes and strolls out my front door as if nothing has happened.
I rub my throat and race out of the house. Rocco speeds off and I yell for my son.
“Kace!” The burn in my throat makes my eyes water more. “Kace!”
It feels like an eternity but soon he comes running from across the street. “Mom!”
I drop to my knees and catch my son, who’s running full speed. I burst into tears and hold him tighter.
“We called the police,” my neighbor says.
Within a few moments, the police and ambulance arrive. I gave my statement and was checked out by the EMTs. I signed a waiver stating I don’t need to go to the hospital.
“Baylor.” I turn and see Amara and Elizabeth running up to us. “Alden sent us,” she says breathlessly.
“Alden?”
“I called him.” Kace volunteers the information.
“He wants you to come back to his place,” Amara tells me.
“Come, Kace. Let’s get a bag packed for a few days.” Elizabeth takes his hand and into the house.
The police gave me the number to call to obtain a restraining order and the EMT told me to watch out for signs of a concussion.
“I’ll help you pack a bag.” Amara holds my hand and leads me into the house.
I’m on autopilot. I move about my bedroom with Amara picking out clothes and such, but I’m not really here. Elizabeth is waiting with Kace at the front door for us.
“I’ll drive.” Amara carries the majority of the bags.
It’s a blur as she drives to Aldens, orders food, helps me unpack my items in Alden’s room, and gets me into bed.
My brain wants to process what happened, but I can’t bring myself to do the task. I should eat or drink something, but I can’t do that either. Instead, I lay on Alden’s side of the bed and inhale his scent hanging onto his pillow and sheets and close my eyes.
I FEEL SOMEONE softly touching my hair. I moan at the gentle touch and move toward it.
“Baylor. Baby. Can you open your eyes for me?”
It’s Alden’s deep voice, but it sounds far away. Is he on the phone? I force myself to open my eyes and in the soft glow of the bedroom his dark brown eyes shine back at me.
“Hey, baby.”
The term of endearment makes my insides tingle.
“Alden.” My throat burns worse than before I went to sleep. Suddenly as if a light bulb went off, I quickly sit upright. “Oh my God, what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in Portland.”
“To answer your question, I live here.” His sexy smirk appears but vanishes when he brushes away my hair from my cheek. I’m certain the bruises are showing brightly now. His expression grows even grimmer when I see him staring at my neck.
“I’m okay.” I cup his face making him focus on my eyes. “I’m okay.” I repeat.
“Has he done this before?”
“Not like this. Please tell me why you’re not with the team.” I’m trying to get him to change the topic.
He’s quiet for a moment before saying, “I had to check on you. The last time I felt this helpless was when Amara was ill. Hearing Kace’s panicked voice and being far away made me feel that way again.”
My body moves toward him, kissing him with a soft touch. I pull back slightly and then go back for a harder touch. I lay back as Alden hovers over me. He’s not putting any pressure on me, but I want him to. He’ll take the pain away.
Knock. Knock. “Mom, are you okay?”
Alden leaps off me and sits on the side of the bed. I smooth my hair and adjust my flannel pajamas.
“Come in, Kace.” Alden calls out.
My son pushes open the door. When he sees Alden, he lights up and runs over to him wrapping his arms around him. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
“Me too, Buddy.” He kisses the top of his head.
“Kace, why are you up? You should be asleep,” I say.
He climbs up on the bed and holds my hand. “I couldn’t sleep because I was worried about you.”
“I appreciate you caring for me but you have school and a hockey game tomorrow. You need to rest.” I kiss his forehead. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” He turns and looks at Alden. “Will you be able to come to my game?”
“I promise.” Alden fist bumps him and Kace runs out of the room. “I’m going to grab a shower.” He leans over and kisses me.
My heart soars as he walks into his bathroom. He came home for Kace and me. It shows he truly cares for us. I shouldn’t read more into it, but damn I want to.
“I DON’T UNDERSTAND,” I say to Coach Hank. “He missed the practice because of me.”
Hank hangs his head for a beat before looking up at me. “Baylor, I sympathize with you, but I have to follow the rules.”
“It’s okay, Mom.” Kace squeezes my hand. “I can still dress and cheer on my friends.”
My heart breaks for my son. I kneel down to be eye level with him. “I’m sorry, Kace.”
He gives me a smile. “It’s okay.”
Hank tells him to get dressed and I head out to the bleachers with Alden and Aunt Lois. I hold tightly to the shirts Heidi gave me.
“He can’t play.” I sit next to him and lean over so my aunt can hear me.
“That fucking sucks.” Alden growls.
“Kace seemed to be okay with it.” I shrug. “Oh and we got these.” I hand out the shirts. “Alden, Kace got one for you too.”
He takes the shirt from my hand and runs his fingers over the words: Kace’s Buddy.
“You don’t have to wear it,” I tell him. “We can tell him the shirt is too small.”
“Why?” He finally looks at me. “I’ll wear it.”
“Oh...okay.” I turn back around and face the ice as the Cubs begin to skate out.
I do my best to suppress my yawn. Even though I don’t have a headache or anything today has been draining. Alden took Kace to school then drove me to the police station to get a copy of the report. Afterward, we went to the courthouse to fill out the restraining order.
I learned from Google Alden’s streak has ended since he took a healthy scratch for last night’s game. I’m not sure why he’s not on a plane going to Las Vegas for the final game of the season, but he’s here, holding my hand and watching the Cubs. We clapped and cheered on the boys until the game ended with a loss for them. I talk to a few of the other mothers as we head out. They all seem nice, but they keep glancing at Alden. I get it...he’s hot. When I finish up, I head over to Alden, who’s no longer there. Hank tells me he took Kace outside.
I go out the side door to the parking lot. As I approach the car, Alden is knelt down to Kace. They don’t see me coming up.
“Come on, Buddy, tell me what’s bothering you.” Alden begs.
“I lied.” He confesses.
“About what?”
He sighs. “I told Mom and Coach it was okay I missed the game, but it made me mad.”
“Oh, Buddy.” He pulls him closer. “I understand. Missing a game is a big deal. However, you did something extremely honorable.”
“I did?”
“You saved your mom and that’s what a man does. There will always be other games, but you only have one mom. It’s our job, as their sons, to protect them.”
My eyes water at his words.
“You protect Elizabeth?” Kace begins to lift his head a little.
“Yes, along with Amara. Now, I have your mom and you to protect.”
“Alden.” Kace shuffles side to side. “Are you and Mom going to get married?”
I freeze and my stomach drops.
He clears his throat. “Baylor and I are friends who are close to each other. I promise you no matter what happens, I’ll always be there for you.”
“Do you love her?”
“I care for her.” He answers.
I step around the car because I know Kace is just going to keep asking questions. “Are you guys ready to grab some pizza?”
“Yes.” Kace smiles and hugs me.
“You’re the best son a mother could ask for.” I kiss the top of his head.
“You heard him.” Alden smirks as he shuts the car door.
I wink and slide into the passenger seat.
I’M NOT SURE how much trouble Alden got into for missing the last two games of the season, but it made me feel like shit. Alden told me not to worry about it, but I did.
Today Ink Palace is being turned upside down for the INK America shoot. Alden is in the corner having makeup put on. All the females are fawning all over him. He’s going to be posing in my workstation. I can barely keep my thoughts clean seeing him in a very low-riding pair of jeans and shirtless. His deep cut abs are calling to me as much as the indentations in his hips.
The photographer calls Alden over and begins to tell him what’s going to happen. He takes direction with ease and he becomes sexier with each shot. There are close-ups, long shots, and everything in between. I’m feeling breathless watching his toned body and dark hair.
Oh shit, I want him.
I bite hard on my bottom lip as my eyes roam over his body more. My knees grow weaker, my breath shallows, and my palms sweat. I squeeze my thighs together in hopes to ease the tension building.
The shoot took several hours and each passing moment brings me closer to the edge of my sexual cliff. Soon, everything is cleaned and packed up leaving Alden and me alone. I lock the door and go to my office where he’s changing.
“Hey,” I say shutting the office door behind me.
“Hey.” His jeans are undone, and his shirt is still off.
I jump him before I can stop myself. Our lips crash together, and I push him against the wall. My hand reaches into his jeans and stroke his long, thick cock. My hand leaves him only for a second as he jerks off my t-shirt. He spins me around to have my back against the wall. He pulls my breast out of my bra and sucks on my nipple ring.
“Alden.” I breathe. He bites down on the right one causing me to hiss in delicious pain.
He pulls back and licks his lips. “We’re not having sex in here.” He fully stands and adjusts himself back into his jeans. “Besides we have to pick up Kace.”
I’m trying to catch my breath but having issues regaining the correct rhythm.
“Trust me, you’ll enjoy it more than the office desk.”
ALDEN HELD MY hand as we picked up Kace from school, through his hockey practice, through dinner, and on the way home. He would only let go for short periods of time.
I love the feel of the simple touch.
I make sure Kace showers and all his homework is done before he crashes in bed.
“Baylor, you’re coming back to work tomorrow, right?” Amara asks as I sit next to her at the kitchen table.
“Yes, I’ve missed it terribly.” My bruises have greatly diminished in the past five days. “Oh, I have something for you.” I pull my sketchbook from my bag.
“Is that my tattoo?”
“Yes.” I turn it around for her to see it.
It’s an open book with a few flipping pages. Coming up from the book are all the items Amara loves including Alden and her mom’s names. Amara lightly runs her fingers over the page.
“Do you like it?”
“Bay, I love it. It’s exactly what I want.” Tears fill her eyes. “When can we put it on?”
“I’ll double check my schedule, but it’ll be done before your birthday.”
She claps happily and then hugs me. “I have to tell Nathan.” She leaves the table and heads upstairs.
I giggle to myself, picking up my book and going out to Alden’s patio. His vast yard and impeccable landscaping is breathtaking. I can easily get lost in it all. I lounge in one of the chairs and begin to sketch. I don’t create anything specific but let my mind wander where it may.
After a while, I feel a tender touch of lips on the side of my neck. “Are you drawing me?” Alden’s voice fills me.
“No.” I close my eyes and lean into his touch.
“You sure? Because that certainly appears to be me on the ice.” He nibbles on my earlobe.
I glance down and realize it is him. He’s on the ice with his stick and setting up for a shot. Why did I draw this?
“You have practice tomorrow.” I state.
“At nine. Why?”
“Just making conversation.” Small talk helps me break away from the hard topics bouncing around in my head.
He chuckles. “I’m heading to bed and I’d like for you to join me. I want to finish what we started at your office.” He tilts my chin up and kisses me fully on the lips before leaving me alone.
My body wants him. I want him but this could be bad. I love him. I can’t deny it either. Even though it’s a new emotion for me, it’s the most potent. I’ve never felt my stomach flip, heart flutter, or have my breath taken away like this before. It’s my love for Alden causing this.
But I’ve been burned before by men and more than once. Rocco is the biggest jackhole ever to walk this earth. My father shoved me out on my ass when he found out I was pregnant. The other men who peppered my life we’re just fillers...until Alden. He has the ability to break me in a way I can’t even imagine. A way I might not even come back from and I know it. I feel it in my bones.
Can I put myself through this?
I cannot.
I shut my book and go back into the house. I ease myself upstairs and go to the spare room I was originally in and shut the door. I pray I can build a tougher barrier around my heart.