Chapter 12 (Everett)

I woke up to find Tanya fast asleep in my arms. Her features were relaxed, making her look like an angel. Her cheeks still held a soft red hue to it, harkening to the wild night we had.

Gently, I brushed my fingers against her cheek, pinning a strand of hair behind her ear. When she did not wake up, my fingers traveled down the side of her arm, watching the goosebumps form from the sensation.

Finally, unable to help myself, I leaned forward and kissed her. Tanya had silky lips that were downright addicting. With my fingers laced through her hair, I kissed her a little harder.

Doing so, her body started to stir underneath mine, legs shuffling, arms moving around my neck.

It was only when I pulled away, that her eyes fluttered open. She took one look at me and smiled.

The sight of her made my heart swell like never before. I wanted nothing more than to keep this woman by my side forever. She was much too precious to lose.

“Morning, beautiful,” I mumbled, burying my face in her large chest. I loved how curvy she was. It made loving her so much better.

“Mmm, morning…” She responded, voice still thick from sleep. Gently, she ran her fingers through my hair. “You seem to be in a good mood.”

I looked up at her, kissing her lips once more. “What fool wouldn’t, waking up by your side?”

She blushed, adding another level to her cuteness. I couldn’t quite get over how stunning she was. Why hadn’t I noticed it sooner? All these years, I had been fucking dumb broads when this gorgeous woman only worked for me. I should have made her the offer years ago.

I was just about to roll on top of her when my phone started to ring. I groaned, determined to ignore it but whoever it was, rang again.

“Maybe you should answer that,” Tanya suggested.

I sighed. “Yeah, probably.” Hesitantly, I rolled out of bed, snatching my phone out of my discarded pants.

As I stood stark naked in the middle of the room, cock semi-hard from my morning wood, I was keenly aware of Tanya’s hungry eyes locked on my body. She was practically licking her lips, eyes shining with lust.

“Hello?”

“Everett! There you are! Why didn’t you pick up the first time I called?”

“Hmm, maybe because it’s Christmas Eve and I deserve to sleep in every once in a while?” My tone was sarcastic and a bit harsh to be using with my mother, but I really wanted to get back in bed with Tanya – to make her scream and shake. I didn’t have the patience to deal with my mother this morning.

“You had better drop that tone when you come to dinner this evening.”

Fuck. That’s right. I promised her I’d attend the Christmas Dinner this year.

“Um, remind me of the time.”

“Five. Don’t be late. I don’t want to hear any excuses. It’s Christmas and Christmas is a time of family.” She chided. “Also, I was thinking of inviting Nettie. She’s in the area, you know, it might do you some good to see her again.”

My jaw clenched at her words, anger bubbling at her name alone.

“Everett?”

“No.” I finally answered.

“Why not? I know that things didn’t quite work out between you two but have you considered giving it another go. Just look at your father and me. We’ve had our fair share of fights. Hell, I’ve even packed my bags more times than I can count and we’re still together. All relationships have their hiccups.”

“Hiccups?” I spat. “I don’t care what you think; cheating is not a hiccup, it’s a fuck up. It’s a betrayal of my trust, that’s what it is. And, once you lose my trust you almost never get it back. So, I swear, if you invite that woman to dinner, I won’t be coming.”

My mother sighed heavily through the line. I could almost see her rolling her eyes at me. For whatever reason, my parents had always been fond of Nettie. It probably had to do with her status as a rich man’s daughter. I didn’t care about that. All that mattered was having a partner that stayed faithful, and Nettie did not fit that bill.

“So, are you going to come alone then? Should I have the table set for three?”

“No. Four.”

“Oh?” Her voice rose in pitch, clearly intrigued.

“I have a date that will be coming with me. I hope that’s not a problem, mother.”

“No. Of course not. I look forward to meeting her.”

“Good. I’ll see you at five, then.”

“Oh, and Everett?”

“Yes?”

“Do give Nettie a bit of consideration. You two would really –”

Before she could finish, I hung up the call. The last thing I wanted to hear was my mother’s reasoning as to why I should get back together with my cheating ex-girlfriend. She just didn’t get it.

Slowly, I placed the phone on the dresser and toward Tanya.

“Everything okay?” She asked, sitting up, wrapping the sheet around her chest.

“Yeah.” I sat down on the edge of the bed and took her hand in mine. “But, I need you to come to dinner with me tonight.”

Tanya blushed. “You really want me to meet your parents?”

“If you are going to have my child, of-course.”

“I guess you have a point,” Tanya admitted. “But… are you sure it’s a good idea to do it right now?”

“Honestly. I don’t care whether they like you or not, all that matters is that I like you.” I offered her a warm smile before pushing her back on the bed, lips colliding together, hips locking, and hormones raging.