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Chapter 1

Gannon

The first day of November and a chilly wind tore through our fair city of Los Angeles at ten in the morning. The first cold front of the fall season had arrived, bringing with it an enthusiasm for change.

I stood, looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows of my fifteenth-floor office. In the distance the waves coming in off the Pacific Ocean took my attention as I waited for my personal assistant, Janine Lee, to let me know when my video conference was up and going.

My job was CEO of Forester Industries; a business passed down to me by my father. He’d inherited the company from his father and had turned it from a million-dollar company to a billion-dollar one.

Was I born with a silver spoon in my mouth?

That would be a yes. I had never known hardships, poverty, or the feeling of going to bed hungry. I had only known the world of the super-rich. A world where you asked for something and you got it. And it all happened very quickly.

Maybe all that instant gratification wasn’t healthy for me, because I was impatiently waiting for the first time in my life. At thirty, some might say I hadn’t even begun to live my life yet, but waiting for my dream to be built felt like an eternity to me.

At a prestigious nightclub in Vegas one night a few months ago, I met a couple of fellow billionaire’s at Hakkasan, a nightclub for the extremely wealthy. One could blow a hundred grand with ease at the place. And it was there that a plan was hatched to build a nightclub comparable to that one.

Hakkasan was number one on the top-ten chart of high-status nightclubs around the world. The men I met that night wanted to build something even better than that. And right here in L.A., the place we all called home, coincidentally.

It took us no time to find a place and get construction going on the club. Currently, we were bantering about the name of the place—hence the conference I was waiting for. We were at the stage where the name was necessary to order insignia and other things that would carry the nightclub’s name on them.

I turned away from the window as my office door opened. There stood Janine, all four-feet-five-inches of her. Her short hair hung in dark-black, silky strands around her round face. Thick-framed glasses housed her chocolate eyes. One hand on her hip, she jerked her head in gesture. “Mr. Forester, your Skype conference is up in the conference room. August Harlow and Nixon Slaughter are ready and waiting for you, sir.”

“Excellent.” I strode across my large office, following her to the room at the end of the hallway. “Do you think you could find me a coffee this morning? Something that says fall is here?”

“I’m on it, boss.” She flipped her hair and turned, heading off to find what I’d asked for. The woman was amazing. At nearly forty, she was adept at making things happen for those she worked for. I was lucky enough to have found her when her old boss had passed away a few years back.

She and I had something in common, we found out, as we accidentally met at the funeral home where her boss’ memorial was taking place and where my father’s body had just arrived.

It was in the hallway that we both went for the same box of tissues. And in that tragic moment, we found each other. She told me about her boss and her lack of a job as a personal assistant. I told her about how I was —now—with the loss of my —father—the CEO of a large business and could use a personal assistant. And in that sad moment, a partnership was made that would make us both feel better about life in general after suffering from our losses.

My mother had passed on several years prior to my father. Breast cancer took her from us. Being an only child, my father’s death left me utterly alone in the world—something I wasn’t real crazy about being.

But with Janine’s appearance right at the time I felt the most alone I’d ever felt, came hope. Perhaps things wouldn’t always feel the way they did at that time. One day, things would get better. One day I wouldn’t be the only member of the Forester family. Or so I hoped anyway.

Not that I was looking for a wife or anything. I was a bit on the busy side to be doing that. But once I had things the way I wanted them, the nightclub included, then I would slow down and find time to date more and find Miss Right. Instead of what I had been doing—settling for Miss Right Now.

Currently, I wasn’t even messing with Miss Right Now. I was involved in my work as the CEO and my work with the club. There just wasn’t time for anything else.

Stepping into the conference room, I found my partners faces on two of the large screens that ran in a circle around the room. Some conferences for the business took up all seven screens at once. We were global, after all.

August and Nixon greeted me with wide smiles as I came in and took a seat. “Morning, gentlemen. And I do use that term lightly,” I joked.

August smirked. “So the time has come for us to put our bickering behind us and agree on a name for this nightclub.”.

Nixon picked up, “Let the record show, I like the name, Club X.”

I threw down, “And I’ve told you before, that name is much too common.”

“Yes,” August agreed. “But, Gannon, you have yet to come up with a name. You’ve shot down all the ones we’ve come up with, though. So I am throwing you into the middle of this debate and challenging you to come up with a name on the fly so to speak. You have one minute.”

“What?” I looked back and forth at the screens, finding two earnest faces. “I’m not that creative. You guys are …”

“You’re wasting time, Gannon,” Nixon reminded me.

August’s arched brow told me he was completely serious as he looked at his watch. “The time is ticking away. Thirty seconds, Gannon, or we’re sticking with Club X.”

“No! Wait—give me one more minute—I’m terrible under pressure.” I pinched the bridge of my nose as I tried to inject some creativity into my business brain.

August wasn’t giving in and was not about to give me any more time. “Nope, no extra time, and we’re coming in on ten, nine …”

One word popped into my head, and I blurted it out, “Swank!”

I looked back and forth at my partners and was shocked to see smiles curling their lips. August nodded. “I like it.”

Nixon chuckled. “Me too. Swank, it is, then.” He looked at August through the other screen. “Seems we’ve had a productive meeting, August. Time to get back to our real jobs. Catch you guys later in the week. Nixon, out.” The screen with his face on it went black.

August gave me a nod. “Back to work, buddy. Let’s get together on Friday evening for dinner and drinks.”

“You got it.” I had to laugh as he ended the call. My friends knew I worked best under pressure, and they were, as always, expert manipulators

Walking out of the conference room, I heard Janine arguing with another woman, “No, you may not go looking for Mr. Forester, Miss!”

“Out of my way, you midget!”

I headed in the direction I heard the voices coming from and found my assistant trying her best to stop a tall, skinny redhead with a small boy at her side. He huddled against her leg, eyes wide with dismay at the shouting.

The irate woman’s dark-brown eyes caught mine. “Gannon Forester, there you are.”

“And you are?” I inquired, giving the boy what I hoped was a reassuring smile. Not that I knew the first thing about kids. Surprisingly, he ducked his head shyly and then looked back up, offering a sweet gap-toothed grin.

The woman cleared her throat impatiently. “Cassandra Harrington. Surely you remember me.” Her thin lips pulled into a smile. “Club Acapulco on the strip?”

Not a clue …

I had the feeling I didn’t want to talk to the woman in the hallway with so many people’s ears leaning our way. “Would you mind stepping into my office, Mrs. Harrington?”

“Miss. And that’s where I wanted to talk to you at in the first place, but this little troll …”

I took her by the arm and ushered her and the little boy into my office. The way she shoved the kid forward, like he was a sack of flour, irked me for some reason. As I closed the door behind us, I rolled my eyes apologetically at Janine and she winked, ever-unperturbed. Her husband was a lucky man, and he knew it.

I turned back to Miss Harris and watched as her face twisted in what looked like disgust as she let the boy go and gave him a nudge—really more like a shove—away. “Stop clinging. Gannon, this is Braiden Michael Forester. Your son.”

My brain froze. My eyes shot straight to the little boy. He hovered uncertainly between the woman—his mother, presumably, poor kid—and my desk, before picking up courage. Walking around my desk and briefly disappearing, his tiny body dwarfed by its huge breadth and height, he reappeared moments later climbed up in my office chair. Leaning back in it, he kicked his feet and spun in a circle. Something tugged at my heartstrings—and let me tell you, up until then, I didn’t know I had heartstrings.

“Gannon?” the harpy snapped. “Did you hear me?”

I refocused my attention from the boy onto Cassandra, even as he began to play with my stapler. My automatic instinct was to take it from him, so he didn’t staple his little fingers. Which was bizarre, because … since when did I have automatic instincts when it came to anything except women and business?

Still buying time, I offered Braiden a box of paper clips in exchange for the high-powered electric stapler and liked when he didn’t fuss at all, switching gears seamlessly to playing with the colorful, little metal clips.

“Gannon!” Cassandra finally exploded.

Yes, he was a really nice kid.

But he wasn’t mine. That, I knew for sure. I didn’t know this crazy bitch. “Look, lady,” I informed her coolly and calmly. “I don’t know you.”

“Oh, but you do.” Her snarl transformed into an equally unpleasant smirk, stretching her thin lips into a wide rictus. “You and I went back to my place after drinking too much at that club that night, a little under three years ago. I ended up pregnant, something I didn’t bother you with for nearly three years. Your son is two, just so you know. And I’ve done all of the mothering I care to. I want out. I’m not cut out to be a mother.”

As she spat the words at me, I couldn’t help but marvel at how utterly unattractive she was in every way, way beyond just her witch-like exterior. Her voice was like nails on a chalkboard. I’d heard the expression, but had never actually seen it come to life until just now.

For some reason, the bombshell she’d dropped kept getting replaced with other thoughts. Maybe I was avoiding it. Or maybe I just couldn’t believe I would’ve had anything to do with a shrew. I had a type when I looked for female company—a very, very specific type that was more personality-based than physically-based, honestly. Gorgeous was hot, but fun to spend a long evening with was even better—and she didn’t fit it in the slightest.

“I don’t know you,” I repeated. “And he’s not mine.”

Cassandra didn’t even notice that the kid was reaching for scissors, or if she did, she didn’t care. I cut him off at the pass and handed him a stack of Post-Its instead.

Aggravated, she snarled, “I don’t care if you believe me. I just wanted to let you know you have a kid, and I can’t do this anymore. He’s yours or social services. Choose. Now.”

“Wait. What?” For the second time that day, I was being forced into an instant decision, but this time the stakes were infinitely higher. “Social services?” I echoed in disbelief, grateful that the boy was clueless about what he was hearing as he giggled and decorated himself with sticky papers. “What the hell is wrong with you? He’s your child!”

“And yours,” she retorted. “I’m not mother material. Are you listening to me at all, Gannon Forester? I’m tired of talking. I’ll just take the kid and dump him on social services’ doorstep. I can see you’re not going to be a father to him.” She started toward the boy, who dropped his newfound papers toys and shrank back into his seat. I felt a jolt of electricity shoot through me.

“Hey, wait a minute.” I stepped in front of her and the desk. The words that came out of my mouth didn’t even sound like mine. “Listen, give me time to get a DNA test done. If he’s mine, then I want him.”

Wait—what did I just say?

“One week. You have one week, and that is it, Gannon Forester.” She stalked around me, picked up the boy, whose big eyes were suddenly filled with tears, and left my office in such haste that I had to run to catch up to her.

“I need your phone number and address.” I grabbed a notepad off Janine’s desk and a pen as I hurried after her.

She stopped then and dumped Braiden—that was his name, right?—on top of the desk while she scribbled those things down on the paper. As she scrawled, pressing hard enough to undoubtedly indent the whole notepad, I hesitantly leaned in to check on the toddler. His dark hair did look a lot like mine, but plenty of kids had dark hair. And his wide blue eyes, gleaming with unshed tears, well, they kind of looked like what I saw in the mirror first thing every day, but still … just … not a possibility.

“Hey, buddy.” I smiled at him and handed him a fresh pad of Post-Its, these far more colorful than the ones from my own office. “How are you doing?”

Braiden sniffed and smiled back shyly, his pudgy little hand scrubbing across his eyes in a way that made those newly-discovered heartstrings twang once again.

Shoving the paper and pen back in my hands, Cassandra picked Braiden up like a sack of potatoes. “He can’t talk, you idiot. He’s only two.”

Stifling my anger, I straightened. “I think toddlers can usually talk. Mom just used to say that by the end of the evening, she’d have no ears left from my chatter.”

“Well. He’s stupid,” Cassandra informed me, and it was all I could do to keep from reaching out and wringing her scrawny neck. “I better hear from you by the end of the week, or it’s off to foster car for your son.”

And with that, she left my office with my potential son looking forlornly over her shoulder, one small hand stretched out to me.

Chapter 2

Brooke

The first day of November had a chilly breeze washing over our city of Los Angeles. Wearing a light sweater over my t-shirt and blue jeans, I was ready for autumn to take over for a while, leaving the heat of summer behind us.

My heels clicked along the sidewalk as I made my way to meet my brother, Brad, for lunch at Pitfire, a pizza joint my brother and I loved.

A whistle caught my attention, and I looked around to find Brad getting out of his brand-new Lambo, the fire-engine-red exterior sure to capture everyone’s attention. “Hey, show off.”

His hand ran over the hood of the car as he made his way to me. “You like my newest ride, baby sis?”

“It’s awfully bright. Did you really have to go all out and get fire-engine-red, Brad?” I crossed my arms as I stood there, looking at the high dollar piece of machinery.

My brother had struck it rich when he went to work for Forester Industries right out of college. From there, he jumped off into his own business venture, procuring investments overseas for wealthy people.

Brad came up to me, holding out his arms for a hug, which I gave him. “That’s not fire-engine-red, little sis; it’s called Rosso Mars, and that particular model is an Aventador Coupe.”

“Fancy.” I kissed his whisker-covered cheek. “So, you’re sporting a beard now. How fashionably progressive of you. But it needs more conditioner; it tickles my lips.”

His eyebrows wiggled as he grinned. “That’s what she said.”

I punched him in the arm. “Eww! Nasty!”

“I didn’t mean anything dirty by it, kid.” He looped his arm through mine, leading me into the eatery. “Get your mind out of the gutter.”

I rolled my eyes and leaned into him, not about to say I’d missed him while away at college, even though I had.

After being seated in what used to be our usual booth and ordering a blistered cherry tomato pizza and some root beers, my brother and I started catching up. I had been away, staying in the dorms at Berkeley for the last year. With my first year of college behind me, I was excited about my future and the new semester that I was a couple of months into.

Brad had been gone all summer, having to work overseas, and had only been back a couple of weeks. He told me he was eager to talk to me and find out how my schooling was going. “So, how did you like your first year?”.

“I loved it, Brad!” I informed him, over a mouthful of lusciously buttery breadstick. “Mmm. I missed these. I mean, I knew I would love it. But it’s even better than I thought. The teachers, the campus, just … everything is amazing. And the classes. They’re all theory right now, but I’m more convinced than ever that teaching little ones is where I want to be.”

“No surprise there. What were you when you first started babysitting? Three?” The tiny wrinkles that etched the sides of his grin reminded me that he was in his early thirties. That age group of people who had kids, even though he didn’t have a wife and kids yet, himself.

“No, seven. I watched Lainey Bradshaw down the street while her mom took piano lessons in the next room.” Our conversation was briefly interrupted as our drinks arrived.

He gave the waitress a nod as his eyes roamed up and down her body. “Thanks.” He leaned forward, steepling his fingers while resting his elbows on the table, obviously trying to look distinguished. “You doing okay this afternoon,” he looked at her nametag that was strategically pinned just above her left breast, “Meghan?”

Gag me with a spoon. I groaned, kicking him hard under the table.

Her pretty green eyes lit up as she smiled at my brother. “I’m doing fine. You?”

“Pretty damn good.” He winked at her. “Thanks, sweetie.”

With a tiny wave and flushed cheeks, she left us alone as he watched her go. I rolled my eyes.

“Some things never change. So, Brad. Have any of your friends had kids since I left? I’ve missed working with kids who aren’t just textbook studies. And I want to try out some of the things I’ve learned.”

“None of my close friends have kids, kiddo. Sorry.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of car keys. “I have a surprise for you.”

“No way,” I mumbled, staring at his palm without touching the silvery keys. “Brad …”

Brad only had the most badass automobiles. He’d given everyone in the family one of his used ones at one time or another. Brad’s used cars weren’t like normal ones. Bentleys, Mercedes, Beemers—you name the expensive car, he had owned one or more at one time or another, and my big brother had always been generous with his hand-me-downs around his friends.

He jingled the keys playfully. “Say please …”

“Brad,” I repeated, just as our pizza arrived and we had to wait till everything was settled in front of us. When Megan sauntered away, I turned back to my brother. “Tell me you didn’t.”

He placed the keys in my outstretched palm. “You need transportation now that you’re back here. Taxis eat up way too much spare cash. You are now the proud new owner of a gently-used Carpathian Grey, Jaguar F-Type.”

Automatically, my fingers snapped shut around the keys. Even so, I had to protest. I mean, how did it look for a brother, even one as wealthy as mine, to be doling out hundred-thousand-dollar cars to his sister? I was no mooch. “You really shouldn’t have. I mean it, Brad. And I can’t even promise to pay you back, because that would take me 5,000 years on a teacher’s salary.”

He winked. “I’ll figure out some way for you to repay me.” Lifting a dripping cheesy slice, he dug in, grinning around his huge bite.

A little in a daze, I got up and hugged him hard before sitting back down. “You are crazy,” I informed him, reaching for my own slice. “But thank you. Wow. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And don’t even start about insurance and crap. I’ll find a way to pay for it.”

I had no idea how, but I would, I promised myself.

Chapter 3

Gannon

Only three days after having the DNA test done on the little boy, I held the envelope in my hand.

Janine was by my side in my office as I pulled out the sheet of paper that would either change my entire world or leave me free. “Before you read it, tell me what you’re hoping for, Mr. Forester.”

I’d been turning it over in my head ever since the bitch had stalked in and out of my office in less than five minutes, steamrollering my day and leaving my mouth close to hanging with her news.

“That he’s mine.”

It wasn’t that I wanted the responsibility of a kid. Far from it. But Cassandra had been such an obviously awful mother. And Braiden looked like such a nice kid. He deserved better. Way better.

With a nod, Janine placed her hand on my shoulder. “Then I’ll pray that way for you, sir.”

Closing my eyes, I finished pulling the paper out, then I opened it, wanting to surprise myself. “Ninety-nine percent.” I blinked and felt the strangest shifting in my newly-discovered heart. “He’s mine.”

We remained in silence for a long moment as I stared blankly at the page full of cryptic scientific info, with two bolder words standing out above everything:

Probability of Paternity: 99%

“I have a kid,” I whispered.

“Congratulations, daddy.” Janine squeezed my shoulder. “I know it’s not what you expected, but you’ll be a great father, Mr. Forester.”

Father. The fact that the word now applied to me didn’t feel even close to sinking in.

“Janine.” I cleared my throat and sat back. “Get my lawyer on the phone and let him know to proceed with the custody paperwork. I want it today, so I can take it to her when I pick up my … son.”

Son??

“Oh God. I’m a father …”

Janine touched my shoulder once again and started for the door. “I’ll get on that right away.”

After she left, I sat in dumb silence for who knows how long before I took out my cell and made the call.

“Finally,” she answered. “Well? What do you want?”

“I received the results—”

She didn’t bother to let me finish. “He’s your son.”

“Yes, he is.” I had to put my cell down on the desk and press the speaker button. My head was aching and spinning with the news. I was both happy and deathly afraid at the same time.

I don’t know one damn thing about kids.

“Then come get him.”

I’m a father. And she’s his mother! Jesus.

“Cassandra, aren’t you going to miss him at all?” I demanded. “How can you treat a kid that way? Any kid. Much less your own.”

“When will you be here?” she replied without answering. “I’ll have him ready to go.”

Shock had me numb inside. As if on auto-pilot, I moved forward with the horrible conversation, “My lawyer is drawing up papers you’ll need to sign. I want full custody. And I don’t want to wait through court proceedings to get it. Cassandra, you do realize you will never see your son again if you sign the papers, right? I’ll want to make a life for the boy. One without a mother who seems to hate him.”

“Yeah, whatever. Cry me a big old river. So hurry up and get your paper and I’ll sign it. I want to get rid of the burden your unprotected cock put on me.”

BITCH.

“Fine. I’ll be there just as soon as my lawyer tells me the documents are ready. Goodbye.” I ended the call, feeling as if I’d just had a conversation with the devil.

The intercom buzzed. “Brad Moore is here to see you.”

As protective as she was of me, Brad was likely one of the few men Janine would have patched through at this stage.

My head was still reeling as I leaned back in my chair. “Send him in, please.”

When my best friend opened the door to my office, he could tell immediately that something was wrong with me. “What the hell happened to you?”

I just shook my head, numb.

He made his way to my desk, taking the seat across from me. “You look like a Mack truck just ran over your dog or something. You don’t have a dog though, right?” The words weren’t coming to me. How in the hell do you tell someone this kind of news? Bluntly, apparently.

“I’m a father, Brad.”

His blue eyes went wide. His jaw dropped. He jumped up and slammed his palms on the desk, making a loud slapping noise. “The fuck you say!”

Yeah, he took it the way I thought he would.

“I have a two-year-old son. His name is Braiden Michael.” I got up and walked over to the minifridge to grab myself a bottle of something with alcohol in it. Picking out a bottle of beer, I tossed it to Brad then got myself one.

Brad just looked at his without opening it. “You know it’s like nine in the morning, right?”

Twisting the metal top off the bottle, I nodded. “And your point is?” I looked at him with no expression at all on my face.

With a shrug, he opened his bottle and took a swig. “So day-drinking it is, then.” He went back to sit in his chair, looking as if he was as lost in thought as I was. “Who’s the mother?”

“A redhead from a strip club who I don’t remember in the slightest. If DNA hadn’t confirmed the evidence, I wouldn’t believe it.”

“So, what?” he asked, taking a long pull of the cold brew. “She hitting you hard for custody and cash?”

“No, actually.”

I made my way to the sofa. I needed to lie down for a minute. Let my body catch up to my scattered mind. “I’m taking him.”

“What?” Brad spun around in the chair to face me as I plopped down on the overstuffed black leather. “You can’t just take him away from his mother, Gannon!”

Pressing my forehead to the cold beer, I shook my head. “She doesn’t want him. She was going to give the kid away if I didn’t take him.” I looked over at him.

Brad’s face went from stunned to horrified. “She what?”

“She’s a real bitch, Brad. Like the meanest woman I’ve ever met. And somehow, I don’t know how—I don’t know what got into me about three years ago—but I fucked her without using a condom, apparently.” More beer went down my throat as I tried to drown the anxieties that were bubbling up inside of me. “Brad, I need help. Like permanent help, dude.”

“Do you really not remember sleeping with this woman?”

“Not at all.” I jerked my head toward the paper on the desk. “But I had a DNA test done, and the boy is definitely mine.”

Brad walked over to the desk and picked up the paper, staring at it as he spoke. “Well, at least you did the smart thing and had that done, instead of taking this woman’s word for it. So what now?”

I took another chug, “As soon as my lawyer calls to let me know the documents I need are ready, I’ll go get him.” I closed my eyes. “Brad, what am I going to do? I don’t know the first thing about raising a kid. I don’t know how to take care of one. Like what do two-year-olds eat? Drink? Do? Can they bathe themselves? Can they dress themselves? Cause I don’t know how to do that for him.”

“You need a nanny, Gannon.”

“And fast,” I agreed. I put the bottle to my lips but found it was empty. “Fuck!”

Brad reached out, taking the bottle away from me. “Fathers don’t day drink. I don’t think they do, anyway. Not the first day they’re meeting their kid.”

“I met him already,” I informed him. “A few days back. She treated him like a dog toy. He was a really nice little boy, Brad. Quiet. Calm. Friendly. No tantrums or anything. But … he wasn’t my son, then. Oh, and he can’t talk, she says. Can’t two-year-olds, I don’t know, babble or something?”

He shrugged. “No idea, man. None whatsoever. But if you make me a promise, I think I can help you out.”

I cracked an eye and watched as he hauled up a chair and sat down beside me. “Yeah? How?”

“You have to mean what you promise me, Gannon. I’m dead serious about this. Lethally serious.”

“Anything.” I sat up and rubbed the back of my neck. “What do I have to promise?”

His light blond brows scrunched together. “You remember my baby sister?”

I knew of her in passing, even though we’d never met. “Yeah?

“She’s in her second year of college, majoring in early childhood development. She was just asking me about possible jobs she could take to pay bills and practice what she’s learning in theory, since the school won’t let them handle actual small humans yet. She’d jump at the chance to take care of this kid for you.”

My eyes popped. “Brad, that would be fantast—”

“Hold on there, Gannon.” He leaned in close, eyes flashing. “If I do this for you, I don’t want you to so much as lay one finger on Emily.”

I started to protest, and he cut me off. “Because if you do, then I’ll have to reach into your chest.” He pounded his fist on my chest just once. “And I will pull your beating heart out and feast on the fucking thing. You got me, bro?”

“Leave your little sister alone.” That would be more than easy. “Got it!”

“As long as you understand me, repeat these words, and we’ll have us a deal. Oh, and you have to pay her pretty well too. That’s a given, dude.” He thumped my chest once more.

“Chill on that shit, Brad. I can only take so much, bro. Tell me these magic words you want me to say to make you believe that I will never lay a finger on your little sister.”

“I, Gannon Forester, do solemnly swear never to flirt with, fondle, or otherwise sexually harass my best friend’s baby sister, the apple of his eye, and the sweetest and most innocent girl on the planet.”

Who is this chick?

All I could do was nod as I recited his words, sealing our deal and getting me the babysitter I needed. “And can she move in with us too? I’ll need her twenty-four-seven.”

“I’ll check with her, but I’m guessing that’ll be fine. Fewer bills for her to pay.”

I almost sagged with relief. I now had a kid and a babysitter to go with said kid. Things might just turn out okay after all.

Chapter 4

Brooke

Only three days before, I’d told my big brother I was looking for a babysitting job and here he was with a huge one. “So, you’ll be a live-in. It’ll be a full-time job, Brooke. The little boy is two, and his father has no clue what to do with a kid. This whole thing just fell in his lap. You’ll have to go in and take complete charge of the little boy. Is this something you think you can handle?”

Sitting on the bed in my dorm room, I chewed on my lower lip. “What about school?”

“You said most of your classes this semester will be online,” he reminded me. “And living-in will save you money on room and board, since you won’t let me pay for those. He’ll pay you well enough that you’ll graduate debt-free, Brooke.”

“Wow.” I nodded slowly. This was not a gift horse whose mouth I was going to look too deeply into.

The father will hardly ever be there,” he went on. “He’s hardly ever home now. It’ll be you, the kid, some servants, and that’s it most of the time.” He looked back at my absent roomie’s bed and took a seat on it after pulling the blanket up to cover the mess of sheets.

“And which one of your friends is this, Brad?”

One hand stroked his beard as he looked off to one side, trying to look nonchalant. “Gannon Forester, the man who gave me my first job.”

My eyes must’ve been bugging out. Not only was Gannon the worst of the bad boys my older brother hung with, but he was a billionaire to boot. And I knew that meant he got whatever he wanted. “Him?”

Brad just nodded as he cut his eyes to look around the small room. “You’d be able to say goodbye to this little rat hole. That would be a blessing in and of itself.”

I’d never actually met Mr. Forester. But I’d overheard Brad telling stories about how much of a womanizer he was. Could I handle a man like that? “Um, he’s kind of known for being a major ladies’ man, right?”

Brad’s blue eyes leveled on mine. “Not to worry, Brooke. I told the man you are not to be messed with. He made me a solemn vow he’d never do a thing to you. Not so much as one word of flirtation. If he does, you let me know, and I’ll properly beat his ass for it.”

It wasn’t that I was anti-flirtation. I was just … shy. And totally inexperienced. And if I was going to live-in, I needed to know I’d be safe, obviously. “And this poor kid, his mother was just going to turn him over to social services? That’s so terrible.” My heart hurt with the thought.

“Yeah,” Brad got up and went to look in my closet. “Is this all the stuff you have here?”

“That’s it. So, this job would start today, then?” I shoved my feet into my sneakers and leaned over to tie them.

“Yes, it would. I think you should come with me to meet him and his kid before you make the decision.” He turned around to face me. “If you think it’s something you’d like to do, then we can come back for your things. You can even leave them here, and I’ll pay the room and board for the remainder of the semester, in case you ever decide you want to back out.”

I never let my brother pay for anything, but he had a good point for once. And I was definitely struggling to make ends meet. “He’s around your age, right?” I got up off the bed and followed my brother out of my dorm room.

“Yeah, he’s thirty. He’s a decade older than you are. Surely you won’t find him attractive in the least.” He stopped and took me by the arm, looking me in the eyes. “Right?”

“Pish …yeah, right. I’m not into old dudes, Brad.” Call me old-fashioned, but in my twenties, I was still a virgin. My sum total of experience was a few kisses and a little basic groping. I was waiting for the right guy to come along.

About an hour later, we pulled up to the sprawling mansion Mr. Forester lived in.

“Wow, Brad. This is bigger than your place in Malibu.” I couldn’t believe how beautiful the place was. I adored the rustic look. The home looked like a huge log cabin with a covered front porch that spanned only one part of the humongous home. Tall pine trees lined the asphalt drive. The lush green grass was well kept, making the whole place look almost fake.

“Yeah, Gannon likes his little slice of wilderness out here in the sticks.” It wasn’t really the sticks—just the Hollywood Hills.

At the door, we were met by the butler, who introduced himself to me as Ashe.

“Who in this day and age has a butler?” I hissed to Brad as we walked through a dizzying maze of rooms until we came upon one that had cartoon sounds coming out of it.

He just shrugged.

Ashe gave me a smile. “Mr. Gannon is in there with his new son.”

With a nod, he left us to enter the room on our own. My brother pushed the door open. “Here she is, Gannon.”

The back of the man I might soon be working for was all I saw. Dark hair that was kept short and neat gave way as he turned, and the darkest blue eyes looked at me as he got up.

“Brooke, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” He came toward me, and a small boy with huge blue eyes and a tearstained face immediately jumped off the couch and scurried over to stand beside him, sliding a pudgy arm around the man’s long legs. It was obvious the poor little guy was bewildered at having lost his mother and gained a stranger for a father all in the same day, so he was terribly anxious.

“Hello, Mr. Forester,” I greeted him, then smiled at the toddler. “Hi there.”

Thumb wedged firmly in his mouth, the boy attempted a small smile around it.

“Please, call me Gannon. And this is my … son, Braiden.”

“Hey there, Braiden.” Brad hunched over and stuck his hand out. “I’m your Uncle Brad. It’s nice to meet you.” My brother took the little boy’s hand and shook it, making the kid giggle before he pulled his hand back.

His giggle was every bit as adorable as he was.

His father chuckled in a way was anything but adorable. Deep and husky, it was sexy as hell.

I wasn’t sure what was wrong with me. I didn’t think this way. I didn’t find older men attractive. So what was happening here?

Sure, Gannon Forester was tall. Like six-foot-three or something. Sure, he had broad shoulders and the rest of his torso tapered elegantly to a waist that wasn’t exactly narrow, but smaller than his wide chest. Long legs, covered in blue jeans that clung to some pretty great looking muscular thighs, made my gulp. The man was a masterpiece in a white t-shirt and faded blue jeans. And bare feet.

Even his feet are gorgeous.

It was then I realized I had looked the man over, all the way down to his naked feet. I quickly snapped back and pointed to the sectional the two had gotten off of. “Should we discuss the arrangement?” Someone had to take over this interview, and it might as well be me.

“Of course,” came the words from Gannon’s chiseled lips. Yes, even his lips looked as if they were cut from marble. His features were sharp, yet soft around his gorgeous eyes. Blue pools that were surrounded by thick, dark, lush lashes. Any girl would die to have those natural lashes. Lashes the little boy had, too, I noticed after another glance. The boy finally disengaged from Gannon’s leg and wandered back over to the couch, where he had a battered children’s book and a sippy cup.

“You and your son are nearly identical,” I found myself saying. “He’ll be a real lady-killer one day.” Then I found Gannon’s eyes on mine. The slightest hint of a sexy smile was on his lips. I realized what’d I just said. Ahhh … crap …

I looked away, feeling shy as Gannon began my interview, “So the job pays whatever you want it to. You’ll have a bedroom that will adjoin the one I’ve had set up for Braiden. It’s right across the hallway from mine.”

My brother interrupted. “A bit close, don’t you think, Gannon?”

Those blue eyes raked across me as they swung to meet the lighter blue eyes of my brother. “It’s for the boy, Brad. I want him to feel safe. After all he’s been through, I want him to feel safe, secure, and loved.”

When my brother scoffed, I felt offended for the man immediately and came to his defense in a heated rush, “Brad! Don’t act that way. It doesn’t matter what he’s done personally, all these years. He’s a father now. He’s just thinking of his little boy.”

“Sorry, sis.” Brad still looked suspicious, even as he apologized. “You’re right. Sorry, Gannon.”

Gannon chuckled lightly. “Wow. A real tigress you’ve got there, Brad. And one I’d love watching over my little boy.” His eyes fell on me once more. “Please tell me you’ll take the job. I’m being totally serious when I say you name the price and I’ll gladly pay it. I have no idea what the going rate is for sitters, but I want you to be the highest paid one in the history of nannies.”

“I have to have Tuesday and Thursday mornings off until eleven,” I told him, in case Brad hadn’t. “I have class for one hour each of those days, and it’ll take me until then to get back out here. Will that be a problem?” I chewed my lip, nervously hoping that would not put me out of this once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity.

“Not at all,” came his quick reply. “I’ll adjust my work schedule to go in a bit later on those days. Any other accommodations I need to know about? Oh, and you’ll have a car to use too. You can take it to school and anywhere else you want to go.”

“I have the car my brother just gave me a few days ago. I don’t need your car. And I don’t need a boatload of money either. Five hundred a week is fair, since you’re also providing room and board.”

Gannon shook his head. “No. No way to only five hundred. I tell you what; how about a thousand a week and you let me pay off any student loans you have and pay for the rest of your college? It’s only fair to you. You’re going to school to learn how to take care of kids after all. I want to help you do that.”

My brother answered for me as he jumped up, “Deal!”

I looked between handsome father, adorable son, and my beaming brother. My senses reeled, and suddenly so were my deliriously happy finances. Things looked very, very good.

Chapter 5

Gannon

After Brad and Brooke left to go get her things, Braiden and I waited for her to return, still watching cartoons. He asked me to read him his book in between episodes, plopping the book in my hand and smiling up at me in a hopeful way that left me weirdly warm and soft.

Is this what being a dad is really like?

Tuckered out by his earlier tears and the total upending of his life, Braiden eventually feel asleep on the sofa, so I let my mind wander to the young lady who’d be living under my roof. From the moment I’d seen her, I’d known things were going to be rough for me.

Why couldn’t she be a female version of Brad?

That is what I’d pictured when he’d said he had a sister who could take this babysitting job, after all.

She had his most basic of features—blonde hair and blue eyes. But that’s where the similarities ended. Her long hair had golden strands that caught the light. The blue in her eyes were like lipid pools of sparkling blue water. Her rosy cheeks were full and plump, just like her strawberry-pink lips.

I knew I shouldn’t allow myself to think about her like that. I knew Brad would have my heart in his meaty fist in no time if I didn’t get this little fetish under control.

She’s your best friend’s baby sister, Gannon Forester. And your son’s babysitter. Stay away from her in all ways, sexually speaking!

So I sat there, staring blankly at the cartoon cat who chased the mouse on the big screen television that usually had some kind of sports game playing, instead of animated characters.

Slowly, Brooke seeped back into my brain. I saw it all in my head; her cute little curvy frame. The top of her head came to my shoulder. I could see myself wrapped around the beautiful girl. Her tits were full d-cups, I was sure. Her hips were round and her ass …oh, my God, her ass!

Braiden mumbled something in his sleep, and I snapped out of it, catching him before he tumbled off the couch. “Easy, buddy,” I murmured, picking him up and starting for the room that I’d designated as his nursery. I’d sent Janine out to get the most basic things, like a little boy’s bed and a few toys, but Brooke would need to help me really decorate it.

As I tucked my son gently under the covers and hesitantly brushed his forehead, Brooke came to mind again. I flipped the night light on and slipped out of the room, leaving the door ajar in case he cried again.

My cock thumping, I walked a few doors down to my own room and sprawled out on the bed, reaching for my engorged cock and freeing it.

I was already fucking up, and I knew it.

I should call Brad and tell him I can’t keep my promise.

But I wasn’t about to actually do that. Braiden needed her. And I could allow myself to have sexual fantasies about the girl, couldn’t I? What would be the harm in that, so long as there was no touching?

My eyes closed as I thought about her sweet lips on mine, and I fell headfirst into a sexual fantasy about the beautiful woman who was about to move into my home with my new son and me.

My fantasy jumped several pages past the start, beginning as though Brooke and I were already tangled in one another, our clothes scattered every which way.

Standing over her, I looked down on her blonde head as she took my hard cock all the way in, bobbing her head up and down eagerly. Her soft moan vibrated over my dick, and I groaned with desire.

When I couldn’t take it anymore, I lifted her up, pinned her to the wall, and caught her lips in a searing kiss as her hips wrapped around me. “You want me, baby?” I whispered, stroking my hands over her smooth, lithe body.

“Please, Gannon …” she moaned as I guided myself home and thrust hard, reaching the deepest parts of her. “Ahhh … baby …” Her moan made me insane, her hot breath tickling my ear.

“You’re tight, honey. So tight,” I groaned, cupping her ass and seating myself even more deeply. “I’m not hurting you, am I?”

“No.” She kissed me hard, her arms wrapping around my neck, gorgeous breasts pressing into my chest. “Fuck me, Gannon. Hard.

So I did, taking her harder and higher until she shuddered and cried out in ecstasy, her head falling back. I bit her throat gently and came hard myself, filling her with my seed.

“Ahhhh, Brooke,” I groaned over and over, holding her tightly to me, my hips jerking with each driving release. “Baby. Yes …”

Her hands moved all through my hair as she tried to catch her breath, just one word on her sweet lips. ‘Fuck.’

Fuck, yes, the sweet little thing would curse, even though I was sure the word would never leave her lips outside our bedroom. She’d be a saint in front of others, saving her naughty sexual side only for me.

I stared up at the ceiling, barely starting down from my high when my cell rang. “Gannon,” I answered the call without looking at who was calling.

“Hi, Mr. For—uh, Gannon.”

I jolted with another spasm of unexpected pleasure at hearing her sweet voice. “Hi, Brooke. Everything all right?”

“Yeah, it’s fine. You sound winded. Is Braiden wearing you out already?”

I grabbed a pillow and muffled a hungry groan in it, desire already rising in me again at how sexy that sweet, innocent voice sounded. “Yeah, he’s a little rascal We were, uh, playing tag.”

“I just wanted to call before I leave town. Do you or Braiden need anything from town? I mean, like does he have milk and pull-ups or diapers or whatever he’s wearing?”

How damn sweet is she?

“Oh, that’s a great idea. I know we have milk. Um, I don’t know about the pull-ups or diapers. His mother just gave me him and nothing else. I did have my personal shopper bring some clothes for him earlier today. Do you know if he has a diaper on?”

She chuckled a little. “Mr. For—Gannon, have you not even looked to see if he has on underwear or a diaper?”

I got up and started cleaning myself up. “No. How do I do that?”

“Just pull the back of his little shorts out a bit and see if he’s got on underwear or a diaper.”

“Oh, yeah. I saw like some white, thick fabric when we were running around. Is that a diaper?”

“Pull-Ups at this age, more likely, but who knows. Okay, I’ll pick up some stuff. I don’t suppose you know if he takes a bottle at night, do you? You know, to help him fall asleep,” she added, before I could ask why.

“He didn’t need one just now to fall asleep,” I remarked. “So maybe he doesn’t use one.”

“Asleep?” she asked, sounding confused. “I thought you guys were just playing. That’s what had you all out of breath, right?”

Shit …

“Yeah. Um, well I told him to go sit and watch cartoons, and he did, and he fell asleep.”

“Huh. I guess it makes sense. The poor little guy’s worn out after everything. I’ll grab some stuff and then head over there. Brad helped me pack my car up ...”

“Okay. See you soon, Brooke.” I ended the call, then beat my head against the wall, glaring down at the rampant evidence of my desire for my new nanny. “Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.”

Then a little voice sobbed just down the hallway and I was forced to pull my act together, pull some clean pants on, and go comfort my small, scared son, patting his back and singing, really not knowing what I was doing, but giving it my best. That was what counted, right? That I was trying?

Chapter 6

Brooke

Unpacking in my new bedroom a couple hours later, I couldn’t help but look out the large windows that overlooked the back part of the vast property. More tall trees spotted the hilly terrain, and I could see it all through the creamy sheer curtains.

A light knock had me turning to see who was at my partially-closed door. And there was my handsome new boss, carrying my adorable new job in his strong arms. He might have been a new father, but he looked like he was meant for the job.

“Come in.”

Gannon put the little boy down, and he briefly clung to his father’s leg before starting to curiously look around my new living space.

I took out the little firetruck I had bought for him when I stopped at the store to pick up the diapers and wipes. “Come here, Braiden.” I smiled and crouched down. “See what I have for you.”

Without an ounce of shyness, he made a B-line for me and the toy I held out to him. I got on my knees to get on his level. He took the toy out of my hand and looked it over, then his eyes went to mine and his tiny arms went around my neck as he hugged me.

I smiled in total surprise and hugged him back. “Hi, sweet boy,” I murmured, kissing his hair and then his plump cheek. “I know you’ve had a really rough day, but we’ll make it better,” I promised him, sitting back and showing him how to push the tiny truck back and forth.

“You’re really great with him,” Gannon said, taking a seat on the floor, but not before I caught his eyes roaming over my body. A pop of warmth burst inside me, along with a nudge of worry.

Uh oh …

Leaving the two to play with Braiden’s new toy, Gannon making vrooming sounds while Braiden, who was oddly not verbal yet, tried to imitate him and mostly blew raspberries, I rose and went back to unpacking my bags. An uneasy feeling was washing over me—one that told me I had to be careful with the charismatic playboy who I now not only worked for but also lived with.

I was sure women who had even less to do with the man had a hard time keeping their heads straight where he was concerned. My work was really cut out for me.

Picking up a handful of panties and bras out of my suitcase, I held them close to my body, discreetly covering them with my hands as I took them to the dresser. Dropping them inside the top drawer, I folded them, making sure to keep them out of sight.

When I turned back around, I found Gannon sitting back, watching Braiden zoom his new toy all over the walls and carpet. “Can you believe his own mother could turn her back on him the way she has?” He had a dazed, kind of sad look on his face that made me want to go over and put my arms around—

Uh, no! Hello? Bad, bad idea! What’s the matter with you? Self-control has always been Brad’s problem, not yours!

I shook my head and returned for more clothes. “No, I can’t believe that. Brad told me about all of it. I just can’t imagine what sort of person does a thing like that. He doesn’t seem like he’s a problem at all. And certainly not a piece of trash to discard so easily.” Picking up several pairs of shorts, I turned to walk back to the dresser, but Gannon’s hand on my arm stopped me.

Oh, the spark that shot through me wasn’t good at all. My eyes were wide as I looked at his large hand, wrapped around my wrist. My eyes traveled up my arm until they found his. His thick lashes fell as he blinked, then I saw those blue eyes once more. “The truth is that haunts me. I don’t understand how anyone could do such a terrible thing. And I’m glad he has you now. I mean, I can try my best to be what he needs as a father, but a kid needs a mom more than anything, I think. I don’t know how I would’ve turned out if I hadn’t had a loving mother.”

But I wasn’t the boy’s mother. I was merely his babysitter. “Mr. Forester …” His eyebrow arched. Oh. Right. “Gannon. While I will do my very best to be what your son needs, please understand that a babysitter is no replacement for a mother. You’ll have to be both mom and dad for the poor little guy.”

He let me go and looked down, the powerful image briefly slipping as the weight of this new burden obviously settled home. “I don’t know if I have that in me, Brooke.”

Putting my clothes down on the bed, I ran my hand through his dark hair, before I could stop myself. I was honestly just trying to convey my compassion for him and his desperate situation, but …

He raised his head, locking eyes with me, and I realized I had to pull myself together for all of our sakes. “Gannon, I’m here to help you get through this hard part. You’ll be great at being a father, just like you’re great at everything else you’ve ever done in your life. My brother has told me all about you. You may have been born wealthy, but you’ve done plenty on your own as well. You should be proud of your accomplishments and sure in your ability to raise your son.”

I was much too close to the man, our faces only inches away from each other. What the hell am I doing?

Taking a step back, I broke our eye contact. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him shaking his head slowly. “Thanks, Brooke. I needed to hear that, badly.”

Gathering my shorts once more, I headed to the dresser, knowing I needed to get some space between us. My body wasn’t acting right. It had some kind of electric current fizzing through it, leaving me giddy.

Turning back around, I found his eyes sparkling at me. There was no more lost, young father in them. Oh, no. Here we go … I had to set things straight right from the start or I’d lose myself to the man. The womanizing man, I had to remind myself.

“You know, Gannon, Brad told me about your success, your driven personality, and your problem with finding help with your new-found son.” I stopped as he leaned back on my bed, resting his muscular body on bent elbows and gazing at me as if I was the most interesting person in the world.

I swallowed hard, watching him sink onto my new bed, and tried not to imagine being beside him. Beneath him …

“Brad also told me about your escapades with numerous women.”

That seemed to get to him, and he sat up, looking appropriately sheepish. “About that. You should know guys kind of exaggerate about matters of that nature. I’m not quite as bad as some make me out to be.”

With a light laugh, I grabbed my clothes and went across the large room to put them away. “I’m sure you’re not. But I’m also sure you’re very adept at seducing the female gender. I’d like to warn you, though. I won’t pull punches. I’m … inexperienced, Gannon. Deliberately so.”

While I hoped he would infer the message in my words—I don’t know what I’m doing, so cool it—the heated look that suddenly filled his eyes suddenly told me my words had had the opposite effect.

“So, you’ve never …” His dark brows raised as he looked directly into my eyes.

“That is none of your business,” I replied as calmly as I could, even though I was the one who had broached the subject in the first place. “Let’s just say we’re both new at certain things.”

“But I’m willing to learn,” he drawled softly, his own implication crystal clear.

Oh, the man is danger wrapped in a gorgeous package.

Done with my unpacking, I took a seat on the floor next to where Braiden was busily pushing the firetruck around. I took a turn, marching it over his head and belly and loving how he doubled over, laughing.

I found my eyes going to Gannon’s once more and decided the best policy would be honesty and bluntness. Surely he’d respect that. “I’m a virgin, Gannon. Try to keep that in mind when you find your flirtatious tongue taking you over, please.”

I saw his cheeks flush. I had no idea what that meant, but at least I’d gotten everything out in the open between us. Now to see if he could pull his bad boy ways in a bit, for the sake of both our sanities.

Chapter 7

Gannon

For the first time since I was a kid, I felt my cheeks heating as I blushed. She actually made me blush!

A deep laugh came out of me as I ducked my head. Then I remembered who the hell I was and stood. “I’m sorry if you saw anything I said as being flirtatious. I certainly didn’t mean to make you think I’m flirting with you.” That was a blatant lie, but she didn’t have to know that. And if she reported anything like that back to her older brother, he’d snatch her away from me in a heartbeat.

I had to exercise my self-control, even if it wasn’t a thing I was used to doing, so it wasn’t easy.

But I would get them.

Now she was the one ducking her head in embarrassment. “I’m sorry if I misread you, sir.”

Not back to sir!

I took the same position she was in, sitting cross-legged on the floor next to my son, and chuckled to let her know I wasn’t trying to be a jerk. “Come on, let’s not go all the way back to calling me sir.” I reached out and pulled Braiden to sit on my lap, hoping like hell that made me seem more approachable and less like a male whore. The way Braiden immediately snuggled into me made me feel a little like a heel for having the hots for his nanny when that was the last thing he needed. What he needed was a father who could keep it in his pants and keep from losing the new woman in both our lives, who was going to be instrumental to helping us figure out the father-son thing.

“This is going to take some getting used to by all of us. We’ve all been thrown into this thing. This very-similar-to-being-a-family thing. And you’re the female in this thing we’re in. The mother-figure.” She shook her head, but I didn’t let that stop me, “Shake your head all you want, Brooke. It won’t change the fact this little boy needs a mother, and that that will be your job for the foreseeable future. At least until he’s in school. And maybe even after that.”

With a sigh, she looked at me. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I’ll get used to it. I guess we all will get used to our new roles. You as a father and the boy as a cherished son, a thing he must’ve never been. Poor baby.” She reached over and touched Braiden’s soft hair where it was nestled into my shoulder. “And me as the female lead in his life.”

“Okay, then.” I felt better about the whole thing. “Are you ready to take over your babysitting duties, Brooke?”

“Sure,” her tone was chipper and her smile bright. “I’ve got this, Gannon. Go do what you need to do. Braiden is in good hands with me.”

Placing Braiden back on the floor, I got up and roughed up his mop of dark hair before kissing him on top of his little head. “I’ll catch you guys later, then.” Heading out of her bedroom, I found myself looking back, finding her and Braiden playing with his truck. My heart did an odd little pitter patter thing, and I sighed inwardly.

When did I get so damn sappy?

After a quick change of clothes, changing into a suit for dinner, I headed out to meet up with August and Nixon for dinner and drinks. It was our usual Friday night thing to do since we’d met in Vegas.

The other two men had already been seated, as I found out when the maître d took me to their table. A small table for four near the back of the seating area is where I found them, snickering about something. “Good evening.” I took a seat as they both looked at me with curious expressions.

It was August who had to ask, “So an hour late. What gives?”

My grin was sly as I saw the waiter making his way to me. After ordering my drink, I let them in on what was happening in my life. A good half-hour and two drinks later, I had them thoroughly mesmerized by how my life had taken such a sharp turn.

Nixon shook his head slowly as he muttered, “That’s fucked up, man.”

“What a bitch,” August added. “I’ve never heard of anyone doing such a horrible thing.” His eyes were filled with compassion. “That poor little kid.”

Taking a sip of the twelve-year-old Scotch, I nodded. “Well, he was a poor kid. He’s finally going to have a good life now. And the woman I found to babysit him is sure to make him happy too.” I placed the glass on the table. “She makes me happy too, unfortunately.”

“And why would that be unfortunate, Gannon?” Nixon asked as he waved at the waiter.

“Because she’s the baby sister of my best friend. And he’s threatened me about doing so much as flirting with the young thing.” I had to close my eyes to conjure her in my mind. “The absolutely gorgeous young thing.”

“Excuse me,” Nixon told the waiter. “Can you get us something to eat. Some finger foods. I’m thinking maybe something with shrimp in it.”

“Oh, and cheese too,” August added. “Something maybe we can dip chips in.”

“I’ll be right back,” the waiter assured us, then made his way toward the kitchen.

Both turned their attention to me once more. August raised one dark brow. “So how young is this girl?”

“Her brother told me she’s twenty.” That earned me critical stares.

“And you’re thirty,” Nixon pointed out. “Ten years older than she is. But my guess is that’s not too much of an age gap to put you off, is it?”

I’d never been attracted to anyone as young as Brooke. The thought of being older by any amount of years than a female conquest hadn’t ever occurred to me. “It’s not her age that matters to me. It’s her brother’s friendship that matters. He and I have been friends since our college days. We roomed together since freshmen year. Our bond is tight.”

August thoughtfully stroked his beard. “So you have known this girl since she was a kid, then.”

“No.” I eagerly eyed the platter the waiter placed in the middle of the table. “Looks great.” I grabbed a chunk of bread and dipped it into a thick white cheese concoction, brimming with tiny shrimp. “I’ve never met any of Brad’s family before. He and I never were those kinds of friends—the kind who go to each other’s family homes.”

Dipping his own bread into the gooey dip, August nodded. “That’s good. It would definitely be weird if you knew her as a little kid and still wanted to bone her.”

Nixon nodded in agreement. “Yeah. Since you just met her, I guess it’s okay. But you still can’t go for her. Not if it would mean losing someone who’s been your friend for such a long time. Find someone to take your mind off the girl.” He jerked his chin toward the table to our right. “There are four nice-looking ladies right there. Take one of them home with you, screw the hell out of her, and see if that doesn’t help you deal with your little problem.”

Looking over at the table of women, who were most likely available, I checked each one out. And nothing. Not even the slightest thump in my cock came.

With a sigh, I admitted defeat, “It’s no use. I’ll just have to get over the fact that she’s going to be around my house all the time and I have to treat her like a kid sister.” Even I knew that wouldn’t be an easy thing to do.

My two friends cracked up.

“What? I can do it. I can!” I protested, admittedly uncertainly.

“Sure you can,” Nixon taunted me.

August wasn’t about to be left out, “It’ll be so easy to turn off that wolf who rules your libido.”

More raucous laughter had me clenching my jaw. I could do it. I’d show them. I’d show everyone. Especially myself.

Brooke Moore was nothing more than a beautiful girl, and I’d known lots of them.

I could change my ways a bit. I could look at her for what she was to me—my kid’s babysitter. That’s all she could be to me.

That and the youngest sister of my best friend. Yeah, there it was. I had it all wrapped up in a neat little box.

In the beginning, though, I thought it might be best to spend as little time with her as possible. Just until I could get my head wrapped around the idea that she wasn’t someone I wanted, sexually speaking.

She was my employee. My son’s nurturing nanny. A person I needed to regard much like I did the women who worked in my office.

One does not shit where they eat, after all—a rule I had practiced my entire life. Brooke was right there at the table. She’d be there all the time. No, I wouldn’t have any trouble at all putting her into the same category I did with all the female interns and admin aids I worked with all the time.

“I should take off soon. This day has kind of taken its toll on me.” Bidding my business partners goodnight, I left to head home and get some much-needed sleep.

And, hopefully, my dreams wouldn’t end up the way my little daytime fantasy had gone.

I was almost thankful when I got home and Braiden woke up suddenly, maybe hearing something in his sleep. I had to spend thirty minutes soothing him back into dreams. Brooke volunteered to do it, but I wanted to spend some time with my son. It served a triple purpose—letting her get some rest, giving me some quality time with my boy, and keeping my fantasies firmly in check.

By the time Braiden drifted off to sleep once more, curled up in my arms on his little bed, there was nothing else in my mind except making him feel safe again after his world had been ripped from him so suddenly.

“I …love you, son,” I whispered as he snored softly, and I knew immediately that it was true, even though we’d barely met. He was my blood, but more importantly, he had become my heart from the moment he smiled shyly at me the first day that Cassandra walked in.

I’d move mountains to keep him happy. And that included keeping my libido firmly in check.

* * *

Chapter 8

Brooke

Nearly three weeks into my new job and I was beginning to lose patience with my new boss. I knew he had never been a father before, nor thought about being one, but damn it, the man wasn’t spending enough time with his little boy. He’d initially been really good about it, making time in the mornings and coming home at reasonable times in the evenings, so he could spend at least a few hours with Braiden before he had to leave again.

But, recently, Gannon had become like a ghost in the house. He was hardly ever there, but when he was, he caused quite a stir. In his son and in me. I both hated and loved it.

My heart would speed up with just the sound of his dress shoes clicking across the marble floor of the foyer. Braiden had a similar reaction to hearing his father come home. He’d rush on his little legs to get to his daddy, and I’d have to rush right behind him to make sure he didn’t get lost in the massive one-story home.

He’d be grabbed up into his daddy’s strong arms as I tried not to be jealous of that fact. I would’ve liked to have been pulled into those strong arms too. But I knew what I felt was wrong.

I’d been pretty frank with the man, letting him know I was an innocent little virgin who could easily be broken. I kept wishing I hadn’t told him.

Ever since that conversation, I noticed he barely looked my way. Oh, he was very nice and cordial, asking how my day had gone and asking how his little boy had behaved. It was all very nice.

Nice. Proper. Boring.

But my rising interest in him aside, he wasn’t being the father he needed to be for the little boy. Not once in a week-and-a-half had he been home to put the child to bed.

The last thing I wanted was for the boy to bond with me more so than with his own blood—his father. But that was already occurring, as Gannon just wasn’t around enough.

Putting Braiden to bed, I read him a story and kissed him goodnight once he’d fallen asleep. Then I went to my bedroom, leaving the door wide open to make sure I caught Gannon before he went to bed.

Time kept ticking by and still no Gannon. Finally, at midnight, I closed my bedroom door, put on my sleeping shorts and a tank top, and climbed under the blankets, giving up for the night.

Just as I closed my eyes, I heard his door opening, and I shot out of bed, trying to get to him before he went to sleep. Just as I threw my door open, I saw he’d only partially closed his. “Gannon?”

“Yeah,” came his deep voice from inside the room.

“Can I come in?” A sudden onslaught of nerves filled my stomach with enormous butterflies. Was I really about to tell this grown-ass man what he needed to do as a father?

“Sure. Come in, Brooke.”

I guess I was.

So in I went and stopped as soon as I stepped through the door. There he was, taking his shirt off, revealing the body I had only been able to daydream about.

Perfect abs ran, ladder-like, across his tone stomach. More perfection ensued as my eyes traveled up to his tattoo-covered pecs. “Tribal?” I should have acted like I hadn’t noticed, damn it. I should’ve acted like he was dressed in a business suit, not half-naked!

His hand moved over his left pec as he looked down at that tat. “Yeah.”

His biceps were bulging, and one had another gorgeous tat that I had a very hard time pulling my eyes away from. “They’re, uh, nice.” Sexy as sin, was more like it. I found myself imagining kissing them …

“Thanks.” He looked up at me with an easy smile on his handsome face. I could tell he’d been drinking. He wasn’t drunk or anything like that—just relaxed. “Did you want something?”

You.

I shook my head to get that bad thought out of it, and he laughed. “No?”

Stopping the movement, I nodded instead. “I mean, yes. Yes, I’d like to talk to you about your time.”

“My time?” He stepped out of his shoes and sat on a nearby chair to take his black dress socks off too. And there were his gorgeous bare feet.

Who has such nice-looking feet? I thought again.

Pulling my eyes back to where they belonged, I gave myself an internal berating for ogling my boss. So unprofessional!

“Yes, I know you’re new to the parenting thing. And I know you must not even be thinking about this, but you’re neglecting Braiden.” I put my hands on my hips, shifting my weight as I watched to see his reaction to my words.

His brow furrowed in obvious irritation. “Neglecting is a strong word, Brooke. I talk to the kid every day. I scoop him up every evening when I come home and give him my full attention.” He shook his head. “That’s not neglect in my book.”

“You give him about twenty minutes of your time out of each day. You were doing much better a week and a half ago. What happened, Gannon?”

He shrugged. “Business hours can be erratic. That’s why you’re here. To provide stability when I can’t be home on time.”

I scowled. My temper was fairly mild, unless my core beliefs were in question, and they certainly were now. “I’ve waited for you to get into some kind of a pattern on your own, but you haven’t done that. That’s why I’m intervening now, before too much time passes and things become difficult for you two.” I tried to think of how to say things the best possible way to avoid putting the man on the defensive. “Certain rituals are good for kids to help build a bond that will last a lifetime. Like putting your child to bed, reading him books until he falls asleep, then kissing him goodnight. You should be doing that with your son every night that you possibly can.”

“Okay, I can do that.” He tossed his socks toward his shoes. “What’s his bedtime?”

“Eight.”

His laugh made me frown as he shook his head. “That’s way too early. I’m almost never home by then. I tried to be early on, as he settled in, but it’s difficult. Find something else for us to bond over. You can do that ritual with him each night yourself.”

Fire began to ooze through my veins, building up heat inside of me. “Gannon, this isn’t a joke. And just what is so important that you have to go out each and every night?”

Those blue eyes landed on mine with a blue flash of anger. “Business meetings, often. I work with a lot of companies on different time zones, where my night is their morning. And dinner, Brooke. Yes, I sometimes go out to eat dinner with my friends. It’s not a crime.”

Now I was irate. “Gannon, your son is a lot more important than your friends are. He needs you a thousand times more than any of them do.”

Gannon folded his big arms over his broad chest. “Braiden seems to be doing just fine with the limited time I’m spending with him.”

I could see I needed to put things in black and white for the man. “It’s what you did before you had a son to think about. Now you have one, and he needs to be your number one priority. Not a bunch of over-privileged, spoiled rotten, rich jerks!”

I earned another frown, which I didn’t much like seeing on his handsome face. But I’d put it there, and now I had to deal with that fact.

His tone was low, his voice quiet, “Brooke, you’re paid to make him your number one priority. Tell me if that’s not the case.”

Shaking with raw anger, the likes of which I’d never felt before, I lit into his selfish ass, “He is your son, Gannon Forester. Not mine! His mother threw him away as if he was nothing more than a piece of trash. He definitely is my top priority. And as that, I will make sure his father does right by him. If I have to nag you, beg you, or bribe you to become the father that child deserves, then I will do that.”

With his head cocked to one side, he looked at me with no expression on his face. “Do you realize how you’re speaking to me?”

I could feel my brows raise in surprise. Had the man never encountered an angry female before? Had he no instinct for self-preservation?

Although I wanted to dart across that large room and smack the man upside the head to get him to snap out of this master-of-the-manor bullshit, I stayed put and took my hands off my hips to avoid the negative stance I’d been in.

Using my soft-but-firm voice, a thing I’d learned how to use when dealing with rambunctious and bratty young children, I forged ahead, “Braiden needs more from you. I’d like to see you at breakfast each morning. I can have him at the table each morning at whatever time is convenient for you. And dinner in the evening is another good way to establish time you will be spending with him each day—times he knows he’ll see his father, a person he absolutely adores.”

A smile pulled his chiseled lips up at each corner. “He does, doesn’t he?” Crossing his long legs, he touched his whisker-shadowed chin as he looked up dreamily. “I can see it in his eyes every time he runs to me when I come home. Pure love for no reason at all. He barely knows me, yet we share such a deep and instant connection. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”

With his words, my heart started to fill with something close to hope.

Maybe he can be the man Braiden needs in his life after all.

But then his hand moved and his eyes met mine. “I think the time he and I share when I get home is enough. For now.”

And just like that, he pissed me off once more. One hand flew to my hip; the other pointed a finger at him as if it was a pistol. “Now you listen to me, and you listen good. He needs more from you. A lot more than twenty minutes of your precious day. Let me lay this out for you. Breakfasts, dinners, and bedtimes are now added to the time you will spend with your son. Make it happen, Gannon. Or I will.” And with that, I turned and left his bedroom.

And prayed I hadn’t just lost my job.

Chapter 9

Gannon

Sitting in stunned silence, watching Brooke stride out of my room, I didn’t know how to take the way she’d talked to me.

I wouldn’t call it a verbal assault, but I did feel as if I’d been knocked around a bit. And that wasn’t anything I was used to, after years of being one of the most powerful men in business. I’d earned respect, including how people addressed me. I didn’t like being told what to do. I never had.

Walking into Braiden’s room, I stood there for a while, watching him sleep. Brooke had told me he was gradually sleeping more hours without waking from the bad dreams that had plagued him when he first arrived. Still, he occasionally still missed his mom, even if she hadn’t loved him.

“I love you,” I said quietly, kissing his soft cheek. “I’ll do better, Braiden. Somehow. I promise.”

Drawing the covers more securely around him, I left the room and headed for the shower. I always liked to rinse off the day before hitting the sheets.

The hot water ran over me as I wrestled with feelings of desire and guilt. The guilt was because I knew Brooke was right. I’d fully intended to be a better dad to Braiden, but a combination of trying to do the right thing and keep my hands off Brooke and old habits had waylaid those initial good intentions. I found myself staying out later just to keep away from her, even when I did miss my little boy and thought of him frequently throughout the day.

I’d have to do better, somehow, I acknowledged to myself, letting the water sluice over me. Starting tomorrow, I’d be a better dad. Some tension dissipated with that decision, but another remained firmly in place. Very firmly, as I thought about how cute Brooke had looked in her little shorts and tank top. Pink always looked good on her. The color accentuated her naturally-tan skin tone. Blondes always looked cute in pink. But Brooke took that cuteness to a whole new level.

I noticed her toes and fingernails had a light pink color on them too. I had to wonder if she painted them herself or had them done.

Lathering my hands with soap, I ran one down the length of my shaft that was growing stiff as I thought more about Brooke than I’d allowed myself to in the last two weeks.

Closing, my eyes, I gave into my need. Stroking my cock, I thought about her. My imagination had her coming into my bedroom with a different agenda.

‘Gannon, can I come in?’ her soft voice called to me.

I was lying in bed, naked, the sheet tented from my hard-on. ‘Come in, baby. I’ve been waiting for you.’

Walking into the room, she gave me a warm, sweet smile, the kind that always left me half-liquid when it was paralleled with the heat in her eyes.

Drawing back the sheets, she raked her eyes slowly down my naked body, making me impossibly harder with her gaze. Then she climbed onto the end of my bed and crawled on her hands and knees toward me. Moving in between my legs, she eyed my cock as she licked her pink-stained lips.

For a moment, she looked at me. Our eyes met as she slowly moved down until her lips touched the head of my dick. She puckered just before her mouth touched me and it was the sweetest kiss I’d ever felt.

With a soft groan, I took her head and gently urged her to take more of me in. The heat of her mouth moved over my cock as she moved her head nice and slowly.

Humming, she took me higher and higher. Finally, I drew her back and looked into her beautiful eyes. “Next time it’ll be my turn to make you crazy like that,” I promised, lifting her over my rigid shaft. “Right now, though, ride me, baby.”

A smile pulls her plump lips into a half-moon as she moves up my body, straddling me and easing down my shaft. “Ahhh,” she moaned, leaning back and rolling her hips, making me groan. “Ohh …”

She moved up and down as I held her by the waist, watching her tits bounce with each stroke she made. Her golden hair fell over her narrow shoulders and over her tits, only allowing peeks at her pert pink nipples now and then.

“Lean over me, baby,” I urged, and moaned with delight as she did, her nipples now in range of my hungry lips. I drew one soft rosy nipple into my mouth and nipped it, making her moan delightfully. Then I sucked hard, knowing the combo of tongue and teeth that she liked so much.

Her body moved in waves over mine while I sucked and sucked, switching from side to side in an increasing frenzy and reveling in the sounds we both made and the marks I was making on her perfect body, until she convulsed and cried out.

I didn’t come yet, letting this pleasure be all hers as I continued to suckle and nip and lick.

“Please, don’t stop,” she chanted over and over, holding my head against her delicious breast.

Rolling over with her, I fucked her slowly, making her wait just a little bit before I really give it all to her, whispering dirty words that made her blush prettily.

Her legs wrapped around me. Her soft feet moved up the backs of my legs. Once I was in, balls deep, I let go at last. “Oh, yeah, baby. Now I’ll give it to you hard,” I whispered, kissing her hard and imitating the thrust of my cock with my tongue.

She stayed with me all the way, crying out, begging for more, trembling, and clawing at my back like the sweetest she-cat.

“Do it, baby,” I finally urged, as we both fell over the edge.” Come for me.”

Her body convulsed around my cock as she let it all go, shuddering right along with me, like we were one body. When it was over, I held her close and kissed her soft lips endlessly.

My cock erupted in my hand, bringing me out of the fantasy. Panting hard, I leaned my forehead against the tiled shower wall.

Bewitched.

That had to be it. The girl had bewitched me. There was no other explanation. No one had ever gotten so embedded in my brain. No woman had ever affected me the way Brooke had. And in only two weeks’ time at that.

As I got out of the shower, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around my waist, I looked at my reflection in the mirror over the sink. “What the hell are you letting happen to you, dude? She’s just a chick. There are plenty of them you can have. Forget about her like that. Don’t you remember that you made your best bud a promise about that girl?”

Sighing, I made my way to bed and prayed I wouldn’t have any dreams about the girl who was sleeping just across the hallway.

Chapter 10

Brooke

The very next morning, I was in the kitchen taking inventory of what kinds of food were available for Braiden to eat. The sounds of expensive dress shoes clicking on the tile floor made my heart do a little dance.

“How’s daddy’s little man today?”

Yes! It seemed my boss might have listened to me last night.

The chef, Consuela, was the first to greet our employer, “Good morning, Mr. Forester. Will you be having breakfast here this morning, sir?”

Without looking back at him, I tried my best to act as if I was still taking stock of the food, but my ears were keened, waiting to hear what I hoped I would.

The legs of the chair scraped the floor—a good sign he was taking a seat at the table where Braiden was sitting in his high chair. “I will be having breakfast here this morning.” He chuckled. “Good morning to you too, son.”

The tenderness in his voice melted me completely. God. He really did mean well, in spite of his arrogant tendencies.

“And I’ll be eating breakfast here every morning, Consuela. How about some eggs? I don’t care how you make them. Surprise me.”

Making her way to the fridge that blended into the darkly-paneled wall, she got out a carton of eggs and got to work. I put my clipboard down and finally turned to greet my boss. “Morning.”

Looking over his shoulder at me, he pointed at the chair across from him. “Tell our chef what you would like to eat this morning and join us over here, Brooke. I want this little bonding time to have you in it too.”

“Oh, I don’t …” I couldn’t get it all out before one of his dark brows raised, and I went to him without saying anything further. “You can make me the same as what he’s having, Consuela. Thank you.”

Smoothing out my knee-length skirt, I took the seat opposite him at the small breakfast table. Braiden took a fresh strawberry out of his bowl and held it out to his father. “How thoughtful, son. Thank you.” He took the fruit and ate it in one bite. Then his eyes turned to me. “Coffee?”

I went to get back up to get him some, as that’s what I assumed he meant. “How do you take it?”

“Sit down,” he said with a chuckle. “I meant, do you want some coffee? Not that I wanted you to get up and get me some.”

“Oh.” I felt stupid, but shook that off. “Yes, I think I’d like one cup.”

Overhearing us, Consuela was already sending one of her kitchen helpers to us with cups and the pot of freshly brewed coffee. Placing the cups in front of us, she filled them, then left us alone.

Looking at the steaming cup, I thought about the fact I liked sugar in mine and some cream too. Gannon took a sip of his, then he looked at my untouched cup. “Sarah, cream and sugar please.” He looked up from my cup to me. “You know you’re allowed to ask for things you want here, right?”

Letting out a breath I didn’t even realize I’d been holding, I nodded. “I’m just a little out of sorts this morning. Our exchange last night has left me a bit shaken. I hope I didn’t overstep my bounds. “Gannon … I have no idea where my lines are with you. Could you please help me understand them better?”

Sarah placed the cream and sugar on the table and a small spoon on a white linen napkin next to my cup of untouched coffee. “Here you are, ma’am.”

“Thank you, Sarah.” It was only then that I realized how the rest of the staff was regarding me. Not like one of their own. No, not at all. I was treated the same way Gannon was. Only I was allowed to call him by his first name. Only I was sitting down to eat with him. Only me, and they all saw it. But why only me?

Gannon took another sip of his coffee as I fixed mine up and Braiden offered his father a fat blueberry. “How about you eat that one, Braiden? Daddy wants you to be nice and healthy.” I caught Braiden’s wide smile as he popped the fruit into his mouth, chewing it happily.

The kid was happy almost all the time. He wasn’t whiny or moody or demanding. It didn’t make any sense why his mother wanted to be rid of him. He was a joy to be around.

Gannon turned his attention back to me. “Brooke, I don’t know how to do this father thing, and I’m looking to you for guidance. When you came into my bedroom last night,” I caught the kitchen staff stopping to look at us, “and told me I was neglecting my son,” Consuela’s face contorted as if she had a stomach cramp, “I wasn’t too pleased.”

Sarah nodded. I knew what they had to be thinking--this girl is an idiot.

Trying my best to ignore our small audience, I tried to speak as if no one was listening. “Yet, here you are at the breakfast table as I asked you to be.” I tapped the silver spoon on the inside of my cup to rid it of the drop of coffee that had settled into the scooped bottom before placing it back on the white napkin. Pulling the cup to my lips, I blew the steam off the surface and took a sip. Much better.

Gannon’s eyes danced as he grinned sexily at me. “Yet here I am.” One large hand rubbed his dark beard that he kept neatly trimmed. “You made me think. I’m really not used to being told off that way, you know.”

“I did it for the sake of your son.” I leveled my eyes on his before I turned them to his son. “I’d do anything for him.”

“I can see that.” Trickles of electricity moved through my hand as I had laid it on the table. When I looked to see just why that was, I saw his hand on top of mine.

I looked up to find his eyes filled with emotion. “Brooke, I know you’d do anything for him. And that’s why I listened. I’m not used to admitting that I can be stubborn. And I hate being told what to do. But what you told me last night changed me a tiny bit.”

I was mesmerized by the man. His soft, smooth, deep voice. His handsome face. The way he looked at me. I was lost in him. “Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah.” He smiled, making soft lines crease around his mouth and eyes. “Women don’t talk to me the way you did last night. And not many men have dared to either.”

I must’ve been insane to have spoken to him in a way others didn’t dare to. But I’d had to do it, and I’d do it again if necessary. For Braiden, I’d do whatever I had to, to give him the father he deserved.

Gulping back some highly-charged emotions, I pulled my hand out from under his, as his touch was freaking me out a bit. “I hope I didn’t offend you with anything I said last night.”

Shaking his head, he ran one hand through his dark hair, disheveling it just the tiniest bit. “Not at all. You just stirred me up a bit. Made me think. And you’re right. Twenty minutes a day isn’t enough to be spending with my son.”

Sarah brought our plates to us, and we both sat back to allow her the space to do that. I looked at the gorgeous plates, heaping with fluffy scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. “My goodness, Consuela, you certainly can come up with something that looks amazing very quickly. Thank you.”

Gannon took a bite of his eggs and moaned. “So much better than the crap I grab on my way to work. Thanks, Consuela.”

“You two are more than welcome,” came her reply.

It was Friday, and I knew that meant Gannon would be out late. The breakfast was nice, but I wanted him to give Braiden more than breakfast and twenty minutes after work. “So, it’s Friday. Any plans?”

“Many plans.” He bit into his toast.

I waited to see if he’d tell me about them, but he took a sip of coffee instead, prompting me to ask, “Wanna tell me about them?”

“Sure do.” He gave me a grin that told me he was pretty happy with himself. “I’m taking off at lunch today. I want you to make some plans for us. Bonding things. Since I have no idea what kinds of things those are, you have carte blanche. Go crazy. I want to do something with Braiden. And I’m not going out tonight. Not at all this weekend. I want to get into the habit of putting my son first. Just like you said to.”

“Oh, Gannon,” I exclaimed, barely preventing myself from hugging him. “That’s fantastic! I can pack him all up and get him ready for you. How about a trip to the zoo today? I’m sure he’s never been. That witch would never have done something like that for her baby.”

He shook his head. “I’m sure she didn’t. But he’s not hers anymore. He’s mine. And, by default, yours. You have to come too, Brooke. You’re an important part of this little family.” He chuckled as he shook his head. “I never knew I even wanted a thing like this, but now that I have it, the idea is growing on me.”

It was growing on me too.

Chapter 11

Gannon

My mind couldn’t stay on work no matter how hard I tried. Just before lunch, I got a call from Brad. “Hey there, Gannon. Wanna do lunch?”

It took me a moment to answer, as I had no idea how to tell him that I was going to have lunch with his little sister and my son. There just didn’t seem to be a way I could find to put that out there that I saw him taking well. In the end, I had no real choice. “I’m taking Braiden to the zoo. I figure we’ll eat there.”

“On your own?” came his surprised question.

“No.” I chuckled. “Of course not. I still don’t know a damn thing about actually taking care of him. Brooke will go too. She is his babysitter. And she’s really good with him too. Thanks for lending her to me,” I decided to throw that in.

After yanking off to her for a second time, I wasn’t sure how much my best buddy would see through me. I was nearly transparent to him at times. And I figured with his overprotective nature where his little sister was concerned, he’d be able to see right through me. I just couldn’t allow to happen.

I couldn’t lose her.

“The weather today is great for a trip to the zoo.” He didn’t sound as if he was reading anything into it. I breathed out a silent sigh of relief. “Brooke loves the zoo too. Especially the monkeys.”

Without meaning to, I made a mental note to buy her a stuffed one while we were out that day. “Good, then she’ll have a good time too.”

“As long as you get her some ice cream she will.” He laughed. “I recall a certain trip to the zoo when she was about five, and we were on our way to the exit, leaving after a long day there. She saw the ice cream shop and wanted to get some. Dad wasn’t about to let anyone eat in his new car, so he told her she could have some at home. She threw the biggest fit any of us had ever seen.”

“Noted. Get the babysitter ice cream to make sure she doesn’t throw a fit.” I laughed as I picked up my jacket, heading out the door. I was eager as hell to get home and get things going.

“Yeah, I’d hate to have her teach your little boy how to throw a real fit. Have fun man. Maybe we can meet up later tonight. I’m thinking Monaco’s for dinner, then clubbing. You?”

“Making a home night with the boy. You know, trying to make him the most important thing in my life. That’s what your sister says to do. I’ve never even thought about being a parent, so I’m following her sage advice.” Giving nods to Janine and several others who were in the reception area, I walked out the door and headed to the elevator.

“So she’s doing well, then?” he asked.

Pushing the down button, I waited for the elevator as I thought how to put it into words how well she was doing. I couldn’t help but gush. “Dude, she’s amazing with him. I swear she’s already falling in love with him. She looks at him with just as much adoration as I do. It’s crazy how fast she’s become completely devoted to him.”

“She’s always been a real kid-lover. That’s why she wanted to make a career that has them at the core. Brooke’s a natural with kids.”

The elevator finally came up, and I stepped in amongst the other people who were heading to lunch. “That she is. Thanks again for letting me borrow her. I’ll talk to you later, bro.”

“Later.”

Ending the call, I kind of felt terrible, but also great at the same time. I was keeping my hands to myself, right? Mostly? What I did alone didn’t count, I promised myself.

The thought came to me that it had felt good to place my hand over hers while we were talking at breakfast. I honestly hadn’t meant it in any way except in thanks for the lesson she had taught me, but the jolt that shot right through me shocked me. Literally.

It felt like I’d accidentally put my hand on a live wire. Nothing like that had ever happened to me. And by the look on her face, the wonder in her blue eyes, I thought she might have felt the same thing.

The ride back home took way too long, as I was anxious to get to them. My little family. It had just been so damn long since I’d had one. So long since I had anyone other than myself to think about or come home to.

As soon as I came through the door, I heard Braiden’s screams of delight, and he ran around the corner, flying into my arms. As I grabbed him up, I couldn’t help but notice Brooke smiling away at us. “Good, you’re here. He’s been dying for you to show up so he can go see the animals.”

“Oh, I thought he was happy to see me.” I wanted to ask Brooke if she was happy to see me too, but the smile on her face told me she was.

“He’s happy about that too, daddy.” She laughed and hooked her thumb in gesture to the door behind her. “I’ve laid out your clothes on the bed. I was pretty sure you wouldn’t want to wear a suit to the zoo, so I laid out proper dad attire.”

No one had laid clothes out for me since I was ten. I wasn’t exactly sure I liked that she did that. But I was nice about it. “Thanks. I’ll get changed, then we can leave. Did you guys eat lunch yet?” I put Braiden down and headed out of the room.

“No, I thought we’d eat with you.” She took Braiden by the hand. “We can eat at the zoo if you want. Whatever you want to do.”

A smile plastered on my lips. I said, “Okay, we’ll eat at the zoo then.”

As I went into my bedroom, finding my clothes laid out on the bed, I thought about her going through my closet to find the clothes. At first, I was incensed the tiniest of bits. Then I was turned on as I thought about her hands flowing over my things, picking out what she wanted me to wear—what she wanted to see me in.

My cock jerked, and I stopped the train of thought instantly, warning myself sternly, “Quit it.”

The ride to the zoo was full of laughter, as we both adored Braiden and his silly antics. And strolling through the zoo, me pushing the stroller that I’d rented that looked like a golden cage that Braiden loved, I felt like a real family.

Brooke walked at my side, pointing out each animal, saying its name, and making the sound it made. Braiden tried to mimic her, something she said was good, as he didn’t talk at all yet. At two, he should be saying a few words, she told me.

I assured her if anyone could have him talking soon, it would be her. We passed a small gift shop, and I saw stuffed animals inside. “Hey, can you take over with him while I do something really quick, Brooke?”

“Of course.” She took over for me, pushing the stroller to keep him moving. “And that’s a monkey over there, Braiden. It says, hoo hoo.”

I heard a chorus of similar sounds as the monkeys in the cage called out to her. Inside, I purchased a stuffed monkey for her and a stuffed tiger for my son.

Heading back out, I caught up to them, as they’d stayed nearby. Giving Braiden the tiger first and receiving a fantastic smile from him, I handed Brooke the monkey. “I saw this and thought of you.”

She laughed, and the sound was beautiful. So fresh and innocently happy. One perfectly-arched brow arched a bit more as she took the monkey out of my hand. “So you think I look like a monkey, Gannon? Thanks.”

That didn’t come out right at all.

“No, I don’t think you look like a monkey at all. You’re gorgeous.” I stopped, as that last part wasn’t supposed to come out. It was meant to sit silently in the back of my mind. And the blush that covered her cheeks as she quickly ducked her head shyly told me she totally caught my little slip. “Your brother told me you like monkeys.”

“Oh.” She shook her head. “Of course he did. Did you talk to him today? Tell him where we were going?” She held the monkey like a baby on her hip, and it was ridiculously, over-the-top cute, to where I wanted to kiss the breath out of her.

“Yeah, he called, and I told him. He also mentioned that I had better buy you an ice cream before leaving here or I’d face a tantrum from you that would end all tantrums.” I laughed and watched a smile crack her lips too.

“Man, I guess I’ll never live that down.” She swayed a bit as we continued walking. “In my defense, I was four. I’d missed my afternoon nap and had a sugar rush from cotton candy and lemonade they gave me earlier.”

“Oh, well that explains it all.” I fought the urge to wrap my arm around her narrow shoulders and pull her close, kissing her cheek. Man, how I wished I could just do that.

“Gannon, can I ask you something that’s a bit personal?” She looked at me, and we stopped underneath the shade of a tree. Giant goldfish swam to the surface of the pond that ran underneath the little bridge we’d stopped on. Gulping air at the surface, it was plain to see zoo patrons would feed them from this spot.

I put a quarter in the machine that released a handful of what looked like dog food pellets and tossed them to the fish. Braiden laughed and clapped as he watched them frenzy over the food. “Sure you can, Brooke.”

“Why haven’t you found someone to settle down with?” She eyed me as if gauging if I was going to be truthful with her or not.

I found I was going to be honest as I opened my mouth and the words poured out freely. “I’ve been busy building a successful business, for one. And once I got that largely completed … I realized I don’t want just anybody. I want a woman who has it all. And I’ve never met one.”

“Never?” she asked as she hugged her little monkey.

The honesty just kept on flowing, “Well, I wouldn’t say never. You see, I think you just might have it all, Brooke.”

She blushed and had to look away. “Gannon.”

I had to save myself. “The guy who gets you will have more than just your brother to answer to. You’re my number one girl, so he’ll have to answer to me too. I don’t envy the poor soul.”

Her eyes cut back to me. “I’m your number one girl. What does that mean, exactly?”

My smile was crooked, I could feel it. “You can figure that out, I’m sure.”

I moved on, pushing the stroller and feeling good about what I’d told her. A bit of how I was feeling about her was out there. Not enough to get my ass handed to me by her older brother, but just enough to let her know I thought a hell of a lot about her. It wasn’t a crime. Right?

Chapter 12

Brooke

The trip to the zoo was fantastic. The dinner together later that evening was, too, as Braiden had his first ever pizza. Then we gave him a bath together, to deal with all the tomato sauce and cheese, and got soaked. Finally, Gannon read a bedtime story to Braiden and made me sit on the other side of the bed as he read. He told me he wanted me to be a part of this with his son too.

Part of me knew it wasn’t the right thing to do, and that Braiden and I both might get hurt when Gannon finally met some woman he wanted to marry. Then she’d be the boy’s mother.

Even though that stayed in the back of my mind most of the time, I couldn’t help what was happening between the poor little boy whose mother abandoned him and me. I loved him, and he loved me. It was simple, and there was no way to stop it from happening.

And what I was feeling for Gannon was just the opposite. I knew it was wrong. I knew I had to stop it. And it was far from simple. No, it was the most complex situation I’d ever been in.

I was falling hard for a man who was ten years older than me. And the fact that he was a bad-boy womanizing man who was used to getting what he wanted didn’t make things any better. When you added in the fact my brother would kill us both, you had a recipe for disaster.

So I knew I had to keep my thoughts to myself and try to keep Gannon from catching me when I looked his gorgeous body up and down. And most of all, I had to try hard not to let any of the staff see me drooling over the man who was our boss.

After Braiden had fallen asleep that night, after the long day at the zoo, Gannon and I stepped out of his bedroom and into the hallway. There was the adjoining door between my bedroom and Braiden’s, but I wanted to walk out with Gannon—walk by his side just one more time before I went to bed.

“Did you have fun today, Brooke?” He stopped after closing the door and leaned up against the wall.

Why does he always have to look so damn hot?

“Yes, I did. Thank you for taking me with you guys. Did you have fun too?” I leaned up against the wall opposite him, folding my arms in front of me.

His eyes sparkled as he nodded. “I did have fun. More fun than I ever remember having. And I want to do this all weekend. What do you say? Think you can handle all this fun I’m dishing out?”

Oh, the things I’d love to try to handle …

“I’ll try to keep up with you.” Rolling my shoulders, I moved off the wall and headed toward my bedroom—the one that was just right across the hallway from his.

He caught up to me, his shoulder barely brushing mine as he walked next to me. “Night, then. See you at breakfast.”

“Night.” I went into my room and closed the door, leaning against it, sighing, and wishing like hell things could just be simple and easy.

As I went through the drawer with my nightclothes in it, I spied something I didn’t realize I had taken from the dorm in the small box of feminine toiletries I’d packed.

In a brand-new package, unused, there was a pink vibrator. My college roomie had gifted it to me when I moved out of the dorm, teasing me that I might find it handy, living with someone as hot as Gannon.

As I pulled it out of the box that was pushed into the far back corner of my nighty drawer, I felt my stomach tighten. My inner thighs pulsed and I went damp inside.

“Hmm.” I walked from one of the bedroom doors to the other, making sure they were both locked. Then I went to my bed and tossed the package on it. Undressing, I kept looking at the thing.

Stripping all the way down, I got under my blanket and took the long pink thing out of the package. Pushing down on the end, I found it buzzed to life and was even getting warm.

“Okay, here we go then.” I pressed the tip of it to my pussy and found my eyes closing all on their own. “Oh, yeah. I can see why people like these things now.”

Moving it around, I pretended it was Gannon’s mouth on me down there. I moved it through my folds, up and down the slit, and pressed it to my sensitive nub. “Oh, yeah!”

Holding it there, I let Gannon’s body fill my mind. Those muscles, those tats, those eyes …

As I shuddered, feeling pleasure roll steadily over me and build with astonishing speed, my mind kept drifting to the man who was in bed just across the hall. A man who’d bought me a monkey and some ice cream. A man who’d made my cheeks hurt as we laughed more than I ever had before. A man who could look at me almost the same way he looked at a little boy who he openly loved.

My hips lifted and pumped hard and fast, grinding myself against the toy, urging me higher until I had to grab a pillow to muffle my scream. Finally, I put the vibrator aside and lay there, as stunned by the orgasm as I was by the realization.

Could Gannon Forester actually be falling for me the way I was for him?

Was that even possible?

I’d Googled Gannon a few days back, during some free time I’d had while Braiden napped. I’d found more than a few pictures of him with gorgeous, full-grown women on his arm. A few even showed him kissing some raving beauty. But in not one of those pictures did I see the face he showed his son and me.

Not one picture with adoring women gazing at him had him gazing back at them the way I caught him looking at me way more than one time.

Did Gannon actually like me? Did he think of me as more than just a sex object, the way he seemed to have thought about all the other women?

Or was I simply fooling myself about the whole thing?

He was a man with great looks, charisma, money, and power, and he knew how to use those things to get what he wanted.

Did he merely want me and was he using his arsenal of traps and baits to get me where he wanted me--underneath him, in his bed?

Heaven help me, I wanted that man more than anything I’d ever wanted in my life. But I knew I couldn’t have him.

Chapter 13

Gannon

I stepped out of the shower where, once again, I’d found myself fantasizing about Brooke.

When will I stop thinking about the babysitter that way?

I couldn’t help myself, though. As I pulled on sweat pants and headed down the hall to make sure Braiden was still settled where I’d left him after our bedtime story, my thoughts drifted to the day at the zoo and the nice homey dinner of meatloaf and mashed potatoes that Brooke had showed me how to make, in between teaching me to multitask with an active toddler. Everything had been so easy. So relaxed. So utterly wonderful.

And it was all so completely innocent.

Walking side by side along the pathways of the zoo. Sitting across the dinner table from her, both of us giving Braiden bites of various foods. Both of us laughing at his silly faces as he tasted new things.

The funny thing was that I knew Brooke was off-limits. And I tried hard to wrap my head around it. I also tried not to believe I saw in her eyes what I kept wanting to believe I was seeing.

Braiden was fine, and I started back to my room, thinking of how Brooke looked at Braiden with love in her pretty blue eyes. And I could have sworn to the Almighty above, she looked at me with that same look in her innocent eyes.

Could she be falling for me?

And what if she was? Then what?

Was I ready to be the man who deserved such a rare girl? Was I ready to put my roving ways behind me and settle down?

Because that’s what it would mean if I tried to make her mine.

I closed the door to my room and leaned back against it, lightly thudding my head against the wood in frustration. I knew Brad would only accept us being together if I made a real commitment to his baby sister. I knew he’d be watching out for her at all times and keeping his eye on me, making sure I wasn’t skirting around behind his sister’s back, hurting her.

Could I put my past behind me and do right by the young woman?

I wasn’t sure about that. Not yet, anyway. And until I was certain, I had to keep my hands to myself.

And what if I was misreading her look?

What if she merely respected me and that’s why she looked at me the way she did? What if she was happy to see me doing more with my son and she simply found pleasure in that? What if she thought I was too old for her?

She could think that. Ten years her senior might be too old in her eyes.

With a sigh, I started for the bed, then my cell rang. It wasn’t unusual for me to get calls late at night, but seeing August’s name on the screen surprised me. “Hey man, what’s up?”

“Our club, in flames,” came his quick reply.

For just a fraction of a second, I thought he must be joking or that I had misunderstood him. “Flames?”

“Yes, there’s been a fire at our club.” He paused before going on. “The investigators have to do their thing, but I’m pretty sure someone tried to burn the place down, Gannon.”

“My God!” I headed for my closet to throw something on. “Was anyone hurt?”

“Not that we know of. Nixon is on his way there now. The security company called him. Can you meet us down there? We need to assess the damage and make sure the authorities know we all want to press charges on whoever did this.”

“Shit,” I mumbled as I made my way to my closet to find something to put on. “Yeah, give me half an hour.”

After putting my shoes on, I grabbed my keys and headed out. I stopped outside my door and looked at the closed door that Brooke was just behind.

Maybe I should tell her I have to go. Just in case she needs me for anything.

I walked across the hallway and thought I heard something. A low moan.

What the fuck?

My heart pounded furiously in my chest as I leaned my ear against the door, and then I heard it loud and clear, her soft moans.

“Yes, Gannon! Yes, baby! Oh, yes, Gannon …”

Ho-ly shit. For two seconds, the fire fled my mind.

Brooke wanted me the same way I wanted her, and now I knew for sure. No guessing required.

I turned and headed outside, hurrying toward my car, even as thoughts tumbled through my head, a clash between worry about the nightclub and worry about Brooke.

Even if Brooke wanted me, I couldn’t do a damn thing about that until I knew I was ready to commit to her or her brother would have my ass. I couldn’t hurt him by hurting his baby sister. I just couldn’t do it. I was a lot of things—womanizer included—but I couldn’t stab my best friend in the back.

The whole ride to the club, I went back and forth in my mind, up until I got there and found August and Nixon were waiting for me outside. Only one firetruck remained at the scene. I saw no damage to the outside, which filled me with relief.

Not too bad.

I got out of my Jag and jogged up to them. “Hey. So what’s the damage?”

Nixon hooked a thumb behind him. “Come on, let’s go inside. It’s not too bad. One bar got the brunt of it. Someone had put a very small explosive device under one of the shelves in that bar.”

I shook my head as I thought that it had to have been one of our construction workers. They were the only ones with access to the inside of the club. “So we’ll have to question everyone on the crew then.”

August nodded as we went inside. “I can’t believe any of those guys would purposely try to hurt us like that. Man, we give those men a lot of extras.”

We did give the guys lots of perks. Plus, they all were promised free nights at the club a few nights out of each month, forever, if they wanted. Who would do such a shitty thing when we were being so damn good to them all?

Chapter 14

Brooke

I woke up the next morning with a smile on my face. Only the sweetest of dreams had crept into my sleeping brain. Dreams of Gannon holding me, kissing me, loving me.

In record time I was showered, dressed, a bit of makeup on and my hair pulled into a high ponytail, ready for whatever Gannon had on the agenda for that Sunday. He’d promised to give us his time all day, and I was over the moon about that.

Hearing giggles, I walked into the kitchen and found Braiden already dressed and seated in his high chair, with Gannon playing with him.

“Morning,” I said with a smile, loving the sight of father and son interacting so naturally. “Hi, Brai. Did you sleep okay?”

I’d been talking to Braiden, not that he would answer, but Gannon took the question as meant for him. “Well, not that great actually.” I turned to find him taking his seat again then pinching the bridge of his nose in what seemed like aggravation. That was when I noticed the dark circles under his eyes.

Taking a bottle of water out of the fridge, I saw that Consuela was making pancakes. “Yummy. Do you mind making me a couple of those too?”

“Of course not,” she replied as she smiled at me. “And for the baby this morning?”

“Oh, I think we should stick to fresh fruit and some oatmeal for him.” I went to the cabinet and pulled out one of his sippy cups, filling it with milk before I sat down.

Handing the cup of milk to Braiden, I took a seat across from Gannon. I wasn’t sure how to approach the subject of why he’d not slept well. There was something bothering him, that was easy to see. “So, bad dream?”

“Hmm?” He looked at me. “Oh. You mean why I didn’t sleep well, don’t you?”

“Yes.” I took a drink of the water as I waited and tried not to think about how handsome he looked in the long sleeved pale blue button up and the black slacks that fit him much too perfectly. Or the way his hair was slightly disheveled. I knew he’d been running his hand through it. He did that a lot when he was thinking.

“I got a phone call not long after we parted ways in the hall. Just after I was done with my shower, my cell rang. It was one of my business partners, telling me that we had an incident at the club we’re building. Someone tried to blow the place up, it seems. It has me wondering who would do that to us.” One wrinkle furrowed just above his dark brows.

One chunk of hair was out of place, and I reached across the small table and ran my hand through it to fix it. “No wonder you’re so stressed.”

His eyes widened as I sat back, and he looked at my hand. Suddenly, I thought my action might have been unwanted. But before I could apologize, he said, “Thanks. I’ve been shoving my hands through my hair all morning.”

Happy I hadn’t offended him, I smiled. “Only one chunk was out of place.” I turned to Braiden and ran my hand through his own dark hair. “I’m kind of OCD about keeping my men looking their best.” Then I bit my lower lip as that Freudian slip came out all on its own. “I didn’t mean …”

His deep voice broke in, “It’s okay, Brooke. I know what you mean. You feel like I need a bit of looking after like my son does. Thanks for that. You’re a real angel.”

Consuela placed our plates in front of us and the bowl of oatmeal with fresh strawberries next to my plate. “Enjoy, you three.”

“Thank you,” Gannon and I said at the same time. Our eyes met as we both found ourselves smiling.

“So was there much damage to your club?” I asked, breaking the suddenly sizzling tension between us.

“Only one bar will need to be replaced. So not too much. It won’t set us back by much, maybe a day or two.” He poured himself some juice out of the carafe that was on the table, filling his small juice glass up, then he did the same for mine. “What really concerns me is who would want to hurt us like that. We’re very good to our crew. And it had to be one of them who planted the device. I’m just thankful it didn’t work the way they undoubtedly wanted it to.”

“So this club.” I stabbed a forkful of pancakes. “What kind of club is it going to be?”

His face lit up as he explained it to me. “It’s going to be a nightclub for the ultra-rich. I know that might sound egotistical to you.”

“Not at all. Why not cater to people like yourself? Who better to do that than people who know what wealthy people want?” I took a sip of the apple juice as I watched a smile curl his chiseled lips.

“That’s a progressive way of thinking, Brooke. I’m glad you don’t find the idea shallow and selfish.” He watched me set my glass down then his eyes moved back to mine. “You know, you could have your twenty-first birthday party there if we’re open by then.”

My eyes grew wide; I could feel them doing it. “I’m not rich! I don’t belong in a place like that. And besides that, my birthday is right around the corner. It falls on Thanksgiving this year. And that means my family throws one big party that lasts a couple of nights as lots of family comes in for the holiday and my birthday.”

“Yeah, it won’t be open by then. But as soon as it does open, I want you to be my guest of honor.” His eyes shone brightly as he offered me what sounded a lot like a date.

“You sure, boss?” I smiled at him then gave Braiden another bite of oatmeal.

“Don’t call me that.” His hand moved over mine as I’d left it on the table. “Aren’t we more than just boss and employee, Brooke? Aren’t we friends more so than anything else?”

He was my big brother’s best friend. And he and I had something a lot different than a working relationship. And I had fantasized about the man just the night before. I was treading on dangerous ground. But I wasn’t about to leave the man hanging. “I guess we are more like friends.”

“Good, then you’ll agree to be my guest of honor for the opening of the club. That’s settled.” He patted my hand then went back to eating his breakfast. “You’ll be my date for that night.”

Date?

Oh, hell!

I tried not to let it show just how much that affected me. And I tried to ignore it as I thought about the holiday that was coming up. “You know, Gannon, you and Braiden will be here all alone for Thanksgiving. Why not come with me to my family’s home in Napa Valley? Brad will be there. I’ll let you and Braiden sleep in my bedroom. I can bunk with my sister, Brianna.”

He shook his head. “I can’t impose on your family like that. Thank you, but no. Braiden and I will be okay here. Consuela can make us a nice dinner. It’s okay. You can have that time off. I’ll take off from work so I can take care of him. But you’ll need to show me just exactly how to do that first.” He laughed then patted my hand again. “Damn, girl. Looks like I really need you.”

My heart flipped, and I had to try hard not to take his words the wrong way. “No, you two have to come with me. Come on, Gannon. I want to introduce Braiden to my family anyway. They love kids too. And you’ve been friends with Brad for so long, they should know you too. Come on. Please.” I gave him my best smile, and he smiled back at me.

“You sure?”

With a nod, I moved my hand to pat his where it was resting on the table. “I’m positive. So that’s a yes then. I’ll be your date for the opening night of your fancy club and you two guys will be my dates for my birthday slash Thanksgiving holiday.”

“Deal,” came his quick reply.

I went back to my pancakes, wondering what we’d just done. Had we crossed an invisible line? Or had we just evolved into a friendship?

Either way, something inside of me bubbled, and I felt pleased about it all.

Chapter 15

Gannon

I made each weekend all about my son, and Brooke was right there too. I didn’t want to admit it, but it was also all about being with her. A few weeks had passed with us settling into one routine after another.

Never had boring things been so damn fun. But Brooke just being there made everything fun, interesting, exciting even.

I had to get past this thing I had for her. I had to do it. I knew I couldn’t be something I wasn’t for her. I knew I’d end up hurting her and losing her as my son’s sitter and her brother as my friend. It was all way too risky.

Being great friends had to be okay with me. Even if she did want me the same way I wanted her.

Each Monday came with work and it would be time to get back to the real world after each weekend that had been filled with more fun than I had known was possible.

August and I had met for lunch to go over a few things that pertained to the club and we’d just parted ways after leaving The Palm in Beverly Hills. On my way to my car, I heard a woman’s voice calling out, “Gannon? Gannon Forester?”

I stopped and turned around to find a woman coming after me. I recognized her right away. She and I had had a brief one-on-one. Very brief. One month, brief. And it had ended like all of my one-on-ones did, with me stepping out on her. But there she was, smiling at me.

No hard feelings, it seemed. I was relieved about that and smiled right back at her. “Jasmine, how have you been? It’s been over a year since our paths have crossed.”

Her arms outstretched, I opened mine too, welcoming her into them for a small hug. “I’ve been okay. I’ve missed you though.”

Letting her go, I took a step back, wanting there to be some distance between us. And I was also interested in the fact that my body didn’t have an urge for hers. She’d been one great fuck. That’s what had kept me coming back for more for longer than I did with most of my female conquests.

“Have you, now?” I laughed a little. Jasmine was a real looker. Long dark hair that hung in a silken sheet to the top of her round ass. Long legs peeked out from under a knee-length dress. Red always had been her color. With her dark hair and eyes, the red made her stand out.

Even as gorgeous as she was, she wasn’t doing it for me. I found myself comparing her to Brooke. Brooke was a natural beauty while Jasmine was always so made up that I had no idea what she really looked like underneath the makeup. I did know her assets were enhanced. Double Ds made her tits bigger than Brooke’s. But Brooke’s were real. And so was her ass, a thing Jasmine couldn’t say was about her own.

Blood-red lips parted as one slender hand went to rest on her hip. “Yes, I have missed you. So how about we catch up? How about tonight? I’ve had a bit of a dry spell here of late. I could use a good romp, if you get what I’m saying. You’re still up for helping a girl out when she needs it, right?”

I always had been. But I wasn’t feeling it now. Not with her anyway. “Jasmine, things have changed in my life.”

She looped her arm around mine and led me off to take a seat at one of the outside tables where waiting patrons of the restaurant would sit until a table was ready for them inside. “Tell me about it, Gannon. I want to hear everything.”

“I have a son now,” I told her as we took seats right next to each other. She made sure our outer thighs were touching, and she didn’t let go of my arm either.

Turning just enough so her tit touched my chest, she sighed and put on a smile. “A son! Oh, that’s fantastic, Gannon. And how old is he? And his mother is?”

“He’s two. His mother is a witch who never even told me about him until very recently. I had a DNA test done when she came to my office and told me she was going to dump the boy if I didn’t take him.”

“Oh, Lord. She does sound like a bitch.” Jasmine waved her free hand in front of her face as if the thought made her hot or something. “So, it’s you and this poor boy.” One of her perfectly manicured eyebrows rose. “All alone?”

“Pretty much. Well, I had to hire a full-time sitter to stay with him.” A sharp stab of pain in my heart made me think I was doing something wrong. Like talking to Jasmine was the wrong thing to do. And pretending that Brooke was just the babysitter was wrong too.

But there wasn’t anything wrong with either thing. I was a free man. And Brooke could never be anything more than my kid’s sitter and my friend.

Jasmine’s face lit up like a Christmas tree as a thought crossed her mind. “I’d love to meet your son, Gannon. Oh, please, allow me to come to dinner. I just have to meet him. Please.” Batting her thick false eyelashes, she was working hard at getting the invitation. “Maybe—after your sitter puts the boy to bed—you could do the same for an old friend. A friend who’s been aching for a good old-fashioned fucking for months now. You do recall how great we were in the sack together, don’t you?”

How could I forget? The woman had been nearly insatiable. She’d done anything I wanted her to and then some. Fucking her could have replaced a workout, it was so intense and physical. But it wasn’t love. It was just fucking.

Why am I thinking about love?

I didn’t love anyone. So why not take Jasmine up on her offer? Why not let her come over and take her to my bedroom for the night?

Because you care about Brooke, you dumbass.

Oh yeah.

But I had to put that behind me. I had to do something to make that happen. And if I took Jasmine to my bedroom, Brooke would definitely see that, and she’d start to look at me differently. Not the way she was currently looking at me. Like a nice guy. Like a guy she wanted to lose her virginity to. Like a guy she cared about, and who she thought cared about her in a way.

Looking at Jasmine as she bit her lower lip, deliberately trying to entice me—a thing she wasn’t doing in the least little bit—I made a decision. One that might do something that would end this idea that Brooke and I could be anything more than friends.

Even as my brain told me to go forward with this plan, even as I looked at Jasmine and saw her as a big phony fake woman, I knew I had to do something to stop the thing that was progressing between my best friend’s baby sister and me. But damn, I didn’t want to.

“I don’t know, Jas …”

“Please, Gannon.” Jasmine batted those lashes again as she moved her hand along the inside of my thigh. “Gannon, I need you. You left me high and dry, without a word to let me know what I’d done to lose you. I was devastated. I know you didn’t know that, as you didn’t bother to call and see how I was taking our breakup.”

“We weren’t really together, Jasmine. We spent some nights together, but we weren’t a couple. Both of us were free to do as we pleased. No words of love were ever exchanged.”

She held up her hand to stop me. “Oh, I beg to differ, Gannon. I told you on most of our sexual occasions, once you’d made me come like a demon, that I loved the way you fucked me. Words of love were exchanged.”

How shallow.

How unlike Brooke.

And how perfect for Brooke to see me as the man I really am, instead of the man I am with her and my son.

“I’m not promising you that you can stay the night or even come into my bedroom, Jasmine. I’m not sure I want that sort of thing going on now that I have a child in my home. I want the kid to grow up respecting me. And having women over just to fuck them isn’t a thing I want him thinking is right.”

She smiled. “How progressive of you, Gannon. Perhaps this boy is bringing out the man in you. The man I always knew you could be. So, let’s take this thing slowly then. Dinner tonight, and we’ll go from there. I think I’ll adore this new man you seem to have become. Fatherhood suits you.”

“Should I send my driver for you?” I got up, getting ready to leave as I was beginning to feel very uncomfortable about the whole thing.

“No, I’ll have mine take me. Around eight?” she asked as she got up too.

“No. Around six. Braiden, that’s his name, goes to bed at eight. So we eat at six.” I looked up for a moment, asking my parents up in heaven if this was the right thing to do. And just like always, they didn’t answer me.

“I’ll be there.” Then her hands were on my arms, and I looked down at her. She caught my lips with a soft kiss. A kiss that did absolutely nothing for me. “Bye, Gannon.”

“Bye, Jasmine.”

As I walked away, I couldn’t help but feel I’d just made a terrible mistake. But what could I do to fix that? And should I fix it, or leave it like it was? It would probably do the trick. It would probably have Brooke looking at me differently.

Each step I took had me thinking more and more about that. Did I want Brooke to look at me differently? Or did I want her to always look at me the way she did?

* * *

Chapter 16

Brooke

Braiden and I were sitting in the playroom I’d made him in one of the never-used living areas of the massive home. He and I had gone to the store earlier to find things to put in it. I’d found all types of fun, colorful educational toys to use to help him, and a potty chair too. I He was a little behind developmentally, probably because of the total lack of love from his mother, but I was sure Braiden was super smart and would make up for lost time with my help. He was definitely eager, and more than willing to play all kinds of games.

When the door to the room opened, and there stood Gannon, looking at us as we were sitting on the floor playing with blocks that had letters and numbers stamped on them, I looked at my cell to see what time it was. “You’re home. I guess the time got away from me.”

“Yes, I am.” He came to us, picking up his son. “And how have you been today, my big boy?”

Braiden giggled as Gannon rubbed his whiskered cheek against the boy’s smooth one. I got up and made sure my skirt was in place. “I see you found us. I hope you don’t mind me making this room into a place where I can help Braiden learn.”

“Not at all. In fact, when Ashe met me at the door, I was pleased to hear you’d taken this on all by yourself. You’re the expert here, not me, after all.” He turned to leave the room, so I followed along behind him.

He was heading in the opposite direction I thought he’d be going in, the direction of the small dining room where we had dinner each night. Instead, we were heading toward a larger dining area. And I found the staff was busily making it beautiful. Fresh flowers were brought in. Nice linen was placed on the table. White linen, a thing we’d found out early on that Braiden was hard on. We’d had it removed from the dining areas we used regularly.

I didn’t ask anything about it though. It wasn’t my home, after all. When I heard more footsteps coming toward us, I turned to find Ashe leading a woman into the room.

A tall, beautiful, dark-haired woman. And she was looking only at Gannon. “Oh, he’s a doll, Gannon!”

Who the hell is she?

Gannon turned his attention to the woman who swept in and kissed his cheek. “You made it, Jasmine. This is my son, Braiden.”

She took the little boy’s hand and shook it as he looked at her with wide eyes, before burying his face in his father’s chest shyly. “Oh, he is sweet, Gannon.” She made a point of completely ignoring me.

I was standing right behind Gannon though. My shyness had slipped back in, and I had to step out of his shadow. “Hello, I’m Brooke, Braiden’s sitter. And your name is Jasmine?”

She nodded, looking me over once, sizing me up, then looking at Gannon. “You didn’t tell me she was so young. Perhaps I should help you find someone to help you with the boy?”

Gannon looked at me with a frown on his face, a thing I worried meant he was thinking about taking her up on the offer. Then he winked at me. “I don’t need any help, Jasmine. Her brother is one of my best friends. He recommended her. Brooke’s majoring in Early Childhood Development at Berkeley. Who better to care for my son?”

Jasmine’s dark eyes took me all in as I stood what must’ve been too close to Gannon for her comfort. She reached out, taking me by the arm, pulling me to one side. I watched as Gannon put Braiden in his highchair, that had been brought into the more extravagant dining room.

“If you don’t mind me asking, just how old are you?” She had the nerve to ask me.

“You first,” I threw at her.

“Thirty, dear. Your turn.” She batted fake lashes at me as if trying to take over the mother role.

“Twenty. And what does that matter?”

The smile that moved over her face told me she was relieved about my age. Was she there for Gannon? Was she his girlfriend or something?

“It doesn’t. Let’s sit.” She held out her arm, gesturing to the lavishly laid-out table.

When had Martha Stewart stopped by?

There was seating for six at the table, place settings for four. At the end of the table, Gannon sat. Each place on either side of him was open, and one had Braiden’s high chair next to it. One can imagine my surprise when this new woman went for that chair.

That’s my damn chair!

Gannon’s eyes caught mine as she took the seat between him and his son. He shrugged and nodded at the other chair. I took the place, but gave him a scowl.

I wanted to ask him why he hadn’t told me he was having company. I’d have left them alone. So I decided it wasn’t too late to do just that. “Gannon, I can take my dinner to my bedroom so you and your friend can be alone.”

He shot me a look that I’d never seen before. “No.”

No? But if she was going to see to helping his son then why did I need to be there?

The woman leaned in close to him, whispering, “Let her go if she wants, Gannon. I can take care of feeding your son, darling.”

My blood was boiling. I knew I had no right to be jealous. I had no right to be mad at him for having a woman over. I had no right at all, but fuck, I was livid!

“She’s part of my family, Jasmine. She’s not some employee to my son and me. She stays.” He looked at me once more with a smile on his handsome face. “Dinner wouldn’t be the same without her smiling face at my table anyway.”

“How nice for you, Brooke,” Jasmine gave me a crooked smile as her eyes narrowed a bit, letting me know she didn’t really think it was nice at all. “Being treated like a part of an employer’s family isn’t a thing most servants get.”

Servant?

Who the fuck does she think she is? “I should go, Gannon.”

His hand moved over mine under the table as I had my hands on top of my legs, clenching my thighs with them so I didn’t jump up and smack the bitch.

So unlike me to even think this way!

“No, Brooke. You’re going to stay. I’ve asked Consuela to make us something special for dinner. Something I think you’re going to love. I don’t want you to eat it in your room. I want to see your face when you taste it.”

The touch of his hand on mine, hidden from the woman across the table from me, sent heat directly to my core. And I surrendered to the man as my anger ebbed. “K.”

The surprise meal wasn’t a thing I’d ever eaten before, Pheasant under Glass, and it was delicious. But I couldn’t thoroughly enjoy it, as the woman he’d invited just rubbed me the wrong way.

Gannon had to get up to take a phone call, leaving the two of us all alone, save little Braiden. He was busily munching on some meat she’d placed in front of him. He was getting very messy, and so were his clothes and the tablecloth, a thing I never let happen.

“So, you live here?” she asked me.

“Yes.” I didn’t want to chat with the woman, and kept eating.

“So, has Gannon had any other women over that you know of?” She craned her head to keep a look out for him.

“No.” I took a drink of the red wine we had all been given. I’d had wine before, but no other alcohol.

“Good to hear. So, do you think there’s a chance he and I could make it happen?” she asked.

“Make what happen?” I suppose I was clueless.

“You know. Marriage? Now that he has a kid to take care of, the man finally needs a wife. And I could be that. I’ve lusted after him for over a year. He and I were a thing about a year ago. We got along well. I could make myself available to him, and eventually, he’d see me as a wife and mother.” She licked her too-fat lips. Way too much collagen.

“Hmm. Who knows.” I managed to say it like I didn’t care. “I think I need more wine, and this bottle is about empty. Mind keeping an eye on Braiden while I run to the kitchen to grab another bottle?”

“No, of course not. And do you think you could see fit to take the boy and keep him occupied while I work on his father?” My stomach flipped, and I nearly threw up.

“I’ll do what I can.” I left the room and hurried to find Gannon.

I wasn’t about to let some conniving female do a thing to him. He and I collided as we both came around a corner at the same time. “Good. Gannon, we have to talk.”

I grabbed his hand and pulled him into the next room to make sure she couldn’t hear us. I closed the door behind us, still holding his hand. Then I turned to him as he asked, “What’s the matter?”

Looking into his dark blue eyes, I could see he didn’t have a clue what she was up to. “Gannon, that woman plans on duping you into marrying her. She thinks your son is the way to get what she’s after. She told me she’s lusted after you for a year or something like that. That’s not love.”

“She told you that, huh?” He looked away, then shrugged. “I guess I could do worse, huh?”

What?

“Gannon, how long have you been seeing this woman?”

“I haven’t. I saw her about a year ago. We kind of dated for a month before I lost interest. Why? What does that matter?” He looked completely serious.

“What does that matter?” I was shaking my head so much it was making me dizzy, so I stopped. “Gannon, you don’t just bring random women around your kid. And you sure as hell don’t entertain the thought of letting some woman step in to fill a role merely because it’s open. You stopped seeing her for a reason. You have nothing that calls you to her. There is nothing there between you two.”

“But that doesn’t mean it can’t grow with time, right?” His question only served to make me even angrier.

“Gannon, you walked away from her. She’s not the right woman for you,” I blurted out without thinking.

His eyes softened as he looked at me. I felt one of his fingers move over my hand that was still holding his. “Hmm. You know, you might be right, Brooke. Do you think you might be the right woman for me?”

Chapter 17

Gannon

I watched her sky-blue eyes dance as she looked at me, trying to grasp what I’d said.

I’d never planned to say that to her. It had just popped out of my mouth. She was so jealous over me that it had me kind of giddy with emotion.

Maybe inviting Jasmine over had been the right thing to do after all. The truth—or a form of it, anyway—was out. And Brooke wasn’t running away from me. She was stunned and looked a bit pale, but she wasn’t running.

“So?” I urged her to say something.

“Are you messing with me, Gannon?” She blinked rapidly.

“No.” I ran my thumb over the back of her hand, grateful that she hadn’t let go yet. “I have to ask you that question because, you see, I’ve been thinking about that for a while now. Like maybe you’re the one for me. I didn’t know how to go about asking what you thought about that.”

“So you invited this woman over for what reason then?” She seemed stupefied.

I was too. “I don’t really know why I did that. I bumped into her after lunch with August this afternoon. She wanted to get together; I didn’t. But she gave me an idea. A terrible idea.”

“Like the idea of seeing if she made me jealous?” she asked me as she cocked her head to one side.

“Well, to be honest, I wasn’t sure why I did it. I wanted something to change with you and me. She seemed like a thing that would accomplish that. You know, making you look at me differently, stopping this connection we have that just keeps getting deeper as it grows and grows.”

“Or making me jealous and bringing it all out of me?” she asked. Then she pulled her hand out of mine and turned away. “You’ve manipulated this whole thing, Gannon.”

I put my hand on her shoulder and turned her back around. I wanted to see her face. “I know that. I’m sorry. If this wasn’t such a hard place to be in, then I’d have done things differently. You see, I value your brother’s friendship. That’s one reason I didn’t let you know for sure how I was feeling about you. But more than that, Brooke, I value you. I knew I had to be the man you deserve before I could ever present myself to you.”

“So, what does this mean, Gannon?” she asked, still looking a bit perplexed.

“This means I want you. I want you in the worst possible way. I’ve never felt like this about anyone. Not ever. I can make you promises I never even thought about making anyone before.” I knew I was wearing my heart on my sleeve, and I just didn’t care.

“What kinds of promises?” Her eyes went wide as she looked at me.

I knew she was taking each and every word in and storing it in her heart. She’d remember this conversation for the rest of her life. I knew she would. So I was careful about what I said, even as I came to a decision in my mind. Brad was just going to have to deal, because the fact of the matter was, I needed his sister. I … loved his sister. It was true. I’d fallen for her in way more ways than just the physical. The thought of waking up one day and not having her beside me left me completely gutted. I thought about her as much as Braiden, wanting nothing more than to see her smile. “Brooke, I promise that I will be faithful to you. I will never intentionally hurt you.”

“You and I would be exclusive?” She looked like she didn’t quite believe me. “Have you ever been that with anyone else?”

I shook my head. “Thirty years old and you are the first girl I’ve ever asked to be with me in that way. Brooke, I want to be your first love and your last one too.”

She stared at me in such disbelief that I wrapped my arms around her and held her in a way I’d only dreamt of. Her body melted into mine and I took in the sweet scent of her mint-scented shampoo.

“Love?”

“Love, Brooke. I love you.” It felt good to get that out. “I love you so much that if you tell me that you don’t want this, you don’t want me, then I’ll let you go and never fault you for it. Above anything else, I don’t want to lose your friendship.”

Her head was pressed against my chest; her heart was pounding so hard I could feel it. “I want it all, Gannon. I have for a while now. I’ve dreamt of this moment.” She raised her head to look at me, and I found tears glistening in her pretty eyes. “I love you too. I have for quite some time. The way you are when you’re with Braiden and me—I’ve fallen in love with that man. But I know how my family will react. We’ll have to keep this a secret.”

“No. I can talk to your brother. You don’t have to worry.” My lips were quivering, wanting to kiss her so damn badly. “Brooke, can I kiss you?”

She grabbed my biceps as she licked her lips and stared into my eyes. “Please. I’ve wanted this for such a long time.”

Slowly, I moved my head to reach her lips and when they touched, something inside of me woke up just as something else exploded, shattering me in a way I didn’t know was possible.

I knew then that I would move heaven and earth for this girl; I’d do everything I had to, to keep her with me and only me.

When our mouths parted, I looked at her, her eyes still closed. “Was that how you thought it might go, baby?”

“Better,” she murmured. Her arms went around me as she hugged me tightly. “Can we do more?”

I nuzzled her hair and kissed her neck, moving up to her ear. “We can do anything you want to. But I’m not rushing you.”

“Can we start tonight?” Her words came out so quietly that I almost didn’t hear them.

“We can.” My heart was soaring. My mind was reeling. And I had something I had to take care of. “I’ll go get rid of Jasmine. Can you take Braiden and bathe him while I do that? Then I’ll meet you in his room to read to him until he falls asleep. Then you and I can go to my bedroom. If you want.”

She looked up at me with eyes that were filled with a nervous excitement I’d never seen before. “Gannon, is this really happening? Or am I dreaming again?”

“It’s real, baby. This is the most real anything has ever felt to me. And I don’t want you to worry about a thing. I’ll be so gentle with you, I promise.” I kissed her again as her lips begged me to do it.

One more sweet kiss, the second of what I prayed would be billions upon billions. Never had I known love like this. I had fallen in love with my son and somehow also opened my heart up in a way it had never been.

Between him and Brooke, I now felt love overflowing inside of me. And things could only get better from here.

“Gannon, I know you said you could talk to Brad and make him understand. But I don’t want you to do that. Please promise me you’ll keep this a secret. I don’t want the staff to know either. Please.” She looked at me with pleading eyes.

“But …” I had to protest. She had to let me be honest and open about this. She was the best thing I’d ever found, outside of Braiden. I wanted to shout that from the rooftops.

“Please, Gannon. Promise me. This will be our secret and ours alone.”

With a sigh, I dropped my forehead to hers. “Okay. I promise you that. For now.”

Only for now ...

Chapter 18

Brooke

My dreams were coming true. Gannon felt the same way I did. A little over a few weeks had passed before he’d been able to admit his feelings for me, but he’d finally done it and I had too.

Watching him as he read a book to Braiden made me melt even more than it usually did.

Knowing he and I were in love made this all that much sweeter.

I could see it all in his eyes. He’d meant what he said when he had told me he loved me. I’d known that for a while. His eyes had told me that long before his mouth did.

I glanced at Braiden as his eyes closed and his breathing slowed. “He’s out.” Gannon kissed his son on top of his head, the way he’d done every night since that first one.

I’d seen Brad a few days back, and he’d told me he’d never seen Gannon so happy and full of life. He credited Braiden for that. I knew that was a part of it, but so was I.

If only I was older, then maybe we could be open with this. But I was still a child in my family’s eyes. I knew we’d have to keep it a secret. Probably for a very long time.

Putting the book back in the bookcase, Gannon looked my way, catching me as I watched him. “You ready?”

A wave of shyness took me over, but I fought it back. I nodded and got up from the other side of Braiden. He waited for me then scooped me up into his strong arms, carrying me out of the bedroom and across the hall to his.

My stomach was a mess. Butterflies had given way to rabid bats. I laid my head on his broad shoulder to try to steady myself. He was going to see me naked! “God, I’m nervous.”

“I’m glad you’re admitting that. You wouldn’t be human if you weren’t nervous.” He kicked his door closed behind us then took me to his bed. Laying me down gently, he stood over me, looking down at me. His large fingers went to work, unbuttoning my shirt. He pushed it open then climbed on the bed next to me and kissed the tops of my breasts that spilled out of the bra. “How I’ve wanted to taste you, Brooke.”

My stomach tightened with my shyness. But I had to admit something to him too. “I’ve wanted to taste you too, Gannon.”

He pulled his warm mouth off me, looking up at me. “You have?”

I nodded. There was so much to explore on one another. I found myself lacking patience, wanting to do it all right away, despite my irrational fear of him seeing my naked body. “How about you let me …”

He didn’t let me finish. “No. You’re going to let me do things to you. Then we’ll see about letting you do things to me. I want to show you things you’ve never felt, first. I’ve been dying to, baby.”

My heart stopped, my body quivered, and I tried to ready myself for the adventure he was about to take me on. “Okay.”

Easing my clothing off, inch by inch, he was going so slowly that I was about to cry out with the impatience I was feeling. It came right along with the unbearable feeling of anxiety at him looking me over. I just wanted him inside of me. I wanted to feel his weight on my body. I wanted to feel his cock spreading me and filling me.

But he was slow with me, kissing every inch he uncovered. My body was on fire as he finished his kisses, ending at my toes. Then he pushed my legs apart, spreading them. His eyes were on my cunt, and I was heating with raw embarrassment.

God, what’s he thinking about it?

He growled as he made his way back up the bed, his still-clothed body in between my legs. His hands ran up the insides of my thighs.

I watched as he eyed my crotch. His hands pushed my thighs open even more as he leaned over me, his lips barely touching my innocent ones. His tongue eased through my folds. “Ahh …” I couldn’t suppress the moan he’d incited. And all my feelings of embarrassment and shyness started to ebb.

His fingers kneaded my inner thighs as he moved his tongue all over my sex. I groaned with the sensation it sent through me. He was incredible. And he was all mine. He’d given me his word on that.

His hands moved around to my ass; he pulled me up as he darted his tongue into me with a slow rhythm. In and out, in and out. I was going higher and higher inside my head. My body didn’t feel as if it was mine at all.

No. It was his. It belonged to him and only to him. I’d made the right decision, waiting for him. I knew it then.

I fisted the sheets as he moved his tongue out of me, running it up my slit, and then his mouth was on my clit.

He sucked it a bit, then tapped it with the tip of his tongue. Back and forth he did that, until I felt a wave start deep inside of me, filling me with desire, lust, and utter passion. The vibrator didn’t hold a candle to the talented man. I nearly screamed with the orgasm. “Yes, Gannon! Yes! God.”

The way he kissed my intimate lips after that only served to take me higher. Then he stood up and undressed in front of me as I gasped for air, writhing with pleasure that took me over, destroying any shyness I had left in me.

He could look at me all he wanted, just as long as he made me feel that over and over again for the rest of my life.

I couldn’t take my eyes off his body as he undressed. I had known he was built, but my God!

“Oh, baby. Oh, Gannon …” I let out a moan as ecstasy filled me. Looking at his ladder-like abs and his massive pecs, his biceps that bulged, made me even hotter and wetter for the man. His legs were just as chiseled as the rest of him. “It’s as if your cut from stone, Gannon. Perfect.”

“I think you are.” He placed his hand on my stomach, and my legs went completely still.

I drew in a breath as I waited to see what he was going to do next. “Gannon.” I stopped and tried to think of how I should say it.

“What, baby? We don’t have to …”

I stopped him. “No. And we do have to. We most definitely have to. I’ve never wanted anything so badly in my life. It’s just that; I don’t know how to …”

“Is this about birth control, Brooke?” He smiled at me, then winked. “I’ve got condoms.”

I didn’t want to use them though. And I didn’t know how to tell him that. So I just closed my eyes and went for it. “I’m on the Pill. I have been since I was sixteen. And as long as you know you’re clean, sexually speaking, then …”

He moved his body over mine. I could feel his throbbing cock press against me, but he wasn’t attempting to put it in. I arched up to him, wanting it inside of me, a thing he wasn’t doing.

Wrenching my mouth away, I found myself begging, “Please, Gannon. Please, I want it.”

“Oh, baby …” He made a low, growling noise. “You don’t know how badly I want to be inside of you. But I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Stop worrying about that,” I moaned. “Please, just do it, baby. I need you.”

He sighed and kissed my neck, which made me insanely crazy and hot as hell. I arched up to him even more, wanting it so damn badly. “Gannon. Fuck me. Please.”

“Oh fuck, baby. I knew you’d be like this. Keep talking to me like that. Tell me what you want. What you need,” he growled at me. “Show me the person you’ll only be with me. The one no one else will ever see.”

“Please, fuck me, Gannon. Make me yours.”

“You’re already mine, sweetheart,” he murmured, taking my face in his hands and kissing me so softly that I could have cried at his tenderness. “You always have been. Then his body raised up, and he placed his hand on his cock, guiding it to the edge of my quivering vagina. He looked into my eyes as he lined it up, then he thrust it into me fast and hard.

Heat tore through me as I spread for him. My nails gouged into the flesh of his arms as I cried out, “God!”

He went perfectly still, both of us panting like animals. Then he began to move slowly. “You did great, baby.”

“Did I?” I had to ask as a couple of tears escaped, as it still hurt pretty badly.

“The hard part’s over. It only gets better from here.” He kissed me then, and I wrapped my arms around him, letting it all sink in.

The pain went away as if by magic and I moved my body with his, knowing I’d waited for exactly the right man.

Chapter 19

Gannon

It wasn’t like any other experience I’d ever had. Even then I knew I’d never feel this way with another woman. Not ever.

As I moved with slow strokes to get her body accustomed to my girth, I couldn’t help but notice the way I was feeling. Light, almost as if gravity had ceased to exist.

We could’ve been floating on a cloud for all I knew. It was effortless, the love we made. I couldn’t tell where I ended and Brooke began. And I never wanted it to end.

Taking my mouth off hers, I kissed my way down her neck then moved all the way down until I had one of her luscious nipples between my lips. Nibbling at first, I couldn’t resist the urge to suck it with a hard and demanding tug.

She gasped, and I felt her body shake a little. Her hands went through my hair as her body rolled in a wave-like fashion, undulating with pure desire. “Gannon! God!” I felt her begin to squeeze me inside and was surprised to feel her having an orgasm.

Continuing to suck at her juicy breast, I relished the way her body felt as it convulsed around my cock. It was so fucking tight, and she was moving in a way that had my entire body so on fire that I was helpless against it all and found my own release had been drawn out.

Letting her tit go, I groaned loudly as I shot my load into her. I opened my eyes and looked at her beautiful face as she moaned. Her nails bit into my biceps as she gripped them tightly.

“I love you, Brooke.” I leaned down and kissed her lips with a soft kiss. “Thank you.”

She ran her hands over my cheeks as she looked at me with glistening eyes. “Thank you, Gannon. I knew it would be you who took me for the first time.”

First time?

I wanted every time.

I kissed her again, an easy kiss that conveyed how much I cherished her. “If I have it my way, you’ll give me every time. I can’t see letting you go.”

She smiled, her lips a bit swollen from all the kissing we’d done. I had to take those luscious lips just one more time. Hers opened, the tip of her tongue touching mine. Lightly, they danced, and I felt my cock pulsing back to life inside of her soaked depths.

The taste of her was something I honed in on as our tongues touched with tentative ease. Slowly, I wrapped mine around hers, moving it with soft strokes, actually tasting her. Her teeth were smooth against the sides of my tongue, and then I felt hers running past mine too as she began to moan.

Small pulses began around my cock as her body responded to our kiss. Easing my mouth away from hers, I moved to graze my teeth along the length of her neck. Nipping at it, I drew in a breath before going to work at the soft spot just behind her ear.

Even the slightest touch she gave me left trickles of pure electricity in their wake. “I’ve never felt this way before, Brooke.” I bit her neck, making her moan as she arched up to me.

Moving slow and easy, I started stroking my cock with her body. I was held so tightly, so completely, by her soft walls. Slick from our orgasms, I moved with so much more ease in and out of her tight little box.

Her soft lips ran over my shoulder as she pulled her legs up higher, allowing me to ease in a bit deeper into her. She moaned with the sensation, “Gannon, this can’t be real. It’s too unbelievable. I’m here—in your bed—in your arms.”

I shivered with her words. “Yes, you are. I feel like you’ve always belonged here. With me, here, like this.” I kissed my way to her cheek then tasted her lips for one brief moment before I pulled away to look at her. “You’re beyond beautiful, baby.”

The blue of her eyes sparkled like jewels as she smiled. Her cheeks were already red from my whiskered face, but they went a bit more scarlet as she blushed. “Gannon, stop.”

Shaking my head, I rubbed my nose against hers. “No, I will not stop. You’re amazing. And I’ve never felt so fucking happy in my entire life.”

She giggled as she arched up to me. “Gannon, you’re too good to be true.”

I was so not too good to be anything. I was lucky as hell that she had let me into her heart, into her body, into her life.

There was so much to show her, to learn from her, to feel with her. Even as I moved my cock inside of her, I knew there was so much more I wanted to do. But I had to get some patience. There would be time to do all I wanted with her.

“This is real. We are real, Brooke. A real live, walking, talking, fucking couple.” I took her lower lip between my teeth and tugged it, making her moan.

“Why does everything you do to me feel so fucking good, Gannon?” She ran her legs around me, holding me tightly to her. “Ugh! I could live like this right here with you forever, if it was possible.”

“But it is,” I growled as I went at her a little harder and a little faster. An eagerness to show her how it felt when things got a little rough filled me, taking me over as I made thrusts so hard, I could feel the air exit her lungs through her mouth.

I rolled over to put her on top of me. But when I went to push her to sit up so I could watch those size Ds bounce while she moved her tight cunt over my hard dick, she hung on tightly to me.

I rolled back over, pinning her to the bed underneath me and looking at her. Furiously, I thrust into her as I kissed her. Then I pulled her arms above her head, holding her down while I looked into her eyes and fucked her for all I was worth. “Keep looking at me, Brooke. I want to watch your face when I make you come all over my cock.”

Her eyes went wide as she bit her kiss-swollen lip. She nodded and kept her eyes on mine.

Grinding into her soft core, I made sure my body was moving over her clit each time I was deep inside of her. She bit her lip harder as her body began to tremble.

I felt her insides clamping down on my cock and fought back the growl as long as I could. But then it erupted as she came all over me and I had no choice but to climax too.