Chapter 9
That kiss at the planetarium was everything! It set my heart, body, and soul on fire and I want more. I can’t believe that Dex took me to the Discovery Museum for our first date. Not only was it so thoughtful, but romantic because we all know he does not give one shit about the solar system, so for him to take me there is huge in my eyes.
When I told him what I feel when I look at the sky and he said that’s how he feels when he looks into my eyes…those were the sweetest words anyone has ever spoken to me. All of this gives me confirmation of the type of guy he really is and it makes me fall for him even more.
We decided to have Cayden watch Raine while we go shopping, because apparently Dex is going to need a lot of room. Parking in the lot at the baby store and turning off the ignition, I turn towards Dex. “What all do you want to get here?”
“Everything.” Dex opens the passenger side door, gets out, and shuts the door behind him, then waits for me at the front of the Jeep.
He throws his arm around my shoulders as we walk into the store. After thirty minutes of looking at everything and being overwhelmed by all of the choices, we decide to get help. The sales lady introduces herself as Sally and begins asking questions. “How far along are you?”
“Oh, I’m not...” Dex interrupts me.
“We have a newborn.” My eyes cut to his and he just shrugs his shoulder with an innocent grin on his face.
Innocent my ass! I think while shaking my head at his antics.
“Oh ok, well we better get started at the cribs.”
After going over every single crib and the risk factors, Dex decides on a dark-wooded one with a changing table. We move along to the strollers because he said she was heavy carrying her around the museum, and if we take her anywhere again she needs to be pushed. That’s where the problems started. He argued that he didn’t want to be seen with a bunch of pink shit, and I argued she’s a girl so she needs all the pink shit. We met in the middle and got more neutral colors: black and green.
Moving on to the blankets, Dex picks out a sports one and I once again say no. This time he concedes, and we get her a furry purple polka dotted one. Next come the clothes. “Callie, this can be for a girl or a boy. It’s neutral.”
Shaking my head at the white and yellow onesie, I grab it out of his hand and put it back on the rack. With my hand on my hip, I tell Dex, “We aren’t trying to guess her freaking sex. She is a girl!” I start grabbing every pink, purple, and animal print outfit I can find, along with the big matching bows for her head. Throwing everything the cart, I look at Dex. “Let her be a girl.”
He looks in the cart and grabs one of the cheetah print bows. “I’ll agree with the outfits, but these, I think not.” He holds it up for me to see. “What the fuck am I gonna do with a girl? And you...” His eyes narrow on me and he points his finger in my direction. “Are not helping with my diva and prison situation.” He looks down at his zipper. “Why? Why would you do this to me?”
Biting my bottom lip so I don’t bust out laughing again, I say, “Fine.” I let him take all of the bows out of the cart and I grab them again, but hold them behind my back.
Two hours later, we are at the checkout and Dex pays for all of his stuff while my mouth hangs open. He doesn’t have a job, so where the hell did he get money like that? It was over two thousand dollars and he handed over a card like it was nothing. I pay the thirty dollars for the bows, then we walk out to the Jeep.
Opening the trunk, I ask, “Where did you get money like that?”
“I was going to tell you, but I was worried it might change how you looked at me.”
I sit in the open trunk of the Jeep. “What do you mean?” My brows furrow as I wait for his response.
Dex walks closer and stands between my spread legs. His hands run over the top of my head, then cup my cheeks so I have to make eye contact. “I’ve never told anyone, not even Maverick or Zac. The summer before I started college my grandpa died. He passed on the ranch to my dad, but left me all of his money. That’s one of the reasons my dad wanted me to stay back home: He wanted me to put all of the money into the ranch. I put it in an account and have never touched it until now.”
Leaning into Dex’s warm palm, I ask, “Why would I think of you differently?”
“Because if you knew I had money and was failing you wouldn’t have helped me. You would have thought I was just some privileged kid that went off to college to screw around and party.” His thumbs caress my cheeks and I ache for more.
“I guess that makes sense.” Dex leans down, places his lips against mine, and softly kisses me. I want to beg for more, but we need to get the stuff in the car. “How much are we talking?”
Dex opens the driver’s side door for me. “Enough that neither of us would have to work a day in our lives.” Swallowing hard, I bring my eyes to Dex’s as I get adjusted in my seat. He leans into the Jeep, kisses my cheek, and whispers in my ear, “And neither would our kids.” He straightens, shuts the door, and walks to the passenger side, and all the while I’m thinking, Holy shit, that’s a lot of money.
Dex was right about us needing room. With everything he bought, it takes up the whole trunk and back seat. “Are you sure you needed to buy all of that stuff?”
“Maybe I went overboard a little.” Dex laughs as we pull out of the parking lot. “Well, if Raine ends up not being mine I can return most of it or sell it. I need to make one more stop.”
Dex gives me directions to a car lot and he picks out what he wants. He said he never needed a car before, but now that he has me and Raine he wouldn’t want me to have to drive everywhere. I think it was a good idea in case of an emergency and if I couldn’t have the Jeep. An hour later, he hands over the card once again and he is driving away in a black 2015 Chevy Silverado quad-cab 4X4.
We meet back at the apartment right when it’s getting dark outside, and we unload everything and put it all in Dex’s room. Dex tells me he needs to use the restroom, and I make a decision. I’ve been held captive by that night for far too long. It’s time to let go and be free from the reminder. It’s time to move on from the past, and that starts tonight. Grabbing my phone, I turn on my music, turn the overhead light off and turn the bedside lamp on. I then strip out of my clothes and get under the covers in Dex’s bed.
Dex comes back in the room and freezes as he takes in the sight of me in his bed. “Callie?”
“I’m ready. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything.” My cheeks grow hot as he looks at my expression, probably checking to see if he can see any doubt, but there won’t be any.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Dex unbuttons his shirt and it drops to the floor. I could look at him all day, every day, and never grow tired of it. His chucks go flying in the corner, along with his socks. Dex moves a little closer to the bed as he undoes his jeans and they pool around his ankles. Next, the boxer briefs go down, and then Dex steps out of both before coming to the edge of the bed. Good God almighty, this man’s body should be considered illegal, it’s that sexy. He is a sight with clothes on, but as he stands here in all his naked glory like a freaking tattooed, muscled-up Adonis, my mind whirls with things I’d like to do to him. Butterflies swarm in my stomach at what’s to come.
Dex pulls the covers back and climbs into bed beside me, then covers himself up. “You are so beautiful, Callie.” His thumb traces over my cheek before his fingers run through my hair. “At any point you want to stop or you feel uncomfortable, I want you to tell me.”
“I will, but I want this. I want you.” Leaning forward, I press my lips to his in a gentle kiss at first. Quickly it turns into hunger as our tongues slide along one another. Dex’s hand slowly moves down the side of my body, leaving goosebumps in its trail. When he reaches my ass, he cups my cheeks, pulling me closer until my body is right up against his. I feel his long, thick erection pressing into my stomach as our kiss continues. I put all of my desire and passion into the kiss, trying to show Dex I am ready.
He breaks apart from my mouth only to move his lips to my neck, and a shiver runs through my body. “Is this okay?” he whispers feather-light against the shell of my ear.
“Yes!” My nails run up and down his smooth back.
Dex moves down further so that his face is level with my breasts. His tongue flicks a nipple, then it is sucked into his mouth, and a low moan slips out of me. My hands move up into his hair and I pull slightly, trying to keep him in place. His tongue swirling around the tight bud feels so good; it’s been so long since I have felt this.
Pulling back a little and releasing my nipple, Dex asks, “I take it that’s okay?”
“Mhmm.” I’m out of words—I just want him to continue.
He begins the sweet torture on my other nipple, doing the exact same as the other before moving down to my belly. Dex takes the cover with him so I’m bare from the waist up, and he grips my hips, then turns me so I’m flat on my back. He sits up on his knees, looking down at me. “How the hell did I get so lucky?”
“I think I’m the lucky one,” I respond. It’s true; I never thought I would get to experience this with a man again, but here I am. I trust Dex one hundred percent and know that, no matter what, I’m safe with him.
“You are so fucking pretty.” Dex bends down, kissing my belly, then runs his tongue across my pelvic bone. My head flies back into the pillow as my hips lift, wanting more.
“Can I go down further?” Dex’s hands slide under my thighs as he spreads them apart. My breathing is coming in quick little pants, and I just nod my head. “I need words, Callie.”
“Yes! Yes! Go down further and put your tongue on me. I need it.” A low growl comes from Dex, and I take it he liked my response.
“Oh, fuck! You smell good.” The first touch of Dex’s tongue on my clit has my hips bucking, but he grips them harder, keeping me in place. His tongue runs up and down my slit a few times before going back to my clit, making circles with the tip of his tongue. My cries of pleasure can be heard throughout the room and probably into the hallway, but I couldn’t care less right now. Dex is dangerous with his tongue! Pushing my head further into the pillow, I spread my thighs more as the pleasure intensifies.
“That’s so good!” I praise Dex as my hands find his hair and pull tightly. I feel two fingers push inside as the sweet torture on my clit continues. The small circles have turned into quick little flicks, and now those fingers push in and out, bringing my orgasm closer. The tingling starts in my toes as they curl and it moves up into my legs as they begin to shake along with the rest of my body. I push Dex’s head into my pussy more, trying to get him as close as possible, because the closer he gets the better it feels—and the closer I get to having the best orgasm of my life. “I’m so close!”
“Mhmm.”
I feel his reply and it sends me off into ecstasy as I scream out, “Dex!” My hips buck against his face, my hands pull his hair, and my breath is quick and fast as he continues the assault on my pussy until I settle down in bliss.
I’m a shaky mess when Dex hovers over me, but it starts to bother me with him on top. I start to space off, but Dex pulls me back, “Stay with me, Callie.” He flips us over so that I’m on top. “You need to be in control, unless you want to stop.”
“I’m sorry.” Tears burn in my eyes. I don’t want this night with Dex to be tainted by my past.
“Don’t be sorry. Do you want to stop?” Dex runs his hands up and down my sides.
“No.”
“Then have your way with me, babe.” He gives me that sexy smirk and I grin back. Those three huge words want to come out, but I stop them. He pulls a condom out of his nightstand, rips open the package with his teeth, and sheaths himself before I take over.
Gripping his cock in my hand, I rub him against my pussy a few times before putting the head at my entrance. Slowly, I sink down inch by inch, until he’s almost all the way in, but he is big, and it’s so deep this way. Sitting still for a few seconds, I get adjusted to his size before I start to move.
“Fuck, that feels better than I ever thought it would.” Dex places his hands on my hips as I watch his expression.
Placing my hands on his chest, I move up and down along his length, then rotate in circles. It feels amazing! Both of us are panting, moaning, and gripping each other tightly as I work him over.
Dex places his hands on my back, pushing me down onto his chest as he starts to take over. Our sweaty bodies slide together as he moves me up and down on him. This position is even deeper and has me crying out louder. Dex’s moans vibrate in his chest as he grows closer to his release.
“You need to come again. I want you to soak my cock,” Dex tells me as our eyes meet, and the mixture of his words and looking at the pleasure in his brown eyes has my core tightening.
“Yes!” My hands grip his shoulders and my eyes stay on Dex.
“I’m close.” His hips thrust hard as his hands keep a tight hold on my hips, keeping me in place. His cock hits my G-spot over and over. Dex’s movements begin to get jerky and I know he’s coming—and I’m right there with him. We yell out each other’s name as we go to heaven.
I fall on top of Dex as we catch our breath, and I’m so tired now. His hands run up and down my back as I close my eyes and relax into him. “That was incredible!” I mumble, and don’t even know if he understood.
“There are no words for what that was.” I feel him chuckle.
We lay there for a little while longer before finally getting cleaned up, and then we head over to get Raine.
She was asleep when we got to the condo, so Dex stayed the night with me. It was another peaceful sleep with no nightmares. I could really get used to this.
It’s been three weeks since our first date and shopping excursion, and since then we have gotten into a routine with Raine, and my sisters have helped tremendously. Cayden babysits when I have work and Dex has practice, the college daycare keeps her during our classes, and she stays with one of the guys or my sisters while we study.
As for Dex and I, we have gotten into our own routine, and I am happier than I’ve ever been in my life. We haven’t spent a night apart in three weeks, and I haven’t had one single nightmare. We keep a bassinet at the condo and the crib at Dex’s so Raine has somewhere to sleep.
I feel refreshed, renewed, and I’m not dwelling on the past anymore. I refuse to let it hold me back a second longer. We have our weekly date nights, which usually consist of us hanging out at The Dugout, and I’m okay with that. I love going there and just being with Dex, but I think it’s more that I feel I’m actually getting my college experience now, instead of being a recluse held captive in my condo.
We’re still waiting on the results of the DNA test that Dex sent off the day after we went shopping. We may not have the results yet, but I feel it deep down that she’s his daughter. Call it women’s intuition. And if I’m wrong, I think we’re all going to be more than a little heartbroken, because she has stolen all of our hearts and has each one of us wrapped around one of her tiny little fingers.
Looking down at Raine on my lap, I kiss the top of her head and bounce her as we watch Dex’s scrimmage game. Grabbing her chubby little arm, I put it in the air and yell, “Go, Da Da, go!” She gets excited and starts rocking herself on my leg as we continue watching the game.
The Bulldogs are at the top of the ninth in the final scrimmage of the fall. They need three more outs to win this game. I know Dex is superstitious when it comes to the final scrimmage; it sets the tone for regular season, or so he says. Dex is giving Mav the signal for the next pitch. Damn, that uniform looks good from the back. It makes his ass look amazing, and I want to run over there and grab a handful. Gah, he’s so sexy!
Mav delivers, and the batter grounds up the middle to put himself on first. The next batter strikes out. The team is now two away from the win. A signal from Dex to Mav is given. I’m on the edge of my seat with Raine, my leg is bouncing, and I’m saying, “Come on!” to myself. Who would have thought baseball could be so intense?
You can tell these guys are in sync with each other—that’s why they’re so good. The batter pops it up to Zac and he then throws it to second. The baseman throws to first and the Bulldogs complete a double play to end the game. Hell yes, Bulldogs win! It’s looking good for the regular season come spring. Grabbing Raine, I jump up, screaming in excitement.
I wait for Dex to come out of the locker rooms, and when he does, I sigh deeply. I still can’t believe he’s mine. When he spots us, his smile grows and he jogs over to where we’re standing. “That was an awesome game!”
“Thanks, babe!” Dex grips the back of my hair and brings his lips to mine. When he pulls back, he kisses my forehead, then takes Raine and kisses the top of her head. She always smiles so big when she sees Dex.
Taking my hand in his, Dex laces our fingers together as we walk to his truck. “I want to stop by the apartment before we head to your place. Is that okay?”
“Yeah, that’s fine.” He’s been checking the mail every day in anticipation of that paper coming.
Dex and I sit on his couch as Raine sits in her swing, the letter sitting on the coffee table in front of us. “I don’t know if I can open, Callie.”
“I know. I’m nervous too, but you won’t know the truth until you open that envelope.” Placing my hand on Dex’s thigh and squeezing a little, I try giving him comfort and the strength he needs right now.
He picks up the envelope, then takes a deep breath. “It’s now or never.” Dex rips open the top and pulls out the piece of paper that will determine his future with Raine. He reads over the paper while I watch his expression, but it reveals nothing until he looks at me with misty eyes as a smile starts to form. “She’s my daughter! Ninety-nine point nine percent she is mine!” He starts to laugh and swipes away a stray tear, and I join in, not only with the laughing, but a few of my own tears escape as well. Dex jumps off the couch and goes over to unbuckle Raine from her swing, then holds her up and starts kissing her cheeks. She smiles and giggles a little. “I’m your daddy!”
When we start settling down from the excitement, we head over to my place, where my Momma should be waiting. After everything that has transpired the last few months, I’m super excited to see her. Even though we call every week, it’s just not the same. I took a few days off from the café so I could spend some time with Momma, and then it will be Thanksgiving—and I am so ready for her cooking.
Opening the front door, I hear talking coming from the kitchen. “So what is this boy really like?” Momma asks.
“Oh, he’s no boy—he’s all man, Momma.” Turning, I look at Dex while biting my bottom lip to keep from laughing.
The redness starts from his neck and works its way up his face. “Are they talking about me?” he asks quietly.
“Yep!” I chuckle then call out, “Momma!”
“Callie!” She comes running out of the kitchen to greet me in the living room. Momma grabs me around the waist and squeezes as I do the same. God, I’ve missed her.
“Let me look at my baby.” She steps back, but keeps her hands on my upper arms. “Oh, Callie, you look so good! You look like the old Callie again. So pretty!” Since my first date with Dex, I no longer wear the baggy clothes, and I’ve started wearing makeup again, plus doing my hair. I feel like I’m back to the old me, and it feels fantastic.
Momma looks over my shoulder. “And I suppose you are the one to thank for that.” She lets go of me and moves on to Dex.
“I don’t know if I’m the whole reason, but I like to think I helped some. It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.” Dex sticks his free hand out.
“Who you calling ma’am, boy? That was my momma, you can call me Cynthia, and I don’t want no handshake so bring it in for a hug.” We all laugh as she grabs a hold of Dex and hugs the side of him. I see the tension leaving his shoulders; I think he was a little nervous about meeting her. “Oh my!” Momma puts her hands on her cheeks. “You must be, Raine.” Raine smiles and we all ‘aww’ at her cuteness. “Give me that baby.” Momma becomes a baby stealer and takes her right away from Dex.
I wanted to wait to tell Momma in person about Dex and Raine, but the two snitchin’ bitches I call sisters opened their big fat mouths the day after I had my date with him. So I got the third degree about the guy that’s changed my ways—and about his little girl. Momma told me how happy she was for me, but that she wanted to meet him in person so she could really see for herself, so here we are.
We all move into the kitchen and sit around the table as Momma starts talking to Dex. “So when my girls told me about you and this little one, they said you had sent off for a DNA test. Have you found out yet?”
“Actually, we opened the letter right before coming over here and Raine is my daughter.” Dex smiles proudly.
“I knew it!” Cydney states.
“We get to keep her!” Cayden chimes in, and we all laugh.
“Seems my girls have taken a liking to her. Congratulations.” Momma smiles at Dex while holding Raine’s hand.
“Thank you!” Dex looks at his daughter with all his love showing.
“What’s your next step?” Momma questions. We haven’t even thought that far ahead, but I guess we need to now.
“I’m not sure.” Dex’s brows pull down.
“I’ll tell you what you need to do.” Here goes Momma’s advice. “Go to the hospital and give them the baby’s name. They can look her up and tell you exactly when her birthday is, who her mother is, and see what her last name is. Then you get yourself a lawyer, and if you are not on the birth certificate, you get that changed, you file for sole custody, and you get her last name changed to yours. That will give you all rights to her—and if the mother ever comes back, you will have it in the court records what happened and she won’t have a leg to stand on.” Damn, Momma knows her shit! “I’ll help you in any way I can, but after what my daughter told me about the letter and how she was dropped off, that woman doesn’t deserve this baby.” Her eyes are hard and steady on Dex.
“I’ll get started on it tomorrow morning. Thank you!” Dex looks down for a moment before meeting her gaze once again and adds, “I wouldn’t have known to do all that.”
“You’re welcome! I’ve worked in a hospital for many years and I have gained a lot of knowledge about things.” Momma gives him a warm smile, and we move on to another topic.
After an hour in the kitchen talking and laughing, we move into the living room just as there’s a knock on the front door. That’s weird; people can’t just get through to our condo.
Cydney answers the door and I hear, “Is Callie here?” I recognize the male voice, but look over at Dex. I almost want to laugh as he realizes who it is. His eyes roll and he puffs out a breath as he plops down on the couch.
Walking over to the door, I say, “Professor Bryant, come in.” Cydney opens the door further, letting him inside.
“Lord have mercy, now that’s a man.” My face heats from Momma’s outburst.
He looks around for a second before turning towards me with a smirk on his face. ”Sorry to bother you. We can talk after Thanksgiving break, if that would be better.”
“No, it’s fine. Let me introduce you to everyone. That is Cydney and Cayden, obviously my sisters.” I laugh a little and move on. “That’s my momma and she’s holding Raine, Dex’s daughter, and you know Dex, of course.” I smile at the look on Dex’s face. It’s one of pain and torture that his nemesis is in his girlfriend’s living room.
“Nice to see you, Mr. Mitchell. Beautiful baby you got there.”
“Thank you.” He deadpans.
“So…what can I do for you?” I ask, curious as to why he would show up here at night.
“Right, so I wanted to offer you an opportunity as my TA.”
“What?” I think my mouth is hanging open, because Professor Bryant doesn’t have TAs, and I’m a freshman.
“You are one of my best students, Callie, and I didn’t think it was possible for Mr. Mitchell…” He looks at Dex, then continues, “To bring his grade up, but with your help he now has a B-minus. I have no doubt after exams and the final project he will pass my class with an A. You are very bright and have a passion like I’ve never seen before. I have never had a TA before, but I would be honored to have you as my first.” Professor Bryant punctuates it with a smile on his face.
“Wow! I don’t know what to say.” I’m shocked speechless.
“Take some time to think about it and give me your answer after Thanksgiving.” He starts to head towards the door.
“Thank you, Professor.”
“You’re welcome, Callie. And Mr. Mitchell, keep up the good work.” He shuts the door behind himself and I turn to Dex.
“Did that really just happen?” I’m sure my mouth is still hanging open.
Dex stands up from the couch and comes over to me. “Yeah, it did, and I’m so proud of you.” He wraps his arms around my waist and hugs me tightly.
With my arms around his neck, I pull back to make eye contact. “He gave you a compliment.”
“Yeah, well he would probably take it back if he knew I said he had a little dipper.” I bust out laughing, and Dex joins in before kissing the top of my head.
My sisters and Momma join in the hug as they congratulate me. I don’t know if I want to take the TA position, but I’ll give it some serious consideration.