“Kat,” Tyson gently interrupted placing his hand on her arm.
She looked at him and turned back to Jeremy. Realizing he was already nervous and she was only making it worse by scaring the shit out of him, she buttoned her lips and stifled the rest of her warnings—there were a lot.
“How about I call your cellphone if I have any problems or questions?”
Taking a shaky breath, she nodded. “Okay.” It was a struggle not to give him a few more valid instructions, like make sure Mia washes her hands before she eats and don’t give her sugar before bed. You’re being a control freak. Her chin trembled as she held back. “Come give me a hug, Mia.”
Her arms went around Mia in a tight squeeze. “Momma,” Mia wheezed. “You’re squishing me.”
“Sorry, baby.” She relaxed her hold and brushed a curl away from her brow. “I’m gonna miss you.”
She walked her to Jeremy’s car to check that he correctly installed the car seat. After buckling her safely, she kissed her again.
“I promise I’ll take good care of her,” Jeremy said as he started the car.
She shut her eyes and took a calming breath. “Call me if you need anything—anything at all.”
“I will.” He glanced in the rearview mirror. “Ready, Betty?”
“Ready, Freddy!” Mia cheered, anxious for her first father-daughter adventure.
When they drove away Kat’s chest literally hurt. Tyson slowly dragged her back into the house. “She’ll be fine, Kat.”
“I know.” Her eyes glazed with tears. “It’s just… this is a super big deal. Eventually I’ll get used to it—maybe when she’s sixteen.”
He hugged her. “Just think, you had three years with her all to yourself. No one can take that from you.”
“I know.”
If everything went smoothly, this would be a regular thing. Jeremy would take Mia every other Friday and pick her up from Mrs. Bradshaw’s on Wednesdays so they could have dinner together. On the weeks he didn’t sleep over, they’d spend Sundays together.
Tyson nibbled her ear. “I know a great way to distract you from worrying.”
“Good luck. I think they implanted some kind of worry chip in me when they did my epidural.”
He laughed. “And where do you suppose they placed that chip? Here?” He slid his finger under her sweater and up her spine. Shivering, she snuggled closer, needing his strength. “Come on. Let’s relax.”
He led her to the sofa, drew the blinds, and locked the door. “I should have sent an extra pair of PJs. Sometimes Mia throws up at night.”
Returning to the couch, he slipped off her shoes. “I’m sure Jeremy has a spare t-shirt lying around if that happens.” He peeled off her socks and traced a finger down the arch of her foot. “Let’s take this off.”
Leaning forward, he removed her sweater and then his shirt. The cottage was cool, but her blood was quickly warming. Lowering himself to his knees, he unbuttoned the snap of her jeans. She lifter her hips, as he pulled them from her legs.
Sitting before him in nothing but her bra and panties, he reached behind her and unfastened the clasp. Next went her panties. She was sitting in her living room as naked as the day she was born.
“So beautiful,” he whispered, pressing her knees apart. “Scoot down.”
Heart racing, she adjusted her hips until her bottom hung off the cushions. Their gazes locked, as he slowly lowered his mouth to her sex and licked her slit. Her lashes lowered as she drew in a deep breath and moaned.
“That’s it, baby. Let me make you feel better.”
He slowly licked at her folds, building a fire, the heat of his mouth spreading a blaze through her blood. Leisurely, he kissed and lulled her into her pleasure. His palms cradled the backs of her knees, holding her open to his mouth. Gently, his tongue pierced her folds, mimicking soft lovemaking.
“Let me see you play with your breasts, kitten. Pinch those pretty nipples for me because I’m going to them next.”
Arousal seeped from her folds. His full lips closed around her clit as he sucked. Every nerve buzzed, sensations racing into a scattering of goose bumps. The fire in her belly built, heating and chasing away her worries. As her climax crested, a wash of comfort unfolded inside of her, easing a great deal of her tension. He relentlessly licked and kissed her flesh.
As she caught her breath he stood and slowly unbuttoned his jeans. Slowly sliding away his pants, he stood before her in all his naked glory, leisurely stoking his hand over his arousal.
Easing forward, she placed a kiss on the tip. Rising to his toes, she took him into her mouth.
“Slow, kitten. No rush.”
Languidly, she moved up and down, over his length. His head kicked back as he sighed. His thigh muscles danced under her palms as his fingers brushed softly over her cheeks.
“I want you,” he rasped, sliding back and lowering his body to the couch.
He pulled her over him so she straddled his thighs. Gradually, she sank into him, a sense of fullness taking over. Her skin flushed as he gripped her hips and urged her into a slow rhythm. It was a lot for her to take him this way, but he was extremely patient and gentle.
She liked having his gaze on her. The more he looked into her eyes, the more uninhibited she became. His hand cupped and caressed her breasts while his other hand tightened on her hip.
Her body rose slowly as he lifted his hips, thrust, and ground into her sex. She moaned as he pulled her forward, sucking her nipple deep into his mouth.
His gaze locked with hers as his pink tongue flicked over the sensitive tip. Suddenly she could take no more.
She gripped the back of his neck, pulling his mouth to hers. Growling, he kissed her with rough passion as she rode him harder. Gripping her rear, she was suddenly lifted and turned, the soft material of the couch pressing into her back.
Raising her right leg, he kneeled and drove into her. Harder and faster, he thrust, building that flame once more. Her hoarse cry collided with his masculine roar as his release flooded deep. Quivering, she clung to him as he pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.
“Never in my life—” He breathed and kissed her ear. “Never has it been like this, Kat. Never. God, I love you.”
Tyson awoke in Kat’s bed, her soft, warm body snuggled into his side. “Mmm. I love waking up next to you,” he hummed, as he pulled her closer. She giggled and pinched him. “Ouch, what was that for?”
“I was having a good dream.”
“A good dream, huh? Was I doing something like this?” He reached between her thighs and found her warm folds and she moaned. Gently tracing her lips, her body opened to him. “So soft.”
Cupping her breast, he toyed with her nipples as they budded beneath his fingertips. Sliding his knee between her thighs, he moved over her pliant body and a finger into her sex. Warm honey coated his skin. His mouth lowered to her breast and she arched into his caress.
“I love how you feel in the morning. All tender and warm. Makes a man want to burry himself in all that softness.” He added another finger and her knees fell wide. “Sore?”
She stretched and sighed. “Not really.”
His lips traveled up her porcelain skin to her sensitive neck, stopping only to pay homage to her delicate collarbone. Kissing his way to her shoulders, he traced his lips down her arm. Fine traces of peach fuzz rose in a spattering of goose bumps. She trembled and his fingers made fast work of spreading her arousal over her clit, his kisses slowly working south.
She smelled of soap from her shower the night before and that soft scent that was uniquely Kat. He licked across her opening and she arched into him. “So sweet, kitten.” He teased her entrance with his tongue.
“Tyson,” she pleaded.
“Easy, baby. I’ll get there. Let me take my time.” His tongue dragged across her flesh. Pulling her bottom closer, he inserted a finger and spread her honey over every fold. She sighed as he firmly pressed in and out with long, slow strokes of
his fingers.
Her scent was feminine, the sweetest nectar. Her body writhed as he licked over her tiny pearl, tight inner muscles contracted around his gentle intrusion.
Her needy moans filled the room. She keened in delighted surprise as he hooked his finger deep in her channel. Her body lifted, but he used the weight of his shoulder to press her back down as his tongue continued to tease.
“Ohmygod.” Her breathing became labored.
“That’s it, kitten. Earn it. Show me how badly you want to come.”
She cried out in pleasure as his hand rocked in and out of her, faster and faster.
“That’s it, baby. That’s my ferocious little kitten.” Muscles tightly contracted around his fingers. “Go on and take what’s yours.” His mouth latched onto her little pink clit and sucked hard as she shattered.
He’d never enjoyed pleasuring a woman as much as he enjoyed pleasuring Kat. Resting his cheek to her soft inner thigh, he sighed.
“Well, lookie here,” Jade crowed, parading through the door without bothering to knock. “Please sir, cover yourself. Oh, my virgin eyes!”
In only a lose pair of jeans, Tyson sipped his coffee, looking prouder than a peacock and more satisfied than any man should be. “Yeah, you’re about as virginal as Madonna,” he teased. “And I’m not talking about the holy one.”
Jade shrugged and grabbed a chair. “Hey, a girl’s gotta eat…”
Shaking his head, he placed a kiss on Kat’s temple. “I gotta go check on Trixie.”
Kat sighed as he left. Jade studied her, ginning. “Aren’t you two just adorable!”
“Let me put on some pants and brush my teeth.” She slipped into the bedroom and when she returned, Tyson was at the stove making eggs and French toast.
“I really need to get me one of these,” Jade said observantly. “Ty, you have any brothers?”
“Nope, just sisters, but I got friends.”
Kat sipped her coffee. “What about that doctor that asked you out?”
“Meh, dating work people can get icky. Brian’s nice enough and cute, but I don’t wanna go down that road in case it doesn’t work out. Men have a hard time getting over me.”
Ty chuckled and placed a plate in front of Jade. “What’re you looking for in a guy?”
“I don’t know. Someone nice, caring, but also manly. I like a lot of testosterone with my coffee. Someone fun, who doesn’t mind traveling. Romantic, can afford nice things, not a workaholic, but also not a bum. Good looking, I guess.”
“Is that all?” He laughed.
“Well, ten inches wouldn’t hurt, but it’s not like I can be choosy.”
Kat choked on her coffee. “Jade! Ten inches?”
Tyson placed a plate in front of her. “Ten inches can hurt, Jade. Ask Kat. She knows.”
She smacked him in the stomach and he chuckled.
The sound of a car slowing had Kat turning her head. She jumped from her seat, the moment she recognized Jeremy’s car.
“Hi, Momma!”
“Hi, baby! Did you have fun?” Unlatching her seat, she pulled Mia into her arms and breathed her in. Jeremy stepped out, holding her dainty overnight bag.
“We had so much fun! Daddy got coloring books, and markers, and Play-Dough, and even a Cinderella doll with a dollhouse. And know what else?” She drew in a deep breath. “Daddy’s house has an ele’bator!”
“So you had a good time,” she confirmed, relieved to have her back.
“I had a great time, Momma! Maybe you can come with us next time.”
She smiled and hummed a non-committal response then looked at Jeremy. “And how did you do?”
“Pretty good, I think. I learned why three-year-olds shouldn’t color with markers, but don’t worry, they washed off.”
“Kiki!” Mia squealed as they entered the cottage, shimmying down her body and into Jade’s lap.
Jeremy turned to the table and reached his hand out to Tyson. “How you doing, Tyson?”
It was nice that they got along. “Good. Glad to hear you survived your first night. Want some breakfast?”
“No thanks. We ate before we came.” He turned and did a double take. “Jade Schultz?”
Jade stood. Clearly, Jeremy was not immune. “Well, well. Jeremy Larson.” Kat shook her head at the syrupy tone Jade used. “You sure grew up. How have you been?”
Jade’s vitality and boldness could make men four times her size stutter. Jeremy didn’t stand a chance. Her friend might be tiny, but so was an atom, and once you cracked one of them open you had a whole explosive mess of crap to deal with.
Jeremy cleared his throat and looked a little red under the collar. “I’ve been good. And you?”
“Oh, things have improved. Kat says you’re thinking of moving back to Parkside, building on your dad’s land.”
“Yeah, it looks that way. I just gotta clear the lot and find the right contractor.”
“Oh, well, you know, Tyson here is a contractor.”
He turned to Tyson who was holding Mia as she colored. “You should come see the place, give me an estimate.”
“Sure thing, man. I can get out there sometime this week.”
Jeremy looked back to Jade and cleared his throat again. “Well, I better get going.”
“I’ll walk out with you!” Jade shoved her plate away and chucked her coffee in the trash.
“Look Momma, I drew you a picture! It’s a family. Hang it on the ‘frigerator.”
Kat picked up the picture, complimenting her daughter’s work with biased appraisal. “This is wonderful, Mia.” The picture was of four figures. One small and child sized. The other three taller and adult sized. Two had hair and one didn’t.
“Show Daddy!” She passed him the picture. “It’s you, me, Momma, and Tyson.”
Ty tenderly ran a hand over the top of Mia’s head as she rested her cheek on his shoulder. The byplay was subtle, but it left anyone watching with a clear understanding of where Ty stood in the mix, where he stood in Mia’s heart.
Jeremy noticeably observed the way Tyson handled Mia and a slow grin curved his lips. Kat smiled, taking his expression as approval. She sighed. This, she could live with, because this was extraordinary.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The morning of Kat’s birthday started spectacularly. Mia and Tyson made her breakfast in bed. Tyson had taken her daughter out shopping the day before and Mia bought her a necklace with both their birthstones.
After a long lecture about receiving gifts gracefully on her birthday, he told her the only thing she was allowed to say was thank you and handed her a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. “This is just the first of many.” He grinned, kissing her nose.
After breakfast she was instructed to shower and dress in comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. From there, she was blindfolded and whisked away to a mystery location.
“No peeking!” Mia warned, as they shuffled her into the car.
After a disorienting drive, she was shuffled back out of the car and the blindfold was removed. Blinking into the sunlight, she focused on her surroundings.
They stood on a cobblestone walk at one of the swankier sections of New Castle in front of a discreet establishment called Trinidad’s. It looked like a salon.
“Come on,” Ty instructed, taking her hand.
The front was set up like a boutique. A cosmetics counter sat to the left and a receptionist desk to the right. In the back, through an archway, customers were getting their hair styled.
By the way the clientele was dressed and the appearance of the employees, she gleaned it was an upscale place. Frowning, she glanced down at her outfit, wondered why Tyson told her to dress in sweats.
Before she had a chance to ask him he went to the desk and said, “Appointment for Katherine D’Angelo.”
“Oh, Miss D’Angelo,” the girl at the reception area welcomed. “Happy Birthday! Are you ready for your Journey?”
“My journey?”
“Yes, it’s ou
r platinum package. We start you off with a paraffin dip, a pedicure, and manicure. Then you head downstairs to the spa for a one-hour facial and massage. You’ll take a break in our Zen room, where we bring you champagne, tea sandwiches, and fresh fruit. After that, you shower and return upstairs for a cut and style. We finish your journey off with a professional makeup consultation.”
Her eyes widened. She usually got her hair trimmed at The Cut and Curl in New Castle for ten dollars. This place definitely cost way more than that. They didn’t even have a board that listed prices. You know that means it’s expensive as hell.
She bit her lip and kept her promise about accepting Tyson’s gifts gracefully, but it wasn’t easy. “How long does all that take?”
“Usually four hours.”
She turned to Ty and Mia. “And what are you going to do?”
“We’re going to the pun’kin patch!” Mia said.
“Don’t worry about us,” Tyson said as he kissed her cheek. “It’s your day. Relax and enjoy. I’ve got our day covered. We’ll be back to pick you up in a few hours.”
“Okay, but this had better be it for the presents.”
He smiled and waved. “We’ll see. Happy birthday, kitten.” He left with his little accomplice.
Four hours later Kat was convinced she’d been drugged. It wasn’t natural to feel that good. Her face was baby smooth, her muscles Jell-O, her cuticles gone, and there were no calluses on her feet. Her hair was completely frizz free and she had finally learned how to properly apply makeup. It was magnificent. However, relaxing was hard work. After all that pampering she needed a nap.
But there was no time for napping, and she doubted she’d be able to sleep knowing they had dinner at her parents’ in a little over an hour. When they returned home she went to her room to change and found a blouse, a pale yellow cardigan, and an A-line skirt hanging from her closet door. . On the floor sat a pair of brown-heeled boots. A note hung from the hanger.