Chapter 28

Gabe

I slide in and out of Skye’s tight pussy as she moans in a low, sexy voice.

I love it when we’re like this. I’m on top, and she’s at my mercy.

I spent a good fifteen minutes eating her out, making sure she was ready for what I had to give her. This isn’t a mercy fuck on my part, and I hope it’s not on hers. All I know is that when I’m with her. It feels like magic time. Like she’s the only one that ever really got me.

“Taking Daddy’s cock like a good girl,” I whisper in her ear. It’s slow. Controlled. And so damn hot. My cock is about to explode, but I know we won’t be getting much sleep tonight. “You should see how perfect you take me, Red. Like a fucking angel.”

She grabs my ass harder as I plunge in and out. Taking my time, thrusting at the end as her legs wrap around my hips.

“That feels so good,” she whispers back. Her words go right to my balls, making me want to claim her without a condom. Filling her with my cum as I ride her to oblivion, but I also know I have to be careful.

I’m passionate in the bedroom, but more so with her. I not only want her to feel good, but I also want her to feel like she can trust me. That I won’t hurt her. I’d never hurt her.

I may be angry over Tiffany, but I would never take that out on Skye. She deserves better than that, and anything I ever felt for that woman is well and truly over. It has been for years.

I lift one of her legs and bend it higher so I can go deeper. I love making her come. I don’t think there’s any greater pastime than doing this.

She throws her head back and comes in a silent scream.

I watch her, riding her through it as her skin flushes. I’ve been dying to do this all day. It took everything to concentrate at work because of how much I kept thinking about her, especially after our kiss this morning.

“My hot nanny,” I whisper, pulling out. “On your hands and knees.”

She bites her lip, but says nothing as she does as she’s told.

I run my hands over her bare ass. “Good girl.”

I line up and slide in as she cries out; her moans muffled as she tries to keep quiet.

“So deep,” she groans. “Oh, Gabe…”

I grip her hips, rolling mine back and forth, watching as my dick moves in and out of her.

“I’m in love with you,” I tell her. “You don’t have to say it back, or feel the same way, but I want you to know.”

“Gabe?”

“And it’s not because of this, though this is amazing. It’s you. You’re perfect. You’re sunshine. You’re everything.”

“Oh, Gabe, I… I’m in love with you too…” She looks at me over her shoulder and I stare into her green depths.

“Say it again.”

“I’m in love with you.”

“Again.” I move my hips, slamming in harder.

“I love you.”

Oh. Fuck.

“I love you, Gabe…”

I move my hips faster, harder.

“I love you, Boss.”

“I love you, too,” I groan as I feel her spasm and she grips my cock even tighter. “Skye, I love you.” I spurt my cum when my hips still and I tilt my head back, holding her like she’s my lifeline. And maybe she is.

I pull out, rolling her onto her back as I lay over the top of her. She wraps her arms around my neck as I stare down at her beautiful face.

“You love me?”

She nods.

“And I love you. But if I’m honest, I’m scared,” I say. “I’m scared of what you could do to us if we get too close and you have to leave.”

“I don’t want to leave.”

I balk. “What?”

“I don’t want that job in North Carolina. I want to stay here and see if I can make a life with you, Trinity, and Daisy.”

I try to swallow the lump in my throat. “You… you’d give up your new job… for us?”

She strokes one side of my face, smiling up at me. “Yes, Gabe. I’ve never felt like this before. I want you like I’ve never wanted anything ever before. I love it here, and I love Trinity. Hopefully she’ll be okay with us dating… or whatever it is we do from here…”

“So you’re not going to leave?”

She shakes her head. “I already emailed the school this morning. I know that’s pretty reckless. I had no idea you felt the same way, but I also had to be true to myself. I can’t go knowing that I’m in love with you and never had the guts to say it.”

Her face softens and though her eyes are intense, she looks at me with all the love in the world.

“How did I get this lucky?” I say.

“See, I’m not just a hot nanny after all.”

I chuckle, resting down on my elbows as she strokes my back. I could stare at her for all eternity and never get sick of it. “No, you’re the whole damn package.”

“Whatever happens with the Tiffany thing, just know I have your back. She can’t take Trinity away, so don’t go getting your panties in a twist.”

“We told the police.” It was the right thing to do. Who knows what that crazy bitch is planning. “And the teachers will monitor Trinity until we find Tiffany and find out what she wants.” None of it sits well with me. I don’t like it, and I don’t like knowing she’s in town. Which reminds me. “I should’ve called the motel, and Moose’s.”

She frowns. “What for?”

“If she’s in town, there’s only two places to stay.”

“Good idea. Call them first thing in the morning.”

“So, I guess we should get some sleep?”

She laughs. “I have to get up early, remember? Trinity will know I stayed if I don’t move my ass.”

“Sounds good. I think we need to figure out what we’re doing before we tell her anything.”

“I agree. The last thing I want is for her to be confused.”

It tugs at my heart that I can’t be affectionate with her in front of my daughter, but it has to be done. “I’ve never even taken you on a date, and here we are, declaring our love for each other.”

She shrugs. “When you know, you know. There’s no fancy dinner or bunch of flowers that could tell me you’re the man for me, Boss. We just have to work out where to go from here. And we will. It’ll come to us.”

“Don’t tell me you’ll send me a schedule,” I chuckle. “But I do want to date you. I also want to scream from the rooftops that you’re mine.”

“Does that mean I can tell your brother I’m off the market?”

I frown. “Which one?”

“Brooklyn.”

“That little asshole!”

She giggles, pulling me back down, planting a kiss on my lips. “He meant no harm.”

“I’ll wring his wiry little neck the next time I see him.”

“He is pretty cute — it runs in the family.”

“Please don’t talk about any of my brothers while I’m in bed with you.” I laugh.

“Why? Are you the jealous type?”

“You’ve no idea.” I kiss her, then roll off onto my back, bringing her with me as she snuggles into my chest. I’ve missed this. I haven’t had it for such a long time. We may have a long way to go, and I hope I’m not holding her back from North Carolina, but I can’t say I’m unhappy about it.

We have a future together. A very bright one, and hearing her say she loves me back is like music to my ears. I’ll do everything in my power to show her the man I am; warts and all.

I kiss her hair as she sighs. “Goodnight, Red.”

“Good night, Daddy.”

Home is wherever she is.

* * *

Mrs. Buckley — from Stoney Creek Motel — calls me before I’ve even had one sip of my coffee.

I woke early, but it would’ve been rude to call or bang down her door at five am.

It’s only just gone seven now.

“Gabe, honey?” she drawls. “I’m callin’ because I have some news, and I’m afraid it’s not good.”

My heart hammers in my chest as I listen. “Hello, Mrs. Buckley. Your ears must’ve been burning this morning, as I was going to call you.”

“You’ve heard then? She’s back in town.”

I feel like I need to sit down. I mean, I know she’s here. The security footage at school showed her face. But knowing she’s at the motel just confirms it all the more.

“I have, but I have no idea if she was just passing through.”

“She checked in yesterday; I wasn’t here or I would’ve phoned you first thing.” It isn’t like everyone in town is unaware of what happened. News spread like wildfire, and it’s because of all these people that I wasn’t alone. “She’s checking out tomorrow, honey. I just thought you should know, in case you wanted to pay her a visit.”

“I appreciate that. Thank you, Mrs. Buckley.”

“If I see any signs that she could be leaving, do you want me to stop her?”

I almost laugh at the idea. Mrs. Buckley is almost seventy years old, and a tiny little thing with a walking stick. I don’t know what she thinks she might do.

“No, that’s fine. I’ll be heading over in a few. Thanks for the heads up.”

“Well, the good lord made us smart enough to live in a small town. That’s what a tight community is all about. We help each other out.” There’s a pause. “If you need any help, honey, you just holler.”

I try not to laugh. “I will, Mrs. Buckley. Don’t worry, I’ll sort it out as soon as possible.”

“Hmm, well, the sooner that awful woman is out of town, the better.”

I can’t say I disagree, but I don’t want to add to the gossip train. It’s inevitable that by the time I even get to the motel, the entire town of Stoney Creek will know. The quicker I get there and intercept her before she realizes what’s going on, the better.

“Good bye, Mrs. Buckley. Thanks again.”

“Goodbye, dear.”

We hang up, and I quickly text Skye. I hate that we have to sneak around and she had to drive home in the wee hours of morning. But if Trin ran in here and saw Skye in my bed, I’d have some complicated explaining to do. And I don’t want to have that conversation quite yet.

Me

I know it’s early, but would it be okay if you watched Trin today a little earlier? Apparently, the witch is at the motel. Mrs. Buckley just called me

I’m pleased when I see she immediately reads the message and starts her reply.

Skye

Of course! Did you want to drop her here? My grandparents have a yard for Daisy. We can have breakfast until I drop her at school if you’d like

Me

That’d be great. I could drop her at my parents, but I don’t want them to worry with her being in town

Skye

Understandable, but will you be okay by yourself?

Me

I’ll text one of my brothers. But I’m sure I can handle her

The reality is, I don’t want anyone here. I know how hard this will be just facing her myself after all these years. But I’m ready. As ready as I’ll ever be.

* * *

I pound on her motel room door, noticing the shiny Mercedes parked in front. I’m sure the motel isn’t to her high standard, but it’s that or Moose’s. And I know which one I’d favor.

After a few moments, the door opens.

She blinks and takes a breath, one hand planting on her heart like she’s shocked to see me. “I see the townsfolk around here haven’t changed,” she says, a small smile forming on her face. She looks the same, but also different. She was always an attractive woman, but all I see is someone who ran away from her responsibilities. Cold, if I had to describe it, but that may have something to do with the fact she ruined my life.

“Hello to you too. What are you doing here?”

“Would you like to come in?”

“No, I wouldn’t. Why were you at Trinity’s school yesterday?”

She takes a breath and steels her shoulders. “You look good, Gabe. As handsome as ever. The years have been good to you.”

I snort. “Like you’d know anything about that. Answer my question,” I demand angrily.

She folds her arms over her chest. “I… I just wanted to see her. I didn’t expect she’d come up to the fence…”

“How did you know which child she was?” I don’t have Facebook, nor do I share pictures of her anywhere online. Obviously, she asked around, or one of the other kids in the playground. Which strikes me as creepy.

“It isn’t half obvious, Gabe. She looks exactly like you.”

“Why. Are. You. Here?”

“I was passing through.”

“Through Stoney Creek? I find that hard to believe. I swear to God, if you don’t start giving me some answers…”

“You’re very hostile. I thought we left things… amicably?”

The sheer audacity of this woman! “Amicably? I didn’t even care about myself in the end. I just wanted Trinity to know her mother. And you couldn’t even do that. You didn’t want to know her then, and you won’t be getting to know her now.”

“You really think I’d confuse her like that?”

I throw my hands up in the air. “How the fuck would I know? You waltz back into town and hunt my child down. My child, and I’m just expected to roll over and drool? You gave up any rights to her when you abandoned her.”

Tears well in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Gabriel. I shouldn’t have come. But I’m leaving the country. I wanted to see her, just one last time. And you.”

My heart throbs in my chest at her words, but not for any good reason. “For old time’s sake?”

“It isn’t like that. I wanted to make sure she was happy and see how she’d grown up. You’ve done an amazing job with her. I’m so proud of you.”

“I don’t need you to be proud of me. I need you to leave. You’re not seeing her. You’re not taking her anywhere. She is mine. You gave up any rights you had to her years ago. I gave you ample opportunity, and you chose your career and other men.” Oh, yes. I know all about them, too.

“I don’t want to take her, Gabe, but she is still my daughter.”

I turn as a car pulls up, and I see Grayson in his truck. He parks, turns off the engine and sits there.

“The cavalry has arrived,” she mutters.

“Stop changing the subject. You may have given birth to her, but you will never know her. It’s confusing, and she’s happy. You being here will just make things messy. Deep down, if you have any heart, you’ll just get the hell out of town and leave us alone.”

She tries to reach for me, but I shrug away. “Please, Gabe. I’m sorry for what I did. But I never had it in me to be a mother. Wasn’t it better for me to walk away before she knew me? Before things got too far along and she was old enough to understand?”

How could she? How could anyone do such a thing? Hate me all you want, but our child? She’s despicable.

I try to reign in my anger. “That her mother didn’t want her? Yes, I’d agree that you did the right thing.”

She sighs. “You always were a bull. Protective. Loyal. I’ve often asked myself if I did the right thing.” She looks down my body and I can’t believe it when she adds, “Maybe I was wrong, but I guess now we’ll never know, will we?”

I hear Grayson step out of the car. “Gabe.”

I wave a hand over my shoulder, telling him to back off.

There are things to say, and she’s going to damn well listen to them.

If it’s the last thing I do, she’s going to hear it.