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  “I’m just staying until he falls asleep,” I reminded D. “Don’t get too comfortable.”

  “I won’t,” he whispered with a smirk as his grip on my hip tightened.

  Between us, Keyon kept his eyes wide open.

  “Aren’t you sleepy?” I asked as I pressed my lips to his temple. “You need to rest to grow big and strong like your daddy.”

  “No. No sleep.” He frowned then snuggled closer against me.

  “He heard you. He doesn’t want you to go,” D explained.

  I nodded. “I know.” Then I whispered, “I’ll just close my eyes. You do it too. Staying up will be less interesting.” I peeked at Keyon a couple of times, but the little guy was determined to outlast me.

  Apparently, he did. When I next opened my eyes, the sun was streaming through the gauzy curtains and curse words were on the tip of my tongue. An arm tightened around me, then DeSean pressed his pelvis against me and his morning wood set me on fire. “D,” I moaned. His hand cupped my breast and found my nipple through the cotton. This was not going well.

  A second later, loud music began to play. We both propped ourselves up on our elbows to find the offending sound. Keyon was curled up in a chair in the corner, playing with his father’s phone. I sank back down on the mattress and rolled onto my back. D climbed on top of me and like a damn whore, my legs spread wide enough for him to rest his pelvis against mine. Through the thin fabric, I could feel the heat of him, and the way his penis jerked against me from time to time.

  “You’re cruel,” I murmured as I stared up into his dark, rich, chocolate eyes.

  “Not as cruel as you,” he teased. “At least you know where I stand.”

  I smirked. “And where’s that?”

  He chuckled. “By your side. Always. And before you ask, I’d kneel at your feet, and I’d have you sitting on my lap. Any more questions?”

  I inhaled deeply, but it did nothing to slow my heart which seemed to be pounding uncontrollably. “Guess I just need one teensy weensy little thing,” I reminded him.

  D wrapped his arms around my waist and his hands slid down to grab my ass and tilt my pelvis up to meet his. “I’m filing tomorrow,” he whispered against my lips. “I called my lawyer and asked for advice. He explained everything.”

  “What a coincidence,” I murmured as I struggled to concentrate. “I have to go to the courthouse tomorrow too.”

  He frowned. “Why?”

  “Mediation.” I shrugged. “No big deal.”

  “So, we’ll go together.” He grinned. “There. Problem solved.”

  I shook my head. “I can’t show up to mediation with you. That would go badly.”

  “You’re showing up with your body guard.” D stared down at me seriously. “And I take very seriously guarding every square inch of you.” He buried his face in my neck.

  “We’ll see,” I responded vaguely. My mind was made up, but he didn’t need to know. “What do you need to do today? I’ve taken inventory and we need groceries.”

  “Great. Give me a list and I’ll get whatever you want.” D grinned.

  “Stop it. I can get groceries. I do it all the time.” I shoved him off me and rolled out of bed.

  Throwing back the covers, D slid off the mattress and his feet hit the floor with a thump. “You used to go grocery shopping. You used to do a lot of things. And if you’re patient, you’ll get to do that again. But your life could be in danger. Your window was broken. You house was painted with a threat. And someone tried to get in your house even with me there. Stop fighting me.” He glared at me from the other side of the bed.

  None of his words were enough to shake my resolve. I covered my face. This frustrated me more than he could understand. I hated feeling helpless. I thought I’d feel stronger knowing he had my back, but it didn’t seem to be working out that way, with his constant reminders of how much I shouldn’t do.

  “Are you fighting?” Keyon asked, his face scrunched up with worry.

  “No,” I responded without thinking. “We’re just talking about some adult things. No big deal.” I sighed. I met DeSean’s sad eyes. “I’m going to go shower. We can talk more later.”

  “Okay,” he teased. “I’m going to go make pancakes, unless you need someone to scrub your back…”

  “I’m good.” I scowled as I grabbed my bathrobe from the floor of his closet and stomped off to my bedroom.

  “Hey, you can use my bathroom,” D called out as I passed him.

  I paused. “You trying to trick me into leaving stuff in your bathroom? That’s low.”

  “I’m trying to skip a step,” he replied. “If I get my way, that’ll be our bathroom soon enough.”

  I shivered. The thought was both terrifying and thrilling. “I’m just going to use the hall bathroom,” I mumbled as I rushed from the room.

  It took nearly an hour for me to force myself downstairs. And even then, I only gave in because of hunger. I could smell the pancakes. Dreams of hot chocolate had me had me salivating and trudging down the stairs.

  “I see you finally decided to join us,” D commented when I landed on the main floor. “This is for you.” He pushed a hot chocolate across the island toward me.

  “Is this a bribe?” I joked.

  He shook his head seriously. “No, I like to think of it as more of a peace offering.” He moved around the island to greet me. “Here’s the thing. I need to keep you safe, and you need to stay busy, right?”

  I lifted the mug to my lips and took a sip while staring him in the eyes. When I set it down, I finally responded, “You could say that.”

  “There’s something that Keyon needs and only you can give him.” His shoulder sagged slightly and I realized it was difficult for him to admit he needed me.

  “What is it?” I asked while I shifted my weight and leaned against the cool granite counter. He’d already found my weakness. I’d do about anything to keep that little boy happy.

  “He needs to see what a normal family looks like. He has never had that. Already, he’s warmed to you in a way he never did his mama.” DeSean frowned.

  “I can see that.” I nodded a few times.

  “Can we just give him today, let him have a normal family?” He eyed me seriously.

  “And just what is a normal family? Because I was taught that’s all relative.” I blew out a breath. “Normal family day. Let’s see…” I turned and found Keyon playing in the family room at the bottom of the stairs.

  “What if we order groceries online? And then, because we’re so tired from that, we’ll order lunch.” He grinned. “Maybe we could rent a movie. We’ll love on that little guy until he doesn’t need to cling to you. You decide what we do for dinner. And then we’ll tuck him into bed, hope for a better night.”

  I tucked some hair behind my ear. “What makes for a better night?” I asked seriously.

  “Let me show you how I feel about you. It’s my last night off. Tomorrow, the club opens again and I’ll be gone from seven at night until three in the morning.” He reached out and tugged me into his arms. “You’ll have all kinds of time without me.”

  My chin tilted upward. “You act like that’s what I want, like I’m dying to get away from you.”

  “You’re not?” His brows rose.

  I shook my head. “I’m not trying to get away. I’m trying to protect my heart.” I blinked a few times, worried I was about to cry. “You hurt me, D. You made me want you, and love you. You made me believe we could have a future.” I stopped to swallow hard as he stared down at me, his face the picture of pain. “Then you took it away and I couldn’t be with you. You were having a baby with someone else. You picked her.”

  He frowned as he spoke, his voice cracking. “You thought I chose her?” He pressed his forehead to mine. “Listen to me. I need you to understand. It was never about her. It was always about him.” D jerked his head toward the stairs. “I knew I was risking losing you forever. I knew I didn’t deserve you. I knew how badly
I’d messed up, but I had no idea you were hurting almost as badly as I was.”

  “Almost? What, we’re competing for most wounded? Let’s not do this.” I sighed and pushed against his chest.

  “Can we get past this? If I get divorced…I mean, I want a divorce no matter what, but do we still want the same things?” DeSean held me tighter and I could feel his fear.

  “You’re asking what I want?” I sighed. “Okay. I’ll play.” I took a deep breath. “I want a family. I want a child of my own with a man that I love, just like I told you. I want to keep doing what I’m doing professionally. I want family trips and a place we call home.” I closed my eyes as I remembered what had always been so good between us. “I want a passionate relationship with my husband. I want to know I’m loved and wanted and to make sure he knows the same.”

  D trembled under my fingers. “We want the same things. All the same things. I can’t imagine not wanting you, Tegyn.”

  “Oh, sure,” I joked. “Guys always say that, then the woman’s belly grows and he starts to stray.”

  “Not me. Not us.” He laid a hand on my lower abdomen. “I’d drive you crazy. I’d be so protective, so doting, you’d kill me.”

  “Like last time?” I asked, while feeling guilty for even wanting to know.

  “Nothing like last time. I didn’t love Camilla. Anything I may have felt for her was long gone. You’ve had my heart the whole time and you didn’t even know it.” He crushed me to his chest.

  And I couldn’t help it. I burst into tears while he rubbed my back and whispered the sweetest words to me.

  “We’ll both get divorced. We’ll get married. We’ll build that beautiful life you described, Tegyn. Don’t make me live another day without you. Don’t make me sleep another night without you in my bed.” DeSean planted kisses all over my face and I felt the fear, sadness, and tension. “Swallow those tears, baby. You got nothing to cry about anymore.”

  Though I never expected to be so easily convinced, I actually believed him. But I slept in my own bed. And the next morning, I woke to Keyon climbing into my bed while D smiled at me from the doorway. “I held him off as long as I could. You were up late last night,” he commented absently.

  “Well, I had to prepare for mediation today. And I had to catch up on work last night.” I shrugged as I sat up against the mahogany head board. “Morning, Keyon,” I murmured as I hugged the little guy to me.

  “I yuv you, T,” he announced as he squeezed my neck.

  “I love you too.” I rubbed his back and melted a little inside.

  “We eat now?” he asked as he bounced in my lap.

  I laughed. “I’ll meet you downstairs. I need to shower.” As he climbed down, I threw back the covers.

  “We’re going together. You know this, right?” D asked seriously. “I called Tommy. He’s going to play with the little man.”

  “Uncka Tommy! Yay!” Keyon danced on the floor.

  “We talked about this,” I reminded him as I stood.

  DeSean shook his head. “I had a message from Paxton Gentry, the football player. I have to meet with him this morning. It shouldn’t take long. And we’ll drive there together. Parking garages are the most dangerous places. Come on, you’ve seen the movies.” He huffed.

  “It’s a courthouse parking garage. How dangerous can it be?” I rolled my eyes.

  “Just wait on me. I’ll be leaving in an hour. We let you sleep in. It’s nine already.” He jerked his head. “I’ll get some hot chocolate made while you get ready.”

  I didn’t want to fight. All I knew was if he wasn’t back by noon, I’d be leaving without him. It was a half hour drive to uptown Charlotte. Then we had to make it through security. And I had to be in the meeting starting at one in the afternoon. Instead, I decided to get ready, and get on with my day. By the time I met up with them in the kitchen, D was helping Keyon with his jacket. “I’m dropping him with Tommy now. I don’t want to be late returning. I’ll be home by eleven thirty,” he assured me.

  I nodded. “Okay.” I knew he read the doubt in my face, but he simply rubbed my back.

  “I got plans for you, baby. I’m filing today. I’ll have paperwork as proof.” He grinned. “And maybe you can wait up for me after work…like old times.”

  My face burned. I remembered the old times. Still, the thought was tempting. “We’ll see,” I murmured. Then I moved to give Keyon a kiss. “I’ll see you later. We get to hang out tonight while Daddy works.”

  His eyes widened. “Really?”

  “Yup. Just you and me.” A smile spread easily across my face.

  “See you soon, baby. Don’t think too much.” DeSean leaned in and kissed me on the lips, which felt so nice but surprised me all the same.

  When they left, I locked up behind them and watched as they drove away. And when they were out of sight, I realized I had mixed feelings. I liked the thinking space, but hated being in the house by myself. It wasn’t a home yet and it most definitely wasn’t mine. So, I read to stay busy. I scheduled posts on my travel blog. I planned dream vacations. And then I ate lunch, all while watching the clock like it was my job.

  I checked my phone and found no missed calls, no texts. I watched as the clock neared noon. And finally, at five minutes past twelve, I gave up and gathered my purse and paperwork, before leaving.

  The entire drive up to the courthouse, I checked my rearview mirror. Though I didn’t see anyone following me, I probably would be easily fooled. As I pulled into the parking garage, I started to breathe easier. I’d made it. So, I slipped out of the car, shut my car door, and opened the one to the backseat in order to gather my purse and the paperwork I’d packed. That’s when I heard the brakes squeal and I froze.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I recognized Trent’s truck and he had pulled up behind my vehicle, blocking me in while revving his engine. My heart was in my throat. The sound of my blood rushing through my veins filled my ears as the garage filled with emissions and his engine echoed through the cement structure. Suddenly, I wished I’d reached out to DeSean, but I was a coward. I didn’t want to be the nagging woman in his life. And I didn’t want to appear weak. I was going to show DeSean he was being overprotective. Hello pride, meet your fall. I refused to look at Trent, refused to let him see my fear. After what seemed like forever, Trent sped off and I started to breathe again. I finished locking my vehicle and made my way through the garage toward the elevator when a hand grabbed my arm. Stiffening, I whipped around and came face to face with Trent.

  “Why are you ignoring me?” he asked angrily.

  “I don’t have to talk to you, Trent. We’ll talk in mediation. Go, please.” I tried to puff out my chest and act tough. What had DeSean said in class? Behave like a victim, become a victim.

  “Why do we need mediation? Why can’t we just work this out?” He released my arm, but threw his hands in the air, his frustration obvious.

  “We tried that. It didn’t work. I’ll see you in there.” I paused, hoping he’d pass me, but he stood staring at me. I hadn’t entirely recovered from my earlier fear. Suddenly, I was all too painfully aware of how alone we were and how vulnerable I was.

  Trent took yet another step toward me, all while I slowly backed away. Just a few steps later, I was backed against a cement column. I closed my eyes, remembering the times he had lost his temper and figuring this was how it ended for me. How far would Trent go to avoid the divorce?

  15

  DeSean

  * * *

  I was late.

  The meeting with Paxton went longer than expected. We ended up on the phone with the producer’s assistant and next thing I knew, it was well past noon. I knew Tegyn. She wouldn’t be home waiting. She’d said as much. So instead, I drove the short distance to the parking garage, made my way to the top and used my binoculars to scope her out on her way into town. I expected to meet her inside the parking garage and surprise her, let her know I hadn’t forgotten her. I didn’t want to call he
r or text her while she was driving. There were texting laws in North Carolina.

  Sure enough, within minutes, I’d spotted her vehicle. She seemed calm enough behind the wheel. I watched her turn into the parking garage and was about to start my descent to the lower floors to meet up with her when I saw another vehicle turning in, a big black truck.

  This shouldn’t have come as a surprise. I knew he was going to be here because they had mediation scheduled. Arriving right behind her could be a coincidence. But when I heard the motor revving seconds later, while I was still a floor above them, my heart started pounding in my chest. Once before, Tegyn and I been so close to having it all, only to have it snatched away. I suppose I half expected it to happen again. I’d never wanted anyone so much, never had a dream so big for myself in all my life. Everything else was stuff. Tegyn was what mattered. Maybe I didn’t deserve her, but I’d be damned if I’d let anyone harm her.

  By the time I reached the third level, I could see he’d parked and was catching up to her as she made her way toward the elevator to the street level. I trusted her. There was a possibility she could handle Trent herself. If I interfered, I could make her look weak, and she’d never forgive me. So, I hung back, but never let her out of my sight, even if she was unaware of my presence. As I neared, he had backed her into a pillar and I could see the fear in her eyes that she was so desperately trying to hide. I had to act.

  Within seconds, I had rushed toward them. I was acting purely on instinct, fueled by the audacity of the thought that someone might hurt Tegyn and the fear that I could lose her. Grabbing Trent by the neck, I backed him into a pillar several feet away. “What are you doing? I heard the lady ask you to leave her alone.” I glared at him.

  Tegyn froze, but I also heard her breathing slow and her shoulders heaved in response to my presence. “Mediation,” she mumbled.

  “Yeah. We have mediation.” Trent’s eyes were wide and he was struggling to catch his breath.