Page 31 of Single Mom's Christmas Wish

They watch me basking in the afterglow. Sweat glistening down my breasts. Holy hell, it actually happened, and it is putting everything into a new and different light. My femininity blooms under their eyes, my curves summoning them closer as they lie beside me.

The sun kisses us through the giant windows.

“You do realize we’re nowhere near done with you, right?” Reed asks, planting a soft kiss on my temple.

I purr in his arms while Maddox plays with my nipples, and Archer twirls his fingers through my hair. “Well, sorry to break it to you, but you fellas have until noon to make me come at least a couple more times before I have to go. Still a single mom here, remember?”

“Don’t you worry, baby, you’re going to lose count of your orgasms by noon,” Archer laughs.

And as soon as he yanks me by the hair and gives me a wet and commanding kiss, I realize that the following couple of hours are about to turn into the most wonderful kind of torture. As long as they’re true to their word, and I lose track of my explosions, it will have been worth it.

I’ll worry about the potential consequences tomorrow.

10

Dakota

Late autumn in San Francisco is a beautiful sight to behold. The trees wear their gold and ruby crowns while the temperatures begin a slow but steady drop. The evenings are slightly cooler, and the early mornings find me looking for a sweater before I go out into the world. I’ve got a smile on my lips and a perk in my step—things that were missing before—especially right after I moved back here.

The divorce took its toll on me. My presence in court was barely needed because Keith didn’t object to anything, probably because he already knew he wasn’t going to be performing his duties as a father. It was the end of an era, the finale of something I never imagined would crumble the way it did. My happily ever after had vanished into thin air, and while I made the most of every situation, part of me wondered if I’d ever experience true happiness again.

Then, I accidentally walked into a Single Dads Club meeting, and everything changed.

Reed, Archer, and Maddox are truly something else. Their words match their actions. They lead with integrity and determination.They pay attention to my needs and wants. I’m not used to any of it, which further proves that my relationship with Keith was not meant to be. With the Faulkner triplets, it’s different.

“How’s the little princess this morning?” Chelsea asks, pouring herself a second cup of coffee. “Still sore after yesterday?”

“Oh, yeah. But I’m pretty sure we’ve got a future soccer star in our midst,” I quip.

Chelsea and I have made it a habit of spending our Sunday mornings together at my place. She loves coming over because most of the house is the same as it was fifteen years ago, and if anybody enjoys a trip down Nostalgia Boulevard, it’s my bestie.

“What did the coach say?” she asks while I check my purse to make sure I have everything I need for the store, including the grocery list on my phone. “Does he want Maisie on the team?”

“The coach was delighted with her performance, and he’s ready to welcome her to the team as soon as next week. He thinks she’s got what it takes. But what matters most to me is that she likes it.”

“Babe, you’re already doing so much; don’t you think you’re pushing yourself a little too hard? Maisie is growing up just fine.”

“She deserves this. Just as she deserves to get into Prescott Academy, I’ll get her there in two years, tops. I will.”

“Dakota, that place takes a lot of money you don’t have. You can barely afford to keep this house,” Chelsea gives me a sober reminder.

My stomach churns, and I take a deep breath. Every muscle in my body aches after last night. I went all-in with the Faulknertriplets, and boy, do they love wearing me out. Not that I have any regrets. What we’re building is special. Different and scandalous, sure, but it’s special. Beautiful. It just takes a lot more caffeine for me to handle the day after.

“Yeah, I know. I’m not sure how much longer I can do that, either,” I say with a low, trembling voice.

“Oh, no. Did the bank call you again?”

“Five times last week. I keep putting them off because they are asking me to commit to specific payment dates. I can’t do that; it’s not how my bar gigs work. There are weeks when I’m virtually free and dirt-poor, and then there are weeks when I barely have time to clean up after dinner before getting Maisie ready for bed.”

Chelsea gives me a worried look. “How much do you need to bring the payments up to date?”

“A lot. Trust me, you don’t want to know.”

“Yet you keep investing in Maisie,” she sighs, her shoulders dropping slightly.

“I will always invest in Maisie. Worst case, I lose the house and end up paying rent somewhere. It won’t be the end of the world.” I try to play it off, but both Chelsea and I know what a devastating blow that would be. Sally’s house on the market. And for what? All because Keith had wild dreams to chase after in Los Angeles, and I was dumb enough to believe he could actually make it big. “Maisie is my first priority. Always. Her education, her happiness, her health.”

“At what cost, though? If you’re not okay, you can’t really provide for Maisie the way she deserves to be provided for.”

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