Page 43 of Twisted Fate

“Um, yea, she went to the restroom,” I stammered out, uncertainly. Charlie didn’t seem to notice my hesitation. She wiggled out of my grasp and pulled a stool up to the bar where the mixing bowl sat and waited for Delilah to return. She didn’t have to wait long. Delilah walked into the kitchen a moment later, face flushed, her long tresses piled atop her head in a messy bun. The blush staining her cheeks deepened when her gaze met mine. I couldn’t help the satisfied grin that tugged at my lips.

“Mornin’, sweet pea,” she said as she bent to place a kiss on the crown of Charlie’s head. They went about their morning routine as usual. Aside from the brief glances we shared, nobody would suspect what we’d just done. Charlie was just a kid, so she certainly didn’t notice.

But somebody else would.

It happened that weekend as the party began to wind down. It was Charlie’s birthday, and a small group of close friends and family gathered at my house to celebrate. Delilah went all out while decorating and even ordered a special mermaid themed cake. I’d tried to keep my distance all evening, so we didn’t raise any suspicions. She was already nervous about being there, worrying that someone would question her presence. But they all knew how close she’d grown to Charlie over the last several months and that she was Charlie’s bio mom. I hadn’t banked on anyone guessing what she meant to me.

“So how long have you been fucking the nanny?” My gaze snapped to Donny as he sidled up next to me, peering across the room where Delilah and Emily helped Charlie clip colorful little rhinestones to her hair. I had my sister-in-law to thank for that gift.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I ground out. My heart raced, worried he’d see right through me.

He chuckled and shook his head. Keeping his voice low, he said, “You two haven’t been able to keep your eyes off each other all night. It’s obvious to anyone who’s been paying attention that there’s something going on between you.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from spilling my guts and nodded toward the kitchen. He followed me in there and shut the door. I scrubbed my hand over my face and squeezed my eyes shut before staring up at the ceiling.

“It only happened just recently.”

“Okay,” he replied nonchalantly.

“Sarah hasn’t even been gone a year.” I began to pace as I made my confession, suddenly feeling like I needed to get it off my chest. “I didn’t mean for it to happen. I tried to keep things professional.” Nervously, I pulled my fingers through my hair. “But I’ve been lonely, you know?”

“Mmm, hmm,” Donny replied, nodding.

“And she’s so good with Charlie. She’s so good tome. Fuck, I probably would’ve starved to death if it hadn’t been for her.” He let out a soft laugh and stepped up to me, gripping me by the shoulders.

“Bro, I’m not here to judge you,” he assured me, and I searched his features. Sincerity and worry swirled in his deep brown gaze. “I just want you to be careful. This is a complicated situation.”

“I know,” I huffed in frustration, shaking my head.

“But it’s not necessarily a bad thing. You’re more alive than I’ve seen you in months. You no longer look like you’re ready to follow her to the grave. Just don’t rush things,” he warned. You’ve had a tough year. Give yourself some time.”

I nodded, and he released me, giving me a pat on the back. He was right. I needed to take my time and slow things down a bit. But now that I’d had a taste of Delilah, slowing down was the last thing on my mind.

38

Delilah

“This turned out to be a hit,”Vivian crooned as I gathered the paper plates and napkins from the table and stuffed them into the trash bag. “You did such a good job planning the party.” Everyone else was gone, but Vance’s mom had stayed to help clean up.

“Thanks, Mom,” Vance replied as she handed him the last of the silverware to place in the dishwasher. “But Delilah did most of the work.” I glanced at him, and my stomach dipped at the appreciative smile curving his lips.

Vivian noticed it too. “Well,” she huffed, seemingly annoyed with his praise, “it turned out great.” Her tight smile did little to hide her displeasure.

I finished clearing off the table and grabbed my purse. I needed to get out of here and away from Vivian’s keen eye. She already seemed suspicious, and I didn’t want to add fuel to the fire. “I should probably get going,” I said and headed for the door. “I’m just going to peek in on Charlie before I leave.” She was already asleep, but I didn’t want to leave without seeing her one last time. I bid them both goodbye, trying to ignore the frown tugging at Vance’s mouth, and headed for the stairs.

I tiptoed across the room and stood over Charlie’s bed, taking in the sight. Dark lashes fanned across her cheeks, and her tiny pink lips parted slightly as soft snores filled the room. She was still wearing her party hat, so I gently removed it and placed it on her nightstand. I brushed her mussed hair from her face and leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead.

I turned and walked across the room just as a dark silhouette filled the doorway. Startled, I halted in my tracks but relaxed when I saw it was Vance. “I don’t want you to go,” his deep voice rumbled.

“I can’t stay. Your mom—”

“She’s leaving,” he declared and stepped inside, shutting the door with a quiet click. My breath caught as his eyes flared, his gaze dropping to my mouth. “I’m not ready to give you up just yet.” He closed the distance between us and gripped the back of my neck, slamming his lips down on mine. An involuntary moan escaped me. He turned and pressed my back against the door, bracing one hand on the panel next to my head. “I need to be inside you. It’s all I’ve been able to think about.”

His mouth dropped to my neck, and I arched into him. I was seconds away from tearing his clothes off when his mom called from downstairs. “I’m heading out. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He waited for the sound of the front door closing before turning the knob. We spilled out into the hallway and crossed to the guest bedroom. His hands found the button on my shorts as my fingers slid beneath the hem of his shirt. We were nearly naked by the time we made it to the bed.

My pulse hummed, and goosebumps covered my arms. This was really happening again. We’d barely had a moment alone together since our brief encounter on his desk. Sex hadn’t been an option all week, and I craved his touch. I wanted all of him. The quick release he’d given me was great, but I needed more. I needed to feel him moving inside me, to watch him come unraveled as we fell over the edge together. I’d gone so long without feeling this way, and now that I’d reclaimed what had been lost, I was insatiable.

Vance’s rough hands slid up my sides and around to my back. He unclasped my bra, and I let it fall to the floor. Swallowing hard, he took in my full, round breasts and the pink tips that ached for his mouth to close over them. Slowly he lowered himself to his knees and reached for my hips, slipping his fingers beneath the straps resting there. He slid the material down my legs at an agonizingly slow pace, and I squirmed impatiently trying to work them off faster. He grinned up at me wickedly, his eyes filling with satisfaction.

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