We both climbed into the Range Rover, and I sat there with my hands on the wheel. I looked over at Ellery as she looked at herself in a small mirror. When she stopped looking at herself, she turned her eyes to me.
“What?” she asked.
“I can’t believe what Cassidy did in there.”
“Why? She saw a hot guy and she took advantage of the situation.”
“Oh, so you think he’s hot?”
“Yeah, he’s cute,” Ellery replied as she put on her lipstick.
“I bet you thought he was hot back in college too,” I said as I pulled out of the parking space.
“Are you jealous because I said he was hot, Mr. Black?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not jealous.”
“Yes, you are. I can tell by that look on your face.” She smiled.
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”
“Okay, babe, but there’s no need for you to be jealous. You know I think you’re the sexiest man alive,” she said as she stroked my cheek and gave me a small smile.
I smiled and we drove home. Ellery became impatient with the traffic because she wanted to get back to Julia. We didn’t talk about the meeting, but I could tell Ellery was upset about it. I didn’t want her involved in this at all. If I had my way, she wouldn’t know anything. I only wanted to protect me and shield her from this bullshit. She didn’t deserve to have to go through this because of my past mistakes and poor judgment.
When we arrived at the penthouse and the elevator doors opened, Ellery threw her purse on the table and walked into the living room. Mason was sitting on the floor and had Julia under her play gym. I walked over to the bar and poured myself a scotch. I pulled out my phone and sent a text message to Cassidy.
“Why did you need to see me earlier?”
“I wanted your opinion on a color for the office I’m redoing.”
“Then you should have stuck around instead of chasing after that guy.”
“Lol, Connor. Tell Ellery I’ll call her later. Bye.”
I shook my head and set my phone down on the bar. I stared across the room at Ellery as she sat on the floor and played with Julia. She looked up at me with her beautiful eyes and a small smile graced her face. Mason got up from the floor and said that he needed to go. He picked Julia up, kissed her, and then kissed Ellery goodbye. I gave him a simple wave from across the room and told him to take care. When he left, Ellery came walking over to me with Julia. I took the baby from her, kissed her head, and held her in my arms.
“I want to talk to Mason about working for us as Julia’s nanny,” Ellery said.
“What? I thought you didn’t want a nanny for Julia.”
“I didn’t at first, but did you see how he was with her? He’s a natural, and Julia seems to really like him. Plus, it’s time for me to start painting again and, with the whole Ashlyn ordeal, I’m going to need help.”
I smiled as I pushed back a strand of her blonde hair. “I’m happy you’ve decided that you needed help, and I think Mason would be perfect.”
“Good. I’ll set up lunch and discuss it with him.” She smiled.
“I thought we were having dinner with him and Landon tonight.”
“Landon told Mason they’d have to take a rain check because they have some event with the modeling agency to attend tonight.”
“Grab Julia’s diaper bag and car seat. We’re going out to dinner,” I said.
“Good, then we need to stop at the store and pick up some diapers and formula,” she said as she walked away.
***
We put Julia in the Range Rover and drove to the restaurant. As we were eating, she decided she was hungry and started to scream. Ellery instantly took her from her seat as people in the restaurant started to stare. I grabbed a bottle from the diaper bag and handed it to Ellery as fast as I could. The second the bottle hit Julia’s mouth, she stopped crying. We both let out a sigh of relief. It didn’t last long, because when Ellery went to burp her, she screamed the minute the bottle came out of her mouth. This was an upscale restaurant and the patrons weren’t happy that their quiet dinner was being interrupted by a screaming baby. I gave Ellery a look indicating that she needed to do something.
“What do you want me to do, Connor?” she growled.
“I don’t know; don’t burp her.”
“She has to be burped.”
Suddenly, Ellery looked over at the couple that was sitting at the table next to us and staring. “What? Have you never heard a baby cry before? Turn yourselves around and mind your own business.”
“Ellery!” I snapped.
“You know what? I’m over this,” she said.
Ellery got up from the table and headed out of the restaurant. I sighed and called over the waitress for the bill. As soon as she gave it to me, I threw the money on the table and walked out after her. I found her walking down the street, carrying Julia over her shoulder. I quickly caught up with her.
“You know, that was inexcusable back there,” I said.
“I know it was, and I’m sorry,” she said as she kept walking.
I lightly took ahold of her ar
m. “Elle, stop and look at me. I love you, no matter how much you embarrass me.” I smiled. “It’s going to take time to adjust to having to go out with a new baby. We’ll make mistakes along the way, but we’ll get it right eventually.”
Ellery laughed when I said that. “Trial and error, right?”
“That’s right, baby, trial and error,” I said as I kissed her head.
She handed Julia to me and we walked back to the Range Rover. After we stopped at the store to pick up diapers and formula, we went home.
***
After we gave Julia a bath and changed her into her pajamas, I sat on the bed and fed her a bottle while Ellery took a shower. I stared down at her as she was looking up at me. She
had the same eyes as Ellery, which made me melt. This little girl was going to be my undoing, and I had a feeling she was going to take advantage of it when she was older.
“I think it’s time me and you had a talk, Julia. You’re beautiful just like your mommy and some issues are going to come up that we’re not going to see eye to eye on. The boys are going to fall all over you and they’re going to want to date you. I just want
you to know that you’re never allowed to date boys. You’re Daddy’s little girl, and you always will be. I should be the only man in your life. When I pass away, then you can date.”
“Connor!” I heard Ellery snap. “Don’t talk like that, and you cannot keep her from dating boys.” Ellery laughed.
“I can try, can’t I?” I smirked.
I put Julia over my shoulder and burped her. She laid her head down
on my shoulder and fell asleep. When I got up from the bed, I walked her over to Ellery so she could kiss her goodnight. When I approached the nursery, I carefully laid Julia down in her crib so as not to disturb her. I needed her to sleep so I could spend some alone time with my wife. Ellery was sitting on the edge of the bed with a towel wrapped around her, putting lotion on her legs.
“Let me do that for you.” I smiled as I took the bottle of lotion from her hands.
“You’re a bad boy, Mr. Black.”
“I fully intend to be, Mrs. Black.”
I squirted some lotion on my hands and began rubbing her leg. I moved my hands slowly up and down, applying a light pressure with my thumbs. As I began to rub the top of her foot, she threw head back and moaned.
“That feels so good, Connor,” she said.
My hands made their way to the sole of her foot. I smiled while I watched the look on her face. Pleasuring her was the only thing I wanted to do. Moving my thumbs up to her heel, I applied more pressure as I moved my thumbs in circles. Her groans grew louder as I reached the ball of her foot and massaged it deeply.
“Oh G
od, Connor. I could come right now.”
“Baby, don’t say things like that, and you better not. Not yet.”
Before massaging her toes, I took them in my mouth and lightly nipped at each one. I was driving her crazy, and I loved every minute of it. I put more lotion on my hands and started on her other leg and foot. As I reached her thighs, I pushed the edge of the towel back and began rubbing small circles all the way up, focusing on her inner thigh. Ellery’s moans grew louder as she lay all the way down on the bed. Since I couldn’t take my lips not touching her skin, I leaned forward and began to kiss each area of her thigh that I massaged. Taking her towel in my hands, I undid it, and I let it fall to the sides of her, exposing her fully naked body. My hands made their way up her torso as they clasped on to her beautiful breasts, pinching and kneading her hardened nipples.
“I’m so hard, Ellery. The things you do to me,” I whispered as my lips made their way up her thigh.
I pushed her legs further apart as she lay there, open, and begging me to make her come. My mouth explored her moist skin as my tongue lightly circled around her clit. I dipped my finger inside her as she lifted her hips and moved them around as my finger played inside her. I placed my thumb on her swollen clit and began to lightly rub it as her body stiffened and she grabbed each side of the bed. As she let out a scream of pleasure, my tongue licked its way up her breast and my mouth closed itself around her hard nipple. Ellery was panting and staring at me as I stood up and took down my pants and boxers. I smiled at her as she lifted her arms above her head and crossed her wrists. I slowly climbed on top of her and clasped her wrists tightly. She gasped as my hard cock, which sat between her legs, thrust into her. I leaned my face in closer and tugged at her bottom lip with my teeth as I pounded into her over and over again.
“Harder, Connor,” she begged.
I tightened the grip around her wrists and moved quickly in and out of her, smashing my mouth against hers in a passionate kiss. She swelled around me as her legs tightened and her body shook with ecstasy.
“Christ, baby,” I yelled as I exploded inside her.
As I collapsed on top of her, I let go of her wrists. She wrapped her arms around me and held me tight. I lifted my head and kissed her on the lips.
“Do you realize that we made it through a full round of sex without one whimper from our daughter?”
“I know. Wasn’t it wonderful?” She smiled.
“It sure was, baby.”
As my lips traced her jawline, we heard Julia whimper. We looked at the monitor and saw her stirring in her crib. I started to get up from the bed when Ellery grabbed my arm.
“Where are you going?”
“To check on Julia,” I said.
“Why? She’s only whimpering. Maybe she’s having a nightmare about you chasing all her boyfriends away.”
“Very funny, Ellery.”
“It’s okay, Connor. She’ll be fine. If she starts to scream, then we’ll get her, but until then, she’s just probably trying to get comfortable.”
I pulled on my boxers and lay back in bed. “You’re right, babe,” I said as I wrapped my arms around her and stared at my daughter through the monitor.
Ashlyn’s trial had been going on for a
bout three weeks, and Connor was under a lot of stress. Julia had started to sleep through the night, so that made things a little easier for us. Connor and I worked out at the gym every morning before he went to the office, and Mason watched Julia. He was so good with her, and it was easy to see how much he loved her. Landon confided in me that he was happy that we hired Mason as Julia’s nanny because all Mason had been talking about in California was adopting a baby, and Landon wasn’t ready for that kind of responsibility yet. So, taking care of Julia had kept Mason busy enough to get his baby fill.
It was a typical morning. Mason was downstairs with Julia. I was putting on my workout clothes and Connor was getting his things together for work. He seemed really on edge this morning
, and it was bothering me.
“Don’t forget we have Camden’s birthday party this weekend at your parents’ house,” I said casually to him.
“I don’t know if I can make it. With this trial and everything, I’m behind at the office, so I may have to work all weekend.”
I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his waist. “Camden will be crushed if you’re not there
, and you’ve never missed anything.”
He took a hold of my arms and removed them from his waist. “Don’t start with me, Ellery. I’ve got a lot going on right now.”
“Excuse me, Connor!” I snapped.
I sighed and walked out of the room. I didn’t want to start my day off with an argument
, and I needed to get to the gym because I was meeting Peyton for fittings and lunch. I went downstairs and into the kitchen. I grabbed my bag and kissed Julia goodbye.
“Mason, tell Connor that I already left.”
“Umm, all right, Elle. Have a good day,” he said.
I took the eleva
tor down and when the doors opened, Denny was standing there.
“Are you ready to go, Ellery? Where’s Connor?” he asked.
“Who cares, and I’m taking a cab. Bye, Denny,” I said as I stepped onto the sidewalk and hailed a cab.
***
I was on the treadmill in the gym, listening to my iPod, when Connor stepped on the treadmill next to me.
“You never cease to amaze me. I hope you know that,” he said.
“Sorry, can’t hear you. Music’s playing,” I said loudly.
“Ellery, take out the damn ear phones.”
I rolled my eyes and took them out. “There. Happy?”
He shook his head as he ran on the treadmill. “Why the hell would you not wait for me?”
“Because you were being an ass and giving me an attitude.”
“All I said was that I didn’t think I was going to be able to make it to Camden’s party.”
“You told me not to start with you in an irritated tone. So, I left because I didn’t want to bother you.”
“Baby, you weren’t
bothering me.”
“And you’re not talking to me. I know you’re not telling me things
, and it’s eating you up inside.”
“I don’t want to discuss this any further right now, especially here,” he said.
I shook my head, and I got off the treadmill. “Fine. I’m going over to the spin bike.”
I walked across to the other side of the gym where a row of spin bikes sat. I knew Connor wouldn’t come over there because he hated the spin bikes. He was irritating me with his attitude and not wanting to talk about the trial. I could understand him being upset and trying to protect me, but he needed to understand that I didn’t need protecting. I was a big girl and I could handle it. What I couldn’t handle was him neglecting his family.
I stayed on the bike for about forty-five minutes, and then I looked around for Connor. I went to his usual machines but he wasn’t around. I saw Toby, one of the personal trainers, and asked him if he’d seen Connor. He said he that he’d left already. My blood started to boil as anger shot through my body. I couldn’t believe that he left without saying goodbye. I stomped off to the locker room, grabbed my phone from my locker, and quickly sent him a text message.
“You’re an asshole.”
“If you say so,”
he replied.
I rolled my eyes.
I didn’t have time for this. I needed to shower quickly and meet Peyton down the street in less than an hour. After I finished getting dressed, I packed up my bag and left the gym. When I walked out the door, I saw Denny leaning up against the limo. I couldn’t help but smile at this all-too-familiar sight.
“Denny, what are you doing here?
”
“Just seeing if you need a ride home.”
“Thank you, but I’m meeting Peyton down the street.” I smiled as I started to walk away.
“Ellery!” Denny called out.
I stopped, turned around, and looked at him.
“You know that you and Julia are the things that matter
s most to Connor.”
“I know that, Denny,” I said as I looked down.
“He may not always be right, but he loves you more than his own life, and he would do anything to protect you.”
Tears began to fill my eyes as I looked
up to keep them from falling. I walked over to where Denny was standing, and I gave him a hug.
“I love him more than life too,” I whispered in his ear.
Denny kissed me on the cheek and smiled. “Go on and get out of here.”
Smiling back, I turned away and walked down the street to the café where I was meeting Peyton. Upon arrival, I stepped inside and saw her sitting down at a table.
“There you are. What took you so long?” she asked.
“Ugh. I’ve had a bad morning, thanks to my husband,” I said as I dug for my phone in my purse.
“What did he do? He’s too perfect to cause you to have a bad day.”
“Hold on, I need to text him.”
“I just wanted you to know that I don’t think you’re an asshole and I love you.”
Within seconds, a reply from him came through.
“I love you too and we’ll talk when I get home. See if Mason can watch Julia tonight and we’ll go out; just the two of us.”
“Elle, what’s wrong? You look like you’re stressed,” Peyton said as she pushed a cup of coffee towards me.
“Connor’s been under a lot of pressure with this trial, and he’s been uptight and irritable lately. I need to do something.”
“What do you want to do?”
I had the idea in my head that if I went to the jail and paid a visit to Ashlyn that maybe we could talk, woman to woman, and I could convince her to change her plea. I know, wishful thinking, but it was worth a try.
“Are you busy tomorrow?” I asked as I looked at Peyton.
“No, why? What are you planning to do?” she asked with knitted eyebrows.
“I want to go to the jail and pay Ashlyn a little visit.”
Peyton’s eyes widened. “Are you fucking crazy?!” she voiced rather loudly.
“Peyton! Keep your voice down!”
“Sorry, but you’re crazy. Connor will kill you, Elle.”
“I’ll handle Connor
, and he won’t know anyway. I just want to pay a friendly visit, woman to woman.”
Peyton kept shaking her head. I knew she didn’t agree with me, but she was the only person I could trust.
“Whatever, Ellery. I’ll go with you, but I don’t agree.”
“Thank you.” I smiled.
We got up from our seats and headed to the bridal shop for our fitting. As I saw Peyton step out of the dressing room in her wedding dress, my eyes began to fill with tears. She looked stunning, and it reminded me of the day Connor and I were married. I hated the way we left things, and I needed to stop by Black Enterprises to see him. As the tailor was pinning my dress, I called Mason to check on Julia. I missed her terribly.
“Hello, doll face. If you’re calling about the princess, she’s wonderful. We’re getting ready to go to the park.”
“Hi, Mason. I’m calling to see if you could babysit her tonight while Connor and I go out.”
“Of course I can. I’ll watch her at my place and then Landon can have some Julia time too!”
“Thanks. I’ll be home in a while,” I said as I hung up.
***
I told Peyton we needed to stop at Connor’s office for a minute because I needed to pick something up. She gave me a look of disbelief. I never could pull anything over on her. We stepped off the elevator and headed down the hallway towards Connor’s office. Valerie was sitting at her desk.
“Hi, Ellery.” She smiled as she looked up at me.
“Hi, Valerie. Is he in there?”
“Yes, he is. Do you want me to tell him you’re here?”
“No, I’ll surprise him.”
“He’s in a mood today,” she said.
“I know he is,” I said as I put my hand on the handle. “Peyton, I’ll only be a few minutes.”
I slowly turned the handle and opened the door. Connor was looking down at some papers.
“Valerie, I thought I gave strict instructions that I didn’t want to be bothered,” he said in an irritated tone without looking up.
“Even for your wife?” I smiled.
Connor looked up and a smile lit up his face. He got up from his desk and walked towards me. I subtly locked the office door and met him halfway across the room. As I approached him, he wrapped his arms tightly around me.
“What are you doing here, baby?”
“I just needed to hug you and tell you that I’m sorry for everything that happened today.”
“Baby, there’s no need to apologize. I’m the one who’s sorry,” he said as he rubbed his cheek through my hair. “Where’s Peyton? I thought you had plans with her.”
“She’s waiting outside the office. I told her I’d be quick.” I smiled as I started to unbuckle his belt.
Connor’s smile grew as he looked at me. “Make up sex, eh?”
“You bet, and I can’t wait until tonight,” I said as I unbuttoned his pants, took them down, and pushed him on the couch.
He sat there staring at me as I did a little strip dance. “Oh, God, Elle.”
As I smiled and climbed on top of him, he grabbed my hips and gently eased me down onto him.
“You’re already so wet,” he whispered as he took my nipple in his mouth.
“That’s what you do to me, babe. You don’t even have to touch me. Your looks are more than enough.”
As I began to slowly thrust my hips back and forth, Connor threw his head back and a soft moan came from the back of his throat. He was so hard as I moved my hips around in a circular motion, slowly and fluently. He took his hand and reached down for my clit. I grabbed it as I looked at him and winked.
“Put your hands behind your head, Mr. Black.”
“You’re a bad girl, Ellery.”
“I fully intend to be.” I smiled as I reached over.
As I held onto his wrists, my breasts brushed up against his face. He moaned as he took turns sucking each nipple. Reaching one hand behind me, I softly caressed his balls as his body tightened.
“That’s it, baby, I can’t hold it anymore,” he whispered.
Suddenly, I felt a warm sensation shoot into my body as I dug my nails into him and released myself all over him.
“Damn it, Ellery, you’re making me want to come again.” He smiled.
As I buried my face into his neck and tried to catch my breath, he whispered, “You’re fucking amazing.”
I looked at him and kissed him on the lips as I put my hands on each side of his face. “Now, I can go about my day.” I smiled.
He laughed and shook his head as I got off of him. I stood up a
nd quickly pulled on my clothes. As I walked to the door, I put my hand on the handle, stopped, and turned around.
“I’ll bill you for services rendered.” I winked as I walked out the door.