Deceitfully (Sinfully Series) (19 page)

“Hey, peanut. This is Stella. She’s the girl who turned my world upside down and stole my heart.” He told her as they hugged it out. I stood there awkwardly waiting for their moment to be over so I could actually meet Payton. At least it had given me time to figure out the whole peanut and butter situation. It was cute and innocent.

Right?

“Of course! He’s told me so much about you, Stella, and can I say, the video chats don’t do you justice? You’re hot!” Payton exclaimed as she came in for a hug.

Okay. Maybe I liked her a little more now.

“Thank you. You, too. You don’t look like you’ve had a baby, either. I need to know your secret.” I tried playing nice because really, I was getting a good vibe from her.

“Ryder’s got me surfing with him again. That shit will wear you out, but it keeps me from having to slave at the gym. You guys ready?” Payton put her hands on her hips as she waited for Tate to put our stuff in the back. “Ryder will be home early, and I figured we could go out for Mexican tonight,” she said as she got back into the driver’s seat. I climbed into the backseat, found a sleeping baby in the middle, and was perfectly fine with the two of them catching up in the front.

Baby fever much?

LAST TIME I WAS in San Diego was for Payton’s baby shower. Her best friend had tried to get in my pants, and it was then that I realized how our friendship had morphed into what it was today. She had been huge back then, seemingly miserable from the extra weight. But seeing Payton now, she had fallen into motherhood quite nicely.

Stella would never know how much I hoped that the weekend would go smoothly. It would mean that my two worlds could collide and, after all the tragedy that had surrounded us lately, we were due for some good mojo. From the car ride over, it seemed like things were working in my favor, and I felt like I was finally able to let it all go and be happy with those who were around me.

The drive from the airport wasn’t too bad, and before long, we’d settled into Payton’s guest room, which was in another section of the home than where they were sleeping. Payton insisted that we stay and argued that if we were at a hotel, we’d be taking a taxi back and forth since we’d be spending the majority of our time at their home or with them. It was easier, just with less privacy, and in the end, Stella and I agreed. I texted Stella as we settled in on the couch while Payton changed Emilynn’s diaper on the floor.

Me: We can get creative

She giggled and texted back.

Stella: Or just quiet. There are locks on the door, right?

Me: I’d shove a chair under the doorknob if I had to. No naughty thoughts, miss

Stella: Psh, me? Never

I smiled, knowing full well that she was having the same thoughts as I was. The challenge had been accepted.

“Do you want to feed her?” Payton asked Stella with a coy smile to tell us that she knew what we were doing and that she approved. How did I get so lucky to have both of them in my life? With a timid nod but a cheeky grin, Stella sat back and held her hands out for the baby.

I watched as my best friend handed over her baby to the love of my life, and I felt my heartbeat pick up. Stella with tiny, little Emilynn in her arms, seeing the instant love and awe she held in her eyes—I wanted that. Did Stella? We were still a “new” relationship in social terms, but I knew she was it for me. She was loving and tender, someone who wanted to be seen for the goodness in her heart and to be accepted without judgment. I needed to know more about her past, but it never seemed to be the right time.

“Tate, look. She’s rooting for a bottle; she must be hungry,” Stella said with a quiet voice. Sweet Em had her mouth in an ‘O’ form, moving her head from side to side to try to find a source of food. It was fuckin’ cute as hell.

“Or maybe, she just wants her Uncle Tate. Come here, sweet pea.” I looked into Stella’s eyes to make sure she wasn’t going to bite my finger off for taking the baby from her, and when she gave me the look of approval, I took a hold of Em just under her arms and snuggled her into my chest. She smelled like cleanness and clouds, and I could picture myself falling asleep with one of my own on my bare chest while Stella laid beside us.

“You’re both perfect with her. So perfect, that if you wanted, you could watch her while I take a bath? I’ll be quick-ish,” Payton timidly asked, and I knew that she was probably dreaming of a little time alone to take care of herself.

Before I had a chance to respond, Stella answered that we’d love to and that was that. We were substitute parents for the next half hour, and all of a sudden, it scared the shit out of me. What if she shit her pants? Or threw up everywhere? Did she sleep? How did I know when she’d had enough milk?

“Oh, and Tristen might be by so if you hear the door open, don’t be alarmed. They seem to always make themselves at home when they stop by. They’ll have Jagger with them, too.” And with that, Payton was down the hall. Smart woman. She knew how unprepared I was for this.

Emilynn looked up at me and I stared down at her dark blue eyes, taking in the world. And me. She studied my face for a few long beats and then her face crumpled up and turned beet red, letting out a shrieking cry. Stella was laughing at the scene unfolding in front of her, but I felt as if maybe this was my chance to show her and myself that I could be that man someday.

Carefully, I stood up and started walking with Emilynn in a light rocking motion, singing
Baby Blue
by George Strait. My mom would play that song when I was younger when she thought we’d all gone to sleep. I was in luck; it calmed her down. By the chorus, she had a cute smile as she looked up at my face in wonder.

“That’s swoon-worthy right there. Ovaries are exploding because of how incredibly hot you are right now. I should warn you,” Stella softly stated as she came around and wrapped her arms around mine, watching Emilynn’s facial expressions with me now.

“We wouldn’t want that. You might need those in a few years.” I looked back and saw the perfect expression on her face. We were on the same page, wanting the same things in life.

“Ahh, very true. But really, the way you soothed her, most guys wouldn’t think of doing that the first time. I guess you had practice, growing up?”

“With my sisters, yeah. It’s been a while though so I’m rusty.”

It wasn’t but a few minutes later when Tristen, his wife, and their son came through the front door. Jagger immediately toddled over for Emilynn, giggling in excitement. I gave Emilynn over to Tristen, knowing that his son wanted to see the baby just as much as we did. Still too young to hold a baby without help, his wife got Jagger situated on the couch and Tristen brought Em over and sat down beside him, watching as he held onto her.

I gave Tristen a nod and introduced both of them to Stella, who was sitting on the other side of Jagger now. I had met them both before but didn’t have the opportunity to talk much. I knew Tristen managed a surf shop, and from what Payton had mentioned, his wife was volunteering at a women’s shelter to help provide support and guidance for someone who’d been through a rough time.

“How have you three been?” I asked as I took a seat in the recliner. I watched as Tristen took in the whole scene before settling on the other couch. The women were paying attention to the kids and had no idea we existed at that moment. Women and babies. It was their kryptonite.

“Pretty good. Been busy opening up a second location for the shop and staying long hours to get it done. She’s being the selfless one who is doing well in life. Jagger’s got himself quite the girlfriend in pre-school. He says he’s met
the one
. Other than that, not much.” Tristen laughed as he talked about Jagger. From the last time I’d seen them together, they seemed more mature. I guessed that was what happened when you settled down and had a family.

“The one, huh? When you know, you know, I guess. Payton should be out soon. Are you able to stay and have dinner with us? I think she mentioned Mexican?” I asked to the room, hoping it wouldn’t be a problem but wanting to extend the invitation to all get together. It was Payton’s birthday in just over a week, and it’d be nice to have everyone together. Granted, I wasn’t part of the normal gang, but they knew of me.

His wife looked over at Tristen and nodded her head. The way he stared at her oozed love and affection. I could practically feel the chemistry from here, and it only made me turn to Stella, who’d been quiet since they’d arrived. I couldn’t blame her. Payton needed to get back out here, as she was the common denominator in our situation.

“Sure. Jagger-man, you want some enchiladas?” she asked, and he immediately started bobbing his head. That was easy.

We all hung out together, chatting about random happenings that we’d encountered during the week until Payton eventually greeted us again with her presence. You could see the relief that came from her half hour bath. Her shoulders were straighter, her hair and make-up done, and she was back to the girl I knew way back when. Minus the rendezvous and random trips to Vegas.

“Shit. You guys probably think I’m a terrible friend. You guys don’t really know each other very well. My bad.” Payton scrunched up her face, but by now, we were all fast friends. She walked in and got comfortable, keeping a watchful eye on her baby.

“I knew Tate from the baby shower. Chloe might have talked about him—no joke—the whole damn day. Thankfully, she’s happy with Owen or you might have had a situation to handle, Tate.” She joked but now that I thought about it, Chloe’s name did ring a bell from the baby shower. She was one of Payton’s best friends. I didn’t remember talking with her much though, only a few innocent encounters. Funny how interpretations of events were so different from one view to another.

“Ryder said he’d meet us at the restaurant. Ready to go?”

“Yep. Oh, can they come too?” I asked as I pointed towards Tristen and his family. Running my hands over my hair, I let her know that I had already invited them.

“Of course! I figured they’d come along anyways.” Payton tucked her phone into her pocket and walked over to pick up Emilynn. “Whew! How did you sit next to her, smelling like that?” She held up her baby under the armpits, holding her out a good foot in front of her. She carried her into her bedroom, but not before we’d all gotten a whiff.

We all laughed lightly, watching her go. This was a good group of people. I wished I didn’t live so far away from them, but when I really thought about it, I always felt like an outsider in the group. I was friends with Payton through her old life and Ryder was her new life. Ryder and Tristen had been friends forever it seemed. So where did I fit in? I was the guy who hooked up with Payton and had no real ties to San Diego besides her.

I could feel Stella’s eyes on me. Glancing over, I knew that she had caught my unease. She gave a crooked smile and made the shape of a heart with her hands. My own heart started beating faster and wilder for her. I had hoped that we would have alone time before going out with everyone, but it obviously wasn’t an option. Payton was gathering bottles and diapers to put in the diaper bag, and Tristen and his family were starting to get up off the couch.

I ached for Stella. The idea of not being able to have her right now was driving me mad, and I was getting desperate. With the shirt she was wearing, you could see the outlines of her light pink bra and her nipples were perky and pebbled. She wanted me, too. Or she was just cold, but I was going with the first one.

Following everyone else out the door, I held back just a bit, and as we walked through the front door, I wrapped my arms quickly around her waist and pulled her back against my front. Grinding my erection against her lower back, I groaned. “Tonight, you’re mine. First, with my tongue. Then, with my fingers, and finally, with my dick pounding into your tight pussy. I love you.”

“I love you too but not fair! How am I supposed to think clearly now?” She moaned out quietly.

“All’s fair in love and war. I want you to be squirming in need for me while we’re at dinner with everyone, craving release.”

“Do I have to be quiet?”

“Were you planning to wake the baby with your screams of ecstasy?” I asked, wondering how quiet we’d really have to be.

“Make love to me on the beach. It’s not too far from here; we can go for a late night walk.” Stella let on and started walking toward the car. I followed behind and prayed that dinner was quick.