Fighting Temptation (8 page)
Read Fighting Temptation Online
Authors: S.M. Donaldson
Daria
As soon as Cade walks out of the room, everyone looks at me. Finally, Cade’s mom, Lydia, gives me a hug. “Daria, honey, it’s so good to see you again. I know it’s just been a few weeks, but after not seeing you for so long I’m happy to see you.”
I hug her back. “It’s good to see you, too.” She looks down at the baby in my arms. “He’s just so precious.” She wipes a stray tear from her face. “I’m glad to see you hanging around. They all missed you and they all love you. I know one in particular that is very fond of you.”
“Yes ma’am. I’m working on myself. Cade and I are working on some issues. But you will be very happy to know he made me eat a full breakfast this morning.”
“I know. Trust me, I’m trying to put weight back on. I don’t want to have to buy a new wardrobe.”
She smiles. “I just want you to know,” she pauses, trying to fight back tears it seems, “That to me, you are just like the rest of these kids. Now that you are in my life, I couldn’t imagine it without you. I mean that. If things work out between you and Cade, fine. If they don’t, please don’t ever disappear again.” She wipes her tears and pulls me into a hug, with the baby between us.
“Okay. Now, baby hog, give me my little man back.”
“Ha! Who are you calling baby hog? I just got him.”
I pair of man’s hands swoops between us. “You are both baby hoggers and I’m taking my godson for a little while.”
“Considering you just rolled your mother and I for a baby. You straight up baby napped him from me.”
Russ steps over by Cade. “Cade and I decided on our coffee adventure that, being as he and I are both great influences, he and I will be co-godfathers. Marsh will have two godfathers and no godmothers. He’ll be so busy with Cade and me, he won’t have time for girls for a long time.”
Gabby laughs. “You two idiots know that godparents are supposed to be good influences, morally and socially, right?”
“Just what are you trying to say?” “That we aren’t sure who we are choosing for godparents just yet. Take it easy and share my baby with everyone.”
We spend the rest of the day hanging out with everyone at the hospital. Then I take Cade to get his car. As he gets out of my car, he leans back in.
I smile. “I really am trying. I just can’t promise anything.”
“I know, sweetheart, I know.”
I sit there for a second. “Hey, Cade?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you wanna grab a pizza or something and come watch movies with me?”
“Sounds good. You head on home. I need to swing by my place. I want to change into some comfortable clothes. You wanna just have a pizza delivered when you get there?”
He smiles. “Okay, see you soon.”
I pull out of the parking lot smiling. I am actually smiling. I can’t let my emotions get the best of me, though. I have to take this slow with Cade. Even though my heart is screaming have babies and grow old with him, my brain says I’ll never have that with someone. As long as my father is who he is, my life will never be normal.
“Daria, its Dad.”
“Hey, when did you get a new phone?”
“Oh my phone was damaged and I’m waiting on my new one to come in. So I’m using one of my business phones.”
“I am not going to call it that. What I’m calling about is that I will be in town for a few days on business and I would like to have dinner.”
“Okay, that sounds fine.”
“No, Dad. You know them even being associated with me is risky enough.”
“Okay. Well, what about the young man I met before?”
“How do you even know that I’m speaking to him?”
“I check everything all the time. Remember?”
I sigh. “Yes. I do. I’ll ask him. I’m not promising anything.”
“Fair enough. I’ll be in touch.”
~*~*~
It’s a lways weird walking into my apartment. I mean, I know it’s my place, but it never feels like home. I order some pizza so it will be here soon. Then, I decide to go ahead and grab a shower and get into some pajamas before Cade gets here.
Standing in the shower with the warm spray hitting my face, I start to think about my life. How can so many things happen to one person? I feel like I’m like an unlucky penny or something. Then my thoughts drift to Cade and, as much as I want to see how badly this could be, I love being with him. I love the way he touches me, the way he puts his hand in the small of my back when we walk, the way he talks dirty to me when we are having sex. His smell turns me on instantly.
I realize that, while I’ve been thinking about Cade , I’ve started making slow circles around my clit. As I start to move a little faster, someone clears his throat behind me.
“Would you like some help?”
I sigh as I watch Cade slip out of his lounge clothes and step in my shower. Once he’s in, his mouth goes directly to my nipple and his fingers delve between my legs. His lips start down my stomach until he reaches the apex between my legs. He sits me back on the shower bench and begins slowly licking and sucking the juices from my folds.
“Mmm, baby, you are so sweet.”
The vibration of his lips almost sends me over the edge. “Fuck, Cade.”
When he starts using his fingers, too, I’m gone. I explode all over him. We get wrapped up in each other’s mouths. I stand up and push him down on the bench, dropping to my knees to take him in my mouth.
“Shit, Daria. Oh God, baby, I missed this. Shit. That feels so good.” He tries to push my face back. I know he’s about to come, so I just keep right on doing what I’m doing. “Fuck, baby, I’m about to come.”
With my mouth still on his cock, I look up. “Mmm hmm.” After that little vibration, he’s a goner. He pulls me to my feet and sits me in his lap. I lean my head in to his chest and sit there in the afterglow.
Cade
Pulling into to Daria’s parking area, I notice all of the security cameras and a few security guards. I’m glad her dad at least took that into consideration. Considering that, if it wasn’t for his ass, she wouldn’t need all of this. Her life wouldn’t be nearly as complicated as it is.
I knock on her front door, but she doesn’t answer.
Maybe she’s in the bathroom or something
. I use her code after I open the door.
No answer. I hear the shower running. I should wait out here, but I can’t. I think about her naked body all soapy.
I slip into her bathroom and quietly pull open the shower door. I get the biggest turn on of my life. She’s standing there with her leg on the bench, rubbing her clit. I can’t help myself
She spins around. “What the hell?”
“Would you like some help?”
~*~*~
After we’ve both gotten off in the shower, we take our time drying each other off.
I hear a buzzer. “Daria, do you hear that?”
“Oh shit! The pizza. I forgot. It must be my security guy.”
She steps out into the hall where there is an intercom. “Yes?”
“Ms. Jones, there is a delivery from Jo Jo’s Pizza. Did you want us to send him to your door?”
“Yes. That will be fine. Thank you.” I pull on my boxers and lounge pants. Looking over at her, I tell her, “I’ll get the door.”
She smiles, towel drying her hair. “Okay, I laid some money with a coupon thing on the counter in there. They owe me a free pizza since mine was cold and turned bottom side up the last time they delivered.”
I shake my head and leave the bathroom, pulling my shirt on at the same time. I answer the door, put the pizza on the counter in the kitchen, and search for plates and cups. I look around her kitchen, I know Daria; those things are normally in close proximity to the microwave. Jackpot.
I check the fridge to see what she has to drink. Yep just as I suspected a fridge full of Dr. Pepper. I grab a couple and set them on the table. She walks in the kitchen wearing a pair of Betty Boop pajamas. Damn, I want to rip her clothes off again.
I chuckle. “Yeah. You’re pretty predictable as to where your things are located in a kitchen. Also, what beverage there will be plenty of.”
I nod. “Yep. I bet, if I open that cabinet above the fridge, I’ll find three boxes of cereal.” Holding my fingers up as I count, “1, Honey Nut Cheerios; 2, Frosted Mini Wheats; and 3, Crunch Berries.”
~*~*~
After trying to decide for ten minutes what to watch, we pick the movie
Step-Brothers
. I settle into the couch. She sits on the other end with her feet in my lap. When we’ve both finished our pizza, I look over at her. She smiles. “What?”
I shake my head. “Nothing. I’m glad to see you are getting your appetite back. Don’t get me wrong. You’re always sexy, but I miss your curves.”
“No, I’m just honest.”
“Yeah, well, if I’m being honest, I miss my curves, too. None of my clothes fit. I feel like a slob in my jeans. I am trying to put some weight back on.”
“Good. Now come down here with me.”
“Hmm.”
“Are you sure you really want to try to do this again? This thing with me and you.”
“Yes. Daria, I love you and I let my insecurities get in my way before, but I can’t do that again. I can’t live without you again.”
“Us? As in
both
of us?”
“Yes. If you don’t feel comfortable with it, I understand.”
“No, I want to go. I’m just... I just... I don’t know if I can be nice to him. With everything that he put you through.”
She giggles. “I know you have a thing for cartoon strippers.”
~*~*~
I walk into the restaurant, prepared to meet Sam Broxton officially for the first time. I was in such shock the first time I met him that I just shook his hand and went into Daria’s bedroom. I was so angry. I’m still angry, but this time it’s at him for what he’s done.
This place is straight out of an old gangster movie. It’s called Tony’s. The inside has red high back semi-circle booths. I’m waiting to see some old guy with a mustache trying to make me an offer I can’t refuse. I am definitely not surprised when we are taken to a table in a quiet part of the restaurant, all to itself.
As Daria’s dad stands up to hug her, he doesn’t look like a gangster. He’s in his mid-fifties with a pot belly. I’m pretty sure he’s wearing an Eli western shirt and Wrangler jeans. But he’s a desk cowboy, you can tell. His hands don’t look like they’ve worked outside.
I shake his hand. “Cade Johnson.”
We sit down and the waitress comes to get our drink orders. Normally, I would just order a beer or a sweet tea, but tonight is going to call for something stronger. “I’ll have a Jack and Coke.”
“ So, Cade, I see you guys are shaping up to be a pretty good team this year. Both of those Addison boys comin’ back?”
“Do you have any intentions of going pro?”
I shake my head. “No, sir, not re ally. If they approach me, I’ll talk with them. Right now, though, I’m just concentrating on my education. I would like to continue on into sports medicine.”
“I have some friends involved with the NFL. I know a couple of the owners. An opportunity with the NFL could bring bright things for your future.”
I look at him, seething. “So could a career in sports medicine.”
Daria tenses beside me. She changes the subject. “Are you guys ready to order? I’m starving.”
Daria
To say there is tension between my dad and Cade is putting it lightly. I can tell Cade wants to rip my dad’s head off. Meanwhile, my dad is too busy trying to recruit Cade for the NFL because of the money. He doesn’t see how much disdain Cade has for him.
Cade blames my father for a lot. In most cases, he’s justified, but it’s like my therapist said. “It’s not a good idea to think that way. Blaming him is looking for an out in being responsible for one’s own actions.” Hence, my snorting coke up my nose at seventeen and blaming him for it.
“I’m thinking about the Bistecca Fiorentina.”
My dad nods. “Very good choice; the steak here is great quality. I’ll be having the same.”
After what feels like a very uncomfortable eternity, our food is brought out. My dad finally looks to me. “Daria, I wanted to talk to you about my retirement plans. Once we are finished eating, I’d like to talk with you.”
I stop eating and shake my head. “Excuse me? I’m sure you just said something about retiring. Did I hear you correctly?”
I nod. “Why don’t you just follow us back to my place?”
Cade looks at me. “I think your father means
private
private. Like for your ears only. Why don’t I drive your car back to your place and you can ride with your father and talk along the way?”
I know it’s not really Cade understanding as much as it is the fact that he doesn’t want to be around my father or hear what he has to say about his business.
As we pull out of the parking lot, I figure I might as well go ahead and get into this. “So talk to me about your retirement plans. How are you even able to retire? I mean, your ‘business associates,’ do they allow that sort of thing?”
“Yes and no. I’ll be working with the authorities. That isn’t something I even want your mother or Jim to know. This will be very risky for me and I don’t really want you guys in danger. I’ll be moving away; you and you alone will know how to contact me. That doesn’t mean you’ll know where I am.”
“I’m really not sure you should do this. I know you want to get out of this, but can’t you just retire to your property in Costa Rica or something?”
“Sweetie, you don’t understand. I’m alre ady caught. The authorities already have evidence against me, so I can do this, or I can go on the run. To be quite honest, I’m tired of living this life. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed the money, but as much as I have put you and your mother through, I regret it. If I had it to do all over again, I’d still be with your mother and you wouldn’t have been through everything that you’ve been though. I’ll still make sure you are taken care of before I get out of pocket.”
“Dad, that’s not important. I’m worrie d about you. What happens if they find out? I mean, let’s be brutally honest here. I know, and you know, there is law enforcement on the payroll, so how can they guarantee your safety?”
“There have been some special measures put into place to take care of you and your mother. To ensure your safety. My safety measures will be of my own accord. Some agencies, not local ones, have helped me make some plans.”
“So when are you going to do this?” “Within the next few weeks. I have to find some info on a couple of things going down. Then I report in to the feds.”
We pull into my apartment complex. “I understand. I just wish there was another way for you to do this. Promise me we’ll do lunch or something once more before you are out of pocket.”
“Dad, I love you.”
“I love you, too, sweetie.”
~*~*~
Cade meets me at the door of my apartment. He pulls me into a hug. “Everything okay?”
“I think so. Can you stay with me again tonight? I seem to sleep better and without nightmares when you are here.”
“Yeah, I’m just a little sad. After my dad retires, he’s moving.”
“Just because he moves doesn’t mean that we won’t be able to visit him.”
“Actually, it does. Don’t ask me to go into the details because I can’t. Plus you wouldn’t want to know.”
“Okay, well, how about we go soak in that big ass tub in your bathroom? I’ve already filled the tub and all.”
“Mmm, sounds wonderful.”
After we slide into the tub, I sit in between Cade’s legs. Looking over my shoulder to him, I say, “I’m going to ask a crazy question.”
“I plan on going to the doctor sometime this week, hopefully to get on birth control. I know I’ll have to wait until the end of the week before they can hopefully do blood work to make sure I’m not pregnant.”
“First, will you use condoms until we find out and well even after for a month or so if I’m not because I have to get the pills back in my system? Second, will you go with me? Because, if I am pregnant, I’m probably going to need someone with me. I’m pretty sure they’ll have to pick me up off the ground.”
“Yes to both. First, why wouldn’t I use condoms? Second, I’d already planned on going to the doctor with you.”
“I don’t mean to sound gross, but all the girls before you, I always used condoms with them. I told you a long time ago you were different. Most of those girls I wouldn’t have cared if they told me they were on the shot, took two pills a day, and had that thing implanted in them. I would never have went at it raw.”
“I can’t even defend myself because I was young, dumb, and full of come. All I was worried about was getting off and not having to do it myself.”
“Who in the hell do you think preached the condom lecture to me?”
“Honestly? Gabby.”
“Yeah, her, too. But my mom went and got me like this huge jumbo box after she found out through the grapevine that I was active. She sat the box right on the damn breakfast table and was like, ‘I’m too young to be a grandma and you are too young to die from thinking with your wiener.’”
“She did. I swear. I’ll call her.”
“No thanks. I cannot have that conversation with your mother.”
“You sure? ’Cause I can call her for you?”
“No thanks. Let’s just finish this nice bath. I’m really tired and I want to snuggle up to you in my bed. Hopefully to sleep all night.”
