Savor (Cottonwood Falls, Book 5) Read online

  “You wouldn’t,” she gasped.

  “In a heartbeat. I’m not funding your need for the newest and best of everything. I know you’ve cleaned out what your daughter had in her private account. I won’t give you more.” He stepped closer to her. “Keep pushing me, you won’t like the results any more than those I faced in the Octagon did.”

  “We’re his grandparents. We not only have a right to see him, but you should also provide for us.”

  “You have no rights, at all. You see him because I allow it. As far as money, I owe you nothing. I wasn’t good enough for your daughter until you learned of my money. You didn’t like me then, and it’s fair to say I still don’t like you. I’m not a pushover, Carla, nor am I scared of you. Javier is my son.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Are you sure about that?”

  Ice coated his heart. “Get the fuck out of my house.” Each word fell like a dagger from his lips.

  She must have recognized the danger in his statement for she blanched then backed away slowly, like prey attempting to avoid notice by the predator.

  He counted to ten before he left his bedroom, after checking the bathroom for London. Meeting his son in the kitchen, he whipped up some food while hearing about what Javier had done while with his grandparents.

  ***

  “It was her birthday today, Papá.”

  Piers looked up from the magazine he read to stare at Javier. His son sat before the coffee table, drawing on some paper. “Whose birthday?”

  “Ms. Rhymes’.” He chewed on his lower lip and reached for another colored pencil. “We had cake and sang to her. It was a cake shaped like a ship from Star Wars. Mr. Berry brought it to her.”

  “Mr. Berry?” Who’s this man who is around my London?

  He’d seen her in private a few more times since that first night they were together. They talked, shared, and fucked. Never once had she brought up how she’d left his side without him knowing. He had fallen for her, knew it, and wasn’t the happiest about it, but it was what it was.

  “He’s another teacher. Teaches fourth grade. We think he likes her. He asked her to the Christmas party.”

  “The town Christmas party?”

  Javier shrugged. “The cake was chocolate and white. The frosting was so sweet, and Ms. Rhymes had tears in her eyes when they gave her the cake. I like her as my teacher. I’m learning a lot, and she gave me a few more books to read since I’m done with the one we’re reading as a class.”

  He put down the magazine. “What about the party?”

  “I don’t know. The tree lighting maybe?”

  He recalled hearing something about that and made a note to call her this evening and find out what was going on with her and this Mr. Berry. He smiled at his son. “Tell me more about this cake.”

  Javier’s grin informed Piers he’d said the right thing. The change in his boy was amazing, and he knew he owed it all to London. There wasn’t a day when Javier didn’t come with some story of what happened today in class. He and Dilbert had grown close, and the two of them were spending the weekend together. School was out for Christmas, from now until after the New Year.

  Now, all he had to do was get London something and find out about this party. Perhaps, it was time to elevate what they had to something more public. Keep the men away from her and the women from him.

  “Papá?”

  “Yes, Javier?”

  “Are we staying here for Christmas? Or do we have to go to Grandpa and Grandma’s?”

  “Did you want to stay here?”

  “There’s a lot to do around here, Dilbert says. Even though school is out, there’s lots of activities for us. A parade, the tree lighting, parties. If we go, I will miss it.” Javier put down his pencil and pushed to his feet before walking to crawl in Piers’ lap. “I have friends here, Papá, and I want to be with them. I have to be so quiet at Grandpa and Grandma’s. I can’t touch anything, and I know you’re not happy there. I don’t want you to send me there and stay here. We should be together.” Javier rested his head on Piers’ chest. “We’re family.”

  Wrapping his arms around his son, Piers nodded. “You’re a smart boy. Don’t worry about me. If you want to go to Grandma’s, you can go. If you want to stay here, that’s fine, as well.”

  “I worry. You need to find someone. You know,” he said, “if you wanted to date my teacher, I wouldn’t mind.”

  “Ms. London?”

  “Yes. I like her a lot. She makes me laugh and doesn’t ever make me feel bad for wanting to sit by myself and read. She says she was a lot like me as a child in that she stayed on the sidelines reading.”

  His geeky woman, yes, he could see that. “I’ll keep it in mind, Javier.”

  “Can we go have pizza tonight?”

  Tickling his son, Piers grinned at the angelic sound of his laughter. “Pizza? Are you sure? I was thinking brussel sprouts and broccoli.”

  They went out for pizza—Javier, smiling and happy; Piers, unable to be sad when his boy was happy. Still, in the back of his mind, he heard Carla’s statement about whether he was sure Javier was his son. He made a mental note to take the necessary steps to find out the truth.

  Chapter Five

  London sipped her punch and looked around the room. Festive, cheerful, and yet, she stood alone. Just like my childhood. She smiled at her friends who danced, joked, and laughed.

  “Why are you here by yourself?”

  Piers. Just the warmth of his voice was an aphrodisiac. She flexed her fingers around the plastic cup. “Good evening, Mr. Cuyper.”

  “Really?” he asked. “I’ve had my cock as far as it could go inside you and you aren’t calling me Piers? I’ve fucked you in every room in my house and yours. Not to mention outside at the falls. Still, it’s Mr. Cuyper?”

  She flushed and gulped at the bluntness, although, in truth, she shouldn’t be shocked. He wasn’t bashful about his words. “Yes, it is.”

  “Why are you alone off to the side?”

  She locked her knees. Fuck, his voice is enough for me to want to hump the nearest hard surface. Preferably him. “Honestly, I’d much rather to be at home.”

  “In your Wonder Woman PJs, no doubt?”

  “No doubt.”

  There was no condemnation in his tone and no heat in her reply. He never seemed to mind her wardrobe of geeky attire.

  “Why are you over here? I see Sherry is eating you alive with her gaze. From my guess, she’s wearing some of those panties with the vibration in them, and she turns it up every time she looks at you.”

  He brushed his shoulder along hers as he leaned against the wall beside her, filling her nose with the heady masculine scent he more than wore, he owned. His chuckle wasn’t anything that assisted with the condition she found herself in either.

  “I’ve not given her or any of those other women a single thing more than a greeting as I walk past them. I will say, though, the thought of you in those panties—so long as I have the remote, or course—holds a great deal of pleasure for me. To know that I’m controlling your need for an orgasm. That I’m controlling the need coursing through you. That because of me, you’re pussy is soaking wet and if you sat on a chair you’d leave a wet spot. That would make me hard enough to split steel with my cock.”

  His words were low enough they only reached her, but the effect was more than sitting on a brass drum, reverberating through her with extreme vividness. She longed to cross her legs and apply pressure to her throbbing clit in a meager attempt to stop the need his words created in her.

  “Not happening,” she uttered, praying he didn’t pick up on the hitch in her tone.

  She jumped when his hand grazed the swell of her ass.

  “Don’t bet on it, babe.”

  “What are you doing?” she demanded.

  “Thinking I don’t care if people know we’re a couple. In fact, I’m thinking I like the idea more and more. Then, the women would leave me alone, and the men would leave you the f
uck alone.”

  “We’re not a couple,” she bit off before walking across the room, needing some space.

  “How’s it going?” Kendria asked her with a smile.

  “I need some air.”

  The woman winked. “I would, too, if that hottie had been paying attention to me. Watch your back; some of the other women have noticed.”

  London laughed off the words even while the realization hit her. They’d not been as secretive as she’d hoped they had. The chill in the air had her wrapping her jacket tighter around her. Through the dark, she spied all the Christmas lights that had been set up all around town. They may not have snow, but that didn’t stop the residents of Cottonwood Falls from celebrating the season.

  The children had had their party, and this was for the adults. A few brave souls had volunteered to keep children at their homes so parents could go out and enjoy their party. Javier was spending time with his new friend Dilbert at their place.

  London zipped up her jacket to her chin and began walking down the street. In her pocket, her phone vibrated, and she dug it out, answering without looking at the screen. “Yes?”

  “‘Tis the season, sister dearest. Shouldn’t your cheer be a bit higher?”

  She turned her head from the biting wind as a smile turned up her lips. “Happy holidays, Card. Where are you at this time? Somewhere hot where the locals are in string bikinis and showing off beautiful bodies?”

  He laughed. “Don’t I wish. I’m somewhere cold. Although, the snow bunny look has some appeal, as well. I just prefer bikinis.”

  “Don’t want to work for your reward?”

  “I don’t have time. I need to be able to get them out of it in haste.”

  She continued on her way, meandering aimlessly. “Shameful. Why do I encourage these types of conversations with you?”

  “Because I’m your baby brother.”

  “You are a pain in my ass. What’s up?”

  “I’m calling about what to do with Mom and Dad for the holidays.”

  “You’ve not done anything for them, have you?”

  “I swear, London, I lost track of time. Last time I looked at the calendar, it was like August, and now, Christmas is just so bloody near.”

  She leaned on a lamppost with a lit reindeer decoration on it. “Don’t worry, I got you covered. I’ll add your name to it.”

  “You rock.”

  “Humph. I’m saving your ass is more like it.”

  “No one does it like you, sister dearest.”

  “Why do you and Bristol even pretend you’re going to have this covered?”

  “We’re trying to be like you, London.”

  She snorted and began walking once more, heading back to the party. “You need to have your head checked before you go back in the air. I think something is seriously wrong with you if you’re under the foolish impression I’m going to buy that.

  “You know you love me.”

  “I do. I also miss you. When are we getting together? I’ve not seen you or Bristol for a few years.”

  “Soon, sis. I promise.”

  She stopped at the door to the building where the adults were gathered. “Okay, I’m going to hold you to that.”

  “I know. Now, get back to your party.”

  “Love you, Card.”

  “Love you just as much, London. Take care, sis.”

  She ended the call and stared at the ground. She missed her family. This year, her parents were spending the holidays in England, so family wise, London was alone. She would be surrounded by friends, but sometimes, a girl just needed her family. Dropping her hand from the handle of the door, she continued walking on until she reached a small bridge. She leaned on the railing and closed her eyes.

  “You okay?”

  Piers.

  “Fine.”

  She never opened her eyes. At least not until he touched her shoulder.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” His sea foam gaze was full of concern.

  “Nothing.”

  “You left the party and haven’t been back for a while.” He stepped closer, leaving his hand on her. “Talk to me, London.”

  The concern in his tone was almost her undoing. “I’m fine,” she forced out. She attempted to step back, but he moved with her until his larger body trapped her between him and the bridge rail.

  “Far from it. Did someone say something to you?”

  The protective tone in his voice was another chip in the walls of her defense. And the one needed to bring it all crumbling down. “I miss my family,” she admitted with a small whimper.

  “Ah, baby.” He pulled her close to his chest, pressing her fact to the warmth of his shirt instead of the cold of his coat. “Come on,” he murmured in her ear before leading her away.

  She didn’t stop the tears and just allowed him to lead her somewhere. Turned out to be his vehicle. Without of thinking of the ramifications, she climbed in and tucked herself in small against the door as the weight of her loneliness hit full fledged. Right now, she wanted someone to take care of her.

  ****

  “You’re in my house, Ms. Rhymes.”

  Piers stopped as he walked down the hall to the room he’d put London in. They’d been lucky so far in that his son hadn’t seen her here. Figures the one time he would is the one time I didn’t get any. Piers had brought her home from the party, killed by the tears in her eyes and the pain in her voice. She’d barely been awake when he pulled into the garage, so he’d put her in the guestroom to sleep.

  “Hello, Mr. Cuyper. I guess I am. I’m sorry.”

  He held the rag in his hands as he waited for his son to say something else, ready to interrupt.

  “You look like you’ve been crying.”

  “I have,” she replied.

  “Are you sad?”

  Piers nearly stepped in and stopped this interrogation of London when she answered his son.

  “I am. I miss my family.”

  “And you cry?”

  “Sometimes.”

  “I miss my mamá sometimes; is it okay that I cry?”

  “Absolutely, it’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with crying.”

  “My grandma says I shouldn’t cry. I need to grow up.”

  “My daddy tells me it’s healthy to cry. That everyone does at times, so it’s not a sign of weakness.”

  Silence for a small time. Piers stole a look around the corner into the room and saw his son had climbed up on the bed to join London. He sat pressed tight to her side, and she had her arm around him.

  “Why did my papá bring you here?”

  “He was being nice because I fell apart at the party.” She brushed his hair back. “I should be going.”

  “You smell nice. I know I’m not supposed to say that to you because you’re my teacher, but you’re not teaching me right now, so it’s okay, right?” He burrowed closer. “Sometimes, I think my papá misses Mamá as well, but grandma says he doesn’t. She says a lot of bad things about him then tells me not to tell. It makes my stomach hurt.”

  Piers bit back his rumble of anger.

  “I’m sure he does miss your mother. How could he not? She gave him you.”

  “I missed her today when I was with Dilbert and his mom. We can be sad together.”

  She pressed a kiss to his son’s head. “I don’t like being sad. I don’t want to think they like me sad but want me to be happy, even if we aren’t together.”

  “So my mamá wants me to be happy?”

  “Absolutely. All mothers want their children to be happy. I think it’s a rule somewhere,” she whispered conspiratorially.

  “Where’s your mamá?”

  “She’s with my sister over in England. Remember where that was?”

  “I think so. That’s where King Arthur was.”

  Piers leaned in the doorway and watched them together. She was a natural, and his son was soaking up everything she offered him.

  “That’s right. Do you have a map?
I can show you where they are.”

  “I know Papá has one on the coffee table. Come on.” Javier scrambled from the bed and spied Piers. The boy never lost his smile. “Hi, Papá. Ms. Rhymes and I are looking at England, excuse us.”

  Javier held out his hand for London, who slipped hers in his smaller one. She gave Piers a slight grin as she edged by him. He wanted to kiss her and hold her but, instead, turned and watched as this woman he’d been seeing welcomed his son into her world even when she wasn’t teaching him. He trailed them to the living room and observed as London sat on the floor by the table with his son instead of using the chair. The two of them had their heads together as they looked over the maps. She engaged him, didn’t just tell and show, but asked him for assistance in finding things.

  As Piers made them all a dessert, he continually kept an eye on them as they sat together. London regaled his son with stories that always had some teaching element in them, be it geography, math, or the like. All the while, Javier hung on to her every word.

  ***

  “You’re amazing with him.”

  London looked up from where she sat on the couch, tying on her shoes. “Javier is a great kid.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “I need to get home. Thanks for letting me have my minor meltdown.” She grinned. “And for the cookies.”

  Piers licked his lips and stepped closer until the toes of his steel-toed boots touched her shoes. “Stay.”

  She flashed her eyes to him. “Here?”

  “Yes. Here. Tonight. With me. Go to sleep here and wake up here the following morning.”

  “What about Javier?”

  “I’m not living my life in secret until he’s a grown man, London. I’m falling for you. We’re a couple; he needs to know this and accept it.”

  She shook her head and pushed to her feet. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let it go on this long. I just didn’t know how to ignore the craving you create within me.” Her tongue flicked out and dabbed at the corners of her mouth. “I told you I don’t get involved with the parents of my students. I’ll find my way home.”

  Her words reverberated through him, but they didn’t make any sense. By the time he recovered, she was gone and he stood alone in his living room, the fire cracking and snapping almost angrily.