Dirty Sexy Daddy by S.E. Law
8
Simona
Three months later.
I’m not sure how I’m still living with the handsome billionaire because our original contract ended, but James said nothing about it. Instead, I continued staying with him, and he continued depositing vast sums of money into my bank account too. In fact, I probably have enough now to buy a small house now and yet he hasn’t uttered a word about terminating our relationship. It makes me hopeful. Maybe he sees me as more than a woman of the night? Maybe he sees me as someone he could have a real relationship with?
But he’s still giving you money, the voice in my head whispers. What man pays a girlfriend? He knows you’re a professional, so don’t get ahead of yourself, Simona.
Yet, it’s hard not to get carried away because my lover treats me like a woman he genuinely cares about. The handsome billionaire spoils me with gifts of clothes and extravagant jewelry. He makes me feel like a princess, drawing bubble baths for me on the weekends and even helping me wash my hair.
It really feels like I’m living out a fairytale, and I’m glad I said yes to our original contract. When I agreed to move in with James, I foolishly thought that meant engaging in a non-stop 24/7 sex fest, and of course, we did that. But it’s become intimate and deep too. Sometimes we don’t even talk. James works on his laptop while I read, and it’s peaceful and soothing.
Meanwhile, our lives have also fallen into a nice rhythm. James goes to work in the morning, kissing me goodbye as I smile sleepily from bed. Then, once he’s gone, I get up for a lazy breakfast and maybe a workout. I’ve taken to using his private gym, although I admit – my sessions with him at night are far more strenuous than anything I do at home alone.
Then, after a leisurely shower and maybe some lunch, I turn to the main part of my day, which is illustrating my children’s book. James is actually financing the publication of Jemima’s Dinner, and he’s hired a PR expert and a website designer, in addition to putting me in touch with an agent who specializes in children’s books. It definitely pays to have a powerful man in your corner because I feel like things are finally coming together. My dreams are materializing before my eyes, and I’m so happy and excited.
But of course, I have to reward the billionaire for his generosity. After my man comes home from work, we eat dinner together (usually something that I’ve whipped up), before heading for the sack for some no-holds-barred fun. Sometimes we get started as early as six or seven p.m. because that’s how much we enjoy each other’s bodies. Needless to say, we’re filthy together in bed and he’s introduced me to a number of toys like plugs, clamps, and chains. In other words, the works.
But today, excitement has me practically bouncing in my shoes. James’s brother Luke has invited us to a picnic in the park with his family. It’s hard for me not read into this, but surely, this has to mean something, right? James is stepping out in public with me and not only that, but he’s introducing me to people close to him.
The cynical part of me is scared out of my mind at the implications, but at the same time, I’m internally jumping with joy. Maybe this isn’t just a transaction to the billionaire. Maybe James wants to keep me, and I won’t be thrown out after our association runs its course.
With especial care, I select a royal blue sundress, comfy white sandals, and a large sunhat. Then, I arrange my curls so that they fall prettily over one shoulder and slowly assess my appearance. I’m definitely attractive, but in a natural, not-too-made-up way. Good, because I want to impress James’s brother.
Suddenly, I catch a glimpse of my man watching me from the bedroom doorway, and his eyes flare like sapphires while taking in my sumptuous curves. With a giggle, I saunter to the handsome alpha male before trailing a teasing finger down his chest.
“What do you think?” I ask.
“As if you have to ask,” he growls, those blue eyes ravenous. “You look absolutely perfect, Simona.”
I giggle in delight and then wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him until my head’s spinning and my heart feels light. I shouldn’t be feeling this emotions, but it’s too late to stop now.
The grass in the park is a picturesque sea of emerald with not even one dead, yellowy patch. Other families play with their dogs and kids while we search for Luke. Finally, we spot a handsome man waving at us across the field. He has black hair, blue eyes, broad shoulders, and … oh, wait a minute. My eyes widen when I see the young woman sitting next to him on the checkered blanket. OMG, that’s my friend Patty!
She sees me at the exact same moment and screams in surprise. We both tumble towards each other, finally meeting at a halfway point before grabbing each other in a tight hug.
“Simona!” my buddy exclaims. “James mentioned he’d started dating someone, but he never said it was you!”
I giggle.
“I know, it’s weird right? James told me his brother was named Luke, but I never put two and two together. I never even considered it for a second, actually. This is such a huge surprise!”
“Well, it’s a good surprise,” Patty says before squeezing me one more time. Then we make our way to the blanket, and Patty takes her daughter out of Luke’s arms, bumping her up and down a bit. The little girl coos and giggles, and to my delight, she has black hair and blue eyes just like the Montgomery brothers.
“This is Pixie,” Patty says. “Say hi to Simona, darling! This is one of Mommy’s best friends.”
The baby waves her hand excitedly, and we all laugh.
“Goodness, what a pretty little girl,” I coo. “She looks just like you and Luke combined,” I murmur while offering her my palm. The baby grabs onto a finger happily, tugging and burbling at once. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Pixie.”
Pixie’s wondrous expression gives way to a wide, mostly toothless grin. Then, she wiggles in her mama’s arms until Patty puts her down, and the little girl starts kicking her feet ecstatically, still blowing bubbles and goo-gooing.
“Hey man,” James growls to his brother. “It’s good to see you again.”
Luke gives his bro a man hug.
“You too. Thanks for coming out to the park because Pixie is too small to stay in a restaurant for long. She’s better off outdoors where there’s sun, wind, grass, and maybe a few dogs.”
I smile at the big man.
“I’m Simona by the way,” I laugh. “If you haven’t figured that out yet.”
Luke merely grins and shakes my hand.
“So you’re my wife’s best friend and my brother’s girlfriend. Both good things to be, so I’m already sold.”
My heart flutters at being called James’s girlfriend, and I sneak a quick look at my lover but he looks comfortable and at ease. Goodness, maybe this really is happening.
The picnic goes wonderfully. Patty and Luke brought a gourmet spread prepared by one of the finest restaurants in the city.
“You know me,” giggles Patty. “I never know what to bring for a picnic and Cipriani’s has these wonderful pre-order picnic sets, so I decided to give it a try. Plus, I’m pregnant again,” she adds in a low voice, rubbing her belly with a fond smile. “So I didn’t want to get too stressed out. As you can see, Cipriani’s does everything, even providing plastic cutlery and cloth napkins.”
“You’re pregnant?” I whisper. “Oh my God, congratulations girl!”
Patty smiles beatifically as her eyes go dreamy, staring at her husband and child.
“Yeah, I think it’ll be really nice. Pixie could use a sibling, and Luke’s been after me for a second child for a while now.”
“But you just gave birth!” I begin.
Patty smiles devilishly. “Well, that’s what happens when you’re married to an alpha male. I swear, Luke wants to knock me up as many times as possible, but I drew the line at six children. There’s no way I could do more than that.”
My mouth opens and closes silently, a bit like a dying fish.
“Six children?” I finally manage to stammer.
Patty nods as the men talk, but I can also tell that James is listening with one ear.
“Yeah, and that was after some serious negotiation too. Believe it or not, Luke wanted double digits. Yep. He wanted ten to twelve kids, but I said absolutely not. I had to talk him down to six.”
I’m absolutely blown away, as well as a bit envious because to be honest, I’d love to have children someday. Even more, I’d love to have babies with James, and for my belly to grow swollen again and again with his children. I sneak a sideways glance at my boyfriend, but he seems to be engrossed in conversation with his brother now. Good, because I don’t want him to know what’s going on in my heart of hearts.
Patty and I nibble on ham and cheese sandwiches while the guys take huge bites of their roast beef subs. Then, Patty asks for my discarded pickles and I cringe as she dips them in Coke before popping them in her mouth.
“It’s the pregnancy cravings,” she says with a grin. “Trust me, when you’re pregnant, you’ll get them too.”
My cheeks flush hotly, and I glance quickly over at James. But fortunately, he’s now engrossed with his niece as they play some clapping game together. Thank goodness, because my maternal hormones are surging and a sudden wave of longing overtakes me. I want to be a mom and eat gross combinations of food. I want to have a baby growing under my heart with James’s black hair and blue eyes. But what are the chances of that happening?
This isn’t the time though. I put it out of my head for the rest of the picnic, and after another hour or so, we wave a merry goodbye to Luke and his family before setting off across the park towards home.
“Call me, okay girlfriend?” Patty asks while making the universal sign of telephone.
“Will do,” I laugh. “Bye Pixie!” I say, blowing kisses to the baby. “Love you!” Then, I turn and trot after James. It’s still a beautiful day, but to my surprise, my boyfriend’s expression is dark and grim.
“Are you okay?” I ask. “You seem kind of quiet.”
He doesn’t answer, but when we get to the penthouse, his expression is forbidding.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, utterly confused. “Did your brother say something?”
The handsome man literally snarls as he stalks to the bedroom.
“No, it’s not that,” he says with disgust. “But let’s just say that outing is exactly why I left New York in the first place.”
“Oh.” I stick my hands in the pockets of my dress, still confused. “But I thought it was really great. Did you not like the food?”
James merely shakes his head.
“Of course you don’t understand, Simona. You know, this little picnic reminded me of exactly what I don’t want from life. God, it was so goddamn family-oriented and suburban! I can’t believe how long Patty went on about babies and her pregnancy as if that’s all she has going on in her life. Did you hear her? She and my brother want six kids? What the fuck is wrong with them?”
My heart’s beating double time now.
“Well, everyone has their own ideas of what family life should look like,” I venture.
James just lets out a disgusted grunt.
“Yeah, whatever. I swear, parenthood has made both of them idiots. It’s like they’ve got shit for brains now, with the endless cooing and babytalk. It was honestly really hard to watch, and if I ever get like that, be sure to slap me across the face.”
I’m stunned and unbelievably hurt by what he’s said. How can he say such cruel things about Patty and her pregnancy? Or Luke and Pixie? These people are his family, and he should be excited to have a brood of nieces and nephews.
But then I realize I’ve been floating in my own fantasyland all along. James doesn’t want kids. He doesn’t want to be my boyfriend, much less my husband, and he can’t even tolerate his brother’s family. He doesn’t want the kind of future that I envision, and the realization hits me like a rock to the chest.
I bow my head and avert my gaze as the clock strikes midnight on my fairytale experience. “I see,” I murmur as tears prick my eyes. “Well, to each their own.”
Then, the handsome man runs a frustrated hand through his hair and growls something about heading into the sauna to sweat this off. Normally, I’d join him, but right now, being in the same room as James sounds awful. Instead, as his footsteps fade, I stand there, rooted to the spot like a statue. I can’t move, I can’t breathe, nor do I have a place in this beautiful penthouse anymore. I don’t want to stay, even though I know leaving the gorgeous, troubled James Montgomery will break my heart.
