Chapter 13

At precisely 6.30pm the intercom to my apartment started to buzz right on cue. A couple of minutes later I was face to face with ‘Bill’ another one of Michael’s minders, only this guy was huge. I thought Javon was a bit scary with his “look-at-me-the-wrong-way-and-Imma-gonna-kick-your-a*s” sorta vibe but woah. This guy! Talk about intimidating much. I can see why Michael has him though; compared to this guy Lucas is a punk. Bill for sure could kick his a*s. I kinda wish he was my bodyguard. At least then I wouldn’t have to look over my shoulder every five minutes wondering if Lucas has finally caught up with me. Nope this guy could guard my body any day... he reminds me of the hulk.

After exchanging the usual pleasantries, I grab my bag and we head downstairs to the car. Trying my best to make conversation I soon realize that Bill, like Javon doesn’t seem to wanna make small talk. So now I’m starting to see a bit of a pattern with these minders and this doesn’t help much with my insecurities. I guess from the outside looking in, they must see me as a piece of a*s and with this thought I’m even more convinced that Michael has told them about my reasons for being at the club that night. I file this thought to the back of my head, hoping I can bring this up in conversation with Michael later on because quite frankly, the attitude I’m getting from both of these dudes is starting to annoy me.

Gazing out of the window it takes me a few minutes to realize that we’re heading away from the strip and all random and crazy thoughts start to pop into my head.

“Hey Bill, the Bellagio is the other way.” I nervously point out. Where’s he taking me I wonder?

Making eye contact with me through the rear view mirror Bill simply states, “We’re not going to the Bellagio Ma’am, we’re going to Mr. Jackson's house.”

His house? I didn’t even know he owned a house in Vegas? I just assumed he stayed in hotels when he was in town. He had told me during one of our many chats all of the different hotels he had stayed in over the years and which ones were his favorite. How could he not tell me he had a house?

“Oh okay.” I quietly reply wondering what else I’m yet to find out about Mr. Jackson?!

For the remainder of the journey I sit in silence with questions and thoughts running rampant inside my head. That is until we come to a halt as we wait for some big black gates to open up to reveal the most amazing looking mansion I’ve ever seen up close in person before. As we get closer to the house I see Mike stood waiting just outside the front the door with a big grin on his face. He looks so handsome with his hair lose just touching his shoulders and wearing those black tight fitting jeans similar to the ones he wore that night at the club. I drink in the sight of the white v-neck t-shirt that clings to his chest. He has a black over sized shirt on top which hangs lose as he hasn’t bothered to button it up. Wow I can feel myself blush at the thought of how he looked a couple of nights ago only when he was nak... stop it I hear the voice inside my head say. It reminds me ‘You’re just about to meet his kids and all you can think of is doing the nasty again.’ The voice has a point, I need to compose myself before I end up jumping his bones right here and now.

Trying to look anywhere but at him, I marvel at the entrance to the mansion. It has this huge concrete canopy that extends outwards onto the driveway which gives the illusion that this is a hotel and not a house. I’m not sure if I’m ready for this I think to myself as the butterflies start to flap wildly inside my stomach.

When Bill opens the car door for me I take a deep breath. I hope tonight is a success; I don’t think I can take anymore drama with this man.



~~~~


She looks nervous. I feel nervous.

“Hey babe.” I say as I kiss her cheek and give her a hug. Gawd she smells so good...

Taking her hand I usher her into the house. Her face is a picture as I watch her expressions go from wonderment to awe in the space of thirty seconds. I have to admit that I’ve lived in some pretty amazing houses in my lifetime, but I guess the way she looks now is the reason I decided on this house as a temporary home for me and the kids.

“Mike, you could fit my whole apartment in this foyer.” I chuckle at her statement.

“Well I wouldn’t know baby, you’ve never invited me to your apartment.” I say teasingly trying to get her to relax.

“You even have a frickin’ water fountain in the middle of the room?” She says excitedly.

“Yea, where else would we keep the fish?” I mock. Her laughter is like music to my ears. Oh how I’ve missed hearing that raspy contagious sound.

“So you wanna meet em?” I ask softly, “they won’t bite... well Blanket might, he's been complaining for the past hour about how hungry he is.” I tease.

She giggles and squeezes my hand signaling that she’s ready. I can imagine how she’s feeling because I think I’m feeling the same. I pray that the kids will take to her and she will to them because if either side doesn’t... I don’t know how I will feel.

“Hey guys.” I say interrupting the kids from the Wii game they’ve been playing.

“Daddy daddy I just knocked out Prince.” Exclaims Blanket, as he jumps up and down excitedly throwing mock punches in the air.

“Woah, you guys got a Wii? Ooh can I play?” Hearing the excitement in Ava’s voice when she asks this question has me stunned and amazed. Two seconds ago she was a nervous wreck but now you’d think she’d met my kids a hundred times before today...


~~~~


...and that’s how they became acquainted. I just sat on the floor for a couple of hours watching in amazement this woman making a connection with my kids. The boys seemed to take to her straight away. You’d swear she was a kid herself the way she high-fives them when she wins a round or tells them she's gonna beat their butts on the next one when she loses. The candy that she brought with her has also gone down a treat. I don’t usually allow the children to eat much sugar but every now and then I’ll treat ‘em. She had me all gooey eyed when she pulled out a big bag of skittles that she brought just for me!

I must admit though at first I was skeptical of Ava winning Paris over when my baby girl came and sat down next to me on the floor not long after Ava started to play. This was her way of marking her territory if you like. She did this every time I brought female company around, which wasn’t a lot but enough for me to see a pattern starting to form.

But something seemed to change around about an hour after Ava had arrived when she challenged Prince and Blanket to a battle of girls versus boys.

Knowing how competitive and strong willed my daughter was I knew she was gonna rise to the challenge and right on cue she accepted Ava’s invitation.

I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard with my kids and it was all thanks to Ava. Yeah we have fun nearly every day, I make sure of that, but to laugh hard enough that you end up crying, well I hadn’t done that in a long time. The last time was probably before... before the...no I’m not gonna go there. Not tonight. Tonight I’m having fun and nothings gonna stop that.

We continued the fun over dinner when Ava decided she wanted some good ‘ole fried chicken that I always went on and on about. We sent Bill out to grab us some family buckets and the five of us had the greatest time ever eating with our hands. I could tell the kids really liked Ava being here; after all they were enjoying treats that I normally saved for special occasions only. But for me this was definitely a special occasion.

After dinner we settled down in the theater room to watch the Harry Potter movie that Paris had so wisely chosen. Ava commented how this was better than being in a real movie theater and couldn’t believe her eyes when the screen came down from the ceiling. With the kids taking up all the room on the front two sofas, we sat on the 3rd and final one behind them. This feels so good I thought to myself. It feels like I’m at the movies with my girl... like normal people... and it’d be even better if she lets me kiss her...

I nearly choked on my popcorn when I heard Ava make the comment, “What no Dark Knight tonight Mike?”

“See Dad, I said Ava would like the Dark Knight, everyone does. Why can’t we watch that movie?” Prince had obviously heard what she had said as he popped his head up over the back of his sofa. Oh s**t how embarrassing.

“I was just kidding with your father Prince. Actually I’ve already seen it so let’s stick with Harry Potter yea?” She sweetly asked.

Relieved that she came to my defense I settled back into the plush velvet sofa and began to relax. I also made a mental note to remember to get her back somehow later for her naughty little comment.

Having seen this movie quite a few times already, I found it hard to concentrate with her sitting so close to me. This is exactly how I felt a couple of nights ago, so I’m just grateful that the children are here and we’re not drinking wine, otherwise I really don’t think I’d be the perfect gentleman that I’m trying my hardest to be.

This is killing me. I need to make some kind of contact. Slowly draping my left arm over her shoulder I keep my eyes focused on the screen. I didn’t want to do the cheesy fake yawn move so I was pleased when she responded by laying her head on my chest. Can anyone say déjà vu? I think to myself as I quietly chuckle. She must’ve felt the vibration because the next thing I know she’s looking up at me and all I can think about is tasting her juicy lips. She maintains eye contact so now I think she’s willing me with her eyes to kiss her. Cupping her chin with my thumb and forefinger I tilt her head closer and capture her top lip between mine. I feel her breath exhale into my mouth and the warm sensation sends a jolt of electricity through my body. For a few seconds I forget the children are even here as I deepen our kiss by taking both of her lips in mine.

As our tongues find each other I’m totally lost in the moment until I hear “err gross Dad, we’re tryin’na watch the movie ya know.” Says my eldest with disgust.
I giggle as I think never in a million years did I think I would be grossing out my kids by kissing a woman in front of them.

Even in the dark I can tell that she’s blushing. She’s too sweet for words as she lays her head back on my chest. Without thinking I automatically begin to massage her arm and I can feel the charge of electricity that we’re creating by being so near each other. I desperately want her to stay the night but I don’t know if I should ask her. I sit and ponder if I should or shouldn't ask her this, but when her hand finds the inside of my thigh and just rests itself there I come to my senses.

Leaning down to whisper in her ear so that the kids can’t hear I ask the question that’s been eating away at me all night. It’s now or never I think to myself. “Baby...you wanna sleep over with us tonight?” By saying us I hope she won’t take it the wrong way, but I pray that she understands what I’m asking because I don’t know how much longer I can keep my hands away from her tight... sexy... body...

When she turns her head to look up at me and catches my lips with her mouth I know her answer immediately.

Ding ding ding... I think to myself for the second time today... jackpot. I’ve got the answer I so desperately crave.

Ooooh tonight baby I’m gonna show you real love... tonight we’re starting over...