King Maker (King Maker 3)

Lizzy, our bairn’s godmother, came in and watched over our son as I sat next to my wife. I heard Griff, proud godfather, in the hall ranting, “Where is the wee dude? His Uncle Griff needs to start his lessons about chasing the wee lasses, starting with these nurses.”

I focused on Bailey. It wasn’t often we were somewhat alone for any amount of time. And I knew it would be a long time until we had even more private moments.

A lot had changed. Both Charles and Keely were in jail. They were being put away for a very long time. I hadn’t spoken to either and didn’t plan to.

“Remember when we first met?”

Her eyes had been closing and I felt bad for not letting her sleep. She focused on me, interested in what I had to say.

“Yeah.”

“Many women came by as I stood by the bar, but a certain redhead had me mesmerized.”

“And you’re telling me this now… why?” Her words were slow and punctuated. Then her eyes quickly narrowed. “You’re telling me because I’m drugged, right?”

I winced. “Maybe, but I need to say this.”

The grim set to her mouth changed to a faint smile. I continued.

“I wasn’t used to chasing women.” I paused, seeing the past in my head. “I watched you for a long time. You even glanced my way a few times. You didn’t come. Your blonde friend didn’t come over either. When a tall guy headed in the direction of you and Lizzy, I got to my feet. I hadn’t known what I was going to do, but I knew I wasn’t going to let him get to you first.”

I exhaled a breath after that barrage of words. “Lucky for him, he moved to dance behind Lizzy. And there I was, less than two feet away. I couldn’t stop myself. I took your hips and pulled your back against the hardness you created. When you moved your lovely arse to create pressure, I thought I’d come in my pants like a wee lad.”

She just watched me as I gave her my confession.

“Before you turned around in my arms, I knew I had to have you. When you looked up at me, I didn’t see dollar signs in your eyes. I didn’t see the star-struck look some women get. I saw you looking like you were enjoying my company. I felt the connection, but I hadn’t understood it yet. I thought, Let me just fuck her and I’ll forget her.”

Her mouth parted some. I knew that our love could stand some truths.

“When you let me have you that night, I was sure I could forget you. I walked away because I hadn’t wanted to feel what I was feeling.”

I took her hand, which she reluctantly let me have.

“That next night I was courting a potential client. I’d planned to fuck her if I had to for the deal to be signed. She’d already hinted she wanted me. She was attractive enough, and I figured it could be a celebration of sorts after she signed on the line.”

“I thought she was a business associate?” Bailey asked, trying to take her hand back, but I wouldn’t let her go.

“A client is a business associate,” I said, feeling derailed by her glare. I glanced away. I’d already committed to that path. I just had to get to the finish line. “I’d been plagued with thoughts of you all the night before. I thought if I fucked this woman maybe I would forget about you.”

“Did you fuck her?” Bailey crudely asked. She was pissed.

I didn’t let it influence me from finishing.

“Then I saw you. Some part of me recognized fate was playing games with me. I mean, what were the odds that in New York I would ever see you again? Worse, you were with that dobber. This irrational caveman emotion came over me. I wanted to go over there and toss you over my shoulder and beat my chest while saying mine.”

Her hand relaxed some from its punishing grip.

“You didn’t answer the question,” she complained.

I continued to ignore her. “I kept you in my sights, wanting to talk to you. Like destiny was playing Cupid, you decided to go to the restroom. I hadn’t known up to that point how I planned to approach you until then.”

“And,” she said while I took a breath.

“You know what happened. I basically told you to come see me the next night.”

“And the business associate?” she said through gritted teeth.

“I didn’t touch her.” At her disbelieving look, I said, “Except to remove her hand from my barely responding dick. I dropped her straight off at her hotel.”

She rolled her eyes. I pressed on. “When you showed up that next day, that was it for me. You know the rest, except that if you’d chosen Turner, I would have ended up a monk. For me and my cock, you were the only one. I’d never in my life been so attracted, blindsided by any woman.”