Earning Her Love (9 page)

Quietly, he made his way to Mia. Coming up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and gathered her against him. “Mmm, smells good.” It did, but she smelled better, like chocolate cupcakes.

Alex felt Mia jump, but as soon as she realized it was him, she leaned back against him. “I made a roast lamb for Locklen to say thank you for taking Zane today. Do you think he’ll like it?” Mia was the only person besides Lockie’s work colleagues who call him Locklen. Even their parents called him Lockie.

Kissing Mia’s neck, he rubbed his growing erection against her arse. “He’ll like it.” Nibbling on her delicate skin, he slid his fingers under her dress and moved her panties aside. Her breath hitched, and Alex pressed his now rock hard cock more firmly against her. “Turn everything off. Let’s go enjoy what little time we have left before my son comes home.”

Mia gasped and whirled around in his embrace. Tears glistened in her eyes, ready to fall. “Y…y…you just called Zane your son?”

Recapping what he’d just said, he shrugged. It was true. Zane was his son. He may not be his blood, but he was his in every way that counted. “I did.” Brushing her tears away as they fell, Alex leaned down and feathered kisses over her lips. “I want you to think about something for me. I want to adopt Zane. I want to be his dad. He’s an amazing kid, and I’d be lucky to have him as a son.”

Mia’s body shook with her sobs. “Oh God, you’re perfect.”

She jumped on him, forgetting about her cast. Alex grunted as the solid cast hit his waist. He didn’t let go of Mia though, he held her to him as she covered his face with kisses. When her lips met his, he opened and sought entry. Their tongues locked together, and he backed up so her arse rested on the counter. Hooking his fingers under her dress straps, he slipped them off her shoulders and pushed the dress down to reveal her breasts.

“Yes,” he hissed. She wasn’t wearing a bra. Cupping her breasts, her caressed them and took the tips between his thumbs and forefingers and squeezed.

The sound of giggling had him reluctantly pausing. “They’re kissing agains, Locks. They’re always kissing.”

Zane’s voice made him stop and then pull the dress up and over Mia’s breasts and ease away, but just enough so he could see his brother and Zane. Mia was bright red and needed a minute to compose herself. Alex’s dick strained against his sweatpants. It was best he stayed behind the bench.

Alex smiled as Lockie came more into the kitchen with Zane in one arm and balloons, show bags, and a stuffed teddy in the other. Zane was covered in what looked like chocolate, dirt, sprinkles, and glitter.

“It looks like you had fun. Did you give him any food other than candy and chocolate?” Alex raised his brow.

Zane frantically nodded his head. “Ah-huh, iza have a hazdog too.”

“Hotdog, little guy.” Lockie kissed Zane’s forehead.

“That’s what iza said, Uncles Locks.”

Alex bit his cheek to stop the chuckle from slipping out as he watched Zane roll his eyes.

Lockie didn’t hold back though and laughed. “I love this little man.”

Zane beamed at Lockie.

Mia straightened herself as she carefully got down from the counter and turned to face Zane and Lockie. “Thank you so much for taking Zane today. It looks like he had a ball. Did you say thank you to Locklen, Zane?” The stern mummy voice was in action.

Zane’s little head bounced up and down. “I so did. Alls the times. Uncle Locks is the bested. He boughts me a Sklyander shows bags.” Zane practically vibrated in Lockie’s arms. Good God, how much candy and crap did Lockie give him? Zane looked like he was high as a kite.

Lockie winked. “No problem. Did you know your son is a little player? He’s better to take out than Grace.”

Zane clapped his hands. Glaring at his brother, hoping he’d catch the hint to shut up, Alex moaned when Zane added, “Uncle Locks gotted six.” Zane held up his sticky looking fingers. “Numbers from girls.” Zane’s brows furrowed. “You nows whats?” Alex shook his head, but Zane continued. “They’d wered pretty, buts they shows their boobies lots more than even Aunty Steph.”

Alex couldn’t stop his laughter this time, it burst free and consumed him. His son was hilarious. Alex went over to Lockie and took Zane and all his new things.

Hugging Zane to him, he pressed a kiss on his forehead. “Missed you, buddy.”

Sticky arms wrapped around his neck, and Zane kissed his cheek. “Love you.”

Alex’s heart melted. “I love you too.” He squeezed him tighter, and Zane giggled. “Let’s...” His words trailed off when he saw Mia’s stance. Her hands were on her hips, and her back was rigid.

“Don’t get me wrong when I say this, I do appreciate you taking Zane out today. What I don’t appreciate is you using my son to pick up women.”

Lockie raised his hands. “I didn’t use my nephew to pick up women. He’s a magnet. I promise I didn’t approach any of the women who gave me their number. They approached me.”

“Really?” Mia’s voice dripped heavy with sarcasm.

A smug smile spread over Lockie’s face. “Really. Every time your son smiled, showing his dimples, I had a woman tell me how adorable they thought my son was, and then I’d tell them he was my nephew and...well, it went from there.” Lockie tried to give a look that fell between innocent and ‘I’d never tell a lie’. He failed miserably.

“Mummy,” Zane whined, saving Lockie. “Mummy, all the girls liked me firsted. They smiled and pulled funny faces.”

Alex could see Mia fighting to contain her laughter. She bit her lip, and her body shook. “Oh, I’m sure they did.” She walked over and wrapped her arms around them. “I love you, baby boy.”

I love you, Mummy.” Zane kissed Mia on the cheek.

Mia turned to face Lockie. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have accused you. Thank you for taking him to the fair.”

Lockie waved his hand. “No problem. I’ll take him anytime.” His eyes softened. “You have done an amazing job with him, Mia. He’s a great kid. You’re lucky to have found them, brother.” The smile that covered his face was bright.

Mia left his embrace and went to Lockie, hugging him. “I’ve made you a roast lamb for dinner. It’ll be ready in twenty minutes.”

“You didn’t have to. Roast lamb is my favorite.”

She stepped away from him. “Why don’t you and Alex go in the lounge room while I take Zane up for a bath? By the time I’m done everything should be ready.”

“I can bath Zane, sweetheart.” Alex was already holding Zane, and he didn’t mind doing bath time.

The glow of her smile warmed him. “Sure. I’ll start on the gravy and Lockie can tell me what he and Zane got up to.”

He loved that she trusted him with Zane. He hoped she would let him adopt him.

* * * *

Mia waited until she heard the bath running before she went into the dining room where Locklen was setting the table. Alex’s fortieth birthday was only a couple of weeks away and she’d been stumped at what to get him, but tonight Mia knew just what she could do, but she’d need help.

“Locklen, I need your opinion.”

“On what?” He paused, forks still in hand.

“I had no idea what to get Alex for his birthday, but I think I know now.”

Locklen raised his eyebrow and placed the forks on the table.

“Not long before you arrived Alex asked if he could adopt Zane and be his father.”

“That’s great.”

“Yes, it’s amazing.” Her heart sang with delight at just the thought of it. Alex was a wonderful man, and he treated Zane as if he was his own.

“Are you going to let him?”

“That’s where I need your help to get it organized. I’m wanting to do it as a present for his birthday. Do you think he’d like it?” Uncertainty crept into her. Would Alex’s family be okay with this? Would they be happy, or would this start to cause problems? Her stomach sank, and she cleared her suddenly dry throat before gazing up at Locklen.

The smile that spread over his face had her nerves calming. “He’d love it. That would be the best present you could give him.”

Beaming at him, she knew she’d chosen right. Although now that she thought about it she realized it had never even crossed her mind to say no to Alex. He was an amazing father now. If he wanted the title to be official, she would never deny him or Zane that privilege.

* * * *

Work wasn’t getting better. Instead, the pranks were getting worse. Every day there was something new on Alex’s desk and in his locker. Yesterday had been a book titled
How to Handle a Midlife Crisis—The Dos and Don’ts
. Another time had been brochures about red sport cars. His locker had been filled with Viagra pill bottles, and another time it was filled with Sugar Daddy candy. Everyone was hounding Alex to bring Mia to MacGoos Pub, the local pub where everyone hung out after work. He hadn’t been going as much because he was eager to get home to Mia and Zane. The jokes and pranks though weren’t making him eager for Mia to meet his work colleagues.

Derick, who he was partnered with the most, had been the only one to leave him the hell alone. Tonight he was doing a double shift with Derick, and he would be arriving soon to pick him up.

He paced back and forth and debated if he should wait outside or let Derick in. Mia was in the kitchen, cleaning up dinner and packing him food for work. She was an amazing cook. He had yet to eat anything of hers that didn’t taste like a slice of heaven. At the rate he was eating, he was going to have to do a gym workout twice a day so he didn’t become huge. The food was so good that people at work had found out, and if he left any of his food in the fridge or where it could be seen, it would be gone before he got a chance to eat it himself.

Guilt assaulted him as he realized what an arse he was being. Mia did all the cooking and his house was spotless. She listened to him talk about work, and she asked about his friends and work colleagues. Mia had never once complained when he’d stayed back with his mates or went to the pub. When he went over all that, he really did feel like a dick. He should be proud of Mia, not hiding her away.

Going to her, he gathered her to him, hugging her tight. She stared up at him with a question his her eyes. Taking the container lids out of her hands, he kissed her knuckles. “Thank you.”

“For what?

“For being you. For being so amazing. You’ve been making me breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. I come home and the house looks like a show home.” Leaning down, he brushed his lips over hers. “You don’t have to do all this. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate it, but I don’t expect it. I don’t want or need a show home. People live here. You, my son, and I. I expect the house to look lived in. You should be resting. Enjoying it.”

She sighed and kissed him. “I’m lucky to have you.”

“No, it’s me who’s lucky. I want you to meet Derick. He’s the guys I get partnered with the most. He should be here any minute.”

She beamed up at him, and the shinning happiness that was spread over her face had his heart fluttering so fast he know he was a goner. He would do anything to see that look on her face for the rest of time. He was falling for Mia, and he was falling hard.

Taking her lips to his own, he savored her. Gliding his hands down her back, he cupped her arse and squeezed. She moaned and clutched tighter to him.

A loud cleared throat had him reluctantly pulling away and glaring at the intruder. Alex was surprised to see Derick staring back at him.

“I think someone needs to have a talk to a little boy about opening the door to strangers.”

Mia spun in his embrace. “Zane Lexington, come here now!”

The little boy in question peeked from behind Derick. He knew he’d done wrong. His shoulders are drooped, and his lips were trembling. He slowly came toward Mia.

“You know you’re not allowed to open the door. You never did it at our place, why here?” Mia stepped forward and placed her hands on hips.

“Mummy, he has a police clothes likeded Alexs. Yous were kissing likes yous always ares. So isa lets him in.”

Alex knew he shouldn’t laugh, but when Derick started Alex couldn’t hold back. Zane was just so cute. Mia’s elbow to the chest didn’t stop him, it only had him laughing harder, especially when he caught the little grin on Zane’s face.

Going to Zane, he picked him up, kissed both his cheeks, and went and stood with Mia. “Buddy, I know you thought it was okay to let Derick in because he’s wearing a police uniform like mine, but when Mummy and I are here and neither of us are hurt you don’t open the door. Come and get either your mother or me. We just want to make sure you’re safe. It would make us very happy if you listen and promise you won’t do this again.” He looked up and caught Mia’s gaze. She smiled and nodded. Good, he must have said the right things.

Zane nodded. “Otays.” He looked over at Mia. “I sorry, Mummy. I won’t open the door again. Um, unless yous or Alex are hurted and need helps. Otay?”

Mia came over and wrapped her arms around both him and Zane. “Thanks, baby.” She kissed Zane’s forehead and then reached up and kissed Alex’s cheek. She let go and turned around to Derick. “Hi. Sorry about that. I’m Mia.” She held her hand out and Derick took it and shook.

“Derick. Nice to meet you, Mia.” He winked in Zane’s direction.

“The little terror that let you in is Zane.”

Derick waved. “Hi, Zane. I’m sorry for getting you in trouble, but your parents are right.”

Alex’s stomach flipped at Derick calling him Zane’s parent. He liked that his friend saw how he felt about Zane.

“That’s otay.” Zane sighed dramatically.

“I’ll be ready in a moment. I just need to grab my food Mia made.”

Derick flipped his hand back and forth. “No rush. I’m early.” He followed them into the kitchen.

“Would you like some lasagna and salad, Derick? I also have some carrot cake and blueberry muffins.”

Groaning when Derick’s eyes lit up, Alex knew he wasn’t going to say no, and once he ate Mia’s food he’d have one more person trying to steal his lunches.

Twenty-five minutes later, ten minutes late for work, they got in the police cruiser. Derick had lasagna, carrot cake, blueberry muffins, and brownies in his hands. He was currently stuffing the last pancake into his mouth.