One Day at a Time (Starting Over Series Book 4) (16 page)

When he hung up she went into the bathroom to freshen up and then she headed out. It was getting cooler out, so she finally had to put the hard top on her Jeep. As she drove toward the restaurant she decided that she had a lot to be thankful for. No more pity parties because her birthday wasn’t going the way she thought it would. She got a wonderful gift from her brother and niece. Cash was taking her to their favorite pizza place, and she was just happy to spend time with him.

She was about a block away when her phone rang. It was Cash—he changed his mind and wanted her to meet him at his house. He wanted to shower and change his clothes before they went to dinner. She was only slightly irritated that she drove twenty minutes there, was going to have to drive back to his house and then wait for him to get ready and head back. She was tempted to tell him they should just order out and stay in, but she wasn’t going to do that.

When she finally reached his house, she found him leaning against his truck. He came to her and helped her out. “You look gorgeous, baby. I’m sorry I’ve kind of screwed up your birthday.”

She wrapped her arms around her waist. “You didn’t. Your business is your livelihood and I get it. I’m just glad I get to spend time with you.” With a hand to the small of her back, he led her to the front door.

“I promise. I’ll make this up to you.” He opened the front door and ushered her in.

“SURPRISE!” She shrieked and clutched at her chest. The living room was filled with several smiling faces: Jonathan, Josie, Journey, Dylan and family, Betsy, Dario and daughters, and Jared.

She looked at all of them and at the man who did this for her. Her eyes started to well with tears, her chest felt heavy. “I can-can’t believe y-you did this for me.” She buried her face in his neck—not even caring that she was getting his neck all wet as she began to cry. She couldn’t remember a time when she was this happy and felt so cared for.

“No tears, birthday girl,” he whispered against her ear.

She nodded her head and placed a kiss on his lips. With his arm wrapped around her waist, he led her further into the living room so she could hug and thank everyone who came. She hadn’t had a birthday party since she was a little girl. After hugging everyone, they went out onto the deck where Mac was already at the grill. She walked over to the older woman and accepted the hug she offered.

“Happy birthday, Tessa,” she offered with a huge smile on her face.

***

Cash couldn’t contain the smile on his face as he watched Tessa, Josie, and Abby sing karaoke to “Shake it Off”
by Taylor Swift
.
All of the other kids provided the backup dancing. His girl sang about as badly as his sister, but she didn’t care. The smile on her face was breathtaking. They’d all been using the karaoke machine that Jared brought since they finished eating earlier.

Her surprise party had been a last minute decision. He knew she hadn’t had a lot of birthday celebrations, especially after her mom’s death. He thought long and hard about what to get her. He’d asked her brother what she wanted more than anything, and as soon as he told him that she wanted a dog more than anything he knew exactly what to get her. After they did the birthday cake, he had her open her presents from everyone, saving his for last. Mac was keeping Tessa’s gift from him over at her place until it was go time. With all of the kiddos in the house he didn’t want them giving it away.

He felt someone walk up next to him and saw it was Tessa’s brother. He wasn’t afraid to admit that the dude intimidated the hell out of him. He was huge, tall, and broad. It didn’t help that the dude was a cop. It was a little nerve-wracking wondering if he’d looked him up in the system. He was sure, though, that the guy would have no problem telling him if he knew things about Cash that he’d been too scared to tell Tessa yet.

“I’ve never seen my sister this happy. Thank you for making her smile like that.” His chest seized up a little and the guilt coiled in his belly, knowing that he was keeping important information from her.

“I’m in love with her.” Her brother didn’t have a response to his statement. They both turned back to watch her sing her heart out. “She can’t sing to save her life, though,” Cash said with a laugh.

“Nope, and her and Josie sing all of the time. Sometimes I just put my ear buds in to drown them out.”

Cash could hear the smile in Jonathon’s voice as they watched the girls finish up their song. He decided it was time for presents and then cake. He was anxious to give her his gift.

He had Betsy set up the cake on his table. The two of them placed twenty-eight candles on top of the swirly pink frosting.

“Thanks for helping with this, Bets. I couldn’t have done this without you.” He hugged her and kissed the top of her head.

“You know I’d do anything for you, Cash. Plus, she’s great. The girls and I are crazy about her. Now, let me light all of these and you bring everyone in here.” He smiled and then made his way out into the living room where he found the birthday girl talking to his sister. He directed everyone into the kitchen and they all gathered around the table. They sang happy birthday to her and she had the kids all help her blow out the candles. He felt his heart clench. She was probably going to want to have children some day and he didn’t know for sure if he did or not.

How would Abby feel if he had more children? She knew he was her biological dad, but they never really talked about why Journey and Dylan were raising her, and who was to say that he wouldn’t screw up again? He looked at her as she scooped Parker up into her arms so he could help blow out the candles. She looked up at him and her smile took his breath away. How could he deny her children? Good thing he had Derek to talk to because he was going to need it.

After cake and ice cream they all settled back in the living room to wait for him to give her his present. This time his nephew, Joey, was sitting in her lap. He pulled out his phone and shot a quick text to Mac and told her it was time.

Jared gave her a gift card to get her tattoo when she was ready. She got a box set of books from Betsy that made her squeal in happiness. He exchanged a look with the other men who all just rolled their eyes. His sister got her a gift card to the mall and a scarf. He kept listening for the sliding doors to open.

A minute later the door opened and he backed away to the kitchen. Mac came in with a large wrapped box. “Everything okay?” he asked as he took the box.

“Oh yeah, just fine. She’s going to be so excited.”

They made their way into the living room. Tessa was still sitting on the floor. “Come here.” He set the box on the coffee table and then helped her up off the floor. He led her over to the sofa and sat her down.

She looked at the box and then back at him. “What is this? You’ve done so much already—I don’t need anything more.”

“Open it.” He sat on the edge of the cushion while he waited with bated breath.

She carefully ripped the paper off until she got to the brown box. Looking at him with her eyebrows raised he nodded toward the box. He sat, nervously waiting for her reaction to the gift. She pulled the top open and when she peered inside, she let out a squeak and covered her mouth with her hand. He could see her eyes were filling with tears as she reached in and pulled out the little furball he got her.

She was black with little bits of white on her chest. When he’d asked her brother what to get her, Jonathon had mentioned that he was thinking about getting her a puppy, but since she was slightly allergic they researched what kind of dog they could find her. At a shelter they had gotten in a batch of Shih-Poo puppies. He’d taken Mac to look at them and as soon as he picked the little girl up and she licked his nose, he knew he’d found her dog. The little runt only weighed about three pounds and fit in the palm of his hand.

“Hi, pretty baby. I’m your mommy.” She kissed the puppy’s little face. “What breed is she?” She hugged the puppy to her chest.

“She’s a Shih Tzu-Poodle mix. She’s easier on people with allergies. Do you like her?”

“I love her, thank you.” She leaned forward and he met her half way. Her lips trembled against his and he knew she was trying to keep herself from crying. Since they had an audience he kept the kiss soft and sweet, but damn if he didn’t want them all gone so he could get her naked and beneath him. Pulling away was the hardest thing to do at that moment, but he did. “This has been the best birthday ever,” she whispered against his lips.

“I’m glad, baby.” Someone cleared their throat and pulled them out of their moment. Everyone was staring at them smiling, except for Jonathon, who looked sad. When Kara OD’d he’d been sad, but he hadn’t felt a great loss. Maybe that sounded horrible, but they were more friends than lovers. He missed her and felt regret for everything. He wished he could’ve loved her like she deserved, but it just wasn’t there. Yet, in the short time he’d known Tessa, it would kill him if something happened to her, if he lost her. From what she told him, her brother had been madly in love with his wife and it emotionally killed him when she died.

“You scored major brownie points with that furball,” his brother-in-law, Dylan, said as he came up to watch Tessa and all of the kids playing with the puppy in the backyard. “But now Journey and the kids are going to be on my ass about getting a dog. So thanks for that, asshole.” He chuckled and shook his head at Dylan before walking down the steps to get a closer look.

***

Later that night he pulled out of her and disposed of the rubber. He lay on his side and pulled her into his side. They lay chest to chest with their legs tangled together.

“Thank you for everything, Cash. This was the best birthday I’ve ever had.” He hugged her tighter to his chest, kissing her forehead and smiled.

“I’m glad to hear that. I’m going to go have a smoke and let the puppy out one more time.”

“You want me go with?” she mumbled sleepily against his neck.

“Nope, you stay here. I’ll be right back.” He eased away from her and out of the bed.

“I love you, Cash.” He froze at her words and so did she. “Oh god! I said that out loud, didn’t I?”

Well, that certainly woke her up quick. She grabbed his comforter and threw it up and over her head. He crawled back in bed and burrowed under the covers until he and Tessa were face to face.

“What did you say?” He couldn’t see her face but he’d bet anything that her cheeks were bright red.

“Umm. I don’t remember.”

“Oh, I don’t think that’s true. Just tell me, baby.” He reached out blindly and stroked her cheek. “If it makes you feel any better, I love you, too.” It felt so good to say it. He’d wanted to say it for a long time, but was worried she’d think it was too soon and too fast.

“You do?”

He kissed her slowly and felt her mouth open, her tongue dueling with his. And just like that, he felt his dick get hard again. That’s what she did to him, though. He felt like a horny teenager around her. He grabbed another condom and covered himself. He flipped them around until he was on his back and she was straddling him.

She looked like a wild woman with her hair a blonde cloud around her face and shoulders. The soft light coming in from the window illuminated her flushed skin. She smiled down at him. He let his hands glide up her waist until he hit her pert breasts. He pinched the nipples with both hands until she cried out, arching into his hold. He tested her wetness and found her drenched. Holding his cock, he lined it up with her entrance and helped her sink down on his length.

Grabbing her hips he guided her movements. They groaned in unison as she became buried to the hilt. She started moving on her own, so he took the opportunity to draw a nipple into his mouth. Sucking the turgid tip into his mouth, he nipped at the flesh. He felt the heat of her pussy grinding down on him.

She was still so tight, and hugged his dick like she was made for it. He pushed himself upright and gripped her hips hard enough to leave bruises. She started coming and he drove her down on his cock until he erupted inside of her. Her channel milked every last drop out of him.

“Holy fuck!” he grunted against her breasts.

He felt her arms wrap around his head as she hugged him tightly to her. He kissed her sweaty skin and pulled her down with him so she was still on top of him. His cock was still inside her. “I love you, Cash.” His arms spasmed around her and he kissed her head.

They lay like that for a long time. He disposed of the condom while she was still on top of him.

“Okay, now I’m really going to take Puppy out and have a quick smoke.” He kissed her and then rolled her over. Climbing out of bed he pulled some pajama pants out of his drawer and slid them on. He went into the kitchen where the puppy was sleeping, grabbed a smoke and then plucked the sleeping baby out of her kennel.

The night was cool—he should’ve put on a shirt or a jacket. He sat the puppy in the grass and watched her waddle a few feet away and do her business. He praised her and let her sniff around while he smoked his cigarette. Sitting down on the steps he let out a contented sigh. How did someone who had fucked up so much get so lucky? He had to tell her about Abby, he had to. The longer he waited the more painful it would be. Yes, she’d handled the fact that he was an addict well, but losing custody of Abby was another matter altogether.

He started when he felt arms slide around his waist. Tessa snuggled against his back, her legs hugging his sides. “Thank you again for an amazing birthday.” Goose bumps broke out on his skin as she kissed his neck. He snuffed out his smoke and grabbed her hands, pulling them up to his mouth so he could kiss them.

“Stop thanking me. It was my pleasure. I’m glad you had a good time. I wanted to invite friends of yours, but, baby, I didn’t find any numbers in your phone.” He felt her tense. “Don’t be mad, I just wanted to invite people you were close to.”

She tried to pull her hands out of his, but he held tight. “So what? I don’t have a lot of friends, who cares? Betsy is the first real friend I’ve had in a long time. I had a hard time making friends when I was younger. I have a lisp, people would rather make fun of me than be my friend. God, I sound like a big, whiney crybaby.”