19

MYKEL

Waking in this position with a woman in bed should terrify me. Not this time.

I found my wife’s arm on my abdomen, her leg over my thigh, and she sprawled out over my chest. I wondered how she would react to seeing herself in this position—she lay entangled with me. I couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when I told her.

I was still trying to wrap around my head the fact that I was a married man. Not so long ago, I swore not to get in a relationship as I was already married to my work. I realized I wasn’t scared about the idea of being with someone. I admitted I had abandonment issues and inflated my ego so much that what mattered to me was living life to the fullest.

It wasn’t such a bad idea to be with somebody like the woman beside me right now. Or I just met the right one who taught me how to throw those doubts and fears out of the window.

I looked down at her peacefully sleeping, her hair in disarray. Yet, she was the most beautiful woman who walked to earth, destroying every belief I had regarding relationships and sex.

I swiped some strands of her golden hair away from her beautiful face. I had noticed yesterday that she changed her hair color to something lighter, almost blonde. I thought I just lost my shit that I found those freckles scattered around her nose so cute.

I couldn’t help but drop my gaze further down. Her pajama top had opened a button, revealing a good amount of swell of her tit. She didn’t have those big tits, but she had that fit perfectly around my palm. The more I stared longer, the more my cock turned unruly hard. Considering I had a morning tent, I just made my situation worse.

No matter how I wanted to ogle at my sleeping beauty, I slowly got off the bed to avoid waking her up.

After I used the bathroom, I changed to sweatpants and jogged around the area for a couple of minutes. When I came back, Kye and Sax were already making breakfast.

“Is your wife watching her calories?” Sax asked me, flipping pancakes.

I raised a brow. “Don’t let Adley hear you talk about calories.”

“Oh, great.”

I was done taking a shower, and Adley was still in the same position. I found Sax and Kye preparing breakfast outdoor. They had those pretty exotic fruits on the table as well.

“Mom will be here shortly.” After I told my mother I got married yesterday, she purchased a ticket and flew to Hawaii to see her daughter-in-law. I didn’t know how Adley would take it, but I was pretty excited about her meeting my mother.

“Mrs. Creed is on the way. She landed a couple of minutes ago.”

“Would you like to check on your missus?”

“Let her take some rest.”

“Just so you know, we didn’t stay in the house last night,” Sax said defensively.

“So what if you were. It’s not like you don’t know me.”

“Boss, you are a married man now. It’s different when you’re with your wife. You are a little—”

“Cut the little,” Kye cut in.

“Fine. You may not realize it, but you are protective of Mrs. C.”

“I think it’s the right call,” Kye agreed.

“You two should mind your own business.”

Kye chuckled.

“What?”

“You do realize that’s our job. This talk is just right about our business. And I think you’re falling for your wife.”

Sax nodded in agreement.

“You’re full of shit.” I released a short sarcastic laugh that contradicted my now racing heartbeat.

“Boss, she’s beautiful—”

“Careful with the adjective you’re using, Sax, if you still wanna have a complete set of teeth,” I told him, and my face turned hot.

“You’re right, Wilder,” Sax agreed with Kye. “She’s different from the women—”

“What women?”

My eyes widened to hear the familiar voice. I was on my feet, walking toward my mother. “Mom, you made it!”

“Of course, I wouldn’t miss.” She hit me on my arm. “it.” Hit. “I raised you well, Mykel.” Another hit. “What’s gotten into you?” She was pissed at me. I could see that.

“It’s a long story.”

“I still don’t believe you. Of all the people, I’m your mother, honey. You’re a risk-taker and impulsive when it comes to money, but this, who have you fooled? Just yourself, my boy.”

I scratched my brow. Then I found Kye and Sax smiling.

“Hey, boys.”

They went to kiss my mom on her cheeks. They did that thing every time they met my mother.

“Join us, Mrs. Creed.” Sax pulled a chair for my mom while I poured a cup of coffee for her.

“Thanks, honey.”

I watched my mom, and she looked happy and younger. I felt good knowing that I was somehow one of the reasons who put that smile on her face.

“Where’s my daughter-in-law?” I knew she was searching for Adley the moment she arrived.

“She’ll be here. I haven’t told her you’re coming. She’s used to planning everything, so knowing you’re visiting would only stress her. Just easy on Adley, okay?”

“I’m not a monster-in-law.” She sipped her coffee.

“You never had been a mother-in-law.”

“You’re happy, Mykel.” As soon as those words came out, I watched the two idiots in the corner of my eye react.

“Of course, I am. What’s not to be happy about?”

“This is not just a marriage of convenience. You like her, don’t you?”

I told Mom the shorter version of the story. The only thing she asked me about was if Adley annoyed me. I was still puzzled by that question.

Then there was my wife in her mini sundress. The yellow sandals were cute on her feet. She was busy talking on the phone and hadn’t seen us.

I found myself smiling as she got closer.

“Got to go. I’m starving. See you soon. Love you.”

Since Mom was sitting next to Sax, Adley couldn’t see her at her angle.

I rose to my feet. “Morning.”

“Why are you smiling like that?” She was smiling back.

“I trust you slept well.”

“Like a baby.”

“You look lovely.” I wrapped my arm around her waist and kissed the side of her head. It just came out natural. It was definitely not rehearsed or part of our little charade anymore. I might have to recheck my feelings. I was afraid to admit that these guys might be right after all.

A clearing of the throat broke us apart.

“Baby, I’d like you to meet someone.”

When she looked at the table, my mom was grinning from ear to ear.

“Oh, my God. I’m sorry. I don’t know we have a guest.”

“She’s not exactly a guest. She’s my mom.”

“Your what? What do you mean she’s your mom?” Her face was in pure shock.

My mom was already pulling Adley into a hug. “I flew right away as soon as my son told me that you two had eloped to Vegas.”

“Um, hi, Mrs. Creed.”

“Silly girl, call me mom. You’re the Mrs. Creed now,” Mom said after they pulled apart. “Take a seat, darling. Let me know if my son doesn’t treat you right. I can still spank his butt even if he’s as tall as a post.”

“Mom,” I called her.

Adley smiled as she sat beside me. Sax gave her a coffee cup.

“You don’t have to do this,” she said to him.

“No worries, Mrs. C.”

“I’m sorry if this is too much for you.” I squeezed her knee under the table.

“It’s okay. I missed having a mother around.” She then looked at my mother. I was finally able to breathe freely, knowing she was okay with this. “How’s your flight?”

“It was good and nice to be back. Two years ago, my son brought me here on his birthday. You should know this place meant so much to him.”

“Really? How so?” Her eyes lit up.

“It’s when I found out Mom was free of cancer.”

Her hand instantly was on her chest. “I’m happy for you, Mrs. Creed. I mean, Mom. I lost my parents when I was eight. Two days ago, I was terrified to fly, but Mykel made it possible and easy for me to cope. I see now where did he get that from. You raised him well.”

“Thank you, darling. I always wanted to have a daughter, and he just made it come true.”

“Not what you expected, I may add.”

My mom laughed. “A small wedding in Las Vegas, and I was uninvited? Definitely, darling. And he’s going to pay for that.”

“Mom, I told you—”

“She knew?” Adley asked me.

“He doesn’t keep secrets from me. That’s our deal.”

“You okay with this?” Adley asked Mom.

“He’s happy, isn’t he?”

My wife looked at me.

“Then that’s what mothers would want for their sons.”

After our delightful breakfast, Sax and Kye left the house. Mom and Adley spent time together. They seemed to get along so well, considering they had just met. They already had a plan for a spa, which Elise booked for two on the mainland.

I could still hear their conversation even if I were on the shore.

“Let me tell you this, darling. Trust me. It may start as this agreement about what you two were up to, but I know, my dear boy. He takes a risk with deals and investments, but in relationships, it’s a different story considering his freedom as a free man is at stake.”

“You must be shocked.”

“He never brought a woman to me or even mentioned someone in his life. I knew his reputation for his extracurricular activities. I even joked that maybe I have a granddaughter somewhere.”

Adley smiled. “Possibly.”

“Did he tell you about our lives when he was young?”

“Yeah. His father abandoned you both.”

“He never told that to anybody, especially those women he slept with. You are special, darling. The last thing he wanted was to get married or to be in a long-term relationship. It may all start as a deal, but my son broke all his rules because he saw something in you. Just don’t break my boy’s heart. He’s the only one I’ve got.”

“Did he tell you how we met?”

My mom giggled. “He mentioned that when I asked him how did you two meet. He told me like this—Mom, she hates me. I could feel her bones vibrating and wanted to poke her fingers into my eyes.”

Adley laughed with Mom. I had to join them before Mom could spill something more.

“You two have a spa to go to.” I squeezed Adley’s shoulder. I found her hand squeezing me back as she looked at me. “Come on, Mom. You need to change. Sax will take you to the spa. Then I will meet you both for lunch.”

When we reached our room, Adley remained silent, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Something’s in your mind?”

She met my gaze. “She’s a lovely woman.”

“I thought you’re gonna be pissed at me for not telling you ahead of time.”

“It’s all right. But starting today, no more surprises. If you have plans that involve me, I want to know.”

“Fair enough. Are you scared of going on a boat?”

“No.”

“Great. I have rented a yacht. After lunch, you and I will go on sailing.”

“Just the two of us?”

“Scare of me? Last night you weren’t so.”

Her eyes grew big. “What do you mean?”

“You were clinging to me the whole time.”

“You’re lying.” She blushed.

“Am I?”