I unbuckle Justin and pull him from his booster seat, lifting him into my arms. “Oh, we almost forgot your new toys, Justin,” I say as I reach into the car and pull out his bags. Levi spoils his nephew as much as he spoils Parker.
I walk up the familiar path to the double doors, both made of fine wood. I press the bell twice, but after a minute or so there is still no answer. I know Keira is home, because her car is in the driveway along with an unfamiliar black, expensive-looking car. I turn the fancy brass doorknob, to find it unlocked. I glance at my watch; it’s ten minutes past seven. I always drop Justin home around seven, so she should be expecting us. I assume she left the door unlocked for me, so I walk in, and head into the living area.
I put Justin down, kissing him on the forehead. “Bye Aunt Giselle,” he calls out as he takes the bag from me and heads to his room, no doubt to play with his new toys. I smirk, shaking my head at him. “Keira!” I call out, walking through the lounge room. I hear a noise in the kitchen so I head straight there.
“Oh my God,” I yell upon entering the room, bringing my hand up to shield my eyes.
Most people cook in their kitchen. Oh, how I wish she were cooking, because then I wouldn’t see her butt-naked, kissing some guy on her kitchen table.
“Keira, your son is home! For f**k’s sake,” I yell at her, turning around so I don’t have to see anymore. I hear her mutter a curse, then shuffling. Hopefully they are getting dressed. The woman is unbelievable! She knew Justin was going to be dropped off today.
“You have a kid?” asks a deep, rumbly voice.
I tense.
That voice.
Surely not …
I turn around slowly, no longer caring about their nakedness, and look straight into the cold eyes of Tane Miller himself. The man really does get around. My throat burns, and my chest hurts, but I try to school my expression.
Don’t let him see how much he hurt you.
He’s leaning against the table lazily, without a care in the world, wearing nothing but a pair of boxer shorts. His chest is heaving slightly and I try to push the thought of what the two of them were up to before I arrived aside.
It makes me feel sick.
Tane looks more muscular and filled out than when I last saw him. I stop myself right there, not wanting him to see me staring at him, not wanting to notice how good he looks. Keira is quickly dressing herself, with a sour expression on her face. She walks over to me and says in a hushed tone, “Can you keep him tonight, please? It’s Tane Miller!”
I narrow my eyes at her. I want to say no. I don’t want her to f**k Tane. But he isn’t mine, and I don’t get a say in who and what he does.
Clearly he isn’t the same person he used to be, and I need to stop forgetting that.
“Yes. But for the record, you’re a selfish bitch,” I reply loudly. “Have some class, Keira.” Okay, so maybe I’m not one to criticise, considering I slept with Tane literally without one word being spoken, but at least I didn’t have a child to think about at the time.
I glance at Tane one last time to see his eyes on me, crinkling in thought. He has nothing to say to me? Nothing at all? Fine. Fuck him. I walk out of the kitchen and into Justin’s room. I pack his bag, and take him back home with me, pushing away the pain I feel.
Tane doesn’t deserve it.
Chapter Two
Tane
I’m leaning against the marble table, staring at the spot that woman just vacated.
It can’t be … could it?
It’s those eyes.
Giselle.
Hauntingly beautiful, ice-blue eyes.
Keira turns to me with a huff. Her top is on inside out, but I don’t bother telling her. I want to get out of here, ASAP.
“Fucking Giselle. She thinks she’s so much better than everyone else.”
I stand up straight. “Giselle?” I repeat, unable to feign indifference. A bad feeling creeps up my spine. Fuck, it was her. Why did she have to see me like this? And I didn’t even speak to her.
Regret fills me.
“Yeah, you were friends with her brother, Gage, weren’t you?” she says as she starts to undress again, obviously wanting to get back to business.
She looks so different. My Giselle didn’t have any tattoos, her hair was lighter and she was curvier. But those ice blue eyes …
A memory flashes in my mind, confusing me.
“Fuck!” I curse. I’d only just gotten back in town, and I didn’t plan on seeing Giselle so soon. I wasn’t ready yet—didn’t want her to see what I’ve become. The man I am now is different from the one she knew. I’ve pretty much avoided everyone I knew from high school, all my old friends, for the last several years. But now she’s already been exposed to this, I can only imagine what she thinks of me. I curse again, and then turn my gaze to Keira.
I’ve f**ked this up so bad.
She’s leaning against the wall suggestively, but I ignore it. She was just someone to keep me occupied for the night, no commitment or drama, but that sure as hell isn’t happening anymore.
“How do you know her?” I demand.
“Giselle? I’m Levi’s older sister. I told you that,” she says. She might have told me, but I sure as hell hadn’t been listening. Levi Black’s sister? Shit. Come to think of it, I had heard rumours about her in high school, and her rep might just be worse than mine. And now she is willing to send her kid away to have sex with me? Because I’m famous? Yes, I heard her comment to Giselle.