Chapter 25
"Hey, how did it go?" Meylan asked after he and Daniela shared a quick kiss in 'hello'. He was surprised by the dinner invitation but made the effort to look extra good as Daniela warned him she had good news and her mother was here. He was surprised that Daniela hadn't been able to beg out of dinner but sensing the weird edge to her now. He was sure they weren't here by her preference.
"I got the job." she told him in a low excited tone. She gently gripped his shirt in her hands as he held her close, she looked so happy and damn she looked good; glowing with her joy.
"Congratulations!" he said, he wanted to kiss her again but they had an audience. The kiss he had in mind was not meant for an audience.
"Thank you, I start next week." She told him with a small dance. She ruefully pulled away from him to share him with the other occupants. Meylan smiled at Wolf who looked distinctly uncomfortable and the older woman who smiled warmly at him. He could now see the familial resemblance with the Taylors' and Daniela now that her mother was there. She looked like an older version of Daniela, but had a bohemian fashion style while Daniela was more classical sleek.
"Sir." Wolf said as they shook hands in greeting.
"Joe or Meylan. We're off the clock." Meylan reminded him. Wolf nodded as he gestured to the older woman.
"Captain- Joe Meylan," he said awkwardly unable to settle on one name. "This is my Mother-" Wolf started she came forward and hugged him. Meylan looked to Wolf who gave a shrug.
"Cynthia, you can call me Cynthia, are a very handsome man." She said as she pulled back and smiled at him. She even gave his biceps an appreciative squeeze before she released him. "Very nice." she murmured, Meylan felt a little uncomfortable as he felt like a piece of fruit being felt up to see if it was ripe to eat. He could see that Daniela did not like it.
"Thank you, Ma'am." he said casually, he decided it was best to play it cool. "Dinner smells good." he said changing topic.
"Yes, my son is an excellent cook even when he's being harangued by my daughter." Cynthia said with a smile, Daniela froze while Wolf looked unsure of what to do or say. "My children think I'm not observant. Something they inherited genetically from their father." she said to Meylan.
"You knew?" Daniela asked Cynthia, she looked to Wolf; feeling slightly betrayed and claustrophobic. "You told her?" she asked him, Meylan wanted to move to her side but knew it would be taken the wrong way by Daniela's mother. Daniela needed to stand on her own feet when it came to her family.
"No, I didn't." Wolf told her.
"It's like looking in a mirror, a much younger mirror. It's ok. We have time, I'm here for a month." Cynthia said as she tapped Daniela's cheek in a loving manner. But Meylan could see Daniela was not taking it that way. Hell, he didn't feel it was loving as there had been a cold edge to the woman's warmth.
"A month?" Wolf asked surprised by that little factoid.
"Yes," Cynthia said, "We'll talk about it another day. For now, let's enjoy this meal." She told them.
Sasha sat at the dinner table with Tom and the kids, it was a quiet affair. Incredibly quiet affair which made her wonder what was wrong or what she had done.
"The pizza is good." Sasha said trying to start a conversation. She wondered if it was a mistake to take up Tom's offer of dinner with him and the kids.
"Yeah, it's ok." Ashley replied.
"How are you settling in?" She asked.
"Bruno likes the house." Sammy told her.
"He's a good judge of character." Sasha replied, it earned her a small smile from the boy.
"Dad took down Mom's pictures." Ashley told her bluntly. Sasha felt like she had just stepped onto an emotional mine.
"Ashley, not now." Tom said calmly yet their was a note of tension in his shoulders.
"You're dating each other, she should know." Ashley said in a matter of fact tone.
"I do know, I admit it's partly my fault. I suggested that he make some changes, it's not about erasing your Mom from the home. It's that houses need maintenance and sometimes changing a space is needed. It isn't bad, in fact, sometimes it's good for us. Helps change our perspective. The other side of it, is that prolonged light exposure can destroy a photo. So it's good to rotate them, store some away to preserve them for the future." Sasha said diplomatically, which stumped Ashley as she had been angling for a fight.
"Oh, I guess so." Ashley conceded as she nor Tom had thought of that reason.
"Can I paint my room?" Sammy asked.
"You can choose a colour and we'll paint it together. But you have to live in it until you leave for college." Tom told him with a wry smile.
"So Joseph, what are your intentions towards my daughter?" Cynthia asked as they were eating dessert. Daniela had spent most of the evening staring at her plate pushing the contents around which was a shame given the food was delicious.
But obviously meeting her mother hadn't been a magical moment. Meylan could see why as her mother seemed very intent on interrogating him and throwing barbs at Daniela. He knew the former was motherly instinct in wanting the best for your children but the latter was not. The way she said 'My Daughter' there was a slight tone of disgust in her tone like she wasn't happy.
"Marriage, kids and all the fun stuff in between." Meylan said honestly, before he took a bite of his cake. Daniela's cheek went pink at his words and small smile grace her lips as she looked to him. He caught her hand under the table and gave it a comforting squeeze.
"Have you been married before?" Cynthia asked in a real mother hen manner. Meylan looked at her wondering the best answer as it wasn't the older woman's business. So he decided to avoid answering altogether until Daniela spoke.
"Does it matter?" She asked Cynthia.
"I'm just curious. I'm learning so much this evening." the older woman said with a dry lilt. "Like how my daughter followed in my ex's path and grew up to be a very lucrutive criminal." she said with disappointment as she glared at Daniela. It was clear the sins of the father were being placed squarely on the daughter's shoulders. The woman wasn't letting Daniela off the hook, something Meylan couldn't understand as Wolf was a fair minded individual and had managed to get along with Daniela. Why couldn't her mother be the same?
"This cake is delicious." Meylan said changing the topic, not for the first time.
"I'm not ashamed of my past. It's made me who I am, you should be the last to judge anyone. You abandoned me and kept Wolf out of spite." Daniela said, as she could no longer let dogs lie.
"I didn't abandon you. Your father had money and power. He took you to punish me and then I was told you both died. You however knew the truth for years and never sought me out." Cynthia said clearly past and present pain eating at her.
"Mum, stop." Wolf said as he was fed up with the less than subtle digs that became real jabs as Cynthia became deeper into her cups.
"I always speak the truth, it broke my heart when I was told you died. Your name isn't even Daniela. Your name-"
"Enough!" Daniela threw her napkin onto the table. "I don't care about my 'real' name, I never used it. And yes, I know what it is and that girl never existed. As for your accusation? I did reach out, who do you think paid for those stupid scholarships to educate your offspring? Who saved Wolf from being beheaded as an act of revenge? ME! I DID! Now, I've spent my whole life being a disappointment, never good enough, never enough. Yet always under someone's thumb. I'm finished with all of it. Screw you and your family, to think you're above me. So, I think it's best you just keep believing your first daughter is dead and move on with your life. It's clear you are capable of that much." Daniela told her, she rose from the table and shook her head.
Cynthia sat in her chair looking pale and distraught. Wolf pressed a hand to his eyes while Meylan wasn't sure what to do. He did know he should keep his mouth shut.
"I hope you enjoy your visit with your son and Wolf. Rent will be in the mail." She said, she walked for the door. Meylan and Wolf shared a look and both knew how this was going to roll. No words were needed as Meylan followed Daniela out the door.
She raced for the elevator and Meylan caught the door just before it closed. The doors sprung open and Meylan saw Daniela was pale and in distress. She unbuttoned her shirt and shook at the collar as her chest heaved.
"I'm sorry." She said as she struggled to breathe. Meylan stepped into the elevator and placed his hands on her arms. He gently rubbed up and down as she was just shaking hard and panicking.
"Just breathe," he told her in a soothing manner, he breathed with her; showing her how to slow her breathing down. "It's not exactly normal for families to reunite like that. You're also entitled to feel what you're feeling and to bite back." he said as he continued to rub her arms. She gave a nod as she was starting to breathe better.
"I was such bitch." She said, she leaned her head onto his shoulder; soaking up his strength and warmth. He wrapped his arms around her, cocooning her in his strength.
"Anyone would be given the circumstances. Why don't we go for a walk?" he asked as he hit the button for the ground floor.
"Get a stiff drink?" She asked wryly. She could use the drink. She gripped him tight as he was her anchor.
"Ice cream. Cookies and cream with caramel sauce." he suggested. That seemed to get her attention as she smiled at the idea.
"Yes." she said as that sounded perfect to her, "Then back to your place?" she asked, He gave a nod.
"Yep, I'll do what I did on the fifth date. Take your mind off it all." He said with a sly grin, Daniela returned the smile and playfully tugged on his shirt.
"Mmm, I like the sound of that more than Ice cream." she murmured against his lips before they kissed.
"I prefer we walk off this tension and I want ice cream." He told her between kissed.
"Ok, but only because you love me." She said, she pulled back with a grin as they hadn't said they loved one another to their faces. But they knew, they didn't need a special moment of clarity as they felt it in their bones.
"I do, you love me too." he said.
"I do." She said with a grin as she loved him and the way he made her feel. For being here with her and saving her from what was a horrible dinner to going out for ice cream.
"Sorry about tonight." Tom said to Sasha as he walked her to her car.
"It's ok." Sasha said.
"It was weird." Tom stated, as there was no better word to describe it.
"Yeah, it was." Sasha admitted with a small smile.
"It's just tough for us all to be back." Tom said making his excuses.
"Without Darien." Sasha added, she wasn't upset. She knew it wouldn't be perfect all the time and was fine with it. Whatever Ashley and Sammy were going through would pass. They were just going through a lot of changes. She knew what that was like.
"Yes, but in time we'll adjust. The kids will adjust as I'm good. You know that right?" he asked her.
"I understand it's not easy. I'm good. I know where we stand with one another." Sasha said as they reached her car.
"Where is that?" Tom asked out of curiosity as he wanted to know if they were on the same page. He knew they were but wanted to hear the words.
"You love me, I love you. We can work through all the details later." She told him.
"But you're still leaving me." Tom said mockingly, Sasha chuckled.
"It's best you be with your kids. Give them time to get used to me hanging around." She said, Tom couldn't help himself. He lowered his mouth the last few inches that separated them and he kissed her.
He heard Sasha sigh as his lips covered hers, and it was that little breathless sound, he loved that sound and the feel of her pressed up against him. He deepened the kiss, knowing this was all he was going to get. Tonight. So he was going to savour it. Sasha kissed him back so passionately for a few moments before she pulled back, away from him and smiled.
"Goodnight Tom," She said, he opened the driver side door for and she got in.
"Night, call me when you get home." He said as he closed the door, he stepped back and watched as Sasha drove away for a few seconds before he went back inside.
Meylan slowly spaced teasing kisses between licks and soft bites as he worked his way down her body. He wasn't normally the kind of guy who left a mark, but with Daniela, he couldn't help himself. She didn't seem to mind, in fact she relished it. His only goal right now was to make her remember how good the sex was and block out any bad emotions still creeping in that beautiful head of Daniela's.
Daniela gave a moan as he sucked her skin against his teeth, leaving behind little love bites wherever he passed. She took hold of his hair and guided him where she wanted him to go. A smug grin stretched his mouth as he gave in to her wishes and suckled her breasts as she demanded. Even in bed, she wasn't passive and fuck- it was hot.
Fingernails bit into his scalp, and her whole body shuddered beneath him. Meylan lingered only long enough to sate her before he pressed her thighs wide and settled between them.
The scent of her arousal filled the air and made him ache with the need to taste her. He knew firsthand just how sweet she was and how her sexy moans made his head swell. Both of them.
She hadn't let go of his hair since he started his onslaught, Meylan loved it. He knew just where to go and what to do. He kissed a path to her hip, in the hollow between her hip bone and her stomach. With a light touch, he ran his tongue along the area until he found just the right spot, the one that made her twitch and gasp every time he touched it.
Daniela hissed and her grip tightened, telling Meylan that he'd hit gold. He sucked her skin as he slid two fingers and stroke her, teasing her just a moment before he eased his way right inside, nice and easy.
Her muscles tightened around his fingers and he sucked harder, tightening his teeth against her skin just a bit. Just enough to let her feel it. A rush of wetness drenched his fingers, and a long, slow cry bubbled up out of her throat. Her body contracted, then shuddered, and the grip around his fingers tightened as an orgasm shook her body.
Meylan smiled in victory, but he wasn't done yet. Not even close. While the climax was still shimmering through her, he found her clit and flicked his tongue over the distended little button. His fingers filled her while his knuckles grazed against her sweet spot with every stroke.
She hadn't even caught her breath from the last orgasm before he was driving her toward the next. He'd never get enough of hearing her like this, never get enough of feeling her clench around his fingers, or his cock.
As he pulled the second climax from her body, Daniela nearly ripped his hair out. She was panting and tugging hard at his hair to get him to take her.
That was more than fine with him. He found a condom in his pocket, shed his jeans, and covered himself before Daniela came to her senses. He flipped her onto her stomach and slid into her from behind, just like he'd been aching to do since the moment he saw the idea darken her eyes with lust.
She was soft and wet from her orgasm, and he slid in so easy it was like breathing. Her body was hot against his, hot around his, and so tight it had him panting.
He buried his nose in her hair and breathed deep. She smelled so fucking good, tasted even better. He nudged her hair aside and kissed her neck as he started moving inside her. Long, slow thrusts that wouldn't irritate her sensitized tissues but would keep her nice and hot and aching for more.
Soon, Daniela was shaking again, struggling to pull in a full breath. Meylan rolled them to their sides and stroked her hip, finding that spot he knew made her crazy. His fingertip hit the place he had marked with his teeth, and she twitched as if he'd applied an electric current.
"Fuck, so good," she murmured as this was exactly what she needed.
"You're going to like what I do next. I promise." he replied smugly and to prove his point, he pressed his hips forward and locked hers in place so she had no choice but to accept his deep thrust. She moaned, and her hand fisted in the sheets. She was close, which was good, because Meylan wasn't going to be able to hold out much longer and he needed to hear her come for him just one more time.
Sweat dripped down his back as he worked to bring her pleasure while staving off his own impending orgasm. That telltale shudder shook her body, and he knew she was close. He reached around and cupped her breast, catching her nipple between his fingers. She went tense, and her toes curled against his shins as the first wave of her climax washed over her.
The sound she let out was a clear, shimmering cry of pleasure, and it sent Meylan right over the edge. Her body rippled around him, squeezing his cock so hard he lost control. He thrust into her, rolling her onto her stomach so he could ride her harder, deeper. Sizzling currents raced through his blood and sent shock wave of release through him.
Minutes later, he regained enough conscious thought to realize he was crushing Daniela. He rolled off, regretting the need to leave the sweet clinging heat of her body. He wrapped the spent condom in tissue and tossed it in the trash. Even that much effort made his arms shake.
Sweat cooled on his chest and thighs as Daniela rolled over and curled against his side. Meylan held her close and refused to let himself think about anything more than the pounding of his heart. Every time he started thinking, he got himself into trouble, and he wasn't willing to sacrifice even a second of this time with her, right here, right now.
Much later, in the evening, Daniela rose up over him with that wicked smile back in place.
"My turn," she told him as she moved down his body and slid her lips over his cock. Meylan didn't think he had any starch left in him, but Daniela proved him wrong. One swipe of her tongue and he was hard again, throbbing with need and ready to let her do as she pleased.
She did, and although he wasn't sure he was going to live through it, he didn't really mind.