New Beginnings (8 page)

She blushed at my words. “Okay. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” She left my lap then headed to the door. “I’ll see you after work.”

“I look forward to it.” I winked at her.

When she walked out, I stared at her ass, like usual.

“Do you think you should be working out?” I asked when we walked into the gym.

“I’m not paralyzed,” she snapped.

“But you shouldn’t be running marathons either,” I yelled back. I was already concerned about Cassandra, but when it came to my baby, I was borderline insane.

“The doctor said it’s good to exercise.”

“But gently, right?”

“I’m just going to do some walking and a few free weights.”

That made me feel a little better. “Okay.”

We went into separate changing rooms then headed into the gym. She was wearing a tight top that showered her distended stomach.

“Why the hell did you have to wear that?”

“What’s wrong with it?” She looked down at herself then back at me.

“It’s hot. Now I’m going to be distracted the whole time.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re always distracted.” She walked off and headed to the treadmill, her earphones in. I watched her for a moment before I headed to the weight machines. I never did cardio, just weights. My goal was to be big, not lean and toned like my brother. That
was why I was the hotter sibling.

I kept looking at Cassandra the entire time, looking at her stomach. I had no idea why I was so obsessed
with it. I’d seen pregnant women before I never thought they were hot. With Cassandra, it was the hottest thing in the world. I’d wake up in the middle of the night with the sudden urge to be inside her. She swatted me away but I did it anyway while she moaned quietly beneath me, her eyes drooping in sleepiness.

When we finished our workout, I placed my hand on her stomach. “You okay?”

“I feel fine.” She wiped her forehead with a towel. “Now I’m hungry.”

“Let’s get home and I’ll make you something to eat.”

We took my Jaguar to the apartment then showered together. I took her from behind under the soapy water, my hand on her stomach, and then I went into my office with my phone in hand.

“What are you doing?” she asked. “I thought we were going to watch the game?”

“I need to make a phone call.”

“Okay.” She closed the door.

I was glad she didn’t ask who I was calling. I understood her trust issues, but they were unnecessary with me. Even if she didn’t trust me, she should at least know I wouldn’t lie to her about anything.

“Rogers Real Estate,” he said over the phone.

“Hi, it’s Mike Preston. I’m checking on a bid I put in for a house.”

“Hello, Mike. Nice to hear from you.”

“So, have the owners decided?”

“Yes. Unfortunately, they went with someone else.”

My heart fell. Cassandra loved that house. I had to get it. “What if I raise my bid?”

“I don’t think it would
matter. I suspect the owner knows the buyer.”

My mind launched into full capacity. I had to get this house if it was the last thing I did. The look on Cassandra’s face was one I’d never forget. I knew she wanted to settle down there. “Who’s the owner?”

“A wealthy family here in Connecticut.”

“Can I have his name?”

“It’s a woman.”

“Oh. Can I have her name?”

“Why?” he asked.

“I’m going to speak to her directly.”

“I’m not at liberty to divulge that information.”

“How
does a thousand bucks sound?”

He was quiet for a while. “You’re determined.”

“My girl loves that house. I’m getting it.”

“Forget the money. Here’s the name, address, and phone number.” He read it off to me and I wrote it down.

“Thank you.” I hung up then stared at the information.
Athena Lucas
. I brainstormed how to approach her and get what I wanted. Obviously, money didn’t mean anything to her. She probably had more than she’d ever need, just like me. I called the person I trusted most.

“Hey, son.”

“Dad, I need your help.”

He sighed. “What did you do?”

“No, nothing like that.”

“Then tell me.”

“I’m trying to buy a house in Connecticut. My bid was substantially higher than the asking price and I was still rejected.”

“And what do you want me to do about that?”

“Do you know the name Athena Lucas?”

My dad mumbled quietly then cleared his throat. “Yes, I knew her husband. He passed away a few years ago.”

“So, this woman is old?”

“No, about my age.”

“So, she’s old?”

“Not a good way to get me to help you, son.”

“Whatever. Do you know this woman personally?”

“No, but I golfed with Dan a few times.”

I rubbed my chin. “Do you think you can come with me to talk to her?”

“And do what?”

“I don’t know. Name drop, talk her up, give her a reason to give me the house. You know better than anyone that success is about who you know, not how hard you work.”

“Actually, I don’t know that,” he said coldly.

“Well, you’re an exception. Please help me.”

He sighed. “You know I’ll do anything for you, son. But I don’t know how much help I can be.”

“Just come with me.”

“When?”

“You doing anything now?”

“I’m retired. What do you think?”

“I’ll be there in half an hour.”

“Okay. Bye.”

I hung up then grabbed my keys and wallet. Cassandra was in the kitchen when I headed to the front door.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“I need to see my dad.”

“Everything okay?” she asked.

“Yeah.”

“What are you doing?” She came to me then put her arms around my neck.

I couldn’t lie to her but I didn’t want her to know what I was doing. I didn’t want to get her hopes up. “I can’t tell you.”

“Okay…”

“But I’ll tell you when I can.”

“Should I be worried?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

“No.”

She gave me a kiss on the corner of my mouth. “Hurry up.”

“I will. Knowing you’re here in nothing but my shirt is motivation enough.”

“It better be.” When she walked away, she shook her ass purposely.

I growled at her then walked out.

I picked up my dad at the house, and Scarlet immediately came to the door.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“I’m trying to buy a house but I’m having problems.”

“Do you need money?” she asked.

“No,” I said with a laugh. “It’s something much more complicated.”

“Do you have a house in mind?”

“Yep. It’s right down the street.”

Her eyes widened in excitement. “Really?”

I nodded. “Cassandra fell in love with it and now I have to get it.”

“Can I help?” she asked.

“No. I think this is a job for my dad.”

Sean came down the stairs. “I’m sick of your face.”

“Love you too, bro.”

My dad put on his jacket then came to the door. “I’ll be back in an hour or so.”

“Have fun,” Scarlet said.

“What are you doing?” Sean asked immediately. “Why am I not invited?”

“Because Dad likes me more than you.” I walked out with my dad trailing behind me.

“They’re working on getting a house,” I heard Scarlet explained as she shut the door.

We got inside my Jaguar and I put the address into the GPS.

“Does she know we’re coming?” my dad asked.

“No.”

“Well, that’s rude…”

“It’ll be more personal if I speak to her in person.”

He shook his head. “It’s not the way I would go about it.”

“Well, I don’t have a lot of time.” We left the house and stayed near the coast. I assumed this one had a beach house even bigger than the one she was selling. “What do they do for a living?”

“They are the owners of a pharmaceutical company.”

“Figures.”

My dad changed the radio station, putting on classic rock. Only Cassandra and my dad could touch it without getting their fingers bit off. When Sean changed the station, I punched him right in the face.
“You’re determined to get this house.”

“Cassandra had her heart set on it.”

He nodded. “You always got to do what the lady wants.”

“I like getting sex from her, so yes, I do.”

“Sounds about right.”

I thought now would be a good time. We were alone, and my dad deserved to know first. “I need to tell you something.”

“I’m listening.” He was cool and collected like always.

“The reason why Cassandra and I got back together was because she’s pregnant with my kid.”

His eyes widened. “She is?”

“Yeah. After she told me, I put aside my resentment and rage because I realized how insignificant it was. She wants to get married and have
a family. It’s exactly what I want.”

My dad smiled like an idiot. “That’s wonderful.”

“I’m really excited about it.”

He patted me on the shoulder. “You two will make excellent parents.”

“I hope so. But you might have to give me some pointers.”

“Nah. You’ll be a pro,” he said confidently.

I gripped the steering wheel and released the breath I was holding. It felt so good to get it off my chest. I was excited about the baby and I was tired of holding it in. “You were the first person I told.”

“That makes me feel special.”

“You are special.”

“How far along is she?”

“Only about five weeks.”

My dad’s eyes crinkled in confusion. “Then…how is it possible that the baby is yours?”

“We hooked up,” I explained.

“Oh. I see. Not to doubt Cassandra, but you are sure it’s yours, right?”

“Yes. She wasn’t with anyone when we were apart.”

“Did you do a test?”

“No,” I said firmly. “We don’t need one.”

“Then I’m very happy for you. You’re going to do right by her, right?”

“Yes. I have the ring.”

He clapped my shoulder. “Good.”

We reached the house then parked on the street, off the property.

“Now I understand why you want this house so much,” my father explained.

“I don’t want to raise my family in the city. I don’t want them to be cold and hard, or lose their faith in humanity before they’re an adult.”

“I don’t see why they would. New York is a beautiful place filled with compassionate and caring people.”

I rolled my eyes. “Dad, you have a corrupted view of the world.”

“Conversely, I have the true view of the world.”

“Whatever.”

We approached the door then examined the house. It was a three-story Spanish style house that led straight to the water. The lot was ten acres. She obviously did well for herself as a widow. I knocked and waited for her to answer it.

“Who is it?” the intercom said. The voice was feminine and smooth.

I hit the button. “My name is Mr. Preston and I’m inquiring about the house you’re selling on Piccadilly Drive.” I released the button.

My dad eyed me. “You can be professional after all.”

“That house already has a buyer,
” she said.

“But I’d like to discuss that further. Please.” I could tell this woman doesn’t put up with bullshit.

“Who’s the man with you?”

Shit, I didn’t even see the cameras.
“My father, Mr. Preston.”

“Preston?” she said. “Of Linguistics Software?”

My father pressed the button. “Hello, Athena. I know we’ve never met, but your husband and I used to golf together. He was a good friend and still missed.”

“Andrew?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“I’ll be there in a moment.”

My father and I waited until she opened the door. Wearing dark jeans that could have been sprayed on, and a pink blouse that showed the curves of her hips and her prominent breasts, she greeted us with a smile. She hard dark hair that was almost black, and olive colored skin. She was definitely a cougar.

“Hello,” she said. “I apologize for my rudeness. But I’m all alone in this big house and I don’t take chances.”