“X…” she moaned.
We moved at a slow, steady pace, connecting on more than a physical level. I silently begged for her forgiveness. Pouring all of my sins and secrets into our kiss. If I could claim her heart and soul, would my lies matter?
11
Xavier
Monday arrived faster than I would have liked. The past two days were the best I’d ever had. Spending time with Kara on Saturday and taking our relationship to the next level was more than I ever could have dreamed. She was the perfect woman for me. The one I had waited for my entire life. Sunday, we picked up Zoey, took her to lunch and the aquarium.
As I flipped through my photos of the three of us enjoying our day yesterday, I couldn’t believe this was my family. Well, at least they could be. That was my goal. And once I established my goals, I never lost sight of them.
There were a few obstacles. John had called to check on me twice this morning. I wasn’t ready to return the calls. Kate had left me a voicemail last night requesting a face to face. She was a problem I’d have to deal with sooner rather than later. And, then there was Josh. He had been handled late last week. Now, I needed to see what his next move would be. He had no idea who I was. He was being paid an obscene amount of money to walk away. There was no doubt in my mind what he would do. He’d already walked away when he divorced Kara and abandoned my beautiful daughter. I was just sealing the deal.
As long as I kept everything under control and stayed on top of the situation, I could accomplish what I’d set out to do. Not only could I have Zoey in my life but I could build a life with her mother. We could be the family portrayed in those pictures on my phone. I would make sure it all fell into place.
“Mr. Trapp.” Adrian tapped on my door. “Kara Cartwright is here to see you.”
“Is she?” I smiled as I got up from my desk.
“I know she doesn’t have an appointment but you have an opening and I thought it would be okay.”
“Ms. Cartwright is always welcome here. As a matter of fact, you have my permission to interrupt me at any time for her or matters concerning her daughter. See her in.”
“Of course.” Adrian stepped out to retrieve Kara.
I sat on the edge of my desk, counting the seconds before I could see her gorgeous face. When she came into my office, she greeted me with a smile. But it wasn’t her usual spectacular smile. Something was missing.
“Hi.” She came toward me. “I hope I’m not interrupting. I’m on my lunch break and I didn’t know where else to go.”
“What’s wrong?” I took her hand. “You’re upset.”
She hugged me, holding onto me as if her life depended on it. “I need your help.”
“Anything.” I stroked her hair. “Tell me what you need.”
She let go of me and reached into her bag. “I know you’re not this kind of an attorney but I thought you could tell me what this means.”
“Were you served?”
“Someone brought me this letter this morning on my way into work.”
“Let me see.”
“I’m not being sued.” She handed the papers to me. “They’re from Josh.”
Josh? That was quick. I skimmed the papers because I already knew what they said. He was relinquishing his parental rights to Zoey.
“Can he do this?” she asked.
“A person can’t relinquish their parental rights simply because they’re trying to get out of child support.”
“He chose not to pay child support.”
“And you didn’t go after him.”
“I told you I didn’t want to waste the energy.”
“I agree it was the right decision.” This asshole doesn’t belong in my daughter’s life.
“Why would he do this?”
“These are just a formality.” One I fully intend to use when I claim my parental rights. Of course, I wouldn’t be able to do that without revealing who I am but if I married Kara, I could legally adopt Zoey, especially now that Josh was out of the way. “For whatever reason, he’s letting you know he’s officially out. He wants no claim to Zoey.”
“What a bastard.”
“Wait, were you hoping he’d come back into her life? Is that really fair to her?”
“No, I don’t want him anywhere near her but to even think he could do this makes me question my whole relationship with him. How could I have been so stupid to be with a man I knew nothing about? One who would lie to me? Make me believe he was someone he never was?”
Don’t go there.
“What should I do?”
“You shouldn’t do anything,” I informed her. “I’ll have my legal team reach out to Josh’s attorney. If you want nothing further from him, we’ll tell them you agree to the terms. We’ll also draw up papers stating that if in the future you decide to remarry, there is the possibility that person may want to adopt Zoey.”
“What? I can’t think about anything like that.”
“I’m just covering all of your bases. That may never happen but you need to protect yourself and Zoey.” I was protecting her but I was also making sure all of my bases were covered.
“Okay.” She leaned against me, resting her head on my shoulder. “I knew you could help me.”
“Always.” I kissed the top of her head. “I won’t ever let anyone hurt you or Zoey. I’m going to take care of you.”
“I’m glad you could help.” She looked up at me. “I can’t stop thinking about our night together.”
“Neither can I.” I brushed my lips across hers, knowing that this would all be a distant memory for her someday. We could be together without any complications from Josh. “It left a lasting impression.”
“I hope we get to do it again soon.” She pressed her mouth to mine, initiating a slow, sensual kiss. “I have to get back to work. I’m already going to be over my hour.”
“Did you eat lunch?”
“No.”
“Let me take you to lunch. We can go see the tree in Rockefeller Center.”
“As much as I’d love to, I have to go back to work.”
“I know Spencer Cannon well. He’s done some advertising for me. I could call him and tell him you’re with me this afternoon. I’m certain it won’t be a problem.”
“Don’t do that! I need my job.”
No, you don’t. Your daughter is an heiress to a billionaire. “He won’t fire you.”
“You’ve done enough for me today.” She took my face between her hands and kissed my lips. Her touch settled me, brought me peace that I’d never experienced before. “I feel much better knowing you’re on my side.”
“I’ll always be on your side.” Placing my hand on her back, I drew her close to me. “Things haven’t been easy for you lately but I’m going to make sure that they get better. I’m here when you need me.”
“Do you remember the day we met?”
“I’ll never forget it.”
“I was having a rough morning and Zoey sensed it. I told her I’d take her to the park that afternoon. Do you want to know what she said?”