Swept Away: The First Bloodline Read online

  Taylor looked down at the three suits laid out for her. All two pieces. For a moment she felt insecure but then she didn’t figure he believed in one pieces. She looked them over. A solid black one. A bright blue. A white one with red streaks like someone had taken a paint brush and just flung streaks of red on it. Oh my.

  “Well Sissy, which one do you think? Blue, white and red, or black?” She watched Ashley as she finished putting hers on. She looked absolutely adorable in it. Ashley glanced over the suits and then quickly reached for the bright blue one. “Blue it is.”

  Taylor dressed looking in the mirror at herself. She couldn’t believe that she was going out there in a two piece. She turned to the side and looked at her lower abdomen and the pooch that had been left from the twins, that no matter what kind of exercises she had done hadn’t been effective. Here goes nothing.

  “You look HOT Mommy!” Ashley was smiling from ear to ear. She started to giggle. Taylor found herself laughing to.

  “Thanks, you look pretty gorgeous there yourself.” Taylor took Ashley’s hand in hers as if she needed to have that touch to give her the courage to walk out there. Taylor was hoping the guys hadn’t made it out yet. But sure enough, Taylor’s luck stood its ground. Damien was already in the pool looking up.

  Taylor looked up and seen Zach getting ready to jump off the diving board, that must have been at least fifteen feet above the water. “Zach!” She cried out as he jumped landing in the water in front of Damien. Both of them went under and then quickly returned to the top. His arms were wrapped around Damien and he was laughing uncontrollably. Taylor swallowed the lump and urge to vomit immediately.

  Relief settled in. Looking down at Ashley knowing what she was thinking. “I don’t think so. Only one heart attack for me a day please. That’s really high Sissy.” Taylor seen the disappointment in her eyes. She glanced back at the pool and Zach was at the shallow end. Damien was swimming towards them. Then he flattened his hands on the floor and lifted himself up and out of the pool. Oh holy hell. You should be illegal.

  The waters poured off of his delicious body and suddenly drinking the chlorine water from his body, was the best idea she had come up with in a long time. And the way those shorts were hanging even more deliciously on his hips. Her mouth actually began to water wanting to taste of him. Wanting to lick the water that drizzled down his body.

  Smiling he met Taylor’s eyes shaking his head now causing her to flush.

  “Fun day. No worries. Nothing is going to go wrong. Come on Ashley. You’re up. Let’s go show Mommy how fun it is.” He held his hand out to her and the minute hers touched his he folded around it, leading her to the board. Taylor heard him telling her to stay put and hold on to the railing until he told her ok. He took his place and dove in below.

  Taylor closed her eyes when he waved for Ashley to jump. Ashley’s scream echoed through the room, forcing Taylor’s eyes open. Just as before both went under then quickly surfaced, except Ashley wasn’t laughing. Damien smoothed her hair from her eyes.

  “How was that Kiddo?” He asked.

  She was quiet for a moment. Taylor’s heart again was at a standstill. “Awesome! Your turn Mommy! It’s fun like Damey said it was.” She called out.

  “Oh no.”

  “Yeah, I don’t think your Mommy knows how to have as much fun as we can. She looked scared huh? She’s a big chicken I think. Chickens can’t swim.” He teased her. Egging her on. Ok, I can do this. He laughed at her thought.

  She slowly made her way up looking down at him. He was there waiting for her. My kids can’t swim good yet, that doesn’t mean I don’t know how. Watch out big boy, I’ll show you how fun is done. He swam back towards the shallow end with the kids smiling the entire way.

  What the hell did I get myself into?

  She took a deep breath and let everything go as she jumped feet first into the water below. The water was warm taking her by surprise. She had expected it to be chilly. She didn’t know why it surprised her, seeing Damien right there when she came up, staring into her eyes again.

  You have to stop doing that!

  “I can do anything I want.” He leaned back, doing the back stroke silently laughing at her.

  They all spent the next couple of hours swimming before heading off to the movies. They never made it to horseback riding because the kids didn’t want to leave the pool. Popcorn, candy, soda, and nachos, not the healthiest supper in the world but it worked. After the movie, Taylor was totally exhausted on the way home.

  She glanced over her shoulder when she noticed not a sound from the kids had been made. Both of them sleeping peacefully. A long exhausting but fun day for them all.

  She just leaned her head against the seat and closed her eyes.

  “Taylor what are you doing? You don’t know him.” Chases voice called out to her.

  “I’m looking for you everywhere but I can’t find you! Where are you? Help me find you!”

  An image appeared in the distance. It wasn’t Chase. It was dark. She couldn’t make out who it was. She slowly walked towards it, wanting to see who was there with her. She put her hand on the shoulder and it turned causing her to scream out when she seen it.

  “Taylor wake up. Wake up.” Damien was shaking her. She opened her eyes, tears drained from them. He brushed his knuckles across them. “It was only a dream Sweet.” He sighed. She could see the pain he was feeling as much as her own. His breath was as erratic as her own, and he didn’t even need to breathe. They were connected as one.

  “I’m sorry.” She didn’t know what else to say. The image she had seen was horrific. Monster like. Grey skin. A long nose. A mouth full of sharp pointed teeth, with saliva dripping from them. But the eyes she knew. They were Damien’s eyes.

  “I know you don’t feel that way. You can’t help what you dream Sweet. Come on, I’ll help you get the kids out.”

  She reached for Ashley, as she was seated behind Taylor. She watched as he tenderly carried Zach beside her into the house. They laid them down, took off their shoes and covered them up. When they reached the living room he stopped by the door.

  It wasn’t a good idea, she knew that, but she wasn’t ready for him to leave her just yet. She didn’t know who she was kidding. She wasn’t ready for him to leave her ever. She looked at him and then made her way to her bedroom. Sex was not an option because she wouldn’t do that with the kids in the next room but she wanted him to hold her. She needed him to hold her. He followed somewhat reluctantly, which surprised Taylor.

  “Can you stay with me? I can find you some jammies if you want. I still have all of his…. I have some that you can borrow.” Her voice trailed off.

  “Are you sure this is what you want? I’m not going away. I’m only a thought away.” His voice was hesitant and shaky.

  “It is. If you can’t, I understand. I know this don’t make since, maybe it is just everything in the past. I’m afraid if I go to sleep, when I wake up you won’t be there. That confuses me. I just met you.” I want this terribly. I want this permanently. I’m scared I’ll lose you to.

  “There is nothing that I wouldn’t do for you, Taylor. Nothing. I’m glad you feel that way. I feel the same way. All I can tell you is I’m not going anywhere ever. This isn’t a dream. I can even pinch you if you want.” He smiled that sexy smile reassuring her as reached for his shirt and pulled it off letting it fall to the floor. He shed his pants before lying down on the bed. Then Taylor felt a bit of hesitation to join him. So much for needing jammies.

  “I just have to change first.” She walked to the set of drawers pulling out her usual nighttime attire. T-shirt, boxers. Not the sexiest in the world but definitely wins the award for most comfortable.

  Risking a glance back at him she felt his eyes pierce right through her. She could feel herself becoming stirred within and quickly raced to the bathroom to change.

  Holy hell! Well now that I have you there, I’m nervous as hell. She thought for a second she might ac
tually vomit.

  She pulled her shirt off before splashing some cool water on her face. She brushed her teeth. Knowing he could feel the nervousness inside of her but she couldn’t stop from feeling that way. She pulled off her bra, rid her pants and panties, threw on her t-shirt and boxers then opened the door. It took everything in her to walk to the bed and not close the door, staying in the bathroom the rest of the night.

  He stilled lying there looking at her before raising the blankets and gesturing for her to join him and she did. She snuggled her back against him.

  “You’re trembling Sweet. I enjoyed the bikini show in the mirror today. Thanks for that.” He kissed her forehead as he felt her tense. “Relax. Sleep.” He commanded. Her body surrendered as if she were hypnotized and had no other choice.

  Chapter Eight

  She woke feeling the warmth of the sun touching her face through the window. Chase always hated it, but she loved it and had ultimately own. Right off the bat she heard Ashley’s giggle, bringing her to sit straight up in bed. She didn’t even have to look to know she was alone in bed.

  Fearing the worst Taylor made her way to the kitchen. She wasn’t ready to answer questions about her and Damien to the kids yet.

  “Look Mom, silly face pancakes. Damien made them for us. Just like you.” Zach was ecstatic shaking his head yes as he took another bite. She felt total disappointment because Damien had taken that from her. Hurt even. That was the one thing that she had always done with the twins. It was their special time. Even Liz never had squeezed in on it. It was the only thing special Taylor felt she could do with them.

  Damien’s head rose looking straight into Taylor’s. Enigmatic eyes staring bottomlessly into hers. “It’s still yours Sweet, I just borrowed it.” He whispered into her ear before gently kissing her cheek softly and turning to pour her a cup of coffee. She decided it was better to let it go, then to try to explain something he obviously already knew.

  “Are you guys getting married? It’s ok with me. You don’t have to ask my permission or anything.” Zach asked looking at Damien.

  That was all it took to make Taylor go into a coughing fit as she choked on her coffee, spilling it all over the table as she gasped. After a moment she was finally able to answer him.

  “No. What makes you ask that? Did your Aunt Liz say something again?” She had to know where his mind was going with this or if someone had told him that.

  “Well, he slept in bed with you Mom, you said that people can sleep with each other when they get married. You’re not married. So that must mean that you are getting married?” His big blues questioned her diligently.

  “No, that doesn’t mean we are getting married. It just means that we like each other very much.” Taylor caught a small amount of dissatisfaction on his face leaving her to wonder why.

  “Well then why is it ok for you guys to sleep together? Can I sleep with my girlfriend when I get one? I will like her very much.”

  “Absolutely not!” She had to get a grip on herself quickly. Her tone raising, high enough to reach the ceiling. “And well, to answer your other question.” She paused. How do I answer that other question? She looked over towards Damien for help. What do I say to that? He shrugged his shoulders. Some help you are. He smiled back at her and then took the lead.

  “When you get older you’ll understand ok. Sometimes people can sleep in the same bed as another if both of them say it’s ok. If they love each other very much with everything in their heart and soul.” Taylor was speechless. Thoughtless. He loved her with everything in his heart and soul. Her inner Goddess wept tears of joy before she became overcome with multiple emotions that she was now fighting from showing her kids.

  His answer was so much better than anything she could have ever come up with. How do you explain something like that to a six year old with a very imaginative and curious mind?

  It must have sufficed his curiosity because he went back to eating his pancakes. Taylor sipped at her second cup of coffee looking over at Damien relieved that it had worked. Damien stood leaning back, resting against the counter. His arms crossed. His legs crossed. His long muscular legs. She hadn’t noticed before how damn sexy his legs actually were. How strong they looked. She suddenly found herself picturing him in a pair of light holey jeans eating a yellow apple like Jerry Dandridge. Stop it!

  Her face was completely flushed as he smiled back at her. But not in his usual sexy smile. The smile that kept going. Like he wanted more. But she wouldn’t give him more of that fantasy that she was learning to love.

  Liz and her damn books. Always trying to get her to read that crap, then when she did, she found it totally sexy as hell and couldn’t stop comparing Damien, his actions, his movements, his everything to a fictional character, only to think of another one to compare him to. Damn Taylor get it together already.

  “Mommy, you think Santa is going to bring me what I want this year? I don’t want a whole bunch.” Ashley was truly concerned.

  “I don’t know. Do you think you have been a really good girl this year?”

  “I think I have. I kept my room clean all year. I did real good.” She looked up like she was really thinking hard as she tapped her little finger against her chin. “Yep. I’ve been good.”

  “Yes, you did and you do and you have.”

  “Have you written your Santa letters yet?” Damien cut in.

  “No, not yet.” Ashley and Zach both frowned.

  “Hey guys, what’s wrong?” Zach looked over at Ashley and she at him. “Come on guys spill the beans.”

  “Well, last year you were sad at Christmas. Santa didn’t bring you what you wanted did he? You weren’t happy cause you didn’t get your present you asked for.” Zach asked.

  Taylor took a deep breath. No one could bring her what she wanted. Until now. She looked into Damien’s eyes. Bright eyes. Soothing. “He did. All I wanted for Christmas last year was to be with you guys and I got to do that. This year is not going to be any different. As long as I have you both I am happy.” And the pain to go away permanently would help.

  “Hey I have an idea. What about after we clean up from breakfast we write those letters and I can drop them off in the mail on my way home?” Damien sweetly suggested.

  The yelling of yes answered that. She hadn’t seen them this interested in cleaning up ever. They cleared the table quickly and surprisingly quiet. Taylor laughed at the sight of them. Zach ran and grabbed the paper and pens then they each grabbed what they wanted.

  They both sat down and commenced to writing their letters. Taylor loved to sit and watch them concentrate on something they both wanted. The faces they made. The way both of them stuck out their tongues while they concentrate. She loved it. She forgot about Damien all together as she did what she loved to do the most. Watch her beautiful and wonderful children at work.

  Ashley finished first handing Taylor the letter. No doubt she knew exactly what she wanted and didn’t have any problems asking for it.

  Dear Santa,

  For Christmas I want this stuff please. I have been a really good girl this year. Even my Mommy says so.

  1. Unicorn flip flops that have matching jammies

  2. Wii game system with games. Princess ones for girls only.

  3. Baby dolls with long hair and dresses.

  4. Clothes. I like pretty pink dresses and cowboy boots.

  5. A ring with my birthstone on it. It’s pink.

  6. Earrings that are pink with butterflies.

  7. Necklaces that match my earrings.

  8. Shoes. I like cowgirl boots and flip flops, and high heels like Mommy and Aunt Liz have in their closets.

  9. Eazy bake oven with lots of food for me to make.

  10. I could really use a new pinky to. My old one is old.

  Love,

  Ashley

  “Good job Sissy.” Taylor snickered at number ten on her list. “Bubby, are you done with your letter yet?”

  “Yes. Don’t read it thou
gh. Just let Damien mail it ok.” There was a deep desperation in his little voice as he folded it and then folded it again smaller making sure no one could see what he had asked for.

  “Ok. It’s your letter. I can respect that. Damien can mail it just like he said.” Just as soon as you’re asleep I am so reading it little man. After all I am Santa. She smiled taking the letter. She folded up Ashley’s let and then placed both of them in the envelope and sealed it. She wrote the address on it. Santa Clause 101 North Candy Cane Lane North Pole before passing it to Damien as they had agreed.

  Don’t you dare take that with you. His fingers brushed hers as he took the letter. Her eyes locked with his. I need to read it. I have to make sure I get everything on the list. Do you understand? He nodded.

  “What do you have planned for the day?” Damien asked.

  “Well, to be honest, something the kids want more than likely. Thought about reading some. Don’t know what, but something.” She had no clue why she had just lied to the man that could hear every thought she had. She knew exactly what she wanted to read. Again.

  “Interesting choice, Sweet.” He looked questionably at her.

  She shook her head desperately trying to keep singing ‘Mary Had A Little Lamb’ in her mind so she was too busy to think of anything else or name the title to her new favorite book.

  “I have to get some things done today. I’m gonna take off. Will you walk me out?” Taylor hesitated for a moment before she remembered the letter quickly excusing herself from the table then. No sooner than she had stepped out on the porch his mouth was on hers. She felt a pinch on her lip before he sucked it rough. Hard. She moaned into his mouth giving him the opportunity he took, to invade hers with his tongue. Exploring and teasing her mouth.