Clumsy and unlucky

Part 3

“I thought so” He shrugged “I don’t even need a costume for that. I’ll just leave my shirt untucked and I pass the ‘naughty’ requirement too”

Naughty requirement? I dug through my draws until I found the invitation. I missed the hidden message.

Try not to be too naughty with a winky face at the end. No wonder he thought a deer was a great idea, how can a deer be naughty? I’m sure I can find something, surely.

“I don’t think your shirt untucked meets the naughty they mean” I’m sure a naughty work function doesn’t meet business code. Technically it’s only in the lobby of the building, outside of work hours, planned by someone that works for kings.

Damn. I have to find a naughty rudolf costume. Is that even possible?

I don’t want to be the only one there in a full attire. I’ll look stupid and stand out like a sore thumb.

“I don’t care. I’m not going shirtless like suggested. I have a business to run”

He had a very appealing body beneath his clothes, and I’m thankful he’s not into showing it off.

That’s one of the things he’s brilliant at, running a business, never mixing business with pleasure. Well, except with me, but that was a long time ago. Well, that I know of atleast, though there’s been a few rumours she has chosen to ignore.

“I guess I better look for a costume”

I locked my office door and changed into my naughty reindeer out fit. In only a few short weeks, I’ve put on a bunch of weight. The skirt pressed against my stomach a lot more than I remembered when it arrived.

And now I had no choice because it starts in 10 minutes.

I pulled out a mirror, fixed my makeup, let my hair out and put my little deer ears on.

Took me another 30 minutes to find my red nose and stuck it on. I grabbed my phone and looked over my costume to find a place to put it.

I pulled a boob to the side and tucked it down the side.

Why is my n****e tender. I tweaked it and froze.

“Oh no” I gasped “no, no, no”

I pulled my phone back out and looked at my cycle tracking.

3 weeks late. I missed my period 3 weeks ago and didn’t even realise. How stupid can I be?

I sat on the edge of my desk for a few moments. Firstly this Christmas party is going to be long and boring. I had hoped to drink myself through it.

Secondly, another child and being alone is not what I had planned with my life. Being knocked up from a one night stand isn’t something I’d like to have happened.

I made my way down to the lobby. Saying my hellos, having pointless conversations.

“You should’ve just came naked” Blake said looking over my costume. I just nodded. My skirt was short, my brown Lacey body suit, emphasised my boobs. And a little tail on my bum Brought attention to my rear. I think I done well at naughty.

Blake wore exactly as he said. Suit pants and an untucked white shirt, his tie hanging loosely around his neck.

“No fiery comeback?” He held his palm to my forehead, I pulled my head away and rolled my eyes.

“What is it?”

“Nothing” I quickly said wiping my sweaty hands over my skirt.

“Nothing?” He watched me like I’m a test subject. His eyes settled on my boobs for a few moments, then my stomach, then back to my face.

I looked up at him, chewing my bottom lip.

“Just uncomfortable with how little I have on”

“Very scarce” he mumbled then let out a deep breath “but a beautiful rudolf nonetheless”

“Atleast I put in the effort. Besides, I’m more dressed than some”

“So, who’s the father?” He casually asked, taking a huge gulp of his whisky.

My attention snapped to him too fast for my liking, absolutely astonished he guessed. How on earth did he know? I only just figured it out.

“You draw at straws until you find something that’s wrong?”

“I’ve been through a pregnancy with you. I know the signs” he simply said “it’s bretts?”

“Can we not discuss this here” I glanced around hoping no one was in hearing distance. The last thing I need is for everyone to think I’m pregnant to Brett. It would only cause issues.

“He doesn’t know?”

“No. Babies don’t just land in a belly from looking at each other”

His brows pinched as he looked around the room.

“I wasn’t aware there was another candidate. That was kept quiet”

“Yes even I’m not aware of another one” I said watching him go from man to man, stopping on Rick “don’t even think it. My boss is not a candidate”

It infuriated him when I called Rick my boss. He technically is, he is boss on my floor. But Blake liked to make sure I remembered he is the head honcho around here.

“He thinks your hot” he mumbled

“He’s also a good friend of yours, even if he was perfect for me, he will always be off limits”

“You think he is perfect?” He quickly asked.

“No. Blake, you are making this more than what it is” I finished my glass of water sitting it on the table behind where we stood “use your brain”

I walked over to Jessica, who was waving me over.

“Are you getting a Promotion?” She asked, still looking at Blake.

I always wondered how none of the more newer staff didn’t know our history. Both sexes gossiped like school girls.

We never advertised I guess. I kept my maiden name at work to prevent more people knowing. I didn’t want anyone thinking I was favourite.

Blake had always been annoyed with it. I enjoyed annoying him, too.

It came with its bad points. I always hated hearing the whispers about the big boss man. How sexy he is. How much of a god he is in bed. That was true, and I only ever heard it in the past 4 years, so there wasn’t much I could do about that.

Besides, deep down I knew it was all just a popularity thing amongst the girls. All wanting to try out their boss, but none succeeding.

“No” I said asking the waitress for a glass of water.

“So?” She said, wanting me to share details of our conversation.

“So what?” I’ve never had time for these conversations. I avoided most of them, when I could. Regardless of what they were about.

“What were you talking about? You know what he’s like. He doesn’t say much. So it’s only natural I’m curious”

“Not much” i shrugged thanking the waitress as she brought me the water.

“Are you 2 f*****g?”

My eyes widen with the extremely person question. Jessica and I were on different floors, and had rarely even spoke. If anything, she was one of the obnoxious bullies here.

“Didn’t think so” she said looking over at Blake again “he’s sexy right”

“Ashley” Maggie said coming over with a glass of wine and handing it to me “how’s Our sweet little princess?”

“She’s great. She’s becoming more and more like her father every day”

“She’s identical to him. Maybe one day she will be taking over this place”

“I’m sure that’s her fathers agenda. Madison on the other hand wants to be an artist”

“Who’s Madison?” Jessica asked as Blake came up beside me. He took the wine from me, drinking it all in one big mouthful “hi mr king, how’s your night so far?”

“Madison’s my daughter, and the night has been great”

“You have a daughter, sir? I didn’t know” Jessica said, with a face that made her look constipated. She’s obviously trying to piece it all together.

“I’ve heard about young miss’s drawings” Maggie laughed “it’s been awhile since I’ve seen her here”

“I’m scared you will steal her” Blake said.

“I would not hesitate” she smiled “schools over soon, maybe she will be in to help me with my ridiculous amount of paperwork”

“I’m confused” Jessica said.

“Yes, love. It doesn’t take much” Maggie sweetly said touching Jessica on the arm.

“You both have a daughter called Madison?”

“Yes” I said.

“Together” Maggie added “there’s only one Madison king”

“Oh” Jessica said looking at me. I’m not sure what she was thinking, but her cheeks went a shade of red “oh there’s grant, nice speaking to y’all again”

Jessica quickly walked away and towards the toilets, no man close by that could be the grant guy she seen.

“I do not like that woman” Maggie said. Grabbing a wine from the passing waitress and handing it to me again “not for you” she told Blake.

“Thanks” he said grabbing it from me and drinking it again.

“Since when do you drink wine?”

“Since Ashley stopped drinking it” he said.

“Would you like a vodka instead, Ashley?” Maggie asked.

“Water is Fine for tonight. I have a busy day tomorrow and don’t want to start the day sluggish”

“You need Atleast 1 drink to help get through the night. I loath Christmas parties. I’d prefer to watch paint dry”

“I think it’s nearly time to leave” Blake looked at his watch “2 hours is a good amount of time”

“Agreed” Maggie finished her glass “I’m out of here. See you Monday”

Maggie glanced around at everyone in her elf suit, then waddled to the exit. Sliding out with no one seeing.

“Let’s go”

“I need my bag from my office and I can’t pick up madi from your mum’s looking like this” I walked to the elevator, impatiently waiting for the doors to open.

“I’m sorry for earlier” Jessica said coming up beside me “I didn’t know”

“Whether you knew or not, it’s none of your business” I told her as the doors opened, Blake put his hand up for me to hold the doors while he tried to leave.

“Your Right. But, I would never have thought something could possibly be there once. Your you, ya know” she said trying to push my buttons “an accident I’m guessing. I read the papers a few years back, you were the one that trapped him right?”

“Not at all” Blake said standing at his full height, not slouching and an angry scowl on his face “I’d advise you to keep your gossip to yourself. It’s unnecessary nor appreciated. Most definitely not an asset that benefits my company at all. I’ll be requesting a review on your employment, Monday”

Jessica froze, not seeing him come up beside her.

“It could be your last Christmas party you attend with kings, so I’d advise you to enjoy it, without the gossiping”

“Yes sir” her shakey voice evident of the fear Blake is capable of inflicting.

Blake walked into the elevator pressing my floor number.

“So, we are pregnant? Again?” His soft gentle smile made me feel warm inside “Did you trap me mrs king?”

“Excuse me-“

“Shhh I’m kidding” he laughed “maybe I trapped you? One of my million little fishies were bound to make it to your sweet little eggs eventually that night. There were plenty released”

“Are you drunk?”

“On happiness” his cheesy grin left me speechless, never had I seen him smile like that “no I’m not drunk. Maybe tipsy, but Im happy. Actually the happiest I’ve been in a long time”

“Really?”

“Of course. Your Not?” His smile slowly fell from his face.

Was i? Or not? It’s all been to fast for me to really think about it.

“I only just realised. I haven’t really had time to process it” I let out a deep breath “it’s a little weird. Everything Actually. I’m pregnant to my husband, that’s only my husband on paper. 4 years after we separated. Who couldn’t leave my apartment fast enough after we had s*x, multiple times. Which was the only time we had s*x since we parted. The only time I’ve had s*x. Just one night and another life long responsibility”

I walked out of the elevator and walked to my office, Blake casually strolling along behind me.

“That was the only time you had s*x since me?”

“I’m not you. I don’t need to f**k everything that moves”

“I have reasons. The same reason for why I ran out that night. You”

“Don’t blame me” I laughed spinning my finger at him so he will turn around for me to get changed.

“Well I’m going to. If I can’t have the one thing I want, I try to keep myself distracted so I don’t push it further away”

“If I am the it you are referring to, how many times have you had s*x for a distraction since our last time?”

“None”

I buttoned my shirt as I stared at his back.

“None? You can turn around now” I grabbed my bag and hung it over my shoulder. Trying to not act shocked in his admittance.

"none“ he opened the door as we headed back to the elevator.

“Slow few months? No bimbos throwing themselves at your feet?”

“Not the bimbo I’d like to have thrown at me”

I slapped him on the arm.

“Kidding. Though you do some bimbo things occasionally” he smiled dodging my next slap “that’s abuse”

“Oh please”

“Stay with me tonight”

I looked back at the elevator doors, before focusing on the floor numbers going down.

“Madi will already be asleep, I’ll call mom and ask her to keep her over night”

“I don’t know. What good can come from staying the night?”

“A family. Our family. A second attempt at getting our marriage right”

“Because I’m pregnant? That won’t help a marriage survive, it didn’t help last time”

“Because I was f*****g stupid” he grabbed my arms and pulled me around to face him “we are both single, why not give it a try? If we fail then it is what it is, but if we succeed then our kids have 1 solid family. 1 home”

“If we fail we only hurt madi”

“Then we don’t fail”

“This is weird Blake. Saying let’s try it. Don’t these conversations usually come after a ‘can’t keep your hands off each other’ moment?”

“I’ve struggled with not being able to touch you. Ever since I missed the signs, when I should’ve been helping you instead of missing you” he grabbed my face in his hands “I need you more than I need air”

“Blake” I sadly said, I just didn’t know how to react or if this was a good idea “I can’t trust you. I do as a father and as my friend, but I don’t know if I can trust you as my husband. As the man I need to be supportive, loving, honest, who would be late home and I know with all my heart that you are not with another woman. I don’t know if I can ever trust you. To know I’m enough for you”

“I’ve made mistakes, don’t we teach madi that its ok to make mistakes, as long as we learn from them?”

“We also teach her to never make the same mistake twice”

“Touché” he wiped my hair from my face “I don’t know why I even touched that woman, She wasn’t you. No one has ever been you. Even if I wasn’t in the papers for it, I wanted to tell you. I was going to tell you. It took me a whole of 5 seconds to stop. I didn’t know there were pictures, and when I seen them I knew you wouldn’t believe me. I stopped and immediately I left. Rick took me to his place, set me up on the couch, told me to sober up before I go home to my wife and kid. So I did. I slept through my alarm, by the time I got home, you were already cold to me”

“Rick was there?” I didn’t know. He never said. Neither of them did.

“Yes. He can tell you the truth if you don’t believe me”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You wouldn’t have believed me. You know that. The pictures and stories they told were complete bullshit, but believable, I had no hope”

The Doors opened at the Christmas Party, which took another 10 minutes to get through, Blake being stopped every step. I managed to slip out with a breeze.

I sat in my car, turning it on thinking about where I wanted to go. Home or to Blake’s.

Both had a positive and a negative. I owed it to madi and the baby to Atleast try it one more time.

I stood at the entrance of his apartment building, after giving my keys to the valet.

Half an hour later, he pulled up tossing his keys to the valet and wishing him a good night.

“So you can be nice sometimes. Noted” I said making him finally look up.

“I can be” he smiled “I thought you went home”

“I thought about it”

“I would’ve been here a lot sooner, had I known. I drove past Mcdonalds. I was hungry. Are you hungry?”

“No. I’m cold though”

“Right!” He placed his hand on my back “up we go. I’ll give mom a call and ask if she’s ok for Madi to stay”

It had been a long time since I had been in Blake’s apartment. It wasn’t that I wasn’t welcome, or hadn’t been invited. It was just that there was just no need to. He would pick up and drop off Madi every week, and wanted to, I never forced him too. So there was just no need for me to visit otherwise.

I walked around his living room as he spoke to his mum. Surprisingly for a mans apartment, it’s warm and comfortable with coloured pillows and pictures on the wall.

The biggest picture on the wall above the fireplace was of the 3 of us. It was on a cold night and Blake wanted to lay by the fire. He had his head in my lap as madi sat on his side like he was a horse, with her finger in his ear.

“She said it’s ok, she’s already asleep” Blake said coming up behind me “it’s a fantastic portrait. Madison chose it”

“We looked so happy”

“We did. You still make me laugh, you still manage to shock me, your still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. Even when you announce you pushed out King Kong due to my chanting”

“She was a huge baby, you even said so yourself”

“She was. Her head was the size of a basketball” he laughed “I’m glad she’s in proportion now”

“I’d like to try. For madi, the baby. For us” I felt his hands on my hips, then shifted to wrap around me, his chin sat on the top of my head.

“Thank you”

“Promise me-“

“Never ever will I touch another woman until the day I die” he dropped his head to my shoulder and tightened his grip “This feels good”

“It does. I’ve missed it”

We stood like that for awhile until I yawned, wrecking the moment.

He lead me to his room, pulling out a tshirt and throwing it at me.

My eyes immediately focused on the picture on his side table. It was me, pregnant. Asleep with all my limbs out like a starfish. My hair was half over my face. I was in a onesie, that everyone claimed were comfortable. I didn’t think so. I tossed and turned for a few days before it went into the bin.

“That’s a horrible photo” I said unbuttoning my pants, and dropping them to the floor.

“No way” he said removing his clothes, standing there in his black trunks. He really is beautiful. Everything about him.

“Yes way” I removed my top half turning my back when I removed my bra. They weren’t as perky as he may have remembered. I pulled his shirt on and climbed beneath the blankets, Blake sliding in not long after.

“I love that picture” he said pulling me against him, my head resting on his chest, my leg over his.

“Your girlfriends probably had a good laugh at it” I scoffed.

He laughed and ran his hand up and down my back.

“I’ve never brought anyone home even on madi’s off weeks. The only woman I’ve ever been in a bed with is you. The only woman I’ve held is you. I’ve only ever tasted your lips. Both sets”

“Really?” I looked up at him “no wonder you are still single. The Great almighty Blake King, the v****a whisperer, is a myth?”

“The v****a whisperer? Haven’t heard that one”

“It’s what I’ve heard around the office” amongst other things. Blake got around a lot apparently.

“How? I’ve never touched anyone from work”

“Friends of Friends i guess”

“Well, no. Money talks. I can be the biggest asshole to walk this planet and I’d still be called a god to the ladies” he yawned flicking the table lamp off. He pulled the blanket up on me, making sure my shoulders were covered.

“What made me so different? You weren’t like that at the start with us”

“Your attitude, i was too scared to not make it pleasurable”

I slapped his chest.

“I had no problems before you either. You broke me” he ran his knuckles over my cheek “I’m sorry for running out on you that night”

“Why did you?” I asked drawing imaginary lines on his chest “I had hoped you would come back. Or Atleast not treat me like I was nothing”

“I had to. It was so f*****g hard to do. I just knew if I stayed, I wouldn’t have left. Id have no hope of moving on. Turns out that even in leaving, I was completely f****d. I tried hard to not be sweet or loving or do anything that may show you that You are all I want. I sat downstairs for hours, I didn’t sleep that night and barely have slept since”

“I watched my bedroom door for hours. I waited” I admitted.

“You did? The only real reason that made me leave is thinking you wanted me to” he laughed “you could’ve just said”

“I didn’t think you were a bang and run sorta guy. I thought Atleast a cuddle would’ve happened”

“I didn’t think you would want one”

“You never asked”

“Yes because you have made it clear several times that we would never be….well, here, like now”

“Yes but never stopped you from saying your thoughts before. Example, before when you asked me to stay”

“I figured my luck would be better with a bit of me growing inside you”

“There was bits of you inside me then too”

He placed his hand over my mouth and took a deep breath.

“As much As i love the back and forth we do, Let’s not do it tonight” he said lifting my chin up to face him. He gently placed a soft kiss on my lips then bit my nose “you look tired”

“I am. It’s been a long time since I’ve gone to sleep with someone, I thought it would feel weird, like it would feel wrong. But it doesn’t. It feels…safe. I haven’t been this relaxed in a long time” I yawned.

“Sleep then child”

I laughed at his poor imitation of how god would sound.

“Roll over, I’ll spoon you” he said, which I did. Only a second passed before his arm was around me pulling me closer.

My eyes bounced open with the sound of madis voice echoing down the hall then the door swung open.

“Honey, what are you doing here?” Blake said looking over at the clock, getting out of bed and pulling his suit pants on.

I tried to become one with the mattress, pulling the blanket up higher. More footsteps belted down the hallway and into the bedroom.

“Something is wrong, you need to go to see if ash is ok. It’s 11am. This isn’t like her. I would have heard from her hours ago to tell me when she will pick up madi” Rose said charging into the room “you have company? Madi sweety, come with grandma” it went quiet for a few seconds “get it out of here, this is your daughters house”

The door slammed, I flipped the blankets back and looked at Blake.

“Obviously we have a situation” Blake said swapping his pants for jeans and pulling on a tshirt. Throwing a pair of sweat pants at me.

“It?” I laughed.

“Well, we both know how she felt about the f**k up of my life, even if I wanted to date someone else, she would make it impossible”

“What do we do?”

“It’s either we go out there together or I have to go see if your ok, and when you aren’t there, she will call all emergency services until you are located in my bed”

“I can’t believe we slept that late. I slept that late. I’m a mother with responsibilities”

“Accidents happen” he watched me get out from beneath the blankets and pull on the black sweat pants. I put my bra on without taking of my top, removing my arms from the sleeves, tucking the girls in and pushing my arms back out of the arm holes “should we keep this from madi a little longer? I can just go out there and tell mom that it’s you in here”

“That’s probably a good idea. When she finds out in a few weeks that I’m pregnant, you won’t look bad for having someone here now”

“Ok” he let out a deep breath and walked to the door “wish me luck”

“Luck” I laughed sitting on the end of the bed, bouncing my foot and chewing my lip.

10 minutes later the door opened and closed, Rose standing inside the room looking at me.

“It’s true?” She smiled “I thought he was lying”

“I’m so sorry rose, we were up talking late last night. I slept in. I can pick her up once your home”

“Honey, I don’t care if I have madi the whole weekend. I was just worried about you. That something happened”

“I’m sorry for making you worry” I stood and wiped my hands down my body, removing the sweat from my palms.

“I’ll take madi to mine, spend the weekend together. Madi won’t mind, she loves my place. I just never thought I’d see the day you gave my i***t son another chance”

“I just hope I’m doing the right thing”

She came to me, pulling me into a hug.

“I know he is my son, but you are also like a daughter to me, I only want to see you both happy” she pulled away holding my face in her hands “I know in my heart that you are not only the mother of his child but the reason he breaths. Take the weekend, know if it’s right or not, before introducing Madison to the situation”

“Ok” I nodded “I don’t think I’ve slept as well as I did last night, in years”