Damaged Goods: A Single Dad & Nanny Romance Read online

  “I’ve wanted to ask Sean about his wife for a while,” I said softly. “But he’s usually so closed off that I get too nervous and chicken out. Even the kids don’t talk about her much. Sarah’s mentioned her a couple of times, but that’s it.”

  “What do you want to know about her?” Philip asked, turning to face me with an open expression. “Ask away.”

  “I guess I’m just curious what she was like,” I said, shrugging.

  “Telissa was lively,” Philip said, a faint smile passing over his face. “She was always smiling, and she would laugh at anything. I think that’s what first drew Sean in, you know? She had this laugh that you just couldn’t ignore.”

  “That sounds nice.” I smiled and sank deeper into the couch.

  “She was,” Philip said. “Telissa was a lot of things, most of them good, but she was also restless.”

  “Restless?”

  Philip nodded. “She wanted more out of life. Nothing was ever quite enough for her. When she and Sean met, it was intense. Crazy in a way that seemed perfect, you know? They got married, had Tommy, and everything was going great. Until, one day, it wasn’t anymore.”

  “What happened?” I asked.

  “Nothing shocking,” he said. “I think she just got bored. She was tired of living the same life every day. Tommy wasn’t even two yet, and she was exhausted. She lost herself for a while. Her restlessness got the better of her, and she had an affair.”

  “Oh my God,” I whispered.

  Philip was staring off in the distance, not looking at me. He kept talking, almost as if he were speaking to himself.

  “She never told him about it,” he said. “Not for a long time. Even now, I don’t know how long the affair lasted. It could have been a couple nights or a couple years. I don’t even think Sean knows.”

  “But he knows about the affair?” I asked.

  Philip nodded. “She told him eventually,” he said. “After Sarah was born, Telissa got sick. She was diagnosed with cancer, and for three years, their lives revolved around treatments and hospital stays. Tommy and Sarah basically lived with me during that time. Telissa was weak and constantly sick, but she kept up her spirit, always trying to make people laugh. No matter how bad she felt, she would get on the floor and play with the kids. She refused to miss a single second with them.”

  “She sounds strong,” I said reluctantly. I didn’t want to compliment the woman who cheated on Sean. “But I don’t know how he could forgive her for cheating.”

  “I don’t know that he ever did,” Philip said. “When she finally told him, she was so sick that he couldn’t leave. Not without being a monster. Even when she admitted that Sarah wasn’t his daughter, he still stayed by her side. Right until the end.”

  “Sarah isn’t…” I trailed off.

  Philip shook his head and sighed deeply. I blinked, unsure how to process what he said. In all my time with them, I never would have imagined Sarah wasn’t Sean’s biological daughter. He loved her so much. Everything he did proved that.

  “I never realized,” I said, shaking my head.

  “He doesn’t talk about it,” Philip said. “I doubt he’ll ever even tell Sarah. She’s his. To him, she’s his.”

  I smiled and nodded, happy to hear Philip say that. When we sat down on the couch together, I never imagined he would tell me all this. My curiosity had been innocent, but it dredged up a darker past than even my imagination could have cooked up.

  “Hey,” Sean said from the foot of the stairs. “Is he bugging you? Because I’ll kick him out. Just say the word.”

  “Hilarious,” Philip said, rolling his eyes. “I’m heading up anyway. Have a good night.”

  He squeezed my shoulder as he passed. I watched him disappear upstairs before I turned my attention to Sean. He was smiling at me, but when he saw my face, his expression changed. The smile slipped from his lips, and he took a couple steps forward.

  “Coffee?” he asked, gesturing toward the kitchen table. I nodded and followed him over.

  Sean poured us each a cup of coffee and slid one over to me as he sat down in his usual chair. We were closer than normal, but it still wasn’t close enough. After everything I found out tonight, I wanted to be right beside him, to hold him and be there for him.

  “So,” he said. “What’s wrong? When I came downstairs, you seemed off.”

  “I just—” I began, but I paused. There was so much to say. I didn’t know where to start.

  A look of panic flashed across Sean’s face. “You’re not having second thoughts about last night, are you?” he asked.

  “No!” I said quickly. “Not at all. Last night was as perfect as I thought it could be.”

  He relaxed in his chair and let out a relieved breath.

  “Then what is it?” he asked.

  “I asked Philip about Telissa,” I said softly. “I’m sorry, I was curious.” Sean stiffened again. “What exactly did he tell you?”

  “About her affair,” I said. “And about Sarah. Sean, I had no idea that any of that happened. I’ve wanted to ask you about her, but I never got up the courage. I was always too afraid to make you uncomfortable, so I just didn’t.”

  “I’m not mad,” he said gently. “I’m glad you know the truth.”

  “You are?” I asked, surprised.

  “Yes.” He nodded. “I am. It’s been hard to live with this secret for so long. The kids don’t know, and I never want them to. Tommy and Sarah both remember their mother as strong and kind. She loved them fiercely, and I never want to take that memory away from them.”

  “I know,” I said with a smile.

  “Still,” he said. “It’s hard. When they talk about her, there’s so much love and adoration in their voices. I wish I still thought of her that way, but the truth is, I don’t anymore. When she got sick, I was scared to lose her. I was terrified. Then she told me about the affair and Sarah, and everything changed. She wasn’t the Telissa I’d spent so many years loving. She was the woman who betrayed me. Even now, with her gone, I’m still angry with her, and yet part of me still loves her.”

  “That’s understandable,” I said. “She was the mother of your children and she hurt you.”

  “It wasn’t all her fault,” he said. “I should have known she was unhappy. I should have seen it, but I turned away. I pulled away, and she sought comfort somewhere else. It’s not the cheating that hurts the most. It’s Sarah. Knowing she and I don’t share the same blood is hard. Really hard.”

  “You know,” I said, clearing my throat. “I never told you what she and I talked about in the bathroom that night.”

  “When she was upset?” Sean asked with a frown.

  I nodded. “When we got to the bathroom, she just started crying. I’d never seen her cry before, and it broke my heart. I held her and waited for her to calm down. When she did, she told me she was scared that I would try to replace her mom. She said she really liked me, but that she didn’t want to forget her mom.”

  “I thought it might be something like that,” Sean said sadly

  “I told her I would never try to take her mom’s place,” I said. “And I told her you wouldn’t let me, even if I tried.”

  Sean smiled softly and reached out to take my hand. “Thank you for that.” “She also said she likes having me around because you seem happier when I’m here. She loves you so much, Sean. I promise you, even if she knew, she wouldn’t care that you aren’t her biological father. You’re her dad.”

  “That’s why you’re such a great dad,” I said softly. “You’re amazing with her. And Tommy.”

  “I’m glad you know, now,” Sean said. “You should know. You take great care of them. You deserve to know their story.”

  I smiled. “I’m not going anywhere,” I said. “I love Tommy and Sarah. I want to be here for them for as long as I can.”

  “We won’t send you away.” Sean laughed. “They would probably kill me if I tried again.”

  “I want to be
here for you too,” I said softly, my cheeks flushing. “If you’ll let me.”

  Sean stood up and leaned across the table. His lips were soft against mine. The kiss was quick, barely lasting a few seconds, but it was long enough to send shivers down to my toes. When he sat back down, the smile on his face was brighter than ever.

  I grinned back at him, and we kept talking until our coffee got cold and long after. When we were both finally talked out, Sean took my hand and pulled me to my feet. He led me to his room and closed the door tightly behind us.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN - SEAN

  I closed the door and turned to face Emily. She watched me closely, her eyes searching my face. After our talk, I felt closer to her than I had to anyone in a long time. Our eyes stayed locked on each other as she slowly lifted her shirt over her head. Dropping it on the floor, her hands slid to her back and unhooked her bra. My eyes followed her every move, taking in the sight of her now naked chest.

  I watched her slide her jeans down her legs and kick them aside before she slowly did the same with her black panties. Everything she did was slow and deliberate and her eyes never left my face. It was so fucking sexy. I reacted automatically, stepping forward to take her in my arms. I trailed my fingers down the smooth skin of her back, stopping just above the curve of her ass. She pressed herself against me, her tits firm against my chest. When we kissed, my hands never slowed. She kissed me with meaning, pouring all of herself into that one moment, while I traced every inch of her flesh I could reach.

  My fingers caused goose bumps to pop up all over her skin.

  “This isn’t fair,” she whispered against my lips. “I’m naked, and you’re still dressed.”

  “We can fix that,” I said, taking a step back.

  While she watched me closely, I took my clothes off. Discarding my shirt, jeans, and boxers on the floor, I stepped back to her. She placed her hands against my bare chest and moaned softly. Her lips found my skin, and she kissed my chest while I tangled my fingers in her hair. Everything she did sent shock waves shooting through my skin.

  “Emily,” I said as she moved lower, kissing her way down my stomach and getting down on her knees.

  My cock was rock-hard long before her mouth came near it, but the second her gorgeous lips found the tip, it twitched with desperation.

  “Holy shit,” I muttered as she slowly slid her tongue along my length. I shuddered and tightened my hold on her hair.

  Her tongue moved back up to the tip, and she swirled it around slowly. Her eyes were fixed upward, watching my every reaction. When she slid me entirely in her mouth, I gasped and she grinned around my cock. The sight was almost too much. I could feel my cock throbbing in her wet mouth before she even moved a muscle.

  As she took me slowly, I held her hair and guided her head. My legs were like lead and my heart was pounding. She moved faster, and I groaned, my hips rocking forward to meet her. She took me fully, letting me slide against her throat without complaint. Her eyes never left my face. She wanted to see every moment of pleasure she created for me.

  When she moved even faster, sliding me in and out with ease, I grunted again and my head fell forward. My eyes closed, and I couldn’t think. My precum was sliding down her chin when I opened them again. I jerked and groaned, knowing I was too close to finishing.

  Gently, I held her head still and pulled back until I fell out of her mouth. My dick was still dripping with her saliva, and she looked disappointed when I took another step backward. With a frown, she wiped her face and stood up.

  “I didn’t want to finish in your mouth,” I said softly, grabbing her roughly around the waist and pulling her against me.

  I kissed her hard, tasting myself on her lips and tongue. It was enough to elicit a moan from her delicate lips, and a groan of need from mine. She wrapped her arms around my neck while I trailed my fingers down to her bare ass. With one squeeze, I lifted her into the air and carried her quickly to my bed.

  I threw her on the pillows, and she looked at me with expectant need. Her tits were perky, and her nipples were hard. She automatically spread her legs, a clear invitation. In that moment, I knew I could have her any way I wanted. I could spend all night taking her as I pleased, and that knowledge drove me forward.

  I dove onto her body, pinning her beneath me and attacking her skin with my lips. I kissed her neck and then her chest, making my way from one breast to the other. While I massaged one, pinching her nipple hard in my fingers, I bit the other without mercy. She cried out and writhed beneath me, wrapping one leg around me and pulling me against her.

  While I teased her nipples, she grew wetter by the second. As she grinded against my hip, I could feel her core dripping liquid onto my skin. I moaned and shoved her leg aside, my fingers searching for that wetness. When I found it, I bit her harder and slid one finger inside of her. She moaned louder than ever as I moved my lips back to hers to stifle the sound. The last thing I needed was for one of the kids to come in search of the noises coming from my room.

  I fingered her hard and fast, getting her ready for my cock. Our kiss was desperate and frantic. She clung to me with a vice-like strength and rocked her hips against my hand. I pulled away to watch her face. Her blue-green eyes were half closed in pure pleasure, and her mouth was hanging open. She panted and moaned each time my finger thrust inside her.

  Slowly, I added another finger to stretch her even more for me. She lifted her hips to meet me, greedily and I knew neither of us could wait any longer.

  I slipped my fingers out of her, and she whined in protest. I laughed and kissed her lips softly before sitting up.

  Reaching over to my nightstand, I pulled a condom out of my top drawer. It had been a long time since I’d needed one and had felt so awkward to go buy them that I drove to another town to get them. Neither of us needed the people here putting two and two together.

  She watched me with wide eyes while I tore the wrapper of and threw it aside. I could see that she was slightly nervous about my size. “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll fit,” I promised her. I slid the condom over my cock, and she instinctively reached out to touch me through it. I moaned as her soft, delicate fingers wrapped around me. Gently, she pulled me forward until I was right at her dripping-wet folds.

  I stared at her eyes, not wanting to miss a single look of pleasure as I slowly pushed forward. She was dripping wet with desire, and I watched her closely while I slid deeper. She arched her back and lifted her hips, pulling me even deeper inside. I moaned when my entire cock was engulfed in her glorious pussy.

  Her eyes were still locked on mine, and I saw nothing but desire staring back at me. I leaned forward, supporting myself on my arms. Our faces were inches apart when I started to thrust. At first she tightened around the girth of my enormous cock, but soon her entire body relaxed for me.

  I wrapped my hands in her hair and kissed her while I moved my hips back and forth. It was almost impossible to keep myself under control. I wanted to take her so hard right then, but I was afraid to hurt her. I forced myself to move slowly, and it was nearly unbearable.

  “More,” Emily whispered a few seconds later. “Harder.”

  That was all I needed to hear. I rocked my hips against her faster, shoving myself forward with power. The first thrust took her breath away. She gasped and clung to my back for support, but soon, her sounds became moans of pleasure.

  Her body moved with mine as I took her harder now. She rocked her hips in rhythm with mine, and I held myself up on my hands for more momentum. I took her hard and fast, using every ounce of strength I had to give her the pleasure she deserved. She moaned and moved with me, her tits bouncing freely with each thrust.

  The sight of her beneath me was enough to make my cock twitch inside of her, but her moans were what did me in. As she got closer to her climax, her moans became loud and insistent. She moved with desperation, trying to push herself all the way there.

  I thrust harder than ever, and she cried out, turning her
head to the side to bite my pillow again. With a few more thrusts, she came hard. Her body jerked forward, and her legs trembled. Her insides collapsed around my cock, and I groaned deeply, plunging even deeper, just for myself. It wasn’t long before my own pleasure rocked through us both.

  I shot forward, grunting and groaning while my legs tightened, and ecstasy filled every inch of my body. I stayed still for a few minutes, just shaking and jerking inside of her. She too was still trembling beneath me, her nails digging into my skin.

  When I could finally move again, I slowly pulled out of her. She gasped at the sensation, and then a smile spread its way across her face. I leaned down to kiss her softly, lying beside her and pulling her firmly against my chest. “That was,” she began, but she never finished. She just turned her head over to kiss my skin and then bury her face in my chest.

  “You are amazing,” I said. “God, that was incredible.”

  “Was it?” she asked, leaning up to face me.

  “Are you kidding?” I laughed. “God yes.”

  “I thought it was just me,” she said with a shy smile.

  “No.” I shook my head. “You were incredible.”

  She grinned again and laid back down on my chest. I brushed her long curls aside so the skin of her shoulder and arm was exposed. As I trailed my fingers slowly along her skin, she sighed and nestled closer to me. Part of me wondered if she would insist on going back to her room. I worried she would feel weird staying the night with me, but I didn’t want her to leave. Not my room or my arms.

  I wrapped myself tighter around her, feeling her smooth skin against mine. My eyes were already growing heavy with exhaustion, and I knew I wouldn’t last much longer. Her breathing was slowing down, and I could feel her heartbeat against my chest.

  I kissed her head and breathed in the smell of her hair. She smiled against my chest and pulled me closer. Her fingers were insistent against me, almost as if she never wanted to lose this moment. I felt the same way. Finally, having her after weeks of frantic desperation was more than I could have hoped.