Lovers's Enemy_An Older Man Younger Woman Romance Read online

  I just stand there. I’m not going to lie, and especially not to my brother. But as long as he’s respectful I’ll let him say what he’s come to say.

  “Why are you here then?”

  “I’m just here to say that Lucas is a charming guy, and he is my best friend.”

  “Is that why you’re here behind his back?”

  “But you’re my sister, and no matter what I believe that blood is thicker than water.”

  I fold my arms across my chest. He’s got a point, but in my mind Lucas already is my blood, just as my brother is.

  “Sis, all I’m saying is to be careful. You’re young. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

  “I’m young, but I’m observant. And I can read people and I know what I’m doing. And you might be my brother, and I appreciate you looking out for me, but I’m okay.”

  He takes a step back and raises his palms to me. “I’m sorry if I came off that way. That’s not what I was going for. I just wanted to say what I said and that’s all. It’s probably best if I go.”

  “Even better if you stay,” I hear a voice boom behind me. “I walked them through it. No divorce. The meeting ended sooner than we thought.” I turn as I feel Lucas’ hand on my shoulder and watch as he nods at my brother. “Paul.”

  “Lucas.”

  They just stare at each other for a few seconds and then a few seconds becomes more like ten…then fifteen, before finally Lucas says, “We’re in a good place right now, Paul. This makes a lot of sense for both of us. We’ve both talked about the past, but more importantly we’re looking forward to the future. I acted immaturely before, but I know why. It’s because I was in love with your sister and for a number of reasons I didn’t know how to handle it…but now I do. And I know you’re here in good faith. You know me better than anybody and as Paisley’s brother it’s your job to keep an eye out for her. I respect that and appreciate it, actually. I really do. And you’ve done a great job up until this point, but I can promise you…I’ve got it from here.”

  Wow, Lucas’ maturity and words just blow me away, and if Paul did come here looking for an argument he’s certainly been disarmed. But I don’t think that is why he came here. I think he truly did it out of love, and I do appreciate that.

  But what I appreciate even more is Lucas stepping up and telling his best friend he’ll be my protector from now on. He’ll be the one who’ll watch over me and make sure everything’s okay. It’s romantic and it’s perfect.

  Except there’s one thing they’re both forgetting.

  “Uh hum,” I say clearing my throat. “Guys, I’m right here. This isn’t the Wild West. I can look after myself you know and any decisions that gets made in regards to my future will be made by me and me only.”

  I feel Lucas’ grip on my shoulder tighten as he pulls me in closer.

  “See, she’s feisty. But you already knew that,” Paul says.

  “Hey!” I say, but it’s too late as Lucas holds me tight and kisses me on top of my head and the two of them start laughing. I don’t want to, but I can’t resist.

  It is pretty funny and it’s okay. I know they both respect me and my decisions as an adult and there’s no point in getting worked up about a little teasing anymore…especially when it comes from a place of love.

  “See why I love her so much,” Lucas says.

  “We all do,” Paul says.

  And the three of us hug and I feel like our journey in some ways is now complete…but in the most important ways it’s just beginning.

  Because now we’ve found love and when mixed with a little ribbing from your family there’s nothing that makes life more fun and keeps us all more grounded.

  Even if Lucas is so tall I swear the top of his head scrapes the clouds.

  And that’s where I know he’s going to keep my head…up in the clouds forever.

  As he does everything to show me just how special I am to him.

  And I do the same for him.

  As we grow our family business and our family together always.

  “I love you,” he says.

  “I love you,” I say.

  And we seal it with a kiss.

  “Did you guys ever think of franchising this whole Lover’s Legal thing,” Paul says. “You’ve found some kind of romantic magic that I think you can bottle up and package into a nice product.”

  “Paul!” Lucas says. “The reason we found that romantic magic is that we found each other.”

  “And the best things in life can’t be bought or sold,” I say.

  “But yeah…we’ve been talking about that actually.”

  We all laugh and everything is perfect with the three of us, just how life is supposed to be.

  EPILOGUE

  Paisley

  One year later

  “So let me get this straight,” Jo-Anne, the host of the Good Morning New York City telecast asks us. “You two were enemies, and mortal enemies at that, and then you became friends, and now you’re lovers?”

  Lucas leans forward and smirks. God, he’s so sexy when he does that. “We kind of just skipped the friendship part and went straight to lovers, but yeah…that’s it.”

  The crowd laughs, applauds, and a few people act shocked.

  “But we’re definitely best friends now,” he says.

  “And you just had your first baby?” Jo-Anne, asks us.

  “We did. Thank you,” I say. “Lachlan and he’s three months now.”

  “He’s so adorable!” Lori, Jo-Anne’s co-host says as she reaches for Lachlan in my lap. I feel Lucas’ grip on my hand tighten, his protective and possessive instincts kicking in, but then I hear a small exhale and realize he’s getting better. There are times to stand up and be the alpha and there are times to go with the flow. On live television with two wonderful ladies who have been interviewing guests for years is definitely not the time for daddy to flex his muscles.

  “Thank you,” we both say at the same time.

  “And the three of you flew out here?” Lori asks.

  “We drove actually,” I say. “Or should I say Lucas drove.”

  “All the way from L.A.?”

  “All the way,” Lucas says. “We read about childhood memories and some research that says most kids will eventually forget almost all their memories they had of things that happened before the age of three, but we decided it was time to start making memories anyways.”

  “And with this age of camera phones, and video recorders, and all those great gadgets for families you can always show the pictures and videos back to little Lachlan here when he’s older. So he doesn’t really have to remember,” Jo-Anne says.

  “Exactly!” I say.

  “So what brings you to New York?” Lori says.

  “I hear you’re here to promote your new legal service, that if I understand this correctly, is less of a legal service and more of a way for you to…lose business? Surely I don’t understand this right.”

  “Actually…that’s right,” I begin with a smile. “We’re a little bit crazy.”

  “Or just a lot in love,” Lucas says.

  “Awww,” both ladies say in unison.

  “That’s right. We know there’s too much divorce in the world as it is and we’d rather see people stay together than split apart.”

  “That’s beautiful,” Jo-Anne says.

  Lucas jumps in and explains how we’re franchising Lovers Legal and how the whole thing works. I love that he’s actually trying to keep couples together…he’s really trying. But on the flip side he’s completely transparent that we’ll get a fee for all the business that we send to the marriage counselors that we work with. And the fee is a lot less than we could make if we just got really aggressive and chased after assets in big divorce proceedings. But that’s not what we’re all about.

  Lucas said he learned to love when he learned to be honest with himself about his feelings for me. And he wants other men, and women, to experience the same kind of joy he’s now ex
periencing, when he learned to put his past behind him and focus on the positive parts of human relationships…whether that be with the woman he loves, me, or anyone in life.

  But as I watch Lucas speak it’s clear that in no way has he become soft. He’s still got that deep, rocky voice. His back is still as stiff as a board and straight as a nail from all that working out he does. And he’s a big man with big ambitions, and the best part is that we get to accomplish them side by side.

  And by side by side I mean the three of us.

  In the middle of speaking I watch his eyes quickly dart to Lachlan as he lets loose the cutest of yawns, causing Lucas to smile, and continue right along with his words to the TV hosts.

  And it’s best that he’s the one speaking.

  He’s showing the world that you can still be a “real man” while showing and telling the world that you love nothing more than one woman and your family at the same time. And that’s what he is…our alpha. Our leader. And his love and leadership extend right down the line.

  And there will be nothing more beautiful than watching him inspire and instill those same qualities in Lachlan…and the rest of our boys and girls, as our family continues to grow.

  And I know it will because he’s promised me it will and even a year after our first time together and nine months after our wedding he still can’t keep his hands off me.

  And when he chases after me, for some “strange” reason I always seem to trip and fall like those girls in scary movies. Or my heel breaks, or any other excuse I can think up.

  Because it’s fun to be hunted by the alpha, but it’s always even more fun to get caught. ;)

  EXTENDED EPILOGUE

  Lucas

  Ten years later

  “Explain to me what happened, Lachlan,” the principal says to my son.

  “Declan called Jessica a bad name so I told Declan he should apologize. He said no so I told him if he feels bad he can tell me and I’ll tell Jessica for him.”

  The principal shoots a confused look to Declan as Jessica, Jessica’s parents, Declan, and Declan’s parents look on.

  “Because my dad explained to me how me…me-di-ation,” his says sounding it out syllable by syllable, “works and I wanted to try to me-di-ate what was happening.”

  The principal, Mrs. Goodknight, steeples her fingers and then leans back in her chair.

  “Declan.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Is this true?”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “And what did you do?”

  “I called Lachlan a bad word.”

  “And what did Lachlan do?”

  “He said I could call him all the bad words I want, but I can’t call Jessica bad words any more.”

  “And what did you do?”

  Declan says nothing.

  “Declan?”

  “I called Jessica a bad word.”

  “And what did Lachlan do then?”

  “He tackled me and held me down until the recess teacher came and tried to pull him off of me.”

  “And then what happened?”

  “The recess teacher had to wait for another teacher because Lachlan is so big.”

  “Did Lachlan hurt you?”

  “Not really.”

  “What do you mean, ‘not really’?”

  “I mean he just held me down. He was rough, but he didn’t hurt me.”

  Mrs. Goodknight leans forward in her chair and surveys the faces of all the children and us parents.

  But I only see her looking out of the corner of my eye, because I’m focused on my boy.

  Lachlan is staring straight ahead, looking right at Mrs. Goodknight, ready for any punishment he might receive. He’s ready like a man. Like a young man who stood up for a girl and has no problems accepting any “consequences.”

  And I’m proud of him. And no matter what Mrs. Goodknight says, there won’t be any consequences at home. As a matter of fact I’m going to reward him this weekend with a fishing trip. We don’t promote violence at our house or being a bully either, but Lachlan did use his size and strength to his advantage in a way that helped someone who was being picked on. And he didn’t hurt the other boy either. He did all he could and I think he did a darn good job considering the consequences.

  And I like that he just held him down until the adults arrived, and I have to admit I find it pretty cool that it took two to get him off Declan. Declan’s not going to forget this day anytime soon, and more importantly I hope he doesn’t forget this lesson.

  “Could everyone step outside,” Mrs. Goodknight says, “with the exception of Lachlan and Mr. Lovers.”

  The other two children and their parent’s file out of the principal’s office and we wait to hear what the principal has to say.

  Either way there’s going to be a lesson learned here today. If we get a result we’re not happy with it will be an experience in teaching Lachlan that things don’t always go your way, even when you have the best of intentions…and even if your actions may have been the best at that moment.

  But the good thing is my wife and I specifically picked this school because of Mrs. Goodknight. She’s a throwback to an older time, and she doesn’t take kindly to disrespect, bullying, or especially to inappropriate treatment to women, or in this case girls.

  “Lachlan,” she beings. “What am I going to do with you?”

  “Ma’am?” he says.

  “The word ‘knight’ is part of my last name, but it seems the title is more fitting for the young boy who sits in front of me now than it is for me. What you did out there,” she pauses and I watch as her lower lip quivers. “That’s what I want all the boys in our school to do, and to be honest I couldn’t be more proud of you.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “And Mr. Lovers, I just want to commend you on raising such a fine son.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Goodknight, and I’ll be sure to pass it along to my wife. She’s the matriarch of our family and the one who deserves the credit.”

  “Excellent. And please tell her I can’t wait to see her at the next parent teacher conference,” she says.

  “I will.”

  “Now gentleman, in a world full of brutes and barbarians you two do stand out like the utmost of gentleman and I mean that as a compliment, please carry on about your day. I’m sorry to have wasted your time.”

  “Not at all, Mrs. Goodknight,” I say and we stand and move towards the door.

  “And, Mr. Lovers?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I say.

  “Could you please ask Declan and his parents to step back inside? If they’re not going to raise that boy up right then I guess I’ll make it my personal responsibility to do it for them.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I say and I smile.

  I look down and see my son is smiling too and I run my hands on the top of his freshly cut hair.

  My little guy is doing the right thing and I couldn’t be more proud.

  We step outside of the office and I relay the news to Declan and his parents. They say nothing, but step inside.

  We’re not fifteen feet down the hallway, when I hear the voice of a young girl.

  “Lachlan!”

  We both freeze and I turn to see little Jessica standing there with her parents.

  “Wait,” she says and she takes off running towards us and doesn’t stop until she has Lachlan in a hug. He looks confused but figures that he should wrap his arms around her too. He’s still a young boy and doesn’t know how to react in all situations, but what matters is he sure knew how to act when it counted most for Jessica.

  “Thank you,” she says and she kisses him on the cheek. She pulls back and looks at him and then takes off running back to her parents.

  They’re smiling from ear to ear and they give us a friendly wave.

  Lachlan waves back and I give them a quick tip of my chin and we’re off.

  “How did that feel, son?”

  “That was…really cool,” he s
ays.

  “That’s how girls are. When you do nice things for them they always find a way to be…well…really cool back…which is pretty cool in and of itself isn’t it?”

  “Yes, dad.”

  I rub his head again and put my hand on his shoulder.

  My little man. My blood. The first child of his mother and I.

  And my boy is doing the right thing and that makes me prouder than anything.

  And I know it’s going to make my wife proud too.

  And Lachlan’s two brothers and two sisters.

  We’ve got a good story for the dinner table tonight and Lachlan is for sure going to be our “Hero of the Week” which we award one of the kids each week, when one of them wins the award, we place a big gold sticker next to their name on the poster we have on the wall next to the fridge.

  If Lachlan keeps this up we’re going to need a bigger poster board.

  And if all our kids keep acting this chivalrous and making me this proud we’re going to need a bigger house.

  Because there’s nothing I love more than watching our family grow together.

  And that all starts with her.

  My wife. The mother of my children. My best friend. My lover. And my life.

  She’s everything and not that she has any enemies, but if she did those enemies of hers would be enemies off our entire family.

  Because we’re the Lovers. More than just in name. We’re one for all and all for one.

  And we always side with the family. Always.

  Especially when our boys act like the perfect little men and our girls act like the perfect little ladies.

  And with the help of my wife, and her guidance and love, they always do.

  Just another reason why I love her and will continue to do so…forever and always.

  A MAN WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS

  Book 1: Baby Lust

  Book 2: Veteran

  Book 3: Built

  Book 4: Bambino

  Book 5: Rescued

  Book 6: Leader

  Book 7: Professor

  Book 8: Burned