Blocked (25 page)

“Oh my god.” Rori snorted. “The man is loco.”

The women laughed until tears rolled down their cheeks. By the time lunch was over, April felt refreshed and excited for the rest of the week.

* * *

DECKER KNOCKED ONCE then entered his brother’s office without waiting for an invitation. “Ford, we gotta talk.” His eyes traveled to Jovanna, who was perched on the arm of Decker’s favorite chair with a notepad and pen in hand. “Sorry, Vanna, but this can’t wait. Please excuse us… now.” The anger that surged through Decker’s veins made it nearly impossible for him to speak in anything more that grunts and commands.

“Of course, not a problem.” Jovanna quickly stood up, smoothed down her skirt, and exited Ford’s office, closing the door behind her.

“Deck, what’s goin’ on?” Ford pointed at the closed door. “That’s not like you.”

Decker exhaled, frustration and agitation twisting in his gut. “I thought we discussed weeks ago about having those two
punks
tossed off my job site.” Decker didn’t need to use proper names for Ford to know exactly who Decker was referring to. “I went about it… nicely,” Decker seethed. “I told them to leave, I had them escorted from the property, and I asked you to contact Marvin Randall, the goddamn guy who’s funding the whole fucking project, and inform him that his
helpers
were a liability.”

The color drained from Ford’s face. “I did. I followed protocol.” Ford attempted a smile. “What happened that got your shorts all twisted?”

“It’s not funny, man.” Decker ran his muddy fingers through his hair, not giving a shit if the dirt transferred. “Those fuckers came back today and started directing my men, giving orders and declaring that Randall wanted specific things changed. Of course, my guys didn’t make any change without coming to me, but that was the point. They wore a goddamn path coming back and forth to me. The chaos was out of control.”

Even through his anger, Decker could see the gears in Ford’s business mind churning. Ford’s fingers flew over the keyboard of his computer just before he pressed the intercom button on the phone and asked his secretary to get Marvin Randall on the line immediately.

“What are you doing?” Decker asked as the knot in his gut began to loosen.

Ford shot him a look of disbelief. “Taking care of things.”

That was one of the reasons Decker loved working with his brother. The guy was incredible under pressure.

“Mr. Brand,” Jovanna’s voice came through the intercom. “I have Heather from Mr. Randall’s office on line three.”

“Thank you, Vanna.”

“Hmm, judging by the way she said Heather’s name, it doesn’t seem like there’s a secretarial sisterhood between those two,” Decker pointed out.

Ford mindlessly waved his hand as if dismissing the entire topic. “I went out with Heather once… maybe twice.” Ford snickered. “Well, we went out once and stayed in the second time. Heather complained to Vanna that I never called her again and… you know women. V got all bitchy about it. Whatever, let’s handle
this
situation and move on.”

Decker shook his head and gestured to the phone. “Put it on speaker so I can hear what his goddamn excuse is.”

Heather’s voice filled the room, and her tone was aloof, if not cool, as she explained that her boss had already left the office for the weekend.

“I just emailed a letter restating the fact Tommy and Vincent Allen were banned from our work site,” Ford stated. “I also attached the original email which Marvin Randall, your boss, signed and dated nearly a month ago when the topic was initially raised.” When Heather tried to interrupt with a flirtatious comment, Ford cut her off and continued his spiel. “Please make certain your boss sees the email immediately, Heather, because the next time Tommy and/or Vincent trespasses on our property, we will press charges. Have a nice weekend.” He ended the call before the woman could fit in another word.

With relief finally settling into his system, Decker sank into his favorite chair. “Thanks, I wanted to tie up the little fuckers with cable and duct tape their mouths closed, but I thought my actions may be frowned upon.”

Ford sat back in his chair. “That’s why we have each other, Deck. Because I’d rather handle this part. If I had to look filthy like you every day”—his nose scrunched up as if he’d smelled a skunk—“I’d kill myself.”

The men quickly discussed their weekend plans before Decker left work to meet April at the gym for their daily workout.

Chapter Eighteen

A Proper Date

“MORNING, BEAUTIFUL.”

Hearing Decker’s sexy voice first thing was the best way to start the weekend. Eli was sitting at the bottom of her bed, watching cartoons, and barely noticed that she was even awake.

“Morning, handsome. I can’t wait for tonight,” she purred as butterflies took flight in her belly. It didn’t seem to matter how often she saw him, the fluttering never lessened. In fact, it seemed as if the beautiful winged creatures multiplied.

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about tonight.”

Dread took over the fluttery feeling as April sat up in her bed. “Decker Brand, if you’re canceling…”

His husky laugh was an instant balm to her irritation. “No, babe, I’m not canceling. I am, however, making a demand.”

“A demand?”

“Yeah, I want all of you, from start to finish. None of this meeting at the restaurant bullshit. So tonight, I’m picking your sweet ass up at your house, wining and dining you, and then I’m taking you home. I want the goodnight kisses, the opportunity to run the bases with you,” his voice dropped to a gravelly tone, “and if I’m lucky enough to score a run, I want to drive home with a goofy grin on my face. A full-fledged date, April.”

His words left her breathless and wanton, a mere tease that would keep her on the edge for the entire day. Christ, the man was sex and lust and romance all wrapped in the most magnificent package. “Okay, Deck. You can pick me up here… and big guy, I see a goofy grin in your near future.”

The catch in his breath told her she’d made him a very happy man. “I’ll see you tonight, babe.”

Just as he’d promised, Decker arrived at her house at seven with gifts for everyone: lavender tulips for April, the latest Disney DVD for Eli, and a six-pack of root beer and a bottle of aspirin for August. After good nights were given and kissy-banks were filled, they left the house for their first
proper
date.

“I’ve wanted to come here for ages,” April said as they pulled into the parking lot of a Mexican restaurant in the center of Charistown. “Janie is always talking about how much she and her friends love The Sombrero. She says the food is great and the margaritas are even better.”

“It’s true, the food is awesome, and while I’m not a margarita kind of man, the Coronas are ice cold.” His eyes dropped to her lips. “And seeing as you’re wearing the lime lip stuff, I think this visit will be my favorite yet.” He reached around, cupped the back of her head, and pulled her close, taking her lips in a fiery kiss that could rival any hot sauce the restaurant could offer.

She threaded her fingers through his hair, deepening their embrace. “Mmm, I don’t want to leave this car.”

“Uh uh.” He shook his head, puffing out a shaky breath. “A proper date, beautiful.” With that, he got out of the SUV and walked around to her side to open the door and help her out.

The restaurant was packed with every table occupied, but they had a reservation and were seated immediately. Both Decker and Janie were right—the food was incredible. As usual, she and Decker filled the hours with easy conversation, arousing flirtation, and witty banter. It wasn’t until the restaurant started to clear out and the tables started to empty that April saw the couple sitting just across the small dining room.

Each delectable morsel of dinner turned to boulders in her stomach, and her airway began to constrict as a huge lump formed in the back of her throat. Praying to whoever would listen that she could keep her composure, April stared at the duo and concentrated on her breathing.

* * *

DECKER WATCHED AS the easy smile hardened on April’s face and the ever-present blush quickly drain from her cheeks. “Hey”—he reached for her hand—“what’s wrong, babe?”

Without a verbal response from her, he followed her line of vision and began to piece together the puzzle on his own. It was clear by the smug smiles, loud giggles, and indiscreet whispers from the couple who garnered April’s direct attention, they could be none other than her ex-husband and his current wife. It was also apparent that those two found more than a little pleasure in displaying a nauseating if not embarrassing amount of affection toward each other while making sure their eyes were trained on April. Their behavior was an act, of that Decker was certain. He’d lived that life before, pretending everything was perfect when inside, things were at a boiling point. But he wasn’t going to express his thoughts to April, because in the moment, his opinion didn’t matter. All that mattered was April and how her breathing hitched when Ben and his wife stood up from their table and he rubbed his hand affectionately over her clearly pregnant belly before leaning down to press a kiss on the baby bump.

“Unbelievable,” April murmured.

Decker wondered if she realized she’d said it out loud. “I’m here with you, April,” Decker whispered, kissing her temple. “You’re not alone.”

“Hello, April,” her ex-husband drawled in an oily tone as he and his wife approached the table. “Glad to see you’ve moved on… finally.”

Decker kept his hands under the table, resisting the urge to choke the weasel in front of him.

Pride bloomed in his chest as April sat back casually in her chair, lifted a brow in her don’t- give-a-damn way, and painted a cool smile on her beautiful face. “I’ve never been happier.”

She didn’t cling to Decker or use him as a tool to get back at her ex, which was quite sexy, but she also didn’t look to him to have her back, and that was not okay. His desire to claim her was as strong as his need for air. So when the smarmy fuck-twit leered at April, allowing his eyes to roam from her face to the plunging neckline of her sexy black sweater, Decker wanted to toss away the table that separated them and pummel the loser. Instead, he took great pleasure in squeezing April’s hand and slowly rising from his chair to introduce himself to the much shorter guy.

“I’m Decker Brand, her man. And you’re…?” He knew it was a childish move, but between April’s smile and the outraged look on Ben’s face, it was worth it.

“I’m her ex-husband,” the guy seethed. “I’m the father of her son, you… ignorant ass. You do know she has a little boy, don’t you?”

“Oh, that’s right.” Decker tossed a quick glance over his shoulder at April before returning his attention to Ben. “She did tell me Eli’s father lived close by but chose to have no responsibility for his own child.” Decker sat back down next to April and draped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her chair closer to his. “For some reason, I always think of the guy as dead.”

Ben’s eyes widened at Decker’s statement.

“No, he isn’t dead.” April shook her head as sadness filled her eyes. “Just said he wasn’t cut out to be a father.” April turned her focus to Becky. “So you’re looking… well.”

Becky gleamed, rubbing her hands over her extended belly. “We’re pregnant!” When her announcement fell flat, she continued to babble. “We are so excited our little guy is due in less than two months.”

Decker felt April’s body stiffen with each of Becky’s words. His gut churned as he watched the column of her throat work with each swallow.

“That’s great.” April’s false cheer left her mouth in little more than puffs of air. “I hope he’s a better father the second time around.”

Decker glared at Ben, who at least had the decency to look ashamed.

“Well, that’s the thing,” Becky chattered confidently , a bright smile plastered across her horse-like mouth as she grabbed Ben’s hand and placed it across her belly. “Everyone makes mistakes, April, and Ben made his. He can’t be forced to spend the rest of his life dwelling on the past.” She leveled her eyes to April’s and shrugged. “Therefore, we’re thinking of this as
his
first baby as well.”

Decker heard April’s breath hitch as her spine went rod straight. He firmly gripped her knee to both offer comfort and to keep her seated. He knew in hindsight, she’d hate it if she made a public scene.

“Oh, really? Well, guess what, Becky? I don’t give a shit how the two of you think of it, but DNA says he’s been a father for close to five years.” Her voice lowered to slightly above a whisper as she continued. “And if either of you ever refer to
my
son as a mistake again, you will live to regret it.” April turned her fury on her ex. “I will never forget when you came to serve me the divorce papers five days after I’d delivered our baby. You held your son, stared into his eyes, and then placed him and the papers in my lap before leaving.” April’s voice was quiet, but her tone was strong. “You didn’t just sever our marriage. No, you signed away the rights to your firstborn child like he was nothing more than a used car.”

Decker’s stomach clenched at the new information. How the hell could any man do such a thing? He’d walk through fire for his daughter; in fact, he’d lived through hell for her. April’s ex appeared to shrink with each stone cast in his direction.

“So I guess you’re right.” She pointed at Becky’s belly. “That is your first fucking child. Because my son has been and will always be better off without you. Now walk the hell away from our table before I decide to make a scene.” April twisted in her seat so her back was to the unwanted couple as they stood with shock etched on their faces.

“Would you like some dessert, beautiful?” Decker tenderly kissed April’s knuckles. The pain on her face tore at his insides, but there was no way he was going to let the two assholes who still lingered at the table see anything less than the strength he saw each day.

“Sure.” April breathed in deep, clearly trying to firm up the walls that had been damaged through the confrontation. “What did you have in mind?”