Grayson is supporting me following my dreams, I also would like her blessing.
“Your mother was very much a free spirit,” my aunt says with a fond smile. “That’s where we differed. She was always off doing something exciting, upsetting our folks. But there’s one thing I can say, is that I’ve always admired her.”
“She never told me any of this,” I whisper, feeling the tears prick my eyes at her reminiscing.
Aunt Shanika nods, “You’re so much like her. And I know, deep down, she would’ve been happy, as long as you were. If Grayson is the man who looks after you, makes you smile every day, and gives you the support you need, then I guess it’s okay.”
I’m on my knees, holding her close. My heart is filled with warmth and happiness. It’s all I ever wanted.
“Is he good to you?”
I glance up at my aunt and nod. “He is. He’s the best man, I promise I’ll always look after myself, but I can’t stop loving Grayson.”
“Then we’ll have to plan the wedding.” Her smile is everything to me. It brings me the comfort in knowing I have my family near, and I have the man I love to spend the rest of my life with.
Austin’s Christmas Shortcake
Copyright © 2017 by Dani René
Published by Dani René
Cover Design: Raven Designs
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.
The following story contains mature themes, strong language, and sexual situations. It is intended for adult readers.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in the work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owner.
A Taboo Novella
The sexy babysitter…
Prologue
Two years ago
“I can’t believe you’re doing this,” I tell her.
Those long dark lashes frame her deep blue eyes as she blinks at me. She doesn’t respond. I knew she wouldn’t. When I walked in earlier and saw the suitcases, my heart stopped. It fucking shattered the farther into our apartment I stepped.
“You’ll be fine, Austin. She’s your daughter too. Can’t you watch her for a little while? I need to find myself,” Moira says.
I don’t understand. She’s twenty-seven. She has an incredible career as a marketing executive. She wants for nothing more than a few days off with her friends each month. And even then I support her when she tells me she thinks better without our daughter’s noise.
“Find yourself? Are you fucking kidding me?” My tone is incredulous. I can’t handle the agony that’s slicing through my chest. The woman I loved since I was nineteen, the mother of my daughter, is walking out and she doesn’t seem to care.
“Yes, Austin, I’m not as lucky as you to have everything I want.” The frustration in her tone, the words she utters finally break me. “I mean…” She tries to backtrack, but there’s no taking back what she just said. There’s no way she can deny it.
“Fine. Take your shit and get out of my house. Make sure that when I get home with Chels this afternoon every damn trace of you is gone. And when my daughter asks where her mother went, I’ll tell her you weren’t good enough to be a mother.”
I don’t mean a word I say. They’re spat in anger and the way she looks at me tells me she doesn’t care either way. Perhaps it would be easier if she’d just left without a word. Maybe then I wouldn’t have to look at her and see how much she doesn’t love me, or my daughter.
“You don’t deserve happiness after what you’re about to do to Chelsea.”
She doesn’t respond. Instead, she stalks past me and into the