Winning Dawn Read online

  Sylvia had taken a job at one of her father’s car dealerships. She claimed she needed the extra funds since he was incapable of supporting her, despite the fact that his salary paid all the bills. They weren’t starving or lacking for any luxuries. He hadn’t argued about her taking a job, but figured she’d tire of working within a few weeks.

  However, months went by and Sylvia continued to work. She spent her money on designer bags and shoes. She seemed happy and in turn, he was content.

  The day he came home early from a meeting to see her stowing her bags in her white Audi, he’d been genuinely confused. She was leaving him for one of her father’s car salesmen. She explained loudly and in front of a gathering crowd of their neighbors that he was unromantic, insensitive and dull.

  He’d heard those words and many similar to them throughout his dating career. Women simply weren’t interested in men like him. He offered no adventure. Only stalwart loyalty and honesty. It never seemed to be enough.

  Chapter 12

  Thanksgiving morning was cool and the sky was overcast. The local weatherman had promised that there would only be scattered showers, if any. When her alarm went off at six, Dawn groaned and hit the snooze. She longed to burrow deeper into the warmth of her sheets. Only her promise to help Kayla with her first Thanksgiving dinner motivated her to actually roll out of bed. She turned off the alarm before heading into the bathroom.

  She showered and dressed quickly. She loved the simplicity of styling her new shorter hairdo. It was also surprisingly more versatile than she would have believed. Today, she washed it, added gel, and blow dried it so that it lay in a soft, feathered layers.

  An unusually harried Kayla opened the door for her before she even had a chance to knock. She was practically dragged to the kitchen. “No ‘hi, nice to see you’? What’s wrong?”

  “I’m not sure this bird is thawed. It’s hard as a rock. And it needs to be in the oven now! We can’t have Thanksgiving without a turkey!”

  Dawn shook her head. She’d suggested cooking the turkey the day before as her mom had always done, but Kayla had wanted a turkey straight from the oven. Dawn couldn’t blame her. They did taste better fresh. She looked at the bird in the sink. She poked it with a finger. Sure enough, it was solid. “When did you take it out of the freezer?”

  Kayla sighed. “Josh was supposed to put it on the fridge side Tuesday night, but um, he got distracted.”

  Dawn raised a brow. She laughed as her cousin blushed. “Good grief. Doesn’t he ever get enough? You might want to see a doctor and have him put on a sedative or something. It’s a wonder you ever walk straight.”

  “Dawn! You are not helping.”

  “Um, do you have another bird?” The glare aimed her way was sufficient answer. She prodded the turkey again. It wasn’t too massive, but still too large to microwave. “Maybe water?” She bit her lip. “Though it won’t be ready in time to be cooked. You are screwed.”

  Kayla threw up her hands. Josh entered the kitchen. His hair was still mussed from bed. He dropped a kiss on Kayla’s head. “I’ve handled everything. Evan’s bringing us a turkey.”

  “Where will he get a thawed turkey on Thanksgiving day?”

  “He already had one.” His mouth twisted. “Said he expected something like this to happen. I mean, you forget to defrost a turkey once or twice….”

  Kayla cupped his face between her hands and kissed him soundly on the mouth. “I love you. When is he bringing the turkey?”

  “I’m going to pick it up right now. He’ll be over later. Anything you need while I’m out?”

  “Nothing. Just hurry.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He kissed her again, his lips clinging to hers. He had one hand on the small of her back and the other curved over her belly.

  Dawn cleared her throat. “I’m still here.” She shook her head, recalling a time when her cousin had insisted that the two of them were only friends.

  Josh broke the kiss with a laugh. “Be right back.”

  Kayla sighed and went over to the counter where she had several sheets of paper. “I’d made a schedule.” She frowned. “This may delay dinner a bit but not too much. We’ve still got cookies and Evan’s bringing a cake.” Her eyes flashed over her list. “Dear God, why didn’t someone talk me out of this?”

  She laughed. “We’ll manage.”

  Yams, corn, green beans, ham, mashed potatoes, and the all-important turkey were all ready or in their final stages by the time Evan arrived at four. They’d wanted to have collard greens or kale also, but neither of them knew how to prepare the vegetables without scorching them. Kayla was basting the turkey and Josh was glued to the TV so Dawn opened the door. Evan held a cake in one hand and a tart in the other. The cake was in a covered dish. The tart wore a bright red, skin tight dress and a faux fur coat.

  “Hi. I’ll take that to the kitchen.”

  He handed over the dessert. “Dawn.” He put his arm around the slender redhead. “This is Paige. Paige, Dawn is Josh’s cousin-in-law.”

  “Nice to meet you.”

  Dawn merely nodded in greeting. Her throat was tight and she didn’t trust her voice. How dare he introduce her that way? As though she were nothing to him. And who brought a date to Thanksgiving dinner? Didn’t this Paige chick have family? “Glad you could join us,” she finally choked out. She retreated to the kitchen as Josh stood to greet Evan and his date.

  She put the cake on the counter with a definite clunk. She took off the cover to take a peek. Milk chocolate frosting coated three layers. Strawberries were placed on the plate edge in a decorative pattern. Kayla came over. “Mm, that looks delicious.”

  Dawn shrugged. She felt unaccountably depressed and disappointed that Evan had brought a date. She could finally admit to herself that she had been anticipating seeing him today. In a small corner of her heart, she’d hoped they could work something out to reinstate their arrangement. Well, those dreams were dashed. When he’d suggested that she should go back to what she was used to, it was only an excuse. He was the one who’d wanted to return to his usual. Super thin white women.

  Well. So be it. She took a deep breath and put on a happy face for her cousin.

  * * * *

  Kayla and Dawn finished the preparations for dinner and set the table while the men and Paige watched football. They called everyone to the table once they had it set. Because of its weight, Kayla had Josh bring in the turkey. He stood at the head of the table after placing the golden bird down. He and Kayla exchanged a glance.

  “Before we begin eating, I’d like to say how thankful we are to have each of you with us. It’s been a special year for me and Kayla.” He took his wife’s hand in his. “And we’re glad that you’re going to be the first to know that we will be expanding our little family in the spring.”

  “Does that mean…?” At Kayla’s nod, Dawn squealed. “I’m going to be a…” She stopped with a frown. “Cousin. Hm. Doesn’t matter. I’m so excited.” She wrapped her arms around her cousin.

  “Congratulations,” Evan said. Paige echoed the sentiment. “I’m really happy for you, little bro.”

  “Does Aunt Cat know?”

  “I’m going to call her later tonight.”

  “Is it a boy or a girl?”

  “We’ve decided to be surprised.”

  “I don’t want to be surprised,” she groused. “How are you supposed to decorate the nursery or buy clothes if you don’t know the sex of the baby?”

  “We’re going neutral,” Kayla replied. “Lots of cream.”

  “Speaking of cream, I’m starving. Let’s eat,” Josh said. He picked up the knife beside the turkey and began to carve.

  Once dinner was served, conversation naturally turned to the food and eventually, to work.

  Kayla and Josh discussed the plans for a jungle themed mural they were doing in the nursery of a client. Dawn mentioned how there had been several secretive meetings going on with the partners at her firm in the last few weeks. She and some of her fellow co-workers had been making wild guesses as to what could be going on. Evan shared his plans for a piece of software he was developing himself that could be used as an organizational tool. Paige worked at a cell phone call center. She told tales of some of the amusing calls she’d received.

  “How did the two of you meet?” Josh asked.

  “We were introduced by friends. I work with his friend Lucas’s girlfriend. I was pleasantly surprised when Evan invited me. I just moved here from New Jersey and I couldn’t afford to go home for Thanksgiving and for Christmas. I wasn’t looking forward to spending the holiday alone.”

  “Well, we’re glad to have you,” Kayla assured her.

  Dawn stabbed her turkey viciously. Evan arched a brow at her. She gave him a brief saccharine sweet smile.

  “So, Dawn, where’s your intended? Running late? Again?” He picked up his glass and took a sip.

  “If you’re referring to my ex, Reggie, then I’d assume that he’s having dinner at his mother’s house. As we are no longer a couple, I can’t swear to it.”

  Evan choked on his tea. “I thought you two made up.”

  “You were wrong about that, but you were right about something. Sometimes, we do like to return to what we’re used to.” She shot a pointed look at Paige.

  His picked up his fork and tapped it on the edge of his plate. He opened his mouth, but after a swift visual survey of their dinner companions, he remained silent. Josh and Kayla were watching them suspiciously. Paige appeared uncomfortable.

  Josh cleared his throat. “Next year, I’m deep frying the turkey.”

  “Dear God,” Evan and Dawn said in unison. After a brief glance in her direction, he leaned forward and continued, “Kayla, please tell me you plan to talk him out of that idea. Or at least that you won’t let your homeowner’s insurance lapse?”

  Kayla laughed. Josh held up a hand. “I am perfectly capable of frying a turkey.”

  “I’m afraid of what else you might also unintentionally fry.”

  * * * *

  After dinner, Dawn helped Kayla put away leftovers and wash dishes. Josh offered to help, but Kayla declined. She later confided to Dawn that he tended to break too many dishes and he would only slow them down by distracting her. He still popped in every few minutes or so to make sure she wasn’t overdoing it.

  When they joined the others in the den, Paige was snuggled up as close to Evan as was humanly possible without actually sitting in his lap. And he didn’t seem to mind. Dawn sat through the sickening display as long as she could before excusing herself. She literally felt nauseous.

  She ducked into the bathroom. Taking several deep breaths, the uproar in her stomach slowly subsided. She was suddenly very tired. Keeping up a brave front was exhausting. Fortunately, it was almost nine. She could excuse herself and no one would suspect how upset she was. With one last glance in the mirror, she stepped out into the hall. Evan leaned against the opposite wall. “We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” she said in a mocking tone even as he moved forward. She wondered why he was waiting there. There were two more bathrooms in this house. “Excuse me.”

  He advanced, crowding her in the door frame. His face was dark with emotion. For each step he took toward her, she retreated one. He closed and locked the door behind them. She gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. “What are you doing?” Her hip hit the marble countertop and she turned. Evan followed and slammed his hands onto the cool stone surface on either side of her.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Tell you what?”

  “That you weren’t back with Reggie.”

  “You didn’t want to be involved anymore, remember?” His eyes were on her lips. When he leaned in to kiss her, she turned her head. “No.”

  He buried his face in her neck and groaned. “Dawn, please,” he said, his voice husky and gravelly with need.

  “I like the sound of you begging me,” she whispered. His guffaw was muffled. Then his mouth opened over her throat, hot and wet and so tantalizing. Her nipples tightened into taut buds, eager for his touch. She gripped his elbows. “Shouldn’t you be getting back to your date?” He lowered himself and insinuated himself between her thighs on the way back up. The heat of his erection burned her through his clothes and hers. “Y-you’re just horny.”

  “Horny for you. I can’t stop wanting you.”

  “Well, that’s too damn bad. You stood me up. You ended it.” Reminded of that past hurt, she shoved at his shoulders. “Let me go.”

  He ran his hands up her hips and over her rib cage before cupping her breasts. Taking her nipples between his thumb and forefinger, he tugged. She nearly collapsed as the pleasure zinged from her breasts to her clit. She bit her lip, but not in time to stifle her moan. “I’m not the only one who’s horny.” He suckled the skin on her neck. The suction wasn’t hard enough to bruise but enough to keep her on the verge of panting.

  Her thoughts were scattering. With each flex of his hips against hers, she found it more and more difficult to concentrate on why this was wrong. She avoided his lips when he tried to kiss her again. If he kissed her, she would be his. His lips trailed over her cheek and down her jawline to her ear. He licked the lobe before delicately swirling his tongue in the canal. “I keep trying to fight it. This hunger I have for you,” he whispered. His breath on her cooling skin made her shiver. “My head keeps telling me to back off, but I can’t. I’ve never wanted a woman like I want you.”

  “Oh, God.” His mouth covered hers, his tongue plunging deep. Her pussy convulsed. She sucked his tongue mindlessly. He unfastened her jeans and slid his hand into her panties. She moaned as his finger circled her clit. He groaned into her mouth.

  “So wet,” he muttered before thrusting his finger inside her pussy. Her muscles contracted around his digit in moist welcome. “Shit.” He removed his hand and pushed her denims and undies down to her knees. He whirled her around.

  She was breathless and panting at her own image in the mirror when she heard the sound of his zipper. “Evan, what—” He gripped her hips, positioned himself at her entrance, and thrust his thick cock home. She cried out in shock.

  He stilled. “Shhh….” He caressed her belly before once again fingering her slick opening. “You feel so damn good.”

  Her eyes met his in the mirror. His were black with passion. Long, lush lashes made his expression appear almost slumberous. He withdrew an inch before filling her with a quick, hard swivel of his hips. She bit her lip to keep from crying out. He pressed her farther forward so that he could penetrate her deeper. “Oh, God, Evan.” She widened her stance as much as she could while still bound by her clothing. She met him thrust for thrust, canting her hips back for his lusty possession. He opened her deliciously.

  Their reflection was an unexpected turn on. She watched as his thick member buried itself into her drenched cunt over and over. Evan encouraged her, using his fingers to separate her pussy lips. “Look at that,” he rasped. “So beautiful.” She watched their reflections as he fucked her faster and harder. The bathroom was filled with the sounds of their rough breathing and the moist noise of her channel being repeatedly entered by his hard shaft. When he circled her clit with his middle finger, she knew she couldn’t take much more. She pressed her face into her shoulder and cried out. Her pussy clamped around his stiff flesh as he continued to slam into her convulsing cunt.

  “Oh, fuck,” he groaned before going rigid. She could feel his cock swelling and stiffening inside her, preceding the hot blast of his seed hitting her womb.

  She rested the side of her face on the cool countertop, wondering how she’d ended up in this position. Her pussy was full of Evan’s cock and his cum. She’d come in here for some respite from having to pretend that his having a date didn’t bother her. Somehow, she’d ended up being fucked in the bathroom on Thanksgiving during a dinner party. She shook off the sluggishness of her orgasm and tried to stand. Evan got the hint and peeled himself off her back. She straightened her clothes swiftly. She needed some time away from Evan to think about what she wanted from him. But first, she had to get out of here. “I’m going home.”

  Evan did up his pants. He stopped her when she would have left. He cupped her cheek and stroked his thumb over her lips. “About Paige. She means nothing.”

  Dawn flinched. He couldn’t have chosen any other words more likely to make her detonate. She’d heard those words a thousand times. She slapped away his hand. “Men! You’re all the same. I hope you enjoyed what just happened here, because it’s the last time you’ll get it from me.”

  * * * *

  Evan stared at the empty doorway, confused as hell. What had come over her? One minute she was pliant and loving in his arms. The next she’d looked like she was tempted to slap him. Women! They were so confounding.

  He’d explained about Paige and that seemed to only make her furious. Did she want him to have feelings for another woman? Shouldn’t she have been relieved that he didn’t? He ran his hands through his hair and sighed. What the hell was he going to do? What would it take to get through to her?

  He no longer considered giving up on her. He hadn’t been able to forget her, stop wanting her. His head kept telling him she was only going to hurt him. But his heart and his body wouldn’t stop yearning for her.

  By the time he returned to the den, Dawn had left. He sat beside Paige until he couldn’t take it anymore. He said his goodbyes to Josh and Kayla and drove Paige home. She had agreed to this date with him as a favor to a friend. Plus, she really didn’t have any family in town. Yet at her door, she invited him in for coffee. He declined and thanked her for spending the evening with him.

  “So did it work?”

  When he said Paige didn’t mean anything, he really had meant it. He’d met her for the first time earlier today. She’d agreed to help him make Dawn jealous. He shook his head in answer to her question. If Dawn had felt any envy, she’d hidden it well. “And it’s no more than I deserve. I hate playing games, but for her…” It had been worth it to try.

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