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  “Yay, you did it!” I clapped as I helped Ava off the slide. The ringlets bounced as she lifted her arms and stepped in place repeatedly. “You want to go down again? Okay.” I picked her up, placing her at the top of the five foot slide. My hands stayed under her arms as she slid down. The moment I placed her on her feet, I started clapping again and she joined in.

  “Good girl. Let’s go swing.”

  A squeal came from her mouth, although I wasn’t sure she knew what I meant. The fast paced walk she started had me laughing. With the overalls and the pink long sleeved shirt, she looked too cute. Especially with the matching bow that held her bangs out of her face.

  “Ma ma ma.” Her soft words were carried away as the wind blew. Although it was cool, it wasn’t overly so. And the sky was clear, so the threat of rain wasn’t there. It was a perfect day and I was so glad it wouldn’t be hindered by the weather. Ava and I could spend the morning here and then grab lunch before we headed home.

  “Up you go.” I lifted her into the protective swing and placed her legs through as she gripped to the chains. The pace I kept was slow, steady.

  My mind began to roam and I glanced around the area, taking in the joggers and people playing with their dogs in the open field.

  Could I really leave this place? I’d been to San Francisco a handful of times and thought it was nice, but did I want to live there? Uproot Ava and put my house on the market? True, I was about to tell Devlin, but I still didn’t think it would be a good idea to be so close to him. He kept popping up at my house and my job. It would continue until he decided to call it quits. Whether it would be because he found another woman, or just because he lost his weird interest in me, didn’t matter. Either one would be worse than cutting ties and leaving. At least then I would know it had been my decision.

  A giggle came from Ava as I leaned toward her. The swing took her further away and as she neared, I lowered again.

  “Boo.”

  The laughter grew louder and I couldn’t help but join her. A few more times and we were both trying to catch our breath.

  “What do you say we just run around for a while?” I took her out, placing her down to go whatever direction she wanted. Her head faced the left and then the right. Both took her out of the park area. I waited patiently while she took a few steps and studied the surroundings. “You don’t have to walk around if you don’t want to. Here.” I picked her up, walking back to the bench where her diaper bag was. “Are you thirsty?”

  She reached for the bottle the moment she caught sight of it. I leaned back, holding her in my arms as she began to drink. With how big she was getting, it wouldn’t be long before I couldn’t hold her like a baby. She was already starting to get squirmy if she was held for too long.

  The wind blew back my hair as I watched a couple bring their three kids into the park area. One wasn’t much older than Ava, but the other two were at least in pre-school. As the older two ran off, the small boy stayed at his parent’s feet. I smiled as the father bent down, trying to coax the boy to go play. It didn’t work.

  “Look at that, Ava, he’s like you. You stay at my feet sometimes.”

  The suction broke from her mouth and she stared up, smiling. Her soft sounds filled the air and I couldn’t help but encourage her to talk more. She was so quiet most of the time. So reserved for such a small child. Just like Devlin. I stared deep into her blue eyes, seeing him. It was in their shape. The color. She favored him more than me. It was so obvious and it hurt my heart. If I couldn’t have him, at least I got to see him in her.

  “That’s right. You’re such a good baby.”

  She went back to drinking the bottle and I mindlessly went back to watching the kids play on the playground. Pressure pushed against my throat and I blink hard, swallowing. I reached over, grabbing my water, trying to chug it down so I wouldn’t be sick. Pounding erupted in my chest and I breathed out heavily.

  What the hell had that been? My stomach turned and I closed my eyes trying to calm the nausea.

  “No, no, no,” I whispered. It was nerves. It had to be. Or maybe my cycle was starting to kick in. I’d felt sick before. Hadn’t I?

  I opened my eyes and froze. Stopped on the jogging path was none other than the one person who’d turned my world upside down since the day I’d met him. His hair was wet with sweat, leaving long strands falling over his forehead. He was beauty and beast warped into one pissed off male.

  I grabbed the strap to the diaper bag and slid it over my shoulder, but it didn’t matter. He was already stalking in my direction, rage on his face like I’d never seen.

  God, this was it. There was no more hiding. No more lying. I was caught in the web I wove and the wrath of Devlin Black was growing closer by the minute. My worst nightmare was playing out before my very eyes and there was nowhere left for me to run.

  To be continued…

  About the Author

  Alaska is an erotic BDSM author who also goes by the pen names Jennifer Salaiz and Jenny May. She lives in the SF Bay area...for now. She's a dreamer, and longs for the day when her husband and kids can load up in the car and drive until their hearts’ content. Adventure and discovering new places play a huge role in Alaska's life. It drives her, and feeds the creativity of coming up with new locations for her stories.

  Within the last two years, Alaska and her family have drove across the country twice, and also drove the distance from Texas to California three times. Asked, if she could choose one place to permanently settle down, where it would be, Alaska laughed. "Montana, today. Tomorrow, it may be Alaska, again. I go back and forth."

  When Alaska’s not dreaming of spontaneously hitting the road to find a new place to write about, she's being a mother and wife. If you're looking to connect with her to learn more, feel free to email her at [email protected], or find her on Facebook. You can also stop by her website jennymayauthor.com.

  Want more Devlin Black?

  Coming Soon!

  Also look for…

  Alaska’s music playlist while writing the Devlin Black series

  The Scientist by Coldplay

  Fix You by Coldplay

  Trouble by Coldplay

  Where I Stood by Missy Higgins

  Stay by Shaun Reynolds feat. Laura Pringle

  This Years Love by David Gray

  Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap

  The Story by Brandi Carlile