Chapter 82 - Daddy Dominant's Good Girl

“Do something to help him!” Susan cried, hugging Toby’s limp, unconscious body.

I saw Ellis step aside, pulling his phone out of his pocket. He made a quick call. “I’ve got the best pediatrician in the state on his way here to look at Toby,” he said.

“Thank you,” Susan said, sighing and hugging her son.

We all stood around in silence as Toby lay there completely still and Susan continued to cry over him. I stood on the edge of the crowd, holding Ken’s hand. Ellis stayed close to Toby.

It didn’t take long for the pediatrician to get there. The crowd remained silent while he pulled out his medical bag and started checking Toby’s vitals. He got an electric blanket out and put it over him to warm him up.

“Do you have a change of clothes for him?” the doctor asked. “We should really get him into something dry.”

“Yes, of course,” Susan said.

“Mommy, what’s wrong with Toby?” Ken asked.

“He got hurt, baby,” I explained.

“Is he going to be okay?” Ken asked me.

I sighed and glanced down at him. “I really hope so,” I said.

I moved closer to Ellis and Susan while the doctor kept working on Toby. The rest of the guests were keeping a close eye, but they’d moved away to give the doctor space and were quietly talking amongst themselves. I tuned out all the chatter.

All I cared about was seeing Toby safe and well. He was so young and little. It was every mother’s worst nightmare for their child to be hurt, or worse.

Suddenly, Toby coughed.

Susan whimpered, covering her mouth. Her eyes became glassy with tears.

“He’s waking up,” the doctor said.

“Is he okay?” Susan asked, rushing to Toby’s side.

The doctor carefully helped Toby into a sitting position. “I’ll give him a shot of antibiotics and he should be just fine. He might have a cold, but the antibiotics should prevent pneumonia.”

“Toby, honey, are you okay?” Susan asked. She brushed his hair back and looked into her son’s eyes.

“M-mommy?” he asked. He looked around. “What’s going on?”

“You fell in the water. Don’t you remember?” Susan asked.

Toby grabbed the electric blanket and hugged it around himself. “I’m so cold,” he whispered.

“Toby, tell me what happened, son. Did you and Ken get in a fight? Did Olivia push you in the water?” Susan asked.

Toby looked around. He saw Ken and my son waved at him. Toby smiled and waved back. My heart skipped a few beats. It was obvious to see that they hadn’t gotten into a fight.

“Ken and I were playing. He gave me his favorite superhero action figure and I gave him mine,” Toby explained.

“We’re best friends now,” Ken interjected. He tried to walk closer to Toby, but I caught his arm. I was keeping him close until all of this was figured out and until no one blamed me.

“You see, the boys didn’t fight. Therefore, by Bethany’s own admission, the only reason to suspect Olivia doesn’t exist. She didn’t need to protect her son,” Ellis said smoothly, his voice carrying through the quiet chapel.

“Olivia, I am sorry. I was just so scared for my son,” Susan said. She sat on the table beside Toby and hugged him to her.

“Awe, Mom,” Toby argued, pushing at his mother in embarrassment.

“I understand,” I said with a nod. I looked around at the rest of the party guests. Again, they looked away from me quickly.

I could tell that none of them believed I was responsible anymore but it looked like they were still too embarrassed to look at me. They’d been so quick to accuse me and threaten me, so quick to believe that I’d hurt a child. Most of them were loyal to Bethany but I’d known many of them for years.

Did I really know any of them if they were so quick to jump to conclusions?

“Mommy, I was pushed into the water,” Toby said.

“What!?” Susan gasped. “Who pushed you? Who did this?”

“I-I don’t know,” Toby said, shrugging.

“Tell me the truth, honey. Who pushed you?” Susan urged. She grabbed Toby’s arms and looked right into his eyes.

“I didn’t see,” Toby said.

Susan sighed and bowed her head. She hugged Toby against her chest. “I’m just glad that you’re okay.”

“Will he be okay, now?” Ken asked, pulling at my dress.

“It looks like Toby is going to be just fine,” I said. I smoothed his hair back and unclipped his bowtie.

Now that the rumors were settled, I felt like it was time for us to leave. I scooped Ken into my arms and rested him on my hip.

“Ready to go back to Grandma’s house?” I asked.

No one was staring at us anymore and the party had gone back to somewhat normal. Music was playing again and people were drinking and mingling.

“I want to get out of this,” Ken said, sticking his arms out to indicate his suit and wrinkling his nose.

“Alright,” I said. I nuzzled his cheek with my nose and set him down again. I held Ken’s hand as we headed out the door.

Ellis was standing just outside the chapel. He smirked at me and raised a single eyebrow.

My cheeks warmed and I looked away from his eyes. “Thank you, for standing up for me,” I said as we walked past.

“Is that all I get?” Ellis asked in a deep, velvety voice.

“What do you m-mean?” I asked, stuttering at his tone. My stomach dropped into my feet.

“Just a simple ‘thank you,’ should I get a little more? I did just save you from an angry mob in there,” he reminded me, nodding toward the chapel.

“What more can I say? You had my back and I am grateful,” I said, flashing him a quick smile.

I had no idea what he was getting at but if his stunt with the kiss and the dress was any clue, Ellis had something more personal in mind. He was clearly past doing favors for me because he cared for me or because he wanted to help me.

Now, when he helped, I’d have to give him some kind of payment.

“Say? I don’t want you to ‘say’ anything. However, I do think I should get more than a ‘thank you’ to show your appreciation,” he said, smiling wolfishly at me.

I swallowed into a tight, constricted throat. My hand loosened around Ken’s. When I realized I’d almost let go of him, I tightened my grip and tried to keep walking past Ellis.

“I can’t give you anything else,” I muttered, looking down at my feet.

Ellis walked beside me. He grabbed my shoulder, forcing me to a stop and turning me to face him.

“You already stole a kiss from me, what more can you take?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

Ellis smirked and took a step closer to me. I could smell the sweet scent of his breath, heat from his body prickled my skin.

“Don’t even think about it,” I warned when he lifted his arms.

Before I could step away, Ellis wrapped his arms around me. I tensed in his grasp, my body completely rigid.

Even if he expected something in return, Ellis had still come to my aid. He’s stood up for me, helped Toby when he was hurt, and got rid of the rumors. It had been so sweet and chivalrous. He’d come to my defense when everyone else was ready to crucify me.

I relaxed against him, his strength and warmth enveloping me in such a cozy, safe embrace. His words would always defend me and his arms would always protect me. He’d proven that more than once.

“You know, this doesn’t work one way,” Ellis said, chuckling deeply near my ear. A shiver ran down my spine as his laugh ruffled my hair.

“I…” I didn’t even know what to say.

Ellis deserved some appreciation. He’d earned it. It wasn’t just his help in revealing the truth about the rumors but he’d been the first one to run to Toby’s aid, calling a personal friend of his to take care of Toby medically.

If he was willing to do that for a stranger’s child, I knew he’d always put his own child and their health first. He’d literally move heaven and earth for Ken.

It was getting harder for me to remember why I kept pushing him away.

With a sigh, I released Ken’s hand and I brought my arms around Ellis, hugging him back. He let out a soft sigh and tightened his arms around me even more. I kept my arms loose for a moment but when Ellis hugged me even closer, I tightened my arms around him.

Thump-thump. Thump-thump. Thump-thump.

His heart beat steadily against my own chest. I couldn’t tell if it was his heart or mine, they both beat in unison making me feel even closer to him.

I nuzzled my cheek against Ellis’ chest, breathing in his spicy cologne and closing my eyes. I’d almost forgotten about the rest of the world.

When he pushed a finger under my chin, I didn’t even protest when he lifted my face. I kept my eyes closed, knowing what was coming next.

Ellis’ soft, warm lips pressed against mine. I melted against him, gasping into the kiss and holding him tighter. My skin ignited and my body trembled in his arms. I let Ellis kiss me. Even worse than that, I kissed him back.

Our lips moved together in perfect time with the beat of our hearts and my eyes pricked with tears. My heart ached with the memory of everything we shared and I couldn’t pull away from him. I felt like I was melting into Ellis, becoming a part of him.

His kiss was slow, passionate, and heavy, drawing me in deeper and deeper. If I didn’t pull away now, I’d be lost in him forever. I pressed my arms to Ellis’ chest but I didn’t push him away. Instead, my hands tightened around his shirt, clinging to him even more.

Ellis’ hands slid down my sides. The satin fabric of the dress I wore moved sensually against my skin. Gooseflesh rose in little bumps over my arms and I shuddered again. I gasped against Ellis’ lips and pulled him even closer.

“Olivia?”

My mind snapped back into place when I heard my name spoken by a familiar voice. Gasping, I pushed Ellis away. He was reluctant to release me, his eyes lusty and the smirk on his lips enough to make my stomach squirm.

“Olivia, what is going on?” Bennett asked, coming to my side.