by Long, A. L.
It was still early in the evening, so Rade decided to check in with Peter. He was pretty certain that Peter wouldn’t have any new information for him since he talked to him less than twelve hours ago. He needed to do something and drinking was no longer an option for him. Just when he was about to dial Peter, his phone began ringing. Rade didn’t recognize the number.
“Matheson,” Rade answered hesitantly.
“Rade, it's Evan. I just had the strangest visit by a Chloe Dupree,” Evan said, not sure how Rade was going to take what he was about to share with him. “She seemed to be pretty interested in my relationship with Dylan. Do you know why she would be asking me?”
“Evan. I know we have only recently found out about our family ties, but I need to warn you, that woman is pure evil. I would suggest you stay far away from her.” Rade only knew one thing. Evan’s recent visit with Chloe was nothing but trouble. Rade didn’t know what her agenda was with Evan, but whatever it was, he knew it wouldn’t be good.
“Yeah, well, I got that impression the minute she mentioned Dylan’s name. She also mentioned that you two were going to have a child together. I didn’t know whether to believe her or not,” Evan claimed.
“I’m not sure how accurate that actually is. Everything is pointing towards me being the father of the child she’s carrying, but I’m not one-hundred percent convinced that I am. I’m working on getting additional information.” Rade continued to explain Chloe’s underhandedness to Evan. He only hoped that after his explanation, Evan would agree with him. The more people he had in his corner the better.
“If you need me to do anything, let me know,” Evan declared. Even though they got off to a bad start, Rade was still his brother. With no other family, he knew he needed to put his feeling for Dylan aside and build a relationship with Rade. After all, you can’t help who you fall in love with.
“I will, Evan,” Rade asserted. “Thanks for the offer.”
“Before I forget, I wanted to let you know that I’m having a grand opening at Riley’s on Saturday. I’d like you to come,” Evan asked.
“I’ll be there, bro.”
No sooner did Rade hang up with Evan than a knock came at his door. When he opened the door, his heart was filled with hopefulness as he looked down on her. All he could see was sorrow reflected in her eyes. Without a second thought, he pulled Dylan to him and held her body close to his. He could feel the tremble of her body as her emotions took hold. Nothing could have prepared him for how he felt at that very moment. Dylan’s head gently pressed into his chest as each moan of sadness escaped. The only thing he could do was to soothe her pain by holding her close to him. When her trembling finally stopped, he understood the love she had for him. Lifting her chin, he was met by her beautiful, but grief-stricken eyes. He lowered his lips to hers and consumed her pain. His only hope was that he could absorb the torment that they held. If he could, he would have taken it all.
Dylan’s arms embraced him as their kiss deepened. Every part of her soul was taken by him. No words could explain how she felt at that very moment. Fully consumed by her, Rade gently lifted her into his arms and carrying her to his room. He needed to have more of her. He needed to feel every inch of her perfection.
Unable to speak, Dylan tucked her head in Rade’s neck. This was where she needed to be. With everything that had happened in the last forty-eight hours, this was home for her. As Rade lowered her body to the bed, Dylan was unwilling to let him go. She was afraid that if they parted for just one second, she would be unable to find this place again.
“Sweetness, you need to let me go. Just for a second,” Rade whispered tenderly.
“I can’t, Rade. I’m afraid if I let go, what we have will be gone forever,” Dylan cried.
“You will never lose me, Sweetness,” Rade reassured her, knowing that he would be only hers.
Even though he needed to be buried inside of her, he was content just holding her. If this was what she needed, he couldn’t deny her, as much as his heart ached. As much as he needed to take her, this was about what she needed. Slowly he lifted his body from hers and pulled her gently to his side as he engulfed her being.
No matter how close they were, Dylan still felt her world was coming down. She wished everything that happened a few days ago was just a bad dream, and soon she would wake up and find just the two of them. Just as they were right now. Dylan knew the love she had for him was stronger than anything she ever felt before. But was her love for him strong enough to get them through this? The more she thought about it, the more she knew what she needed to do. As much as it pained her, she knew she could never give herself completely to him. In order for her to do that, she would need to accept him completely, and that meant his relationship with Chloe and their child.
CHAPTER THREE
It was morning, and Dylan woke still embraced by Rade’s arms wrapped around her. Lifting her head, she took in his features as she watched him sleep. God, he was beautiful. Just as she was ready to push her body from his, she felt him stir. His arms wrapped tighter around her, as though he couldn’t let her go. Dylan didn’t protest. No matter how she felt last night, she needed him to hold her tight and never let her go. Rade slowly rolled over and placed her body beneath his. They had fallen asleep in their clothing and all Rade wanted was to feel her skin next to his. He wanted so badly to take what was his last night, but he knew Dylan only needed the contact of his body next to hers. But now it was his turn. He needed to feel her. Rade lowered his body closer to hers and placed his head against hers, thanking God that she was back. Kissing her forehead, he whispered, “I thought I lost you.” Dylan ran her hand along his cheek, reassuring him that she was here and that was all that mattered. Her soft touch spoke louder than words. Rade knew she was his.
Pulling her closer, he rolled over, lifting her small frame to his lap as he gently pulled her t-shirt over her head. There was a soft moan as Rade sucked and kissed the area between her neck and her ear. He could feel her heart beating as he lowered his mouth to her chest. With his hand, he gently lowered the cup of her bra and began tenderly consuming her breast. He would never get tired of the softness of her skin he caressed the breast in his hand. Placing his other hand to her back, he quickly unhooked her bra and lowered the straps down her soft shoulders. Her beautiful breasts instantly popped free. Rade knew then that she wanted him. Dylan’s back arched, giving him free access. He lowered his lips to her pert nipple and gently kissed and sucked until it hardened into a taut peak. Caressing the other breast, he laid her back carefully onto the bed and worked to unzip her jeans. Her moans filled the air as he tweaked her nipple between his fingers. Raising her butt from the bed, he pulled down her jeans, along with her lacy panties, baring her sweet thighs. His hands moved away from Dylan, no longer than necessary until he could shed his own clothing. In a matter of seconds he was over her once again, kissing and licking every inch of her soft body. Raising her above him, he spread her legs wider and positioned his body between them. Once again her body straddled his lap. Her red hair flowed down her naked back as her head fell back.
Rade took hold of her hair and pulled her closer to him. His lips trailed down her neck, kissing and sucking her, consuming her sweet scent. He could feel every inch of her body tremble with every touch his lips had laid on her sensitized skin. Nothing and no one would ever take this woman away from him. He was never going to let her go. He was mesmerized by her beauty. Every curve and line of her body was pure perfection. Unable to withstand the separation, Rade gently lifted Dylan’s hips from his body and carefully lowered her onto his hard shaft. This is what he had been waiting for. All he wanted to do was feel her. He didn’t want to feel the pain anymore. He didn’t want to deal with the shit that was knocking him down at every turn. Right now, this moment was all he wanted. Dylan in his arms. Him inside her. Feeling only her.
Dylan’s soft moans sounded as her tight walls took every inch that Rade had given her. He could feel her body let go.
Her arms wrapped around his neck and he felt the pull she had on him. He continued thrusting inside her. Wanting only to take her deeper, faster, Rade pulled from her, flipping her over so he was now positioned behind her. “On your knees, Sweetness,” he demanded, pushing lightly on her back. Dylan obeyed by lowering her head to the pillow while tucking her arms underneath her. With a quick thrust, Rade was inside her once again, where he belonged. She was so wet with arousal that his big cock slipped right back into place. Grasping her hips with both hands, Rade tightened his grip and pulled her against him as he drove forward. He was so deep inside her that he was certain he was going to explode. Moving his hand up her spine, he locked onto her red hair and pulled her head back. He could hear her whimper as he continued to glide inside her.
There was nothing that Dylan wouldn’t give him. She knew he had her heart, broken or not. She could only be with him. Dylan was about to explode with her release when Rade pulled from her body. Frustration filled her mind at the loss of contact. It was only when she was up in the air and flipped over once again that she knew she would be given what she craved. Leaning over her, he took her arms and raised them above her head. With one strong hand he held them tightly as he once again entered her. Drawing a breath, he moaned, “God, you’re so tight.” Dylan was so close, but deprived of what she needed. Rade slowed his assault on her, knowing that she was about to unleash. He wanted this to last. He needed to show her that he controlled her orgasms.
Dylan’s hips started to move harder against Rade’s slow pace. She needed more friction. She needed more of him. Trying to fight for what she needed, but unable to get there, she pleaded with him. “Rade, please.”
“Please what, Sweetness?” Rade asked.
“Harder, I need more,” Dylan cried.
“Tell me what you need more of. I want you to say it.” Rade knew all too well what she wanted. But in order for him to give it to her, she had to earn it. And in order for her to earn it, she needed to tell him exactly what she needed.
“I needed you to fuck me harder.” Dylan all but spelled it out for him.
Rade drove his cock faster and deeper inside her. As much as he wanted to savor this moment, he needed to take what was his. Dylan’s body shattered with her release. Rade got what he desired. It was only her pleasure that he needed. So when his own pleasure took hold, it was only icing on the cake.
Taking her in, Rade slowly released Dylan’s wrists and pulled her body close to his. “I will never let you go, Dylan Adams.” Those words were all he needed to say. For she was his and nothing could ever break them.
*****
It was late afternoon by the time Dylan had enough nerve to talk to Rade about their situation and how they were going to deal with it. Rade had been in the living area of his suite all morning working while Dylan spent most of her morning in the bedroom reading, claiming that she didn’t want to distract him. But the truth was, she needed to give herself time to figure out how she was going to approach Rade with how she truly felt. She had horrible thoughts about the baby and what it would do to their relationship. How she felt about the child being Chloe’s and how she was afraid she would never be able to accept the child even if it was a part of him. Dylan hoped that he would understand, especially knowing that she wanted his first child to come from her and not Chloe.
Closing her book, Dylan decided she couldn’t put off what she had to say any longer. It only made her angrier the more she thought about it. This was something she needed to confront him with if they were ever going to be able to be together. Rade was deep in thought when Dylan walked into the room. She knew he didn’t hear her, because his head was still buried in whatever he was looking at. Nervous, Dylan began walking towards him. Standing in front of him, she lost all courage to tell him what she so desperately needed to say. Rade still hadn’t looked up at her. This was her only escape, so she quickly turned and headed back to the bedroom. Startled by his voice, Dylan stopped just shy of the door. “Did you need something, Sweetness?” Rade asked, amused by her sudden jolt.
Dylan turned back to face Rade. He was still looking at the document in front of him. “I needed to talk to you.” Dylan explained as she walked back to where Rade sat.
“I’m listening,” Rade answered not looking up at her.
“Rade, I needed to have your attention. If you need to finish whatever you’re working on, I’ll come back later,” Dylan offered. She needed to have his undivided attention for what she was about to tell him. She wasn’t sure she could repeat it again if he wasn’t fully listening to her.
Placing his pen on the coffee table, Rade stood from his chair and walked over to where Dylan was standing. He could tell by the look in her eyes that whatever was on her mind was making her uncomfortable. Taking her by the hand, he pulled her over to the leather couch. Once she was settled, he took her other hand and pulled her onto his lap. If what she was about to tell him was as important as she claimed, he wanted to make sure she was as comfortable as possible.
“Now tell me what’s on your mind,” Rade asked.
“I need you to really listen to what I have to say. This is really hard for me and I don’t think I can say it more than once,” Dylan began as she waited for Rade’s response.
“You have my undivided attention, Sweetness,” Rade declared, pulling her in closer.
“I want to talk about this thing with you and Chloe,” Dylan confessed.
“Sweetness, you don’t need to worry about me and Chloe. We are never going to have a thing,” Rade confirmed.
“That’s just it, Rade. You two will be sharing a child together in seven months. You will always have a connection to her. Even if you don’t want to admit it. She will always be a part of your life.” Dylan tried saying what she needed to say without falling apart. It wasn’t helping that Rade was holding her in his arms. If she was to finish what she needed to say, she needed to pull away from him. Otherwise she would end up crying and that would be the end.
Pushing from his lap, Dylan stood and walked to the other side of the room where Rade could still see her. Standing, Rade walked over to where she was. This was not how Dylan wanted this conversation to go. “Stop, Rade. I need to get this out and I can’t do that when you’re so close to me,” Dylan demanded.
Rade stopped a few feet from where Dylan stood. He was trying to understand what this was about. “Talk, Sweetness,” he said softly.
Dylan looked up at him, knowing he was hurt that she didn’t want him near her. “I love you, Rade, with my whole being.” Dylan wasn’t sure how she would tell him what she was about to say. She decided to just come out with it. “I don’t know if I can love a child that you are going to share with a woman I hate more than anything.” There, she said it. It didn’t come out the way she wanted it to, but now he knew.
Rade was speechless. This was something he would have never expected to come from a woman with a heart of gold. So when those words erupted from her lips, it was all he could do not to leave the room. If he could have changed the circumstances between Chloe and himself, he would have, but he couldn’t, at least not yet. He was trying really hard to understand how Dylan felt. He wished he wasn’t having a child with any woman, let alone Chloe. He didn’t want children at all. He would never be able to bear the pain after he lost his brother so young, Moving in on Dylan, he didn’t stop until he was standing inches from her, face to face. He wasn’t sure what he was going to say, but he knew for a fact that he loved her more than anything. Cupping her face with his hand, he lowered his lips to hers. She was his life. He didn’t want to lose her. This child would be a part of him no matter how she felt. Part of him knew Dylan would eventually accept it. He hated Chloe just as much as she did, if not more. Even though he would be a father, he didn’t want that to come between them.
“Dylan, I can’t change what happened. I understand you not wanting to share anything that is a part of Chloe. This child, no matter what, is my responsibility. I can’t ask you to
accept that, but I pray that you would. Don’t let an unborn child come between us.” Rade said softly as he waited for Dylan’s response.
Dylan’s eyes filled with tears. How could she have been so selfish, knowing that this was just as hard on Rade as it was for her? How could she ask him to give up his responsibility to this child for her? If they had any chance at all, she needed to stand beside him and put her feeling aside. Maybe it would be different once the child was born. Nodding her head, Dylan placed her hand over his. She knew how this was tearing Rade apart. Rade lowered his mouth to hers and kissed Dylan passionately. Not only to show the love he had for her, but also to show her the understanding he had, knowing she was giving herself to him unconditionally.
*****
Dylan left later that night for the penthouse. With everything going on with them, she needed time to think. She knew Rade was right about the child being his responsibility. The child was going to be a part of his life. The part of him that she wasn’t sure she could love.
