by Jacob Chance
He drops down to one knee in front of me. Oh my God. My knees go weak and my body quakes with nerves and excitement.
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you for a long time now. Last time I took you out for a nice dinner, things didn’t go quite the way I planned. This time I’m not taking any chances. I’m asking you right here, right now. Janny, will you marry me?”
I nod my head. I can’t speak for a moment. I can’t believe this is happening.
“Yes,” I finally whisper. Tears roll down my cheeks when he pushes the ring on my finger.
The name of the restaurant he takes me to is Quiver. It’s not the first time he’s driven me to quiver. I smile and think about what’s sure to happen when we return home.
He pours us each a glass of champagne and passes one to me. The glass looks so tiny in his large hand. Those hands are strong; strong enough to snap someone’s neck and they make me feel safe.
“Here’s to our future and all the great things we have to look forward to.” I tap my glass against his and take a sip.
He reaches for my hand and holds it gently in his. “I love you, Janny.”
“I love you too.” I sip on my champagne and picture our future. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us.
We’re going to get our happily ever after.
Oh, how sweet. They’re celebrating. When she lifts her hand to pick up her champagne I notice the diamond on her finger. Goddammit. This is not how this was all supposed to play out. She’s supposed to be mine now and he’s supposed to be six feet under. Six feet under like he sent my dad. Six feet under like he almost sent me. He grossly underestimated my will to live. I’m going to make him suffer. He deserves to pay for my father’s death. He may not have pulled the trigger; that was his partner, but I know if he hadn’t been provoked, my father never would have shot Kyle.
I look down at my phone and study the picture displayed there. I smile while I take in the long, shiny dark hair and the golden-brown eyes staring back at me. I’ve come to realize I’ve got a thing for brunettes, especially ones named Kenna.
She’s never set eyes on me; she has no idea I exist...but she will.
Soon there will be no secrets between us.
The End
Extended Epilogue
Mr. & Mrs. Kyle McKenzie
Honeymoon day two
I could have brought Janny to some all inclusive resort or even gone on a cruise. Both of those would have been great choices, but what we need more than anything is time alone. We’ve been through so much this past year, we could really use some downtime with no man made or cataclysmic events of any kind.
I thought after the stalker issue had been settled it would be smooth sailing from that point out, but I was wrong. Six weeks ago our condo burned down and thankfully Janny got out unscathed. Luckily we had already purchased a house in preparation for the baby’s arrival, this coming summer. We’d already moved in most of our possessions aside from the larger furniture, but after the fire we couldn’t salvage any of our old stuff. We had to purchase new couches and beds. Even if they hadn’t been burned, the smell of the fire would’ve been trapped inside them forever.
Now, we’ve made it to the other side of all that, and Janny is finally my wife. I can breathe a sigh of relief. We’ve only been together for about fifteen months, but I couldn’t imagine my life without her in it. Before I met her I was in a dark place and my future was dismal. Everything has changed since she breathed her sunshine into me. Every day we have together is more special than the one before.
“Kyle,” Janny calls my name as she strides toward me where I sit with my legs dangling off the dock. Her bare feet are quiet on the old wooden planks, as she makes her way to me. “If anyone told me I was going to spend our honeymoon a dirty mess I never would’ve thought to take it literally.”
Craning my head over my shoulder, I take in her mud covered feet and legs. My eyes move up to her mud splattered torso and face, and I start to laugh.
She comes at me with her muddy hands outstretched. “You think it’s funny? Let’s see how you like being dirty.”
I catch her around her hips and pull her down carefully until she’s reclining across my lap, in my arms. “I love being dirty with you, baby.” I capture her mouth with mine, licking up the earthy taste of the mud on her lower lip. Nothing is off limits where she’s concerned. She moans into my mouth at the first touch of our tongues and moves until she’s straddling my lap, grinding on my hard cock. My hand roams over the curves of her hips and slide down to squeeze her heart shaped ass. She’s only gotten sexier with the weight she’s gained during the first six months of her pregnancy. She’s curvier all over.
Sliding us back from the edge of the dock, I twist and carefully roll our positions until she’s lying beneath me. Our mouths are still joined as we hungrily feed off each other’s passion. My hand slips between us, sliding down gently over the curve of her stomach and into her bikini bottoms. Fingers trailing through her hot, wet slit, I take my time circling her clit.
Her fingers grip my hair as she whimpers into my mouth. Drawing back, I watch her face as I run the pad of my finger back and forth over the engorged flesh. Her mouth is open, eyes squeezed shut and her cheeks are flushed pink with passion. My lips move to her shoulder, kissing across her collarbone and then down to bury my face in the deep valley between her tits. “Fuck, you need to be naked right now, baby.” One hand still toying with her pussy, I reach for the tie behind her neck. Undoing the bow, I peel the triangles down dropping them beneath her breasts. My mouth moves to her nipples, licking and sucking one before I move over to bite the other. My fingers move back through her dripping slit and two slip inside her.
She cries out, then rocks on my hand like she’s possessed. I place kisses over the curve of her stomach, moving downward until I suck her clit between my lips, teasing it with the tip of my tongue.
Her fingers tug hard on my hair, sending a jolt of need to my gut. Fuck. I want her so bad. Her breaths are choppy as I begin to suck, and her hips continue to raise as I fuck her with my fingers.
“Oh god...Kyle...yes.” Her words are broken up with pleasure as she comes, trembling from her head to her toes. I suck my fingers clean. I’ll never tire of the taste of her pussy. My hands move to the tie on my board shorts and I maneuver them down my hips enough to free my cock. Tugging Janny’s bottoms down I throw them aside then roll us until she’s on top of me. The aged wood of the dock is rough beneath my back as she positions herself over me. Gripping the base, she eases the tip of my dick inside her and slides down my length. My eyes roll back in my head as her hot pussy squeezes me tight. She moves her hips, rocking slowly at first.
“Yeah, ride me, baby.” My hands climb up to squeeze her tits, fingers plucking her dark pink nipples.
We’re all alone, nature’s the only witness to us making love. My hands clench her hips as I control her movements, thrusting my cock up as she slams down.
Even seeing the glint of her wedding band sitting behind the diamond on her finger, I can’t believe she’s mine. I’m a lucky bastard and I never forget it.
Her hands rub over my chest as she rocks her hips repeatedly. My thumb moves to rub her clit and she digs her nails into the skin along my ribs.
“So close,” she whispers, raggedly.
I rub faster, keeping pace with our movements. It’s only a few seconds more until she’s calling out my name loud enough to scare the wildlife away. I barely hold on through her orgasm before I crash into my own.
She collapses on my chest and my arms hold her close. “Janny McKenzie, I’m the luckiest man in the universe to have you as my wife.”
She raises her head, hovering over me. Her eyes look me over and then she giggles.
“What?”
“You’re also the muddiest man in the universe.”
Glancing down, I notice almost every inch of my chest and stomach is painted with smears of dark brown. I laugh along w
ith her. Sitting up, I wrap an arm beneath her ass and one on her back. “Hold on tight baby,” I warn her before I rise to my feet. She wraps her legs around my hips as I push my shorts the rest of the way off. Janny reaches behind her to untie the dangling bikini top I never got around to removing. She grips me tighter as I walk to the front edge of the dock. “Time to get cleaned up so we can get dirty again.”
Five Years Later
“Daddy, my princess castle broke. Can you fix it for me?”
“Sure, but I think you forgot to say please.” I say.
“Pleeease Daddy,” she says climbing into my lap. Leaning back against the worn leather of our couch, I cuddle Lily close to me. She’s almost five years old now and growing bigger daily. Soon she won’t need me to fix things for her. She’ll be busy with her friends and interested in boys. Fuck. I can’t even bear the thought of not being her hero anymore.
“That’s better. Don’t forget your manners. They’re important.”
“I know Daddy. Now will you pleeease fix my princess castle?” She stares up at me with crystal clear cerulean blue eyes and my chest squeezes with love. Running a hand over her silky blonde hair, I smile down at her.
“Of course I will, but it will cost you a squeeze and a kiss.”
“Daddy,” she giggles, then throws her arms around my neck with complete abandon, like only an innocent child can do. I hug her tight and never want to let her go. I want to get lost in this perfect father-daughter moment forever. I kiss the top of her apple scented hair, she’s particular about what shampoo she uses. From the moment she could talk she knew what she liked and disliked. Her opinions are already strong and I think she inherited a little of her Aunt Kenna’s disposition. God help us.
Small lips meet my cheek with a loud smack, reminding me whatever she puts us through will be worth it. I’ll take it all, the good, the bad and then some more.
She slides down off my lap and holds her hand out. “Come on, Daddy.” Her smile is so bright and engaging, I’d probably give her whatever she asked for. My girls are my biggest weakness. Who would’ve thought this ex cop and private investigator who’s used to dealing with the worst society has to offer would be brought to his knees by two daughters?
Taking her tiny hand in mine, I notice the pink sparkling nail polish on her nails. She’s a girl through and through. Lily is a mini version of Janny, from the tips of their matching purple toe nails to the top of their blonde heads. I let her lead me up the stairs and down the hallway to her bedroom. She quickens her pace as we get closer. “Hurry Daddy. The castle roof is broken and it’s raining.”
Smiling at her active imagination, I quicken my pace. When we get to the table her large castle sits on, I immediately notice what the problem is. The edge of the roof is no longer in the appropriate slot where it belongs. It’s a simple adjustment and it snaps back in place with a pop.
“You did it, Daddy,” she exclaims, with wonder in her tone.
I scoop her up in my arms. “Of course I did. That’s what Daddies do best. We fix things. No matter how old you get, I’ll always do my best to fix whatever you need me to.”
She kisses me on the cheek, surprising me.
“What was that for?” I question, my chest filled with love for this angel in my arms.
“Because you’re the best daddy.”
Squeezing her in my arms I close my eyes and say my version of a prayer. Thank you.
“Mommy. Daddy,” Jasmine, our three year old yells from her room. Her tone is panicked.
Janny moves to get up and I place a hand on her arm. “I’ve got this, baby. You get some sleep.”
She settles back into her pillow and I can see her smile in the dark shadows of our room. “Thank you. I really didn’t want to get out of bed. I’m pretty wiped out. This little guy is getting heavier by the moment.” She gestures to her stomach and I smile. Leaning over I place a kiss on the large bump he makes under the covers.
“He’s a male McKenzie. We’re big and strong. He’s not going to be little like the girls were.”
She grimaces. “Don’t remind me.”
I chuckle. “Everything will be fine, baby.”
“Daddy,” Jasmine shouts again.
“Uh oh. Guess I’m taking too long.” Climbing out of bed, I pull on a pair of pajama bottoms over my boxer briefs and head into my youngest daughter’s room. I can see her clearly with the nightlight she insists we keep on, guiding my way. She’s sitting up in bed, her favorite stuffed animal in her arms and her thumb in her mouth. It’s a fluffy black gorilla Uncle Joshua bought for her. She likes when I beat my chest and make gorilla noises. “Did you have a bad dream, sweetie?”
“Uh huh,” she says not removing her thumb from her mouth. Her blonde head nodding vigorously.
“Daddy’s here now.” Smoothing a hand over her silky tresses, I sit on the floor beside her small bed. “Lay down and I’ll scare all the bad dreams away.”
She sinks down onto her pillow, her eyes already closing. I know it won’t be long until she’s asleep. Running my hand over her back soothingly, I sit there until her breaths are once again deep and slow. Leaning over I kiss her sweet smelling hair. “I love you,” I whisper.
Rising to my feet, I pause, staring down at this living angel. I can’t believe Janny and I created something so perfect. Thank you.
Two Years Later
“Get back here, Mac,” I growl, jokingly as I slowly chase my almost two year old son along the sandy shoreline. He’s in constant motion and I’m getting too old for this.
He giggles and runs as fast as his chubby little legs will carry him. Picking up speed, I race up behind him, scooping him up. He squeals and kicks his sand covered legs. My fingers tickle his stomach as I growl and pretend to eat his neck. “Num, num, num.”
He giggles, uncontrollably. “Dada,” he says.
“Come on Mac,” I say, placing him up on my shoulders. “Let’s go find Mommy and your sisters.” His hands gritty with sand, hold onto each side of my face, but I don’t mind at all. I’m used to it with Mac. He’s never happier than when he’s covered in something. Whether it be sand, mud, ice cream - doesn’t matter. The dirtier he is, the more fun he’s having. He’s probably the only toddler who doesn’t like to take a bath. He prefers a shower, and the quicker the better. Mac has more important things on his agenda, like climbing wherever he shouldn’t and unlocking things that are supposed to be toddler proof.
When we named him Kyle Jr., we didn’t realize he’d be just like me. My mother always told me I was a handful as a toddler. He looks just like me too, with his black hair and golden brown eyes. We decided to call him Mac so there’d be no confusion. When he’s older he can decide which name he prefers.
“Do you see Mommy? Where is she?” I ask as we head straight for Janny and the girls. They’re about fifty yards from us.
“Mama,” he squeals, pumping his legs up and down in my hands. “You love your mommy, don’t you? Yeah, I love your mommy too, Mac. A whole bunch, bud.”
We come upon the girls. “Mac, where did you go, sweetie?” Janny asks, holding her arms out for him. Lifting him over my head, I set him on his feet and he runs to her. She pulls him into her arms.
“Walk, momma.”
“You went for a walk?” she questions, then kisses his nose.
He nods.
“Did you have fun?”
“Yes.” He pulls away and wanders over to a pail and shovel sitting in the sand.
“Are you tired now, Mac?” she questions, her eyes full of mirth as she looks at me.
“No,” he shouts.
Janny and I both laugh. Mac’s dislike of naps is legendary. It’s no secret he’d never admit he was tired, even if he was falling asleep at that moment.
Sinking down onto the blanket beside her, my eyes drink her in. She’s still the most beautiful woman to me. Leaning over, my nose nuzzles her neck. “Hey pretty lady, want to take a nap?” I wiggle my eyebrows at her.
> She giggles. “Napping sounds wonderful. I wish we could.”
“They have to sleep sooner or later and then you and I are going to ‘nap,’ over and over.” My teeth tease her earlobe before I rub my unshaven jaw along the delicate skin of her neck.
“Hmm, I like this plan.”
Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, I pull her into me. We sit there silently watching our family as they play in the wet sand. Lily and Jasmine dug a pool for Mac to sit in the middle of. He’s got a shovel in one hand and the cookie Lily gave him in the other. Dunking the cookie in the ocean water, he takes a bite.
Janny snorts. “I guess we should be happy it was only water and not sand.”
“Give him time, I’m sure that’s next.” No sooner do the words leave my mouth, Mac dunks his wet cookie in the sand and takes a bite. He looks over at us with an expression of distress as he chews and then swallows the bite down. Janny reaches over, pulling a bottle of water from the cooler. “Mac, here you go, sweetie.”
He shakes his head and leans forward, licking up the water in his little pool.
“That’s your son, not mine,” Janny says, flicking a side glance in my direction.
“That’s my boy.” I smile with pride. Thank you.
The Delve Duet
Prologue
DEREK
Seven years ago
Who the fuck is that? My eyes study every tempting inch of the living, breathing goddess in my best friend Kyle’s backyard. I have to meet her. She tosses her long black hair over her shoulder and confidently meets my gaze across the small brick patio separating us. A small smile plays on her full, dark-pink lips. She’s younger than I first realized. I cross my arms over my chest and flash a smirk at her. Little girl you don’t want to play with this fire – you might get burned.
