by A. R. Ford
“I understand,” Sarah whispers. “I love you too much to be without you.”
We lie together, sweaty and sated. This has been one hell of a day. My life is complete with Sarah in it once again.
*******
Sarah
Dot calls a couple of hours before Sunday dinner. “Please say you’ll be here, Sarah. We’ve missed you so. You and Lukas should bring your bathing suits. The weather is going to be beautiful.” I agree. Dot and Max are an important part of my life.
The drive to Sunday dinner is enjoyable. Riley drives which allows us to share a private moment. He is not content to sit beside me. As soon as the SUV pulls away from the curb, he pulls me onto his lap. I snuggle contentedly against him.
Oh, Lukas, my intense, passionate man. The words light a fire in my veins. I squirm restlessly, thighs pressing together. I take his hand, kissing the palm softly. “Behave, love.”
“Only because you ask me so sweetly,” he replies. “Are you pleased with the arrangements for security?”
“I like having Riley as our driver. He makes me feel safe and secure. Given John’s physical stature, I doubt many people would test him. Morgan said he would fill in as needed. Why do you ask?”
“I want you to be happy, Sarah. In all things,” Lukas replies as his eyes caress my face.
We arrive at the Knight household a short time later. Dot welcomes us at the door. “Come in, dinner is almost ready. Max is setting the table.” She kisses Lukas’s cheek before hugging me. “Morgan and Brittney are waiting.”
Dot has prepared a dinner of turkey, dressing and all the trimmings. Her pumpkin pie is a thing of beauty. My mouth waters at the sight of the feast. “This is so good,” I murmur between bites of turkey and cranberry salad.
“Lukas told us you like turkey with all the trimmings. I hope you don’t mind, Sarah. We just want you to be happy. You need to eat. You’ve lost weight,” Dot says in explanation.
“It’s divine. Thank you.” What more can I say? Everyone has made me feel appreciated and valued. Being a member of this family is beyond my expectations.
Morgan pipes up as we eat pumpkin pie with whipped cream. “Sarah, I wondered if you might be interested in coming back to work? We are a mess without you. Take some time and think about it. There’s no rush.”
The offer makes me happy. Morgan really is a good guy. “Thank you, Morgan. I’ll let you know if that’s okay.”
“We should take advantage of the pool,” Dot encourages. “It’s a beautiful day outside.”
Brittney and I change into our bathing suits in the pool house. Morgan and Lukas are already cavorting in the pool when we step outside. Brittney jumps straight into the pool with a squeal. I blush and feel self-conscious when Lukas looks like he could devour me. Then, he reaches both arms up for me. I slide into his arms, basking in the warm water.
“How is this the first time I’ve seen you in a bikini?” he asks against my ear. “This creates a problem.”
I swallow convulsively as I feel the problem thickening against my belly. “I, um, I didn’t think it would be a bad idea.”
“The only problem is that I can’t take you here and now. My parents would never forgive me if I behaved so poorly,” Lukas adds. His voice is hoarse like it always is when he needs me.
“Then what can we do? You can’t get out of the pool like that.” I’m mortified thinking about Lukas sporting a huge erection publicly.
“Distractions, dear Sarah. Morgan is an extremely competitive volleyball player. A game or two should be distracting enough, especially if I can spike the ball in his face a few times.”
With that, Lukas releases me before swimming away to challenge Morgan. I climb out of the pool and join Dot and Max in lounge chairs under the covered patio.
“Are they always this competitive?” I murmur. A lacy coverup should prevent the bikini from distracting Lukas.
“Always,” Max chuckled. “I’m going to fetch drinks. Sarah, would you care for something?”
“Surprise me,” I reply.
“Your usual, Dot?”
“Yes, please,” Dot smiles at Max. Then looking at me, she continues talking as if for my ears only. “Morgan is two years older than Lukas. I sometimes wonder if they weren’t mixed up in birth order. Morgan can be impulsive and playful with no thought of tomorrow. Lukas has always been the serious one. He started working with computers when he was eight. I believe he wrote the first computer program a few months later.”
“He was so young.” Then while shielding my eyes against the sun’s glare, I turn toward Dot and ask a question that appears unbidden. “I’m the first woman he’s brought here?”
“The first,” Dot affirms. “He dated a lot but there was no one special. Not until you. He loves you so much, Sarah. We worried about him after that incident. It wasn’t a good time for him, for us. He started drinking.”
Dot bows her head, looking at her lap before continuing. “We thought you wouldn’t come back to him. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you refused to see Lukas again. It was wrong what my boys did. There had to be another way.”
I reach across the space that separates us and take her hand. “That’s in the past, Dot. I want to focus on loving Lukas. He’s a good man, so intelligent and so passionate about life.”
“Do you think you and Lukas will have children one day?”
“I want to have children with Lukas.” The realization dawns on me. I want a future with Lukas. That future includes the possibility of children. My eyes follow Lukas in the pool. Muscles ripple in his shoulders and chest when he hits the ball. He is virile, strong, and all mine. He turns to look at me, a hand shielding his eyes from the sun. I blow a kiss and am rewarded with a broad grin that lights up his face.
Dot stands up only to hug me tight and kiss my cheek. “We love you, Sarah. Thank you for helping Lukas lighten up and act his age. He’s so somber.”
Max interrupts with our drinks. I’m surprised with a Margarita. Half a drink later, I can feel the tequila hit me. Max, Dot, and I talk and laugh our way through a few drinks. My lack of tolerance leaves me giddy and giggly until Lukas appears from the pool house after changing from swimming trunks. A giggle dies suddenly when he stares at me.
There’s that look again. The scorching one that makes a tendril of desire unfurl in my womb and a pulsation of need ache between my thighs. All I can do is finish the Margarita, wave goodbye to everyone, and take his hand when he reaches for mine.
The drive home is agonizing. Lukas and I chat with Riley as if the inferno between us doesn’t exist. He skims a palm along my leg, pausing millimeters from my core, then pulls the hand away with a quirk of one corner of his mouth. Once we are inside the condo, Lukas leads me upstairs to the bedroom where he closes the door. Then, he pushes me against it, a finger tracing the outline of my lips.
“In case you think I forgot how delectable you look in that bikini,” he says before reaching down to catch the hem of the coverup. It glides over my head before being tossed on the floor.
My nipples pucker as he leans close, the ridge of his erection pressing against my belly. “I-I didn’t forget,” I murmur when he tugs the two strings holding the bikini top in place. The roughness of the whiskers rasps against my skin when he takes a nipple in his mouth. The tip of his tongue teases the peak while he sucks, deliciously tormenting me. My knees buckle when a finger slides beneath the top of the bikini bottom. It curls toward my sex, nudging my clit with faint caresses.
“I want you flat on your back,” Lukas orders after pulling away.
I nod and lie obediently on my back on the bed waiting, watching his every move.
“I watched you talking to my parents. Laughing. Happy. I was almost jealous,” Lukas says before pulling the polo over his head, tossing it to the floor. Then he kicks the shoes and socks aside, fingers releasing the button and zipper of the dark jeans. The boxers barely contain his erection.
Lukas grins before hooking bot
h thumbs in the waistband of the jeans. One downward movement pushes the jeans and boxers down. He steps out of them gracefully. Midnight-blue eyes darken and are heavy-lidded. He cups his testicles, the other hand grasping the shaft tight. He knows what this does to me, seeing his hand around his cock, stroking it just for me. The muscles in his forearm and chest ripple as the hand moves back and forth until a bead of clear fluid shimmers on the tip.
“Lukas…”
He walks to the bed, kneels at the foot, and crawls toward me. “The other day at your place, that was just a teaser, Sarah. I don’t know if I can get enough of you to ease the ache of being without you for weeks.” A hand grips my knees, moving them apart. A finger traces a line from my knee to the bikini bottom. He pulls the wisp of fabric aside and grins. “You’re wet for me.”
“Only you.” The words are a whisper as my cheeks fill with color. Tequila sings through my veins. It heightens my arousal while Lukas intensifies the aching want in my core.
The strings whisper when he tugs them free. He pulls the bikini away, fisting it in one hand. I gasp when he roughly swipes it against my slit, pushing in, removing the excess moisture gathered there. “I want you dry so you can feel how much I need you.”
Those dirty words take my breath. I know what this will feel like, the delicious burn and sting of being stretched around his girth. Every muscle in my pelvis clenches. Then a hand lifts my hips while the other notches the tip against my center. There is no warning. Lukas drives deep inside me with a groan. A keening wail falls from my lips at the sweet, burning agony of his entry. There is no time to recover as he pulls almost free before slamming so deep inside me my womb aches.
Midnight-blue eyes catch and hold my gaze as the steady slap of our bodies together fills the air. He rolls my nipples between thumbs and forefingers before tugging and twisting. I cry out when the sensation runs straight to my core. I clench around him and am rewarded with a groan. A thumb finds my clit, rubbing deliciously against the swollen, sensitive bud until a hoarse cry is wrenched free.
My fingers tease his nipples, pinching and tugging until he swears. “Fuck!” The almost punishing thrusts increase in tempo until my body bows off the bed. I whimper as pleasure bursts inside me. Lukas roars my name when he finds his release.
“I’m never letting you go again,” he says against my neck.
“I’m never leaving,” I promise.
Chapter 26
Sarah
The offer of returning to work with Morgan is tempting. Lukas encourages me to do what makes me happy. Within two weeks, I am back at work. As I see the mess of files in the conference room, Morgan and John have missed my organizational talents gained from an associate’s degree, an internship at a law office, and helping my grandfather with his business.
Morgan offers me a promotion near the end of August. “My administrative assistant,” he adds. “Secretary is too plain for you, Sarah. Besides, without you, I’m lost. You seem to have this way with the errant Knight brothers.”
“Stop hanging out in the conference room, Morgan. You need an office near me so we can work together more closely.”
Morgan grins then nods. “Deal. And you have to take a pay raise. Lukas will choke me if I don’t make it worth your while.”
“Deal. Now can we discuss the schedule for September? I made a spreadsheet with locations and prospective coverage for all the company’s clients. If my estimates are correct, you’re looking at a shortfall by mid-September. Hire at least six new staff, Morgan.” I open the spreadsheet on the laptop then point out the days and times when no coverage is available. Morgan nods thoughtfully.
“So that means we need to hold interviews. Can you arrange some tomorrow? All-day if you can swing it,” he states while examining the spreadsheet. “This is why I need you here, Sarah. I have no clue how to make spreadsheets. Lukas is a lucky man to have such a savvy woman.”
The compliment makes me smile. “I’ll take care of it.”
By lunch, I have scheduled six interviews for tomorrow. Lukas arrives with lunch which we eat in the conference room with Morgan. He is resplendent in a tailored black suit, maroon tie, and cream linen shirt. My delectable, yummy man. “Are you treating my woman well, elder brother?”
“I just gave her a raise and promotion. You should see the spreadsheet she made,” Morgan replies. “She’s worth every penny I’m paying her.”
The next day starts in a rush as the first interview arrives fifteen minutes before the scheduled appointment time. Morgan is running late. John and I swing into action by starting the interview in the conference room. The next two interviews are over around noon before Morgan arrives.
“Flat tire, sorry. I know, I’m a crappy role model,” Morgan says in apology. “Someone slashed the tire. I had to replace it.”
I’m flustered and hungry but more than willing to forgive and forget. “The next interview is due at twelve forty-five. Could one of you run out and get lunch?”
John volunteers to run to the restaurant across the street for submarine sandwiches. “I want a BLT on wheat with extra pickles.” Morgan settles at the conference room table with a cup of coffee. “I’ll be back in a second to go over the next interview’s application with you. Bathroom break.”
I finish up in the restroom, wash my hands, and mentally make a to-do list for tasks needing to be completed this afternoon. My head is down as I leave the restroom. I hear the voice of the man from my nightmares.
“Hello, Sarah.”
I freeze, the to-do list is now forgotten. Roman approaches, a sneer twisting his features. He wears camouflage fatigues and combat boots. He holds a sleek, black handgun in one hand. The frozen scream in my throat breaks free when he is a dozen feet from me.
Morgan appears in the hallway, eyes darting from me to Roman. He runs toward us then launches himself at Roman. They go down, fighting for the gun which slides a few feet from them. I am paralyzed, unable to move or flee.
“Dammit, run Sarah!” Morgan shouts.
I back into the corner near the restroom, watching in rapt horror as the fight grows brutal. Morgan punches Roman, who staggers and grabs his bloody nose. Roman tackles Morgan. They fall heavily to the floor.
The cellphone in my pocket rings. The sound snaps me from the trance. I answer it and sob with relief to hear Lukas. “Lukas, please hurry. He’s here!” I stammer then shriek when Roman stands and kicks Morgan.
“Sarah? What’s going on?” Lukas is yelling.
“Roman has a gun!” I cry.
The scene unfolding in front of me reminds me of two gladiators wrestling as they curse and snarl at each other. I pray that Morgan will be the winner. Roman finds the gun before he turns and grins at me. Morgan struggles to stand. He grabs Roman’s arm as the gun points in my direction.
Lukas shouts at me through the phone, begging me to answer. The deafening sound of a gunshot brings my scream of terror at the same instant that an unknown force knocks me against the wall. The world moves in slow motion. I gasp for air, coughing as pain shoots through my chest. I stumble then slide down the wall to the floor. Blood streams down my chest onto my leg and the floor.
“Lukas?” My voice is a whisper. Every bit of energy drained from my body when the bullet found its mark.
“Sarah, what’s wrong? Is Morgan okay?”
Roman lies unmoving on the floor. I look up as Morgan moves toward me in slow motion. “Sarah, stay with me. Don’t look down, hey! Stay with me!” Morgan shouts.
“He shot me. I can’t breathe.” The phone slips through my fingers as Morgan rips his shirt off, balls it up, and presses it hard against my shoulder. “You’re hurting me.”
“Not on purpose, Sarah. Stay with me,” Morgan shouts.
The world blurs. John’s face peers at me. Sirens grow louder in the distance, their eerie scream coming closer. I’m so tired. It hurts to breathe. For a second, I close my eyes.
“I’m here. Don’t leave me, babe.” Lukas came for
me. It’s so hard to open my eyes. Then I see him. His lips brush my cheek. People are shouting. A cry of pain falls from my lips when hands lift me. Then darkness overwhelms me.
*******
Lukas
“He shot me. I can’t breathe.” Sarah’s voice is a whisper.
I hear a soft thud before Morgan starts shouting. Sarah whimpers “You’re hurting me.”
Morgan yells. “Not on purpose, Sarah. Stay with me.”
Roman shot her. My knees buckle as I hear voices and noise in the background. Now is not the time to lose it. I fly into action. I break the speed limit and every traffic law in Warner as I push the Mercedes hard.
A rescue squad and police cars are parked in front of the building. I take the stairs two at a time and arrive to see Sarah lying on the floor. Her life’s essence stains the gold dress with crimson. She is pale and lifeless. Police try to push me away until Morgan shouts who I am.
I kneel on the floor beside her. “I’m here. Don’t leave me, babe.” Sarah opens her eyes. I kiss her cheek before the EMTs lift her. The cry of pain she makes tears through me.
The EMTs let me ride along with Sarah. I almost wish I hadn’t agreed. What I hear in the rescue squad makes me more afraid than I’ve ever been.
“The bullet nicked an artery. She’s losing a lot of blood,” the EMT mutters.
Please, not Sarah. We haven’t had enough time. I haven’t loved her nearly enough.
Chapter 27
Sarah
Bright lights hurt my eyes. Too many voices confuse me. A groan of pain comes as fingers push against my shoulder. A prick in my arm makes me jerk away. “Stop hurting me.”
A soft, soothing voice speaks. “You’re in the emergency room, Sarah. You have many people around you. Listen to my voice. Do you remember what happened?”
My mouth is so dry it’s difficult to speak. “A gun. Can’t breathe.” A wave of heaviness comes over me. Someone pulls at my clothing. Please don’t let me be naked in front of strangers. A sheet slides over my body.
