by K. Langston
It’s something I never imagined I could have.
I rub my growing belly, wondering how I got to be so lucky, my fate completely different than my mother’s yet our lives almost parallel. Both stolen. Both living in fear for years. Both pregnant so young.
“So when are you going to tell us what you’re having so we know how to theme the shower?”
“I’m not telling.”
“Oh, come on, Selena. Please tell us. We promise not to tell Justin.”
I shake my head, smiling. I found out the sex of the baby at my four-month checkup but Justin hadn’t wanted to know. He said he would be happy if it were either as long as the baby is healthy, but I know he wants a son. A precious little boy who will grow to be just like his father.
Strong, noble, and someone to carry on his family name.
The girls have been begging to know ever since but I can’t tell them unless Justin knows. It wouldn’t be right.
“The suspense is killing me!” Lindz says. “I’m gonna have to have a come-to-Jesus moment with that man of yours. This is a special form of torture.”
I giggle.
Patience is a virtue she does not possess.
There are moments I wish my mother were here to share this journey with me, moments like right now. I know she would adore Lindsey and April. I’m extremely thankful for these two women who have been with me every step of the way.
They are my best friends.
My sisters in heart.
Pop and Teddy have been my rocks, too. The way they both care for me and watch over me, my heart is overwhelmed with joy. They are both over the moon about the baby. Listening to them both argue over whether this child will be a boy or a girl is quite humorous and somewhat comforting. I know that no matter what, they will love him or her to the ends of the earth.
It took very little persuasion to convince Teddy to sell the house in Iowa and move down here with us. He and Pop have become best friends. They butt heads now and again but just because they are both so strongheaded.
Deep down, I know they love each other.
They are all my family, and although our connection might not be comprised of blood and bone, it is a bond that is forged in loyalty and love.
That is what makes us family.
I will always miss my mother, and I will never forget the hard road that she walked in order to bring me into this world. There isn’t one second of my life I’ll ever take for granted. I vow to live each day to the fullest because I know better than anyone that the things one takes for granted are the things someone else is praying for.
The ceremony was beautiful. Simple. Elegant. MaryAnn looked lovely in her wedding gown and the love shared between her and Ryker is so beautiful.
I cried almost the entire time they exchanged their vows. I wasn’t the only one. I’d met the rest of the family last night at the rehearsal dinner. I was overwhelmed at first. Justin’s family is large and loud but the love they have for each other is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. They welcomed me into their tight circle right away, his brothers ribbing him about becoming a father, but it was plain to see how happy they are for him.
For us.
Justin sits next to me, talking to one of the officers in attendance. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many police officers or firefighters in one place. It’s a sea of blue out in the courtyard as the band plays a familiar tune.
“Hey, Selena,” Cassidy greets, leaning down to give me a hug. I haven’t had much of a chance to talk to her since we arrived. She and Reid had arrived early this morning because he’s been on assignment so they weren’t able to fly in sooner.
“How’ve you been?” I ask, releasing her.
She takes the empty seat on the other side of me.
“Good, how are you?”
Rubbing a hand over my swollen belly, I sigh with contentment. “Nervous and excited.”
“I’m so excited to be an aunt.” She beams. “Do you know what you’re having yet?”
“I do but Justin wants to be surprised so I haven’t told a soul.”
“Considering the bloodline, I’m putting my money on blue.”
I smile knowingly. “We’ll see. What about you and Reid? When are you two going to start a family?”
“Not anytime soon. I just opened up my own surf shop and he works a lot so having a baby right now is not ideal for either of us but we both agree we want children. Eventually. When the time is right.”
“How is Max?”
“She’s doing good. Writing like crazy. I swear the woman is a machine. She keeps me busy that’s for sure.”
“What about Bodie? How is he?”
“He’s doing good too, I guess. He checks in from time to time but he’s undercover right now so I haven’t heard from him in a few months,” she says, sadness taking over her voice.
“He loves you very much, Cassidy. You are all he ever talked about.”
“I know he does. I just wish we could have that time back, you know?”
I nod, a lump forming in my throat. I know better than anyone the importance of time and how precious it is.
“I guess I better go find my man. He’ll be looking for me soon.” She leans in to hug me once more. “It’s so good to see you, sweetie.”
“You too.”
Cassidy disappears into the crowd and I gaze out over the dance floor, spotting Denver dancing with little Izzy, beaming with pride for his only daughter. Justin had told me of his wife and my heart broke for the man and Isabelle. I know the pain of losing a mother all too well but I was fortunate enough to have nine years with her.
He spins her around the dance floor and she lets go of an infectious laugh as he pulls her back in then dips her back. The song changes to a slower one. One I’ve heard more of recently. Justin prefers country over everything else and this song in particular is one he really likes.
Justin’s smooth, deep voice fills my ear. “Can I have this dance?”
Smiling, I place my hand in his as he leads us to the dance floor. His mother and father are slow dancing a few feet away. As well as Reid and Cassidy. I give her a small smile and she waves.
We sway to the beat as he murmurs the lyrics in my ear, sending goose bumps to dance across my skin. Then his mouth is at my neck, my curtain of hair shielding him from view. He kisses me there, holding me close to his body.
Safe.
Protected.
Then his mouth is at my lips once more.
“Marry me.”
Tears spring to my eyes, a thick knot forming in my throat.
“I want this dance for the rest of my life. Today, tomorrow, every day after. I want forever with you.”
There’s no hesitation. No thought. Only my mouth to his in a silent vow of love and devotion.
Wrapping my arms around him, I deepen the kiss and he reciprocates, flooding my body with warmth and desire and every unnameable emotion known to man.
All of a sudden there are boisterous whistles and clapping and I realize we have become the center of attention. I look around and sure enough, all eyes are on us, and I realize they are all watching with anticipation.
“Is that a yes?” he asks.
I remain silent because I can’t believe this is really happening. He reaches into his pocket, bending down on one knee.
My heart feels like it’s about to explode in my chest.
Holding the ring between his forefinger and thumb, he presents it to me, his loving eyes gazing back up at mine. My hand moves to cover my mouth, the beauty of the moment almost too much to consume at once. But Justin pulls it away before I have the chance to stifle the happiness pouring out of me. He kisses the back of each hand then releases my right one to take my left.
The rough calluses of his fingers caress mine. “Selena Marie Allen, will you do me the extreme honor and pleasure of becoming my wife?”
I nod, unable to speak.
He slides the ring onto my finger, his eyes wet with tears as he st
ands up and takes me in his arms. Everyone erupts in applause and cheers.
“I love you,” he whispers softly.
“I love you, too,” I whisper back, burying my face in the crook of his neck, inhaling the taste of freedom, love, and a life filled with more happiness than I ever thought possible.
The End
Please keep reading for an exclusive first look at The Lieutenant’s Possession.
“Tell me why you’re here, Asher.”
The way she says my name makes my dick hard and so do those sexy fucking lips. Ever since I walked in, I haven’t been able to take my eyes off of them.
What kind of therapist looks like this?
I’d expected someone older. Someone who wouldn’t feed my addiction, but instead, she only fuels it. Crossing and uncrossing her silky smooth legs, she sits up straighter in her seat, pursing her lips. All I can think about is having those lips wrapped around my…
She jots something down on her yellow notepad, distracting me.
“What are you writing?”
“Just making some notes here.” She folds her hands on top of the notepad, meeting my gaze head-on.
Goddamn, what I wouldn’t give to have those eyes looking up at me while I’m pounding into her from above. I wonder what she sounds like when she comes.
“Please answer the question.”
There’s an underlying coax tangled with the gentle command. The lilt of her voice expanding to draw me in.
I swallow thickly, trying to summon the stupid fucking words trapped in my throat. Women never rattle me. I’m always in control. But not here.
Here, I am at her fucking mercy.
Steeling my voice, I finally manage to get the confession out. “I’m addicted to sex.”
Damn that feels good. Besides my brother Justin, she’s the only one who knows my dirty little secret now.
More writing.
More hand folding.
More pursing of those impressive goddamn lips.
My dick throbs in my jeans and I try to elicit a thought, anything to shut it down.
That’s not the reason we are here.
She doesn’t look up from her notepad. “Why do you think you’re addicted to sex?”
Jesus she asks a lot of damn questions.
I knew coming in that she would dig. That she would scrape away the surface and get to the heart of why I am the way I am.
“I love to fuck. A lot. And when I’m not fucking, I obsess about fucking. Sex consumes my every thought. And it’s started to affect my life negatively.”
“In what ways?” she asks, no judgment in her voice whatsoever.
I let go of a long breath. “A lot of ways, Doc,” I say, dragging a hand across the back of my neck. She makes me nervous the way her eyes bore into mine as if she’s acquainting herself with my goddamn soul. “But before we get into all of that, I just need to know if there’s a cure.”
More writing.
Then eyes back on me.
“There’s no cure for sex addiction, but I can help you find ways to control your urges, Asher.”
Those urges rush hard and fast toward my aching cock in an avalanche of need.
The way she says my name.
The gentle rasp of her sexy voice working over the letters in a soft caress.
Fuck me, I’ll never make it.
I won’t be able to confess all of my deepest, darkest secrets to this woman and not be inside of her.
It’s impossible.
Leaning forward, I brace my elbows on my knees, deepening my voice. “I have the urge to bend you over that desk, pull your skirt up, rip your panties off and fuck you until you’re clawing at that shiny wood beneath you. Think you can calm that urge, Doc?”
Those pretty pink lips part on a gasp.
There, now I’ve got her.
At first, I didn’t think she was interested. She seemed very professional and worse, uninterested. But now I have her full attention and I find it’s something I want more than sex.
Something I crave.
She squirms in her seat then immediately straightens her spine.
The flush on her cheeks.
Stark need flaring in her eyes. She’s trying her best to hide it but I see it.
Wonder how she likes it.
Slow and easy.
Hard and rough.
Probably both.
I bet she likes it in the ass, too. Nice looking girls like that, they’re always the dirtiest.
“It’s good that you are mindful of these urges. Being mindful and aware is the first step to recovery.”
More writing.
No eye contact.
Fuck, she’s driving me crazy.
“I would like to see you at the minimum four days a week until we have your cravings under control.”
My cravings?
Jesus Christ, I’ve only known her half an hour and she’s my new craving. Seeing her four times a week, I’ll be lucky if I make it through this visit let alone the next without trying to fuck her.
You can control yourself, asshole.
“I’ll also give you my personal number so that you can reach me day or night should a sudden urge arise.”
Yep, I’m totally fucked.
The need rising in my jeans right now is enough to rip us both apart. Four days a week in the same room with her and a direct line to her pussy, I don’t stand a chance in hell. There’s no cure for what I have anyway, she said it herself, so I might as well drown myself in my addiction and what better way to do that than with her.
AUTHOR BIO
K lives in the deep south with her husband of 17 years, their two children, and fur babies, Sadie and Birdie.
K released her debut novel, Because You’re Mine, in September 2013 and has since released three follow-up books in the MINE series. Her newest series, Brothers in Blue, is packed full of romance and suspense and features six alpha brothers. She’s also a contributing author to the USA Today bestselling anthology, F*cking Awkward, and co-wrote Unlawful Justice with fellow author and friend, K.C. Lynn. Her most recent release, Sylvie is a standalone contemporary romance about a woman fighting to survive life and love.
Oh, and she had dinner at Colleen Hoover’s house once.
Where she stole a roll of toilet paper as a souvenir.
Because she’s the shit!
When K’s not penning her next story, you can find her nose buried between the pages of a good book or on social media, because look…SQUIRREL!!
FROM THE AUTHOR
To my family and my dearest, closest friends, you know who you are, thank you for your endless love and support.
To my editor, Megan, thank you for your honesty and logic. For always helping to make my stories the best that they can be.
To K.C. Lynn and KL Grayson, thank you for all of your unwavering support and feedback. This book would not be the same without you.
To my proofreader, Kimberley, thank you for your sharp eyes and helping making my baby shine.
The series will continue Fall 2017 with The Lieutenant’s Possession (Asher & Marley’s story)
Brothers in Blue series reading order:
The Officer’s Promise (Ryker)
The Detective’s Trust (Reid)
The Sergeant’s Protection (Justin)
The Lieutenant’s Possession (Asher)
The Commander’s Truth (Benson)
The Sherriff’s Vow (Denver)
Find out more about K. Langston’s other books and upcoming releases by visiting her at www.authorklangston.com
CONNECT with K:
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As always, thank you so much for reading!!!
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