Heart of Hope: Books 1-4

by Williams, Ajme

  I headed to the Parker Sports store. Eli and I weren’t friends anymore, and it was unlikely we would ever be, but this time I’d try to do things right. I parked out front and entered the store. I remembered going there as a kid and playing with Eli. To us, the sports equipment was like toys.

  The store had several shoppers. Eli was talking to someone over by the hiking boots. He had a surprised expression when he saw me, but he nodded, indicating he’d be with me in a minute.

  When he finished, he waved me to the back. I followed him into the office. There were boxes of items with Parker Sports logos on them.

  “Sorry for the mess. I’m researching logo items. What’s up?”

  I remained standing, as did he. “I’m here to tell you, in advance, that I’m in love with Mia.”

  He simply stared. “Okay.”

  I frowned. “I’m going to ask her to give me a chance. Whether you like it or not, but this time I thought I’d least tell you.”

  “Good luck.” He sat down in a chair by the desk. “She’s pissed that you left without a word.”

  “I know. But if she forgives me—”

  He waved a hand. “I don’t want details. If she’s happy, I’ll be happy. You hurt her, though, then we’ll have a problem.”

  This was way too easy, I thought. Still, I wasn’t going to argue. “Okay then.”

  “You owe my dad a trip to see an elk or something.”

  “Bongo. I haven’t forgotten.”

  The phone rang on his desk. “Anything else? I have a business to run.”

  I nearly asked if he was hiring. Afterall I was unemployed. But I worried he’d think I wasn’t worthy, so I left him to his work.

  It was late afternoon, but I figured Mia was still at work, so I went home. I took a run to deal with the mixture of anxiety and excitement sizzling through my blood. I showered, practicing what I wanted to say to her. Should I start with I love you or I’m sorry, I wondered.

  I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, my stubble trimmed and my hair combed back. I wore jeans and a green polo shirt that my mother said highlighted my eyes. I wanted all the help I could get to win Mia back. If I had to start with sex appeal, I would. Hopefully, she saw more to me than a good fuck.

  I grabbed my keys and as I drove toward her place, I wondered if I should bring something like flowers or chocolate. In the end, I decided to bring only myself.

  I parked outside her building and trotted up the steps to her front door. I rolled my shoulders. “Here goes everything, Foster.” I knocked on the door.

  It took several minutes, but the door opened and my heart stalled in my chest. But it wasn’t an anxiety episode. It was love. It was poleaxed by her beautiful face, even as her eyes narrowed into sharp slits as she looked at me.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful.” It hadn’t been what I wanted to lead with, but in that moment, I couldn’t hold in what my heart was feeling.

  Her eyes went soft for a moment, and then, as if she didn’t want to make it easy for me, she glared again. “You’re back?”

  I nodded. “I’m back. For you.”

  Her breath hitched, and I gave myself points that I was reaching some romantic part of her even if she didn’t want me to.

  “Can we talk?” I asked.

  She opened the door. “I don’t have anything to offer you. I’ve been eating at my dad’s, so I have no food.”

  “I don’t need anything,” I said as I entered. I stopped and turned to her. “Well, that’s not true. I need one thing. You.”

  “Have you been reading a romance or something?” She pursed her lips and gave me a look like she wasn’t buying what I was saying. But her eyes told me I was making headway.

  “I’m not trying to give you lines, Mia.” I wanted to hold her so badly, I had to shove my hands in my pockets to keep from reaching for her. “First, let me start with I’m sorry for leaving and not returning your call. I was a mess … and I just needed … out.” God, I hoped she understood.

  “I understand that part. What I don’t get is why you wouldn’t contact me.”

  If this thing between us was going to work, I had to be honest. “At first, I was running. Running from a town that wanted my head, but also from the torment of wanting … needing a woman I couldn’t have.”

  “You quit. You could have had me then.”

  “I didn’t say I was thinking straight. I was overwhelmed. Pissed that you were hurt and afraid I might hurt someone in retaliation. I nearly kicked Eli’s ass. I blamed him for what happened to you.”

  Her eyes widened. “You did?”

  “He didn’t tell you?”

  She shook her head. “He just said you were leaving.”

  I looked down. “I didn’t know what else to do. But I did like you said … well, to be honest, my mother made me go to a therapist, and a few things became clear.”

  “Like Ms. Mason’s grandson?”

  I nodded. “Yes, but that’s not all.” I stepped near her. I didn’t touch her, but I needed to feel the heat of her. Inhale her scent.

  “What else?” Her eyes flared with awareness at my approach. She didn’t back away, but neither did she give me a sign that she was going to let me in.

  “I knew I loved you already, but while I was gone, I realized that I didn’t want to live without you.”

  She swallowed.

  “Mia,” I said, resisting touching her. “I’m an unemployed doctor with enough student debt to choke a horse. I’ve got PTSD and I’m pretty sure this town will never see me the same again. I’m not a good bet when it comes to relationships, and yet I know, without a doubt, that no one could love you like I do. Or wants to dedicate their life to making you happy. And since I don’t work at the hospital now, our being together wouldn’t be a problem. Unless you see some other issues that I haven’t considered.” Fuck, I was rambling. “What I want is you, baby. Please tell me I have a chance. Please tell me you’ll give us a chance.”

  Her eyes filled with tears, which in turn filled me with dread. She didn’t feel the same. But then she threw herself in my arms.

  “Nick.” She held me tight, and it took a moment for me to get my hands out of my pockets and around her.

  “Tell me this is a good thing,” I whispered as I ran my cheek along hers.

  She leaned back. “I love you. I have for so long.”

  “Oh, thank fuck.” I yanked her against me and seared my lips to hers. It had only been a week since I’d last kissed her, but this felt like I was drinking in her sweetness after an eternity. It was better than before because now I knew she was mine.

  “Just one thing I should probably let you know; in case it changes things for you,” she murmured against my lips.

  “Nothing will change how I feel. You left me four years ago and that didn’t change how I felt.”

  She pressed her hand to my cheek. “I’m unemployed with no job prospects, except maybe Eli.”

  “Those fuckers fired you?”

  “I quit. Dick was being a jerk so I quit.”

  I grinned. “Perfect.”

  “Perfect. You sound like we can live on love.”

  “We can, baby.” I lifted her up and twirled us around. “I feel like anything is possible.” I put her down and held her face in my hands. “Do you feel it? The power of us.”

  She nodded, her smile so lovely it made my heart sing.

  “We’ll figure it out. As long as we’re together, we’ll figure it out.” I was so sure of it. In fact, I’d never been so sure about anything before in my life.

  “Yes.” She lifted on her toes and kissed me. “We should honor this moment.”

  “Oh? How do we do that?”

  She cupped my dick over my jeans. “Get naked, Foster.”

  My cock grew so hard, it was a wonder it wasn’t peeking out of the waistband of my jeans. “Whatever my gorgeous woman wants.”

  She took my hand and yanked me toward her bedroom. I’d never been to her place befo
re, but I figured I could have the tour the later. Right now, it was time to show her how much I loved her.

  When we got to her room, her hands were all over me, stealing my breath. I could barely keep up, especially when she yanked my pants down, dropped to her knees, and sucked my dick to the back of her throat.

  “Oh fuck, Mia. You’ll make me come too fast.”

  “We have all the time in the world,” she said as she jacked my dick with her hand.

  “Let’s use it,” I said, pulling her up to me, and guiding her to the bed. “I want to spend every fucking minute touching you.” We finished disrobing and I lay over her lush body, feeling its heat against mine.

  “Tell me again, Nick,” she said, as I looked down into her beautiful blue eyes.

  I took her hands, holding them palm to palm over her head. “I love you.”

  She bit her lower lip as she smiled. “I love you too. I was wrong to leave four—”

  I kissed her hard to stop her words. “Let’s only look forward baby, okay?”

  She nodded. “Just one thing though.”

  “What?”

  “I love you more now than before. I didn’t think it was possible, but I do.”

  I grinned. “Good to know.”

  “One more thing.”

  I quirked a brow. “I thought we were going to consummate our love.”

  “We are, just … you need to know that you are more important than a job. Not that I want to be subservient, but—”

  I kissed her again. “I understand, and I can’t tell you how good that makes me feel. It’s the same for me, baby. Now, can we make love?”

  “Yes.” She wrapped her legs around my hips. “Hard and fast, Nick. Lose control. I love it when you do that.”

  Jesus, I was seeing stars already. “Whatever you want.” I lifted my hips and found her sweet hot pussy with my cock. “Hard and fast.”

  I held her gaze and I thrust hard, fast, but held, wanting to savor that moment when I became a part of her. Her legs tightened around me, embracing me like she wanted to hold the moment as well. How amazing was it that my career was shit, but I didn’t give a fuck? As long as this woman was by my side, the world could fall apart and I’d be okay.

  Her pussy wall squeezed my cock, and fire shot through my veins, snapping control of the moment. I gripped her hands, as I rocked my hips back and thrust in again.

  “Nick,” she cried out, her head arching back revealing the soft curve of her neck. I dipped my head, sucking, wanting to mark her as mine.

  I pistoned my hips, faster and faster, as I chased sweet ecstasy. I could feel it. I was riding the edge of it. “Mia … baby … fuck I’m gonna come.”

  She cried out, and her hips bucked up as her pussy clamped tight on my cock. The pleasure of her body gripping mine came out in a long feral growl as my release rocked through me and I emptied inside her. There was symbolism in it, I thought as I held myself steeped inside her. I gave her all of me. The essence of me. And she took it. As far as I was concerned, we were one now.

  36

  Mia

  Nick was heavy over me, but I didn’t care. I loved the way his hard body pressed me into the mattress. The way his dick, now soft, rested inside my body. If we could, I would want to stay like this forever.

  “You have a magical pussy,” he said after giving me a tender kiss.

  I laughed. “It goes with your magical dick.”

  “Like a magic wand.” He rolled us so he was on his back and I was tucked into his side. He let out a content sigh. It was how I felt, which was strange. I had no job. I had no clue what I should do about a job, and yet, all was right and well with the world. Of course, when we left this bed, that might change. Eli might have a problem, although he seemed to be less of an asshole for the last few days.

  “I went to see Eli before I came here,” Nick said, as his fingers stroked my hair.

  “Oh? Eli first?”

  He turned his head to look at me. His expression suggested he was worried he’d done something wrong. “I wanted to tell him, up front this time, that I love his sister. I don’t know that it would make any difference, but I figured maybe I’d get it right this time.”

  My heart went all mushy again at the sweetness of this man. “How did he take it?”

  “He didn’t kick my ass.” He pulled me to him kissing my head. “Actually, he didn’t seem surprised.”

  “That’s because he knows I love you.”

  “He does?” Nick looked surprised by that.

  “He and my dad do because I told them. We took a trip to visit my mom’s grave. It was like she was there and we resolved some things. Or at least we settled down a bit. Eli and I can be pretty bad to each other.”

  “I told Eli about the day your mom died when he came to my place the night I left. I probably should have done that sooner, but he was so angry.”

  “He wouldn’t have heard it then or he’d have blamed you more. He’s jealous. I’m jealous,” I admitted.

  “Jealous?” he asked.

  “You got to be with her. I’m glad you were. I’m glad she had someone who loved her with her, but I'd rather it was me or Eli, or my dad, although he’d say he’s glad he just has good memories.”

  He laughed. “Your dad is amazing. The way the glass is always half-full.”

  “I know. Even when it’s a tiny shot glass.” I ran a hand over Nick’s chest. “I know you said not to go back, but … I’m a glutton for punishment.”

  “Okay.” His voice was hesitant.

  I lifted my head from his chest to look at him. “While we were apart, was there ever another woman you loved.”

  “It’s only been a week.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I meant four years ago.”

  “No.” He said it so fast I couldn’t believe he’d actually heard me.

  “Honestly. It’s okay if you did—”

  “I didn’t. Not love. Did I sleep with a few women—”

  “A few?” I quirked my brow. Nick’s reputation was well established.

  He gave me a sheepish smile. “I had urges. I dated a few women, but I never fell in love. Not like this. Not like with you. So, I gave up trying.”

  “Gave up on love but not urges?” I quirked a brow.

  “My dick has a mind of its own. With you here, my dick and heart are completely in sync.”

  I laughed. “You’re hilarious, Foster.”

  “Now it’s your turn. Did you fall in love with someone else?”

  I shook my head. “I had … affection for someone, but not like this.”

  “I hate him. The idea of another man touching you makes me crazy.”

  “Now you know how I felt when Joyce Maynard tried to fuck on you on the exam table.”

  He grinned. “I knew it. You were jealous.”

  “I wanted to scratch her eyes out. And pop your nuts.”

  He winced. “Ouch.” He gave me a quick kiss. “So, tell me, Mia, if you only felt affection for a man, what about your urges?” The glint in his eyes was naughty.

  “I didn’t fuck a bunch of men like you did women.”

  “Did you touch yourself? I’d like to see that.”

  My pussy swelled with pressure and wetness at the idea of Nick watching me pleasure myself. “Yes. I had help. Battery operated help.”

  His eyes flashed with wild heat. “Do you still have it?”

  “Somewhere. I don’t think I’ve unpacked it since I’ve had the real thing.” I wrapped my fingers around his cock, growing thick and long.

  “Did you think of me when you used it?” His hand cupped my breast and he lifted it up, giving it a quick suck in his lips.

  I gasped at the shot of pleasure it sent to my pussy. “Yes.”

  “What did you fantasize about?” His thumb brushed back and forth over my nipple.

  “Lots of things.” I ran my thumb over his tip, spreading the pre-cum that formed.

  “Like what?”

  “Some we’v
e done. Like when you use your mouth. Or from behind.” I rose over him, straddling over his thighs. “I like riding you.”

  “I live to make your dreams come true, baby.” He reached between my legs, running his finger through my folds. “You’re wet just thinking about it.”

  I stroked his dick. “You’re hard just thinking about it.”

  “I’m always hard around you.” His hands slid up my thighs to my waist. “Take me inside you, Mia. Fuck me.”

  I rested my hands on his chest as I lifted my body up and over his dick. I took my time sliding down over him, savoring every delectable inch of him.

  “So fucking good.” He levered up, burying his face in my breasts, licking, sucking, biting.

  Instinctively my body knew what to do. My hips rocked and swiveled. “Nick,” I gasped holding his head to my breasts.

  “Yeah, baby?” He looked at me straight in the eyes, as his hands replaced his mouth on my breasts.

  “Am I sexy enough for you?”

  “Are you kidding me, Mia?” His hands cradled my face. “No one has ever gotten me off like you do. There’s a difference between sex and making love. With you, only you, it’s making love.”

  My heart swelled, as my ego was soothed.

  “What about me? Do I turn you on?”

  What a dumb question. “Yes, you know you do.”

  “Am I too demanding? Are there things I’m asking that you don’t like?”

  I shook my head. “I want to make you happy.”

  “That’s not what I asked.”

  I felt my cheeks heat. I never thought I’d be sharing my sexual interests with anyone, but with Nick, I felt I could. “With you, I like everything. I want to try everything. Experiment. Play.”

  I swore his dick grew inside me. He groaned. “You say the sexiest things.”

  Feeling looser to talk about my sexual needs, I said, “I know I limited us before, but I don’t want to now. I want to know what you like. I want to learn what I like.”

  “I want that too, baby. You know what I like?”