by Karen Deen
I swing my leg over the bike and try to get them working again as I stand hanging on to the seat. Xavier has taken his helmet off and is now undoing the strap on mine.
“Why are we here, Xavier?” I look to him for an explanation. I’m feeling confused and apprehensive.
“It’s time to take our life back. This is somewhere you have a lot of good memories and so do I. I love to stand on the peak and look at the view. They tried to take that away from us, but I think it’s time we took it back.” His words are full of determination.
“I don’t know if I can.” My voice is quiet and uncertain.
“I will help you, baby. Let’s make it fun again. I have a surprise for you when you make it to the peak. It’s hard and round, those are your only clues.” The sparkle in his eyes tells me I can’t disappoint him. With my hand wrapping around my bangle, I start to nod my head to say yes.
“Your surprise better not be your dick. I’m still sore from last night, wild boy.” With that, he swats me on the butt and we slowly walk hand in hand to the trail entrance. I just need to tell him before we start the hike, “I love you, Xavier. I will always love you.”
He stops and grabs my face. “Me too, baby, me too.”
Walking out into the clearing at the top of the mountain was hard. Xavier was coping far better than me, but as usual he gave me the strength to keep going.
We have been standing here cuddling for quite a while. No talking. Just sorting our memories out. The ones that plague us and the good ones we are making to bury the bad ones.
The sun is starting to slide down the sky so it will soon be time to head back down. I have managed to get through this but being up here in the dark is more than I can handle yet.
“Before we leave, there is one last memory we need to make on this ledge.”
“Xavier, I told you I am not having sex with you here out in the open.”
He turns me to face him. “As much as I would love to fuck you right here, that’s not what your surprise is.” Taking my left hand, he slowly drops to one knee.
I gasp and my legs start to go weak, the tears already pooling in my eyes.
“Ally, you took my heart the first day I saw you. You kept it safe even though I didn’t know I needed you to. Your sweetness made me want to be a better man for you. Your secret little sexy side made me want to beat my chest and go all caveman. But the greatest gift you gave me is your trust. You trusted me to know what was right for both of us in this relationship. You love me even at times I don’t deserve it, but you do it anyway. I can’t live another day without you, and I want you with me always. Marry me, Alesha Stevenson. Be my Ally forevermore.” The last time I cried in this spot, I thought I was going to lose him. This time, they are tears of joy as we prove that nothing can break us.
“Yes, a thousand yeses. We are the circle and we’ll never end.” I have no problems with words this time. I know now that words will never ever be a problem again.
He slips the most beautiful diamond ring on my finger then jumps to his feet. He kisses me with such passion, then lifts me off my feet and twirls me in circles like a crazy man.
He yells across the valley as loud as he can. “She. Said. Yes.”
“I love you, Ally. You’re mine, until the end. Of. Time.” He looks at me as he makes sure I hear every single word. He then sweeps me up into his arms. “Now I’m going to take you home and make sweet hot love to you, my fiancée. So, I hope you aren’t tired because there will be no sleep tonight, beautiful. “
“Why should tonight be different to any other night, lover boy?” With that, he groans, and we head off down the mountain both so happy and in love but, more importantly, stronger than ever. No matter what happens, we will always have each other and will fight never to lose that.
Our love is the circle, it’s strong, solid, and knows no end.
Epilogue
Alesha
“I swear, Bronson Lane, if you don’t come back here right now and put on your pants, Mommy is going to take away all your toys this time,” I yell as I’m chasing our three-year-old son across the back yard.
Xavier is standing on the back deck laughing loudly while he pats our little four-month-old baby girl, Lucy, on her back trying to burp her after her feed.
“Stop laughing, this is all your fault. He is just like you. He needs to learn clothes aren’t an optional accessory!” I corner him near the back fence between the swing set and Xavier’s man shed.
“I’ve got you now, my cheeky little monkey.” He is giggling so much I can’t be mad at him anymore. Pouncing and scooping him up in my arms, I blow raspberries on his naked little belly.
Finally, after getting him dressed and strapping both the kids in the car, Xavier pins me against the side of it. “You didn’t seem to think the no-clothes rule was a problem last night, Mrs Lane.” He leans down and kisses me on my neck, then taking my mouth and sucking the air out of my lungs.
“You are insatiable, Mr Lane. Just because I’m finally healed up after giving birth and you just got your sex privileges back, that doesn’t mean I am here at your beck and call.” I smirk.
“Now, that’s where you are wrong. Three days ago, I seem to recall a certain little lady—who is standing right here getting me all hot and bothered—was screaming my name and telling me I could fuck her any time, any place. Isn’t that right, Mrs Lane?” After all this time, he still manages to make me blush. Just as he leans in to kiss me on the lips, Bronson taps on the window. Busted by our three-year-old.
Who said kids were a good idea? Oh, that’s right, no one did. Xavier’s super sperm decided on our wedding night that we needed a mini-him just to keep our marriage fun.
Xavier’s parents say Bronson is payback for all they put up with when he was little.
I’m not sure why I have to be punished, though. I love both my kids more than anything, even though Bronson is such a handful most days. But then he comes up and grabs your cheeks and squishes your face while planting the biggest, sloppiest kiss on your lips. Then he tells you he ‘lubbs you’. My heart swells every time.
Xavier
Driving into work with my whole family in the car has me smiling. Life is exactly where I want it to be. I am married to the love of my life. We have the two kids and, if I have my way, there will be a third on the way before we know it. I keep trying for twins so maybe next time we will get lucky. Not sure Ally would agree but she’ll love them regardless.
Watching her with Bronson and Lucy brings me so much love and joy. She is the most amazing mother and through all of the hard work, she’s still the most beautiful sexy woman I know. Her first pregnancy was a challenge for us both. Ally needed to know everything about every little step. She was reading every book she could get her hands on. It got to the point she was driving herself insane with worry. Instead of it helping her anxiety over the unknown, it was feeding it. So I had to play the bad man and take the books away. We had regular doctors’ appointments and we talked a lot. I had her lean on Emily and talk to her for advice. They’re close and Ally listened to her. I even spoke to the doctor about my concerns, but he just rolled his eyes and said you will just have to keep supporting her and take your punishment in the delivery room.
Wow, he wasn’t kidding. I am a big, strong, muscly guy and I left that delivery room with scratches, nail marks, a few teeth marks and a new level of deafness from the screaming when the pain hit. So, I guess that was what the doctor called my punishment. Lucy was a far nicer pregnancy and delivery, thank goodness. Because I think if Ally had had another labor like Bronson’s, I would have zero chance of another baby.
We pull up outside the gym I own with my sister in one of the Stevenson developments down near the water. After we announced our engagement, Mitch took me for a beer one day and asked what he could do to help his future son-in-law to find his dream. I was too proud to take any handouts, but he let me borrow the money from him and Sophia with a written-up loan agreement for Nat and I t
o pay it back. I still needed to feel my worth in supporting my wife and family.
So, Hard Circle Gym was set up in the floor space we purchased off the family company. It works for all of us.
“Say goodbye to Daddy, kids, you will see him tonight.” I lean over and kiss Ally just how she likes it, soft to begin with and then hard to leave her panting. She crawls over the console in the middle to take my seat on the driver’s side while I say goodbye to the kids.
“Meme and Gruffy will pick the kids up from me at work this afternoon for a few hours, and you better not be late for date night.” She gives me a wink and gets ready to pull out of the parking spot.
“No chance in the world I’ll miss date night without the kids. You can bet on that, sexy lady. Now, get moving or Grant will be complaining you’re late for work. Although Lilly still holds the record for that.” I give her a last peck on the cheek through the window and then I am heading inside to work.
Alesha
“How long have we got until the kids get dropped off?” Xavier is pulling at every piece of clothing I have on, trying to get me naked.
“Two hours, so stop talking and wasting time,” I tell him as I shimmy out of my work suit.
“Every single time you take my breath away, Ally.” He groans.
“Date night is the best invention ever,” I tell him, letting my own groan out as he starts playing with my tits.
“But I swear, Xavier Lane, if you knock me up again with another horror like Bronson then all future date nights are cancelled.”
He just laughs, lifts me up and lays me on our bed, ready for him to have his way with me.
“So, you don’t want this then?” His hand is wrapped around his hard cock and he is slowly pulling it while I’m watching.
“You’re such a pain. Just make love to me already before I change my mind.” I smile at him, happy to give him the go-ahead.
My sassiness and his cockiness leaves both of us and we make sweet passionate love and enjoy the small amount of alone time we have.
I open my eyes and look at the stick. Two lines.
“Xavier Lane, you better start running and make it fast,” I yell from the bathroom.
Welcome to the family, Scotty and Archie Lane.
Universe, please let them take after me!
THE END
Acknowledgments
I can’t explain how grateful I am for the love shown to me by you, my readers. Thank you so much for reading my books and continuing to support me in my love of writing. I hope that I take you on a journey of love, laughter, a little angst, with a lot of cheekiness, cockiness and plenty of heat. You all make me get up every day and keep writing. Love to you all!
My beta readers are the absolute best. Nicole, Vicki, Di and Karen (the lady with the cool name). You hold my hand when I freak out, and you love me when I need you. Encouragement and kindness are a gift you give me along with the slap around the head when I need it. Couldn’t do this journey without you four beautiful souls.
Thank you also to all the bloggers and promoters who are kind enough to support me and share my work. You are the backbone of our industry and I appreciate it all.
My cover artist, proofreader, graphic artist, the girl I message with every little thing at weird times of night and great friend, Sarah Paige from Opium House Creatives. You are such a wonderful help to me, and I would absolutely be lost without you. Blessed you are in my world.
Lindsay from Contagious Edits has been absolutely amazing on the edit of this book. This is the first time she has done the initial edits for me and the funny chats we have at weird times of the day and night make me laugh. My Aussie slang confuses her and no matter how hard I try, it just keeps slipping in there. I have found another fantastic friend across another ocean. The list of people I just need to meet, hug and thank is always growing. Lindsay, you are now on my list!! Can’t thank you enough for your patience with me and my little repetitive habits.
Sue, you are one of my biggest supporters and a beautiful friend. Have always been there ready with a smile and a hug. Thank you for helping me with this book and sorry for keeping you up some nights because you couldn’t put it down.
To my beautiful friend and mentor, you know I love you and how grateful I am to have you in my life. I can feel it, babe, just like you keep telling me. Gratitude!
My girls, Nicole, Sharon and Charmaine, you keep me normal, and that is all that needs to be said.
My very patient husband and kids. This book has been full-on and I know you think I have gone missing in action at home. For all the cups of tea you made me, the picking up of the slack around the house, the little things that you do that you think I don’t notice but I do. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love, encouragement, understanding and support. I couldn’t do this if you weren’t standing right behind me cheering me on. Love you more than I could ever put into words and that is saying something. Our love is like a circle, it will never end.
Until my next book, love and let yourself be loved, even if it is between the pages of a book.
Karen xxx
LOVE’S HOT
Copyright © 2019 by Karen Deen
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in either, electronic, paper hard copy, photocopying, recorded or any other form of reproduction without the written permission of the author. No part of this book either in part or whole may be reproduced into or stored in a retrieval system or distributed without the written permission of the author.
This book is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locations or persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
The author acknowledges the trademark status and owners of products referred to in this fiction which have been used without permission. The publication and use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Published by Karen Deen
Formatted by Kellie Clarke
Edited by Contagious Edits
Cover Design by Opium House Creatives
Dedication
This book and series I’m dedicating to my inspiring Stevenson Family without whom I would have never found my happy place as an Author.
Mitch/Gruffy, Sophia/Me-Me, Grant, Zach, Luke, Alesha and Lilly.
Zara, Emily, Zoe, Xavier and Kane.
Samuel, Sophia and Baby Thomas.
Natalie and Jordan
All the future Stevenson children who will eventually find their place on my pages.
Plus, to my other Lilly – Thanks for being the Lilly to my Alesha xx
Forever Grateful to you all.
Chapter One
Lilly
“You saw him, he was so friggin hot! But when it came to the important part of the night, oh lordy, we just didn’t click. Not sure if it was him, me, or just we weren’t a good combination. Did absolutely nothing for my little need that was looking to be satisfied last night. Man, I sound like I’m desperate even though I’m not! I’m just so picky with my men. Maybe that’s my problem.” Simone bursts out laughing on the other end of the phone. We were clubbing together last night when I left with Lenny. “I should have guessed with a name like Lenny. Oh well, another poor guy who will be calling the sexaholics membership number when he tries to call me for a second date. But honestly, how could he expect me to give him my real phone number?” I’m yelling into my phone that’s on speaker, while I’m trying to pack last minute for my trip.
“You are so naughty. The poor staff will be wanting to find you and kill you what with the amount of prank calls they think they’re getting. Everyone looking for a woman named Lilly. Luckily you never tell them your surname. Otherwise the sexaholic people would hunt you down, woman.” Simone laughs as she listens to me tell her how I managed to get out of his place in record time after the failed event.
“Thank god I can always com
e home to Bob, my friendly battery-operated man whose size and performance is perfect every time. Value for my money. Well, that’s what I said in my Amazon review.” I can’t help but laugh at myself.
“Shit, you did not review a vibrator on Amazon. You are too much. Tell me what it’s called, I need to go and read this. Don’t get angry when I rate your review with the appropriate stars.”
We both have a good laugh at my ability to do wild things that my family would simply die if they knew about.
“Anyhow, I really need to run, otherwise I’m not going to be ready when my sister arrives. She will be the one wanting to kill me. She is so super organized; nothing like me who is still standing here with an empty suitcase. Now you be good while I’m away. I want all the details of tomorrow night with Zoren, and that means all the details! Talk soon, sweetie.”
“Bye, you crazy girl, be safe. I want pictures of all the details, not just a message, okay? And thanks in advance for the porn you will be sending me. Bye, hun.”
She knows me too well. Porn spam on her messenger coming right up. She will wish she never mentioned it now.
I press end and then freak out looking at the time that pops up on my phone.
