Lies Beneath the Surface (Buried Secrets #2)

by Silla Webb

  As I watch the smile dance across her beautiful face, bubbling laughter of happiness slippin’ from her lips, I praise God that he gave me half a brain not to give up on this woman. Every prayer I’ve whispered over this last month has been answered and I have never smiled so damn hard in all my life.

  The sleepless drunken nights, the anger and hurt that boiled in my veins just weeks ago is a faded memory to me now. I had lost all hope for me and my darlin’, but Luke Ashton refused to let me give up on Carly Jo. A battle of wills; and although he left me in defeat, I’m the victor with my girl in my arms. I know that what Luke and Carly Jo shared was intimate but brief, and he understands his place in her life. I’ll be forever grateful to the bastard for smackin’ me upside my big, dumbass head, and teachin’ me how to be a better man.

  “You’ve been quiet all evenin’, man. Need to talk?” Luke asks, as he leans against the wall beside me.

  Shakin’ my head, “Nah man, everything’s great. Better than great, actually. I ain’t ever seen her smile so damn much in all my life.” I say watchin’ Carly Jo across the room with her sister, Savannah. They’re sittin’ on the couch talkin’ while the kids run through the house wildly. Momma insisted on cleanin’ up after dinner, so Carly Jo could rest and spend some time with her family.

  “I’m real happy for y’all, Weston; and I mean that whole-heartedly.”

  “I know you do, Luke. If it weren’t for you bein’ the bigger man, I don’t know that I’d ever forgave her. Thanks for everything.” I shake his hand, but as usual he pulls me into a hug.

  “Man, you were just angry and hurt. I understand that. But y’all are right where you belong and that’s what counts. But you remember, I’ll kick your ass if you hurt my beauts. You might own her heart and every breath she breathes, but she still owns a little piece of my heart; and she always will.”

  “If I ever hurt her again, screw kickin’ my ass, just blow my damn head off.”

  He laughs, clampin’ his hand on my shoulder as he leans in close and whispers, “Deal.” Luke makes his way over to the girls, wigglin’ between Carly Jo and Savannah as he spreads his arms across the back of the couch. Savannah scoots away from him and begins fidgetin’ with her hands nervously while the three of them talk briefly.

  I go into the kitchen to see if Momma needs any help. She’s wipin’ the counter tops down as the dishwasher runs through the rinse cycle. When she catches a glimpse of me from the corner of her eye she folds the rag neatly, placing it on the center of the sink. “That’s a smile I hope to never see vanish from your face, son.” Her smile reaches her eyes as she pulls me into a hug. “I’m so proud of you for learnin’ to forgive and lettin’ go of the past, Colton.”

  “Momma, I love her more than the world. It hurt so damn bad, felt like my heart had been pierced with a double edged sword; but it’s the same pain I inflicted on her at one time. It was only right to let it go, and move on.” I shrug snappin’ the lid on a bottle of water and pullin’ back a drink. “We’ve both had enough upsets and heartache in our lives. I just wanna love her til’ her last breath, and give her the life and love she deserves.”

  She sweeps the floors as we talk, payin’ careful attention to every nook and crevice in the ceramic tile floors. Holdin’ the broom under her chin, she smiles up at me and says, “Heartache sometimes offers the best lessons learned, son.” I smirk back at her because truer words have never been spoken.

  “Kitchen’s all cleaned. I’m gonna get on home now, so I can feed your dad when he comes draggin’ in. Would you like for me to take Heidi Jo home, or is she stayin’ with you tonight?”

  I rub my hand roughly across my chin, the five o’clock shadow scratchin’ my calloused fingers. “She can stay with you tonight, but things will be changin’ soon. But I’ll talk with ya later ‘bout it once I figure everything out.”

  “Okay, son. Let me go round up the little scutter and I’ll get outta ya hair.” She traipses off into the living room to find Heidi Jo. After passin’ around hugs they say their goodbyes. The celebration dwindles down quickly, as Savannah and her kids leave soon after and Luke follows right on their heels.

  “Did you have a good evenin’, darlin’?” I ask, pullin’ her close to me, grippin’ her hips.

  “I did, but I’m exhausted and can’t wait to take a hot shower and crawl into bed. Do you wanna stay here tonight, or stay at your house?” She asks, nestlin’ her head into my chest. I grip her ass in the palm of my hand, squeezin’ it firmly whisperin’ against her hair.

  “Let’s go home, darlin’.”

  She glances up at me and a wicked grin meets her hazel eyes. She knows the look of hunger that dances in my eyes. She quickly grabs her things as I turn off the lights before we head home. The ride home is quiet, yet comfortable. The anticipation between us slowly buildin’. It’s been over four months since I’ve touched her, since we’ve made love. But Hell’s fire and brimstone won’t stop a damn thing tonight.

  When we pull into the driveway I shut the engine off, then quickly make my way around the passenger side of the Tahoe before she can get out. Openin’ the door, I lock her fingers in mine and pull her behind me up the sidewalk. The door’s already unlocked and the moment our feet cross the threshold I crash into her like a wreckin’ ball. I lift her up into my arms, her legs wrappin’ around me instinctively as I harshly back her up against the wall. Pictures fall from the walls and bust against the floor. With one swift tear, I shred her shirt down the center and my mouth finds the swell of her breast instantly. Strippin’ the bra straps down her slender shoulders, I pull her breast one by one from the cups, shovin’ the bra out of my path. I’m a starved, desperate man and it’s been too many nights without this woman in my arms, without my dick sunk balls deep in her.

  Trailin’ rough, wet kisses up her chest to her neck and jaw, she grasps my face in her hands and pulls me into a deep, fierce kiss. She’s as starved for my touch as I am for hers. Grippin’ her ass firmly in my hands, I stumble through the darkness devourin’ her lips, tongue and mouth like my life depends on the breath she will breathe into me. I trip over a damn toy crashin’ into the coffee table as the new lamp shatters to the floor and she giggles against my lips.

  I kick the bedroom door open and crawl up on the bed with her still wrapped firmly around my waist. Layin’ her back, I unsnap her jeans and strip them down her legs. My mouth runs dry and my cock tightens against my jeans at the sight of her in tiny, pink lacey thongs. Hot damn. My dick is gonna suffocate if I don’t let it loose soon. I rip the lace away, lickin’ my dry lips at such a beautifully, sexy sight. Sittin’ up, she slides her hands up my chest and slips my shirt over my head before unbuttonin’ my pants. I kick my feet out of my jeans and she proceeds to pullin’ my boxer briefs down my thighs, releasin’ my hardened dick. A devious smile spreads across her face, but before she can react I push her back and line my body against hers.

  “You can play later, darlin’. It’s been too damn long since I’ve felt you come around my cock. I’m gonna ravage every inch of your body and ease that ache in your sweet pussy.” I smirk.

  Crashin’ my lips against hers, a heated fervor and intense desire consumes me and it takes every ounce of control I have to not take her fast and hard. I mark every delicate inch of her body with nips and bites. My teeth nip at her thick, soft thigh before trailin’ my tongue softly up her slit, moisture coatin’ my lips with her arousal. “Please,” she mutters, fistin’ my hair in her hands, her body tremblin’ beneath me. She can beg all night long; I ain’t givin’ in until she’s fully sated and left breathless by my touch.

  I smack her pussy, then lock my lips ‘round her clit, suckin’ roughly. She flinches, surprised by my roughness, but when I softly circle my tongue around her clit and slip two fingers into her wet pussy she relaxes and wraps her legs around my neck, pullin’ me closer to her sex. She shudders beneath me in excitement, small moans slippin’ past her lips as I swirl my tongue around her clit. I flick
my tongue softly, gently massagin’ her sex when her back arches up off the bed and she clamps down hard on my fingers. Screw this shit. My cock throbs and my balls tighten with each moan that falls from her lips.

  Sittin’ up on the edge of the bed, I pull her into my lap, turnin’ her back to my chest. I tangle her hair in my hands, nippin’ at her ear, and suckin’ her delicate flesh softly. “You ready, darlin’?” I whisper against her neck.

  “Mmmm,” is her only response as she grips my thighs, wigglin’ her ass into my throbbin’ dick. Raisin’ her ass up, I lean back and slide my cock across her slit one time, earnin’ myself a low whimper from her tantalizing mouth. With her hair still tangled in my hand I tug her head back to watch her expression as I thrust every solid inch of my cock into her soft, slick pussy. Her eyes roll back and she moans passionately, her nails piercin’ into my thighs, breakin’ the skin. I wrap my arms around her tightly, graspin’ her breasts and twistin’ her nipple between my finger and thumb as I pound into her from behind. I slide my right hand down between her delicate thighs, findin’ her wet clit and flick it with my finger before trailin’ circles around it softly. Ecstasy and excitement rush through my veins and she meets me thrust for thrust, milkin’ my cock. Hot damn! I bite down on her shoulder as my balls draw tight and her pussy clamps down on my dick. I hold her tight against my chest and her head lulls back, her eyes flutter shut as my cock throbs, spillin’ every ounce of my release into her. The spiral downfall claims us together. Her back glistens with sweat as she drags in ragged breaths, drunk on her orgasm.

  When I catch my breath, I release her from my grip. She stands on wobbly legs, her eyes hooded and glazed over with lust. I pull her against my chest and kiss her feverishly before pullin’ her into the bathroom. I turn the shower on and test the water before steppin’ in with her still tucked against my chest. She drags her nails lazily across my back as her breathin’ calms.

  “Damn it felt so good to be inside of you again.” I kiss her forehead before restin’ my chin on her head. I hold her close, lettin’ the warm water cascade around us. She’s quiet but seems content. I caress my hands up and down her body allowin’ my mind to memorize every curve that I’ve missed for far too long. When my hands glide across her abdomen, my face lights up at her small rounded belly. The pride and excitement that I felt today seein’ our little monkey for the first time swells my heart.

  Heidi Jo came into my life when I needed to understand the meaning of true, unconditional love. Everything happens for a reason and I believe with every fiber of my being that our little monkey will be a blessin’ to our family that will completely bind Carly Jo and me together. I can’t imagine not havin’ my family by my side and although I nearly let it all go I’m thankful that I had enough sense to forgive her.

  I wash quickly, gettin’ out of the shower before Carly Jo. It takes her a good while to wash her hair, so I dry off and get dressed before I place her pajamas on the sink in the bathroom for her. I straighten up the bed and light the candles around the room. As I hear the shower shut off, I wait impatiently as she gets dressed.

  When the bathroom light shuts off and the door creaks open I press play on my iPod and “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith filters softly from the speakers. I kneel beside the bed just as she enters the bedroom. She looks around to the flickerin’ candles to the bouquet of soft pink tulips on the nightstand. When her eyes finally lock on mine, her hand flies up to grasp her mouth and her eyes instantly fill with tears.

  “Baby?” She whispers, barely shufflin’ her feet towards me.

  “Darlin’, I can’t go on another day without you bein’ completely mine. There is no doubt in my mind that God made you from a part of me. That’s why when you’re not within my reach I feel so incomplete and empty. I need you like I need air to breathe, Carly Jo.” I inhale a slow breath, and my heart skips through my chest. “Will you marry me, darlin?”

  I shuffle my feet toward him slowly. Just as my knees hit the floor, mere inches from his face, he pops the question that stops my heart.

  The world stands still.

  My lungs immediately draw tight as I fight for oxygen and my heart thunders loudly in my chest.

  “Darlin’, I don’t wanna miss another second of you in my life. I want to make you my wife so that when the baby comes, our family will be complete.” He sets the ring box down on the floor, taking my face into his hands. Stunned doesn’t even begin to describe the emotions that I feel. “Say somethin’, baby. Please.”

  No longer able to hold back the surge of emotions, the flood gates break loose and tears spill over my eye lids. I can’t form any words and I fight to release the breath that is hitched in my throat. Throwing my arms across his neck, I capture his lips between mine and answer his question by taking his breath away, just as he has mine. He pulls away, breathless and surprised by my response; he stares at me wildly. “Yes,” I whisper against his lips.

  His mouth drops open wide in excitement and he tackles me to the floor pulling me on top of him in a fit of laughter. He peppers my face in soft kisses and my heart falters when I notice a renegade tear trickling down his cheek. I swipe the tear with the pad of my thumb and press a feather-light kiss to his lips. “I love you, Colton. You complete me, and life wouldn’t be worth livin’ without you. I’d be honored to be your wife.”

  When the words are finally spoken, his eyes sparkle with bliss. He pulls me up from the floor, and places me on the bed. On one knee he kneels before me and with a trembling hand he slides a two carat white gold princess cut solitaire on my left ring finger. My mouth forms an ‘O’ as I gaze down at this beautiful engagement ring. “Every breath I breathe, is for you, Carly Jo. I want to feel you in my arms each night as I sleep. I want to wake up to your beautiful hazel sunflower filled irises each morning. Today, you have made me the happiest man on earth.”

  He takes my face in his hands and kisses me delicately. The heated passion from earlier resolved, but a sensual passion takes it place. He lays me back against the bed and makes love to me, softly and slowly. With every kiss and word he whispers, I can feel his love for me.

  We make love until dawn breaks through the morning sky. As the bright morning sun filters through the blinds dancing across the ceiling, I let the slow rhythm of Colton’s heartbeat lull me into a dreamless sleep.

  Who needs to dream, when all of your dreams have come true?

  “Darlin’,” he hums, feathering sweet kisses against my throat as he caresses my belly, “are you gonna sleep all day?” His voice is thick, full of sleep. I roll to my side nestling my face against his chest and I tangle my legs with his. His strong, corded arms embrace me tightly as he traces infinity swirls against my hip bone.

  Bliss.

  “Darlin’,” he whispers again, and I can feel his smile against my face. “Open your eyes, baby.”

  Without hesitation my eyes flicker open gazing up to his. “Mornin’, baby.” I whisper, softly kissing his chest. I could wake up in his arms a million mornings and I’d never grow tired of being blanketed in his warmth.

  “Afternoon’s more like it, darlin’.” He laughs and I jolt up out of the bed looking at the alarm clock in frustration.

  “Shit!” I yell, punching the blanket.

  “Woah, calm down. So we slept all day, who gives a shit.” He shrugs, then pulls me back against his chest.

  “I have a company to run, I can’t lay in the bed being lazy all day.” I mutter with a yawn. “And you, Mr. Sexy Superintendent have a mines to oversee as well. So do you wanna explain why the hell that alarm clock didn’t blare in my ear this morning?”

  “Simon Energy will survive the day without us, baby. Don’t worry so much with it.”

  “Colton, we didn’t go in yesterday, either. I can’t just let my responsibilities as CEO go so lax.”

  He cocks an eyebrow at me, and huffs a small laugh behind his grin. “Lighten up, and live a little. That’s the benefit of bein’ the damn CEO. Nobod
y to answer too, and you run shit your own way.”

  “Really?”

  He nods, with a smirk that I’d love to just kiss right off of his face.

  “And what about you, Superintendent Weston? You still have a superior, ya know?” I nudge his side playfully.

  “I’m fully aware, darlin’. Although my boss is a hard ass, she would never let me forget my place at Simon Energy. But, she has a thing for me, so it’s all good.” He winks. My God, how I’ve missed his cocky wink, smirk, I’ve missed it all. I snuggle my back against his chest, and sigh in contentment.

  “Maybe just a little.”

  We lay together in a peaceful calm, the only sound filling my ears is the thudding of our hearts, beating as one. I twirl the sparkly, glistening diamond ring around my finger in awe of its beauty. Reality slowly sets in and although my world is just about off its axis, I feel more grounded than ever.

  “I love seein’ you happy.” Colton whispers. I peek back at him over my shoulder and the exuberance that shines in his eyes, reflects mine.

  “Happy doesn’t even begin to express what I’m feeling. I have so many emotions swirling around inside that it’s hard to put it all to words.” I climb over him swiftly, pulling his shirt on before prancing off to the bathroom. Pregnant with a small bladder…not a good combo when you’re being held in a death embrace by a two hundred thirty pound man.

  When I come back to the bedroom Colton is pulling shorts on. I follow him into the kitchen and raid the refrigerator for something to cook for breakfast…ergh, lunch? He makes a pot of coffee then leans against the island watching me as I scramble eggs and fry bacon. “I can’t wait to see you walk across the beach and take my hand to become my wife.”

  “Hmm, already have a plan in motion?” I kid, but knowing Colton, he surely does. The man knows no patience. When he wants something, he goes after it regardless of what obstacles may stand in his way. I’m living proof, but I’ll happily hand over my heart in defeat of love. He’s earned it.