“Actually… I’ve made a decision. I’m going to take her out to the cabin to pick up her things today and I’ve got my inheritance with me.”
Red was in shock, “Holy shit, little brother! I expected you to make a decision, but are you sure that’s what you want to do? I fully support you if that is your choice and I know Van would approve too.”
“Yes. I know that’s what I want. More than anything. Last night has proved to me just how precious life is and I’m not going to waste another minute spending it mindlessly completing the mafia’s dirty work.”
“Ah, did you talk to the twins about it? They’re not going to be happy.”
“They showed up at Jen’s house.”
“Fuck me! That must have gone down badly.”
“They pissed me off. Joe seemed to think he could tell me to back away from Jennifer, and you know how Pearl is.”
“Did she try and kill Jen? I’m sure that woman wouldn’t let you go without a fight.”
“She had to. Joe told her to back off. However, there is a catch.”
“What’s that?”
“I don’t think I’ll be working for the mafia anymore. After they forbid me from seeing her, they said if I made the decision to stay then I’m getting kicked out of the crew. I won’t be getting any more jobs with them.”
“So, now what are you going to do?”
“I don’t care. It’s not like I don’t have anything stashed away and I can always find something else to do. Maybe I could actually try out some honest work. Jimmy has always said he could use me down at the garage if need be. I’m going to work this out. I feel like my whole life is finally on track. I just wish Van could be here to see it.”
“You know he would be proud of you right now, little brother. Enough talking with me though. You have a big day still ahead of you. You’d better get going. If you start driving now, you should hit the cabin right about sunset. It will be perfect.”
“Right, I better shoot off now then.”
“Good luck.”
Chapter 20
JENNIFER
It was evening by the time the trees skimmed the horizon. The warm sun was slowly heading west and beginning its descent for the moon to take its place. Jen had rolled her window down so she enjoyed the warm air blowing through her hair as music gently played from the speakers. Ace had agreed to let her listen to some pop music as they drove towards their destination.
They had stopped at a gas station along the way to fill up with fuel and grab a couple of snacks. He had said that they might have to stay the night as it was already getting late. Why do I feel so excited to spend another night with this man? Am I really that far in? Will he sleep in the same bed with me this time?
After Ace’s conversation with Red, he had come back into the house looking a combination of sad yet determined. She wondered what had been said in that phone call, but didn’t think it right to pry. She knew whatever news he had got from the hospital had to be bad. From what she had gathered from everyone, Van wasn’t going to pull through. She was still surprised that Ace wasn’t at the hospital monitoring the situation himself, but didn’t question his reasoning.
She had been absolutely petrified earlier, when he had shouted at her for asking how he was feeling. I don’t want to see him like that again. I pushed him too far, it was my fault. I should have been the one apologizing properly, not him. I know he wouldn’t have done anything, but he sure is a scary guy when he’s angry. I bet it was nothing compared to what Seth experienced. Yet another death on my hands…
“What are you thinking about?” Ace broke through her mental conversation.
“I’m thinking about Seth,” she didn’t want to lie to him.
“Did you like him on set?”
“He wasn’t a bad person from when I had talked to him. He could barely string two words together around me, but I thought it was just nerves. I guess in a way it was, but all along he must have known that his plan would never have worked, right?”
“No. I think deep down he had a different plan. You ever noticed how he kept talking about eternity and heaven in all his letters and texts?”
“Erm, yeah, I guess.”
“Well after he told me if he can’t have you, no one can, it clicked in my head. I think he knew that you would never agree to be with him. I reckon that’s the real reason he brought the gun with him. He was going to kill you and then kill himself. He had a whole Romeo and Juliet thing playing out in his head.”
Jennifer was quivering, “You can’t be serious! Do you really think that was his plan all along?”
“A hundred percent. That’s why I knew I had to kill him. If I left him alive he would have come back and murdered you, without hesitation. It was never my intention to kill the man. I was just going to scare him shitless. Even after he shot Van, I was just going to give him some life-altering injuries. But then when I worked out his plan with you, that’s when I knew he had to die. I may have been a bit extreme in my methods, but he deserved a million times more than what I did to him.”
“I still can’t help but think that a man’s blood is on my hands. And your brother’s, more importantly. I still don’t understand how you can be so forgiving with me.”
Ace looked across at her, “None of this was your fault. There was nothing you could have done differently to prevent this from happening. Therefore there is nothing to forgive.”
Other than the background thrum of music emitted from the speakers, the rest of the journey went on in a comfortable silence. Jennifer wrestled the idea around in her head, trying to convince herself that it wasn’t her fault but it just didn’t feel right.
There must have been something I could have done differently. There had to have been a way where I could have stopped Seth and saved Van. Or maybe…. Maybe it wasn’t my fault after all?
While her brain internally attacked her, she didn’t realize they had already pulled up outside the cabin. Blinking, she registered her location and stared up at the cabin. She had grown to love the cabin, despite the reason behind her stay there. This is where Ace brought me to keep me safe. This is where Ace and I had amazing sex. This is where Ace and I share so many happy memories together in the short time we’ve known each other. This place makes me happy because of its owner. I’m happy because of Ace. I’m alive because of Ace.
She watched as he bounded out the car and strode towards the front of the house. His combat cargos skimmed his boots and his t-shirt was loose and swaying around his torso. She could still see the muscles on his arms however, and she imagined herself wrapped up in them once more. I really hope he wants me in them still. Back at his house he said he liked me… but is that enough?
Jumping out the car, she followed him inside the cabin. Everything was just how they had left it. Her blanket was still tossed over the back of the couch and their two coffee cups lay cold and abandoned on the granite worktop. We had been so happy in this very room before everything happened. I wonder if Ace is thinking the same thing too.
She looked over to him as he studied his surroundings, deep in thought. When he noticed her watching, he gave her an awkward smile and lumbered over. He brushed a strand of her hair off her face.
His voice was husky, “We shared some pretty great times here, huh? Especially on that dining table.”
Jennifer followed his line of sight and blushed. She could remember the hot sweaty messy sex as she lay splayed out on the wood. He wouldn’t let her finish. His revenge for the first round. She could feel herself moisten at the thought. His fingers wound around the back of her head as he gripped into her hair. Without thinking, she tilted her head upwards and their mouths met. The kiss wasn’t urgent, it was slow and passionate and she could feel a heat burn in her groin. His arms wrapped around her and he pulled her body in tight against his. Her heart was thrumming in her ears. Instead of his usual smell of leather and coffee, he now smelt of soap and she got a hint of aftershave somewhere beneath it all. Gone was h
is rough, urgent speed at fucking. Are we about to make love?
Pulling away, his rough calloused hands sought hers and she let him lead her through the cabin and up the stairs. He brought her down the hallway and pulled her into his bedroom, shutting the door behind him.
“Let’s do it properly this time. I don’t want to rush a thing,” he breathed.
She melted as he rained a thousand kisses upon her neck and gripped into her shoulders. She helped him slowly take her top off and she slid out of her joggers. He stepped back to look at her and she felt his eyes scan every inch of her body. The way he looked at her made her feel like a goddess. Even as an actress, she still was self-conscious of her body, but right now she was lost in his admiration. The intensity built as he walked towards her, his muscles rippling, flexing as though wanting to reach out and take her right there and then. He seemed to have some self-restraint as he gently stroked down the side of her arm with the back of his hand. The ever so gentle touch sent goosebumps running up her skin and her body involuntarily shuddered with desire. This slow approach was new to her, not just from him, but from any man she’d ever been with. They’re always so desperate to get in my pants they never take the time to please me. Maybe that’s why I make sure I peak first?
The reaction of her body to his touch appeared to please him and he pushed her back carefully. The slowness of the movement meant she ended up sitting on the bed, her back upright. She watched as he knelt down in front of her, still fully-clothed, and nudged at her legs. Following his lead, she slowly widened them, exposing her fully to him. Once again, his eyes absorbed everything before leaning in and taking her with his mouth. His tongue circled around her clit, occasionally sucking her in. Her breath came short and quick. Her whole body was screaming with lust and she wanted him inside of her, but she knew that the wait would be worth it. His mouth covered her entire mound, his tongue now slithering inside of her, licking at her inner walls. She arched her back, leaning on the balls of her palms, crushing them into the mattress.
I need you. I need all of you.
Without removing his mouth, he entered her with two fingers. Maintaining a steady pace he pushed his fingers in and out. She could feel her wetness coating them, the squelch as he started to get faster. Now her eyes were rolling back, her nails biting into the covers. She was getting close.
I’m going to cum! Lord help me, this feels too good!
As her body started to shudder, he hooked his fingers into her. She screamed out as waves ripped through her, tingles exploding down her spine. Collapsing flat out on the bed, her chest heaved as she tried to regain composure. She didn’t even notice he had taken himself out of her until she reopened her eyes and looked up. A smile inched across his face as he started to undress. Agonizingly slow, he undid his pants and let them fall down. Jen could see the bulge trying to release itself from the confines on his boxers. She wanted to reach over and yank them down, but it would ruin all the fun. Next he gradually removed his shirt, every inch exposing more and more of his perfectly formed tanned body. Seeing the bruises flowering across his skin shocked her for a second. He seemed to notice her hesitation.
“All my pain has definitely been worth it.”
The words echoed around her head. But what about Van? Sensing her internal battle once more he leaned in and kissed her, silencing the words in her head. The kiss deepened and soon she was pinned down beneath him, his bulge poking her inner thigh. His hand reached down and cupped her breast, twirling her nipple between his fingers. She could feel them harden beneath this touch and she emitted a low moan. Slowly, he lowered his head so he could suck one into his mouth. His saliva moistened them as he bit down gently. Once again she found herself arching her back, forcing her breasts into his face, cushioning his features within her flesh. He moved from one to the other, toying with the spare one, brushing his thumb over the hardened skin. Carefully, his mouth moved up, trailing kisses across her chest, taking a moment to bite down on her collar bone before continuing upwards. His tongue left a silvery path across her neck as he headed for her chin, eventually landing back on her mouth where their breaths mingled in a dance of passion. He slid his boxers down with one hand and freed himself from his material confines. His cock throbbed against her leg and she reached down to grasp it. The weight of it surprised her, he was even more aroused than previously and it had gotten impossibly large.
Is he going to be able to fit in?
She soon got her answer as the tip found its way to its soaking target. Jen could feel him press against her lips and she opened her legs to welcome him. As he entered she cried out. His girth stretched her wide, but luckily she was wet enough for his head to pop straight in. He progressively made his way in and filled her to her very core. Ecstasy flooded her senses and he pulled out and thrust back in once more. All the while, his mouth remained on hers, his tongue battling with hers as their need got more urgent. Fireworks exploded in her stomach as he continued his relentless pounding, her vagina sore from the onslaught of such a large cock. She hooked her legs together behind his back, forcing her spine to bend to give him easier entry into her. He managed to deepen the thrust and he groaned with pleasure. She looked up into his crystal blue eyes as they burned with passion.
This feels so right, I don’t ever want it to stop.
They were both reaching their crescendo, his neck muscles strained as she could tell he was trying to hold back on the final moment. Jen, herself, was close to breaking and just as he was about to cum she let herself go. They both cried out as their bodies shuddered together, sweat mingling as he pressed himself against her. His load flooded into her, spilling out onto the sheets below. The whole world faded out around them as she opened her eyes to find him looking directly into hers.
“I love you.”
What did he just say? Did I just imagine that?
“What?” she breathed, her senses crashing back to her as she tried to register what he said.
“I said I love you,” his voice was still husky from sex.
“Are you sure?” she managed to sit up on her elbows, his half-flaccid penis flopping out onto the disheveled linen.
He laughed, a deep-throated laughter which warmed her soul, “Of course I’m sure, my little tigress. I’m sorry I never said it sooner.”
Her head spun as she tried to absorb what he was saying. It was like her whole world had flipped upside down. The one thing she was dying for him to say, had just come out of his mouth and here she was unable to utter a word in return. Confused, she scrambled out from beneath him, wrapping the bed sheet around her.
“I need some fresh air.”
Her words seemed to have puzzled him as she saw his eyes twitch. He rolled off the bed so she could take the sheet with her. She left the room without looking back at the man who had just brought a stop to time. Her brain was fuzzy and she let her body take control as her feet led her down the stairs, pulling open the patio door and out onto the decking. The wood was cold and bit into the soles of her feet, but she just kept going until she was leaning on the railing, staring out across the trees where the sun was setting. Warm rays of sun dwindled as the sky shifted into a watercolor of oranges and reds. Birds twittered noisily in the trees and the fresh scent of pine relaxed her.
This place makes me happy. This man makes me happy. For once I am happy.
It took her by surprise when his arms wrapped around her, wrapping her in her sheet from behind. For a man so big, he is surprisingly light on his feet. They stared out at the sunset together, the edges of the trees blackened with shadow. In that moment, it was just them in the entirety of the world.
“Jennifer, I need to talk to you. About what I said in there…”
“Shush now,” she turned and held her finger to his lips, “I love you too.”
“You do?” he seemed genuinely surprised that she reciprocated his feelings.
“Of course I do, you big silly idiot. Where would a tigress be without her tiger?”
“I never thought I would open up to someone, but somehow you managed to break through my walls. I have never been so happy than when I’m with you. I came looking for a job and found the love of my life.”
“I honestly thought I was imagining everything in my head. I never thought a guy like you would even contemplate being with someone like me. Beneath all those muscles and tattoos, you’re the purest man I have ever met. You have the kindest heart and the warmest smile. You are everything I could ever dream to find in a man and more. You’re my soulmate,” she leaned into him and he wrapped her in his arms.
“Actually, I have something I need to ask you…” he started.
Suddenly the trill noise of a phone echoed from within the house. They both stared at each other before sprinting for the door. Their phones were on the table where they had left them, and they both picked theirs up to check if Red was calling.
DAVID – Jennifer’s mobile displayed.
“Do you mind if I take this quickly?” she looked up at Ace.
Whatever he wanted to say, she could tell it was important, but she knew that David would need to speak to her about Seth. It would be better for her to speak with him before Monday drew round, so they could get a plausible story together. Ace appeared to think the same thing too as he nodded his agreement and she scampered away to the couch to answer.
“Hi, David, how are you doing?”
His voice practically blasted through the phone, “How am I doing? How are you doing more importantly? Joe gave me the basics of what happened. I can’t believe it was that fucking weasel all along!”
The Bailey Brothers Box Set- the Complete Trilogy Page 16
