by S M Broad
“No!” He cries. “Come on, baby, wake up. Help is coming.” He shakes me gently and I feel his shoulders begin to tremble, but I’m too comfortable in his safe arms to move, too tired to speak. I hear sirens getting closer and I try to open my eyes to look at Latham, but the pain is too much and the darkness blotting my vision feels cozy. I feel my eyes roll back in my head as I accept my fate. In Latham's arms, I feel comfort.
This is my heaven. This is peace.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Brightness penetrates the dark, bringing me out of my nightmare.
“Please come back to me.” Latham’s deep voice is filled with sadness as he speaks into my ear. I try to answer him, but I can’t open my mouth. “I’m not leaving you. I’m right here. You are my favorite place.”
I feel hot tears on my arm as they drip from his eyes. He must lay his head on my bed because I feel the tickle of his hair and want to run my fingers through it soothingly.
I don’t know how much time passes but when I try to open my eyes again, the bright lights assault them, and I squint against it, trying to adjust. The white walls and sterile smell of a hospital catapult me back to the attack. I remember everything. Latham saved me, just like he’s been doing since the day I showed up in Grayson. I look around and see Latham’s short brown hair out of the corner of my eye.
I turn my head to see him fully, his hand holding mine, eyelashes splayed over his cheeks as he sleeps. His full lips are parted slightly as he breathes evenly, and I have to touch him, to make sure he’s real. I reach my free arm across my severely sore body, noting the bruises on my wrists from the ropes. I lightly sift my fingers through his too-long hair, bringing myself comfort at his presence.
He shifts and opens his eyes, jerking his head up to look at me. My face lights up with a soft smile, and I try my voice.
“Hey, you.” I cup his cheek and he leans into it.
“Hey.” His eyes close again, cherishing my touch. “I missed your voice so much,” he chokes out, as tears trickle down his cheek. I run my thumb over it to wipe them away. He leans forward and presses a kiss to my split lips, making me wince in pain.
“Shit, I’m sorry.” He says, his voice full of regret. He starts to pull away, but I grip his shirt and bring him back to me.
“It’s okay. Kiss me again. I need it.” I speak against his lips before he cups the back of my head and kisses me again, more gently this time. He releases me and sits down on the side of my bed, fidgeting like he wants to say something. I lay my head back on my pillow, exhausted, and wait for him to talk.
“I was on the phone with Kohen when he saw you.” He clears his throat.
“You were?”
“He said he tried to talk to you, but something felt off. Told me I needed to get my ass back as fast as I could. Something wasn’t right.”
I rub my sore wrists. “Where did they take me?”
“Some abandoned cabin in the backwoods of North Carolina.”
“How long was I gone?”
“Two days, Aayla. It took me two fuckin’ days to find you. I was so scared I’d never see you again. Never be able to kiss you, hold you. Tell you I love you.” He struggles with his breath and I start to cry.
“I’m okay. You saved me.” I smile through the blur in my eyes and lace my fingers with his. “I owe you everything, Latham. You saved me the very first day we met. I didn’t know it then, but I’ve needed you for a very long time.” I wipe my eyes with my free hand as my room door opens and a nurse walks in.
“Oh! You’re awake!” She smiles and comes over to check my vitals. She lifts the blanket, checking two bandages on my side and hip, as well as my IV bag, and the monitor hooked to all the wires stuck to my chest. She lowers the blanket back down and writes a note on the dry-erase board that’s hung on the wall.
“Everything looks good. How do you feel?”
“Sore.”
She gives me a sympathetic smile and a promise to return with some pain medicine that’s not so strong, so I can stay awake. I turn back to Latham and catch him staring at me.
“Marry me,” he blurts out, and I start to laugh.
“That’s crazy.”
“I’m serious. I want to marry you, Aayla. I’ll never let you out of my sight again. I want you to be my wife more than anything in this world.” His green eyes shine with so much emotion, and I know he means it. I start to laugh again but stop when I realize I want to be his wife. I want to marry him more than anything.
“I promise to always keep you safe. I’ll never let anything happen to you again. I’ll show you a life you’ve deserved from the beginning.” He gets on one knee and takes my left hand in his.
He’s my soul lit on fire, my savior, my entire universe.
“Yes. Of course I’ll marry you,” I whisper, and giggle when his eyes shoot wide with surprise.
He jumps up and kisses me cautiously, but still so passionately that I lose my breath. We pull apart as Leila busts into the room.
“Holy fucking shit! I thought I’d lost you forever!” She cries, and pulls me in for a gentle hug.
“I’m okay, Lei. Thank Kohen for me, will you?” I smile, and movement from the door draws my eyes as Kohen peeks around the privacy curtain.
“Hey.” I wave him in, my smile turning into a grin. Latham slaps him on the shoulder and wraps him in a quick man hug before returning to the chair beside my bed.
“Thank you. You saved my life,” I say, a sudden rush of emotion clogging my throat.
He waves me off. “Don’t mention it. It’s what anyone should have done.” He shrugs easily. “Besides, Lei would cut my balls off if I hadn’t done anything.” He chuckles and wraps my best friend in a hug before leaning down to kiss her quickly. I waggle my knowing brows at Lei, and she rolls her eyes, flipping me off.
“Piss off.” She blows me a kiss, then motions that she’s heading out. “Love you. I’ll be back soon.”
She winks and leaves with Kohen, wrapping her arm around his back as they exit the room. I look back at Latham, smiling again.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Two weeks later
After the attack, I learned that both Laurel, who was shot and injured, and Bryce, had been sentenced to twenty years to life in prison for kidnapping, aggravated assault, and attempted murder, without the possibility of parole, and had been transferred to a maximum-security facility in Texas.
I felt like I could rest easy and start my new life with Latham, knowing I was finally safe. Occasionally, I still feel dark and twisty inside about what happened with Brant. My therapist says I’ll always carry it with me, but that doesn’t mean I’m evil. I finally accept that had it not ended the way it did, I would not be here with Latham, living a beautiful life.
I sit up in bed, stretching slightly after my nap, and stroll into the kitchen of Latham's apartment, which is now officially my apartment too. Boss jumps off the bed where he was lying next to me, and pads across the floor behind me, his tail swishing back and forth through the air. I move slowly, still sore from the two gunshot wounds that are healing. The doctors said I got really lucky, since the bullet hole in my side didn't hit any of my major organs. I'm thankful for that too, that they were what’s called through and through, which made them easier to treat.
I reach forward to get a glass off the drying mat sitting on the counter, then lean into the fridge for a drink when the pain in my hip spikes up. I grimace, frustrated that I can barely walk without being in pain. I know it's only been two weeks since it happened, and I'm supposed to be taking it easy, so I haven't been working at all. But it's damn ridiculous that I can't even get myself a glass of juice without needing the stupid pain medicine the doctors prescribed me, or help. Boss' nails clack on the hardwood floor as he comes over, sitting by my feet, licking my leg.
“Good boy.” I suck in a breath to ease the pain a little and scratch behind his ear. He has barely left my side since I came home from the hospital, and I couldn’t b
e more thankful for the company while Latham is at work. It fills me with relief that Latham is just downstairs in the shop if I need anything. Boone and Davis too, who’ve insisted I call if I need them, even if it’s just to help me blow my nose. I love all those Reed men; they’re always taking care of me. My family.
I’m still clutching my hip when the apartment door swings open, and Latham comes in, throwing his keys into the bowl on the table. When he notices my distress, he’s at my side in a flash.
“Hey, you okay?” he asks, covering my hand with his.
“I was just trying to get a damn drink, and I can’t even freaking do that.” I grump, throwing my hands out in exasperation. His face softens warmly, full of adoration.
"Awe, baby. I know it’s tough for you, but I’m here." He rubs my hair soothingly and I relax. I wrap my arms around his waist, lacing my fingers together to hold me to him. He’s been so amazing, and I’ve been a snot, I can’t even stand myself. I lay my cheek against his chest, feeling his heart beat wildly under his t-shirt. I look back up to him as his eyes meet mine, full of understanding. I love this man so much.
“Sorry for being such a brat.”
He chuckles and kisses my forehead.
“You’re not a brat, and I’m happy to help you. You know that.” He takes my face in his and kisses the breath right out of me. We haven’t been together intimately since before I was kidnapped and I crave him, but he won’t touch me like I want him to. He doesn’t want to hurt me, but I need him.
“Latham,” I whisper into his mouth as I draw his head down to mine for a kiss. I feel him harden instantly against my stomach, only stirring up more lust from myself.
“Aayla, no. Baby, you’re still sore.” He starts to turn away from me, but I grab his arm and pull him back to me.
“We can go slow. I want you so much. I need you.” I pout when he looks at me with his head tilted to the side. “Please.” I plead.
He groans and rolls his head back as he comes to me for another kiss, and I know I have him. His tongue meets mine with passion, and I whimper as he tugs my hair gently. I grasp at his clothes, and he pulls his shirt up from the back over his head in a fluid motion, dropping it to the floor. He collects me into his arms, lifting me onto the counter, and steps between my legs. His hands run through my hair, down my arms, ever so lightly over my bandaged side and hip, to the space between my legs that aches. Slipping his hand into the band of my panties, he uses his other hand to hold my head to his, kissing me deep. He teases me, making it easier for him to slide one long finger inside me. I moan from the contact, trying to scoot closer, so his finger will go deeper, to the spot that will set me off. He lets out a ragged huff.
“Fuck, you’re so wet, love.” He pushes in further then pulls out, making my whole body break out in goose bumps.
“Just for you. Only you.”
He puts two fingers together, wetting them with his mouth, and pushes them back into me. In and out, repeating until my body shakes.
“I’m so close, Latham.” I hold my breath to keep from screaming, but can't quiet myself as I come on his fingers, murmuring his name over and over. I come down from the clouds and know if he let me go, I’d surely fall off the counter in a heap of sated goop, right onto the floor.
“I can’t be gentle with you, it’s been too long. We have to wait.” He groans when I palm him through his jeans, feeling him grow impossibly harder for me.
“No, we don’t. Help me down.”
Latham lifts me carefully off the counter and when my feet hit the floor, I take a minute to steady myself, then take his hand and guide him to the couch. I push him backwards until he sits. He lifts his hips and slides his jeans off, his erection springing free. I start to pull my panties off, having trouble, when he leans forward to help me. I step out of them and straddle his lap, slowly taking him into me, inch by delicious inch. I moan when I hit the end of him, feeling so full of him, so full of love. Feeling his love for me returned. Holding my body against his own, he kisses me again. With every breath that leaves our lips, our bond only grows stronger.
“I love you. So much,” he vows, running his hands up my back.
“I love you more.” I slip my hands into his hair, anchoring myself to him.
I feel so close to him, as if we’re becoming one person. Touching each other all over, savoring each other, loving deeper. I move over him, slowly, reveling in his light, keeping that same slow, deep pace until we both fall over the edge together.
We continue to lay against each other until his phone pings with a text. He picks it out of his pocket and reads it, a smile playing on his face.
“Wanna get out for a bit?”
“Sure, that would be really nice.” We shower quickly, re-cover my wounds, then dress and head out. We take his truck, since walking is still a bit hard for me. A few short minutes later, we’re in the parking lot of Abby’s. He helps me out of the truck, up the sidewalk, and into the diner. We eat lunch and as we’re leaving, Abby stops us and gives us both hugs. She squeezes me gently for a few extra minutes before letting me go.
“I’m so happy you’re okay, my sweet girl.” Her eyes shimmer with unshed tears, and I smile warmly at the woman who's become like a mother to me. “We’ll be glad to have you back working, whenever you’re ready.”
I love this town. The people. It’s my home.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Six months later
I wait on the sidewalk in front of Ionies, where Latham and I had our first date, with a huge smile on my face as Latham and Kohen emerge from around the corner and cross the street to meet Leila and me. We’re all dressed up for a nice night out at Latham’s request; Leila, in a red cocktail dress and tall black pumps, and me, in a flowy deep violet cocktail dress and strappy silver sandals. Latham is wearing khakis and the green button-up he wore on our first date, and Kohen is also in khakis, with a blue button-up that make his deep blue eyes stand out more.
Leila squeals and bounces over to Kohen for a kiss while Latham wraps his arms around my waist and hugs me, ever the sweet man I fell in love with. When we’re seated and have our drinks ordered, Latham excuses himself to the bathroom while the rest of us make small talk.
A few minutes later, he’s still not back and I start to worry.
“I wonder if Latham’s okay. He’s been gone awhile.”
Kohen and Leila exchange a look as a high-pitched tone pulls my attention to a small open space. Latham is standing there, a guitar slung over his chest, adjusting a microphone. He looks right at me, smiling.
“I’d like to thank Ionies for letting me do this. I know it’s not typical, but there’s an amazing woman here with me tonight, and I just have to tell her how much I love her. For you, baby.”
He plays a few cords of a song and starts singing John Michael Montgomery’s “I Swear” right to me. I kind of tune out after that, lost in my own thoughts of my amazing man, until I hear the whole restaurant applauding. I blink my wet eyes and wipe away the tears running down my face, careful not to ruin my makeup. I look up just in time to see Latham kneel in front of me, holding the most gorgeous ring out before him. A large, sparkling diamond is centered in the middle of an elegant scalloped trim and band of twists, almost like a repeating set of infinity symbols. Latham moves to grasp my left hand, the ring sparkling off the fluorescent lights.
“Aayla Noelle, I promise to always keep you safe. I’ll never let anything happen to you again. I’ll show you a life you’ve deserved from the beginning. I can’t imagine my life without you.” His eyes glisten with unshed tears. “Will you marry me?” He repeats his words from the first time he proposed, adding a few more, but for a moment I can’t speak. I push through my feelings to give him my answer.
“Yes.” I whisper, and he grins as he slips the ring onto my finger. I slide into his arms, wrapping my hand around the back of his neck and kissing him while I hear Leila squealing and clapping.
“I don’t want to wait.” I
breathe against his parted lips, biting my own to hide my growing smile.
“Perfect,” he replies and kisses me again. “I have one more for surprise for you.” He takes my hand and leads me outside. My eyes widen as my dad’s Gremlin comes into view, fully restored. The bright yellow paint sparkles in the dimming sunlight and my lips quiver. I’m so overcome with emotion that I can’t speak.
“Do you like it?” Latham asks, as Kohen, who I didn’t even notice slip from the restaurant, climbs from the driver seat with a huge grin.
“How could I not?” I gasp as I think about all the time he’s been spending in the shop. “Oh my God. Is this what you’ve been working on?” I cover my mouth in shock.
“Yeah.” I swear he blushes, and I fall just a little more for him.
“My dad would love this,” I breathe through a wave of tears. “He’d love you.” I rub his cheek.
“He’d be so proud of you, Aayla.” Latham kisses my hair lovingly.
“Thank you so much.” I say, not only for my car, but for being exactly what I need in every possible way. I tuck myself into Latham’s arms as I stare in awe.
I can’t wait to be Mrs. Reed.
Epilogue
Two years later
I clear my jumbled mind and think back to my wedding day, almost two years ago to the day.
I breathe deep as Leila hands me my beautiful peach rose and coral lily bouquet. She takes Kohen’s arm and they head down the aisle in front of me, as Best Man and Maid of Honor. Boone steps up beside me, placing a soft kiss to my forehead, and I try to hold back the tears.
“Thank you for walking me down the aisle.” I hug him tightly.
“It’s an honor. You're my daughter now too.” He smiles as I tuck a hand into the crook of his elbow and wait for the doors to open.
