Tear Down These Walls

by Sarah Kay Carter

  “What’s that?” Teagan inquires sweetly.

  A serious look passes over his face. “If you decide to open that box, things will change.” His voice deepens. “Either one way or another, they will change.”

  Dropping her hands, Teagan says, “I see.”

  “If you want,” Kellen starts. “You can give it back to me.”

  There is a moment of silence, and then Teagan says, “Hell no, it’s mine!” With that, she opens the ring box. A gasp escapes her throat. “Kellen!”

  “This is the thing,” he sighs. “I know I am technically still married. I know it’s really soon. I know this may make you run, but Teagan, I love you. I want to make us being a family official. I know it’s a lot to ask. Kya is a big responsibility, and you would be taking that on.”

  With a look of shock, Teagan exclaims, “You think she would be the hindrance!? You don’t know me very well then!”

  He smiles broadly. “Baby, do you know how you consider me your real first time?”

  “Yeah, of course,” Teagan replies.

  “I want you to be my first time,” Kellen states.

  Laughing, Teagan says, “I hate to break it to you, but you are the farthest thing from a virgin.”

  “Not sex, Baby,” Kellen responds, sitting up more. “My first marriage was nothing more than a farce. There was absolutely no emotion or feeling. It was solely for Kya’s sake.” He pauses, reaches over and takes her hand. “I want you to be my first time. The first time I’m truly married because a loveless marriage is nothing more than a legal contract. I want to go in a church and declare my love before God, our families, and friends. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I see such a bright future ahead of us.” Kellen looks at her and smiles. “Pretend for a second that I am down on my knee.”

  Tears start to fall down Teagan’s face and she laughs, “Okay.”

  “Teagan Murphy,” he murmurs. “Today, I am asking you to be my wife. I never knew I could feel this way about anyone. I didn’t think I would find someone who completes me as much as you do. You make me laugh and smile more than I ever have in my whole life. I want to take care of you, and I don’t say that because I don’t think you could do it on your own. I want to take care of you and provide you with the life that you deserve because I have the means, and I wouldn’t want to spend it on anyone else.”

  “Kellen,” Teagan sighs. “It’s not about the money.”

  “I know,” Kellen says. “That’s even more reason for me to want to do it.” He grips her hand tightly. “Teagan, I love you. I want you, Kya, and me to be a family. She loves you just as much as I do. You give her the stability that her mother doesn’t. I want the three of us to be together as we should be.”

  Shaking her head, Teagan replies, “It can’t be us, not the three of us. I’m sorry.” Kellen takes in a deep breath and nods his head. Teagan grips his hand back and smiles. “I expect at least three more kids. I mean, if we are going to talk money. I honestly think we need to buy a bigger house because if we have a total of four kids, one playroom will obviously not do. Kya needs one to herself, since she’ll be the big sister and all.”

  A huge smile crosses Kellen’s face. “So, if that’s the case, Teagan Murphy, will you marry me?”

  “Yes,” she exclaims. Jumping up, Teagan kisses him hard. When she pulls away, she hands Kellen the ring box. “You have to do the honors.” Laughing, Kellen takes out the ring and slides it on her finger. “I have to call Victoria!”

  “Let’s tell our families first,” Kellen says softly. “If we are engaged, then I expect some things.”

  “What’s that?” Teagan asks, gleefully.

  “One, we get you a better car because you will be driving our daughter around, and I want you both safe. I also owe you a BMW if I remember correctly.” He gives her a suggestive look.

  “Deal.”

  Sighing, Kellen states, “I don’t want you going back to your apartment. I’ll have someone fix it and pack up all your stuff.”

  “Oh, DEAL,” Teagan emphasizes. “I don’t want to go back there.”

  “Three, you quit your ridiculous job,” Kellen snorts. “If you want to work, you can do stuff at the office.”

  With a smile, Teagan sarcastically replies, “Gosh, make me quit my boring job…whatever will I do with my free time?”

  “Spend time with your friends,” Kellen says. “I don’t want you to lose that.”

  “Can they come over?” Teagan inquires.

  “Of course.”

  “Then that’s no problem,” Teagan giggles. She grins broadly. “And absolutely no hiding anything!”

  “Nope, never,” Kellen agrees.

  Suddenly, Teagan’s smile wavers. She takes in a deep breath and says, “On that note, I have something that I need to tell you.”

  “What’s that?” Kellen asks hesitantly.

  “Well, I want you to read my books.”

  “Of course, I have wanted to since you first told me,” Kellen responds happily.

  Biting her lip, Teagan says, “There may be something I have lied to you about.”

  “What’s that?”

  “It’s about Kellen Grayson,” Teagan mumbles, completely embarrassed.

  He gives her a puzzled look. “What about him? Did you really date him?”

  “No,” Teagan laughs. “Kellen Grayson isn’t a real person.”

  “What?”

  “He is the male lead in my first book,” Teagan mutters.

  Kellen pauses and then bursts out laughing, holding his sides to ease the ache from his chest moving so hard. “You have to be kidding me!”

  “No, and the worst part is,” Teagan starts. “He’s the perfect description of you.”

  “It’s not weird. It just means one thing.”

  “What’s that?” Teagan asks.

  “You’re obviously psychic,” Kellen teases.

  “Shut up,” Teagan groans, rolling her eyes.

  Patting her hand, Kellen says, “Give me your computer. I will read while you are in school.”

  “Okay,” Teagan laughs. They pause and then she whispers, “We are really going to do this?”

  “Seconds thoughts?”

  She looks up to him and declares, “Hell no.”

  “Good. I love you.”

  “I love you, too, more than you know,” Teagan states.

  “You know what you should do?” Kellen murmurs, as he gives her a look.

  “What?” Teagan replies, handing him her laptop and sitting back down beside him. “GET TO CLASS!”

  Teagan bursts out laughing and says, “FINE! Fine, fine, fine, I’m going.” She stands up and looks at him. “I’m going to pick up Kya for the night if that is okay.”

  “She would love that,” Kellen replies.

  “See you later,” Teagan says, as she goes to the doorway.

  “I hope my two girls stay out of trouble tonight!”

  Turning around, Teagan grins. “What’s the fun in that?”

  “True, okay, see you later.”

  Teagan giggles, as she waves. When she gets into the hallway, she quickly takes out her new phone. Dialing a number, she impatiently waits. When her mom picks up, Teagan yells, “Guess what!? You are going to have another boy in the family!” She pauses and then sighs, “No mom, I’m not pregnant…”

  Epilogue

  Teagan tightens the belt on her coat and takes in a deep breath. Reaching her hand up, she knocks on the door. Kellen yells, “Come in!” She opens it and steps inside. He looks up. “Hey, Baby…why did you knock?”

  She closes the door and leans against it. Without Kellen seeing, she locks the lock. “I didn’t know what you were doing. It could have been something top secret.”

  “Nope, nothing important,” Kellen replies. He eyes her up and down and then furrows his eyebrows. “Teagan, its winter; why in the hell don’t you have pants on!?

  “I decided to wear a skirt,” she replies.

  �
��At least you have tights on,” Kellen grumbles disapprovingly. “So, what brings you by the office? You’re very dressed up. Hair and make-up completely done, do you have a hot date that I don’t know about?”

  “Sort of,” Teagan murmurs. “I thought I would come and work off some of my debt.”

  With a curious expression, Kellen asks, “What debt?”

  “The debt I acquired pre-engagement,” Teagan states. “It’s a debt that I have to work off.”

  Kellen rolls his eyes dramatically. “Teagan, don’t be absurd.”

  “I think we can come up with something that I can do,” Teagan murmurs.

  “Ummmm, sure, I guess,” Kellen retorts. “This is a little ridiculous.”

  “Well, before I get to work, which I plan to work really hard, I have a little confession.”

  Kellen crosses his arms. “What’s that?”

  “I talked to your doctor behind your back when we were there yesterday,” Teagan answers.

  “Why would you do that?” Kellen inquires curiously.

  “I had a question for him,” Teagan replies. Kellen raises his eyebrows, waiting for her to continue. Teagan grabs her belt and says, “I asked him when you could start to do vigorous exercise again.” A glint forms in Kellen’s eyes. Teagan bites her lip and looks at him.

  “And what did he say?” Kellen asks in a husky voice.

  She steps away from the door and walks to middle of the room in front of his desk. “He said you were clear for sex. He obviously knew why I was asking.”

  A devilish smirk passes over Kellen’s face and he leans back in his chair. “So, why are you telling me this now?”

  Pulling the belt apart, Teagan opens the coat and slides it on the floor. “I believe a certain man wanted to find a special girl to fulfill a fantasy. So, the question is Kellen Grayson, are you willing to risk your reputation for me?”

  He rubs his fingers against his lips and says, “I thought the cheerleading uniforms were at your parents.”

  “Oh no,” Teagan replies. “They were at your house this entire time. That’s why I unpacked my bags and not you.”

  Kellen pushes his chair back. “So, you show up in white thigh highs and a cheerleading uniform with the plans to seduce me?”

  Teagan saunters over and stands between Kellen and his desk. “Oh come now, Mr. Grayson. You haven’t had sex in months Are you telling me that you aren’t dying to throw me down on your desk?”

  Bringing his hand to her leg, Kellen traces his fingers up her leg. Slowly, he traces them along the top of the thigh high. “I don’t know, Teagan. I don’t think you are quite convincing enough. This is my job after all. People could hear us.”

  “You’re such an ass!” Teagan laughs. “Oh my god, really?”

  With a smirk, he leans back in his chair. “I’m wondering how much of this is about you.”

  “What!?”

  “You haven’t had sex in months either,” Kellen murmurs. “You can’t tell me you’re not dying for it, too.” He traces his hand up between her legs and under the skirt. Teagan jerks. “So, why should I risk my reputation?”

  “Because,” Teagan whimpers.

  He withdraws his hand and smiles, “That’s not a reason.”

  Teagan glares at him. Kellen smirks. She smirks back and climbs up on the desk. Taking her feet, she grabs the chair and pulls it towards her. Kellen grins like a kid. Teagan puts her legs on each arm rest. “So,” she whispers, “I’m not giving you enough reason, huh?” He shakes his head mischievously. Taking her hands, Teagan runs her hands up her legs, pulling up her skirt. “Well then, I guess I will have to entertain myself.” The smile disappears, and Kellen’s jaw drops. Teagan raises one eyebrow. “Never done this before,” she whispers.

  Clearing his throat, Kellen brings his fingers up to his mouth. Teagan reaches her hand between her legs, when he finally exclaims, “Oh fuck it!” Kellen grabs her off the desk and pulls her onto his lap. With a fiery passion, they kiss each other. Kellen pushes her skirt up and grabs her ass, pulling her against him. Feeling everything clench inside of her, Teagan starts to rip at his shirt. “Don’t rip off the buttons,” Kellen says, against her lips. “I don’t have another shirt here.”

  “Ugh,” Teagan groans. Quickly, she starts to undo the buttons. “This is so much easier when I can rip off the damn buttons!”

  “What time is it?” Kellen asks, looking around her.

  “Like 3:30,” Teagan mumbles, as she tries to undo the buttons.

  “Good enough for me,” Kellen says. He reaches down and rips off his shirt. He throws it to the side, and then takes off his undershirt. When Kellen looks back at her, Teagan takes her finger and runs it around the scar on his chest. “Oh no,” he says, taking her hand away. “We’re not going there. Sex….hot sex….on my desk.”

  With a grin, Teagan presses herself against him. “I know, it’s just a reminder of how I almost lost you.”

  “Baby,” Kellen murmurs. “You’re never going to be able to get rid of me.”

  Brushing her lips against his, Teagan whispers, “Good. Now….shut up and kiss me.”

  Kellen eagerly meets her. He reaches down and slides off each of her shoes. “I’m leaving the cheerleading uniform on,” he states.

  That makes Teagan burst out laughing. “Oh really? You don’t want to see the girls?”

  He grabs her and stands them up. “No, see, I’m living out two fantasies. Having crazy sex in my office and finally nailing the cheerleading captain.”

  She giggles as he sets her down on the desk. Turning around, Teagan says, “We need to clear off your desk.”

  “Yeah, you’re right,” Kellen agrees. He bends over and with a sweep of his arm, throws everything onto the floor.

  “That was kind of hot,” Teagan declares.

  “Look at me,” Kellen instructs in a deep tone. She turns her attention to him. “Tell me what you want.”

  “You…..with your pants off,” Teagan replies.

  He smiles. “Take them off then.” Eagerly, Teagan starts to unbuckle his belt. Kellen laughs and then pauses. “Please tell me you brought condoms.”

  “Nope,” Teagan mutters, unbuttoning the button. She pulls down the zipper. “They aren’t needed.”

  “Baby,” Kellen sighs “I want to have lots of children with you, but I want you to graduate first.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t really care if I got pregnant,” Teagan declares. “But I have been on birth control since we wanted to make love in the tub.”

  Grabbing her hands, Kellen says, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I was more worried about the bullet hole in your chest,” Teagan responds. “Now, take off your damn pants.” Shaking his head, he drops them and kicks them to the side. A purr comes out of Teagan, and she says, “Now, this I have definitely missed.”

  Kellen traces his fingers down her face and then neck. Leaning over, he kisses her gently. Teagan meets him and then wraps her legs around him, pulling him close.

  Kellen’s voice rumbles in his throat. “Take off your panties.”

  Teagan lies down on the desk. “No, you take them off.”

  “Gladly,” he replies. Taking his fingers, Kellen traces them all the way up to the top of her panties. He hooks them with his thumb and slowly pulls them down. Happily he whispers, “It’s like opening up an early birthday present.”

  “Oh, I have even better idea for your birthday,” Teagan murmurs.

  “It will be the best birthday ever,” Kellen replies. “Now, why don’t I show my appreciation for your little escapade.” He takes his hand and slides it between her legs. Teagan cries out and bucks. “Shhhhh,” Kellen laughs quietly. “We don’t need an audience.”

  Heavily panting, Teagan says, “Yeah, okay, it’s just been a while.”

  “Well, let me remind you what you were missing,” Kellen states. Teagan has to cover her mouth, because she can’t get over what his touch does to her.

  Finally, she
gasps, “You…I need you.” Moving her legs, Kellen slowly gives her exactly what she is asking for. Teagan groans and arches her back.

  Kellen stills for a minute and growls, “We can never go this long again.”

  “No, oh god, no,” Teagan moans. “Now, give it to me.”

  They take their time and wildly, madly make love over every inch of his office, getting lost in sensations they hadn’t felt since he was shot. Finally, they are both breathing heavily, with Teagan straddling him on the chair “Holy shit,” Kellen exhales.

  “Are you okay?” Teagan asks. “Anything hurt?” She runs her fingers down his cheeks to his chest.

  He shakes his head, “No, I’m fine. I am a little tired, but I don’t care. That was awesome.”

  Teagan giggles and runs her fingers through his hair. “Do you think you are spent for the day?”

  “Right this second, yes,” Kellen replies. “But I think I will be fine in an hour.”

  “Good,” Teagan says. “Kya is having a sleep over at your sister’s tonight and I went to the store to buy a bunch of goodies for us to feed each other.”

  A devilish smirk passes over his face. “Mmmmm, sounds excellent.”

  Climbing off of him, Teagan sighs, “I should go. Kya forgot her backpack, and I told her I would bring it to her. I really think we should buy her a new one and switch them out. The one she has is starting to fray in places.” Teagan bends down and picks up her underwear.

  “Love me and leave me?” Kellen chuckles.

  “I made a promise,” Teagan states. “I plan to keep every promise I make to her.”

  “Already the mother,” Kellen says quietly but happily.

  She loses her smile. “Kya has started to ask for Celine less frequently.”

  “Yeah, we need to have a serious conversation tonight.” Kellen reaches down and grabs his pants. Sliding them back on, he sighs, “I got a phone call today.”

  “What?” Teagan replies quickly. “You won sole custody. What can she do!?”

  “Well, I need to ask you a very serious question,” Kellen states. He bends over and picks up his t-shirt. “What do you plan to be to Kya?”

  “What do you mean?” Teagan asks hesitantly. “Does Celine not want me around her? Is she making it a problem?”