Love Lives On (Forever and Ever #24)

by E. L. Todd

  Arsen put his hand on Slade’s shoulder. “Hey, lighten up. Now it’ll be a funny story we’ll always remember.”

  “And the story of him kissing Cayson,” Trinity said. “That’s a good one.”

  “Uh, can we forget that one, actually?” I asked.

  “Nope,” Skye said. “I’m sure someone will mention it in a speech at the wedding.”

  Slade growled as he started to walk away. “Let’s salvage our last day here as much as possible.”

  “Salvage?” Silke said. “This bachelorette party was awesome.”

  “Memorable,” Skye said.

  “Yeah?” Slade asked as he turned around.

  “Oh yeah,” Trinity said as she linked her arm with his.

  Slade smiled down at her. “Told you I knew how to party.”

  “Yeah,” Trinity said with a laugh. “And how not to shit your pants.”

  ***

  I was so exhausted. I hadn’t slept much over the weekend, and when I did sleep, it was only for a few hours. Then we were back on the strip causing mayhem.

  The second we came back to the room, I showered and got all the grime from the cell off me. Then I walked into the room to see Skye buck-naked on the bed, only her engagement ring glittering in the light. “Whoa…”

  Her ass was to me. “You like what you see?”

  I kept staring at her ass. “I always like what I see.”

  “Then come over here.” She nodded me toward her. “Was jail scary?”

  “I wasn’t in jail.” I moved over her then kissed her chest, the area I loved so much.

  “But it was the same thing.”

  “It was a holding cell at the precinct. Not the same at all.” I sucked her nipple and palmed her other tit with my hand.

  “It still terrified me.”

  I moved my lips to hers. “Well, I’m okay. No one was in the cell but Slade.”

  “Good.” She grabbed the towel and yanked it off. “You deserve some good loving.”

  “Well, I won’t say no to that,” I said as I kissed the corner of her mouth.

  “We should try…” She gave me a meaningful look.

  “Try what?” Having a baby? That couldn’t be right.

  “What we talked about.” She turned and gave me her ass again.

  Then I understood. “Why are you so obsessed with this?”

  “Look, I’m sober. You’re really going to argue about this or just do it?” She challenged me with her eyes.

  I sighed, feeling irritated. “You’re only offering because you think I need it or I’m not satisfied with our relationship. And both of those are false.”

  “No, I just want to do something different.”

  “Skye, I’m more than happy to stick to what we have.”

  “But you enjoyed it with the others…”

  “And I’m marrying you,” I said. “Because I actually love you. You don’t need to try and impress me.”

  “Can we just try?” she asked.

  “It’ll be painful,” I said. “It usually is the first time.”

  “Trinity said it wasn’t for her.”

  “Well, Slade has a lot more experience in this area than I do,” I said.

  “Come on,” she said. “Why don’t you look at me the way you look at your other girls?”

  “Because I actually care about you,” I argued. “And that should be a good thing.”

  “You’re being really annoying,” she snapped. “I’m putting myself out there and you keep shutting me down.”

  “I’m not trying to hurt your feelings. I just don’t think you really want this.”

  “Then why did I bring it up again?” she challenged.

  “To prove something…I don’t know.”

  “We’re doing this, Cayson. You may as well just suck it up.”

  I got tired of fighting it. “Fine.”

  “Fine,” she said with attitude.

  Now I’d have to work a long time to get her to relax. If I didn’t, she would never open up. I moved over her then kissed her. The embrace wasn’t passionate like it normally was. We were both stiff. But the longer we kissed, the more we got into it. My fingers found the area between her legs and I played with her. Her hand stroked my cock.

  Then I moved over her and inserted myself into her pussy.

  “Wrong hole, Cayson.”

  I gave her an annoyed look. “I know what I’m doing, Skye. Now let me do it.” I moved into her slowly and got her to moan for me. Then my hand moved underneath her and I found her other entrance. When she was into what I was giving her, I slipped a pinky inside. The more she relaxed, the bigger the hole became. Eventually I could stick my thumb inside. She moaned louder while I touched her, and I assumed she liked it.

  I pulled out of her then moved her onto her stomach. “Sit on your knees.”

  She positioned herself and leaned her back to my chest.

  “Separate your cheeks for me.”

  She pulled them apart.

  I grabbed her hips then kissed her neck. Then I pointed my cock at her entrance then slowly slid inside her. She expanded but slowly. Skye breathed hard and I couldn’t tell if she liked it or not. But I kept going, trying to be gentle. When I was completely inside her I held her close to me. “Doing okay?”

  “Yeah.”

  I slowly thrust into her, going slower than I normally would. The movement was smooth, and the longer I went the more Skye moaned. She kept her ass cheeks apart so I could move without any interference.

  “Feel good?” I whispered into her ear.

  “Yeah,” she said with a moan.

  When I knew she was okay, I started to really enjoy it. She was so tight and the constriction felt wonderful on my cock. My chest expanded into her back with every breath I took. My lips found her neck and I sucked the skin as I moved into her harder.

  Skye moved her head back on my shoulder for balance, her breaths falling on my neck.

  I continued to penetrate her, feeling the pleasure pool in my stomach. “Shit, you feel good.”

  “Come inside me…”

  Those words set me off. I felt my body tighten and constrict before I released. I filled her, loving the way it felt every time. I breathed hard until I was completely done. Then I pulled out of her slowly. “I took your anal virginity.”

  “No, I gave it to you.”

  I cleaned us both off. “Did it hurt?”

  “No. Maybe you have more experience than you think.”

  I kissed her shoulders and her spine. “Or I would never hurt you. Or maybe both.” I pulled her into me then lay on the bed. “Man, I’m so tired.”

  “Me too…I feel dirty.”

  “Because of what we did?”

  “No,” she said. “Everyone says New York is dirty. But this city ain’t got nothing on home.”

  I turned off the light then snuggled close to my fiancé. “I think you’re right.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Lexie

  After a strenuous round of sex, Conrad fell asleep in my bed even though it was the middle of the day. But since he gave it to me so good I didn’t complain. The Roman soldier deserved a break.

  Wearing his t-shirt, I made a few pies in the kitchen. Jared’s mom always said she loved my homemade pies. She probably shouldn’t eat any since she just had heart surgery but I thought the gesture would be appreciated. They were both blueberry. I figured Conrad would want a piece when he woke up.

  After the pies were in the oven, the apartment started to smell like the tasty dessert. I sat on the couch and read a book while the TV played lightly in the background. Knowing Conrad was in my room sleeping in on a Sunday afternoon while I cooked made me feel cozy. It felt so normal, like something a married couple would do. Jared and I never did stuff like this. I was constantly looking over my shoulder and his to make sure he was staying in line.

  Then the revelation scared me.

  Conrad and I wouldn’t last so I shouldn’t get attached to him.
He even told me he couldn’t fall in love with me even if he tried. Beatrice hurt him. And Jared hurt me. We were two broken souls that could never be repaired. And neither one of us didn’t have a heart. But that didn’t change the fact I really cared about him—a lot.

  “What’s that delicious smell?” Conrad came out of the hallway in just his boxers. His stomach was ripped with abdominal muscles, and his narrow hips looked appetizing. A thin happy trail disappeared into his shorts, and the rest of him was hairless. His expansive chest stretched wide and led to powerful shoulders. He was the perfect specimen to represent the male sex. Every inch of him was gorgeous, from his large feet to his messy hair on top of his head. I loved to stare at him. He was the kind of guy you saw on a billboard. And the fact he was sweet made him even sexier. “Pie.”

  He sniffed the air. “Blueberry?”

  “You have a keen nose.” I flipped the page of my book.

  “You made that just for me?” He leaned over the back of the couch and moved his arms around my waist. His large hands expanded across my stomach. He could crush me if he really wanted to.

  “One of them is for you.”

  His lips found my neck and he sprinkled a few kisses there. Then his mouth found my ear. “You’re the perfect woman. You give me sex, let me nap, and make me a pie.”

  “Hey, that pie is for me too.”

  “That’s what you think…” There was a teasing look in his eye as he rubbed his nose against mine. Then he kissed my forehead before he stood up and headed into the kitchen.

  My heart was beating so fast.

  “They look done.”

  My hand moved over my chest and I felt the pounding of my heart. It hadn’t danced like that in years. I didn’t know what to make of it. But I knew Conrad caused it.

  Then the timer went off.

  “I’ll pull these out.”

  His words brought me back to reality. “Let me check if they are done.” I joined him in the kitchen then took a peek. “Yeah, they are good.” I put the mitts on then grabbed the pies and set them on the counter. Steam was escaping the surface.

  “My mom used to make pies,” Conrad said. “She’s a pretty impressive cook.”

  “Did she stop?”

  “No. I just moved out.”

  I opened a cabinet and tried to grab a large container of Tupperware from the top shelf. I needed to get a stepladder but I kept forgetting.

  Conrad grabbed it with ease then handed it to me. “Need this, shorty?”

  I took it from him, feeling my heart race again. “Thanks…”

  His eyes narrowed on my face. “Everything alright?”

  I don’t know why watching him grab something for me off a top shelf sent shivers down my spine. It was just so…domestic. “Yeah.”

  He eyed me in his t-shirt. “You look better in that than I do.”

  “Probably because I’m just wearing panties underneath.”

  “That might have something to do with it.” He grabbed my ass and squeezed it. “You know why every woman needs a man with big hands?”

  “Hmm?”

  “So they can grab things.” He gave me a playful smack before he returned to the pies.

  I stared at his back, noting the impressive muscles that rippled everywhere. Giving him a backrub was tough work since there was so much muscle to massage. I came to his side then boxed up one pie.

  “Whoa…what are you doing?” Conrad asked.

  “I’m delivering this pie to someone.”

  “Who?” he said. “I’m right here.”

  I averted my gaze before I spoke. “Jared’s mom.”

  He noticeably stiffened. “You’re seeing her again?”

  “Yeah, of course.” She’d always been a prominent figure in my life. Just because Jared and I divorced didn’t mean I had to stop caring about his family. They were my family at one point too.

  Conrad didn’t look happy about that. Actually, he looked downright irritated. His jaw was clenched tightly and his eyes burned with unspoken words. “Then let me come along.”

  “Why?”

  “You need support during this difficult time.”

  I wasn’t buying that. “Do you just not want me to be around Jared?”

  “So what?” He leaned against the counter and stared me down. “I don’t like him. And I hate it even more when he talks to you.”

  “Don’t worry about him,” I said. “I put him down pretty hard last time…” I actually felt kind of bad about it.

  “You think I give a damn?” he snapped. “This guy really hurt you, Lexie. He cheated on you with your sister for crying out loud!”

  “I’m not going to see him,” I said calmly. “And I’m not going to let that stop me from seeing his mom.”

  “Why do you care anyway?”

  I’d never seen Conrad act this way. He was always so calm and detached. Now he was being borderline heartless. “Because she was my mother-in-law and she was nothing but sweet to me. Just because her son is a jackass doesn’t mean she is too.”

  The anger evaporated from his eyes. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I just don’t want him to bother you.”

  “I can handle him just fine, Con.”

  “I still don’t mind coming with you.”

  “That would be too awkward,” I said. “I don’t think his family wants to see me with another guy.”

  “Maybe,” he agreed.

  “But I admit, I would love to see his face if he ever saw you.” I grinned just thinking about it. “You’re so good-looking and hot…he’d be so jealous.”

  Conrad smiled wider than I’d ever seen him. “I am eye candy…”

  I nudged him in the stomach playfully. “Don’t be so full of yourself.”

  “If my ego gets any bigger it’s your fault.” He opened the drawer and grabbed two forks. “You want to eat this right out of the foil like two fatties?”

  “I would love to.”

  We stood together at the counter, half naked, and ate right out of the tin. Conrad watched me while he ate, a playful look in his eyes. I could stare at him forever. His features were classically handsome, and I loved the feel of his large body on top of mine. Whenever we slept together I felt safe. He kept me warm and protected, like nothing could ever hurt me.

  My heart started to race again.

  “You got a little something on your lip,” he said.

  “Why don’t you get it off for me?”

  “Love to.” He leaned in and kissed the corner of my mouth, getting the spot of blueberry. “Sweet, like always.”

  My knees actually felt weak.

  What the hell was wrong with me?

  “When do you have to leave?”

  “In a few minutes,” I said.

  “When will you be back?”

  “A few hours.”

  “Okay.”

  “You can stay here until I get back.”

  “Yeah?” He seemed intrigued by the idea.

  “Yeah. Mi casa is su casa.”

  “Didn’t realize you spoke Spanish.”

  “I don’t,” I said with a laugh. “That was the extent of my knowledge.”

  “Well, it was sexy—and short.” He left the fork in the tin. “It’s cool if I stay here and watch the game? I want to see you when you get back.”

  “Sure.” I liked the idea of him staying in my apartment. I liked knowing he would be there when I got back.

  “Cool.” He eyed the pies for a moment. “You’re sure you don’t want me to come with you?”

  “I’m sure.”

  He sighed in defeat. “Okay. But call me if you need anything. I have absolutely no problem putting that guy in the dirt.”

  I believed him. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  ***

  I entered the hospital room with the pie in my hands. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

  “Of course not.” Jared’s dad’s eyes lit up when he saw me. “Come in. Come in.”

  “Wha
tcha got there?” Jared’s brother asked.

  “Blueberry pie,” I said. “Karen’s favorite.”

  “Ooh…” Karen said. “I can smell it from here. Thank you, dear.”

  I set it on the nightstand. “I know you probably shouldn’t eat it but I thought the smell would add a nice touch to your room.”

  “And it has,” she said as she gripped my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you for coming.”

  “Of course,” I said. “How are you feeling?”

  “I feel much better,” she said. “It’s like my heart is working at full capacity for the first time in twenty years.”

  “Glad to hear it.” I turned to sit down and spotted Jared.

  He didn’t say hi to me or speak to me. I couldn’t tell if he was angry toward me or indifferent.

  I didn’t dwell on it and took a seat.

  We made small talk about Karen’s condition then discussed what was good on TV. Karen had a small TV in her room so that was her only source of entertainment other than reading. The doctor said she would be released in a few days if her condition remained stable.

  Jared didn’t participate in the conversation.

  Karen’s eyes grew heavy and she drifted off to sleep. Then Jared’s dad and brother headed to the cafeteria for some dinner. Jared and I both declined the offer to join them. Since Karen was tired there was no reason for me to be there. I would come by a different day.

  “If she wakes up, tell her I said goodbye.”

  “Sure.” Jared didn’t look at me.

  “Well, goodnight.” I grabbed my purse and headed for the door. When I was in the hallway, I heard him behind me.

  “Wait.” He came close to me, too close. “I’m sorry…I’m not handling this well.”

  “If it really bothers you to see me I don’t have to come around. Your mother would understand. I’m not trying to make this more difficult for you than it already is.”

  He stared down at the tile below his feet before he met my gaze again. His blue eyes were the same as I remembered them. “I redid the bar. You want to check it out?”

  That was the most random thing I ever heard. “Uh…no thanks. I’m sure it’s nice though.”

  “Then maybe we can get some coffee or dinner.” He was pulling at threads.

  “Jared, you know the answer to that.”