She crawls closer. “I need some very adult cuddle time with my husband.”
I grab her and pull her against me. Our bodies tangle together, falling back on the bed. We stare at each other for a few heartbeats, breathing each other in.
It’s not the first time we’ve touched since we brought Grace home. Hope kisses and cuddles up to me every night and I have my hands on her as much as possible throughout the day. That will never change.
It’s been a while since we’ve been this intense.
Grace is a full-time job, taking up almost every waking hour for Hope and as many as I can give. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Just as I always knew she would be, Hope’s a wonderful mother. She steals my breath and my heart every time I watch her with Grace.
But I really miss my wife.
I thread my fingers into her hair, pulling her closer. We kiss until we’re both breathless. Panting and smiling, she rolls to her side, still keeping her hand on my chest.
“I—I’m nervous,” she whispers. “Probably more nervous than I was our first time.”
Her words take me back to a sweet moment in time for us. “You were adorable. All shy and hesitant. I wanted you so bad I was ready to explode if you breathed on me.”
“You scared me. Excited me.” She traces soft fingers over my chest, following lines of ink. “I wanted to pounce on you, but I didn’t know how.”
I tilt my head. “You knew how.”
Soft laughter bubbles out of her. “I thought once you worked me out of your system, we’d be done and I didn’t even care as long as I got to be part of your universe for a little while.”
“You are my entire universe. I could never be done with you.” I pull her closer. “There’s no getting you out of my system. You’re embedded right here.” I tap my chest over my heart. “You’re the best part of me, and you’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted.”
She brushes her nose against my cheek. “We did make a pretty damn cute baby.”
“Yes, we did.” I pull away and regard her carefully. “There’s nothing to be nervous about.”
Her big green eyes blink up at me, holding me captive. “I’m worried it will hurt.”
“Then we’ll go slow. No pressure.” And if it turns out she’s ready, I have all sorts of goodies stashed in my nightstand to help.
She strokes her hand down my arm to my side, trails her fingers over my abs. “Hmm, you’ve been working out a lot. Now I feel shy again.”
My gaze drops to her breasts, which haven’t lost their fullness. “You’ve got nothing to be shy about. Trust me. You’re sexier than ever.”
“Even with the giant milk-filled boobs?”
The corners of my mouth pull up. “Can’t stop staring at them.”
I take her hand and move it a few inches south. She gasps. “Mr. North, you’re hard as a rock.”
We both laugh at her little joke. “That’s what you do to me.”
My laughter turns into a hiss of pleasure as she curls her fingers around my cock, slowly stroking through my briefs. She drags her lips along my jaw and kisses my neck. The thrill that only Hope elicits rushes through my body.
She nips at my earlobe.
“Lie back,” she whispers.
I brush my fingers through her hair again, and she flicks her gaze up to mine. “What are you thinking, baby doll?”
Instead of answering, she hooks her fingers in my briefs and drags them down my legs, tossing them on the floor.
“Hope?”
She blows out a breath. “I’m thinking that I’m not sure if I’m ready for… everything. But I really want to be close to you.” She presses petal-soft kisses down my stomach. “And I really, really want to do this.”
She punctuates her words by closing her mouth over the head of my cock. No slow and steady buildup.
“Fuck.” My head falls back against the pillows. “Ah fuck, Hope.”
She sucks harder and works her hand down my shaft. I have to use every bit of restraint not to buck my hips up. Over and over she bobs her head up and down, taking me as far as she can and savoring every moment. Her soft wet tongue flicks against me exactly the way I love.
Watching how eager she is and listening to the greedy little sounds coming out of her mouth has me ready to explode. She hums an encouraging sound and stares up at me with so much love and trust in her big green eyes. She takes her time sucking me slow and deep, gasping for air and diving right back down, massaging the head of my cock with the back of her throat.
“Fuck.” Intense. Good. So fucking good. My fingers curl in her hair. “Hope?”
Another sound of encouragement, the humming vibrating straight to my balls.
My abs tighten. A familiar twinge at the base of my spine is the only warning I get before I detonate.
If she’s surprised, it doesn’t show, she keeps sucking and licking and teasing until it’s too much. “Stop. Come here.”
My girl’s feeling frisky. She kisses and licks my thighs, nuzzles and nips at my abs. Flicks her tongue over my nipples and finally settles down on top of me.
I cup her cheek with my hand. “Thank you.”
The teasing smile slides off her face, and she turns to kiss my hand.
I’m drowsy, completely drunk on her, and I still need more. “My turn.”
“I don’t think—”
“Shhh.” I place a finger over her lips and roll us to the side. “Just kiss me.”
I hold her in my arms, one hand in her hair, the other pressed against her ass, keeping her close. We sink into the kiss together, tongues rubbing and tangling, hearts beating.
My hand moves to her hip, clutching her closer. Between us, my cock’s already hardening again. I kiss and touch her until her muscles loosen, and the tension melts from her body.
“Rock,” she whispers. “I want.”
“Easy. I’m loving every second of this, baby doll.” I play with the bow between her breasts, tugging it loose. The black lace top parts, baring her breasts. I dip my head to lick and kiss each one. “Beautiful.”
“Sensitive.”
“Okay.” I press softer kisses down her belly, and she runs her fingers through my hair.
I love and nuzzle every inch of her until I reach the ties at her hips. “Easy access?” I tease my finger underneath one knot and slowly work it loose. I glance up, and she’s watching me with soft eyes.
I’m dying to dive in and lick her until she’s thrashing around on the bed. But that’s not what this moment calls for.
Her breath comes in stuttering little hitches as I kiss my way to her pussy. I kiss and lick her clit, loving how she writhes and moan underneath me.
I keep up the steady teasing and lick until she comes, rolling her hips and grinding against my mouth. As she comes down, I trail kisses up her body, nibbling and tasting favorite spots along the way.
The bond we share feels sacred. Deeper than any I’ve ever known.
I kiss her mouth gently, and she flings her leg over me, sinking deeper into our kiss.
My cock’s so painfully hard. Again. For her.
Her hand travels the length of my body, wrapping around me and softly stroking, dragging me closer. I’m dying to thrust in hard and fast, but I take it slow. So slow a hoarse groan drags from my throat as I sink inside, inch by inch.
A slight ripple of tension through her body makes me pause.
“No, keep going,” she murmurs, kissing my chin.
“Am I hurting you?”
“No, you just feel… bigger than ever. I wasn’t expecting that.”
I kiss her cheek. “I’ve heard worse things.”
She shakes with laughter, pulling me inside even more.
She’s wet, which makes me damn happy we took our time. I’d been told that might be an issue since she was still breastfeeding, and had stocked up on lube just in case.
I keep rocking into her slow and steady until I’m fully inside.
We both sigh in pleasure. Our lips meet, and I swallow every one of her moans, driving into her harder. She’s not only in my head, my soul, and part of my heart. Hope resides deep in my bones.
She circles her hips against me, trying to take every inch. Her eyes meet mine. Pure love shines back.
“Good?” I ask.
“So good.” She seizes up, eyes rolling back, and that sends me over the edge. I come so hard I swear I see stars.
Reconnected, we fall asleep entwined in each other’s arms.
I’m not sure how much time has passed when I wake up, but Hope’s not in bed.
A soft sound from across the hall.
A sweet cry.
I know exactly where to find my wife.
“You could’ve woken me up, baby doll. I would have brought her in.”
She barely looks up from Grace. “I wanted one of us to get some sleep,” she whispers.
My heart somehow squeezes and expands as I move closer to them. I run my hand over Hope’s hair and down her back. “I love looking at her,” she says, rubbing her finger against Grace’s cheek.
“I know.” I love watching both of them.
She tips her head back, and even in the dimly lit nursery, her smile seems bright.
“Stand up.”
Grace fusses as Hope gently stands and turns so I can squeeze into the rocker. “Come here.” My hands find their way to her hips, and I pull both of them into my lap. Nuzzling against her hair, I inhale her scent and enjoy the sounds of my family.
“This is nice,” Hope says.
I answer her with a hmm sound, and she lets out a small laugh. “That tickles.” I dart my tongue out, taking a quick swipe of her neck, and she laughs a little harder.
Grace coughs, and Hope sets her over her shoulder, gently patting her back. I tip my head down and kiss the top of my daughter’s head. “Full, Gracie?”
She gives another little cough.
“Is she okay?” I ask Hope.
“She’s fine.” Hope switches Grace to her other side and leans back against me. “Are you happy, Rock?”
My automatic answer is yes. But I don’t say that at first. I absorb the peace around us. The weight of my wife and daughter against me.
In my arms, I have everything I’ve ever wanted.
I place another kiss on her cheek before answering. “I’m happier than I ever thought I’d be.”
“Rochlan.” She sighs, a soft smile curving her lips, “I don’t know how, but I fall more in love with you every day and night.”
My answer is swift and honest. “And I’ll never stop falling in love with you.”
It’s the truth. This bond between us seems to grow stronger every day. Through all the craziness, one thing remains constant—my love infinite love for this woman.
With Hope by my side, every ghost from my past has been conquered. I intend to honor and cherish her every day for the rest of my life. And I have no doubt she’ll continue to anchor me through any storm on the road ahead of us.
I stare at my wife and daughter. All I see are love and happiness. The two people I’ll do anything and everything to always protect and keep safe.
My family. My future.
Epilogue
Hope
Not much later…
* * *
“I think your mom had the right idea, Alexa.”
I’m too old for this. I don’t even think I would’ve had the energy when I was Heidi’s age.
A simple afternoon of shopping with Alexa and Grace has worn me out. I should have waited until Rock could go with me. I shouldn’t have rebuffed his offer to send a prospect with me.
In the back seat, Alexa happily babbles away, pointing out everything she sees to Grace.
“Thh-top. Esss, teee, ohhh, peee,” she recites at each stop sign in the parking lot.
“Very good, Alexa. Who taught you that?”
“Daddy.”
“Ahhh. Murphy’s giving you road lessons already.”
Alexa giggles, which makes Grace bubble with laughter.
I may be tired, but their combined happy noises make it worth the exhaustion.
“One last stop, girls. Ready?”
Alexa waits patiently while I arrange Grace in her stroller, then takes my hand as we head inside the mall. Alexa’s dress is thankfully ready and waiting.
As we leave the dress shop, I spot a familiar whip of long, dark, shiny hair. A curvy figure I recognize, even though I haven’t seen her in a long time.
“Oh my God. Lilly?”
I haven’t seen my friend in two, almost three years.
It’s hard to miss the startled, almost guilty expression that crosses her face as she turns.
“Where’ve you been? I’m so happy to see you.” I step forward to give her an awkward hug. Alexa tugs on my hand drawing our attention down.
“Oh my God, Hope.” She stares at Alexa and then the stroller where Grace is sleeping. “This has to be Grace.”
She glances at Alexa with confusion.
I squeeze Alexa’s hand and pull her forward a bit. “This is Heidi’s daughter, Alexa.”
“Oh right! Hi, Alexa.”
Alexa responds with a shy hello, then wraps her arms around my leg.
“Heidi’s daughter. She looks so much like her.”
“You’ve missed a lot.” My fingers skim over Grace’s head.
“She’s so sweet.” Lilly hesitates. “I’m sorry—”
“My Gracie,” Alexa says.
Lilly squats down so she’s eye level with Alexa. “Is that your friend?”
Alexa vigorously tosses her head from side to side. “No. Sis-ter.”
“Ahhh.”
Lilly stands back up and quirks an eyebrow. “I remember how close everyone was.” She bites her lip, her gaze darting to the side. “How’s—”
“Hi, Hope.” At the sound of her brother’s deep baritone, Lilly closes her eyes. Something like defeat or dread washes over her face.
Confused, I turn to say hello to Alex. “Hey there. Long time, no see. How are you?”
He’s carrying a little boy who has his head buried against Alex’s shoulder. I assume he’s Alex’s son, and for a moment wonder if he and Sophie are together.
Alex nudges Lilly with his elbow. “He’s looking for you, Mom.”
So he’s Lilly’s son.
The sweet little boy picks up his head and blinks at me. I can’t help gasping.
I stare back, trying to make sense of what’s in front of me.
That dark hair, those piercing midnight-blue eyes.
The grown-up version has become like an older brother to me. I see him almost every day over at the clubhouse.
Alex sets the boy down and he locks eyes with Alexa, waving his little fingers at her. Then he peeks at Grace and grins up at me.
Those dimples.
Slow realization washes over me.
Oh my God.
Lilly’s hand settles on her son’s shoulder, and she pulls him closer. “Hope.” Nervous laughter spills out of her, but there’s nothing funny about this at all.
She swallows hard. “This is my son, Chance.”
* * *
Z’s story is finally coming!
Oder it here.
If you loved After Glow, please consider leaving a spoiler-free review at the place you purchased it. Reviews are so vital to Indie Authors like myself and are a great way to let me know that you want more books from me!
Continue reading for author notes and an excerpt from my standalone romance Cards of Love: Knight of Swords, where you’ll get to learn a little bit more about Dex.
Excerpt
Copyright 2018, Autumn Jones Lake
All Rights Reserved.
* * *
ROMAN
Not so surprisingly, the next morning when I got off the van in front of the school, there was a Harley parked at the curb.
I recognized the owner right away.
“Hi, Dex,”
I said, approaching him first. Guess it was time to prepare for the “Stay away from Juliet” speech. Too bad I had no intention of staying away from her.
“Morning, Roman.” He reached out and shook my hand.
Maybe he wasn’t here to tell me to back off.
I crossed my arms over my chest and waited. “You looking for Juliet?” I asked when he didn’t start the conversation.
“Nope. Looking for you.”
“Well, you found me.” I glanced at the school. “I need to be inside.”
He cocked his head. “It’s ass-crack early in the morning.”
“Yeah, well I don’t exactly get a lot of freedom.”
He nodded. “You like Juliet?”
“Yeah, I like her a lot,” I said, deciding to forgo cockiness in favor of honesty.
“You got a job?”
Okay, didn’t expect that question.
“Haven’t been here long enough to look for one.”
“I might be able to hook you up with something.”
“And why would you do that?”
He blew out a breath and glanced away before answering. “Because if you’re gonna be hanging around Juliet, I don’t want her dating a bum.”
“You don’t have a problem with me dating her?”
He shook his head. “I ain’t her fuckin’ dad. I’m not even really her uncle. But I care about her. Known her since she was little. Figure you’re teenagers. Gonna do whatever the fuck you wanna do anyway. Least I should do is make sure you can take her out and shit.”
I wasn’t quite sure I believed that explanation.
“Although you ever fucking hurt her, I will kill you.” The casual way he tossed out the threat made me believe it.
“I’d never hurt her.”
“Sometimes we can’t help hurting the ones we love the most,” he said in a low voice I barely made out over the noise in the parking lot.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Dex. Juliet and I just met.”
“Doesn’t matter. Sometimes you just know.”
An uncomfortable sensation rolled through my chest. Juliet was the one for me. Knew it the second I met her. My rational brain knew that was crazy, but the rest of me didn’t care.
After Glow Page 24
