After We Fall

by Marquita Valentine

  —

  She has an office of sorts set up in her bedroom, complete with small desk, laptop, and a printer.

  “I used to have a better monitor, but he smashed it.” She takes out a digital video camera. “It’s a little old-school this way, but it will get the job done. You can go ahead and record me.”

  I take the camera from her and start recording. “What would you like to say?”

  “Hi, my name is Evangeline Ambrose and I’m a survivor of marital abuse.” She looks straight at me, her vivid eyes clear and her chin strong as she tells the story of how she met her ex. She even shows pictures of what she looked like after she arrived at the women’s shelter.

  “They wouldn’t let me take the pictures with me from the hospital because those are for evidence. This was my alternative, I took these with my smartphone. I was so afraid that no one would believe me, or that the bruises would fade before someone did believe me, and I wouldn’t have proof. It would be my word against his, a guy from an all-American family who was also a decorated war hero.

  “Who would want to believe that?” she adds. “Who wants to believe that anyone could treat another human being that way?”

  She’s so sincere as she talks, as she speaks to the camera as if it’s the person she’s trying to reach. If only my mother could have heard someone like Evangeline, heard her share her story…who knows if that would have made a difference or not.

  “You are not alone,” she says. “If you need help, please call or text this number.”

  I press Stop and lower the camera to the desk. “Wow.”

  “Do you think it will help?”

  “I don’t think it will hurt,” I say honestly.

  “Then let’s upload it, unedited footage and all.”

  Once she’s done uploading the video to her YouTube channel, she turns to me. “While I wait for it to go live, I need to do one more thing.”

  “Do I need to record it?”

  She shakes her head. “No, but I would like for you to stay for support.”

  “I can do that.”

  Picking up her phone again, she dials a number and waits. I wonder if she’s calling that asshole to let him know that she made good on her promise.

  “Momma…Can you put Daddy on the line, too? I have something to tell you both.”

  Oh shit. I grab her hand, gently squeezing it.

  Biting her lip, she attempts to smile at me, but tears start to run down her face. “Hey y’all. So…I just uploaded a video about—well, about how Penn…about how…” She closes her eyes. “He abused me while we were married…and the last time, he almost killed me. That’s why I left him.”

  Her shoulders turn into one rigid line and I let go of her hand to rub her back. “I know…I know, but I was afraid that you’d be disappointed in me.” More tears fall. “I love you, too. Love you so much that I have to come clean about where I am. I’m not on the West Coast. I’m in North Carolina, in a town north of Charlotte.”

  Nodding, she wipes at her tears until I can’t take it anymore and I pick her up and carry her to the bedroom. I lay her down in the middle of her bed and join her, keeping my touch light and comforting.

  Finally, she ends the call and just looks at me.

  “I’m proud of you.”

  “For telling the truth?”

  My heart races. “Yeah, for telling the truth. Sometimes we keep stuff inside because we’re afraid of what others might think or say…or even push us away.”

  “They didn’t push me away,” she says.

  “I’m glad they didn’t, but if they had—I’m all in for you. There’s nothing you can say or do to push me away. All I want to do is love you, protect you, and shield you from the bad things of the world.”

  “All I want is you,” she says, leaning in to press a soft kiss to my lips.

  I take my time with her, baring her bottom as I kiss every inch of her beautiful body until neither of us can take it anymore.

  “Turn over for me, angel.”

  While she rolls onto her stomach, I lower my pants, grab a condom, and put it on. My hands go to her hips, lifting them into the air while I press the head of my cock to the entrance of her pussy. I thrust forward, sinking inside of her with a groan.

  She’s so tight and wet around me, so warm, that all I want to do is stay there for days. But she’s writhing under me, her hand moving to where we are joined. The tips of her fingers skate over my cock before touching her clit.

  A gasp leaves her and she tightens up on me.

  I start to move, in deep thrusts that leave us both moaning. My pace is slow, purposeful, to draw out the pleasure. I allow my hands to roam her body, cup her breasts and hips again. She pushes back, sending me even deeper.

  Pulling her up to a kneeling position, I cup her neck and bring her mouth to me. In this position she is completely vulnerable, but I’m the one at her mercy.

  She cries out, her orgasm making her inner muscles milk me and send me over the edge. I join her an instant later, my hips surging against her in a steady rhythm that I can’t stop.

  Gasping, I push her down to the bed and roll to the side. I kiss her neck and caress every inch of skin in reach. I tell her how much I adore her, how damn good she feels, and how hard she made me come.

  Reluctantly, I leave the bed to dispose of the condom and clean her up. Once I’m through with both, I climb under the covers, taking her with me.

  With my arms wrapped tight around the woman I love, I drift off into a dreamless sleep.

  —

  High off my incredible night with Evangeline, the next day I sleep in and then spend the afternoon at the gym, training with Hayden while she works. I don’t think I’ve ever been so focused. I’ve never sparred so hard or hit so accurately.

  Even Hayden notices. “What’s gotten into you—not complaining really, but brother, you’ve been distracted lately.”

  “Had a good night with my woman.”

  “You still haven’t told her.” It’s not a question.

  I stop hammering the Everlast bag hanging from the ceiling. “Not yet.”

  “The perfect time is now, not later.” Hayden lets go of the bag.

  “Like you have any room to give advice about telling the truth.” It’s a low shot, but I feel guilty, so…

  “Nice. Good to know that falling back on insulting my family is where you hit first.”

  “Not your entire family. Just your dad.”

  He pulls a face. “You got me there.”

  “Still a low blow. Sorry, man.” I tap my gloves against his shoulder.

  “Apology accepted, but you need to come clean. Lies always have a way of coming out when we least expect them.”

  “Actually, I plan on telling her tonight.” If she can be brave and tell the world what happened to her, then I can man up and tell her the truth so she can decide if what I do is a deal-breaker for us.

  That night, I have the fight of my life. My opponent can’t get off one single hit. I win easily in the first round.

  “That was too easy,” Hayden complains as we gather our things and head to his SUV. “I feel like I didn’t earn it.”

  “You don’t earn it. I do.”

  Hayden pauses. “Point taken. Am I dropping you off at home or—?”

  Evangeline texted me before the match began, letting me know that she would be waiting in the shower as soon as I gave the okay.

  Me: Get your sweet ass in the shower, but don’t you dare wash anything until I’m in there with you.

  Evangeline: But I’m so dirty.

  Me: Plan to make you dirtier.

  My cock stirs at the thought.

  She sends me a kissy face emoji.

  “Home, James,” I say to Hayden.

  “I’m not your damn chauffeur.”

  I smirk at him. “For twenty-five percent you are.”

  Chapter 18

  Evangeline

  Monday morning comes far too early and I’m stil
l rubbing my eyes when I walk inside the animal shelter.

  Jake runs up to me, his tail wagging like crazy. “Jake, what are you doing here?”

  Saylor joins us. “His forever family brought him back. Said Granny was allergic to him.”

  “Oh no.” I drop to my knees, burying my face in his fur. “Hunter will be so happy to see you.”

  “About that,” Saylor says. “I really need him to be with someone who won’t have to give him up again. The older he gets, the harder it is to adopt him out. Hunter’s schedule won’t allow for a dog.”

  “I’ll take him,” I blurt.

  “Jake or Hunter?”

  With a smile, I say, “Both.”

  Once I fill out all the paperwork, Saylor gives me the rest of the day off. “Go home and show Jake his new-old place.”

  I know Hunter is off work by now. “I can’t wait to surprise him with Jake.”

  “Your little family is so cute.” A raw look of pain passes over her face so quickly that I’m sure I imagined it. Besides, Saylor is such an open book that she would have told me whatever she was thinking by now.

  “Thanks.”

  It hits me…I am making a family. A new one. One that includes a man who cares for me, along with a dog that cares for us both.

  My palms get all damp. “All right. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Awesome. You’re still going with us to that Lab place, right? FNG recommended it as a place to meet superhot guys who can throw mean punches.”

  “Not too sure about that. I think I prefer a lover to a fighter…unless he was a Jedi or superhero. You have to fight then.”

  Her face falls a little. “You are an odd, odd woman, but I’ll keep you.” She bites her lips, her eyes twinkling. “Go home, Eva!”

  “Going, going,” I say as Jake and I leave.

  In no time at all, I’m racing up the stairs of the Rose Haven shouting Hunter’s name. His door bangs open and he steps out bare-assed naked, holding a gun.

  “What the hell?” With a thick sigh, he lowers his gun and eyes me. “Care to explain why you were—is that Jake?”

  I try not to ogle him, but it’s hard. I giggle. Or rather he’s getting hard. “Yup.”

  “I’m stoked as hell, but I need some clothes. Come inside.”

  We follow him into his apartment, shutting the door behind me while he races away to his bedroom.

  “Sorry, I’d just finished drying off,” he says as joins us a few minutes later, dressed for work.

  “Really didn’t mind.” I smile dreamily, thinking of his hard abs and the tattoos of the skulls on his hips. “But I have to admit the uniform kind of does it for me.”

  “I’ll wear it on our next date.” Winking at me, Hunter gets down on Jake’s level and starts petting him. “Hey there, buddy. What are you doing here?”

  Jake’s tail begins to thump against the floor like crazy.

  “He missed you.”

  “Forever family brought him back?”

  I nod. “Granny is allergic.”

  Hope gleams in his green eyes, but then it dims. “I can’t take care of him like he needs.”

  “You don’t have to because I adopted him. He’s my dog now…our dog, really.”

  Hunter gets all serious as he looks up at me. “I love you.”

  My head feels light. Surely he didn’t say what I just heard. “What?” I croak.

  “I love you.” He stands, cupping my shoulders with his big hands. “You don’t have to say it back. My love comes without strings attached or conditions.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Why don’t you think about what I said? Maybe mull over my words and see if you like the sound of them because I plan on telling you that every chance I get.”

  On the inside, I become a blubbering idiot, but on the outside my body is rigid.

  “I have to head into work now. I’m running behind.” He brushes his lips over mine in the sweetest of kisses. “I won’t be back until tomorrow morning. Save a spot for me in that bed.”

  “Depends on how bad of a bed hog Jake is,” I tease, trying to change the subject and keep things light.

  —

  The next day, after work, I get a text from Hunter.

  Hunter: Have to pull a double. Sorry. But I will have the weekend off.

  I stare at the phone, then sigh thickly. I’m not mad at him, but I know how much a double shift wears him down, mentally and physically. Plus, I’m going to miss him, really miss him. I already miss him.

  My heart pinches.

  Me: Don’t worry, I have Jake.

  Hunter: I know Jake is in good hands. Just wanted you to know.

  Me: Text me before you leave work so I’ll know when to expect you, k?

  Hunter: Can I come home to you instead of just picking up Jake?

  For no reason at all tears prick at the back of my eyes. Or maybe there is every reason I feel like crying. Hunter wants to come home to me…better yet, he’s asking if he can. He’s given me the power to kick him out of my life after he’s told me exactly how he feels.

  Me: Yes.

  Hunter: That means a lot, angel. See you soon.

  “Please don’t be too good to be true,” I whisper.

  Chapter 19

  Hunter

  It’s almost midnight by the time I pull into Rose Haven’s parking lot. Evangeline’s sedan is in her usual spot, too.

  My heart kicks against my chest as I jog up the steps. I don’t bother to go to my apartment first. Instead I unlock Evangeline’s door and go right in because she said she would wait up for me. An unexpected double shift forced me to put off telling her, but I’m not waiting any longer. I want her to know about my fighting.

  “I’m home, angel,” I call out, locking the door up tight behind me, then move to the living room. “You wouldn’t believe all the paperwork I had to file before I could get out of there. The only thing getting me through was the thought of your sweet…”

  My words trail away.

  I freeze in place.

  Evangeline isn’t alone. She smiles at me, but it’s strained.

  “Aren’t you going to introduce us?” an older version of Evangeline says.

  Oh, holy shit. Her parents are here and I almost said some things that no man wants to hear about their daughter—even if the one doing the talking is in love with said daughter.

  Evangeline’s face heats. “Mom, Dad, this is Hunter Sloan. He…uh…we’re…neighbors. Hunter, these are my parents, Leah and Lawson Ambrose. They drove all the way from Holland Springs to surprise me instead of waiting for Thanksgiving.”

  “I’d say you’re more than neighbors if he has a key and calls you angel. Although, I’d have to question how well he knows you,” Leah says with a wink. It’s clear to me where Evangeline gets her sassiness.

  Although Lawson nods at me, he doesn’t say a word, but he’s studying me pretty intently.

  “He has a key because I watch his dog, Jake.”

  What happened to calling Jake our dog, I want to ask, but I won’t embarrass her in front of her parents. If she doesn’t want to claim me or Jake, then I have no choice but to go along with it. Honestly, her parents might not be happy about me, since Evangeline is still technically married.

  “Eva, the train’s long since left the station.” Lawson stands, crossing the room to stand in front of me and shake my hand. “Nice to meet the man who’s making her smile.” He’s tall with a lanky build and a vice grip. Her dad doesn’t strike me as the type of guy to “squeeze the hell out of my hand” to prove a point, either.

  “Nice to meet you, too, ma’am. I love your daughter and respect her a great deal. Hope to see more of y’all in the future.”

  Evangeline’s eyes round and her cheeks flame scarlet. “Hunter, you didn’t have to say that.”

  “Yes, he did,” her mother counters, moving to stand beside her husband. “Will you be joining us tomorrow for breakfast?”

  So much
for my plans to stay here and show Evangeline just how much I missed her. “I’d be honored.”

  “Well, good night, then,” Lawson says.

  And that’s my cue to leave. “Jake staying here or coming home with me?”

  “He’s already in bed.”

  I lean in a little and kiss Evangeline on the cheek. “Lucky dog,” I whisper, before raising my voice. “Walk with me to my apartment?”

  She nods and follows me out into the hallway. “You don’t have to come to breakfast,” Evangeline says, biting on a nail. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this nervous before, or this type of nervous before.

  “I want to.” I smile at her. “Your family is important to you, which means they’re important to me.”

  She stops nibbling on her nail. “You keep saying all the right things.”

  “I’m not trying to hoodwink you.” I take her hand in mine and bring it to my mouth, kissing her soft skin. “My mother has a saying, a caballo regalado, no se le ven los dientes. Basically, it means don’t look for the worst.”

  “It’s hard not to.”

  “I know, angel. Believe me, I know. I’m not trying to manipulate you into doing anything you don’t want to, so if the thought of me going to breakfast makes you uncomfortable, then I won’t go. I’ll say that I had to work. Go to the gym…whatever.” Even as I say I’m willing to lie for her, I can’t help but think of the huge lies I’m keeping from her right now that I have to tell her.

  She takes a deep breath. “I want you to come to breakfast with us.”

  “Then I’ll be there.” I let go of her hand. “How long are your parents staying?”

  “Until Sunday morning.”

  I nod. “Does that mean you’re available Sunday night?”

  “Depends on the invitation?”

  “The Laboratory.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Place in Charlotte where mixed martial arts fights take place.”

  “That sounds”—her nose scrunches—“romantic.”

  I stare at her intently. “But not too violent for you?”

  She shrugs, but I know her too well. That is the shrug of a woman who is afraid that something might happen. “I’ve never been to a fight before so I don’t know.”