Tough Love (Hidden Secrets)

by Belden, P. J.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?” Jackson asks, grabbing my arm and pulling me to a stop.

  “Just thinking. Sorry. You weren’t talking to me, were you?”

  When Jack and I first met, we constantly butted heads. Now, as sad as it might be to say this, he was my best friend. His friendship has kept me from losing it over the past few months. I was happy for his friendship. Okay I’d be lying if I didn’t like being his girlfriend too, but that wasn’t the point.

  “No, but your face didn’t look like it was happy thoughts. You want to talk about it?” He asks, running his hands up and down my arms.

  “Not really, but you’re going to make me, aren’t you?”

  “No, but if you need to talk, vent, about whatever it is, I’m here for you, Shannon.” He said sincerely.

  Giving him a small smile, “I know.”

  Turning around, I walk back toward the cabin. Neither of us said anything for a while. The crickets play their songs to the moon and stars. The wind was strong, but it was almost a reminder that life was continuing. A shiver ran through me. Life was continuing for me, but not for my parents.

  “I was thinking about my parents,” I mumbled as we found a log to sit on under some trees.

  “You want to tell me about them?”

  “They were amazing. A lot like your parents actually. It was kind of nice to see them go through the pregnancy with the boys.” I laughed sadly. “My dad was a wreck toward the end. Any change in her breathing, facial expressions, whatever, he was grabbing their bag and running out the door, often times leaving my mom behind.” I fell silent as I remembered them.

  “You miss them,” he stated.

  “More than anything. I hate that because of me, my brothers will never know what amazing parents they were. Before long they’ll forget them and it’ll all be my fault.” My voice broke.

  “How can you possibly believe that?” Jack asked astonished.

  “Because it’s the truth!” I snapped. “I hated them. I hated that they never thought of me before themselves or the boys. I hated that my life slipped away from me because I was too busy helping raise the boys. I hated them and then they died.”

  Standing, I started back into the trees. I just wanted to get away from him, from everyone, and be on my own for a moment. There was no way I’d let him see me break down. Tripping over the root of a tree, I stumbled into a small clearing in the trees. Looking up, I could see the moon was full and almost carried a reddish/pink hue. Shadows of tree branches surrounded it as if it was cradling it there.

  “Hey,” he touches my arm gently.

  “Please just go,” I plead for him to leave, never taking my eyes off the moon. Silently praying that the moon will give me strength that I don’t feel right now.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” he states firmly.

  Taking my face in his hands, he forces me to look at him. The wind picks up and my hair is blowing all over the place. He stares down into my eyes. I’m stuck, unable to move. His eyes drop to my mouth and my breath catches in my throat. Leaning down, he softly brushes his lips over mine in a whisper soft touch. If I wasn’t watching his every move, I might have mistaken it for the wind. The breath that had just caught in my throat whooshes out of my lungs to be lost in the wind that now seemed to almost swirl around us.

  “Damn,” He breathed before sealing his lips firmly over mine.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Jackson

  The urge to kiss her hit me strong and forceful. The urges I have when I’m around Shannon are nothing like any I’ve ever experienced before. Here I thought that I was closed up and off forever and then she walks into my life with those two incredible boys.

  I half expected her to pull away, telling me to leave her alone, but she didn’t. She leaned into me, wrapping her arms around my waist and kissed me back. My heart was hammering in my chest so hard that I was afraid it was going to stop beating all together. She pulled me even closer and the kiss deepened. Pushing my tongue into her mouth, it danced with her silky smooth one.

  Moaning, as my hands lowered from her hair down to her butt, lifting her up. Her answering moan and feeling her legs wrap around me sent a moment of panic through me causing me to pull away. Resting my head on her shoulder, still holding her.

  “Wow,” she breathed.

  I laughed. “You can say that again,” I mumbled into her neck.

  We made our way out of the clearing back to sit on the log that looked over the lake. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and held her against my side. We were quiet for a while, neither of us really caring to speak about what happened back in that clearing, that feeling that shocked me to my core in just that one kiss.

  “My mom and I got into a fight before they left. I told her I couldn’t help with the boys anymore because it was time I got to have a life. She and dad were going on a month long vacation that they didn’t bother asking me if I’d watch the boys until she was walking out the door. Two weeks into their trip, I was exhausted. Sebastian’s night terrors were bad, he wasn’t sleeping. I remember thinking how much I hated my parents for leaving and yet again I couldn’t be Shannon. I was Sam or Sissy Shan Shan. Then they call to tell me that they’re gone. They died and I hated them.” She says sadly. Raising her head, she looks at me. “What kind of person am I to hate my parents and later even more because they died, leaving me to raise the boys on my own?”

  Pulling her on my lap, I cradle her against my chest, kissing her head over and over. “You are only human. Raising two toddlers that weren’t your own, that’s hard enough, but then add in Sebastian’s needs. Princess, it’s only normal to get angry. It doesn’t make you a horrible person. It only makes you more normal.”

  She wrapped her arms around me tightly. “I miss them so much.” She sobbed into my chest.

  Lifting her head, I kissed away her tears. “You are so strong and so sexy…God are you so damn sexy.”

  She laughed at that. “Okay. Moment over,” she tries to joke.

  “To hell it is,” I growl.

  My lips smash down on hers in a fiercely passionate kiss. This woman has been driving me insane since she came into my life. Her sassy attitude and goddess good looks… Damn I was a puddle at her feet.

  Shifting her around so her legs wrapped around me, I moved to a kneeling position and slowly lowered her to the ground. The kiss intensifies and I start grinding into her. My hands moved down to the hem of her shirt before pushing under and running my hands up to her breasts. It was like holding a rare gem in my hands. I’ve longed to feel them, to see them. Breaking the kiss long enough to pull her shirt over her head as well as my own.

  Her hands began to run up my stomach feeling every inch of me under her them. My breath was coming in short frantic pants as I worked to keep myself from just taking her right now. Groaning as her hands moved back down my stomach, I lean over her.

  “If you don’t want this right now, stop me because once I undo your bra I won’t be able to stop myself.”

  She shifted under me and removed her bra, smiling up at me. Then I watched as she bit her lip, no doubt nervous with what she just did. My eyes travelled down from her face to only be greeted with a sight that cannot be described in words.

  “Damn,” I breathed right before I leaned down and claimed her mouth again.

  My hand roamed down until my hand surrounded the flesh melons that were fit just for my hands. She moaned as I began to massage her breast, pinching her nipple between my fingers as I squeezed. Shannon arched her back off the ground breaking our kiss. My mouth immediately moved down to her amazing breasts.

  “Shit,” she hissed as I took her breast in my mouth.

  I swirled my tongue around her nipple before slightly grazing my teeth across them. I could spend all day just feasting on her breast. Their taste, firmness yet so soft, they were addicting. Growling as she rubbed against me again.

  “I can’t wait any longer. I’m dying to be inside you right now.”
<
br />   “Yes, please,” she breathed.

  Quickly we shed the remainder of our clothing. I’m leaning over her looking into her eyes. She was so damn sexy, breathtakingly beautiful. I wasn’t sure how I got so lucky, but in this moment nothing mattered but Shannon. Pushing her legs further apart, I slowly began to push into her. My breath hissing through my teeth with each inch I push in.

  “Damn you’re so tight,” I gritted my teeth.

  Finally pushing all the way in, I had to hold myself still to keep from blowing my load right then and there. Leaning down, I kissed Shannon tenderly. Slowly I began to move my hips. Damn, she’s so damn tight. She lifts her legs and wraps them around my waist and raises to meet my thrusts.

  “Yes,” she breathes and it’s the sexiest damn sound in the world.

  “Fuck! It’s been too long…baby I’m not going to be able to last long.”

  “That’s fine neither am I,” she moans as her legs tighten around my waist.

  Leaning up, I pull her with me. She wraps her arms around my neck and tightens her legs even more around me. My thrusts are deeper and faster now. Shannon moans and throws her head back as she shifts her hips with each of my thrusts. My hands tighten on her ass as I grew closer.

  “Oh fuck!”

  “Yes, Jackson. I’m about to…” She cuts off as I feel her tightening around me.

  “FUCK!” I roared as my own climax took over me.

  I lowered her back down to the ground and thrust into riding out the last of our orgasms. Exhausted and satisfied, I collapse on top of her. It wasn’t until Shannon spoke did I move.

  “Jackson, I can’t breathe.”

  I laughed into her neck, before raising up on my arms. “I’m sorry.”

  She lifts her hands and cups my face, “That was amazing.”

  “Next time will be so much better, I promise.”

  “Well, I’m not complaining about this time so,” she rose up and pressed a tender kiss to my lips.

  “Looks like we are getting a cold bath since we are covered in mud.”

  “The lake is going to be freezing.” She shivered.

  “I’ll warm you up later.” I wink.

  I slowly pull out of her then stand, reaching out a hand I pull her up to me. Kissing her tenderly before I pick her up and walk into the water, where both of us were rushing to help the other get clean. It was as we were getting dressed that we realized we’d have to get our clothes wet if we didn’t want to tip off my parents.

  Once we were back in sight of the cabin, I started chasing her. I loved hearing her laugh and excited squeal. It was no wonder where the boys got it from. They were so much alike. She had just got on the deck when I ran behind her, grabbing her around the waist and spun her around. Setting her down, I turned her around and kissed her on her lips.

  “You two need to get in here and change your clothes before you catch your death.” My mom said.

  Laughing, I looked at my mom who had the biggest smile on her face, “Yes ma’am.”

  Once in dry clothes, Mom and Dad fill us in on the boys and how they were in bed. It was then I shared the conversation about Hell/Hail. They found it just as funny as I did. Shannon offered Mom and Dad one of the spare rooms. They graciously accepted it. Shannon and I cuddled on the couch and fell asleep there again.

  “Does this mean their getting married?”

  “It has to. Look at them.”

  “No that is not what it means. They are dating and fell asleep watching television.” I hear my mom correct the boys.

  “But they love each other right?”

  “I don’t know sweetie, but I think they care about each other a lot. Come on now, let’s give them some peace okay?”

  Once I heard them leave the room, I nuzzled Shannon awake. “Good morning beautiful.”

  “Good morning,” she said stretching.

  “What’s the plan for today?” I asked, kissing her neck.

  “I guess we need to head back. You need to get closer to work and I need to touch base with Nick see how things are coming along.”

  “Only if you want to. I don’t want to force you to come back to my house.”

  Smacking my arm, she laughs. “You aren’t forcing me. I like falling asleep in your arms.”

  “I like it too. So back to reality we go, huh?”

  She nodded her head and climbed off the couch. By lunch we were all headed back to town. Honestly, I was a little disappointed myself. I liked the privacy we had out there. Going back to town, we had Jake to contend with if he was still in town. Right now it seemed like we were in a little bubble. I’m afraid of when it’s going to pop. No I’m terrified for when it pops.

  * * *

  The weekend went by great. The boys settled in well. Sebastian hasn’t had a nightmare since they’ve moved in there, but Shannon says that worries her. I think Shannon stresses so much over what the boys are going to think or how they are going to react for everything that she struggles to accept the change in routine as well.

  This Monday was busy. For some reason there were far too many people scheduled today. Glaring through my wall at Rachael, I know she’s the reason for this. So here it is after my normal lunch break and I’m still sorting through patients. Dropping the folder down on my desk I walk out to the waiting room just as a crying Shannon comes in the door. Immediately everything can wait, nothing was there, just me and her. She ran right over to me and kissed me long and hard. When she broke away, I was breathless.

  “Okay, I love that hello, but you’re crying. Why are you crying?”

  “You, you did it. You’re the reason I saved my house,” she sobbed into my chest.

  Wrapping my arms around her, I walked her into my office and shut the door. Sitting down on the couch, I rocked her as she cried. I was also making a mental note to kick Nick’s ass for telling her.

  “I’m sorry baby, but I didn’t want to see you lose your connection to your parents. Are you angry with me?”

  “Yes and no. When you did that, we weren’t even together. Why would you do that?”

  Cupping her face and making her look at me, “Even though we weren’t together, I still cared about you. You’re happiness means a lot to me.”

  “Thank you. I’ll pay you back somehow.”

  “Don’t even start! I don’t want the money back for that. You and the boys deserve it. Period.”

  She wipes the tears from her face and stands up. “I’m sorry. You are busy today.” She walks out into the hall.

  “Hey,” I hurry to her. “I’m not going to be taking a lunch today it seems. I’ll see you at home though okay?”

  “I’ll have supper and a nice massage waiting for you,” she wiggles her eyebrows.

  Leaning down, I kiss her softly, “See you at home.”

  I watch her leave and wish I was walking out with her. Instead I’m stuck in here because my receptionist is being a bitch. Thankfully Shannon understood. Honestly, I still don’t know how I got so lucky.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The Stalker

  How the hell has this happened again? How has he found someone else? The first woman that he had around didn’t even seem to hold a glimmer to this new woman. He clings to her. Hell, they are always together. There hasn’t been a single moment for me to “run” into him or run her over.

  This was beginning to really piss me off. How much does one person have to do just to get the man she loved to notice her? Jackson was stubborn. My original plan back fired big time. I hadn’t expected him to clam up and shut down. Now I’m finding I’m having to work harder because of it. He loves me I know he does. It was in his smiles and his voice when he talks to me.

  But now there’s this new bimbo in my way. I mean he’s an extremely sexy man and doesn’t need to lower himself to these women’s standards. He could have the best, me. But no he goes to this stupid whore. Now she’s getting those smiles, touches, his kisses. Oh my… I’ve dreamt about his kisses, what they’d feel like
, how they’d make me feel. A shiver run through my body just thinking about his hands on me. The heat of his hands as they ran along my naked body, massaging and caressing, every inch of my flesh. The feel of his lips following the trail his hands just took…

  I was jolted from my fantasy by my phone ringing. It pissed me off. That was as close as I’ve gotten to Jackson, then my stupid phone ruined it.

  “Hello!” I snapped.

  “This is Rodney. You’d called my phone about a reward or something?”

  Well this was at least worth pulling me away from my Jackson. Maybe with this guy’s help I can put an end to this little tart that’s trying to take the love of my life away.

  After a long and exhausted search on trying to find this bitches weaknesses, a way to pull her away from my Jackson for good, I thought I wouldn’t find anything. However, after getting a friend to tap into her phone, I found out that someone was already having some fun with her. Sadly, they just didn’t know how to truly scare a person. Oh, but I did. Now I just have to hope he’ll follow through with it so I can put my plan into action.

  “Yes, I did. It’s my understanding that you have a phone number very dear to me.”

  “How is my sister’s number dear to you?”

  “Because who can be brought down with it.” I almost purr.

  “And who is that and why should I care?”

  “Do you know a Shannon Mitchell?”

  “Yeah the little bitch is my murderous niece,” he sneered.

  Oh wonderful, this is going to work out even better than I thought. An evil laugh fills my head and I smile.

  “It seems that we have the same feelings towards her.”

  “What’s she done to you?”

  “That’s not important here. What’s important is if you’ll help me bring this bitch down?”

  There was a moment’s pause before he spoke. “Sure, why not? She ruined my life. It’s time she have a taste of her own medicine. What do I need to do?”