At Peace (The War Trilogy #3)

by Andria Large

  “Shit, yeah, of course I’ll be your best man!” Duke grins then looks in my direction. I can see the dig coming before it even leaves his mouth. “So are you wearing the wedding dress and having a maid of honor then?”

  “You’re such an ass,” I grunt and shake my head.

  He laughs. “No, for real, though, are you having a best man, too?”

  “I’m going to have Lizette stand for me.”

  Duke smiles softly. “That’s really nice.” His sincerity has a lump forming in my throat.

  I asked Lizette a couple of days ago and she agreed, of course, and then bawled her eyes out. I can’t even begin to explain what it means to me that she’ll be standing by my side when I marry the love of my life. Even if I were marrying a woman, I’d want her to be my person. When I married Zara, I regretted not having her there, but I really didn’t have a choice. Plus, I always thought we were going to have another wedding at home, before that plan died along with her.

  I think about Zara at least once a day. Usually something will bring up a fond memory of the short time we had together. As much as I love her, I honestly feel like I’m with the right person. I’ve definitely come to terms with the fact that she died for a reason. She died so that I could find Tucker.

  ~ Tucker ~

  “3…2…1…Happy New Year!”

  I grab Dennis by his face and pull him in for a kiss. The four of us are standing out on Duke’s balcony, freezing our asses off just to celebrate the New Year with the rest of New York City. Dennis wraps his arms around me and slips his tongue in my mouth. I moan low, gliding my tongue along his. Our kiss is slow and sensual and I want more. Dennis nips at my bottom lip, lighting me on fire. The cold wind ain’t got nothin’ on Dennis and the way he sets my body aflame.

  He pulls back slowly. When I can see his eyes, I just know that the sex tonight is going to be phenomenal. There is a dark promise in those green eyes of his and I can’t fucking wait.

  We leave Duke’s around 1:00 am and walk the couple of blocks home. There are drunken people everywhere, celebrating and making a ruckus. I’m pretty sure I saw one couple fucking up against the side of a building.

  I open the door to our condo and Dennis follows me in, shutting the door behind us. Before I can even go anywhere, Dennis wraps his arms around me from behind and plasters the front his body against my back, his hard-on prodding my ass. He brings one hand up and wraps it around the front of my throat while the other splays across my stomach. My breathing hitches when his lips brush the shell of my ear.

  “Get undressed,” Dennis murmurs, his tone soft yet demanding.

  He nips my ear hard, sending an electric shock right to my cock. I gasp and stumble forward as he suddenly releases me. I turn to stare at him through the dark. An excited thrill flutters my stomach when I see the hungry look on his face. Without breaking eye contact, I let my coat slide from my shoulders. After tossing it aside, I start unbuttoning my shirt. I can hear his breathing pick up. Unable to help myself, I let my mouth curl into a cocky grin. I love that I have such a blatant effect on him.

  I discard my shirt then pull off my undershirt and toss them both away. I stand there for a moment, naked from the waist up, and just watch as Dennis’ eyes roam over me. My skin heats everywhere his eyes touch. He palms the front of his jeans, gives his dick a squeeze, and lets out a small moan.

  “Keep going.” His voice is low and raspy.

  I bite my bottom lip as I start on my belt buckle. My hands are starting to shake from excitement and anticipation of what he has planned. I get rid of my belt then move onto the fly of my jeans. I pop the button before slowly lowering the zipper. Dennis growls his impatience, but he’s the one who started this game, so I’m gonna take my good ol’ time.

  Toeing off my shoes is next, followed by dragging my jeans down over my hips and thighs. I kick them aside and wait for Dennis.

  “Underwear off.”

  I gladly oblige. A low moan rumbles up his throat.

  “Fuck, you’re so gorgeous,” Dennis hisses.

  My whole body flushes at the compliment. I look down at my cock, which is standing achingly at attention and already leaking. My breathing kicks up a notch as I wait for Dennis to do something…anything. I need him to do something soon; the desire to have him touch me is almost overwhelming. I’m just about ready to crawl out of my skin when Dennis finally moves. He crashes into me, his mouth finding mine in a frenzied kiss. His hands are everywhere, and it’s still not enough for me.

  I tear at his clothes, stripping him as fast as I can without actually ripping anything. He walks us, while still ravaging each other’s mouths, toward the couch. I’m walking backwards, inwardly praying that I don’t trip and fall over something. When my ass hits the arm of the couch, Dennis plants a hand on my chest and bends me backwards over it.

  Just as I’m about to ask what he’s doing, he takes my cock into his mouth, down to the hilt. I let out a choked cry and clutch at the couch cushions for something to hold onto. This position I’m in gives me no leverage, I can’t even thrust my hips. The only thing I can do is surrender.

  Dennis’s nails dig into my chest as he continues to suck me, hard and fast. My breathing is labored to the point that I’m feeling lightheaded, or that could be all the blood rushing to my head. As if he’s reading my thoughts, Dennis’ mouth pops off of me and he gruffly tells me to turn around. He helps pull me upright before immediately spinning me around and making me bend over the arm of the couch again.

  His big hands spread my cheeks apart. I let out a surprised shout when his tongue finds my hole. Again, Dennis isn’t going at it softly or lightly; he’s going all out, licking and biting my ass cheeks, fucking me with his tongue and fingers, while he continues to lick around my hole. I’m to the point where I can’t take it anymore.

  “Fuck me! Please, just fuck me!” I sob.

  Dennis’ tongue and fingers leave me and I groan at the loss, but I really need more. He drapes his body over mine and shoves his hand between the couch cushions. We’ve had sex on the couch enough times to know to store a bottle of lube between the cushions. I hear the snap of the cap, and then jolt when the cold lube is dribbled between my cheeks.

  ~ Dennis ~

  I close the cap of the lube and lob it onto the couch. Taking hold of my cock, I use it to spread the lube around Tucker’s ass. Tucker is killing me, he’s so responsive and compliant, it’s so hot. I’m probably going to have a headache later after sucking his dick and eating his ass, that’s a lot of work for one’s jaw. But it was worth it. It was worth having him beg me to fuck him and knowing how much he was enjoying it all.

  I line my cock up with his hole and push forward. After all the prep I just did, I can easily slide right in. Tucker lets out a strangled cry that sounds more like relief than anything else. One side of my mouth lifts into a partial smile. He is definitely more of a bottom than I am. As much as I enjoy it, I’d rather top, and Tucker is always willing to let me.

  I grab onto his hips as I take him hard and fast. The noises coming out of him are enough to make me lose it, but I hold back because I’m not ready for this to be over yet, it’s too good. Tuck pushes up to his hands and looks over his shoulder at me. Holy fuck. I’ve never seen him look this sexy. His dark mop of curls is all over the place with some pieces sticking to his sweat soaked forehead. His eyes, which are normally a light blue - even in the dark - now, look black. And his plump lips are parted as he breathes heavily and moans.

  Shit, I want to watch his face when he comes, and this position isn’t cutting it. I pull out, getting instant protests from Tucker. I move around him and sit down in the middle of the couch. I motion him over with a jerk of my head. He slowly pushes himself up from the arm of the couch and comes over to me. He steps onto the couch, straddling my lap then crouches down so he can impale himself onto my cock. He lets out a guttural moan and leans back, putting his hands on my knees. My eyes practically roll back in my head at the sight bef
ore me. Sexy isn’t a strong enough word for the way Tucker looks right now. Erotic maybe? I don’t fucking know. I can’t think straight right now.

  Since Tucker is using both of his hands to hold himself up as he rides me, I take it upon myself to jerk him off. As soon as I touch him, he moans long and low, throwing his head back.

  “Oh god, Denny, I’m so close.” His rocking hips falter, so I tighten my grip and speed up my strokes.

  I watch his abs contract as his cock swells in my hand. A litany of curses pour out of his mouth as he drops himself down on me, forcing my cock inside of him as deep as possible. A harsh shout rips up his throat as his cock explodes in my hand. His body trembles and his ass pulses around my cock as warm white jets land on my chest and stomach. It’s a beautiful sight.

  I gather Tucker’s slack body in my arms and turn us so that I can lay him back on the couch. Keeping myself inside of him, I cover him with my body and press my lips to his. Tucker moans again and wraps his arms around my neck, holding me to him. I start to move my hips, pulling back and pushing forward, fucking him slowly. It doesn’t take me long to get back to teetering on the edge.

  I drag my lips down to his neck and place soft kisses there before burying my face in the crook where his neck meets his shoulder. I pick up speed as I feel my orgasm closing in. With a few final thrusts, I empty myself inside of him, moaning his name against his neck.

  We lie there, sweaty and panting, for a good five minutes before going into the bathroom to clean up. Not bothering with showers at the moment, we both crawl into bed naked and curl around each other. Sleep comes easy after the sexcapades we just had.

  ~ Chapter Ten ~

  ~ Dennis ~

  A strange ringing pulls me from my sleep. When I’m coherent enough to realize it’s my cell phone, I reach for it where it’s sitting on the nightstand. With my head still smashed into my pillow, I swipe my thumb across the screen and put the phone to my ear.

  “Hello?” My voice is muffled by the pillow and gravelly from sleep.

  “Dennis!” Lizette gasps into the phone.

  Her tone has me pushing up to my elbows. “Lizzie? You okay?”

  “On our way to the hospital, my water broke about an hour ago,” she says quickly before groaning in pain. “Contractions are getting bad.”

  I’m pretty sure my heart just took a flying leap off a building. “Holy shit! Holy shit! Okay! We’ll meet you at the hospital!”

  “Okay,” she grits out and hangs up.

  When I turn to wake Tucker, I find him already getting out of bed. He obviously heard me. I sit up and put my leg on, but then I just sit there in utter shock, my little sister is about to have a baby.

  “Hey,” comes Tucker’s curious voice from the opposite side of the bed.

  I look over my shoulder at him.

  “You okay?” he asks as he pulls on a T-shirt.

  “I just can’t believe it,” I murmur in awe.

  Tucker chuckles. “Well, believe it, you’re about to become an uncle.”

  I smile. “So are you.”

  Tucker’s smile softens. He doesn’t respond but he doesn’t really need to; I can tell that he’s just as excited as I am. And I know he’s going to love this baby as if it were his own blood.

  We quickly finish getting ready then make our way to the hospital. My nerves are just about shot by the time we get there and find out where we have to go. Tucker takes my hand as we walk down the hall to the room that Lizette is in. Of course with Beau being a huge celebrity, the security on the maternity ward floor has been upped. We had to get checked in by a security guard outside the ward’s doors, who had a clipboard full of names. I’m assuming only people who are on the list can enter the ward to visit the other families that are here, too.

  The door to her room is closed, so after taking a deep breath, I knock. The door opens a moment later, revealing Beau’s head. I can see the stress and worry written all over his face. He brightens slightly when he sees that it’s Tucker and me.

  “Hey guys, come in,” Beau says, opening the door wider to let us in.

  We walk into the room and Beau shuts the door behind us. I let go of Tucker’s hand and go straight for Lizette, who is clutching the rails of her bed with her eyes squeezed shut, her teeth bared as she pants. As soon as I reach her side, she relaxes and whimpers.

  I smooth the stray strands of hair back from her forehead then lean down and kiss the top of her head.

  “Hey, Lizzie,” I murmur. “How you doing?”

  “I can’t take it anymore, Dennis! I need an epidural now!” she cries, fisting my shirt.

  The pain in my chest is immediate. I hate seeing her hurting like this, and she’s obviously in a lot of pain. Before she can say anything else, she lets out a strangled cry and yanks on my shirt, while her other one flails for something to hang onto. I grab her other hand and let her squeeze mine. Once the contraction is over, I look at Beau, who is pacing on the other side of the bed looking helpless.

  “Did the doctor call the anesthesiologist yet?” I ask him.

  “Yeah, they should be here any minute,” Beau croaks, shoving his hands into his hair, obviously distressed.

  “How many centimeters are you dilated?” I direct my question at Lizette.

  “About 7.”

  “Good.”

  I glance at Tucker. He gives me an encouraging smile and a wink before he goes and sits on the end of the bed. He moves the blanket off Lizette’s right foot then starts massaging the bottom of it, making her sigh with pleasure.

  “Do you have names picked out?” Tucker asks.

  I see what he’s doing; he’s trying to distract her from the pain as much as possible.

  “Beau Jr., if it’s a boy, and Gia, if it’s a girl,” she replies wearily.

  Lizette has one more contraction before the anesthesiologist walks in with a rolling tray and a nurse trailing behind her. She looks to be in her mid-thirties and is very attractive. Her eyes land on Tucker first, where he’s still massaging Lizette’s feet, then her gaze lifts to look at me, where I’m petting the top of Lizette’s head. Then she looks at Beau before addressing Lizette.

  “Mrs. Kennedy, I’m Dr. Crews, I’ll be administering your epidural.”

  “Oh, thank God!” Lizette sobs in relief.

  Dr. Crews chuckles. “Which one of these handsome men is the daddy?”

  Beau raises his hand. “That’d be me.”

  “Great, I’m going to need your help,” she tells him with a gentle smile.

  I watch as Beau swallows hard. “Uh…what do you need me to do?”

  “We’re going to have mom sit on the edge of the bed, with her back to the window. I’m going to need you to stand in front of her, help her breathe, and keep her from moving since we have to do this while she’s having a contraction.”

  Beau nods and comes around to the side of the bed where I’m standing. I help push Lizette into a sitting position then Beau takes over and helps her sit on the edge of the bed. Tucker goes and stands in the corner by the windows so he’s out of the way.

  “You’re a lucky woman to have all of these good-looking guys doting on you like this.” Dr. Crews grins as she gets stuff ready on her tray behind Lizette’s back.

  “Dennis here is my brother.” Lizette points to me then hikes a thumb over her shoulder. “And Tucker over there is his fiancé.”

  Dr. Crews eyes lift for a second to meet mine before turning back down to continue what she’s doing. Her smile widens and I tilt my head curiously as I wait for her to say something.

  “That’s great. I have an uncle who is gay. He and his husband are my favorite uncles; they are the absolute coolest guys I know. This little person is very lucky to have them.”

  I can’t help the smile that breaks across my face. “I have to agree, I am pretty damn cool.”

  Tucker barks out a laugh from the corner, and Beau starts snickering next to me.

  “What? I’m cool!” I argue.
/>
  Lizette takes my hand and pats the back of it. “Of course you are, Denny,” she teases.

  Everyone has a good laugh, and then it gets serious when Dr. Crews administers the epidural. I can see the moment it starts working. Lizette’s whole body relaxes. Beau and Dr. Crews help her get situated in bed, then the doctor says her goodbyes and leaves.

  A couple more hours pass before it's time for Lizette to start pushing. As the doctors and nurses get everything ready, I go to my sister to wish her luck before I leave.

  “Good luck, Lizzie.” I press a kiss to her forehead.

  She grabs my hand. “Don’t leave, Denny. I want you to stay,” she pleads.

  I frown and stare down at her pretty face. “Really?” I’m actually pretty shocked that she wants me to stay in the room while she gives birth.

  She nods and I can see the fear in her eyes. Of course she’s scared, she’s having her first baby, she’s never done this before. Most women would probably have their mother present. Well, that isn’t possible with us and I’m the closest thing to a parent she’s ever had.

  “Yes. Tucker, too.”

  My eyebrows shoot up at that one. I glance over at him and he looks equally shocked.

  “You two mean everything to me and I want you to be here.”

  “I…uh…okay…” I stutter.

  I am now officially terrified. I’ve never seen a baby being born! I haven’t even been around any pregnant women except for Lizette. I have no idea what to do or how to even handle this. Tucker comes to stand with me on Lizette’s right. Beau stays on her left, where he leans in to give her a kiss and words of encouragement.

  Nothing on this earth could have prepared me for the next hour. The pushing, the screaming, the coaching from the doctor, more screaming. Beau is holding her left leg while I have her right. Never did I ever think that the words, “The head is out,” would make my entire body sag with relief. Minutes later, the baby is born and wailing.