For so long, I’d lived like there was no tomorrow because there’d been no tomorrow for me. But the day after I’d signed the papers—the deed for the restaurant and house—marked the real beginning of a future. Of waking up with a purpose other than to crawl out of the endless black hole I’d fallen into.
It was a simple thing—and fuck if I wasn’t grateful for the simple things.
I’d even thought it was monumental. But it turns out it was nothing compared to waking up next to Tay this morning.
Sure, we’d shared a bed for almost two weeks now, but each of those days, I woke feeling like I was in Wonderland—like I never wanted to fucking leave but at the same time, didn’t know how long I was going to be able to stay.
This morning changed everything.
This morning I woke up and looked forward to the future—a full future. One that I could share with someone. Or someones.
I watched her as she slept on my chest, her soft breaths moving the hair that fell in front of her face. It was comfortable torture to feel her body pressed against me, one leg slung over mine, the brush of her tits against my side and the firm bump of her stomach pressed to my hip. I’d been in a constant state of semi-arousal since I woke—and probably while I slept—but I wasn’t going to move for the world.
Larry had been right about a name. She was my redemption, but more importantly, she was mine.
My eyes shot to her face when she moaned slightly, her body gently shifting against me. She was trying to get comfortable, something I knew was going to get more difficult until the baby came.
But when she moaned again, I realized it had nothing to do with pregnancy and everything to do with being uncomfortable in a whole different way.
A groan slid from my mouth when her hips angled against me and I felt the heat and wetness of her pussy rub against my leg.
My girl was having a wet dream.
Instantly, my cock was hard as stone. But I didn’t want to wake her—I was too intrigued. Instead, I grit my teeth together as her soft moans appeared with greater frequency as she began to rock against me.
I wasn’t going to wake her—but I couldn’t do nothing while she used my leg to get off.
Reaching down, I fisted my cock, stroking it in rhythm with her.
Sliding my leg out, I angled it so that she could ride it with more pressure. My hand pumped with more pressure, more speed as I felt how strangled her breathing became. She moaned my name in her sleep and a growl tore from my chest, the thought of her dreaming about me shooting right down to my dick.
And then she froze.
Shit.
Ever so slowly, emerald-encrusted irises blinked open and peered up to mine, heavy and pulsing with unfulfilled desire.
“A-Ash?” she stammered, lust mingling with confusion. “I’m sor—”
My mouth crushed hers. “Don’t fucking apologize. Hottest fucking thing I’ve ever woken up to, sweetheart, so you either finish yourself on my leg, or you climb your sweet ass up onto my dick before I explode,” I growled against her mouth.
Her whole body quaked against mine as she pushed up. I rose up and tilted forward to capture one of her nipples, hungry for the pebbled peak as she practically presented it in front of my face. Her path halted, a long moan sliding from her lips as she let me suck hard on her.
Whatever words she had are gone as she whimpered and moaned against my mouth, arching and begging for more. I could never deny her. I would never want to.
My hands found their way to her sides, rubbing along her silky warm flesh all the way down to her hip. Her body felt as though it was made of clouds and sunshine: impossibly soft and lush, and burning up inside.
I laved over her for long minutes. Her finger found their way into my hair, burying against my scalp, unsure if she wanted to pull me closer or push me away, knowing what came next.
Until she decided, I stuck to my task, flicking and sucking on her swollen breasts. All the while, I relished the way her body shuddered and tensed underneath me because of how sensitive her tits were and just how crazy my tongue could make her. And I did.
“Please…”
An electric thrill shot up my spine. I loved when she pleaded for me.
I loved when she needed me.
I loved it because I knew she didn’t have to.
Taylor had the kind of strength that propelled her away from family and friends because it was the right thing to do for her baby even though it might not have been the right thing to do for herself. She had the kind of strength that promised her every kind of success no matter which path she chose in life.
So, when she begged me, it felt like the sun asking for help from a nightlight to illuminate the day. It was never about being necessary—it was about being needed.
I let her nipple pop from my mouth as I laid back and captured her hooded gaze. Tightening my hands on her waist, I guided her up to straddle me, wedging my cock against the hot wet heaven between her thighs.
My hands reached for her waist, guiding her until she straddled me.
I swelled against her pussy, the thick tip of my dick turning red as I lingered over the sight of her generous tits, red and flushed, knowing how I was going to make them bounce.
“Sit on my cock,” I instructed.
With pink-stained cheeks and panted breaths, I watched her rise up. I hissed as a small fist tortured my dick when she grasped and positioned it at her entrance, coating the tip with her slick heat.
I let out a long, strained curse from the very depths of my chest as she carefully lowered herself on me, as though she could break me. Stars exploded in my vision as her hot little pussy sank down inch by painful inch and swallowed me whole.
“Oh, fuck, Pixie…”
Her small gasp at the end told me I’d just pushed a little bit farther inside of her than I had last night.
With a little pressure from my hands, she began to rise up and down along my cock. I wanted to close my eyes, but I couldn’t take them off of her tits bouncing, her swollen stomach, and my dick sliding in and out of her slick pink pussy, making it glisten with her desire.
This didn’t just outrank her wet dream as the hottest fucking thing I’d ever seen. It completely obliterated it.
When she began to ride me, driven by her need to come, my hands slid one up to her stomach and the other to the breast that my mouth had missed. She was so damn soft and overflowing everywhere I touched, like I’d never be able to get enough of her.
She chanted my name over and over, rising and falling frantically as her pussy squeezed around my dick.
The way she rolled against me, I knew I was hitting that sweet spot along her front wall each time she sank down, her body shuddering on the verge of collapsing under the pleasure.
“Ash, please,” she cried. She was so close and fuck, so was I.
Her pussy tightened around me and my balls seized. I needed her to come or I was going to explode without her.
Keeping one hand on her stomach, I reached between us and rubbed my thumb hard over her swollen clit and then she was screaming my name as she came violently like I’d pushed her very own ‘detonate’ button.
I watched as her orgasm worked her like a pleasurable puppet-master, seizing each and every taut string, winding her tighter and tighter before releasing and letting her crumble around me.
A shout tore from my chest, not expecting the force with which her body seized around me. It felt like the earth beneath me gave out and my release swallowed me whole. I let out a long groan as my cock pumped hard jets of cum deep inside her. One day, I’d put another baby in her stomach like this.
Just like this, I promised myself.
Tay sagged down against me and I pulled my arms tight around her.
“Good morning,” I said with a low, hoarse voice.
Her soft mewl of contentment had my dick twitching, still buried inside her. “I’d say that was more than good.”
I chuckled. “I’d say you’re ri
ght.”
Securing her limbs, I sat up and maneuvered to the edge of the bed, keeping myself inside her as I lifted her and carried her into the bathroom.
“Gonna get you in the shower and then I’ll make us some breakfast.”
She looked up at me with a twinkle in her eyes. “You don’t want to shower with me?”
My laugh turned into a groan as I felt her muscles squeeze around me. “I do want to, sweetheart, but that wouldn’t be a shower, one, and two, there’s not enough room in this one for me to be able to do all the things I want to do to you.”
With a sigh of resignation, she let me pull myself from her and slide her legs down to the floor.
“Glad to know I created a monster,” I said with a wink and a small tap on her ass as she stepped into the warm stream of water. “Now, let me make us some food before baby Ragnar gets cranky.”
I couldn’t stop my laugh as her shy smile morphed into half-faked displeasure as I pulled the curtain between us.
“That is not the baby’s name!” she yelled over the mist as I walked out to the kitchen laughing and trying to think of another moment in my entire life when I’d been this happy.
Taylor
I loved him.
It was the only thought that invaded my mind as I rinsed out my hair, hoping the warm water would wash away my fears. Looking at the small shelf of soaps, I couldn’t even remember now if I’d conditioned my hair or just shampooed.
Deciding that I really didn’t care, I turned the water off and reached for the towel Ash had left for me.
A moan accompanied my first step out of the shower. My body was sore. Not the normal sore from growing another human but a delicious sore. Like it had felt something beyond its limits and was now recovering.
I stopped, looking at the towel hook and tempted to leave mine on it.
No, Taylor. Get your hormones under control.
I finished drying off and tightened the towel around my chest, remembering that I’d read about this stage in What To Expect When You’re Expecting. Honestly, I didn’t know who wanted to keep who in bed more at this point.
I walked out into the kitchen to find Ash standing at the counter, two plates full of waffles that smelled far too good for my own good, staring at something in his hand.
“What’s that?”
His head snapped up and clear blue eyes appeared. He held up a blue and gold coin between his fingers. It only took a moment for me to recall the other sobriety tokens he’d had fashioned around a leather-strap bracelet he usually wore.
“Larry gave it to me last night,” he rasped. “Six months.”
My breath caught and I closed the distance between us, needing to be close to him.
“Why last night?” I couldn’t help but ask now that I knew meetings were on Tuesdays, and it was the weekend.
His jaw tightened. “He knew.”
Ash held out the coin for me to take. The metal was heavy and warm from his touch. It carried a weight to it that meant it was more than a symbol. It carried a message that, even at six months, there was still a weight to be felt each and every day.
“Knew what?” I said softly.
“That I’m ready for Step Nine.”
My eyes widened. “You’re going to call Blake?”
I swallowed over the lump in my throat. It was probably better if I didn’t hear that conversation in person; I’d need all the tissues in California for that.
“And then Zach and my parents,” he told me. “I owe them an explanation.”
My chest seized and blood rushed to my head.
Speaking of that… I owed him an explanation.
I’d never felt fear like I did in that moment.
Not when I found out I was pregnant.
Not when I found out my parents were moving back.
We both jumped at the pounding on the front door.
Like a glass of water crashing to the ground, the moment between us shattered, and all the courage I’d built up sprayed out to where I had no idea how I’d ever salvage it all.
With a low growl, Ash stalked to the door and cracked it for a split second to see who it was. There was a low rumble of voices before he opened it wider and Eli walked inside.
“Eli—hi,” I said with a strangled voice, feeling my cheeks begin to burn as my arms awkwardly wrapped around my chest.
His eyes widened at my distinct lack of clothing. Normally, a towel would cover most of me, given my size, but because of the delightful belly I was now sporting, the material rode up high in the front. And by high, I mean a slight breeze would’ve shown Eli way more than he came here for.
Ash immediately pivoted himself between me and Eli.
“Hey, Pixie,” he said quietly over his shoulder—the nickname always sent chills down my spine. “Eli’s my friend and all, but really would rather not have to rip his eyes out for starin’ at you like that.”
I bit back a laugh at the subtle warning to his friend.
“I’ll be right back,” I mumbled and darted back into the bedroom, wondering why Eli had just shown up unannounced.
Flustered, I rummaged through my clothes that now hung in the small closet, quickly pulling out a tee and loose, comfortable overalls to throw on.
“Hey.”
I jumped at Ash’s voice.
“Hey, I was just about to come out,” I said, pulling the last strap over my shoulder. His face didn’t look the same as a few minutes ago; it was no longer happy and relaxed, there was a cloud of concern and frustration darkening his features. Whatever Eli had come to talk to him about wasn’t good. “What’s wrong?”
The muscle in his jaw tightened. “I have to go with Eli. Something is going on at Roasters.”
“What?” Shock rippled through me as I stepped toward him. “What happened? Is everyone okay?”
“Yeah.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Nothing like that. Just looks like someone broke in overnight and ransacked the place.”
My hands cupped over my mouth, barely muffling my gasp. “Is Larry… Does Larry…”
“Eli told him this morning. Had it out with him to stay home, afraid what might happen if Larry saw the mess.”
“So, it was bad…” I surmised, and when Ash didn’t try to reassure me it wasn’t, I knew I was right.
My hand pressed over my racing heart. Larry might be a tough nut on the outside, but that coffeehouse was his home—it was his family. Eli was right to keep him away.
“Who found it?”
“Eve went to open at five and the door was unlocked.”
“Oh, no… Eve.” I swallowed; my mind felt like it was spinning in place, like an out-of-control top about to fall. “I’m coming with you—”
“No,” he cut me off sharply. “I don’t know who did this or what the hell is going on. I want you and the baby safe.”
“Ash,” I breathed incredulously. “I’ll be safe if I’m with you. How is that less safe than me staying here? Alone?”
Turmoil shadowed his face and I could see he recognized I had a point.
“I’m not staying here,” I said firmly, grabbing a sweater, about to storm past him. “I’m coming even if I have to walk there myself.”
His hand shot out and caught my arm before I could walk by. “Christ, woman, I’d say there is such a thing as pregnancy brain, but Lord knows you’re just as goddamn stubborn even when you aren’t knocked-up.”
“I assume you meant that as a compliment.” I folded my arms on top of my stomach.
He grunted.
“Thank you,” I said with a tart smile, rising up on my tiptoes to kiss him.
What was supposed to be a quick peck turned into something deeply possessive—something that had me swaying by the time he pulled back and the room came back into focus.
“You’re mine, you know that, right?” he rasped softly, his thumb brushing over her cheek. “Both of you.”
I swore there must be a Staples’ ‘Easy’ button for my tears hidden
somewhere on me that only Ash knew how to find.
“Ash…” I blubbered as his gorgeous golden face turned watery in front of me.
“I’ll never let anything happen to you, Tay,” he rasped. “No matter what you insist on trying to do.”
“Y-yeah.”
“Good.” His hand reached for mine. “Alright, let’s go see what the hell happened at Roasters.”
I could only nod, unable to find any words left that could possibly be right. There was a sudden ache in my chest and I realized that my body wasn’t the only thing that had felt beyond its limits.
I loved him.
I loved who he was. I loved who he wanted to be.
I loved that what he did for himself also did something to help others.
I loved the way he cared for me.
I loved the way he touched me.
I loved the way he claimed me.
Tears streamed down my cheeks. And I really, really loved the way that he saw this baby as his even when he didn’t know just how true it was.
I was going to go with him. I was going to be there for him, for my friends, as they sorted out this mess, and then I was going to sit him down and tell him the truth. And I didn’t care if aliens invaded or if this state fell into the sea, Ash Tyler was going to learn my baby belonged to him. Right along with my heart.
Taylor
Lord, give me strength.
The floor crunched underneath our feet like coarse, dry sand. Only, it wasn’t sand. It was devastating debris.
Like layers of an onion, we stepped on levels of shards of glass, plaster, and drywall mingled with the shattered ceramic of plates and mugs, the crumbs of trampled pastries, picture frames, and photographs; and the deeper we got, the more tears spilled from the corners of my eyes.
“You sure you’re okay?” Ash asked for the third time in just as many steps, his own voice laden with shock and anger.
I stood tall and nodded even though my insides felt like they were being twisted in knots.
It felt as though we walked over the wreckage of an entire world—an entire community and history—in a single spot. Years of Carmel Cove, decades of the Ocean family, a century of this town that made me feel at home… all laid to waste.
Redemption Page 22
