“I feel like I am. I was the one who gave her a chance because of my husband.” Melissa sniffed. “And it resulted in this.”
“Your mother-in-law has been crazy for years.”
“I know that. But John didn’t believe that.” Melissa sighed heavily. “William is John’s son, her favorite grandson. Sara dotes on John and, in turn, dotes on William. She wanted to be William’s mother and hated the fact he always wanted to be with me.”
That made sense with what May had first heard from Sara.
“That would explain her words to William outside the store. She wanted him to think you were abandoning him and cling onto her. And it went out of control.”
“Exactly.”
It had gone more than out of control. Sara had let it tailspin so badly she had no idea what to do and had gone wild. May, and later Chris, had got caught in the crossfire.
All because she wanted to be Mommy.
“What’s going to happen with you and John?”
Melissa made a sound like sounded like she was swallowing hard.
“I don’t know yet.” Her voice was strangled. “John’s in bits. We’re going to counseling in the next few days.”
“That’s good.” May glanced down the corridor and saw Sammie talking to Robert. “I’d better go. I think they’re going to release Chris.”
“Tell him thank you. And I’m very sorry.”
May smiled.
“You can make up for it by taking care of your son.”
She hung up and jogged back to her brother and her friend. Sammie turned to her and grinned.
“Don’t worry, sweets. Chris is good to go. He’ll be absolutely fine.”
“Thank God for that.” May squeezed Robert’s hand. “How’s his arm?”
“The burns weren’t as bad as we thought. It’s bandaged up and I’ve left instructions with Chris to take care of.” Sammie gave May a pointed look. “He’s going to need someone to help change the bandages and take care of the burns.”
May didn’t need to guess what she meant.
“He’s coming back to my apartment. I can look after him.”
“I’ve no doubt that you can.” Sammie grinned. “I’d better get back on shift. Take care of that big lout of yours.”
May planned to.
*****
May felt strange coming back to her apartment after being away for weeks. It didn’t feel like her home anymore. It just felt like a shell where she kept most of her things.
But it would do for now.
May unlocked her door and let Chris inside. She was glad her place wasn’t in a mess; May was too tired to clean anything.
“It’s not your home,” She said as she closed the door, “But it will do for now.”
“I don’t mind.” Chris turned to her and held out his good arm. “It’s comfortable either way.”
May went willingly into his body, wrapping her arms around his waist as she let out a heavy sigh.
“As long as I can rest my head, I’d be happy with a box under a bridge.” She declared.
“At the moment, so would I.” Chris kissed her head. “I don’t think I could sleep with the smell of smoke in my nostrils.”
“Speaking of which…” May sniffed him and made a face, “You need a shower. Right now.”
Chris sniffed and grimaced.
“Yeah, you’re right. I need a fresh change of clothes as well.”
“Well, I can’t help you with that.” May grinned and stepped back with her arms folded. “But you’re more than welcome to strip. I’ll put your things in the wash. They should be ready tomorrow afternoon.”
Chris’ eyes glinted and he licked his lips. Then he gestured at his shirt.
“You might need to help me out of these.”
May grinned.
“Trying to get out of it?”
“Not at all. But I’m a little handicapped.”
Chris indicated his arm. May rolled her eyes and ushered him towards the bathroom.
“Fine. In there and I’ll help. But don’t try anything. You’re not in any condition to do anything beyond showering.”
“I’m too tired to do anything except sleep.” Chris yawned. “That’s the last thing on my mind.”
“Really?” May glanced down at his crotch, which looked significantly larger than a few moments before. “Because there’s a part of your body that’s not tired at all.”
Chris looked down and grimaced.
“It has a mind of its own.”
“I’ve noticed that.” May gently pushed him into the bathroom. “Let’s get those smoky clothes off you.”
“That’s the worst pick-up line I’ve ever heard.”
“Shut up.”
May gingerly helped him off with his shirt and unbuttoned his jeans, stepping back before she went any further.
“Those you can do on your own.”
“You don’t want to help me?”
“Chris.”
Chris sighed.
“Fine. No funny business.”
He pushed down his jeans and boxers. His cock sprang free. May’s mouth watered. He was very hard. Even with Chris saying he was too tired for anything, his cock had other ideas. Trying not to look at his erection, May knelt and helped Chris take off his sneakers and socks, pulling the rest of his clothes off before grabbing his shirt and standing, looking anywhere but at his cock.
“I’ll go and put these in the machine.” She muttered, practically bolting from the room.
If she had stayed any longer, May was sure Chris would have tugged her under the shower and pinned her against the wall. She wouldn’t have argued, either, but neither of them was in a state to even think about making love.
At least, May didn’t think she was. But her body was saying otherwise. Her breasts were feeling heavy and heat was pooling in her stomach. Just the thought of Chris naked a few rooms away had arousal blooming when May thought it was too worn out to flare up.
Shoving his smoky clothes into the machine, May decided at the last second to put her own things in as well. Stripping down to her underwear, she tossed a washing tab into the drum and slammed the door shut, switching the machine on. Then she went back to the bathroom. Chris was standing under the shower, his bandaged arm stuck out of the water, which cascaded down his body. May licked her lips at the sight. She wanted to follow the lines of water with her tongue.
Chris opened his eyes and looked at her, staring at her attire. May smiled and indicated the shower.
“Mind if I get in after you?”
Chris shook his head. Moments later, he was stepping out and reached for a towel. May stepped away as he wrapped the towel around his waist and left the bathroom. He didn’t try to touch her. May knew they were tired but this made her feel cold.
She showered quickly, washing her hair twice until she was sure she didn’t have the scent of soot, and dried off as fast as she could, snatching up her bathrobe from the top of the laundry basket. Shrugging it on, May went into the lounge and found Chris sitting on the couch, staring at the TV screen as her favorite channel played out.
“How the hell do you find all this fascinating?”
“I’m strange.”
“I’ve noticed that.” Chris flashed her a wry smile. “A good strange, that is.”
“I’m glad about that.”
Chris’ smile faded and he picked up the remote, turning the TV off. Then he turned to her and took her hands, drawing her into his arms. He kissed her forehead.
“Listen, May, I’m so sorry.”
“What?” May blinked up at him. “What are you sorry about?”
“That I wasn’t there to protect you. I got dragged into her lies. They were very convincing and she had me elsewhere when the fire was started.”
May saw the distress in his face. He really was beating himself up about that. She hugged him.
“That wasn’t your fault, okay? You didn’t know what was going to happen. All you knew was that tex
t message was in good faith.”
“But it wasn’t me. I deal with high-risk situations every day.” Chris swallowed hard. “But seeing my house in flames and I thought you…”
Chapter 12
May didn’t want to hear anymore. She rose up and grabbed his head, kissing him hard. Chris gripped onto her like she was his lifeline. May pulled back and gave his head a little shake.
“Don’t think about that. I’m okay. I got out. And the house shouldn’t be too badly gutted, from what I was told. You can sort it out again and make it your home again.”
“I know.” Chris’ breathing was getting ragged. He ran his thumb over her lips. “I can make it a home again. If you come with me.”
“I was going to come with you anyway. Some of my stuff is there, remember?”
“I mean for real. Permanently.”
May’s mouth fell open. Was he suggesting what she thought he was suggesting?
“Seriously?”
“Yes.” Chris rested his forehead against hers, kissing her firmly. “I don’t want to be parted from you, even living away from you. You’re in my life for good.”
“You’ve decided that already?”
“Absolutely.”
Being in Chris’ life on a more permanent basis sounded very tempting. She could see herself and Chris together more than boss and personal assistant.
She wanted that. A lot.
“You’re not leaving much room for argument, are you?”
Chris shook his head with a smile.
“No. Not when I know what I want.” He cupped her head in his hands. “And I want you.”
“In…” May swallowed. Suddenly her mouth was very dry. “In what capacity?”
“Under me, over me…”
May groaned and slapped his shoulder.
“Seriously, Chris. Tell me straight. In what capacity do you want me?”
Chris laughed. He kissed her forehead.
“How does May Campbell sound?”
That was when it clicked in her head. May realized what he was asking. She pulled back and stared at him, seeing his very self-assured grin. Arrogant to the last but she still loved him for it.
“Was that a proposal?”
“It can be if you like the sound of it.”
If she liked the sound of it. May more than liked the sound of it. But she wasn’t going to lie down and roll over for Chris that easily. She wouldn’t make it easy for him at all. May grinned and slowly undid the belt of her bathrobe.
“You might need to tempt me.”
Chris’ nostrils flared as his eyes snapped down to her breasts. Then he was pressing her against the cushions with such a ferocious kiss May could only hang on to his shoulders and allow herself to get swept along. Chris’ hands parted the robe and his hands felt hot all over her body, cupping her backside as he pulled her against him. He thrust and his erection rubbed against her pelvis. May shifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist, his erection now pressing right where she wanted him.
Chris growled, his hands tightening on her backside. Then he pulled away from May’s mouth and lowered his head to her breasts, feasting on one breast and then the other. May’s hands burrowed into his hair and tightened, her nails digging into his scalp. She was aware that this might be hurting but she didn’t care. Her whole body was suddenly alive and burning, aching for Chris to cool her down.
She wanted him right then.
Her hands keeping his head at her breasts, May used her feet to kick off Chris’ towel. Chris shifted so the towel fell to the floor and then thrust inside her. May threw her head back in a howl as his cock stretched her and her pussy clamped down on him. Chris lifted his head and bit her shoulder as he hammered his hips against hers, his cock pistoling in and out of her. May felt the pain mix with the pleasure until the pleasure took over. Her body was beginning to have a warm tingle spread from her belly and up her body.
Then before she fell over the edge, Chris stopped and pulled out sharply. May tried to protest when Chris hauled her up, shoving her bathrobe down her arms and flipping her onto her front. May found herself holding onto the back of the couch, on her knees with her legs spread apart with Chris pressing himself behind her. His cock hit her at a different angle that made May see lights behind her eyes.
It wasn’t long before the orgasm was climbing again, building as Chris increased the tempo of his thrusts, his hips slapping against her backside. May’s breath hitched when Chris’ hand snaked in front and flicked her clit.
She went off like a rocket. Chris was relentless, jackhammering into her and rubbing her clit. The orgasm seemed to go on and on and soon May didn’t think she could take anymore. Then Chris let out a snarl and thrust one last time, filling May with his seed. May felt herself floating down from her high a little faster than she anticipated, her body shaking. She could feel the sweat streaking her body, Chris’ body slick against hers.
Chris kissed her shoulder before nipping the skin with his teeth.
“Will you marry me now?” He asked.
May managed to find the energy to laugh. She turned her head to kiss him.
“I think you’ve given a convincing argument.”
*****
Sixteen years later
“Dad, can I go to the movies tonight?”
Chris looked up. Jaime Campbell was standing in the doorway to his office, her cell phone in her hand and an expectant look on her face. Chris glanced at May, who was sitting at her desk adjacent to his.
“Tonight? It’s a bit last minute to be asking, isn’t it, Jaime?”
His daughter rolled her eyes.
“It was arranged last minute. Please, Dad? It’s that movie I’ve been nagging you to let me see.”
Chris sat back and considered. He didn’t often deny his oldest daughter much but now she was in her teens and clearly becoming a young woman, he was very protective over her. Jaime was a beautiful teenager and she was popular with the boys. She had no end of boyfriends. May had despaired that Jaime was going to end up playing the boys up against each other and Chris had a feeling she was right. Their daughter was very headstrong. Compared to their twin boys, who were barely twelve, Jaime knew exactly what she wanted and she was determined to get it.
Much like her father. Jase and Luke were much like their mother while Jaime took after Chris in terms of her personality, flaws and all. It drove Chris to distraction whenever he had an argument with her. Now he knew how May had felt for the past eighteen years.
And she still married him.
May laughed when she saw Chris’ expectant look.
“No, you don’t. You’re not putting that on me again.”
Chris sighed. It would be nice to have a few hours without the children. Jase and Luke were at a friend’s house for a sleepover. If Jaime went to the movies, maybe he could get through his upcoming appointment and have some time alone with May. Now it was the holidays, they weren’t getting much of a chance.
From the look in May’s eyes, she was thinking the same thing. Chris sighed.
“Who are you going with?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“Because you’re fifteen and I want to know you’re going to be okay.” Chris went through this every time Jaime wanted to go out. “We’ve been through this before, remember?”
Jaime huffed and pouted.
“I’m going to watch a movie with a senior. He asked me out. Don’t screw this up for me, Dad.”
“A senior? You’re a freshman!”
“And?”
And what? Chris was uncomfortable knowing that his daughter was dating guys her age, never mind seniors in high school. An eighteen-year-old with a fifteen-year-old didn’t sit well with him. He remembered being eighteen himself and they didn’t often think with their heads. He certainly hadn’t.
“Who’s the senior?” May asked gently. “Do we know him?”
“Will Monahan. The quarterback.”
Chris’ ears perk
ed up. May stared at Jaime. Then she stared at Chris.
“Will Monahan?” She repeated. “Little William?”
Chris whistled. It had been a while since he had heard that name.
“That’s a name from the past.”
“He said you might recognize the name.” Jaime chimed in. “He said something about his grandmother and what happened to him as a kid but he didn’t elaborate.”
He didn’t need to. Chris could remember all too clearly the events that had happened between Will’s grandmother and May, himself later getting involved. Sara Monahan had tried to kill them because her deluded world was imploding.
But she had also pushed Chris into taking May for himself. If Chris hadn’t been pushed, May might not have been married to him for the last sixteen years.
“My, my.” May had a smile playing on her lips. “It’s been a while. Last time we saw him he was only three years old.”
“Well, he’s eighteen now and about to graduate. He’s going to college in the fall in DC. And he’s asked me on a date.” Jaime looked at her mother pleadingly. “Please, Mom? Can I go? I haven’t been asked out by a senior before and I really like Will.”
“I thought you liked the last few boys you went out with.”
“Will’s different.” Jaime hopped from foot to foot as if she needed the bathroom. “Please?”
May and Chris exchanged looked. Chris raised his eyebrows and May shrugged. She was fine with it if Chris was. Jaime may go through boyfriends quickly but they trusted her. Their daughter was more responsible than they gave her credit for. And if it was Will Monahan…
“Only if we drop you off.”
“Dad!”
*****
May was stunned. She had not expected to hear that name at all. It had been some years since they had heard the name Monahan. A lot of the time, May was thankful for that.
It had been a shame to lose touch with Melissa, who was a genuinely lovely woman who adored her son. But Melissa had decided leaving the state and living nearer her parents was better for the family. Her husband had gone with her but May had been sure John wouldn’t last long before he went back to his mother.
Sara’s trial had been two months after the fire. She had been kept in jail until then, which had resulted in her being put in the infirmary several times after she goaded one too many inmates.
Love In Arms_BWWM Romance Page 13
