Honest Love
Page 25
“Whatever…I had to do what I had to do. My man wasn’t around.” She was teasing me and I loved it.
“Well, tomorrow? I see these toys you keep bragging about and we are going to have a little fun. Got it? No wife of mine is going to use some plastic dick to satisfy her ever again…unless I get to use it on her.”
Claire laughed. “Hmm, that sounds kinky. I like.”
“You amaze me, woman. Simply amaze me. Now, round three…here we go.”
We made love again, slowly before falling asleep curled up in each other’s arms. I couldn’t believe how much my life had changed in the last few months. It was more than I could have ever hoped or wished for in any lifetime. I had the woman of my dreams, a baby on the way and three great step-kids that were pretty damned wonderful.
I was one lucky bastard.
Epilogue
Claire
Our daughter was born eight months after our little vacation. Grace was tiny and perfect. Derek was over the moon in love with her, but kept his promise to always put me first. I loved the dad that he was to my kids and our little girl. He was a good listener, attentive and a great friend and confidant for Matt, Jenna and Jon.
After his recovery, Derek didn’t return to being an active firefighter. He’d done some therapy to overcome a bout of PTSD from seeing his friends killed and the guilt of being a survivor. He visited the widows weekly and made sure they had everything they needed. I loved that about him. I even became fast friends with a few who seemed to need to be around us, around Grace as a reminder of the good in life.
The fear and worry about something else happening—about the fact he could’ve died and missed knowing about Grace was what really pushed him to quit…retire. I was thrilled. Instead, he and a few buddies started a wildfire training school through the San Diego Fire Department. Derek had planned on not charging rookies in training, but the fire chief insisted the department pay something. So, for every rookie that passed, the chief and the City of San Diego had to pay $2.00. Derek didn’t need the money. The chief was pissed, but it was great PR for the Department and of course the whole city just ooed and awed over Derek London being so generous. I was one proud wife.
I finally confessed to Derek that I was a pretty wealthy woman myself and that my house was paid for by Jake…in cash. He’d even given me millions of his parents’ money and I took it. Not for me, but for my kids. At the time, I was pissed and didn’t want Kaye to have it all, but after I had time to think about it, I was glad I’d taken it.
Derek was not happy about the money or the house thing. But I convinced him that it was right, at the time and we had to move on.
We helped Matt move away to college, which was hard, but he was still in town at San Diego State and came by often to visit. He was totally in love with Grace and would walk around the house cradling her and telling her all about the world. I tried not to cry every time I heard him with her. Derek would smile and say, “I don’t think I’ll ever have to worry about being too old to beat up any boys that come around her. Matt and Jon have that covered, huh?”
“Yes, baby. I believe they do.”
Jake even sent a baby gift, which pissed Derek off, but he held his tongue when I reminded him that it was really a gesture for our kids, not me. I think he was starting to understand more and more about why I still had a ‘relationship’ with Jake. Being a father opened his eyes to a new kind of compassion…and a fierce hatred for what Jake had done.
One night, Derek confessed, “Watching you all these months, carrying my baby, loving me…loving us, has made me love you more. You are so easy to love, to want to protect and take care of. I’m glad he fucked up. He didn’t deserve you. I hate him for hurting you, Claire. But his mistakes brought you to me and gave us Grace. I’ll never understand how he could do that to you…not ever. But I’m grateful at the same time.”
He’d found out about Jake’s visit while he was fighting for his life in the hospital and wanted to be really angry about it, but miraculously he said he understood…a little. “His kids needed him while you were so consumed with what was happening to me. I don’t like it and he’d better not show up unannounced again, but I understand.” It was like a Christmas Miracle in the middle of the summer.
That was our life in a nutshell.
We loved each other, loved our family and had moved beyond all our past pain and hurt to find one incredible life together.
Bonus Epilogue
I was always her protector.
No one was as close to Claire as I was. She needed me. Everyone judged me, thought I wasn’t right for her, but I knew different.
Days and days would go by without even a simple touch. But then, I’d feel her hand grip me and I knew I was needed. I was loved.
I followed Claire wherever she went. When she needed me, I was there to cover her, comfort her, warm her body and soul.
It wasn’t right that he was so jealous. I mean, I was here first. He should’ve just acknowledged it and moved on. I thought Claire would tell him to fuck off and it would just be us, but no.
So, there had to be a compromise. He was her husband, after all.
She had to keep me locked away from the world and save me only for his eyes. I guess I could live with that. I was just a little black robe, after all.
Acknowledgments
Wow! I can’t believe Claire’s story is finally done. I’ve waited a long time to share her with you. This book will be released almost exactly one year from the day my fans were introduced to two couples whose struggles were based on true events. In the end, we all wanted Claire to have her Happily Ever After and I hope this book lives up to the fabulous woman she is in all of our hearts and minds. Thank you for loving Claire and Derek.
If you want more of Claire’s backstory, check out Paradise Taken and Saving Us (Sequel to Paradise Taken). It’s not necessary to read these two books to understand and love Honest Love.
Thank you to my BETA readers who took the time to read the unedited version of this book and gave me such wonderful feedback. You’re the best!
I want to thank my assistant and friend, Melissa. I love that you are a freakishly fast reader, incredible swag maker and the best ‘hottie’ hunter around. XOXO
To my fans, I love chatting with you! It makes me smile to see you reach out to me through email, Facebook, Twitter and all sorts of places. Keep it up! I love it.
And, most importantly…thank you to my hubby and kids. You guys are so patient and supportive. It means the world to me. I love you tons!
Coming Soon
Jack (Loving Her)
Novella (part of an anthology)
*Secret Book*(TBA)
*Secret Book*(TBA)
Other Books by CM Hutton
Paradise Taken
Based on true events.
Four lives, intertwined by friendship and business, whose true story was more devastating than fiction.
Rob and Kaye were thrilled to be moving to the island of St. John with dear friends Jake and Claire. The men were going into business together and relocating with their families to the beautiful tropical paradise. It was a dream come true for the longtime friends.
But, when feelings are revealed and temptation takes control, one friendship turns from lust to love and no one can walk away unscathed.
And, one person’s ultimate decision leaves everyone lost and devastated.
Saving Us (Sequel to Paradise Taken)
Our love affair wasn’t what everyone wanted it to be. It was raw and full of absolute joy and unbelievable pain.
My love for another woman had consumed me for years and now that Kaye was mine, I wasn’t ever letting her go. I knew the consequences of our affair would be devastating to our families, but I was too selfish to walk away.
My beautiful Kaye was having my baby and we were determined to get our happily ever after....until one day, one event, one conversation threatened it all.
“I had to know what went wrong. My
stomach was sick with grief and I didn’t know what to do next or even how to help Kaye.
I needed to get to her.
It didn’t matter what Rob or Claire thought. No one could stop me from going. I knew she needed me. I could feel it deep in my soul.”
Jake
Loving Her
Boring, but completely gorgeous. That was my first impression of him. My next two thoughts were ‘pompous ass’ and ‘cocky jerk.’ And, I had the glorious pleasure of sharing a table with him for the entire night. He didn’t speak, didn’t grunt….he just nodded and stared. If I weren’t taking my bosses place at this dinner, I’d have found another place to sit and escape Rylan Daniels.
‘Absolutely beautiful’ was what I thought when I found her at my table at the Ad Execs quarterly dinner. She wore a black strapless dress and exuded confidence from every part of her. I nodded to her, but didn’t speak. I really didn’t have much to say anyway.
I couldn’t quit staring and had to excuse myself at one point to stand across the room and watch her. It was a strange, unwelcome feeling I was having about this stunning woman.
It had been five years…five years since Kristen…and I still couldn’t move on. That kind of hurt you just don’t get over so easily and I wasn’t even sure that I wanted to get over it. But, here I was, completely intrigued and unable to stop thinking about Jen Bailey.
Author Bio
I’m a wife, a mom of three, a friend, an aunt, a sister, a daughter and a teacher. Now, I can add writer to my list! I’ve always wanted to write and finally found inspiration and support to do it.
I live near Austin, Texas with my family and love to read and travel. Put me on a beach with a good book and the world just disappears around me.
Paradise Taken was my first novel and is a highly emotional book based on true events.
Saving Us (Sequel to Paradise Taken) was released in February 2014.
Loving Her was the second book I wrote after needing a little time off from Paradise Taken. It is a story close to my heart.
I love that you are willing to take a chance on a new writer and promise to keep striving to put out great books!
If you don’t like my books, that’s okay. Just please be gentle on my fragile ego. ;)
I’d love to chat with you, so look me up on any of my social pages.
Happy Reading. :)
CM Hutton
cm.hutton@yahoo.com
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Author Bio