Evanesce (The Darkness #2)

by Cassia Brightmore

  Less than ten minutes later, Gabe rolled the truck to a stop at Teeside Pier. The pier was not the largest in Texas, it was rather small. With a boat style restaurant that ran along the dock to the looming, white lighthouse—it was a beautiful, quaint place that both Nora and Gabe had always loved. Walking along the dock when they were younger was one of their favorite pastimes, sharing their dreams for the future and quietly falling in love. The memories the pier held were bittersweet.

  Climbing out of the truck, Gabe walked around to Nora’s side and helped her hop down to the ground. Touching the soft skin that peeked out from the space between her tank and tiny shorts, Gabe smiled at the tiny shudder that went through Nora. Wanting her to get used to the feel of his hands on her again, he let his hand linger a few minutes longer until she slid out of his grasp.

  Nora paced a few feet away, wrapping her arms around herself. While she loved the pier, being there dragged up feelings she was fighting like hell to ignore.

  “You got me here, so what is it you wanted to say?” Nora cut straight to the point, not wanting to prolong being around him longer than she had to. Taking her hand, Gabe led her farther down the dock towards the lighthouse.

  “Every memory I have of this place has you in it, Nora. Hell, every memory I have of my childhood—you’re the star. I know I fucked up badly, but I need you to understand that I never meant to hurt you. I would rather cut off my own arm than see you in any pain. You’re everything to me. You always have been.” Gabe stepped forward into her space and looked deep into her eyes, searching for an answer.

  “You didn’t just hurt me, Gabe. You damn well near destroyed me. You completely cut me out without so much as a second thought or a fucking text message. You could have been dead and I…” Her voice cracked, betraying her emotions. Gabe pulled her into his arms and cradled her head on his chest.

  “I know. I know, Nora.” Their heart beat together in a slow rhythm, one following the other. Being back in Gabe’s arms felt so right. Looking up into his dark eyes, her breathing quickened as her gaze settled on his mouth. His face was a combination of angles and shadows as the sun rose higher in the sky over the water. Against her better judgement, Nora traced his lips with her fingertips, remembering how soft they felt against her own.

  Gabe inhaled sharply, relishing the feel of Nora’s hands on him once again. He was getting through to her. Calling on the strength of ten men, he grasped her knuckles and placed a small kiss on them, turning to walk with her once again. He needed to get things out if they were going to have a shot at regaining what they had lost.

  “I left for me. It was never about you, Nora. I had to tear my own heart out to get in the truck that day. I didn’t tell you…not because I was a coward, but because I knew one look in your blue eyes would have me staying.” He held up a hand as Nora started to protest. “Taking you with me was not an option. You had the ranch and your father to contend with, and I did things…things I didn’t want you involved in.”

  Nora rolled her eyes. If there was anything so completely fucking ridiculous, it was the “I did it for you, not me,” excuse. “Fine, Gabe. Let’s say you leaving without a word to me was the best thing for me…let’s just pretend I buy that for a second. What stopped you from communicating with me after you left?”

  Gabe sighed. Removing his hat, he pushed his hands through his hair. He knew this conversation with Nora wasn’t going to be an easy one, but damn, the woman was stubborn when she was riled.

  “I kept in contact. I had updates on you from Theo, my parents, Quinn. There isn’t much that happened that I wasn’t aware of,” he told her.

  Nora bristled. “Oh, so you spied on me from afar. That’s perfect, just perfect.” Throwing her hands in the air, she stomped away a few feet. “You could know what was happening in my life, but I was kept in the dark. Theo is a dead man,” she threatened, pointing a finger at Gabe.

  Gabe stared at her, not saying a word. She was captivating and alluring. A stubborn, fascinating woman who was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. He watched her stomp around for a few more minutes, ranting and occasionally pausing to shoot him another glare or point at him for no reason. Her ass was wiggling around in her tiny shorts and her breasts bounced lightly with each exaggerated step she took. Even when she was angry she was irresistible. Feeling his jeans get uncomfortably tighter, he made a subtle adjustment and then intervened to stop Nora’s tirade.

  “Yes. Yes, you’re right. It was a douche thing I did, but I had to know you were safe, Nora. I love you. Only you, it’s always been you for me. Tell me, tell me you still love me too,” he pleaded. Gabe watched the battle play out in Nora’s eyes, she wanted to say the words, but something was holding her back.

  “I—I can’t. I can’t do this.” She took a few steps back, preparing to run.

  Grabbing her hand, Gabe spun her until she collided with his chest. Raising her blue eyes to his, her breathing immediately quickened as her pulse took off in a furious pace at the contact. Her body molded to his and she could feel the curve of every muscle, the hard wall offering safety while promising delicious pleasure. He was made for her, no matter how hard she fought to deny her attraction to him, her pussy betrayed her every time. Her emotions were running on high from their argument, every sense was alive with the feel of him near her. The heat radiating from between her legs threatened to burn her from the inside out if she didn’t find some kind of release—fast.

  Gabe knew her submission was his when he felt Nora’s body go lax against him. Gripping her jaw in a firm hold, he swooped down and claimed her lips. Claimed what was his and his only. Nora might try to run, she might try to protest that they had any kind of future ahead of them, but when it came to this—there was no denying their connection.

  “Baby, I’m not going to wait to taste you. I need that pussy, I can smell you and it’s sexy as all fuck,” he whispered the words in a slow drawl, pausing to nip at her earlobe. Hearing her sharp intake of breath and small moan, he grinned, backing her up until she hit the concrete wall. The water sloshed against the edges, a calm sensation that did nothing to ease the fire within him. Circling his hands around Nora’s waist, he lifted her high onto the ledge, her feet dangling down the side. Chuckling at her look of bewilderment, he shot her a cocky grin.

  “Better lose those shorts quick, baby, if you want to keep ’em. Cuz I’m taking what’s mine.”

  The thrill of being out in the open, the fear that anyone could walk by and catch them like this in the sunlight at any moment had Nora’s hands hesitating on the button of her tiny cotton shorts. Could she really do this? One look at the hunger in Gabe’s eyes made up her mind. She could do this, Hell, she wanted to. Her memory didn’t lie. The things that man could do with his tongue…

  Gabe tried to be patient as he watched Nora’s little fingers fumble with the button and zipper on her shorts. When she finally managed to slide them down her legs, the sight of her sexy, turquoise, lacy panties almost had him shooting his load in his boxers. Reaching out, he drew his finger over pussy in a light caress, building the anticipation. Nora’s hands came up to grip his shoulders as a small shudder ran through her.

  “These are some pretty sexy panties, baby. Who you wearing them for?” He applied more pressure with his finger while he waited for an answer. Nora began to writhe a little, wanting more.

  “No one, you asshole. There’s no one. You already know that,” she spit out. Satisfied, Gabe slid two hands under her ass, lifting her slightly. He slowly drew her panties down her legs, his mouth going dry at the sight of her glistening, wet pussy.

  “Brace yourself, baby,” he mumbled. Grabbing her legs he placed them high on his shoulders and buried his face between her legs. Inhaling her scent was a lightning bolt to his cock, he wouldn’t last long before he needed to feel her warmth wrapped around him.

  Nora gripped the concrete wall for balance as Gabe lapped at her with his tongue in languid, tantalizing circles. He
found her clit and teased it, nibbling and then surprising her with a tiny bite. “Fuck,” she swore, nearly launching herself off the wall. Gabe placed one hand on her flat stomach to steady her, not missing a beat of his assault on her pussy.

  “Fuck, baby, you taste amazing. I could eat this sweet cunt all day,” he muttered. Dragging his tongue over her lips in a figure eight, he dipped and then thrust inside, fucking her with his mouth.

  “Oh God, Gabe,” Nora moaned. Her hands gripped the wall tighter, itching to be tugging on his dark hair. Any movement she made threatened to have her tossed over the side into the water, a thrilling sensation that she was reveling in.

  Gabe inserted two fingers and pumped them in and out slow at first and then gaining speed. He could feel her clenching and knew she was close to finding her release. “Give it to me, baby. Nora, I want you to come.” Their eyes met for a few beats and that connection was all it took for Nora to go off like a rocket, her release consuming her.

  “Gabe!” she cried out, not caring if anyone heard her. Gabe didn’t stop, he kept sucking and licking until he devoured every drop from her. His cool teasing breath nearly had her reaching another orgasm as he lightly blew on her clit. “Fuck me,” she whispered. Sliding down the wall, he caught her and turned her around, unclipping his belt and letting his cock spring free.

  “Don’t move, baby,” he ordered her. Nora immediately began to wiggle free, but stilled when he leaned down to speak in a low tone.

  “There’s people not far away,” he nodded his head several yards to their left. “I should take you back to the truck and do this right, but I can’t fucking wait. My cock is screaming for you, Nora.” His words sent a shiver down her spine and she relaxed, relenting once again. Caging his arms around her head, he waited. Nora lifted slightly up on her tiptoes which gave him the perfect angle for what he needed. Her soft, round ass pushed into him and he dug in his pocket quickly for a condom, rolling it on with ease. Thrusting forward with his rock hard cock, he filled her pussy to the hilt.

  “Ohhh,” Nora moaned, loving the feeling of his cock filling her. Gabe’s hands slid under her tank to search for her nipples while she pushed back into him, wanting more.

  “That’s it, baby. Ride me hard, Nora. This has to be quick.” Nora’s head dropped back on his shoulder as she arched, straining to take more of his cock inside her. They matched each other thrust for thrust in a punishing pace that would no doubt leave her unable to walk. Her legs were already jelly from her stint on the wall, but this position was a whole new experience.

  With Gabe’s breath panting in her ear, telling her how fucking hot she was, his fingers tugging her sensitive nipples and her riding his cock in broad daylight, it wasn’t long before she could feel her orgasm building once again.

  “Look at me,” Gabe demanded, his voice raspy. Nora tilted her head to meet his eyes briefly before his head swooped down and claimed her lips in a searing kiss. Their tongues battled for control as their hips chased and fought for release. Their rhythm was completely in sync and in seconds, they each exploded, Nora screaming into Gabe’s mouth.

  Pulling apart, Gabe leaned them forward onto the wall, trying to catch his breath. “Baby. That was…fuck. That was fucking amazing.”

  Nora tugged her panties back into place and yanked her shorts out of Gabe’s back pocket. “Give me those,” she said, rolling her eyes. Gabe shrugged as though it was totally normal to try and steal her clothes. Glancing down the dock, Nora spotted the group of people only a few yards away.

  “Pull your pants up. We need to get out of here,” Nora ordered, annoyed when he took his sweet time complying.

  When they were both dressed again, Gabe took her arm in his and tried to give off the impression of a couple out for an afternoon stroll as they made their way back to the truck. Passing the people, Nora adverted her eyes, embarrassed by what they may have seen.

  “I can’t believe we did that. Out here,” Nora muttered. What the hell was wrong with her? Sex with Gabe…Sex with Gabe out in the open. She’d clearly lost it.

  “So, should we head into town for an encore?” Gabe joked. Nora smacked him on the arm.

  “Shut up, you idiot.” She stomped her way to the truck and climbed in, slamming the door behind her. She’d really fucked up this time, there would be no keeping him away now.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Sydney Kenner rolled over in bed, resting her arm on her forehead. Unsure why she had woken in the dead of night, she listened for the sound of any cries from her infant daughter. Her husband Brent was under strict instructions that tonight was his turn to get up for the midnight and two a.m. feedings, and her turn to get a full night’s sleep. Reaching her arm out, she felt his body in bed with her. He wasn’t up so that meant that baby Sophie had yet to awaken.

  Not able to fall back to sleep, she sighed and climbed out of bed, heading down to the kitchen for a glass of milk. Warm milk had always helped soothe her back to sleep when she was a child, a family remedy passed down through the generations.

  Opening the fridge, she grabbed the carton of milk and poured a generous amount into her glass. Popping it in the microwave for a few seconds, she returned the milk to the fridge and moved to look out the large window overlooking their family backyard. Sophie was their first child, a miracle for them. After being told for years that she couldn’t conceive, it was a shocking but welcome surprise when she found out she was pregnant. Brent and her had immediately started house hunting and purchased a beautiful home off the main road of Norton Springs. Gazing at the yard, she pictured the play structure they would build, and if they were blessed with more children, perhaps matching hammocks for those lazy Sunday afternoons. The ding of the microwave startled a yelp from her, and then a giggle at her own ridiculousness.

  Taking her glass, she sat at the breakfast bar and fingered the frame of the baby photo of Sophie they had done. She was a beautiful baby with green eyes and a hint of red hair. A ginger like her father, she was their angel in every way. Sydney’s pregnancy had been a breeze and her labor just under four hours. The nurses in the laboring unit had all marvelled at how lucky she was to have such an easy first birthing. They hadn’t even stayed one night in the hospital, the midwife discharging them home to continue their after–birth care.

  Finishing her milk, Sydney placed the glass in the sink and headed up the stairs to check on Sophie before returning to bed. She had a light, drowsy feeling thanks to the warm milk and was hopeful for a few more hours of precious sleep. Happiness surrounded her, perhaps she would even let Brent off the hook if Sophie woke. These moments were precious and needed to be savoured, after all.

  Opening the door to Sophie’s nursery, she smiled at the sound of the lullaby music coming from the hanging mobile over her crib. Tiptoeing into the room, she peered over the side of the crib, her hands already moving to lift Sophie from the bed. Puzzled at what she saw, she squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again. The crib was empty. Sophie wasn’t lying in there at all. Scanning the room, she looked for Brent. He wasn’t cradling her in the rocker, or standing holding her by the window. There was no one in the room.

  Panic starting to rise in her, she raced back to the master bedroom, kicking the door and flicking on the light. Brent sat up, startled and blinked at her, disoriented.

  “Syd? What—what’s the matter?” he rasped, his voice thick with sleep.

  “Sophie. Sophie isn’t in her crib!” she yelled, pointing in the direction of the nursery. Brent leaped out of bed, tripping on the bed sheets. Landing with a thud on the floor, he gained his feet swiftly and ran to his wife’s side.

  “What do you mean she isn’t in her crib? Where is she?” Brent asked as he looked around the room, not understanding.

  “She’s gone! Brent, she’s gone!” Sydney yelled again as big, fat tears started to roll down her cheeks. Brent grabbed the phone and thrust it into Sydney’s hands. “Call 911. And stay here,” he ordered.

  Leaving the room,
he headed to the nursery and confirmed his wife’s terrifying words. Sophie was missing from the crib. Racing down the stairs, he flooded the house with lights as he searched the house. The front door was still locked, the alarm in place. There was no broken windows, no open doors. Where the fuck is she? He heard his wife’s voice float down from up the stairs.

  “Help. Please help us. My baby…they’ve taken my baby.”

  * * *

  Theo and Quinn were waiting for them when they arrived back at Nora’s ranch. The drive home had been an awkward one, filled with stolen stares and crackling chemistry. Nora had awakened a sleeping beast in Gabe; it was taking all of his willpower not to drag her across the truck and into his lap. His cock whole-heartedly agreed with that idea, as it was once again straining to get free of his confining jeans. Daydreaming of Nora riding him, he pulled the truck to a stop and met Theo and his sister with a shit-eating grin.

  Nora climbed out after him, her cheeks stained a light pink. Catching the knowing look in Theo’s eye, he gave him a you better keep your fucking mouth shut glare and walked over to ruffle his sister’s hair, exacting a flurry of yelps from her as she dashed away.

  “Gabe you shit! Stop it!” she exclaimed, heading to Nora’s side. “Ugh, you are so immature,” she told him, hands on her hips. Quinn didn’t know who she pissed off in a previous life to be stuck with such a moronic brother, but those were the cards she was dealt. At least she got Nora out of the deal, or she’d had Nora. But looking at the two of them avoiding each other’s eyes carefully, perhaps it wouldn’t be long before she could call Nora her future sister-in-law again. Although personally, she hoped Nora made him work extra fucking hard for a second chance.

  Gabe laughed at her and then faced Theo. “What’s up? What are you two doing out here?” He expected one of Theo’s lame jokes as a reply, but at Gabe’s question, Theo’s mood turned somber. Theo rubbed the back of his neck, scratched his head and shifted from foot to foot. Gabe looked at Nora and Quinn and then back to Theo, bewildered.