by Jess Bryant
Her bottom lip trembled. Her eyes were red from the flash of tears. Her cheeks were flushed and he wanted to pull her closer and hug her. He just wanted to spend the rest of the night, the rest of his life, holding her. But he waited for her to answer him first.
“Yes.” She finally whispered, her eyes meeting his with determination and purpose. “Yes. I trust you, Nick.”
“That’s my girl.” He brushed their lips together as he pulled her into his lap, “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” She murmured against his neck where she’d buried her head, hugging him tight. “I never stopped.”
“Please don’t stop, baby. Don’t ever stop. I’ve seen what my life without you looks like, and I don’t want to spend another day alone. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you.”
“Then love me, Nick. Love me and I’ll love you.”
He hauled her into his lap, tangling his hands in her hair as he took her mouth. He wasn’t sure he’d ever get enough of her mouth. Her taste made him hard and being inside of her made him feel whole.
Kady shifted her hips, grinding against his thickening length and he groaned. He let her use his body and listened to the sighs and moans that fell from her beautiful mouth. When her breaths started coming in those short little pants that told him she was close, he released her hair and slid his hands to her hips.
In one move, he lifted her, positioned himself and then slid her back down on top of him. Kady moaned. He hissed as her hot, wet heat welcomed him inside. She took him easily. Her body sliding around his as he went deep. Her body gripped him tight as he lifted her again slowly, forcing her to ride him.
“That’s it baby. Take me home.”
“You are.” Kady dropped her forehead against his as she rolled her hips, fucking herself on him while he held her close, “You’re finally home.”
“And I’m never leaving you again.”
12
Kady winced a little as she squatted to pull the pan of muffins from the oven. She was sore. Her body ached in ways it had forgotten it could. Nick had reminded her.
Over and over again last night, he’d reminded her.
He’d reminded her of how good they were together. Reminded her of what it felt like to be wrapped in the arms of the person she loved. Reminded her of what they’d once been to each other, everything, and what they could be again if she gave him a chance, gave them a chance.
The truth was, keeping him at arm’s length for the last month had taken every bit of willpower she had. She’d wanted to jump into his arms the moment she laid eyes on him. As hurt and as angry as she’d been, she’d always hoped that he would come home, come back to her, and by some stroke of luck, or magic, or fate, he finally had.
He was home.
“Mmm, breakfast smells good” His rough, sexy morning voice sent a shiver down her spine before his big arms circled her waist, pulling her back against him, “But I’d rather eat you.”
She gave a breathless sigh when he slid a big, proprietary hand down the front of her shorts, “Nick…”
“Shit. You’re already wet for me, aren’t you baby? Were you down here thinking about all the ways I made you come last night?” He slipped his fingers beneath the hem of her panties and then down, through her folds, playing with her.
“Ma-maybe.” She arched into his touch.
“Waking up with you in my arms, making love to you all sleepy and warm, I thought that would be enough. I thought showering with you and watching you come sucking my cock would be enough. I told myself I would get dressed for work, have breakfast with you, and leave before I fucked us both into a coma.” He found her clit and squeezed, “But dammit if I don’t want to bend you over the counter and fuck you one more time just so you’ll smell like me again.”
“Oh God, Nick.” She was panting, her hands dropping to the counter in front of her, pushing her ass back against the erection she could feel through her thin shorts and his pants.
“You want that, baby?”
“I want you.” She murmured, “Please, Nick.”
That was all she had to say and then he was giving her exactly what she wanted. He was right. It wasn’t enough. It might never be enough. Not after all the years they’d wasted apart. They had a lot of lost time to make up for and she wasn’t sure they’d ever be able to slow down or go without touching each other ever again.
Nick ripped her shorts and panties down her legs with one jerk of his hand. She bent over, laying herself over the counter and he groaned. She heard the hiss of his zipper being lowered and the rustle of his clothes. Then he was back with her, his warm body cocooning hers, front to back, back to front, as he slid his hand down to her pussy and cupped her mound, holding her possessively as he began to fuck into her from behind.
“Yes.” She gasped as he bottomed out inside her.
At this angle he hit everything just right. His hand on her clit drove her crazy. The feel of his hot, hard body and the smell of him all around her made her dizzy. She white-knuckled the countertop, holding herself steady as he pounded into her relentlessly.
She wasn’t sure how long it lasted. It felt like minutes and days all at the same time. Too much, sensory overload, her already sore body aching as he filled her again. But also not enough, because when she felt him spill inside of her, her own climax tripping over his as she squeezed him tight, pulling him as deep as she could get him, she wanted more still.
“Fuck.” He groaned as he collapsed against her back.
She held them up, her breathing unsteady and her legs wobbly, “Yeah.”
“Every morning.” Nick breathed against her ear, pressing soft kisses along her neck, “That’s how we should start every morning.”
“You’ll get no complaints from me.” She giggled.
“Mmm, good girl.” Nick found his bearings and began to right his clothes, “You don’t have to cook for me though, Kady.”
“It’s just muffins. Nothing complex. Besides, I usually make a batch before I go into the hospital anyway. Usually I take the leftovers with me for the girls but I have a feeling with you around there won’t be many leftovers.”
“Nope.” He scarfed a big bite of one of her muffins and moaned, “This is delicious.”
“Thank you.” She finished wriggling back into her own clothes, “If you want, I’ll put a few extras in a baggie for you to take with you to…”
A hard, loud, house-shuddering knock sounded on her front door. Kady jumped a little at the unexpected noise. Nick only took another bite of his muffin and sighed.
“Nick?” The hair on the back of her neck stood up, suddenly suspicious, “Are you expecting someone?”
“Yep.”
“Who?” She asked carefully.
“Your brother.”
Kady’s eyes went wide and she shot a look from Nick, to herself to the door and then shook her head, “No. No. You’re kidding right? Connor can’t be here right now.”
“Why not?”
“Because I still have your come running down my leg, how about that?”
Nick smiled, soft and slow, his gaze running hot down her body and making her shiver when he spoke low, “Fuck, just thinking about that makes me hard again. I like the idea of you walking around all day full of me. Your panties damp from my wetness making you remember what we just did and what I’m going to do to you again tonight.”
“Nick.” She whined his name, begging him to stop the torment of his dirty talk. “Connor is here. Stop it.”
“Don’t shower again, okay? I want to spend the day knowing you smell like me.”
“Focus, Nick.” She smacked his arm, “Why is Connor here?”
“Because I text him to pick me up here for our shift.”
“Because you have a death wish?”
“No.” He finally stopped licking muffin crumbs from his fingers, “Because its time he accepted that I’m back and I’m going to be part of your life. He needs to understand nothing is goin
g to keep me from you. Not even him or his threats or his shitty attitude.”
Kady softened just a little. She understood that. She’d hoped to talk to Connor herself, to try and make him understand. She hadn’t wanted him to show up at her house after she and Nick had spent the night together and while she was still flushed with her last orgasm.
“You could’ve warned me.” She hissed when the banging continued. “I’m a mess.”
“You’re a gorgeous, sex-rumpled mess.” Nick pulled her into his arms but she shoved at his chest.
“Go get the door and try not to get yourself another black eye while I straighten myself up.”
He smirked but kissed her quickly and left the room. Shit. Shit. Kady tried to smooth her hair and straighten her clothes. Even with nothing but her reflection in the microwave she could see that it did no good. She looked like she’d just been fucked and fucked well, because she had.
“Morning.” Nick’s voice was ridiculously cheerful when he opened the door and she rolled her eyes at what she knew her brother was going to take as a taunt.
“You son of a bitch…” She heard Connor growl.
“Easy now, Con. I let you deck me once because I knew I had it coming. You swing at me again and I’m going to swing back this time.” Nick warned.
Kady gave up trying to right her appearance and skated into the front hallway as quickly as her feet would take her. The door was still wide open. Connor stood on one side of it, fists at his sides, his face red with anger. Nick stood opposite him, as relaxed as ever, only a warning look in his dark eyes.
“Connor, no.” She put herself between them, pushing Nick behind her, and she didn’t miss the flicker of disgust that shaded her brother’s face when he looked her over and then back at Nick.
“How could you do it, Kady?” He snarled, “How could you let him back into your life? He broke your heart. He broke you and I was the one that had to help put the pieces back together.”
“Connor. Please.” She winced at the words that were hard to hear but one hundred percent honest.
“He doesn’t fucking deserve to share the same air as you let alone your bed but you just can’t say no to him, can you? Not even for your own good.”
“Stop it.” She snapped at Connor when he kept going, “You don’t get to lecture me. You’re a good brother but this is my life.”
“If you think he won’t hurt you again, you’re wrong. Guys like him, they expect you to always be there when they need you but the reverse is never true. He’ll hurt you again, even if he doesn’t mean to. I’ve seen it. I know.”
“I know you think you do, but you don’t. Just like I know that you’re taking your anger at someone else out on Nick and me and I want it to stop. Now, Connor.”
“No, I’m pretty sure he’s the one I’m mad at.” Connor glared daggers but she didn’t bend.
This was her little brother. She knew him better than anyone. She knew things he didn’t think she knew. Things she’d pretended not to see because she knew he wouldn’t want her pity any more than she’d wanted his.
“Connor, I know that I’m not the only woman whose heart you’ve had to pick up again and again. But I’m not the woman that keeps choosing the wrong man, Con. You’re mad at him for letting her down and you’re mad at her for letting you down, but you’re taking it out on me and I won’t let you. Not anymore. Not when I’m happy with Nick.”
Connor flinched as if she’d slapped him and she immediately regretted the words when his shoulders sank, “Don’t. Don’t go there, Kady.”
“I’m sorry but you know it’s true. I haven’t involved myself in that twisted friendship you three share because it’s your life and it’s none of my business. But this, me and Nick, it’s between us and it’s not your place to stand in the middle here.”
“So what? You want me to stay out of your life?”
“No. Not at all. I love you, Connor. You’re my brother. But I love him too and I want, no I need, for you two to find a way to get along. Stand with me instead of against me. Please.”
The pain on his face ate at her insides when he shrugged in defeat, “I just want to protect you.”
“That’s all I want too, Connor.” Nick spoke up for the first time. “I just want to spend the rest of my life making her happy.”
She squeezed Nick’s hand when he tangled their fingers together. United. They were together. She faced her brother again with Nick at her side.
“See. Common ground. It’s somewhere to start, right?”
Connor ran a hand through his hair. He didn’t look happy. Not at all. But he did seem more resigned to the realization that he wasn’t going to win this argument now.
“Look, I…”
The walkie on his FSD issued belt squawked and she winced. Connor didn’t hesitate. He reached for it and pulled it up to his mouth. He said something in a code that she didn’t understand and something that sounded like gibberish came back at him in the voice of Sheila, who had been the FSD dispatch lady for as long as Kady could remember. Her brother glanced from her to Nick and his mouth thinned.
“10/4, we’re rolling on it now.” He clicked the walkie off and then snapped it back on his belt, his gaze piercing when he looked up again, “Time to go to work, Sloan.”
Kady looked between the two men she loved more than anyone else in the world. There was still tension there between them and she didn’t like that. Particularly not when they were about to go out on a call.
“Nick?” She glanced up at him hesitantly but he was already pulling her into his arms and kissing her soundly.
“I’ll always come home to you. Always.” He whispered softly and her heart melted.
“I love you.” She hugged him tight.
“I love you too.”
She began to untangle herself when her brother growled something too low for her to make out the words. She glanced at him but Connor wasn’t looking at them now. She knew they’d have to talk more about it later but for now, they’d said all any of them could say.
“Take care of him for me.” She squeezed Nick’s hand and he smiled softly.
“We’ll both come home safe. Promise.” He kissed her one last time and then moved out the door and past her brother.
Connor stood there for an extra second. The morning sun lit up his golden hair. Even in the professional brown uniform, gun and cuffs on his hip, she couldn’t help but think he looked like a little boy playing dress up. To her, he would always be her little brother, no matter how big he got.
“Watch his back for me?” She gave a small smile.
Connor sighed and shot a glance over his shoulder. Nick had walked to the cruiser at the curb, as if he sensed they needed a moment alone. When Connor looked back at her, he nodded.
“For you? Anything.”
Kady nodded because tears in her throat made it hard to speak. Connor understood. He might not like it but he understood. He gave her a quick kiss on top of the head and then turned and headed down the walkway to the cruiser. He said something to Nick as he passed that made him laugh and Kady smiled a watery smile as she watched them go.
They were going to be okay. They were all going to be okay. Because they were family and family looked out for each other. They had each other’s back. They kept each other safe and protected.
Her brother and the man she loved were partners now. Not just brothers but brothers in arms. They both carried the badge and they knew what it meant. They took it seriously and they would take keeping each other safe seriously too. If not out of duty and honor, then for her.
They’d both come home.
Epilogue
Five Years Later
Nick looked around the dinner table and thanked God the same way he did every night that this was his life. He’d almost lost this before he ever even had it. He’d nearly died but it had been being shot in the line of duty that had confirmed for him just where he was supposed to be.
Here. In Fate. With Kady.
He watched as his wife dished out food and couldn’t help but smile. She only got prettier every day. She’d cut her long hair recently, saying it was too much of a hassle but he liked the sharp little bob. It gave her a no-nonsense vibe that he loved and that he knew fit her well as the mother of two stubborn little girls.
Lissa and Andie looked just like their mama. Blonde hair. Blue eyes. Girls that had stolen his heart with their first breaths and would break the hearts of a million boys in the future.
He was a father. Daddy. He was outnumbered and he had his work cut out for him. But he wouldn’t give up this life that he’d chosen for anything.
“Okay, that’s enough girls.” Kady gave their daughters a stern look, “No arguing at the…”
The shrill ring of his phone cut her off and Kady instantly frowned. So did he. They both knew what that sound meant. He was on-call tonight and there was something that needed his attention. He hated to do it, especially when his girls were oohing and whispering about how Daddy was supposed to turn his phone off at the table, but Nick got up and went to answer it.
“Sloan.” He put the phone to his ear.
“Hey bro. Got an issue and I could use some backup. I’m not interrupting anything am I?”
“Connor.” He growled at his brother-in-law when he recognized the voice, “This had better be an actual emergency this time or I’m going to hurt you in places that pretty little wife of yours won’t like.”
“Ouch. Damn.” Connor laughed, “Low blow. I’m not pranking you this time I swear. There’s a party outside town. Just got called in and they say it’s big. I’d like to have some backup for any of the little punk kids that try to act too cool when I shut it down. Can you meet me or not?”
Nick looked around the dining room and sighed. He wanted to say no. He wanted to stay here, inside, where it was warm and he had everything he’d ever needed. But as Kady liked to remind him, Connor was family too and family took care of each other.
