Pieces of Broken Time

by Lorenz Font

  “It’s silk.” Having him so close to her made it impossible to think clearly. Jennifer closed her eyes for a brief moment and let out a moan as the last button came undone.

  “I could look at your …” Blake’s eyes grew wide. He looked at her then back to her stomach. “Are you—is it mine?”

  Jennifer nodded and ran her palm over her growing belly. “I’m going on four months.”

  “How? When? I was protected the last time we …” There was no denial in his tone, just bewilderment. “Did it happen the night I was …”

  She closed her eyes again, feeling the guilt of keeping an important detail from him for a long time. “The night when you were drunk. You wanted to shower. I wouldn’t leave you alone for fear that you might hurt yourself. And then it happened.” Jennifer opened her eyes to find Blake staring at her, his eye misting.

  “I’m not turning my back on my responsibility. This baby will have my name.” Blake kissed her stomach before inching up to capture her mouth.

  Overwhelmed by his words and the sudden turn of events, Jennifer responded with eager kisses then it dawned on her what he’d said. “Is that what I am to you? A responsibility you have to shoulder? Because I can make it on my own. You don’t have to feel obligated—”

  “You haven’t listened to a word I’ve said. I wanted to marry you even before I found out you were pregnant. But now … there is no way I’ll let my child be born without my name and knowing how much his father loves him.”

  “You think it’s a boy?”

  He smiled. “It’s going to be a boy. I can feel it.”

  “I don’t know what to say. I want—”

  “What I want right now is to feel your body against mine.”

  Fiery heat emboldened her. Jennifer relieved him of his shirt with frantic fingers while she marveled at the changes in him. He didn’t flinch when her gaze travelled to his chest, along his strong stomach and each scar that defined him as the man she had fallen in love with. She longed to feel his hard muscles brushing against the softness of her skin. Her gaze ended at the button of his jeans. The hair peeking from the waistband taunted her to unfasten the darn button, the one obstacle that was keeping her from fully appreciating his body.

  She sat up and planted a kiss on his parted lips once she got her fill. Tilting her head, she let her finger trace the softness of his lips.

  He used his tongue to suck her finger inside, circling, eliciting an involuntary shudder from her.

  As her finger kept him busy, she caressed his back with her other palm, tracing the flexed muscles and feeling each ripple with every movement.

  “You’re a tease,” he said when her finger slid out. Without a word, he reached around her back and released the bra that held her breasts prisoner. He let his eyes wander, grinning as they devoured all she had to offer. He reached out, gathered one nipple between his thumb and forefinger, and pinched.

  She moaned at the delicious sensation shooting from the perky tip. “Blake, I love and hate foreplay,” she complained.

  “I’m afraid we’ve entered the no stopping zone,” he said, before his mouth descended on one of her sensitive mounds. Blake let his tongue glide across her skin, up and down the sloping playground, lapping, teasing, and making her wish for heaven right that moment.

  “I won’t let you stop.”

  He continued his assault on her breasts, keeping his tongue rigid while he flicked repeatedly on her nipple, punishing her with pleasure and urging her to scream.

  She released a loud sigh of contentment while her fingers raked through the silky strands of his hair.

  Blake pleasured each breast until her toes curled and her bud throbbed with want. Arching her body with each of his punishing demands, she met his touches with pained pleasure.

  He grazed his hand down her abdomen, stopping to rub her belly before moving down to her pants.

  Jennifer bucked her hips upward, eager to meet his touch.

  He spread the zipper apart, and a flame ignited within her.

  Jennifer wished he could douse her fire soon, but she loved the anticipation enough to stay patient.

  He peeled her slacks off, taking her thong in the process with one powerful sweep, and her skin burned even hotter. He nudged her down and spread himself on top of her.

  Blake lifted her and cupped her bottom, running his hands along her overheated skin that was screaming for more. The friction of his calloused palm against her skin stirred more desire, and her lips parted. Sliding his tongue in between her lips, he teased her to action, and she sucked hard and unrelenting.

  She roamed her hands over the button of his pants that separated her from ecstasy. She looked up at him, sensing his hesitation, but there was no stopping her now. “Are you okay with this?”

  Please say yes.

  When he nodded and his breathing relaxed, she released the fly and his erection greeted her. She swayed at the electrifying sight before her.

  Blake moved fast to get rid of his pants and was soon as naked as she was. Remembering how self-conscious he had been their first time, the man before her barely resembled the old one.

  Blake let her memorize every bit of him, from the thin strip of hair that trailed from below his belly button and running down to his curls. She gazed at the scarring that ran down his leg, loving every second of watching every bit of his body. Taking his proud erection in her palm, she gave it a little action, stroking gently. He groaned his contentment, grinding his hips with her every thrust. She was damp and so ready to take it a step further.

  After several hard thrusts against her palm, he withdrew from her grasp. “I brought protection, but I see no point in using it now.” His voice was thick with emotions. “Am I going to hurt the baby?”

  “No,” she whispered.

  Like a bolt of lightning, Blake sheathed himself in her.

  She cried at the sweet intrusion when he pulled out and plunged back in. He repeated the process until her head was about to explode, with no coherent thoughts but the fulfillment she was aching for. She hit her climax and burst into a mind-numbing rapture. “Oh, Blake.” Her cries shattered with her.

  Blake followed, arching his back, shuddering and exploded to his peak. “Oh, baby, baby!” He kept shouting until the last of his pleasure ebbed and he collapsed next to her.

  How she ended in heaven when she thought her life would wither away might have had her questioning her luck before, but she wasn’t going to ask anymore. She would never forget the sweetness of this moment.

  Chapter 26

  Blake hoisted his body on his elbows while watching Jennifer walk to the bathroom. He heard the running water and closed his eyes. Still reveling in the aftermath of their sweet reunion, he let the glorious thoughts warm him.

  During the night, as Jennifer had slept, Blake watched her and kept thanking his lucky stars for paving a way back into her life. And the biggest surprise of all, she was having his baby. He was never going to let them go.

  Jennifer came out in her robe, her face freshly scrubbed, and the glow of their lovemaking radiating on her face. She smiled when their eyes met, and descended the stairs to the main part of the loft.

  She fascinated him. Her little smile showed strength underneath the layer of sweetness, and most of all, he loved her courage for giving him another chance.

  Did she?

  Rewinding every bit of their conversation from last night, she hadn’t said that he was back in her life. Sure, she had accepted his explanations, but there had been no mention of anything more. She wanted to talk. She had said so last night.

  Taking a deep breath, Blake rose from the bed and picked up his discarded jeans. He made his way downstairs and found Jennifer by the window, staring off into the distance, a cup of coffee in hand. The view of the sleepy city with a few twinkling lights pulsing in every direction was something he could get used to.

  He stopped behind her and placed both palms on her shoulders. “Good morning,” he said, an
d lowered his face on her neck, skimming his mouth on her soft skin.

  She sighed and tilted her head to the side.

  He ravaged the silky expanse with kisses until he wanted more. Though he’d had wicked dreams of making love with her on every surface of the loft, he knew they should talk first.

  Jennifer turned around, her eyes glistening with tears. “You know I love you, right?” Her voice broke.

  Blake frowned, searching her face for a trace of the happiness he thought he’d seen the night before. “Jennifer, I love you, more than myself,” he whispered, hating himself for feeling so vulnerable. He curbed his impulse to clam up and hide. Showing her his weaknesses was an integral part of his road to fully accepting himself, as well as his faults.

  “I’m scared,” she said, placing one hand on his chest.

  He felt her emotions through her touch and the way her body vibrated. He nodded. “I’m scared, too,” he murmured into her hair.

  “What’s going to happen to us and the baby? I can’t handle your highs and lows. I already know that.”

  After many visits with the shrink, he had been prepped to face her doubts about him. Although he didn’t have the concrete answers, he knew what he could to do to keep himself together and put her worries to rest.

  “I don’t expect you to fully trust me after the way I’ve treated you. All I can promise you is honesty. I pledge to keep you close when fears and insecurities get the best of me. I won’t shut you out. It’s going to be a work in progress, but I assure you that through all of it, I will try to protect you … even from me and my mood swings. I will guard our child from all things that would hurt him, and be the best father I can be. I will love him with everything I have.”

  She gazed up at him. “I don’t need you to protect me. I want to feel everything you feel. Don’t shield me from the horrors of your experience. All I ask is to allow me to be a part of all that you are …”

  “I want you to be happy with me. Heaven knows, I hated seeing you unhappy. I wanted to shoot myself every time I lashed out at you. I was foolish to think I ever saw pity in your eyes. I believed the worst because I thought I was protecting myself.” He took the mug from her and placed it on the glass table, and then he took her hand and led her to the sofa. Patting his thigh, he waited for her to come to him.

  She sat on his lap, still seeming uncertain what to say while she trailed her fingers along the scar on his face.

  Blake closed his eyes, savoring the caress and letting her touch fill him with courage. “I don’t expect you to believe what I say now. All I can ask is for you to stay by me while I figure things out.”

  A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips and she watched him with tenderness that he welcomed. “I think I can do that,” she said. “I’m going to be by your side supporting and loving you.”

  “I have no idea what I did to deserve your love, but I’m grateful for a chance to make you happy.” He touched her face and traced his finger over her soft lips.

  She sighed. “How do you propose on starting this happy plan? My work won’t allow me to be anywhere else at the moment. I know you have your therapy and such, and I wouldn’t ask you to give it up.”

  “I have access to a good therapist anywhere, although I’m going to miss Sam’s hardcore approach. I’m not asking you to give up anything for me either. In fact, I’m going to start work in a few months.”

  She threw her hands around his neck and pulled him close for a congratulatory kiss.

  Heat radiated throughout his body by the time their sweet kiss ended.

  “I’m so happy for you.” Her eyes started misting.

  “Are you okay with the prospect of being an army wife and raising an army brat?” He watched the blood drain from her face, and he held his breath.

  She didn’t say a word but her smile said everything he needed to hear.

  He sighed in relief.

  She wiggled on his lap, snuggling closer, and froze. “Is this what I think it is?” she asked in a tiny voice, sounding hopeful.

  He nodded and placed her on the sofa. He fished inside his jeans pocket for the gift he had wanted to give her last night. Dropping to his knees, he smiled up at her while he presented her with a purple velvet box. Her mouth gaped when he revealed a ring with a heart-shaped diamond. “Will you share my life as my wife, through happiness and tears, and all my highs and lows?”

  “Yes. I will be your wife and whatever you need me to be.” She lowered her mouth to his for a brief kiss while he slipped the ring on her finger.

  “Thank you for taking the chance with me.”

  “I love you, Blake. I want to be with you forever.”

  “Forever.”

  She gazed down at her ring finger. “This is beautiful.”

  “It fits my beautiful bride-to-be.” He beamed. “Mom helped me picked it out.”

  Happiness shone in her tender smile. She fell on her knees and took his hands in hers. “I hope I can make you as happy as you have made me.”

  “Agreeing to be my wife is the first step, my girl.” He brought her hands to his lips and kissed them, then he pulled her to her feet and snaked his arms around her waist.

  Her smile faded. “You’re not going back into active duty, are you?”

  “No. My combat days are over. I will be working and might be away from time to time, but I will always be a phone call away. I’m going to train eager souls from now on.” He smiled, touched at her concern.

  “Will you be able to pursue your other dream, too?” she asked, sounding tentative.

  He frowned, not sure what she meant. “What other dream?”

  “Writing music, playing …”

  “I have enough time for that, along with raising little ones with you in our house just a few minutes away from this crazy city.”

  “You bought a house?” she asked.

  He chuckled. “I happen to have a good friend that happens to be a great real estate agent. Katrina found us a perfect house. In hindsight, I probably should have gotten your yes first, but I’m glad I went for it. It’s obvious that someone up there wanted our baby to have a home to come home to.”

  “I like that.”

  “If you have time today, I want us to visit someone special.”

  “I’ve got all the time in the world for you, Blake Connor. I agreed to forever, remember?”

  His chest swelled with happiness. He pulled her into his arms and held her for a long time.

  A few hours later …

  “Hey, bud,” Blake whispered to the vast blue sea surrounding them.

  At Trent’s request, his ashes had been sprinkled in the ocean by his parents. This was the one place Blake knew he could reach his friend.

  He invited Jennifer to join him at the end of the boardwalk by the pier.

  She gathered her skirt and sat next to him.

  The rays of the morning sun cast a shimmering glow as they kissed the water, lending a serene backdrop amid the crying of the seagulls.

  He inhaled deep and let out a contented sigh. “You called it right. I am in love with our girl. In fact, I’m making her my wife.”

  Jennifer squeezed his hand.

  He glanced at her and smiled before returning his gaze to the expanse of water before him, and paid homage to his best friend.

  Your secret’s safe, brother, and as promised I will keep watch over her. Her happiness will be my life’s purpose. I love you, Trent. Stay tight.

  He placed his fist over his heart and vowed to never forget the man he had not only called a friend but his brother-in-arms.

  Thank you for your purchase. Please long onto Amazon.com or Goodreads.com and leave a review for this title. We would love to hear from you.

  Acknowledgement

  Thank you very much to these wonderful gals, who kept me sane and motivated—Wendy Depperschmidt, Kristen Giles, Claudia Trapp, Judith Somera, Mavvy Vasquez, Lucia Morales, and Donna Rogers.

  Trenda Lundin—I owe you ano
ther trip to the beach and In-N-Out Burger for encouraging me to complete this project. I’m deeply grateful for your constant reminders that I was onto something good. This story is as much yours as it is mine. I’m ready to share Blake.

  DJ Gann—thank you for your patience and guidance during the entire editing process.

  With love to my family.

  And to all the men and women who are currently serving or have served in the military—your service, dedication, and sacrifice are appreciated.

  About the Author

  Lorenz Font discovered her love of writing after reading a celebrated novel that inspired one idea after another. She is currently enjoying the buzz from her vampire novels Hunted and Tormented, the first and second book of The Gates Legacy trilogy, Indivisible Line, a romantic thriller, and Feather Light, an erotic romance.

  Lorenz’s perfect day consists of writing and lounging on her garage couch, aka the office, with a glass of her favorite cabernet while listening to her ever-growing music collection. She enjoys dabbling in different genres, with an intense focus on angst and the redemption of flawed characters. Her fascination with romantic twists is a mainstay in all her stories.

  Lorenz lives in California with her husband, children, and two demanding dogs. She divides her time between her full-time job as a hospital office manager and her busy writing schedule.

  Also by Lorenz Font

  Feather Light - Parker Davis has conquered three major American cities and is the new ‘it’ man in massage. He earned the nickname ‘Feather Light’ for his sensual touches, tender caresses, and soft voice eliciting an almost orgasmic release. Clients from all over clamor for his services, and his clientele is growing by the minute. Business is at its peak, which makes Parker a busy man who has no time to deal with problems, let alone dwell on his blindness. With his declining vision, Parker has to accept his limitations and the changes brought forth by this disease, but he is not ready to relinquish the last control he has left. He is still the master in his bedroom.

  Kelly Storm, a Hollywood actress, will do whatever it takes to get some much-deserved peace. Being famous has its perks, except the little privacy her popularity afforded her is slowly eating at her. With the paparazzi hounding her every minute of the day and her personal life under constant scrutiny, Kelly wants a semblance of normalcy wherever she can get it. Under the urging of a close friend, she agrees give Parker a try.