Cherry Grove (The Cove Series Book 1)

by Leaona Luxx

  “How are you feeling? Something bothering you?” Malone looks worried as he grabs my hand to pull my attention to him, only him.

  “I’m fine.” Short and curt, two things he despises. We both know it will be discussed later. I settle on the table as the doctor comes through the door.

  “Ms. Lloyd, how are you today? Oh, this is?”

  “Hello, Malone Woods.” He looks to me for further introductions.

  “The father,” I say, as I lay back. Dr. Michaels begins the 3D ultrasound. Malone takes my hand in his as we sit awestruck, looking at our children.

  “So far, so good. You need to gain some weight. Are you sleeping better?”

  Shifting my eyes to Malone, I keep my answer short. “Yep.”

  “Would you like for me to explain to Mr. Woods some of your health risks?”

  I roll my eyes as we answer at the same time. “No.”

  “Yes, please. What risks?” Malone questions.

  That’s it, for the next thirty minutes Malone gets the low down on me and the fact I’ve been through a great deal and need rest. He looks so distraught and aggravated.

  Great, the first man to show interest in my children and she’s going to run him off. After dressing, I go to the restroom. Actually, I want to find the doctor. I don’t want her to scare Malone. I’m shocked to see he’s beaten me to her, so I eavesdrop.

  “Technically, I’m not supposed to share her information with you. She hasn’t signed a waiver, and you’re not married. But to be honest, yes, I’m very worried for her. We both know the physical and emotional trauma she has endured. She’s strong, stubborn even, but she needs to take it easy. No worrying or stress. Do you understand?”

  “I take it you know I’ve made numerous mistakes with her. I plan to set that right, by her and the children.”

  Dr. Michaels asks him. “How’s that?”

  “By taking care of her, even when she doesn’t want me to. Standing by her, loving her. I would’ve been here from minute one if I’d known.”

  “Ms. Lloyd,” a nurse interrupts, giving me my prescriptions. As I round the corner, they’re parting ways and apparently the conversation is over.

  ***

  This is it, the bachelor pad. I’ve never been here, but I’m knocked up by him. Everything is full tilt with us, and sometimes I can’t breathe because we go full throttle.

  It’s not what I expected. It’s a home, not at all a bachelors’ pad. I’m giggling to myself when he walks up behind me putting his arms around my belly.

  “What? What’s so funny?” He turns me to face him, and his smile is intoxicating. My breath catches. “Forget it, I don’t care what’s got you giggling. I love hearing you laugh like that, it’s so sweet. I want to make you laugh that way every day, forever.”

  He kisses me like a man on a mission. I want him so badly, damn pregnancy hormones. Melting into him, I lose myself in his touch. His clean, woodsy smell has my senses going insane. Pressing further, I moan with want and need. His hands are all over me. He pushes me up against a wall, pulling my hips into him as he grinds his hard cock into me. Damn him, I’m already wet.

  Our mouths collide, as his tongue does things that should be illegal. The tell-tale clenching in my lower belly burns and aches for him. I moan with every drag of his tongue over mine. Before I know it, I’m wrapped around him as he sets me on the pool table. I shimmy closer, kissing my way to his neck.

  “You will be my undoing, Hadlea. All I can think about is sinking into you. Every day, forever.”

  Laying me back, he runs his hands all over my body. Over my shoulders, between my breasts, around my swollen stomach, between my thighs and back again, cupping my ass with one hand as I curve my leg around his hip. Using the friction to grind myself on him, I claw at his back, trying to get closer.

  What is the look in his eyes? If he wants me, he should take me, now. Backing up with a chuckle, he says, “Oh, but no ma’am. As much as I want you, it’s not happening.”

  Fuck this. I jump down. I’m fucking pregnant. I’m horny. He’s fucking teasing me.

  “What are you doing?”

  Shooting him a look that has him step back a little, I snarl, “I’m going home. Do not follow me,” before turning to the door. I’m stopped short when he grabs my hand, pulling me into arms.

  “Wait up, baby, I need to get my bag. Stop being mad at me, I told you the deal.”

  I can’t believe it, he is serious. “Malone, we could wait a lifetime for me to get to the point I believe you love me. Are you ready to wait that long? Because we both know I don’t deserve you, the twins, or my boys. Sheer dumb luck has given me what I have.”

  He looks defeated. “Let me get my things, Hadlea.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  One

  I’ve had enough of Hadlea and her self-loathing. I’ll never understand what makes her hate herself the way she does, but I am going to change her mind. Hadlea is the most fascinating woman I know; how can she not see it?

  My mother told me at one point to love her the way she needs to be loved, but with Hadlea, she truly believes she doesn’t deserve love. So, I make the call on the way over to my place. I ask everyone to be there by six, hoping to not tip off Hadlea. I don’t want the girls to know but when it comes to Hadlea, it is all hands on deck.

  “Well, hell One. Who knows, Mom’s a tough woman?” Hawk confesses.

  We’ve been over this a thousand times with no new answers. “I need to figure out a way to make her understand she deserves love. That I love her, period.” Laughing to myself before I realize everyone is staring at me. “What?”

  Aksel speaks up. “That’s what we want to know. Unless it’s about our mom… and you.” The whole room laughs.

  “I was just thinking, Hadlea’s never really known love. Well, just what I’ve shown her. I fucked it up.” Scanning the room for suggestions, it’s Thayer who finally hits it out of the ballpark.

  “So, you’re talking things she hasn’t had, like dates or firsts?”

  Nodding in agreement, I add, “Not just things she’s never had or done, but things she’s never felt. Never known.”

  I start the next day on my plan to make Hadlea fall deeply and irrevocably in love with me. Walking up to the door deep in thought, I don’t see her bound out at me.

  Hadlea slams straight into me, kissing me full out. I lose myself to her, giving her tongue the access it longs for, and with a moan, she pulls away.

  “Hey. Thank you so much, I’ve never gotten flowers. Well, I mean, my boys have gotten them for me but not delivered. They’re gorgeous. How did you know my favorite?”

  It wasn’t easy but once I knew, finding the perfect pink rose, ‘Belinda’s dream’ wasn’t hard. What she doesn’t know is I ordered some for her landscape.

  Yeah, I’m on the right track. Hadlea is going to understand how much I love her.

  “They’re your screensaver, baby.” Stepping back, she looks shocked. “I’m sorry, I should have asked.” What am I apologizing for? I have no idea, but she kisses me again. A long, deep kiss. Hadlea takes her time with this one.

  “Thank you.” A smile on her gorgeous face.

  “You said that already.” I pull her back to me.

  “No one’s ever noticed. I always have daisies or pink roses but no one ever paid attention to the type. You must have really looked for them.” Placing her lips on mine again.

  “You're worth it.” It’s all I can say, the look in her eyes makes me kiss her again.

  Throughout the next few weeks, I surprise Hadlea with every want she’s ever thought. Things she would never do for herself but always wanted. I took her to a park for a picnic. We went shopping for maternity clothes, which she’d never had before.

  I found an initial necklace with an ‘H’. We went to the zoo and surf fishing; how about that, my girl loves to fish. Also, there were the notes. Each date or gift, I included a reason that I love her. She hadn’t said a word.

&nb
sp; But last night, things changed. I wasn’t sure if I’d dealt well with it, but by the way she has clung to me this morning, it has me thinking I did the right thing.

  She really scared me last night, and I wasn’t sure what the light of day would bring. As we lay here in the hammock, entangled, I can’t help but say, “I love you. I’ll never stop, Hadlea. I never meant to make you think I left you that day. I was angry because you didn’t trust me enough to tell me, love me enough to trust me to take care of you. It was never about what he did to you; you know that, right?

  “It was the thought you would never allow yourself to love me or for me to love you. All I’ve ever wanted is to love you. For you to understand the love we have— you deserve. I have to admit, I’ve been afraid I wasn’t loving you right, the way you need to be. With one failed marriage, I wasn’t sure if I knew how.”

  She lay very quietly. I’m getting nervous but just as I’m going to say something else, she speaks softly to me.

  “You didn’t think I had slept with Cole? You were mad because I didn’t tell you, the other… stuff?”

  My God, why does she think these things?

  “No, baby, I never thought you slept, willingly, with Cole. If I had known how he was threatening you or to lay a finger on you, I would’ve protected you. I blame myself for what happened, not you— never you. I was afraid at first. Afraid you had lied to help me, but when you sat there like you did, petrified, I knew it was true. I was angry with everything and everyone. Yes, I was mad Hadlea. Because you didn’t realize I love you enough to trust me. Trust me to take care of you for what you need or want.” I kiss the top of her head as she nuzzles my chest, I know she’s crying.

  “You never thought I had cheated on you?”

  Kissing her head again, I try to reassure her. “No baby, never. I know you love me, and what you’ll do for the people you love is astounding. Honorable.”

  Hadlea doesn’t even try to hide she’s crying now. I hold her closer and let her cry. After last night, though, I don’t know how she has more tears.

  “Thank you. I do love you,” is her whisper.

  Hadlea woke me up crying but she wasn’t awake. A nightmare she was having, dragged her deep into hell.

  “Hadlea. Hadlea, wake up baby.” I shook her.

  Moving her hair from her face, she’s sobbed uncontrollably. Just a few minutes before, she had been screaming, thrashing from side to side.

  She was reliving the rape or something forced, and it was so violent. She was younger, it had to be. Her voice was timid, her cries whimpers.

  “Please. I don’t want this. I can’t do this. You don’t want me, please. Tell Cole we did, I’ll never tell. It’s not my debt to pay. You’re making me worthless.”

  Her cries cut me to the core. I love this woman. Her nightmare spun out of control until it hurled her to the confrontation with Cole.

  “Please no. I love him, don’t hurt him. I won’t be with him, I promise. Please stop, don’t touch me. He won’t want me. Please, you’re hurting me, please stop.” Screaming as she was fought in her sleep.

  She was strong, fearless. But once she’s awake, her words take me by surprise. “You’re still here.” As I wipe her eyes, placing kisses on her, she asks, “Why do you call me Hadlea? I prefer Lea, not Haddie. I hate Haddie.”

  Holding her close, I tell her the truth. “I love your name, Hadlea. I also like to call you something no one else does, just for us. I love it when you call me Malone.”

  Her eyes focus on mine. “You do?”

  Smirking, I kiss her lips. “Yes, it’s fucking sexy as hell with the little twang you give it. It undoes me, Hadlea.”

  Kissing me back, she smiles. “Me, too. When you call me Hadlea and the look you give me when I call you Malone.” We slowly drift back to sleep.

  Laying here in the warm sun, I really don’t want to move. “Hey, baby? You need to eat something.” Moving slightly to get up, she throws her leg over me with a grunt. “Really? Holding me down, woman?” I roll her over, hovering above her. She looks perfect, her strawberry hair splayed all around her. Her cheeks pink. Hadlea’s eyes are sleepy, her voice gravelly.

  “Well, it was supposed to work, but you go all cave man on me.” She opens those perfect green eyes to me and I melt.

  “I’m sorry, baby, I need to feed my brood. You must be starving.” And as if on cue, her stomach growls.

  “You had to mention food, didn’t you?” We laugh.

  “Yes, you need to gain some weight. I promised Dr. Michaels a few more pounds. Now, come on. I’ll cook, you can check the mail.”

  Helping her from the hammock makes us both laugh at her growing stomach. She waddles toward the door, again melting my heart. She is perfect.

  “Hey, Hadlea?” Turning to me, she arches her eyebrow. “You’re beautiful. I need you to know that. I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman, before or during pregnancy.”

  Her face lights up, and I’m completely gone. This woman is my life.

  “Really? Thank you.”

  Hadlea walks into the kitchen, she looks pale. She’s reading something, her hands shaking. “What is it, baby?”

  She’s trembling, and her voice breaks as she speaks. “Someone wants to kill our babies,” she says as she falls to the floor. Gathering her in my arms, I take the paper from her to read. It’s a very detailed letter. I’m so angry but I can’t let Hadlea know.

  This isn’t the first letter, just the first addressed to her. I help her to her feet and call the family. As everyone starts to arrive, so does my attorney, security, and the police.

  “So, this isn’t the first letter? When did you plan to tell us?” Hadlea’s angry, and she has every right to be.

  “No, it’s not. I’m sorry, I should’ve told you. I was trying to keep it close considering the letters were only sent to me.” Hadlea stands then crosses the room as everyone watches her approach me.

  “That makes it different? That makes all of this okay, because you’re the only one threatened? That’s just bullshit. You mean as much to me, as you say I do to you. But of course, we all know how you react to news.”

  Hadlea’s right, I feel like shit. “I’m sorry. Guess this goes both ways.”

  I reach for her, but she lands a look which makes me cringe. Shit. Hadlea walks out of the room as my mother finishes me off.

  “She’s pregnant with your children. Trust, you asked her to trust you, but you didn’t trust her. Any of us.”

  Looking around the room, it hits me hard, I have a family. Mom and the rest are my second family now. Hadlea and our children are my first priority, and I’ve let them down.

  “I’m sorry, guys. I was wrong, family first. I’ve begged for a chance to be in your life but don’t let you in mine. I’m going after my girl, excuse me.”

  I walk through the house to find Hadlea in the twins’ room she’s been working on. It is perfect. She really has taken her time with it.

  It isn’t overdone, simple and clean. She has used really soft blues and greens, like sea glass, with a hint of creams and tans. The beach and the ocean, equally represented with neither a boy or girl theme. The mobiles are a collection of shells in different sizes and colors. It is perfect.

  “I never had this kind of stuff with the boys. I almost feel guilty.” Turning her head to look at me, she says, “Malone, I can’t do this alone. Not this time. You’ve shown me things I want and I can’t walk away. I can’t do it without you, please don’t make me.”

  “I promise, Hadlea, you will not have too. I’m sorry.” She’s in my arms, pressing her lips to mine. She has me body and soul. Hadlea owns me like no other in this world. “I love you.”

  We rejoin our family as they listen to my attorney and the detective talk safety and protocol. I hate this, but until we know why or even who is doing this, I’m keeping my family safe.

  Lea

  When was the last time I was this warm? And comfortable? My goodness, the babies are doing f
lips inside of me. Why are they so happy? Finally waking more, I feel the scruff of something on my forehead, followed by a soft, tender press and a huff of warm air through my hair.

  I love this feeling. Allowing it to wash over me, I wonder if love always feels this way. Will it always be warm or will there be moments of cold? Can I trust it when it consumes me? Will I ever know the difference?

  In his arms, I do not care. I do not care about any of it. I need every moment, of every minute, of every day, for all my days to be with him. I just need Malone. Trying to remember when it was that I fell completely and utterly in love with this man, would be impossible. I’ve never needed anything or anyone as much as I need him.

  There it is, my fear. Why he ever thought I deserved him, I haven’t a clue, but he’s spent months now waiting on me. Waiting for me to accept his love.

  If I ever thought I didn’t deserve it, he showed me I did. Malone gave me my firsts: first date, first trip to the zoo, first fishing partner, my roses, my first love notes. I kept them all. They’re so perfect. What did I ever do to be given this man?

  Again, the soft flesh falls on my forehead and the warm huff of air fans across me. Scruff, almost uncomfortable, scratches my skin in a rough, delicious movement. I snuggle closer, my leg draped across his. My round, full stomach molds to his side as I breathe in his scent.

  Tucked within his arm, mine threw over his chest. Who needs a body-length pillow when this incredible man is just waiting for me? Until it hits me, and I’m on all fours crawling my way around him.

  “What the hell, Hadlea? Are you okay baby?”

  Scrambling to my feet, I pull his shirt over my ass. I finally hit the floor. “Pee. I need to pee, like right now!” Making a dash for the bathroom, Malone chuckles as I run.

  Why is that sound so perfect? Is it the fact he is here, or that he is in this with me? “No laughing! Your kids are riding my kidneys the way I’ve been riding your leg all night,” yelling as I go. No, I mean go.

  Walking back in the bedroom, Malone is leaning on his arm with a smirk on his face. His eyebrow cocked up over that ocean of blue meridian. Damn, he is hot.