Love Me Like You Mean It

by Jaime Russell

  Max

  Reagan sent me a text that she’s at the apartment building. She needed to shower and change. I’m going to meet up with her before crashing. I drove all night and bouncing off the walls from the coffee and energy drinks. I walk up the stairs and see Chad standing in the doorway.

  “Hey, man,” I say as I walk past him.

  “She belongs to me, you know,” he says calmly with anger in his voice.

  “Don’t think so, buddy.”

  “Reagan will always be mine. You can’t have her.”

  “Listen, I’m not trying to start an argument, but she’s my girlfriend. You need to find someone new, okay? Have a good night.” I start to knock on Reagan’s door when I see Chad coming toward me. Before I can move, Chad hits me in my temple as I stumble backward. “What the fuck?” I yell at him.

  “I told you, she is mine.” Chad is in my face right now. I’m doing everything I can not to fight him.

  “Back the fuck off. Reagan is my girl not yours. She was never yours,” I yell in his face. I see Reagan standing in the doorway on the phone. “Go home, Chad.” He reeks of beer. I start toward my door to see if he’ll leave me alone. He pushes my back. I start making fists and breathing slowly. I spin around to get right into his face. “Listen here, fucktard, I just drove twenty hours straight. I had to bury my dad and I haven’t slept yet. I’m exhausted and not in the mood to deal with your delusions. So I’ll give you until the count of five to get away from me and Reagan.” I push him backward, and he stumbles then falls on his ass.

  “I’m calling the landlord, and you’ll be out on your ass tomorrow. I hope you have a place to stay, because it won’t be here.” Chad gets up and stumbles into his room. I let out a sigh and run to Reagan to sweep her into a kiss. “God, I missed you.”

  “I missed you too. You know Chad’s brother is the landlord.”

  “It’s okay. I’ll call the movers and pay extra for them to pack and move us.”

  “Can we do that? I need to go over there and see what it looks like. If we could be moved in there before Jonathan gets out of the hospital that would be amazing.”

  I kiss Reagan and she starts to rub her body on me. “I need you Max.” I moan as she starts rubbing her hand over my jeans as my cock starts to grow. I kick the door closed and throw her over my shoulder to the bedroom. I toss her on the bed, and Reagan bounces a couple of times. I tower over her as I pull off her purple yoga pants to see that she isn’t wearing any underwear. I lick my lips in anticipation of what I want to do to her. I drop my pants and go in search of the condom box so I can bury myself inside of her. I roll the condom on and tell her to get ready, and Reagan lifts her hips informing me that she’s waiting for me. I slide into her and hold still. I look into her eyes. “Reagan, I love you, and thank you for giving me a chance even when I didn’t deserve it.”

  “I love you, Max.” I wipe a tear that falls from the corner of her eye. I slide in and out of her. I want it to be nice and slow with her, but I think the need is too great for both of us. Reagan’s hips are starting to match me, thrust for thrust. Our breathing starts to become erratic, and I know we are close to coming. Reagan’s hips buck with force as she lets out a scream of ecstasy. I let out of a grunt as I come within seconds of Reagan. I collapse on Reagan, and I don’t remember falling asleep.

  There’s a banging on the door, and I open my left eye to find the clock, it’s only eight in the morning. We’ve been asleep for maybe two hours. I start looking for my clothes as Reagan starts to stir with the banging. “Oh, for God’s sake, go away.” Reagan gets off the bed and grabs her robe so she can answer the door. She looks through the peephole, and it’s the landlord. I roll my eyes.

  “Charlie, how are you?” Reagan says politely, letting him come in. I’m standing in the kitchen. “Couldn’t this wait until later on in the day?”

  “Reagan, I need to see Max. Chad says he’s here.” He lets out an annoying sigh.

  “I’m Max.”

  “I’m going to need you to move. You have a month to get out of here.”

  “Can I ask why?”

  “Chad says you put your hands on him, and I can’t have my older brother fearing for his life.”

  “Do you see this?” I show him the bruise on my temple and the claw marks on my neck. “Your brother did those to me when my back was to him. I can sue him and you for unlawful eviction, but we’re moving out anyway. We’ll be gone this weekend.”

  “We?”

  “I’m moving too. Chad is getting out of control. I have a bruise on my back where he shoved me into the railing. Max had to get him to let go of me. I’m the one who is fearing for my life, not your brother. Thank you for taking a chance on me with my bad credit from the divorce and the kid thing.”

  “I’m sorry he’s been so rough with you. I will miss you and Jonathan. If you need anything, let me know.” She hugs him and he leaves.

  “Can we go to the new place and sleep?” Reagan asks me, and I nod my head. Reagan’s nervous because this is a huge step for her. She’s moving into the business where she last saw her sister and brother-in-law alive.

  We gather up some clothes to change into before heading down to my truck. Reagan is starting to fidget the closer we get to the business. I squeeze her thigh for reassurance. I pull behind the building following her instructions.

  “I haven’t been here in a while. I don’t know what it looks like,” Reagan rushes out. She unlocks the door and we take two flights of stairs up to a door. She unlocks it and reaches in to turn the light on. “I’ve been paying to keep the electric on in the building. There is another apartment upstairs that no one is staying in, it’s more of a studio apartment. I was living there when Kennedy was killed. It would be great for an office space for you.”

  “You mean to run my business or when I’m home and need to work?”

  “When you’re home. I don’t think you want your clients climbing the steps.” She smiles as she tosses her keys on a table that I didn’t even see. “I’ll give you the tour. There is no furniture as I took most of it with me. Kennedy and Jason were going to rent this out to make some extra money. It was coming furnished so I just took it all.” Reagan’s voice is shaky. I’m not sure if Kennedy lived here or not. “This is our living room.” The room is pretty spacious. The apartment kitchen, dining room, and living room is an open floor plan which I love, and the windows are floor to ceiling, and I can’t wait to see the sunrise and sunset in this place. We walk down the hall to see a decent size bathroom, and a room that was big like my apartment bedroom that she tells me will be Jonathan’s room. We keep walking down to see another room about the same size that she tells me will be a game room for us boys. She smiles as she talks about how Jonathan and I are in charge of colors and organizing it. “Now this will be our bedroom and we have our own bathroom.” I walk in to see that the master bedroom is the size of both rooms. All the floors are hardwood which is something I love to have and so much easier to clean. The bathroom is the same size as the game room with two sinks, walk in shower and a separate tub where both of us could fit.

  “This suits us.” I stand behind Reagan wrapping my arms around her shoulders.

  “I think so too. Let me show you the last room. You don’t mind sleeping on the floor?”

  “I grabbed my air mattress and threw it into the truck when you were getting some clothes.”

  “I would like this as a nursery. I figured that we’re going to get Cash and Abby’s baby.”

  “Or for our babies.” Reagan blushes.

  “I didn’t want to say anything, but I figured it could work out for both scenarios. Do you want me to show you the upstairs apartment?”

  “If you want.” I motion for her to walk ahead. She must know that I love watching her ass because she adds a little hip action. We go up another flight of stairs, and the floor is set up like the downstairs without all the bedrooms. “This view is amazing. I could see myself getting lost in my work up
here. Are you sure you don’t want to rent it out?”

  “Unless Sarah wants it, you can have it.”

  We get ready for bed, and I notice the time is 11 AM. I can barely keep my eyes open, so she falls asleep lying on my chest, but I wake to no one in the bed with me. I see a note on a napkin.

  “Max, I went to see Jonathan this afternoon. I took your truck so don’t freak out. I left the apartment upstairs unlocked in case you want to see the view during the day. I love you. Call me when you’re awake and I’ll come get you.

  Xoxo

  Reagan

  I do a Google search for movers and call a few people. I find one that is willing to start the work today and we can be moved in by tomorrow. I have that extra money from Thomas so I sweetened the deal with a bonus.

  I pull out the engagement ring that Thomas left me to give to the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with, and I can’t wait to slide this on Reagan’s finger. I close my eyes and see a future that I never imagined. I smile knowing my guardian angels won’t have to worry as much. I get up and call Reagan to let her know about the movers. My once quiet, brooding, avoiding life has now been filled with chaos, love, and friends who are now family.

  Life is good.

  Thank you, Dads.

  The End

  Reagan

  Six Months Later

  “Put that over there, and please don’t drop it,” I yell in the direction of Shawn as he’s moving a small coffee table in-between the red leather and yellow and green lounge chairs near the front of the store. The first month of this I spent crying and having panic attacks; how Max put up with me I’ll never know. I think Jonathan’s rehab for his leg and the birth of Cash and Abby’s baby are the only things that made these six months bearable.

  “Yes, Sir,” Shawn mocks me as he pretends to drop it. I roll my eyes and laugh. Tomorrow is the grand opening, but there were some last minute deliveries so it’s all hands on deck. I couldn’t do it by myself and my business partner, Abby, is at the doctor’s with the baby.

  “Thank you, Shawn.” I stick my tongue out of him.

  “I leave you two alone for a couple of minutes and you act like children.” Joan comes out of the kitchen carrying some goodies that she’s been having us sample. Joan left the hotel to come work with me since she wanted a change. Joan told Cash that Shawn has been running the hotel kitchen for a while now and its time for her to try new adventures. She’s gone back to help out on the holidays, but Joan is happy to be here with me.

  “She started it.”

  “He started it.”

  Shawn and I both say at the same time.

  “Come try these.” Shawn and I set down the table and books that were in our hands and we head to the eating area.

  These last six months, no the last six years, have been hard, but I’ve finally made peace with the past, and I’m ready to see my future. Jonathan is thriving, and Max is amazing with both of us.

  “Save some for us,” Max says, coming into the store with Jonathan following behind him.

  “No, this is for the hard workers who have been opening boxes, moving furniture, and being tortured by the smells coming from the kitchen.” I try to cover the goodies with my body, but Jonathan starts to tickle my side and I jump.

  “How are you feeling?” I blush and clench my legs together remembering how my ass got so sore last night. Max and I have been exploring the BDSM side of our relationship. He got so into it one night that he had sound proofing put into our bedroom and bathroom.

  “I’m a little sore, but ready for more tonight, Sir.” I smile, not making eye contact for fear of getting lost in his eyes and not finishing my work.

  “The place is looking great,” Jonathan comments walking around the store. I get up to show him what I did to honor his parents.

  “What do you think?” I put a book of the month discount and coffee of the month discount calling it the Hess of the Month. I went through the list of books that Kennedy had published and picked twelve of them to display each month. Jason was part of a “Coffee of the month” club that I found cleaning out the office. He had marked his favorite ones, so I made sure to order those coffee to sell each month.

  “They would love this. When was this picture taken?”

  “This was the night we found out that you were coming.” He hugs me tight and cries.

  “Thank you, Auntie Mom.” Jonathan started calling me that after the accident. He said that I’ve helped raise him from a baby until now and earned the mom name without taking it from Kennedy. I kiss the top of his head. “What can I do to help?”

  We spend the next few hours rearranging the shelves, and furniture. We open at five AM so we say good night to everyone. Joan is coming in at 3 to start the baking.

  “I’m exhausted,” I mention to Max as I flop onto the bed after getting naked to go to sleep.

  “I bet. I do have a gift for you.” Max holds up a pink bag with this finger swinging it back and forth. “I could let you sleep then you can open it in the morning.” Max loves teasing me with his gifts so I get on my knees to lunge for the bag, and I fall flat on my face into the mattress.

  “Bastard,” I say muffled through the mattress.

  “Here.” Max rolls me over and pulls out the light blue Tiffany’s box. I sit up and my hands start to shake. He’s been making comments about marriage, is he proposing to me? I hope not. I’m not ready to plan a wedding and all that stuff. He opens it displaying a silver book with engraving on it.

  K & R

  I open the locket to see a picture of Kennedy on one side and me on the other. I start to cry. “Max, this is beautiful. I couldn’t ask for a better gift. This year brought me a new beginning. It brought you. It brought closure. It brought a bright future for all of us. Thank you.”

  I kiss him with so much tenderness trying to convey my love for him. I fall back on the bed, and I feel Max moving my arms up. I look up to see him tying me to our four-poster, king-size bed.

  “Let’s have some fun.” He lowers the blindfold over my eyes. Who needs sleep on the night before grand opening?

  I moan as I feel the hot wax hit my stomach.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  Wow! I can't even begin to tell how weird and amazing this feeling is to be able to write my acknowledgments for my second book. If someone were to tell me that I would be doing this again, I might have laughed. This book took me on an emotional journey that I thought I could handle but grief is something that everyone has to deal with differently. I still mourn the loss of my mommom a.k.a my grandmother and this book brought out those feelings when I sat in the hospital watching her slowly leave us. She taught me so much and I know she is with me in these words. Enough of tears and onto the thank you part of the book.

  You who is reading this book right now. Thank you, thank you. I'm thankful for letting my words be a part of your escape. I hope you enjoy these characters as much as I do. I would be lost without you. Thank you for taking a chance on me.

  The bloggers who have supported me, shared me this last year. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Being a new author, it means the world to me.

  Wendi, my editor and formatter, thank you for helping me, guide me, and make my pages all pretty. You answered my silly questions and worked with me when my health suffered which made me miss deadlines. Your understanding has not gone unnoticed. I can't wait to work with you more in the future.

  Saints and Sinners, Lauren and Nikki, thank you for spreading the word and helping me with this release. It truly means a lot to me to have your support. I’m looking forward to working with you.

  Desiree, this year has been rough but one thing that has remained is our friendship. We may not talk all the time because of life but we pick right back up like no time has passed. Your constant encouragement and excitement means so much to me. I love you sexy goddess and keep your head held high.

  Brittany, my inspiration, my friend, and partner in crime. I wish life would slow d
own so we can get back to talking every day and planning world domination. I can't wait for us to hang out and take over Phoenix. I would be lost without you. #wifeyforlifey

  Torrie, Torrie, your creative mind shocks me again. I'm so honored that you designed this cover for me and made it what it is. You are so talented and I'm glad to call you my friend. The future is ours! Now get that page started. Love you.

  Darren, who knew when you took this picture that you would capture the essence of my characters so perfectly. The romance and intrigue on this cover will be one that I am honored to have on my shelf forever. I know that you are doing your thing but thank you.

  Avelyn,