Embody (Full Circle #1)

by S. E. Hall

  “What is it?” I prop myself up on my elbows, a wave of nauseous worry rolling through my stomach. “I took my pill,” I venture a guess.

  “No, that’s not…” he shakes his head, “just, don’t move. I’ll be right back.” He bolts for the bathroom and I hear the bath water turn on, then he’s at the bed again in a flash. “Come ‘ere baby, let me carry you, nice and easy.”

  Before I can ask about the abrupt, odd shift in his mood, he scoops me up in a cradle-hold and carries me to the tub, easing me down into the warm water as though I’m made of glass. He turns and digs a washcloth out from under the sink and returns to the side of the tub, dropping to his knees.

  “You want me to wash you, angel? I’d be happy to. I love you, Bellamy, so much.”

  “I love you too, crazy man. What’s going on with you?”

  His chin droops to his chest as he speaks in hushed apology. “I guess I didn’t realize. I’ve never been with…no…I mean…”

  “Jefferson, speak, in full sentences and English, please. You’re scaring me.”

  “I didn’t know how bad it’d hurt you and I could kick my own ass. I’m so sorry,” he shuts off the water. “I’ll go grab you some pain pills and a drink, then I’ll take care of the bed. And I’ll buy you new sheets, and anything else you want, just name it. Jewelry? Caribbean vacation? Tiara?”

  Oh. Now I’m caught up. My wonderful, caring man…he’s perfect. And a bit of an overreactor.

  “Look at me,” I demand of him just as he has me so many times. When he does, I try to soothe him with a smile. “Stop. Right now. I will take the pills and drink, thank you, and the new sheets. But it’s not a crime scene, no one was stabbed,” I laugh. “This bath is wonderful. I already feel better. And so help me, Jefferson Kendrick, if you buy me a freakin’ tiara, I will make you wear it through the mall, while I video it. Do you hear me?”

  “So, just some earrings then?” He’s serious.

  “Go get me some Tylenol.” I roll my eyes. “And throw away the sheets. Please.”

  And with that, I lie back and enjoy a nice, long soak.

  Epilogue

  JT

  “DON’T FORGET TO act surprised,” I remind her as we drive to my parents’ for the big “meet and greet” party.

  “Got it,” she leans over and kisses my cheek. “Thank you again.”

  “Anything for you.”

  Absolute truth. I would do anything for Bellamy Morgan, the love of my life, the gorgeous embodiment of everything I never knew I was missing, until I found it.

  Every day spent with her just gets better and better, the last few weeks a frenzied blur. She got the job at the boutique and loves everything about it—her boss, the better hours and pay, and the upgrades to her wardrobe here and there.

  I sorda taught her how to drive—still very much a work in progress, but we’ve practiced the route from home to work so many times, I feel okay about her driving it. No veering off course though; that’s our agreement. Especially no impromptu left-hand turns…just the thought throws me into full panic mode.

  Turns out I’m an excellent study partner and she’s already finished the “private setting” section of her Sociology paper.

  In other breaking news, turns out a club owner three states away, that my Uncle Sawyer happened to know and ran into, on the phone when he dialed it, needed a house band, so Fahrenheit got their break….no longer anywhere near my girl…as luck would have it.

  I haven’t slept at my own apartment in so long, Sutton may have moved someone new in, not that I’d care.

  And now…the party, where my whole, crazy family gets to meet, and most likely scare the shit out of Bellamy’s parents and her best friend from back home, Emma. Hopefully, they’ll all blend well together and keep each other occupied, because if they do, I’ve got certain aspirations of my own for the evening.

  “Okay, lemme see your surprised face,” I say when we’re parked in the driveway.

  “No,” she laughs. “You can’t rehearse surprise. That defeats the whole purpose. Come on,” she reaches for her door handle.

  “Woman,” I growl.

  “Sorry, sorry,” she gushes. “I forgot; I’m excited.”

  I head around to open the door and help her out, keeping my hold on her hand. “Just promise me, if your father hates me, you’ll still love me.”

  “He won’t hate you,” she smiles, eyes sparkling. “I won’t let him.”

  “Not sure that plan will work, but okay, here goes.” I take a deep pull of her luscious mouth then lead us into the backyard. “Mom?” I call out the super tricky and covert pre-set signal as we turn the corner.

  “Surprise!” The whole lot of crazies pop up from behind table, chairs, and trees to scream. Except Sawyer. He remains seated, giving a half-ass blow to one of those ribbon horn things. And my dad. He more just turns his head and grins. And Uncle Evan, who raises his beer bottle in the air with a “chin-up” of acknowledgement. And Uncle Zach…who must be in the bathroom.

  So basically, all the women in the yard pop up and scream. Close enough.

  “Oh, my gosh!” my girl squeals, playing it off perfectly. “What’s going on? Mom? Dad? Emma?”

  That one actually was a surprise and when my beauty glances my way, I wink and whisper, “Surprise.” She’s beaming, bouncing in place and about to combust. “Go on, baby. I’ll find ya,” I laugh and set her free.

  Off she darts, across the yard to hug her family and friend, while I head toward my mom and her circle of cohorts. “My baby boy,” she wraps me in a hug.

  “Thank you, Mom. This is wonderful. You’re too good to me.”

  “Ahem,” about four, if I’m guessing, throats clear and I pull against my mom’s unrelenting embrace with a chuckle to address the rest of the gaggle.

  I know who probably did most of the planning—Whitley—but I thank the group equally. “You’re the greatest, all of you. Bellamy’s beyond happy, and that means the world to me, so thank you, very much.”

  They each take turns pulling me in for their own hug and kiss, except Aunt Bennett, who high-fives me and hands me a beer. “Um,” I pause, “maybe I shouldn’t drink in front of her dad.”

  “Aren’t you precious, all pussy-whipped and shit. You are whipping the pussy by now, right?” Presley, shocking, asks.

  “I. Give. Up.” Aunt Emmett throws her hands in the air. “It’s somebody else’s turn to try. I’m going to drink. A lot. And we all know my husband’s already drunk, so we’re sleeping here. Good luck with my heathen daughter!”

  Aunt B opens her mouth to lay into P, but sees it, stifles her laugh, and steps back.

  No way I can hide my pleased, vengeful grin, so I turn my head toward Brynn and Sky, both wearing matching, gleeful expressions. And…let the games begin.

  “Ladies,” he greets the group and Presley’s spine goes pin straight, eyes flaring wide from the voice behind her. “If you don’t mind, I’ll handle this one. Presley, you can turn around now,” Sutton goads her in deeply spoken confidence.

  “What is he doing here?” Pres hisses at me as though he can’t hear her…or she doesn’t care that he can.

  “Oh, I don’t know, P. He’s one of my best friends, roommate, and tells me he’s been having trouble tracking you down. Why wouldn’t I invite him?” I give her a cunning smile. “Aren’t you precious, all cornered, caught off-guard and shit. You are caught off-guard, right?”

  “Very nice,” Bennett hoots. “Atta boy.”

  “So, Miss Potty-Mouth,” Whitley chimes in, “are you going to walk away with this young man or are we all scattering?”

  “Oh yeah? Watch this,” Presley quips…two steps behind me. “Daddy!” she yells across the yard.

  “Yes, Princess?” he screams right back, ‘cause, ya know, we have the manners of apes…sparing no barbarism in front of guests.

  “There’s a boy bothering your little girl! I need help!”

  “Not a boy, already met him, hired
him, have fun!”

  Priceless. The sputtering noises coming out of P’s mouth…good damn stuff.

  She whirls around, poking Sutton in the chest. “You got to my dad? How? Hired you? For what? You…”

  “Okay then, we’ll scatter. Shall we?” Whitley says just as sweet and proper as always and we all start to dispense. Even though I’d give a nut to stay and watch. I think everyone would…well, give something.

  “Guess I should go meet Bellamy’s dad,” I say to my mom.

  “Yes, let’s go,” she loops her arm through mine with a pleased giggle. Guess she’s coming with…

  He’s standing with his wife, Bellamy, Emma and my dad when we approach. “Son,” Dad greets me and holds out his arm, to which my mom releases me and walks into the crook of with a smile. “I was just telling Bellamy’s father about the work you do at the office.”

  I nod my head then turn. “Mr. Morgan, I’m JT Kendrick. It’s nice to finally meet you in person, sir.” I extend my hand, which he shakes. “And Mrs. Morgan, lovely to meet you as well.”

  “Oh Bellamy,” she coos at her daughter, “he’s so handsome.”

  “Isn’t he?” my mom proudly adds in. “And Bellamy’s absolutely breathtaking. Sandra, our grandbabies, can you imagine?”

  Bellamy blushes and I give her a secret smile. No babies anytime soon, but yeah…they’ll be lookers, alright. “And you must be Emma?” I say to her friend.

  “That’d be me. Bring it in, hot stuff.” She throws herself around me in a really friendly hug…and squeezes my ass. “Damn,” she finally unwraps herself from around me and looks at Bellamy. “You go, girl.”

  “Um…” I don’t know what I’m doing, saying…“baby, I never keep stuff from you, and I apologize your parents have to hear this, but, your friend just copped a feel.”

  I regret it the minute it leaves my mouth. I should’ve waited and told her after the party, or at least privately. Now she’ll be in a fight with her friend. But dammit, I’d wanna know the second someone touched her.

  “I’m-” I start to apologize when I’m interrupted by the laughter of…everyone except my parents, staring at me in mortification.

  “Of course she did,” Bellamy says happily. “That’s Emma.”

  “Called her out, consequences be damned,” Mr. Morgan’s still chuckling, wiping his eyes. “To be completely, immediately honest with my girl. I approve. Nice to meet you too, JT.” He claps me on the shoulder.

  “Aced that test.” Emma holds out a fist, which I bump, still a little shell-shocked.

  “Dane, you mentioned some aged Scotch?” Mr. Morgan says to my dad, and despite my mom’s disapproving scowl, the two of them head off together like a couple of lifelong buddies.

  “JEFFERSON, WHERE ARE we going? We can’t just leave our own party! My parents will be looking for me.”

  “Your dad’s drunk, our moms are busy discussing nursery themes, and Brynn’s entertaining Emma. Now hush,” I scoop her in my arms and bound up the stairs.

  “Where are we going?” she asks again in an expectant whisper.

  “My bathroom,” I answer as I kick my bedroom door shut. “Lock that, baby.”

  She does, then says, “Your bathroom? Why?”

  “Because,” I place her on her feet in said bathroom then shut and lock the door. “The last time I was in here, I came, jerking off to thoughts of you. Now, I want the real thing.”

  She licks her lips. “You want me to jerk you off?” she purrs, reaching for the fly of my jeans.

  I shake my head no, grinning. “I want to fuck, naughty Bellamy.”

  Through the last few weeks of much glorious practice, I’ve learned that my woman has two sexual personalities—Sweet Bellamy, who wants slow, romantic lovemaking and Naughty Bellamy, who craves dirty talk and an even dirtier fuck. I love them both, but tonight, I’m dying for a fast, filthy romp with the latter.

  She hesitates, bottom lip snared by her teeth, probably worrying about getting caught or the fact that her parents are outside…but “Naughty Bellamy” finally surfaces for the win. An unruly, sinful twinkle in her heavy-lidded eyes that says those worries are now provocation, holding a certain forbidden allure she can’t resist.

  “So, you probably want me up here?” She feigns innocence in a guilty tone, boosting herself onto the bathroom counter. “Maybe with my feet here?” She lifts both legs and puts her feet flat on the countertop, spreading herself wide open. “And easy access for a quick, hot fuck?” Now she bunches her sundress around her waist, little white panties damp with desire.

  I move between her legs and rip my jeans open, pulling myself out, then yank down the top of her dress so I can watch her tits bounce as I pound into her. “Pull ‘em to the side, baby,” my demand’s a hungry rumble that she obeys immediately. I tease her, sliding the crown of my dick up one slick lip and down the other, ending on her clit that I continue rubbing with my cock. “This what you want?”

  “Yes,” her voice is breathy want.

  “Yeah? What do you want? Where?”

  Answer me fast, baby.

  “Fuck me, Jefferson. I want your big, hard cock inside me, babe. Now.”

  “That’s my girl,” I praise before driving inside the warm, wet haven that is mine, leaning in for a mouthful of huge, beautiful tit.

  It’s raw, raunchy, and animalistic, the sound of flesh slapping against flesh almost as loud as our joined groans when she coats my dick and I fill her full—coming together.

  “Did I tell Naughty Bellamy yet today how much I lo…”

  She hears it too, freezing in the middle of righting her clothes to investigate with me.

  ‘What is that?’ she mouths.

  I shrug and walk to the far wall for a better listen. Well, well…looks like I’m gonna get to torment the tormentor even more that I originally thought.

  Bellamy sees my grin grow wide and whispers now, “What? Tell me!”

  “That,” I all but scream, making damn sure she hears me and starts dreading the payback from this moment forward, “would be the sound of Presley fucking Sutton. Or vice-versa. Right, guys?”

  “Get fucked,” Sutton groan/shouts through the wall.

  “Am I allowed to tell them I just did?” I ask quietly.

  “Not if you ever want it to happen again.” My goddess narrows her eyes, but pulls me in, hand around my neck, for a kiss like only she can give.

  When she comes up for air, I look at her for long seconds, thinking just how lucky I am that I found her that faithful night…squatting in the woods to piss.

  “What is it now?” she asks when I laugh from the memory.

  “Nothing. I just…I adore you, Bellamy. My love.” And I wink, crooking my finger to ask for another one of her kisses.

  Playlist

  Bad Boy for Life- P. Diddy

  Love Song- Tesla

  Never Tear Us Apart- INXS

  Hypnotize- The Notorious B.I.G.

  Just a Lil Bit- 50 Cent

  Unsteady- X Ambassadors

  The Place Where You Belong- Shai

  When You’re Gone- The Cranberries

  I Don’t Dance- Lee Brice

  Maneater- Nelly Furtado

  Speakers- Sam Hunt

  Acknowledgements

  FIRST AND FOREMOST, forever and always, thank you to my husband and daughters for their patience, tolerance and unconditional love. Oh, and for walking by my side in public even when I’m wearing mismatched pajamas, with wet hair and my “dgaf” attitude on full display.

  To Jill Sava- I simply couldn’t do it without you. No really, wouldn’t know my ass from my elbow with my Jillsy! THANK YOU for everything- the beautiful cover, formatting, tour, PA and being you!

  Tabby Coots- Thank you for your magic fingers (geez people, come on)…that type all my scribbling!

  To my betas- Linda, Beth, Lisa, Kelly, Elaina, Alison, Emily and Sheena: THANK YOU all for helping me do JT and Bellamy justice! Xoxo

  Emma Mack, Kellie
Montgomery and Virginia Carey- Thank you for being my extra sets of eyes and polishing my words and thoughts! Xoxo

  To Hilary Storm, Ashley Suzanne and Joanne Schwehm- Thank you for being my friends, sounding boards, breaths of fresh air and for reading JT!

  To my Crew- I love all your support, positivity and kindness! Thank you, for lovin’ the Crew!!! Xoxo

  And to all the readers and bloggers- THANK YOU for supporting my dream, my words and my fondness for working at home in my pajamas!

  About The Author

  S.E. HALL, lover of all things anticipation and romance, is the author of The Evolve Series: Emerge, Embrace, Entangled, Entice, Endure and companion novellas Baby Mama Drama and Guide for Tools Looking to Date My Daughter by character Sawyer Beckett. S.E. also wrote the standalone, Finally Found novels Pretty Instinct and Pretty Remedy and her latest release, standalone, contemporary romance Unstable.

  Her co-written works include The Provocative Professions Collection: Stirred Up, Packaged and Handled 1&2, One Naughty Night and full-length, standalone novels Matched and Filthy Foreign Exchange with Angela Graham as well as Conspire, a romantic suspense, written with Erin Noelle.

  S.E. resides in Arkansas with her husband of 20 years and 3 daughters of the home. When not writing or reading, she can be found “enthusiastically cheering” on one of her girls’ softball games.

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