by Dani Marie
“Stop it, just stop it,” Tori cried. She tried to scoot back and stand but couldn’t and Clint out of habit helped her, then offered his arm to her knowing she’d need help getting up. Vic was even more livid, seeing his brother touch her again. “Get your hands off her,” he said again. That was when Tori stood up. Vic was so intent on Clint that it took a moment for him to look back at Tori.
Then his eyes scanned her body then snapped to her face then back down to her large belly, staring, trying to comprehend what that meant. He looked back up into her eyes. She looked like a doe in caught in the headlights. The woman was pregnant, very pregnant. Vic was so stunned that some of his anger slipped away. “It seems there’s something we need to talk about,” he said in a quiet low voice that his family knew was much more dangerous than his previous yelling.
Tori couldn’t believe he was acting mad, what gave him the right to act like she had done something wrong. “You and I have nothing, I repeat nothing, to talk about. You had your chance to talk a long time ago, so just leave me alone,” she told him with her hands on her hips, glaring, her eyes sparkling with anger.
Vic stalked around the table and took Tori’s arm pulling her along with him. “Yes, we do woman and we’re going to do it right now.”
Clint rounded the table and stood in Vic’s way. “Leave her alone, haven’t you done enough to hurt her? She’s with me now, let her go,” he said pushing his older brother.
Vic looked at Clint then to Tori. “Is it mine?” he growled. The sharp pain filled intake of breath from Tori was answer enough. That Vic would ask that of Tori was enough to set Clint off. He took a swing at Vic. Vic easily ducked it and slammed Clint down to the ground using his own momentum. Tori screamed and dropped to the ground near Clint. Her hands frantically touching his face asking him if he was ok. She turned and glared up at Vic who was beyond feeling sorry for his brother. His emotions were too raw, too close to the surface after being held in check for so long.
“This baby is my son, not your ‘little problem’ as you called him. You gave up any right to have anything to do with him,” she yelled up at Vic continuing to fuss over Clint.
“That didn’t answer my question and I want answers, damn it,” Vic said towering over his still prone brother and the woman he’d been searching for months for.
He leaned down and took her arm again, surprisingly gently but insistently lifting her and with an oath turned and headed to the house. Ben was down near Clint by now and was relieved to see he was sitting up and fine. Clint started to get up to go after them when his father’s hand stilled him. “You’ve been a hell of a man during all this, but now it’s time for all of us to let them talk,” he told his younger son, then helped him stand. Clint wasn’t happy, but saw that there was no give in his father’s words.
Vic walked Tori into the house and then back out the front door. He didn’t want to be where she could walk away. He put her in his car, strapped her in and walked around to the driver’s side. He stood there a moment trying to settle his mood a little. When he opened the door and got in, he looked at Tori. He saw the uncertainty and maybe even a little fear in her eyes before she turned from him to stare out the window. With a frustrated growl he started the car and headed for his apartment.
They didn’t speak until they were sitting in Vic’s living room and even then they were quiet for a few minutes, as if they were trying to come to terms with the conversation that was to come.
Vic wasn’t sure if he was ecstatic that he’d found Tori after looking for her for months or if he was angry with her because she had been so close. The fact that she was pregnant was more than he could even think about right now. He thought about how he’d felt when he couldn’t find her and decided he would just lay it all out and see what happens. Anything was better than the frustration and loneliness he’d felt for the last few months.
“Damn I’ve missed you woman,” he muttered which had Tori’s head snapping up to look at him. He was scrubbing his hands over his face and looked like a man that was in turmoil. Could he be telling the truth? “Look, I was an idiot and it about killed me when I realized that I was too late when I figured it out,” he continued putting his hand up to stop Tori when she started to speak. “No, darl’n let me get this out.” He told her about the officer dying and how confused he felt about his part in it. How he thought he would never really fall for a woman to the point of distraction and that the fact that he did scared the hell out of him.
When he was done, he scooted closer to Tori taking her hands in his. “Why didn’t you tell me about the baby?” He looked down at her stomach still not believing she was carrying his child. He was scared and yet thrilled at the idea of being a father. Even though he’d asked if the baby was his, he had known it was. He knew in his heart that he would still be the only man she’d given herself too.
Tori was stunned at his question. “I did,” she said softly. “I called you twice. I left you messages since you wouldn’t talk to me or call me back.” With tears streaming down her face she told him “Having to tell you that I was pregnant in a message was the hardest thing I’d ever done. I was in love with you and you wouldn’t even talk to me.” The tears were falling harder now.
It was tearing Vic up seeing her cry like this. He couldn’t help it, he picked her up and settled her on his lap with his arms around her. He pulled her closer and just held her while the tears flowed. When she was a bit more in control he gently wiped her tears. “Baby, I didn’t get the messages. I swear even as screwed up as I was, I wouldn’t have left you alone in this situation. I had some frustration issues and my answering machine might have taken the brunt of it. I had to buy a whole new phone system.”
“You didn’t know?” she asked shakily. He shook his head no. She couldn’t believe that he hadn’t known this whole time.
“I’ve talked to everyone in Claytonville, had people helping me look for you and it’s breaking my heart knowing that you were here so close and carrying my baby and I wasn‘t here for you.” Vic ended this with his hand on her swollen belly. He could feel his child moving and smiled in wonder. “A baby, I’m going to be a father, I can’t believe it,” Vic said with a shake of his head.
Tori’s heart was in turmoil. She loved this man, but she’d spent several months so hurt and at times angry with him. Coming to terms with the knowledge that he didn’t know was taking a bit to process. She snuggled into his arms a little more, loving the comfort they gave her. She’d missed him so much.
That small sign of acceptance was a catalyst to Vic. He tipped her head up and kissed her. His lips soft and gentle. It was a getting to know you again kiss. He pulled back a little and looked into her eyes seeing the love that was still there, thrilled him. Vic groaned and took her mouth like he’d wanted to for so long. He devoured it, taking her tongue, giving her his. He was making love to her mouth. His hands were roaming over her body. He’d missed her so much and needed her. He found her breasts were larger and more sensitive. He slipped her shirt over her head and unclipped her bra to reveal them to his hungry eyes. He shifted positions on the sofa and had Tori lying slightly on her side with just enough room to be next to him, once again thankful for the oversized design. He slid down and took a hard nipple into his mouth and pulled on it. The taste of her, the changes, made him even hungrier for her. He lifted a little and slid her pants down and off her leaving her completely bare to his greedy eyes.
Tori tried to cover herself, feeling a little insecure with the changes in her body. But, Vic wouldn’t allow that and moved her arms to her sides. “Let me look, baby. I want to see you, to see the changes my baby has made.” Tori quivered, and relaxed her arms. Vic’s hands slid over her ankles then up to her sexy thighs. He took one leg and lifted it up to rest over the back of the sofa, opening her up to him. Tori was shaking, wondering what he would do. She knew they couldn’t make love, it was just too close to time for the baby. Vic slid his hand over her mound, loving the jump her body
made at the contact. He cupped her then leaned over and took a nipple in his mouth again before sliding one finger deep inside her core. She was so hot and wet inside, her muscles clinching around his finger. Her moan encouraged him to add a second finger and he stroked that spot that he knew she loved and moved his thumb up to tease her nub. It was only a few moments before he felt her tense and the release of her pleasure as the orgasm took over her body. He was so hard the confines of his jeans were painful.
Vic slid his fingers from her and licked each one of them, tasting her. Tori was speechless as she watched him. Her love for this man was so encompassing, it filled her heart. She reached for him, for the snap on his jeans and then unzipped him. He watched her, not moving, letting her decide what she wanted to do. She released his straining shaft running her hand from base to tip. Her fingers found the drops at the tip and brought them to her lips to taste him like he’d tasted her.
When her hand returned to him she gripped him harder knowing what he’d need and began to stroke him. He groaned and cupped her breasts as he came, spilling his seed over her belly. Once he could breathe again he stood and lifted her into his arms taking her to his bed where he could hold her.
They stayed in bed cuddling for some time, just holding each other and talking. Whispers of love and asking of forgiveness along with talk of the baby. Vic was thrilled and yet scared to find that he was going to have a son. Tori told him of his brother’s help and he knew he had a lot of apologizing and thanking to do. His brother had taken some of his woman’s burden when she needed it most and for that he would always be thankful to him.
Their future was the only thing they hadn’t quite gotten to. They slept and it was if neither of them wanted to be more than a touch away from each other. Tori was exhausted but felt like her life was once again on track. She was so in love with this man and finding out that he hadn’t known about the baby, hadn’t abandoned her, made accepting him back into her life easier.
Vic couldn’t believe it, he had his woman finally back. He was going to be a father and life had taken a decidedly fantastic turn over the last 24 hours. He knew he had a lot to make up for but he’d do it. When Tori woke up, Vic was watching her with an unusual smile on his face. She tried to get up but it was hard when Vic’s hands were stroking over her skin sending shivers through her. Vic leaned over and kissed her tenderly then propped up on one side, he slide a black box out and opened it. “Marry me, let’s be a family, don’t let me be lonely even one more day, I love you Tori, marry me please.” Vic’s watched her, his whole body tense and his eyes never leaving hers.
Tori was shocked and barely took one look at the beautiful solitaire that sparkled in the box focusing on Vic’s eyes. She could see the love shining through them. Tori knew her future would be full of love and laughter along with trials, but with this man by her side, she knew it would be a wonderful journey. “Yes, yes, yes,” she cried flinging her arms around him and hugging him as tears flowed down her cheeks. This was living.
Chapter 22
Epilogue
Tori wasn’t sure how Vic pulled it off but they were married the next day. His parents and brothers were with them. Clint looked so proud to be the one to give the bride away and was the first to congratulate Vic. The brothers had talked for several hours and although it would take a while, they were well on their way to getting their relationship back.
Vic had finagled a week off work and they traveled a couple hours away to a beautiful cabin resort where they spent time just being together. Tori was at the last days of her pregnancy now and struggling a bit but couldn’t believe how happy she was.
As they were driving back home, Tori got quiet. Vic looked over and she had a pained look on her face. He gripped the wheel tighter and asked her if it was time. Tori smiled as the contraction eased and whispered a shaky “yes.” Vic whooped and drove a bit faster giving Tori his phone to call the family. Tori laughed as they boldly face the next step in their lives together.
The end.
From the Author:
Thank you for reading Addicted to Pearls, I had so much fun writing this first romance. Any and all reviews are appreciated. My second book is now available. The heat level is lower than this book but that was just how the story flowed. I hope to have more titles available in 2013. You can contact me through my website at www.danimariebooks.com.
Other titles available by Dani Marie:
Passion and Pearls: (Lower 'heat' factor)
She’s a woman with a secret. Tired of running and hiding she plants roots in a small town only to risk it all for the man she loves. Her gift or curse, depending on the day, has cost her everything in the past. Can she find a place to call home with a cowboy cop that avoids her at all costs? She’ll rope him in with her passion and pearls.
(Available on Amazon)
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 1 2
Chapter 1 3
Chapter 1 4
Chapter 15
Chapter 1 6
Chapter 1 7
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 2 1
Chapter 2 2 Epilogue
From the Author:
