by Carter Blake
“You can still be happy.” I take her face in my palms. “With me.”
A small sliver of hope creeps into her eyes, but when she blinks it’s gone, replaced by dismal acceptance.
She peels my fingers away from her face. “Thank you for a wonderful evening. I won’t forget it.”
With that, she turns and races from the room, taking a piece of my heart with her.
Chapter 11
Brynne
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
I knew how this would end, and I still jumped head first into a heaping pile of trouble. I just didn’t know how much trouble until I read the headline of the Sunday Press.
A Scandalous Affair
A picture of myself and Harrison having dinner together, and another one with him helping me into his limo is paired beside an article recapping my father and brother’s infamous trial, and the crimes they were charged with.
Whoever wrote the article did their homework.
Ms. Jeffries currently works as a teacher at…
My throat constricts as I read the name of the school. If I had any hope of keeping my job, it’s completely gone now. Not even Harrison can save me from this.
Already, my cell has been ringing non-stop all morning. I haven’t listened to the messages, but I’m pretty sure at least one of them is the principal of the school calling to inform me that my job is terminated.
Crawling into my bed, I pull the covers over my head and sob.
The worst part of this whole thing is that even though he got me into this mess, I can’t stop thinking about Harrison. About his touch. The way he made my body hum in pleasure.
I can still smell him on me.
He knew who I was.
I don’t know what to think of that.
From the moment my family’s scandal hit the papers, everyone who knew me disowned me. I lost all my friends. Even the boy I’d been casually dating dropped me, claiming he couldn’t have his name associated with mine.
But Harrison acted like it didn’t matter who my family was - or maybe it was all a show.
I don’t know.
All I know is that I need to get as far away from here as quickly as possible.
Chapter 12
Harrison
“Are you and Ms. Sweet going to get married?” Penny asks, her face bright with hope.
I sigh as I sit down at the kitchen table beside her, and I see my mother’s brows raise.
“I like her,” Penny continues. “She’s nice. Not like Mrs. Makris. She always yells and she smells funny. But Ms. Sweet is pretty and funny. I wouldn’t mind if she were my mommy.”
I nearly choke on my coffee. “I think you’re rushing things, sweetheart. And I don’t want you to say anything to your friends, all right?”
“Why?”
“Because she might not be allowed to teach anymore if people knew.”
“That’s not fair.”
“No, it isn’t. But it’s the way things work. Can I trust you to keep this a secret?”
Penny nods.
“I think you have other things to worry about,” my mother says, placing a newspaper in front of me.
My chest constricts when I see the pictures on the front page. They were taken by a lousy camera, probably a cell phone, but our faces are clear enough, and the article is more than enough to cause irreparable damages to Brynne’s reputation.
Whoever wrote it was able to put a spin on Brynne’s past to make her look like the villain, rather than the victim.
Shit.
“That poor girl,” my mother says, frowning. “It isn’t fair what the media has done to her. But you know no matter what you do, you can’t protect her from this. The school won’t allow her to keep her job once they know who she is.”
“They will if I have any say in it.”
“Are you sure you want to get involved?” She glances over at Penny. “This will affect more than just you.”
“I have to.” Because I care about the woman. And one thing I’ve learned from my daughter, or maybe she’s learned from me, is that you always defend the innocent. I stand and kiss Penny’s head, then hug my mom. “Will you watch her for me today? I have some things I need to take care of.”
She nods, but the concern is still etched in her features.
I’m concerned too. Concerned that I won’t be able to make things right. Concerned that I may have already lost Brynne before I even really got her.
Chapter 13
Brynne
One week. I don’t answer my phone. I don’t leave my apartment. And I sure as hell don’t read any more news.
I sent my resignation to the school via email. I haven’t checked if they got back. In fact, I’ve pretty much cut myself completely off from the world. The only time I even got online was to book a one-way plane ticket to Switzerland. I have family there. On my mom’s side. They offered me a place to stay, until I can figure out what I want to do next. Which right now I have no idea what that is. I just know I can’t stay here.
I leave in two days. It’s enough time to get my shit together. I’m already packed, and I’ve terminated my lease. All that’s left to do is wait and try my best not to think about Harrison. But no matter how hard I try, his face consumes my every thought.
Him and Penny.
I hate leaving her. I hate leaving all my students, but especially her. In a short time, we connected, and I saw a real change in her. She was even starting to make friends at school.
There is a loud bang on my door and I jump.
“Brynne,” the deep, familiar voice booms, followed by more banging. “Open the door.”
It’s not the first time Harrison has come by. But I’d managed not to answer when he’s rung from downstairs. Somehow, he’s managed to get into the apartment, and from his tone, I can tell he’s not leaving without a fight.
“I know you’re in there.”
With a heavy sigh, I steel my spine and open the door.
He barges in, and I can tell he’s mad – really mad. There’s fire in his eyes when he pins his gaze on me.
“Why the hell haven’t you answered my calls?” He doesn’t wait for an answer, because his gaze drops to the suitcases lined against the wall. “You’re leaving?”
I rub my hands over my arms and turn away. “I have family in Switzerland. I’ll be staying with them until this whole thing blows over.”
“It’s already over.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I took care of things.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “How?”
“I told you I wouldn’t hurt you, and I meant it. If you’d just fucking picked up your phone once in the past week, you’d have realized that.” He takes a step toward me, and his fingers reach out, burying in my hair, as his mouth finds mine.
The kiss is hard, desperate, shocking.
He’s devours me, and despite my need to keep my head, I’m consumed by him.
When he pulls back, he breathes out heavily. “Don’t run from me, Brynne.”
“I’m not running from you. I-I can’t go through this. Not again.”
“If you’re running from your past, from the shit your family put you through, it doesn’t matter where you go. It’ll always find you.”
She shakes her head.
“You know I’m right.” He kisses me again, this time softer.
“I can’t…”
“You still have your job. You can take another week off, but it’s there when you want to go back. And from what Penny tells me, those kids want you back desperately.”
“But their parents-”
“Will deal with me if they have any problems.”
I shake my head. “Why? Why are you doing this?”
“Because whatever shit your father and brother did, it’s not a reflection of who you are. You deserve to be able to live free of fear.”
“The world doesn’t see it that way.”
“Fuck the world.”
I can’t help but laugh.
“I’m not saying people won’t talk, or there won’t be controversy. But you’ll be able to live without this fucking shadow looming over your head everywhere you go.”
“I don’t see how that’ll ever be possible.”
“Marry me.”
I pull back. “What?”
His fingers tighten in my hair, his expression serious. “Marry me. Be my wife. I can protect you.”
I shake my head. “You don’t even know me.”
“Bullshit. I know you better than you think. I know you’re good and kind. You worry about others more than yourself. And I know you got a really shitty deal with your family. I also know that my daughter thinks the world of you. And she’d be one lucky little girl to have you as a mom.”
“Harrison-”
“Let me finish. I know this is rushed. That I’m probably not the man you envisioned when you thought about who you would marry, but-”
I start laughing, hard. I can’t help it. Because he doesn’t know how wrong he is.
“What?” His brows furrow.
“You’re exactly what I envisioned. You’re the only man I ever wanted to marry. The only man I ever dreamed about marrying. Ever since I was Penny’s age, you’re everything I ever wanted.”
His lips twitch up. “Then marry me.”
I sigh, reality sinking in. “Childhood dreams aren’t enough reason to marry someone. Neither is amazing sex. Or that beautiful little girl. I want someone who loves me.”
“Jesus, Brynne. Don’t you get it? I do love you. And it’s not just about the amazing sex. It’s about what’s in here.” He places his hand over my heart.
I suck in a breath. “You can’t love me.”
“Why?”
Because no one ever has. Not really.
“Because…”
“Because you don’t think you’re deserving of it?”
“Maybe.”
“Then I’m just going to have to spend the next fifty years making sure you believe it.” He kisses me again, and I feel all my reservations drifting away.
I love him.
I’ve loved him since I was six years old.
I never stopped, even when I hated him.
“Yes,” I whisper against his lips.
I can feel the smile in his kiss. “Good. I’ll have the driver help me with these bags.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re coming home with me. And I’m never going to let you go again.”
His hand cups my cheek, then his fingers push demandingly into the hair at my temples, as his mouth finds mine again. His other hand grips my ass, pulling me tight against him, so close that I can feel his throbbing cock against my stomach.
I place my hand on his chest and try to catch my breath. “I can’t just come home with you.”
“You can and you will. You’re mine now.”
I shudder at the promise in those words.
His mouth moves lower, caressing my jaw.
Every kiss, touch, and lick sends tiny explosions of pleasure through my body. Burning need rages through me, stealing the strength from my knees, until I’m jelly in his hands.
“I don’t want to wait until we get back to my place,” he growls against my lips as he lifts me.
“Then don’t.”
He carries me down the hall towards my bedroom.
Laying me on the bed, he strips off his shirt, then smirks as he begins undressing me. The feel of his large hand sliding across my naked skin is almost too much.
Intoxicating.
Erotic.
The ache between my thighs builds, and I wiggle as he quickly undresses me and I him.
“Please,” I beg. My clit is pulsing, demanding attention, demanding his fingers, his tongue, his cock.
He teases me with his mouth, moving down until his teeth rake across one nipple.
Hot, wicked sensations race across my skin.
“Tell me what you want, sweetheart.” He presses a kiss against my clit, then swipes his tongue across the sensitive bud.
“You,” I gasp, pulling at his hair, demanding that he give me all of himself.
He crawls up, kissing my stomach, my breasts, his knees pushing my legs further apart, the heavy crest of his cock pressed snug against my entrance.
I wiggle and arch under him, begging for his cock.
He grunts again, a satisfied sound, then thrusts deep inside of me, filling me completely.
Pleasure and pain whip through me and I gasp, holding onto him as my body adjusts, stretching to accommodate his size.
His gaze is on me, and there’s emotion there.
Lust.
Love.
Possessiveness.
It makes my heart beat wildly in my chest.
Can I really be this lucky? Part of me wonders if it isn’t just a dream. That I’ll wake up to find him gone.
But as he starts to move slowly, each long, delicious thrust making the ache in my body increasingly intense, I can’t deny the realness to the connection between us.
My pussy clenches around him, as he pumps in and out, filling every inch of me.
“Harrison,” I moan, my pussy clenching around his hard length as he pushes deeper. Each thrust more forceful than the last.
He sucks my nipple into his mouth, teasing it with his tongue as he smacks against me, riding me harder and faster until we’re both damp with perspiration.
I lock my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper, needing the friction of his skin against mine. He thrusts hard one last time and it’s enough to throw me over the edge.
The climax rips through my body like an explosion, and I cry out with his name on my lips as my pussy spasms around his cock.
His body tenses and jerks as he comes hard inside of me.
“Mine,” he growls against my mouth, before taking my lips with a sweet, almost torturous kiss.
I am his. Fully and completely. I always have been. And now, I always will be.
Epilogue
Brynne
One Year Later…
“Mommy, look at this.” Penny jumps on the couch beside me, showing off her report card. “I got three A + and the rest are all As.”
“That’s amazing.” I give her a tight squeeze. “You’re so smart.”
She grins at me, then rests her head on my protruding belly, and whispers, “Cause I have the best Mommy and Daddy in the world. And you will too.”
I smile when the baby responds with a sharp kick. He always seems to respond to her.
Penny giggles, then hops off the couch when Harrison comes into the room. She gives him a quick hug, then races out of the room with her friend Emily.
“How are you feeling?” Harrison asks, helping me stand, and resting his hand on my stomach.
“Like I’m ready to explode.”
He chuckles, and pulls me into his arms, then kisses me. “You’re beautiful.”
“I just wish I was able to finish off the year. I hate that the kids have to have a substitute.”
“They’ll be fine. It’s you I worry about. You and our son.”
The past year has been a whirlwind of events. Harrison insisted we get married almost immediately. It was a small ceremony, one that wasn’t covered by the media until after the event.
As expected, the gossip columnists were all over it. And for a few months, our pictures were plastered on every magazine and newspaper. And once baby Harrison Redmond IV is born, I’m sure they’ll be flocking for more pictures again. But right now, everything is perfect.
I have a family. A real family. One built on love and not lies.
I wrap my arms around his neck. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
And I believe him, with all my heart.
I never thought I could find happiness. I’d always believed I’d live forever under the dark clouds of my past, but Harrison changed everything. And for the first time in my life, I’m happ
y.
I’m not sure if I’ll go back to teaching once the baby comes. For a time, it was all I wanted. But now I want so much more. I want time with my family. With my husband and baby, and Penelope.
The girl has become part of my heart. I love her like she’s my own.
“What are you thinking about?” Harrison asks, resting his forehead against mine.
“How happy I am.”
He grins. “I have something that will make you even happier.”
“What’s that?”
“I wanted to wait until Penny was here, but I guess I can tell you first. The adoption papers came in today.”
“They did?” Tears prick the back of my eyes.
He smiles, and I can see the emotion in his face. “She’s yours. Officially.”
I hug him hard. “Thank you.”
He cups my jaw in his palms. “No. Thank you. Thank you for completing our family. For bringing happiness into this house.”
I’ll never understand how I got so lucky, or why after so much heartbreak, I was finally granted my happily ever after. But I do know that I’ll never waste one day not being grateful for what I have.
About the Author
A good ol' Canadian boy, who loves hockey, maple syrup and beavers! I also love to write sexy stories about strong alpha men who would do anything to protect the women they love.
http://eepurl.com/cvVqCz
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Also by Carter Blake
The Nanny and the Beast
The Teacher and the Beast
The Law of the Beast
Awakening the Beast
Pretend to Be Mine
Say You’ll be Mine
Hot Takeover
