Seeing the want in her eyes, I reached around her waist. I rolled her over so I was now on top of her.
“What are you doing?”
I knew she was concerned about my leg, but I knew that I needed to be in control. I always needed to be in control, but more now than ever.
“I am going to show you how much I missed being inside of you. I am claiming what is mine, what has always been mine.”
Emily needs to see that I was still in control, and I need to prove to myself that I am as well. It may seem like a small thing to top her, but this is what we both need.
Releasing her from my grasp, I kneel between her legs. She lets her legs fall open as I lean over her body. I take her nipple into my mouth, she bucks her hips up against mine with a moan.
“Mac, please. I can’t wait another second.”
I never want to hear her beg.
Staring up at her, I give her what she calls the MacAlister wink. Bracing my forearms on either side of her head, I am inside her in one thrust.
We both let out sighs that seem to relive the tension we have been feeling.
I begin to move with a steady rhythm. “I love you future wife.”
The smile I get could erase all the darkness in the world.
Meeting my gaze, she answered the way I had hoped. “I love you too future husband.”
We spent the next two hours getting reacquainted and learning new ways to experience each other.
It was perfect.
I wake with a start. Shane is crying in his room, and Mac is not in bed.
Getting myself up, I move to the room that is connected to mine. It is more of an alcove than a room, and I see the most beautiful sight.
Mac is sitting in the glider chair with Shane in his arms.
This. This is what I have been waiting for. Our family is finally together.
Mac looks at me with such contentment. “I think he is hungry. I want you so show me what to do to feed him.”
The thought of Mac taking care of me and Shane did things to my girly parts that I have never felt before. I know that he needs to be in control and that is fine with me.
“You should change his diaper first.” I say as if it is just expected. I start to leave when he calls for me.
“Wait Em. I don’t know if I am steady enough to stand and change him. I don’t care if I fall but the thought of the baby getting hurt would devastate me.”
I know it was difficult for him to ask me to help so I do the only thing I can. I need to get him to try.
“I really think he wants you to change him Mac. He told me so.” I try to hide my grin.
“Is that so? Then I guess I better not disappoint my son.”
Mac gets out of the chair slowly while holding Shane in one arm. He looks like he is carrying a football.
Thank God Shane is still small and doesn’t move much, because I am not sure Mac would have been able to carry him.
Walking over to the changing table, Mac leans into it to steady himself. I can see that he is somewhat skeptical about what to do.
“The diapers are in the drawer and the wipes are on the table. Oh, and the cloth right there, you need to cover his pee pee so he doesn’t pee all over you or himself.”
The look on Mac’s face is priceless, and I can’t hold back my giggle.
“Jesus Em.”
“Hey, don’t say I did not warn you.”
Emily is leaning up against the doorframe just waiting for Shane to pee on me. I know that she is as unsure about me changing him as much as I am. I have seen enough people do this, I think I can get the hang of it with some practice.
Looking at my beautiful son who is watching me intently, I try to make a deal with him.
“Ok buddy. We need to make a deal. I’ll buy you a car for your sixteenth birthday if you don’t pee on me. C’mon, what do you say son?”
I swear I heard him giggle, or maybe it was Emily.
I manage to change him without incident for either of us. Em seemed to be quite entertained by the display, but she did not interfere.
I spend the next several days learning how to take care of Shane.
My outpatient therapy starts next week so Daniel is going out with me so that I can get comfortable driving. I need to be able to get myself around on my own. Between Shane and her job, Emily doesn’t need to worry about my independence.
Glancing at my watch, I realize that I have about fifteen minutes before Daniel shows up. “I am going to take a quick shower before I go out with Daniel.”
Kissing Emily on the top of her head as she rocks Shane to sleep, I get an overwhelming feeling of contentment. I have everything I will ever need right here.
Emily and I haven’t picked a date out for our wedding yet, but I have some plans up my sleeve. She has so much to think about. I want to take some of the pressure from her.
As I am putting on my prosthesis, the doorbell rings. I am not quite quick enough yet to get it before Emily does.
When I get to the living room, Daniel is already there with Em. “Hey man, you ready to do some driving?”
Em shoots me a quick glance and I can see the worry in her eyes. Placing one hand on Shane and the other on her shoulder I try to reassure her. “I know that you are worried, but I need to do this for myself and us. I promise that I will be careful.”
Emily gives me a nervous ok. I give her and Shane a kiss goodbye then Daniel and I are out the door.
If all goes well, and by that I mean if I don’t manage to crash, I will be buying a new car next week. Of course, I haven’t told Emily about that yet.
Watching the clock is never a good thing when I am nervous. With Shane asleep in my arms, I pace my house waiting for them to come back.
It isn’t as if I don’t believe that Mac can do anything that he sets his mind too, but I still worry. It’s not just me now; it’s Shane too, and I want him to grow up with his Dad.
My arms are getting tired so I put Shane down to finish his nap. I text Chrissy to keep myself busy, but she is busy with work.
I decide to call Nicole, my client and neighbor, to see if she wants to come over and have coffee. Fifteen minutes later she knocks on the front door.
“Hi Nicole, come on in.”
“You look great Emily. Motherhood really agrees with you.”
I notice something in Nicole’s eyes when she says motherhood, but she moves on quickly.
“So how are things with Mac being back?”
“Things are great. He’s really getting the hang of taking care of Shane. He gets up with me in the middle of the night so that he can see everything that I am doing. He wants to be able to take care of Shane while I am at work some days.”
“What’s wrong? You have a concerned look on your face. Do you not think that he is capable of taking care of Shane?”
“Oh God no. That’s not it. In fact, he is out with one of our friends right now learning how to drive with his prosthesis. I just don’t want to see him do too much too fast.”
“Ok, Emily, let me preface this by saying that I don’t have a lot of experience with men. I mean I am twenty-seven years old and have been with one guy but I did grow up surrounded by three big brothers, all who are in the military.”
Nicole blew out a breath, “I think Mac is a lot like my brothers. They have their damn masculine pride. I can’t imagine any of them wanting a woman to see them as vulnerable or not all alpha and crap.”
“I know, but I just worry that he’s going to be disappointed or frustrated and literally walk away from us. I don’t think I could bear it.”
Just thinking about Mac giving up on himself, or us, makes my stomach turn.
Nicole reaches over and puts her hand on mine. “Have you made any wedding plans yet?”
Shaking my head, “No, I really don’t want to push him. I would love to marry him today but not until he is ready.”
While we are finishing our coffee, Shane starts to cry. “Let me go get the baby. Be
right back.” Grabbing Shane, I bring him to see Nicole.
“Hey, there little one. Gosh, Emily he is adorable.”
“Thank you. I sure think so too.”
Looking at Nicole, I see the same look that I did before when she mentioned motherhood. “Everything ok?”
I can see tears starting to well up in her eyes, “Oh no, Nicole what is it?”
“I’m sorry, Emily. I just get emotional sometimes around babies.” She blows out a breath, “I can’t have children of my own. I had endometrial cancer. The doctors did a total hysterectomy. They also removed my ovaries and fallopian tubes.”
I could feel my own sob start in my chest, but I managed to quell it. I did not want to make Nicole feel worse.
“I’m so sorry that you had to go through that Nicole. How are you feeling now?”
Physically, I feel great. The surgery was four years ago, but sometimes my hormones still get the better of me.” Nicole tries to grin but I can still see the pain that she is feeling.
“I love children so much; it’s why I went into teaching.”
Placing my hand over hers I say, “I sure hope that you are still teaching kindergarten when Shane is ready. I would love for him to have you as his teacher.”
This gets a smile out of her.
Nicole and I talk about her plans for the next school year. She and I are becoming fast friends, and I can’t wait to introduce her to Chrissy.
Nicole is getting ready to leave when Mac and Daniel come through the front door.
I breathe a sigh of relief.
Mac gives me a kiss on the top of my head. “Hey Nicole.” Mac says as he gets a beer out of the fridge for him and Daniel.
I glance at Nicole, who is staring at Daniel, and the look on her face is priceless. I know that look well. It screams, I need to go change my panties.
I clear my throat, “Nicole, this is our friend Daniel. Daniel this is Nicole.”
I look over at Daniel and he seems to be as taken with Nicole as she is with him. Score!
The last three months have been crazy. I become more independent every day. Being home with my family and friends has helped to accelerate my healing.
I am working at my Dad’s bar and driving myself wherever I need to go. Em isn’t as nervous about my driving anymore. In fact, I am working with my bike mechanic, Colt Murphy, to modify my Ducati so that I can ride it soon.
I haven’t had the balls to tell Em yet. Things are going so well, I don’t want to piss her off.
Shane is growing like a weed. I get a kick out of his little facial expressions. He is even trying to walk.
I never thought that I would have a family with Emily. I mean, I fantasized about it but I did not think Em would want that with me.
I am truly blessed.
“Hey. You ok?” Emily’s voice shakes me from my thoughts. She sits on my lap and wraps her arms around my neck.
“Yeah, everything is just perfect baby.” I kiss her like my life depended on it and she responds just as desperately.
Emily gets close to my ear, “Why don’t we go to the bedroom and finish this?”
She doesn’t have to ask me twice. I give her ass a slap, and she squeaks.
When I enter the bedroom, she is already stripped naked. Damn, I love to see her without her clothes.
“Couldn’t wait,” Emily says panting.
I shake my head, but I can’t hide my smile. She is perfect.
“Turn around and face the bed, Em. On your hands and knees.”
Emily gasps.
“That’s right sweetheart. This is going to be fast and maybe a little rough. You up for it?”
“Yes please, don’t make me wait.” I wiggle my ass in the air, tempting him.
I don’t have to wait long when I hear the zipper on Mac’s shorts. “Christ woman, you are killing me with that perfect ass.”
I giggle, “It’s all yours big guy; come and get it.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I see him stalking me like prey. I shiver at the anticipation of his cock filling me. He slaps my ass and then rubs it with his hand to soothe the heat.
“Oh God, hurry,” I say.
Just as he is getting ready to take me…Shane wakes up with a cry. I can’t help but giggle while Mac lets out a groan.
“I guess we better get used to it.” I move to get dressed but Mac tells me to wait and he will get him.
Slipping my shirt and undies back on, I get into bed and wait.
As soon as Em turns around I grab the little blue box from my pocket. My son is going to help me with a little surprise for his mama.
Entering his room, he shoots me a big smile, and my chest squeezes, not in a bad way.
Reaching up to me, I take him out of his crib and place him on the floor. He wobbles a little until he gets his bearings. “I know how you feel buddy. You and I are learning together. Let’s go give Mommy a present and remind her that we have a wedding to plan.”
Holding my finger, I try not to laugh at the way that Shane wobbles when he walks.
When we reach our bedroom, Emily sits up in bed with her arms out. I pick Shane up and give him to her.
She pulls him close, and I climb in next to them, the ring in my hand.
Emily is raining kisses down on Shane, not paying attention to me. I grab her left hand and slide the ring on her finger.
Emily’s jaw drops and her tears start to fall immediately. “Don’t cry babe. I am sorry it took me so long to get you a ring.”
“Oh Mac, it is beautiful. You know I don’t need a ring in order to marry you.”
“I know but you deserve it and so much more.” Placing her face in my hands, I ask her to marry me once again.
Shane lets out a giggle and so do we. “I want you to marry me on your birthday Em. Let’s have the beach wedding you’ve always wanted.”
“You want to marry me on my birthday? Why?”
“Because the day you were born, my life began.”
Daniel
“Chrissy, make sure that strand of lights above the bar is plugged in to the right outlet.” I tell my sister as she tries to untangle the ball of lights.
“Who the hell put these away like this? I can’t even find the end with the plug.”
I know my sister, and once she gets frustrated, she gives up. “Here give them to me. I will take care of it while you put the candles on the tables.”
Mac and Emily flew in from their wedding last night. They got married with their Dads as witnesses, and Shane as the ring bearer. Emily wanted a destination wedding in the Bahamas, so they took a long weekend and got married on the beach.
Chrissy and I are putting together a small party at MacAlister’s to celebrate. Chrissy planned the guest list and ordered the food from Emily’s favorite restaurant. It isn’t a surprise party, but we still wanted to keep in low key.
One person I do hope shows is Emily’s neighbor Nicole. She was at Emily and Mac’s house a few months ago, and shit if I can’t get her out of my mind.
I don’t know much about Nicole, but for just the few seconds, when she looked at me, I forgot about my pledge swearing off women.
“Hey, are you gonna help me or what? The guests are going to be arriving in twenty minutes,” Chrissy yells from behind the bar.
Shaking my head, I know I need to focus on what is important, my daughter Lucy Ann. It’s not like I haven’t dated since Serena and I broke up, but Nicole doesn’t seem to be the one and done type of girl. She reminds me of the all American, bring her home to meet the family, apple-pie sweetheart. And that has disaster written all over it.
Nicole
I don’t know why I am so anxious. Heading over to MacAlister’s, I start to get a nervous stomach. Relax Nicole. Daniel will be there, for sure. Don’t make an ass of yourself.
Daniel is one of Mac’s friends. I met him briefly at Mac and Emily’s house. When I saw him, my body responded in a way that it never has. Not even with my fiancé, Jay.
Pulling my car into the parking lot, I give myself a little pep talk. I mean, Daniel is just a guy, even if I never forget his panty dropping smile.
Ok, let’s do this. Getting out of my car, I check my hair in the window. I can hear the music from the band that is playing in the courtyard out back.
When I reach the wooden door, I let out a breath and walk in.
Crap. The first pair of eyes that meet mine are Daniel’s. He flashes me that smile. This night has disaster written all over it.
Afterword
To the readers…
Thank you so much for reading Emily and Sean’s story. Stay tuned for Daniel and Nicole’s story in Enlightened Hearts, coming in Fall 2018.
The Mastered Hearts Series
Book 1 Rescued Hearts
Book 2 Enlightened Hearts
Book 3 Avenged Hearts
Book 4 Abandoned Hearts
Book 5 Three of Hearts
Book 6 Legendary Hearts
Book 7 Reclaimed Hearts
Acknowledgments
There are so many people who helped me on this journey. I can never thank you enough for your love and support but I am going to try…
First and foremost, to my big Italian family, I love you more!!! A special shout out to my aunts, Dee, Jo, Toni and Cathy, who are more like my girlfriends. I mean who else travels with their aunts while swooning over book boyfriends.
To my daughter, Sara and my son-in-law Dwight. Thank you for giving me my first grandchild, Hazel. She is not allowed to read my books until she is married with her own children.
To my beta readers, Jamie, Betsy, Julie, Patty and Brian. Thank you so much for your advice and support. I will continue to use contractions in my writing…wink wink.
To my editor and proofer, Maggie. Thank you for not judging me! I promise to make chicken polo soon.
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