by Aspen Drake
Roman clears his throat. “So the capture wasn’t without incident. We found JR and Isla stopped at a hotel on the state border. We assume he stopped for the night and was waiting to meet up with someone who would get them across undetected. Luckily, the hotel clerk called in a tip and officers were able to find them.”
“Is he in custody?” I ask, grasping Beth’s hand in mine.
“No.”
Roman’s response causes Beth to gasp.
“He was killed trying to escape. He pulled a gun on the officers in pursuit and they returned fire. He didn’t make it.”
Beth’s voice is strangled when she finally speaks. “You mean… It’s over.”
“Yes.” Roman offers a slight smile. “You don’t have to worry about him bothering you or Isla again.”
Beth breaks down in my arms, sobbing in relief.
~**~
That night, Beth lets me help her tuck Isla into bed. After taking her bath, we lay down on each side of her and Beth pulls out a storybook she removed from a small shelf across the room.
“I want Mr. Mason to read it.”
Beth looks up to me, and I nod my head.
“Of course, sweet girl.” I open up the pages and begin reading the story of a mouse going on an adventure. Beth lays back, looking at me as I read to Isla. It’s not long before Isla falls asleep and the two of us are sitting on either side of her in silence.
“Thank you, again,” Beth says.
“I should be thanking you.”
Beth arches an eyebrow. “Why?”
“For letting me be a part of your family.”
“I’m sure it’s not what you thought it would be like. Especially with all the extra drama and criminal activity.”
“It’s not anything like I expected,” I say softly. “It’s much better.”
Beth smiles as she settles next to Isla, holding her tight, scared to let her go. But if one thing is for certain, I’ll never let anything happen to either of the special women in my life again.
Chapter Sixteen
Becca
Can I make the right decision? I’ve gone over and over the thoughts that have plagued my mind for the last several days. Never would I have thought I would be faced with picking between two great men. After spending time with both Joe and Cody, the decision was even more difficult.
What if I choose incorrectly? What if things don’t work out and I ruin a relationship that could have been?
The doorbell rings, and I let Lisa in.
“Hey, sweetie.” She gives me a hug then holds up a bottle of tequila in one hand and margarita mix in the other. “I felt like this was called for tonight.”
“Good call.” I usher her in and pull her toward the kitchen. While I set up the blender, Lisa grabs ice from the freezer. After mixing up the first batch, we retiring to the back porch with a full pitcher of margaritas and a bag of chips.
“So, what’s going on with you?” Lisa asks.
“Besides trying to decide who I want to date and who I want to break up with?”
“Damn, girl. I can’t believe you’ve got two boys pining after you. I’m jealous.”
“Don’t be.” I shake my head between gulps of the sweet and sour drink. “It’s not as much fun as it sounds.”
“So what’s the problem? Don’t know who to screw next?”
“Lisa!” I smack her on the leg.
“Hey.” She shrugs and licks some salt from the rim of her glass. “Both are hot. No judgments here...”
I pour us each another glass. “You know me. I can barely handle chewing gum and walking at the same time, let alone dating two guys.”
“So choose one.”
“That’s my problem.” I sigh, leaning back into the patio chair and looking out at my small backyard. “I don’t know who to pick.”
“Well, how do you feel about them? Does one seem to fit with you better?”
“Well, I’ve dated Cody before and things were definitely hot between us. But when he broke things off… Ugh. It really got to me, you know?”
“I remember. You were devastated. I’m surprised Mason didn’t fire you after you ran Cody off from Creamy’s”
I chuckle in response. “Mason loves me too much. Besides, he can’t find anyone with my talent to replace me.”
“Truth.” She tilts her glass to mine. We both take another long chug. The icy drink refreshes my taste buds while the liquor warms my blood.
“Now that Cody’s back, it’s brought up all the feelings I used to have. But he’s changed some too. Grown up, I think.”
Lisa grabs the pitcher off the table and tops off our glasses. I take a sip off the top before continuing. “But Joe…”
“Hottie with the bar,” Lisa adds.
“Yes,” I say with a laugh. “He’s so sweet and sexy. I really have had a great time getting to know him over the past few months and he’s just so adorable. He’s such a gentleman. And that southern drawl.”
“Almost too perfect,” Lisa says with a knowing smile.
“Yes, but it’s all part of his charm and the reason I’m so attracted to him.”
“Well,” Lisa pauses to take a drink, “if you’re going to choose one, is there one between the two that you could see yourself spending the rest of your life with?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“Then there you go. You should pick that one.”
“But what if it doesn’t work out?” A frown pulls at the corners of my mouth. “What if he’s the wrong one?”
“But what if he’s not?” Lisa points out. “Don’t you owe it to yourself to find out?”
“Yeah, I guess.” After pondering her question for a moment, my decision seems clear. “Yes, I do.”
~**~
After Lisa heads home for the night, using an Uber driver to pick her up, I head to my bedroom and take a shower. Once I’m changed for bed, I lay around for an hour, thinking about the choice I’ve made.
Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I dial his number, hoping he’ll pick up even though it’s nearly midnight.
“Becca?” His quiet voice is barely a whisper in the phone.
“Hey,” I say with a bit of a slur and then laugh at myself. “Did I wake you?”
“No, I was just reading. What’s up?”
“Can I see you tomorrow?”
“Absolutely. How about dinner tomorrow night? I’ll swing by around seven.”
I smile in response and hug the phone tighter to my ear. “Seven will be perfect. See you tomorrow night.”
I lay in bed looking up at the ceiling, feeling confident in my choice. Just hearing his voice makes my insides melt and confirms I’m not choosing wrong.
Although I don’t know what the future may hold for us, he’s definitely the one I want to spend time with and share my life.
Seven o’clock can’t come fast enough. Work keeps me busy, which helps the day pass but still not fast enough. When Mason comes in and tells Aaron and me about his crazy weekend and the kidnaping, I almost feel bad for thinking my life was messed up. I can’t imagine what Beth must have gone through.
When I get off work around five, I head home and get ready for my date. I know I’ll have to break up with the other one, which will be difficult for me to do. But ultimately, it’s the right decision for me and that’s what I have to go with.
When the doorbell rings, I’ve just finished putting on a coat of lip gloss over my tinted lips. Walking to the front door, I take a quick peek at myself in the hall mirror. After adjusting a strand of hair behind my ear, I open the door.
“Hi, beautiful,” he says.
“Hey, Cody. I’m so glad you’re here.”
Chapter Seventeen
Carly
I tell myself over and over that things are going to be okay. No matter what the outcome of this discussion, I know I’ll do whatever it takes to give my baby a happy life.
Driving up to the gate of the house, I use the remote to open the
iron bars that climb eight feet into the air. After I pull into the circular drive, the gates shut behind me.
I get out of the car and walk up the front steps to open the door.
“Hello?” I call out into the empty room. It’s late in the evening, but by the time I got off work and ran home to change, darkness had already settled in.
“We’re up here.” Max’s voice calls out from the top of the stairs. I make my way up the curved stairwell and walk down the landing into the master bedroom. Noah is sprawled across the bed, his wide chest and thick arms bare. The jeans he’s wearing are riding low on his waist, exposing the trim v-shape that leads to his equally thick package.
Max steps out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his body. His smooth chest glistens with moisture and causes my body to react.
“Hey, beautiful Carly.” Max walks over to me, kissing my lips and pulling me into his wet body. Noah stands and comes over, giving me a kiss as well.
“Mmm, I got you wet,” Max says with a twinkle in his eye.
“You think so?” I ask with a laugh.
Noah points to the wet patches on my shirt where the water from Max’s wet skin transferred onto my blouse. “He did… But evidently, it’s in more ways than one.”
They’re right. The sight of my two men have my blood racing through my body. A primal need pulls me to them, causing my panties to be soaked in an instant.
The skirt I’m wearing is loose around my knees, so Noah moves his hand beneath it and up my thigh to the moisture that has coated my mound. “Oh, Carly. You’re ready for us I see.”
My body shivers as Noah’s fingers glide across my folds, the sensitive skin causing me to squirm at his touch.
“Always.” I pull back. “But I need to talk to you guys.”
“Later.” Max kisses across my chin and up to my ear. “We need you first.”
Noah removes his hand from my panties and Max takes it with his. Slowly, Max pulls Noah’s fingers into his mouth and sucks my juices from his hand.
“How does she taste tonight?” Noah asks and my face immediately flushes with heat.
“Why don’t you see for yourself?” Max closes his eyes as he pulls Noah to him. Noah’s mouth opens and his tongue juts out to kiss Max full on. Movements of lips and tongues between the two men have my clit pulsing and moisture dripping from my folds.
When Noah finally pulls away from Max, he looks to me and grins. “You taste sweet.”
Max grabs my hand and pulls me on the bed. His muscular arms reach across me and pull my skirt down with my wet panties. Noah moves onto the bed and unbuttons my blouse, licking and nipping at my breasts.
Both men give me their full attention as my body reacts to their caresses. Once they have me fully exposed, it’s not long before I find Noah’s thick cock in front of me and Max’s mouth licking my clit.
I suck Noah’s cock between my lips, swirling around the crown before plunging down and taking in every inch possible. I groan in pleasure as Noah’s dick fills my mouth. My hand instinctively reaches down and pushes Max farther into my body, forcing his tongue deeper inside me.
Noah glides in and out of my mouth, lubing up his cock with my saliva. When he’s dripping with precome and spit, he taps Max on the arm and moves between my legs. Max moves out of the way, but not before taking several plunges onto Noah’s dick as well. He sucks him in and out before releasing his cock and aiming it towards my center.
Max scoots up on the bed and fills my mouth with his beefy cock. Noah slides into me at the same time and I’m filled on both ends. Noah pounds my pussy, his cock rubbing against my clit and causing my body to tingle in delight. I move my hand up to Max’s cock and stroke him while I lick around the tip of his dick.
He moans in pleasure as Noah grunts with each plunge into me. Only a few minutes pass before my body tenses and the first wave of orgasm rolls through me, causing me to scream out.
“Oh, yeah. Fuck her pussy.” Max puts his hand on the back of my head and pushes his cock deep into my throat. I take as much of him as I can before he pulls out completely and swaps spots with Noah.
Noah’s cock is back in front of me and I go to work on it, gliding my hand up and down. When Max’s massive dick fills my pussy, I can’t help but gasp at his size. No matter how many times we’ve made love, I’m always surprised at how full he makes me. My body is stretched in the most wonderful way as he moves in and out of me. His fingers plays with my clit as his cock rocks in and out of me.
Noah reaches down and caresses my breasts, massaging the soft skin and pulling at my nipples. His other hand is stroking his cock, which is turning a dark shade of purple. I know he’s about to come, so I jut out my tongue and flick it against the head of his cock.
“Oh, fuck.” He hollers out as the first load erupts from his body. The sounds he makes combined with Max’s huge cock sends me into a frenzy once again. Wave after wave of pleasure courses through me as I’m coated with warm cream. Max groans and empties into me. His body pulsing as he pumps in and out furiously. I take every drop he has to give.
Max pulls out and Noah bends over to suck on his glistening tip. Max groans at our lover’s touch. Max moves forward to lay next to me on the right while Noah takes his place on the left. Both men are stroking my body, sending final tingles of ecstasy up and down my body.
We lay this way for several minutes before Max catches my eye. “So what did you want to talk about?”
I know there will never be a good time to say this, but maybe having both men sated will help make this easier.
“I… Well, I don’t exactly know how to tell you guys this.”
Noah’s eyes grow wide with concern. “You’re not calling things off, are you?”
Max begins to panic as well, sitting up in the bed and looking down at me. “Please tell me that’s not what this is.”
The sincerity in their faces melts my heart. “No, I love you both. Although, you may want to break up with me…”
“Never,” Max says.
Noah nods his head in agreement. “Please, tell us what’s on your mind. Whatever it is, as long as you’re not leaving us, it will be fine.”
“I’m pregnant.”
Both men stare at me for the longest time. The silence becomes a little uncomfortable. “I’m not really sure which of you is the father…” I let my voice trail off.
The look of initial shock in their eyes is slowly wearing off.
Max looks at Noah, who returns his stare. “We’re going to be fathers.” Max’s eyes light up and a huge grin covers his face from ear to ear. When I look over at Noah, he’s wearing the same expression. Both men grab my hands and pull me into a tight embrace.
“Does this mean you’re both okay with this?”
Noah leans back and gives me a confused look. “Why wouldn’t we be okay?”
“Because. Either of you could be the dad and this is a bit unconventional.”
“Babies need love,” Max chimes in. “And no matter who the biological parent may be, I know this baby will get lots of it.”
“So you’re saying…” I’m still a bit shocked at their complete acceptance of this situation.
“We’ll raise this baby together,” Noah says.
Max looks at Noah and then at me before speaking. “I want you to put Noah’s name on the birth certificate.”
“What?” Noah says. “No, that’s not right. There is a fifty percent chance you’re the biological father.”
“No, you are to be the legal father. Like I said. No matter what happens, we will raise the baby together. But I don’t ever want you to get it in your head again that you don’t belong here…with us.”
Noah nods his head, a tear forming in the corner of his eye. He looks at Max. “Should we…”
Max nods once and Noah gets up from the bed. “We were going to save this until tomorrow,” Max says as Noah moves to the dresser and picks up a small box. “But now seems more fitting.”
Noah
places the small white package in my hand. I look between the two men before pulling open the top. Three platinum bands are nestled in velvet.
“Are these?”
“We want you to marry us,” Noah says. “Both of us.”
“It won’t be legal, but we can have a ceremony and invite anyone you want. It’s mostly for us to know we’re one hundred percent committed to each other.”
“Forever?” I feel tears streaming down my cheeks but I don’t bother to wipe them. “You want to keep me forever?”
“Forever and always, sweetheart.” Noah pulls out the center ring and holds it in front of me. “If you want to keep us forever too.”
I nod and extend my ring finger. “I do. Of course I do.”
“We can be a family, a real family,” Max leans forward and kisses me then Noah.
“We love you, Carly.”
Tears spring from my eyes as I nod my head enthusiastically. “I love you both too. So much!”
Both men surround me in a warm, happy embrace. Whatever the future holds for me, these two men and our baby will ensure it’s one of the happiest lives any woman could ever dream about having.
If you enjoyed Rise, please consider leaving a review. I’d truly appreciate it. Love you all and thanks for your support! –Aspen
For updates about new books and opportunities for prizes, please join my mailing list at
www.aspendrake.com.
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fiercesalonbooks
twitter: https://twitter.com/AspenDrakeBooks
email: [email protected]
amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Aspen-Drake/e/B00NSE1AY0
Books by Aspen Drake
Fierce Salon
Wash
Rinse
Repeat
Creamy’s Bakery
Knead
Rise
If you’re wondering what happened to Jarrod, read his story by my friends Aria Grace and Kyan Christopher in Break Me Like A Promise.
