With shaking fingers, she opened to the first page and recognized his chicken-scratch writing. Almost indecipherable, it was filled with jibberish. Letters, numbers. Nothing made sense. Oh, my God, Adam? What now?
“Babe?” Chad’s voice broke through her revelations as he wandered into the room. Seeing the rocking chair on its side and her sitting on the floor, he assumed she had fallen. Rushing over, he knelt next to her, about to crush her body to his, when he saw what was in her shaking hands. “What have you got?”
“It’s Adam’s. Adam’s notebook. He must have left it for me to find.”
Chapter 20
Chad took the notebook from Dani’s shaking hand, sliding down onto the floor next to her, his legs on either side of her body. His eyes moved over the writing on the pages, a grimace of frustration on his face.
“Fuck, man, I don’t know what this means.” He looked at Dani’s face to see if she expressed any understanding at what he was holding but her confusion mirrored his own.
“Chad,” she began shakily. “If he wasn’t doing something wrong, why would he have hidden this? And why would he want me to find it?”
Leaning back against the sofa, Chad rubbed his hand over his face. He placed his large hand on her leg, giving her thigh a slight squeeze. “I’ve got no fuckin’ idea, babe. But, if it’s some kind of code, Luke’ll break it. I need to get it to Jack’s.”
She nodded, heaving a sigh. “We can’t seem to catch a break can we?”
He looked at her, not answering, but allowed her to finish her thought.
Placing her hand over his, she linked her fingers in his, her expression pensive. “I thought we’d be able to take things slow. Focus on us. The new us. A chance to make sure we wanted the same things. A chance to get to know each other again. Focus on the baby.” She captured his gaze, holding it for a long minute. “But here I am, living in your house. Giving up the last of my independence. And still dealing with Adam and whatever mess he was involved in.”
Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he pulled her in, nuzzling her sweet smelling hair. Neither said anything for a moment, both lost in their own thoughts as his hand smoothed up her arm, tangling in her hair and then back down before traveling that path again. Kissing the top of her head, he said, “I’ll call Jack and see if he wants this now or in the morning.”
A few minutes later he walked back into the room, seeing her sitting in the rocking chair, her hands on her stomach. Eyes closed, her pale face in the setting sun coming through the window. She had kicked off her heels and had her feet propped on the coffee table. Her silk blouse was partially pulled out of the elastic waistband of her skirt. He had noticed she was no longer able to zip her non-maternity clothes. His heart skipped a beat as he stood watching her.
Slowly, Dani opened her eyes, watching Chad as he stood in the entryway to the living room, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his impressive chest and one thick leg crossed over the other. Her green eyes scanned him from his dark, short hair down to his booted feet, loving everything she perused. Offering him a small smile, she asked, “What’d Jack say?”
Pushing off the doorframe, he walked into the room keeping his eyes on hers and said, “Jack said we can get it to Luke tomorrow.” He watched her nod before leaning her head back on the padded back of the rocker. “You rest, babe. I’ll fix dinner.”
As he turned to move into the kitchen, she rose from the chair and caught up to him. Linking fingers again, she said, “Let’s make it together.”
An hour later, they pushed their empty plates back having consumed the grilled pork chops, corn, and fresh salad. They cleaned the kitchen together, making quick work of the dishes and pans before settling on the sofa to watch TV. She thought it would be difficult to keep her mind off the notebook, but found that snuggled in Chad’s embrace, his steady heartbeat underneath her fingers as her hand rested on his chest, he was the only thing on her mind.
He felt her fingers moving slowly, setting his blood on fire. Down boy, she’s gotta be tired. Trying to steady his breathing, he chanced a glance at her upturned face. The look in her eyes turned his blood from fire…to molten. He watched her lips moving toward his and that was the only invitation he needed. Bending down, he latched onto hers. Soft…yielding. Sliding his tongue inside her warmth, he tasted her own blend of intoxicating.
With his arms wrapped around her securely, he rolled gently so her back was on the sofa and his body was slightly covering hers without letting loose of the kiss. His hand splayed over her stomach, thinking of the life below his fingers. The kiss continued languorously as his fingers slipped underneath her blouse on a slow trail toward her breasts.
Dani clutched his shoulders, fearful of digging her fingernails too deeply into him but unable to let go. His mouth sent all rational thoughts from her head. Losing herself in his methodical onslaught, she felt his fingers stop at the bottom of her breasts, but yearned to have them move higher.
He teased the underside of her bra before slipping his hand over the lace. Tracing the tops of her mounds at the lacy edge, he continued the assault on her mouth. She arched her back, pushing her breasts upward, whimpering in his mouth as he finally pulled a bra cup down, palming the fullness. His thumb swept over her taut nipple, feeling it harden even more.
The zing from her breast to her core bolted through her as her nipples responded to his touch. Sliding her hands up to cup his face, she sucked his tongue into her mouth, pushing her hips toward his heavy leg as it lay between hers.
Trying to rub her core on his jeans, he chuckled into her mouth as his thumb and forefinger lightly pinched her nipple. Finally lifting his lips from hers, he gazed into her lust-hazy eyes and said, “Babe, I want you but I want you comfortable. No way my body fits on this sofa the way I want without possibly hurting you.”
Her response was to mewl at the loss of his lips, but before she had a chance to protest, his body knifed off the sofa and she was lifted into his arms as he stalked toward the bedroom.
Once there, he lowered her slowly, allowing her full frontal to glide down his body, stopping her before her feet quite reached the floor. Her full breasts pressed into his chest. Her protruding belly pressed against his. And his prominent erection pressed into her hips as he held her tightly with one hand on her ass and the other around her middle. Their lips, still exploring, became more urgent. Thrusting his tongue into her warm mouth, he swallowed her moans as he explored each crevice, dueling with her tongue for dominance.
Bending slightly, he set her feet on the floor, hands moving to her shoulders. He reluctantly lifted his head, separating their lips but capturing her eyes. “Want to take care of you, baby. What do you need?”
Dani heard his words, soft and caring. She knew he would do whatever she wanted…a hot bath, going to sleep…but all she needed was standing right in front of her. The corners of her lips curved into a slow smile as she slipped her hands around his neck. One gave him a little squeeze as the other moved up to cup the back of his head, her fingers threading through his dark hair, pulling him toward her. “I just need you,” she whispered. “All of you…in all of me.”
Grinning, he stared at the promise in front of him. The realization that he had the woman he loved in arms washed over him. “You got it, babe.” His hands went to her blouse, his fingers nimbly undoing each button until the silky material slid over her shoulders and down her back, allowing it to drop to the floor in a puddle behind her.
The creamy skin of her breasts spilled out of the top of her lacy bra and he lowered his head. Trailing his lips down her neck, he sucked at her pulse before kissing his way tortuously into her cleavage.
Dani’s head fell back as her skin tingled from his lips—not just from his kisses, but from the promise of what was to come. With a flip of his fingers, her bra was unsnapped and she shifted her body so that the scrap of material could join her shirt on the floor.
Her hands slipped under his shirt, moving torturou
sly upward over the hard ridges of his stomach and chest. The material bunched as she gathered it and stood on her tiptoes to pull it over his head. Slowly, her fingers splayed over his chest and down to his waist, her nails slightly digging in as they trailed the muscles.
Her hands at his belt, she easily unbuckled it before unzipping his pants, feeling his cock straining at the impending freedom. His hands moved to her skirt, slipping into the wide elastic waistband. Catching her panties, he slid them off as well, allowing the clothing to puddle on the floor.
She moved back, sitting on the edge of the bed before shifting her legs up and scooting backward. Lying on the comforter, her auburn hair displayed across his pillows, she held his blue eyes with her green ones before lifting her arms to him.
Stepping back as he toed off his shoes and shucked his jeans and boxers, he perused the naked woman in front of him. Her body was a perfect picture of desire. He crawled over her, resting his weight on one hand as he admired her perfection.
Her rosy-tipped nipples beckoned and he moved his hand over her breasts, teasing the underside before circling her nipples with his forefinger, watching them pucker with need. Sucking one deeply into his mouth, he halted when she jumped. “Was I too hard, doll?” he murmured.
“No,” she grinned. “No, they’re just sensitive. More so than usual.”
Realizing that her pregnant body was already responding differently, he moved back to her breasts, this time licking her nipples before sucking gently on them. She writhed underneath his ministration, each pull on her breasts sending a jolt to her womb.
She watched as he laid a trail of open-mouth, wet kisses from her breasts down her stomach, ending at the sought after prize. Her legs spread wide, he feasted on her wet folds, sliding his tongue deep inside. Holding her head up, she continued to watch as the sensations swept across her body, threatening to drown her in their intensity. Her sex throbbed as his tongue continued its thrusts. She began to rock her hips up seeking more contact, more pressure, more…anything.
He chuckled, placing his large hands under her ass to pull her up even closer. He continued to lick her folds, pressing his tongue inside her sex, then moved up slightly to pull her clit into his mouth. Over and over, he nipped, sucked, licked until she was crying out for her release. His hand slipped up towards her breasts, lightly pinching a nipple at the same time.
Screaming his name as her world exploded in a shower of sensations, sparks flew out from her core in all directions. Boneless, not sure she could move, she floated on her cloud until she felt the mattress shift as he sat up next to her. Lifting her head, she admired the physique towering over her. She would never get tired of seeing him naked, his muscular body proudly on display. Over six feet of sinew honed from years of hauling equipment. Equipment that took him to the brink of disaster—willing to give the ultimate sacrifice to save others.
Chad observed the flush of satisfaction move over her chest and face. Staring into her green eyes, he saw her languorously lift her arms to him once more, this time wanting all of him, not just the pleasure he gave her.
Crawling up her body, with the scent of her sex filling the air, he lowered his hips between her legs, his dick straining to enter her as though it had a mind of its own. Eyes on hers, he held her gaze, marveling that such a perfect creature wanted him. Her pale complexion was reflected in the moonlight shining through the windows. Her shiny mass of thick hair lying on the pillow.
“I love you, Dani,” he whispered. “I think I’ve loved you from the moment I first saw you.”
“I feel the same,” she replied. “You know…this isn’t new. So going slow doesn’t make a lot of sense.”
He silently listened, not knowing where she was going, but cocked his head in question.
Licking her bottom lip as she continued, she said, “You’re right, Chad. We both fell for each other over a year ago. We got to know each other. Spent a lot of time together. We…lost our way, but have found it again.”
“What are you saying, babe?”
“To hell with going slow. I want you, in my life. In my baby’s life. I want to make a life with you. Having you back has only brought that to the forefront. I want all of you with all of me.”
Instead of moving toward her, he rolled over and reached into the drawer of his nightstand, pulling out a jeweler’s box, hearing Dani gasp beside him. Her eyes were wide as he rolled back toward her and popped open the lid, showing off the exquisite engagement ring nestled inside. I never planned on doing this now when we’re both naked in bed…but maybe the timing is perfect after all.
“The middle diamond was my grandmother’s. She gave it to me, with her blessing. I had it reset with the other smaller diamonds around.” His voice shook with nerves as he held her gaze. Taking the ring out of the box, he reached for her hand and slid it on. “Danielle, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Allowing me to love you for the rest of your life? Allowing me to become the father of your baby?”
Her breath caught as the moonlight glistened off the ring and the shaking fingers of the man holding her hand. Her chin quivered as she sucked in her lips to keep the tears at bay.
“Don’t leave me hanging here, babe,” he commanded in a whisper.
Swallowing deeply, she smiled. “Yes, yes, and yes!” she said, jerking her hand out of his so that she could cup his face and pull him in for a kiss.
Grinning, he kissed her, plunging his tongue in once more while also sending his straining cock deep inside her, fully seating himself in one thrust. Her hips moved upwards to meet his as his thrusts became more forceful. With wild abandon, he pumped furiously as though reaching for a secret place inside of her that he wanted to touch. With that intensity, it did not take long until she was screaming his name as her climax roared through her.
He thrust until her pussy had stopped milking him, then he quickly pulled out, much to her dismay. Before she could question him, he said, “Babe, want to take you from behind. Are you okay with that?”
Her brilliant smile was his answer and he moved her over onto her stomach gently before grasping her hips to pull them up and back. He shifted to place a pillow under her hips, seeing to her comfort.
“You sure you’re okay?” he checked.
She cried out, “Yes, now hurry!” desperate for his cock again.
He chuckled again as he thrust his engorged dick into her waiting core, hearing the moan escape from her lips.
This angle brought new sensations as her world tipped on its axis. His fingers gripped her hips, digging in to hold her as he thrust faster. She rocked back and forth as his body drove into hers, over and over. She loved the friction inside but wanted to feel the sensations on her clit. Slowly moving her hand down between her legs, she fingered herself.
“Oh, babe. Seeing you touch yourself is gonna make me harder,” he panted between thrusts.
Sliding her fingers back to her clit, she rubbed and pulled on the swollen nub, the tingling indicating her orgasm was near.
Wanting her to come again before he did, he reached around tugging gently on her sensitive nipple, sending her moaning.
“Are you close, babe?” he asked roughly.
“Yes,” she panted. “Yes, yes.” The gripping sensations from her pussy were sending sparks outward as the pressure began to build. Her hands went back to the bed as his hard thrusts pushed her forward.
Her sex convulsed around his cock and with a few more thrusts he gave over to his own release. Head thrown back, thick neck muscles straining, he pulsated into her waiting body, experiencing a release unlike any he had ever felt in his life.
They both fell forward onto the bed, his large body moving to the side protectively, pulling her back to his front. Sweating and breathing heavily, Chad never felt so sated in his life. Pulling her hair back, exposing her neck, he nuzzled her soft skin.
She twisted in his arms, facing him as his arms snaked around her body, holding her closely. He peered into her green eyes, searc
hing their depths and finding…love.
Reaching up her small hand to cup his strong jaw, she gently rubbed the stubble. “When we’re here, like this…when I’m in your arms…I can pretend nothing else is swirling around us. Nothing can touch us.”
“Nothing will ever touch you, babe. I promise.”
She held his gaze for a moment, hiding her thoughts about Adam, not wanting them to intrude on what she and Chad experienced. But she knew, as much as she cared for Adam, she did not love him. And he never promised her more than just taking care of her.
“I love you,” she whispered. “Like I’ve never loved anyone else before in my life.”
Chad understood what she was giving him. True love. Not based on need…or circumstances…or feeling trapped. But true love.
He closed his eyes momentarily, realizing once again how lucky he was. “Love you back, Dani. Forever.”
The moon moved across the sky, blanketing the couple in shadows as they lay tangled in the sheets. Her body half draped over his, he pushed her hair back from her face. With her head on his shoulder, he smoothed his hand over her body, ending at her protruding stomach. His long fingers splayed out over the area that nestled their baby.
Chapter 21
Mitch waited impatiently for the video-conference to begin as all of the Saints gathered. It did not take long for Luke to decipher Adam’s coded notebook. To save time, Chad took pictures of the pages from the notebook and sent them to Luke early that morning to give him a chance to begin his intel as soon as he arrived at the compound.
“He used a very elementary system of exchanging letters and numbers, which would not fool anyone for long but would have the effect of appearing like jibberish to anyone just happening upon the book.”
Sacrifice Love: Saints Protection & Investigations Page 18
