Out of Darkness

by Laramie Briscoe

  “Bacon cheeseburgers and chips.”

  He walked over to where she stood in front of the stove and slipped his arms around her waist, holding her body to his. “I love you,” he whispered. He wasn’t sure why he felt the need to tell her, he just knew that trying to hold it back would have required more strength than he had. He wanted to use this trip to solidify their relationship.

  That had come out of nowhere. She knew it wasn’t easy for him to express his emotions in words or actions, so this meant more than she could tell him. Expressing this feeling between them out loud was new, but the emotions weren’t.

  “I love you too,” she whispered back, leaning her head against his chest and inhaling deeply.

  The strength she felt there was her anchor. It balanced and centered her when she felt like everything else in the world was going wrong. Never before had she had that, and she loved that the feeling was shared with him.

  “I don’t know what I would do if you felt differently about me because of what I did,” he started.

  She reached up, putting her finger on his lips. “Stop. Don’t beat yourself up. We’re moving on, starting right now.”

  He nodded, swallowing hard as she moved the burgers from the stove and set them on buns. Within minutes they sat around the kitchen table, both eating as if they hadn’t seen food in months.

  “It’s weird,” she commented. “This food tastes better than it has in months.”

  He knew without her saying that the reason it did was because her attacker was dead, the man responsible was behind bars, and they could finally move on with their lives. “I think you’re right about that.”

  They shared the meal making small talk, laughing and smiling at one another. As the food settled, Tyler yawned loudly. “I guess I’m a lot more tired than I thought,” he apologized.

  She yawned right along with him. Now that she could breath, she realized just how tired she was. “C’mon, let’s go to bed.”

  He grabbed her hand, allowing her to lead him to the bed that beckoned them both. They lay down, wrapped in each other’s arms, sleeping better than they had in months.

  Chapter Forty-One

  He was having the absolute best dream ever. His hands were tangled in Meredith’s hair as she kneeled between his thighs, her lips wrapped around the erection that stood up from his body. He was directing her with gentle pressure from his hands as he slowly thrust his hips towards the warmth of her mouth.

  Her nails scored his thighs and the slight pinch of pain brought him to reality. Quickly, he realized this wasn’t a dream. This was real life. The morning sunshine streamed through the curtains, bathing her in sunlight. It looked as if she had a halo surrounding her, giving her an ethereal look.

  “Damn, baby,” he groaned, leaning his head back against the pillows. “Can you take it deeper?”

  She opened her mouth wider, relaxing the muscles of her throat, allowing him to slip further in. Pulling him back out, she swirled her tongue around the head and couldn’t help but grin as the breath hissed from between his clenched teeth.

  Tyler tried to figure out how long she had been doing this because he was ready to blow. He hoped it had been enough time to make this respectable, but the visual of her between his knees looking up at him with his cock in her mouth was enough to send him over the edge. His fingers tangled deeper into her hair, pulling tighter. His hips pumped faster, his breaths becoming more and more shallow.

  She went after him with everything she had, using her hand to stroke the hardness that she couldn’t get into her mouth. He wrapped his big hand around hers, showing her the rhythm he needed.

  “That’s it,” he groaned. “Back up, Meredith,” he wrenched from between his lips.

  When she didn’t, he tried his best to hold back, but she was hitting all of his zones. He fired on all cylinders as he emptied himself down her throat, shouting hoarsely as his body kept shallowly thrusting into the warmth that surrounded him.

  As soon as she pulled away, he was on her, pushing her back against the sheets. “Tyler,” she whined as he lightly ran his fingers along the core of her body.

  “Jesus Christ,” he moaned, feeling the wetness that gathered there.

  “What can I say? Giving you pleasure gives me pleasure,” she smiled like the cat that ate the canary.

  He quieted her as he coated his fingers with the wetness and then shoved them into her body. She thrust against him, holding his neck as she threw hers back. His lips trailed down the column of her throat, moving down to encase her nipple. As his tongue swirled the hard bead there, she arched into him, giving herself completely up to the emotions he created there.

  Using his thumb, he strummed the hard nub at the top of her womanhood, eliciting a growl from deep within her throat. “Feel good?” he asked her, his voice dark.

  “Uh huh.”

  He stayed after her, moving with her as her body moved. Using his tongue, his hands, nipping with his teeth as she thrashed against him. Her hands tangled in his hair, pulling his mouth tighter against her nipple, and she started mumbling ‘oh God’ as he began thrusting his fingers in rhythm with the undulations of her body. Her thighs tightened around his hand before she gave a great heave and she screamed loudly.

  “There ya go,” he encouraged her.

  These feelings were different than anything she had ever felt either. This seemed to be another area that she was finally able to let go in. It had never been this good, never.

  “Tyler,” she moaned, pushing her head back against the pillow, letting her body come to rest.

  “Glad I could return the favor,” he grinned.

  The two of them lay in each other’s arms. His arms around her, her hand stroking his hair. They lay in silence for what felt like hours, but she knew it was only minutes. Glancing over at the clock, she realized it was past ten am. She really wanted to get out and do some exploring with him.

  “Let’s go do something,” she told him, hooking her leg around his and trying to sit up.

  “Do you want to?”

  She nodded. “I’ve never been on vacation with a boyfriend before. This is a first for me.”

  “First for me too,” he admitted to her. “Let’s get dressed.”

  An hour later, the two of them had made their way into downtown Gatlinburg and had parked. Tyler’s friend had thankfully had the presence of mind to provide them with heavy jackets. They were very appreciative as they made their way up and down the main thoroughfare.

  Here it was different, since Tyler was alone, he didn’t wear his cut. They walked along just like two people in love, on vacation. His large hand held hers protectively as they made their way in and out of the crowds of people. They didn’t really have any plans, but they stopped at different locations and took pictures of each other with their phones. On a couple of occasions, she had kindly asked strangers to take pictures of them together. This felt blessedly normal after the months of unusual they’d both had.

  “You want to go to the aquarium?” he asked as they came upon one of the tourist attractions this town was known for.

  “Sure,” she shrugged.

  They walked up to the ticket booth, and he paid their way. Both enjoyed the exhibits and continued taking pictures with one another. As they were about to leave, a young couple with a toddler and a baby struggled to get out of the door. Tyler walked ahead and held it open for them, smiling as they thanked him. She watched, her mind going to a place she hadn’t been sure it could ever go.

  “Do you think that’ll be us one day?” she asked quietly, holding his hand in her tight grip.

  He shrugged. “That will be us if you want it to be us. I’ll be with you regardless of what happens here on out, but it’s up to you if we have all of that. Marriage doesn’t mean kids and kids don’t mean marriage. A relationship is what the two people in it make of it. We’ll be whatever you want.”

  She loved the fact that he could take a simple question like that and turn it into s
omething that made her think. What did she really want from him? From their relationship? Was it heading toward the altar? Was it going to be a life partnership? Did she want the kid experience with him? Everything seemed to have taken on new meaning to her in the past few days and she knew without a doubt that she had some thinking to do.

  “Let’s go in here,” he pointed to a jeweler’s shop.

  Her mind heavy, she followed him, half looking at all the things that were on display.

  “This is really cool,” he commented, pulling her to stand next to him.

  It appeared to be two necklaces. They fit together to make up a heart.

  The salesperson came over, smiling at them. “I see you found our sweethearts necklace. It’s kind of like one of those best friends necklaces but it’s for couples in a romantic relationship. You know, it gives each one a piece of the other’s heart. It’s one of our best sellers.”

  Tyler reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out his wallet, producing a debit card. “We’ll take it.”

  It just seemed like it was meant to be.

  Later on that evening, they drove around the surrounding area, just enjoying one another’s company. They passed different shops, and as they got a little further from town, it became less crowded. They passed a church that proclaimed it was a wedding chapel. They had almost passed it when she put her hand on his arm.

  “Stop here, I wanna go in.”

  “To a wedding chapel?” he asked, his eyebrows drawn together in question.

  “Yeah I do.”

  He knew by the tone of her voice that they weren’t just going in to take a look around. He turned into the parking lot and turned the truck off. They got out and met each other around the back of it.

  “You sure?” he asked.

  “If you are.”

  Smiling he reached over and grabbed her hand. “Let’s go see what kind of trouble we can get into.”

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Meredith walked into the chapel, Tyler not too far behind. The overhead bell rang and the clerk came out, a smile on his face.

  “Somethin’ I could help you two with?”

  Tyler reached out for her hand and squeezed it. “We were wondering what we would need to do in order to get married today.”

  The clerk explained the process, that they would need the names of their parents, their driver’s license, and their social security cards.

  “What if I was a ward of the state, and I don’t know who my biological parents are?” Tyler asked softly.

  “That’s fine. If you don’t know, you don’t know. Just fill out what you can.”

  They filled out the information and forked over the cash that was needed.

  “Do you have rings?” he asked.

  They looked at one another. This was something they had forgotten.

  “We don’t, but we have something that’s a little more us,” Meredith smiled.

  Tyler looked at her, the question written on his face. “Our necklaces,” she explained. “And you know we could totally play with everyone like you do with your skull cup. They won’t really know if we’re married or not if I don’t wear a ring.”

  The grin that broke across his face was huge. “You are learnin’ so well, baby. I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud.”

  She reached up, kissing him. “Are you sure you want to do this? I mean it’s really spur of the moment.”

  “I firmly believe with all my heart that there was a reason we met each other. There was a reason I came upon you the night of your attack, there’s a reason that we’ve been put together for these huge life changes. We’re meant to be together. I’ve always been taught never to question where life takes me. God knows way more than I do. For every hurt I’ve ever had, I’ve been provided with happiness. For every hard year I’ve had, I’ve had one that was wonderful. It’s all about perspective. As long as we’re together, baby, nothin’ else matters.”

  “Okay, let’s go get married,” she whispered, reaching up to put her arms around his neck.

  He pulled her close and kissed her nose, closing his eyes to breathe her in for just a moment. The scent of her skin even drove him wild. He nodded, a bright smile on his face. This was the family he’d wanted his whole life.

  Epilogue

  An unusual white Christmas had descended on Bowling Green. It was a rare occurrence and even more rare that it was also freezing cold, the highs only into the teens. Inside the clubhouse, everyone was cozy and warm.

  “Tyler, you have got to stop following me around with the mistletoe. I have stuff to do,” Meredith joked good-naturedly.

  Jagger called from across the room. “It’s only natural, I mean you are newlyweds, right?”

  Tyler and Meredith looked at one another, a smile they had shared numerous times since coming back from Gatlinburg. She winked at him and turned to face Jagger. “I don’t know? Are we?”

  “Damn it. The two of you are driving me up a wall. You’re never going to answer that question are you?”

  This time Tyler grinned at Jagger. “I don’t know? Will we?”

  Jagger groaned. “Bah humbug to you both.”

  Denise came out of the kitchen, fanning her face with a dishtowel. “Somebody else is gonna have to go in there a while. Otherwise, I’m gonna be sick on the Christmas Turkey.”

  She had a seat at the table, putting her head on her forearms while Liam came to sit beside her, gently rubbing her back.

  “Let me help.”

  The soft voice came from a couple of tables over where Lauren sat with Roni making small talk. Since William had been arrested and sentenced in a quick trial, she had done her best to make peace with her children. It was still touch and go, but she had been invited to Christmas dinner, and that was more than she’d ever had before.

  “I would love it,” Denise smiled weakly.

  She had realized early on if she accepted Lauren then Liam did a much better job of being nice.

  “Just let me know what all needs to be done.

  Meredith came up beside her and put her arm around the other woman. “C’mon lady, we’ve got a ton of stuff left yet. I’ll put you to work so hard, you’ll wish you would never have shown up,” she joked.

  “No, I’m pretty excited that I did,” she whispered so that only Meredith could hear it.

  Meredith winked, knowing that it had taken a lot for her to show her face. She had been glad for it, because this club needed to heal.

  “Can I help in any way, Aunt Mer?”

  She turned around and saw Mandy standing, waiting for someone to give her some instruction. Too young to be a woman, too old to be a child. She and her brother had grown up a lot in the past couple of months.

  “Sure can. C’mon girlfriend, I’ll put you to work too.”

  Jagger stood in the corner, looking around at the people he had begun to call family in the last year or so. Since being patched, he had felt even more at home. These people were making lives for themselves, coming out of dark places that they had resided for years and stepping into the light. He wanted these things for himself. He wanted the family that included the wife and kids (or not wife – depending on if Tyler was ever straight with him). With any luck he would have it, sooner rather than later.

  Steele and Liam came out of the kitchen, cracking up. Steele pointed at Jagger, his face red with laughter. “Hey, Meredith’s asking about our most memorable moments this year. Why don’t you tell her about that stripper that fell buck-ass naked into your arms at the Harley Drags?”

  He groaned as everyone had a seat around the tables, the women serving up the food they had finally finished preparing.

  “Jagger!” Meredith reprimanded.

  “I was a gentleman, I didn’t look at her tits,” he explained.

  “What am I going to do with you guys?” she laughed, having a seat next to Tyler.

  Tyler wrapped her arm around his neck and pulled her tight against him. “That’s easy,” he whispered.
“Just love us.”

  She thought about it for a moment. “As long as you keep loving me.”

  “Then you never have to worry. We’ve pulled you out of the darkness, baby, and you’re never going back. That’s a promise.”

  THE END

  Acknowledgements

  I want to take a moment to thank all the readers that have embraced the Heaven Hill MC. I’m amazed, humbled, and flattered. You will never know how much I appreciate the word of mouth…the sharing with friends…the people who have sent me messages. This has gone so much farther than I ever expected and I have YOU ALL to thank for that!!

  Michael: Thank you for always supporting me and always believing in me – even when I don’t. I love you!

  Allison Jewell: CONGRATS on the success of your books! I couldn’t be prouder to call you my friend and my sounding board!

  April: We have amazing adventures together and I hope this brings us so many more that we never could before!

  My Family: I couldn’t ask for better people to support me. Thank you so much for the unwavering support!

  My Work Family: Thank you for being so excited for me!!

  Lindsay Hopper: Thank you for sticking with me and making my stories so much better. I hope we both get where we want to be – and sooner than we think!

  Kari Ayasha: I am so lucky to have found you! You do amazing work and deserve everything that’s coming your way!

  I know I forgot some of you, but don’t think that I don’t appreciate everything you do…this takes a village and I’m so lucky to have my own!

  —Laramie

  About the Author

  Laramie Briscoe has loved romance novels since her grandmother gave her Dorothy Garlock’s Tenderness as a teenager. It sparked a love of reading and writing that’s manifested into this series of novels.

  An avid TV and movie enthusiast, a nail polish hoarder, an obsessive book reader, and a lover of all things that sparkle and glitter. She lives in South Central Kentucky with her husband and her cat. She is currently editing the third story in the Heaven Hill series – due out late fall 2013.