by C. A. Harms
“Brook challenges me. She’s smart, beautiful, and there isn’t anything I enjoy more than her smile.” He looked over toward Brook, and she winked at him. I may or may not have felt the air rush from my lungs in surprise. Where the hell did that come from? Being all sweet and mushy was not like Greyson.
“I take the happiness of each of my girls very seriously,” my father said after a long stream of silence. “I would hope you do the same.”
“I do, sir,” Greyson said without hesitation.
The charming side of Greyson had even warmed my father. Seriously, I was floored. I had no words.
Chapter 31
Josh
I spent over an hour with Frank. A fucking hour of his sorry ass feeding me nothing but a line of shit. He actually attempted to bargain with me, saying he would help me find Leo if I found a way to get his sentence cut shorter. He was seriously fucking warped if he thought I would ever allow him to be on the streets again.
I was exhausted, and all I wanted was to do crawl in bed with Gabby and hold her close. Every time I thought of Leo hurting her or even threatening to, I felt murderous.
I stopped by the front desk to find out if any other packages had been left for me. When Graham, the night watchmen, confirmed nothing had been left, relief washed over me. I didn’t really want to deal with anything more than we already had today. I just needed a little breather.
I allowed my body to relax back against the wall of the elevator as it slowly began to rise. When the ding sounded, announcing my arrival on Gabby’s floor, I pushed off the wall and exited. I had expected everyone to be in bed, so I used my key to enter. Only the lamp next to the couch was on, and it highlighted a scene I truly did not wish to see.
My fucking best friend was hovering over Brook on the couch. Half his ass was exposed as his jeans were pushed down low. A half-naked Brooklyn was pinned beneath him, moaning loudly as he thrust his hips back and forth.
“Fucking hell, dude,” I said in a disgusted tone. Greyson immediately covered her body with his, shielding her from being seen.
“Look away,” he growled.
“Look away? Fuck you, man, my eyes burn. The last thing I need to see is your damn naked ass. Shit like that right there—” I waved my hand in their direction. “—that cannot be unseen, man.”
Brook laughed as she buried her face in Greyson’s chest. As I walked down the hallway, getting as far away as fast as I could, Brook moaned once more, and I hung my head. If they only knew Gabby and I had a round in that very spot just a little over twenty-four hours ago, they may rethink their current location.
I opened the bedroom door quietly and carefully closed it behind me. Gabby was curled up in the center of the bed, and she looked so sweet, all tangled up in her lavender comforter.
After I had stripped down to my boxers, I lifted the edge of the covers and crawled beneath them, bringing my body as close to hers as possible. Her warmth felt like heaven.
She let out a little sigh as she reached behind her and did something I hadn’t expected. Her hand settled over my cock, and she slowly began to stroke me through my boxers, while rocking her ass back against me.
“I missed you,” she whispered as she looked back over her shoulder.
I leaned in and placed a kiss on her shoulder. “I missed you too, baby.”
I was growing hard beneath her hand as she continued to massage me, and my head was growing hazy from her touch. It always tended to do that whenever Gabby touched me.
I slipped my hand around her waist and ran it over her stomach until I reached the top of her panties. Her breathing had picked up and turned into more of a pant. “Touch me,” she said in a breathy whisper. “Please,” she begged.
“I’m going to touch you.” I slid my hand beneath the waistband of her panties, and she parted her legs, inviting me in. As I moved my hand lower and slid my fingers between her folds, she whimpered, and the sound went straight to my balls. My hips began to move of their own accord, stroking my cock into her awaiting hand. Mimicking the movements with my hand, I began fingering her slick pussy, and I could feel already just how close she was.
Each time I pulled my fingers out, I dragged her juices over her clit before pushing inside her once more.
“That feels so good,” she whispered after another moan fell from her lips.
Unable to wait any longer, I used my other hand to remove my boxers and then quickly worked on her panties. “I need to be inside you.”
“Yes,” she agreed while continuing to ride my fingers by moving her hips at a slow, tantalizing pace.
I slipped my fingers from her and quickly replaced them with my cock. “Josh,” she gasped as I rocked my hips back and forth. I was fucking wired, and I knew it wouldn’t be long. “I’m so close,” she confessed.
“I know. I can feel you tightening around me, sweetheart. Let me feel it. I want to hear you come, baby. Tell me how good it feels.” I slowly circled her clit with my finger, pushing her over the edge.
“I’m coming,” she said as she pushed back against me and I thrust forward at the same time.
“I feel you, baby. Squeeze my cock,” I coaxed as I fought against my own release.
Gabby spilled over the edge, and her pussy gripped me so fucking tight, my toes curled. “That’s it, sweet girl.” Gabby’s release covered my cock and ran down my balls as I pounded into her over and over, faster and faster.
Gabby was my peace. She was everything I needed and all I wanted. At the end of the day, after I had been poisoned by so much hate and anger, she was the one person that had the ability to ground me, calm me, and make me whole. She was my world, my solace.
***
I lay in bed, pretending to be asleep as she slid out of bed and walked toward the bathroom. My big t-shirt hung to her knees and loosely off one shoulder. She was fucking gorgeous.
Once she was inside the bathroom, I crawled out of bed and lifted the mattress on my side. I had hidden the box there over two weeks ago to wait for the right time to show her. Now was that time.
I hurried back into bed, leaned back against the headboard, and waited for her to come back to bed.
As she exited the bathroom, she looked at me and smiled. “Did I wake you?”
“No,” I said as I patted the bed beside me.
Gabby walked toward me with a look of curiosity on her face. “What are you up to, Agent Phoenix?” she asked with a smirk as she sat down on the mattress.
I brushed her hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. “Do you know how much I love you?” She nodded as she slid in a little closer to me. “Being away from you was one of the hardest things I have ever had to face. I missed you every day, every minute.” My chest tightened as I thought about all the days we were apart. “I don’t ever want to be separated from you again. It hurts too much.” I lifted my other hand and held the ring box out to her, and her eyes widened. “I wanted to wait until a night I could take you out to dinner someplace fancy. I envisioned the perfect night, but sweetheart, a perfect night is any night with you.”
“Josh,” she whispered, and I shifted to get closer to her.
“Just listen to me, please, baby.” I wanted her to understand just what she meant to me. It was that “can’t fucking breath without her near” type of love. “There’s nothing I want more than to come home to you and our son every day. I want to share a home with you, a life with you. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you or give you.” Her eyes filled with tears, and it made my throat tighten. “Will you marry me, Gabby?”
I waited for her to answer as I opened the ring box, and her gaze shifted to it. A single tear rolled along her cheek and fell to the sheet gathered between us. Her breath shuddered as she looked back up at me and smiled.
“Yes,” she whispered.
I took the ring from the box, lifted her hand, and held it in my own as I slid the ring over her finger. Her hand trembled the entire time.
Epilogue
/> Leo
Revenge is sweet, and I would get mine. They would pay for the things they took from me. I’d make them regret deceiving me into believing I could trust them. I would make them suffer by taking away someone they all appeared to love. Gabriella would be the debt they owed me. She would pay for their mistakes.
They all stay tucked away, hiding from me, but they don’t understand the connections I have, the people I know.
I would allow them to believe they had the upper hand, for now. I would give them time to have their happy endings. It would only make taking her that much sweeter. I wanted to crush Agent Joshua Phoenix and his men. I wanted to torture that lying slut, Audrey, who had made me feel she was someone I could rely on.
I had let her in and given her everything, only to have her deceive me.
Hearing their screams would be music to my ears.
I had the perfect spot to watch them. To quietly observe their comings and goings. Knowing they feared me was a rush, a high like no other.
They should fear me, because I was coming for each of them. When they least expected it, I would attack. And the happy little world they had built would come crumbling down around them.
I’m coming for them. I think it’s about time the Shannon sisters and I met. If Gabriella and Brooklyn were anything like their sister Audrey, this would be a sweet reunion. A reunion I already found myself growing hard over.
Acknowledgments
The Charmed Girls—you are all amazing. The continued support you show me is something I will never be able to express just how much it means to me. Thank you all for sharing my work and for just being you.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/702393513116443/
Thank you, Lydia, because you are a true friend and motivator. Always making me laugh and smile. We are an amazing team, and your friendship means the world. Thank you for being one of my biggest Cheerleaders.
Maria, no, I have not forgotten about you and never could. You are always there, willing to read through my roughest drafts and give me feedback. You give me a boost when I hit a dead spot and get me back on track. Thank you for being the push I need to continue on.
To my husband and children, thank you for being the best part of my days. For tolerating me when I get lost in the world of fiction and understanding that sometimes dinner may be a little late. Jayden and Tayler, no matter how many books I write, you two will always be my best creations.
My fans, I am always so humbled by your support. Those random messages I receive after you read my books, whether it be something big or small, I truly love them. Hearing what you think, in my eyes, is one of the greatest things about releasing a new book. I am never too busy for you.
Sara Eirew. Once again, the pictures are gorgeous. The moment I found this couple in your many works of art, I knew they were my Josh and Gabby. You are a true genius behind the lens.
https://www.facebook.com/saraeirewphotographer/
About the Author
A little about me. Let’s see where to start.
I love HEA stories, as long as they come packing a little heat. I need some excitement, some angst, and moments that make me fan my face are always good too. I am an Illinois girl, born and raised. Simple and true, it honestly doesn’t take much to make me happy. I love the little things; they truly mean the most. I may have a slight addiction to my new Keurig—oh my, that thing is a godsend. And so fast, too. I have two children who truly are my very best friends, and their faces never fail to put a smile on my face. I have been married to my husband for sixteen years, and even though at times I want to beat him with a stick, I would never change the years we have had. We have learned and fallen, only to pick each other up, dust off the ache, and help each other make it right.
I am one of those authors who adore my fans. I love to hear from you. After all, it is because of each one of you that I continue to write. I look forward to your feedback.
Be sure to follow me to stay up-to-date on all my upcoming releases.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-CA-Harms/354791947956151
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Charms0814
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6895633.C_A_Harms
Blog:
http://authorharms.blogspot.com/
Limitless Publishing:
http://www.limitlesspublishing.net/authors/c-a-harms/
Newsletter:
http://bit.ly/1xsgHCS
