Shadows: A Love Ever After Series

by Amber Lacie

  “Go get some rest, beautiful. I’ve got this.” I nod my head, turning my lips to place a kiss against his palm. He helps me to stand, as Kayla pulls her car around.

  Opening my door, he helps me slide into the car. Shutting my door once he is satisfied with my seatbelt, I place a kiss on the tip of my fingers and place them on the window as we drive away.

  My shoulders feel incredibly light. Closing my eyes, I rest my head against the window and drift to sleep during the short drive home.

  Kayla helps me into the house. I am so tired that I head straight to bed. I promise Kayla that it will only be a short nap, but I know that is a lie.

  She wakes me around six, when the pizza arrives. We eat our meal in silence on the balcony, mainly because my mouth is so full of food. Talking would basically lead to choking at this point. I gulp down my lemonade, and the glass clinks as I set it back on the table.

  “Feel better?”

  “Much.”

  “I would hope so. Jesus, Eve, I’ve never seen someone scarf a pizza down so quickly in my life…and I have brothers!” I shrug my shoulders. What did she expect? I said I was hungry.

  The evening fades into night as we sit on the balcony talking and laughing at just about anything we can think of. It feels so good to be able to relax like this. No worries, no drama, it is just us. It is just like it used to be when all three of us lived together. My thoughts stray to Matt, but I don’t encounter sadness this time around. Instead, my thoughts of him bring a smile to my lips.

  “Kayla, do you remember when we convinced Matt that there was a monster in the lake?”

  “Oh my God, that was great. He wouldn’t go near the water for the rest of the summer.”

  “I know. I can’t believe that he fell for it. It took us forever to get him back in the water, and that guy was snorkeling, and he popped up in the water right in front of him. That was hilarious. He was scared shitless.”

  “Right? Who snorkels in Lake Michigan anyway? The odds of that happening were slim to none, but it worked out for us!”

  We continue telling stories, laughing through the night until my eyes can barely stay open any longer.

  “Kayla, I think it’s time to call it a night. I’m exhausted and my bed is taunting me with its amazingly soft pillows.”

  “Okay. Let me help you up, and get you to bed.”

  “The help up I’ll take, but I’m just going to throw on one of Theron’s t-shirts, so I’ll be fine. Could you stay here tonight? It’s a big house, and with everything that’s happened, I’d rather not be alone.”

  “No problem, sweets. I’ll raid your clothes for something to sleep in. Where am I bunking?”

  “You may pick any room you want on the other side of the parlor. Rebecca keeps them clean, and ready to use, just in case.”

  Kayla nudges my shoulder with hers, as we walk back into the bedroom. “You know, I’m jealous of you. You have someone to cook and clean for you, your fiancé is loaded, and you have a beautiful house. You have a lot, Eve.” I am not sure what to say to any of that, so I just watch her, as she digs through my stuff.

  She grabs some clothes and places her hand on my forearm. “But you’ve been through so much. You deserve every bit of this sweetie. This house isn’t too big for you.” She gives me a wink then heads out the door to find herself a room.

  She knew exactly what I meant when I said the house was too big. I don’t feel like I belong here or deserve any of this, but Kayla is right. Taking comfort in that thought, I make myself comfortable in my huge bed and drift off to sleep.

  I am hoping that tomorrow goes pleasantly and that there won’t be any drama.

  Eve

  The sudden jolt to my core brings me from my slumber. My body stirs from the sensation between my legs. My eyes open to the sight of a naked Theron slowly kissing his way up my body. I am now wide-awake and completely alert to his every move. If I could, I would choose to wake up every day like this. His grin is contagious, as he crawls up towards my face, causing my smile to match his.

  “Good morning, beautiful.”

  “Good morning. What is this? Not that I’m complaining, but why aren’t you at the hospital?”

  “Evan’s sister is there. She suggested that I take a break, plus I know I’ve neglected you.”

  “Oh.” My voice is a breathy whisper. “Wait. Kayla will hear us.” I would never hear the end of it if she heard us.

  “I sent her home.” Theron places a soft kiss on my lips and I close my eyes, enjoying the sweetness of it. “No more neglecting.”

  His lips skate along my jaw to my neck, his tongue sweeping across my skin, as he nips just below my ear. I shiver from the electricity of his touch. His hands slide under my shirt, cupping my breasts, as his rough fingers tease my nipples. I arch my back pushing my breasts into his hands. I could come just from this alone. My nerves are knotted and explosive to the touch.

  Pulling my shirt over my head, his mouth finds my breasts. My nipples are teased and pulled into hard peaks, as his mouth assaults my body.

  “Oh, God!” Moans escape me as his hands drift between my legs, slipping between my wet folds. My hands grip his shoulders, my nails digging at his skin. I am desperate for him, for his touch.

  “Theron, please. I need to feel you.”

  “You are so wet. Do you know how much you turn me on like this? Just knowing that I’m the reason your body comes alive, is enough.” I need more, not just his hands. I need his hard cock slamming me into oblivion.

  “Please. Fuck me, Theron. Please!” He coaxes my words from me, along with moans, as my body heats into a roaring inferno of lust. No amount of finger play is going to take me where I need to go.

  “Theron, now!”

  “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You won’t. I need you, baby. Please.” His fingers slip from me, his hands moving to my hips. He lifts my right leg over his shoulder, and spreads my pussy open for him.

  “I love your slick cunt. Who am I to deny you of what you need? You ready for this?”

  “Yes!”

  He positions the steel head of his cock before slowly pushing into me. My body stretches to accommodate his size, as a burning sensation takes over me and I revel in it. His pace is slow and steady. Clenching my walls around him, he drives me towards my orgasm. I am just on the brink, but I can’t get there. I need it rough. Using the heel of my foot, I push onto his ass forcing him to pound into me.

  “Baby, no. I won’t be able to hold back.”

  “Fuck holding back.” His eyes darken, and I know that I am going to be rewarded for my smart mouth. His fingers dig into my hip, his other hand wraps around my thigh, as he thrusts into my pussy pushing me farther into the mattress.

  “Theron! Like that. Don’t stop.”

  “Fuck. I’m not going to last.” My body jolts from the force in which he is slamming into me. Hard. Rough. My mind spirals out of control, everything clears, and I am flying high, as my body loses control.

  “Theron!” His name leaves my lips in a moan of pure ecstasy, as my walls clench around his hard cock, pulling him deeper into my pussy. My hands fist in the sheets, as my body arches towards the heavens.

  “Fuck!” His grip tightens, his body stills and his release pours into me, filling me. “Holy shit.”

  “Mmhmm.” My breathing is ragged and sweat clings to me. Slowly pulling himself from me, he drops to his side.

  Theron lays his head on my chest, his arms wrapping around me, and his fingers make soft circles on my skin in a random pattern. I feel completely sated. That was unbelievably good.

  “Are you broken?”

  “Mmhmm.” He tilts his head back, letting out a deep laugh. My mouth curves into a huge smile. I am so incredibly in love with him.

  “Get some rest.”

  I lay awake with him wrapped around me. His breathing slows, letting me know that he is asleep. My fingers lazily stroke up and down on the skin of his back. I lose track o
f how long I lay there with him. I am too lost in the high that I get when I am near him.

  The sound of his phone brings me back down from the clouds. I nudge his shoulders, but he only responds with grunts.

  “Hey, caveman. I know that I wore you out, but what if that’s Evan?”

  “Ugh.” Pouting, he rolls over and grabs his phone off the nightstand.

  “Theron.” Why can’t he ever say hello like a normal person? “What the fuck do you want?”

  He sits up, his body speaking a thousand words to me without ever making a sound. His posture is rigid and frustration is coming off him in waves. Who is he talking to? I am not sure what is being said. Not only do they have his attention, but they have now pissed him off.

  “I’m not in the mood for games. Eve and I have been through enough bad shit to last us a lifetime. You have an hour. Do you hear me? You have an hour to get here and explain whatever it is you feel that I need to know.” Theron ends the call and tosses his phone across the room. It slams against the wall.

  “Who–”

  “Don’t. Do not question me right now. This needs to be dealt with and I’m doing this my way. Come on, I’ll help you get dressed. Bridgette is on her way over.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me? I told her to leave us alone.”

  “Aren’t you the one who told me she’s pregnant and carrying Thomas’ baby?”

  “Yes, but that was before any of this.”

  “Before what? Her lies, or you hiding shit from me?” I gasp. His words sting, as they scratch against my surface. “Well, which one is it?”

  “Fuck you.”

  “Too late. You already did.” What the hell did she say to him, and why is he taking it out on me? I thought we were past all of this.

  “Get out! I don’t need you to babysit me. I can dress on my own. I’ll meet you downstairs. I know you’re pissed right now, and I’m sure that it’s because of the cunt that was on the phone. I’m not her. I will never be her. You need to pull your head out of your ass, now. I’ve been through too much to let you walk all over me when something doesn’t go your way. You are not Thomas. Do not act like him.”

  Theron spins on his heels. The angry glare in his eyes fades into sorrow. “Beautiful, I–”

  I put my hand up to stop him. “Don’t. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

  He rakes his hands through his hair. He knows that he has hurt me. The pain and regret of his actions is written all over his face. “I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry.”

  Hot tears spill over onto my cheeks. Turning my head away from him I whisper, “Just go.”

  The door shuts quietly behind him, as more tears pour down my face. It takes me a minute to catch my breath. I am angry with Theron for his response to her, but my hatred is solely focused on Bridgette.

  She is like a roach that just won’t die. Well this time I am arming myself with my best high heels. I am going to step on her, enjoying the sound of her body crunching underneath my shoe. Two can play at this game.

  By the time I get ready and make it downstairs, Theron is already in the kitchen with Bridgette. She is sitting at the table smugly drinking, what I assume is either tea or coffee. Who am I kidding? She is the devil. It is probably full of souls that she has collected over the years. It would explain why she always looks so picture perfect. Her beauty must survive on their essence.

  Her hair is pinned back in a French twist with two chopsticks sticking out of it. I so badly want to rip them out of her hair and stab them into her neck, watching her blood pour out as she gurgles her last breath. I shake my head, releasing the thoughts, though a slight grin still plays on my face. The sound of my shoe and boot hobbling across the hard floor, alert her of my presence.

  “I didn’t realize that Eve would be here.” Only her words acknowledge me, her eyes never leave Theron.

  “That was a pretty fucked up assumption, wouldn’t you think? She goes wherever I go. Eve and I are inseparable. I need her like you need Botox to survive. She is not going anywhere. What is it that you had to tell me in person?”

  The look of shock on her face is priceless. I walk around the table, stopping next to Theron. I start to pull out a chair, but he pulls me onto his lap instead. I make a mental note, not to acknowledge her until I have to.

  “Is everything okay, babe?” Placing my right palm on the side of his face, I search his eyes, trying to find the light we just had. The light Bridgette’s phone call stole from us.

  “It will be.” His words are soft and steady. His brows furrow, and his eyes brim with tears. Sorrow written all over his face. I lean in, never breaking eye contact, and softly place a kiss on his lips.

  I forgive you. I don’t tell him with my words, but with my body. I only hope that he understands. He closes his eyes, before taking a deep breath.

  Upon opening his eyes, he’s a different man. I know this man. This is the man that I saw take his father’s business out from under him. He is determined and unwavering. Whatever it is that she thinks she is going to get from this, won’t happen. He has already made up his mind.

  Check mate. The game is already over before her first move.

  Bridgette clears her throat, as if to remind us that she is still here. Oh, I know that you are here, sweetie. I am just taking my time before I make it perfectly clear that you are never allowed near us again.

  “I’m pregnant.”

  “I already know this. Weren’t you the one who tracked down my fiancé in a doctor’s office, coming up with some elaborate lie, claiming it to be Thomas’ child?”

  “It’s not a lie. It’s his.”

  A deranged laugh escapes from Theron. What does he know that I don’t?

  Raking his hands through his hair, his eyes steel and his face hardens. “It’s his, is it? I’ll tell you a little secret, Bridgette. Something only my mother and I know. Since she is no longer with us, I guess the secret was left only with me. Thomas couldn’t have any more children. He despised me so much as a child that he had a vasectomy to prevent any more ‘mistakes’, as he would call it. I know this because he made damn sure to remind me daily of his hatred for me. I ruined his life, and there was no way that he was going to waste his time raising another useless parasite, sucking him dry and sending everyone around them to an early grave. His words, not mine.”

  My mouth falls open. It is not his, it has never been his. My lips curl up into an evil grin. Her lie has snapped back in her face like a rubber band, stinging her face and leaving her red with embarrassment.

  “That’s not true. It can’t be.” She backpedals. I may be enjoying this a little too much.

  “It is. Which brings me to my next question. Who were you sleeping with besides my father? If you were supposedly so loyal to him, how is it that you’re pregnant? That might be a baby you are carrying, although it’s debatable since you are the devil incarnate, but that baby is of no relation to me. It has nothing to do with any of us. So, I suggest that you go through the list of men you were screwing on the side and start issuing out paternity tests.”

  “I…I…this can’t be right. Why wouldn’t he tell me? He knew that I was pregnant, he knew that I thought it was his.”

  She can’t be this naïve. “Maybe that’s why he tried to pay you off. Maybe he was willing to pay to get rid of the whore he kept around, for obviously way too long. You couldn’t even keep your legs closed. To think that I came down here to destroy you, to prove to Theron that you aren’t worth the waste of our breath. Instead, I find out that you’re nothing, but a two-timing whore and that you have no clue who the father is. I don’t need to put you in your place, you’ve already found it. It’s with the trash in the dumpster. Now, I want you to leave. Get the fuck out of our house.”

  She places her hand to her chest, her mouth opening and closing like a fish. It seems the girl who knows everything is at a loss for words. Revenge is sweet, but karma is beautiful.

  Standing, she pushes her chair back so hard that it c
latters to the ground. She bends down to pick it up, but I can’t let her leave without being a bitch just one more time.

  “Just leave the chair. We are going to have to burn it anyways. Who knows what kind of diseases you’ve brought into our house.” Her eyes turn into daggers, but they have no effect on me. She turns to leave and I send Rebecca to follow her out. I want to make sure that she leaves the property. I don’t trust her.

  “You are very ugly when you are catty.”

  I look up at Theron, and I feel just as ugly as my words. “I’m sorry. She brings out the worst in me.”

  “It’s alright, beautiful. She brings out the worst in everyone.” I lay my head against his chest. “At least she is gone now. There is nothing else that can come between us.” His hand wraps around my side, sliding upwards, cupping my breast. His breath is hot against my neck. He knows my body so well.

  “I don’t like fighting with you. We should makeup properly. Let’s go upstairs, where I can show you how sorry I really am.” My mind races with the possibilities of the next couple of hours, but my stomach has bad timing, as it rumbles loudly from hunger.

  “Perhaps we should feed you first and then we can go upstairs.”

  “Can’t we just take the food upstairs with us?”

  “God, I love you Eve. You always have the best ideas.”

  Theron slides me off his lap, and moves about the kitchen with such ease. Once he is satisfied that he has everything we need, he motions for me to follow him.

  I start to follow him, but then I have a great idea. I quickly limp over to the refrigerator, finding what I need. Grabbing it, I make my way over to Theron.

  “What is that?”

  “Oh, you know, just something a little cliché.” I hold up the butterscotch syrup. I squeal, as Theron drops everything and sweeps me up into his arms, carrying me upstairs.

  “Let’s just order in. I can’t wait to get you into bed, naughty girl.”

  A giggle escapes me, as he lays me on the soft mattress.

  “What’s so funny?”