by J. A. Bailey
Her father glanced between them and shrugged. “You’ll regret it.” He climbed into the car and they stepped aside when he started the engine. They waited until he had driven off before Walker lifted his bike and inspected it.
“I’m sorry, Walker.”
He glanced at Waverly in surprise. “For what?”
“Your bike.” She grimaced and came forward to press her sleeve against his head. “And your head. You’re going to have a headache later.”
He lifted a shoulder and chuckled. “The bike can be fixed and my head is pretty damned hard.”
“I should never have agreed to talk to him. I didn’t even know my father was here.”
“How could you have known they’d try to force you to return home?”
She shook her head. “I can’t believe it either. I suspect my father thought he could use the journey to talk me around.”
He rubbed his hands up and down her arms before drawing her close. “Are you okay? The baby okay?”
“Yes, we’re fine. I’m a little shaken but nothing I can’t handle.”
“Did you mean it?” Walker asked.
“Mean what?”
“That you’d give up everything for me?”
A smile spread across her face. “Of course. That is, if you want me.”
He drew her close. “Baby, how could I not? I’ve never wanted anyone so bad. I knew you were trouble from the moment I set eyes on you. I knew you’d make me break all the rules.”
“Are you glad you did, though?”
“Damn right I am.” He cupped her face and gazed into those blue eyes that had captured him from the beginning. “I’d break every rule over and over again for you. For you and the baby. I want you both, Waverly.”
She leaned up to brush her lips across his. “I think we’d like that very much.”
Epilogue
“There’s something about a man with a baby.”
Waverly chuckled and glanced over to where Justice was looking. Jake looked perfectly at ease with the three-month-old in his arms. Her heart melted a little when he eased Lilly closer and patted her back. Who would have thought a rough, tough soldier could be such an amazing father?
Well, she supposed she could, but only after meeting Jake. He had been amazing throughout the rest of her pregnancy and once Lilly was born, he had immediately taken to the role as her father. No one would ever know he wasn’t her dad and as far as they were both concerned, he was.
“He’s definitely a natural,” Waverly agreed.
They watched Jake with the rest of his friends for a few moments. All the men seemed enamored with Lilly and it was quite amusing to see them all talk to her and handle the tiny child. The summer BBQ at the Fox was busy with patrons and there were soldiers everywhere. She suspected a few of the waitresses were very happy with that, though Justice seemed to be ignoring Rocco at the moment.
“Have you heard from your father?”
She shook her head. “I don’t expect to either.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. I might not be living in a luxury apartment but I have so much more now. I hope I never hear from him again but if I do, I’ll have the strength to stand up to him.” She gave Justice a nudge. “I have you to thank for that.”
“Hey, don’t give me all the credit. I think Walker is the main reason you stuck it out.”
Now that Waverly was working as assistant manager at the bar, she had grown even closer to Justice, and made more friends locally. With the support of Walker and everyone else, North Carolina had truly begun to feel like home.
Jake headed her way and passed Lilly into her arms. “I think she could do with a sleep. We’d better get her home.”
Waverly let Lilly burrow into her and couldn’t resist taking a sniff of her hair and drawing in her scent. Thank goodness she’d found the courage to leave her old life and start a new one or she would have missed out on all of this.
“I didn’t think she’d last all day.” She put a hand to Jake’s arm. “You can stay if you’d like, I don’t mind.”
He shook his head. “And pass up time with you, I don’t think so.”
Justice grinned. “Have fun you two, I’ve got some hungry soldiers to feed.”
Jake and Waverly strolled down the street to the apartment. They were still looking for a house to buy but for the time being, the apartment was big enough for the three of them. Once they were inside and Lilly was settled, Jake took Waverly in his arms.
“Do you know how fucking hard it is to keep my hands off you?”
“It’s only been a morning, Jake!”
He grabbed her ass. “Yeah, but you’re wearing the cutest dress I’ve ever seen and you look amazing. Every guy there was watching you.”
She shook her head and grinned. “I didn’t notice every guy. I only cared if you were looking.”
“Oh, I was looking, baby. I was looking all the time.” He fingered the strap of her summer dress. “Now why don’t you take that thing off and I’ll do a lot more looking.” He kissed her neck. “And touching.” He kissed the curve of her breast. “And tasting.”
Waverly flicked down one strap then the other. “Look and touch and taste all you want,” she said, shimmying out of her dress. His eyes flared with appreciation. “I’m all yours, Jake.”
“Yes, you are,” he said with a grin, hauling her close again. “Yes you are.”
THE END
Phoenix James writes whatever fantasy runs into the dirty playground of her mind. Her books are taboo and kinky. And you might find yourself getting turned on by something you once believed was wrong…
Find more Phoenix James here.
#1 bestselling author J.A. Bailey writes hot contemporary romance, BDSM, menage and historical erotica. J.A's stories all involve strong, virile men and intelligent women. Her long-suffering boyfriend has the awful task of helping her plot all the naughty bits...just kidding, he loves it really! Writing is her full time job. When she's not chained to the desk, she enjoys hiking, reading and good food. She's even been known to bake on the rare occasion
Find J.A. here.
Coming soon:
Love’s Battle
In Love and War
Through Thick and Thin
Love’s Glory
