"Holy shit, Tora. We're going to be responsible for another life. A life we created. There could be a little Parker or a mini Astoria in there."
Tears pool in my eyes as I fight to control the emotions coming over me. Parker stands and engulfs me in a hug. We embrace one another for what feels like hours but is probably only minutes. The love we share, the commitment to one another, it all shines through. We’re going to be parents.
"I think it's a girl," Parker states.
"What makes you think that?"
"Just a hunch."
I turn in his arms and press myself to him. "I want it to be a surprise."
He groans. "You know I don't have that kind of patience. I'll never be able to hold out."
"Then you can find out and I'll be kept in the dark until delivery day."
"That's not going to work. I can't keep anything from you. I'll wait, too."
I press a kiss to his lips. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
"You two couldn't wait thirty minutes until I get the rest of my shit out of here?" Cy appears behind Parker. We didn’t wait to tell everyone. We were too happy and with Cy and Eve living with Parker, well, it’s kind of hard to keep secrets.
"My house, dude. I told you before. I will kiss, fuck, do whatever I want, wherever I want."
"At least you won't need to worry about using a sock anymore to warn me."
"I never worried to begin with."
"You two don't have to come, you know."
I peer around Parker. "We want to come. It's moving day and we’re going to be there to celebrate your new home."
Cy smiles. "You're only celebrating having us out of your hair."
"Damn straight," Parker replies.
He doesn't mean it. Parker would have been fine if they lived here forever. It's the kind of person he is. His best friends are all part of his family and he'd go to the end of the earth for them.
I have to admit, I'm going to miss the fun we had with Cy and Eve. Cy warmed up to me a lot. It was nice having them here. At least they’re only going up the road, so we can see them anytime.
Eve comes upstairs from the garage. "We're ready to go." She steps over to us and hugs Parker. "There aren't enough words to ever thank you for all you've done for Cy and me. If there is anything you need, anything that sweet baby of yours needs," she smiles warmly. "Don't be afraid to ask."
"Oh, I won't, Eve. There is going to be a lot of babysitting time in your future. I'm going to need some alone time with Tora."
"You got it. Auntie Eve to the rescue!"
Cy comes up the hall with the last remaining box in his arms. "You're not giving Evie any ideas about getting knocked up are you?”
"Not at all," I reply.
"Dammit. You know I want lots of babies, Tori. Try and talk her into it."
Eve sighs. "One thing at a time, Cy. One thing at a time." He grumbles something unintelligible as he walks by. "If it were up to him, I'd be barefoot and pregnant for the next five years."
Parker's hand rests on my belly again. "There is something very sexy about a woman carrying your baby."
"And that's my cue to leave," Eve says. "See you at the house.”
The door shuts. We’re alone. No more Cy and Eve. No more anyone but Parker, me, and this little life we created.
Twenty-Four
Parker
Everyone beats us to Cy and Eve’s home. My parents. Blair. Hell, even Tora's parents came to join in throwing them one big house warming party.
I find Blair standing back from the crowd. Her long, dark hair pulled back from her face. She still has circles under her eyes, but every time I see her, they seem better than the day before. She has a lot to work through. The new medication she’s on has helped and she upped her sessions with her psychologist. She goes there on her own, which I’m very proud of her for doing. The drive to the office isn't far, but it's the fact that she's doing it by herself.
She's sleeping at her home again, however not in the room that was once her bedroom. She's in a spare room across the hall while they gut and redo her room. Hell, I wouldn't have blamed her if she wanted to sell the house and move. She is comfortable there, though, even given what happened. Maybe there was a blessing in disguise that she was knocked out and doesn't remember most of it. I told her what I knew, she begged me. I didn't want to, but if it helps her heal to know the details then I'll tell her anything she wants to know. I’ll admit it wasn’t easy. The way she processed everything, how the emotions went through her, I hated seeing her like that.
I leave Tora with her parents and make my way to Blair, bumping her with my shoulder. "Doing okay?"
"Yeah. It's nice having everyone together. And surprisingly, I'm doing all right here."
"I'm not surprised at all. You've been making great strides. You should be proud, B."
She turns to me, offering a genuine smile. One I missed seeing on her for so long. "Thanks, Parker. Hey, how's Tori doing? Still no morning sickness?"
At first we didn't know how Blair would take the news that Tora was expecting. She lost her child and that's a wound which will never heal. She embraced the news and smiled big at us. I didn't miss the unshed tears. I'd never ask her, and she'd never say anything. I do believe she's happy for us and will be there waiting at the hospital when my son or daughter is born. We’re letting Blair go at her own pace. I'm hoping by the time the baby arrives, Blair will be in a much better place and starting to move on with her life now that Brant is gone.
"Can I have your attention, please," Cy says in a raised voice. Everyone turns toward him. "Thank you for coming today and helping welcome us into our new home." He places his arm around Eve's waist and smiles down at her. "It's been a long road, but I've got the woman of my dreams and a house I hope to raise a family in. It will also be a home Maxfield's little hellion will run around as we spoil him or her rotten. There's a lot of good memories to be made here, and we hope you will all be a part of them." We toast.
Cy and Eve work their way through the crowd before coming over to me. "Hellion?" I ask.
He smirks. "Let's face it. No kid of yours is going to be completely innocent."
Tora comes up to my side, slipping her hand into mine. "We're hoping our child gets my good sense and not Parker's wild side."
"Hey," I scoff. "You love my wild side."
"I do, but how are you going to handle it if our teenage daughter has that same wild side and brings home boys you don't want her dating?"
"All-girls private school?" I offer. Tora shakes her head and laughs. If she thinks I’m kidding, she’d be wrong.
"You are so in for it," Eve says. "It would serve you right to have a rebellious girl."
"What did I ever to do you? Stop wishing horrible teenage years on us. And just you wait. You two are bound to have a kid and then you'll have to deal with that shit, too."
"Nah," Cy says. "I'm going to have a talk with every little fucker who comes to my door thinking they are good enough for my daughter."
"Hey," Eve snaps. "We're not having kids anytime soon. Drop it."
Cy pulls her into an embrace and peers down into her eyes. "We're going to have lots of babies. You'd look so fucking hot knocked up."
"And that's our cue," I say, taking Tora by the hand to leave the lovebirds alone. My parents come over to talk to Blair as Tora and I find something to snack on.
We don't stay too long. Tora is tired and been napping when able. I give her as much peace and quiet as I can.
Blair calls me about an hour after Tora lies down in my bedroom. "What's up, B?"
"Has Tori found a job yet?"
"No. I think she stopped looking after she found out she was pregnant. She didn't get any bites from the jobs she applied to early on."
"I kind of have a problem. I've had a lot of time on my hands and my mind has been clearer than it's been in years. I've been writing like crazy, and my editor isn't able to fit me in for this book I just finished. I
was wondering if Tori might want to edit it for me."
"I'm sure she'd love that. Plus, it would mean she gets her hands on your latest book before anyone else."
Blair laughs. "It's something different from what I usually write. I wrote my story."
"Your story…as in everything that happened to you?”
"Yes. But I'm only going to publish it with approval from you, Tori, and your parents. Cy and Eve already gave me theirs without even reading it. I sat down one day and it all came pouring out of me. Once I started, I couldn't stop."
"I'm proud of you, B. Of course, you have my approval."
"You haven't read it yet."
"I don't need to. I trust you implicitly."
"I'm nervous. What if I release it and no one likes it because it's not what they’re used to getting from me?"
"They'd be crazy not to. If they are truly your fans, they’re going to want to get to know you. This is a big step, B. Are you sure?"
"Yes. Word is already spreading of what happened and before long it will catch on with my readers that I was involved in two incidents where people died."
"No, you weren't. You were there, but you didn't have anything to do with those killings."
She lets out a breath. "I need you to really think about this, Parker. It could change how people view you. You have a business to run and a company you’re in the middle of a deal with."
"If the people I sell my software to don't like that I killed the man who raped and beat my best friend, then I don’t want anything to do with them. I acted in self-defense, B. I had to kill him before he killed me, or worse, any of you. He was reaching for his gun. No way in hell was I going to let him ruin any more lives."
Blair sniffles. "You lost a brother."
"I lost my brother over four years ago. He was nothing to me."
"Just read it, Parker, while Tori is editing it. I'll send it to you both in an email. That is, if she accepts the job. I want you to read it. Please? For me?"
"Consider it done." I can't say no to Blair. She's been through hell and back, and if writing this book and having us all read it will make her feel better then I'll do it.
"I feel lighter since writing it. What if I can reach someone in a situation similar to mine? What if I can make a difference?"
"You do make a difference every day. You're an amazing woman and I'm damn lucky to have you as my friend," I reply honestly.
"Please tell Tori what I've said and have her call me. I've gotta run. I'm meeting someone."
"Oh? Do you have a date?" I can't help the smile I'm wearing. It's about fucking time.
"No. Not a date. Just dinner with a friend."
"Who is this friend?" My mind starts running rampant with all the guys it could be. It could also be a woman. Blair doesn’t have many female friends, though.
"No one you know and no need to get so protective."
"I'm always going to be protective when it comes to you. You're like my sister, B. I'll always be here ready to kick some ass if someone hurts you."
"I know you will. Thanks, Parker."
"Later, B."
I hang up and toss my phone down on the table. Standing, I walk down the hall to my bedroom where Tora is soundly sleeping. Her auburn hair is fanned out on the white pillow in a stark contrast of colors. Her lips are parted in sleep. I slide into bed and wrap myself around her, my chest to her back. I need to breathe her in. I need to remind myself that she's still here and she's safe.
Ever since Brant came into my home, I've been plagued with nightmares of him kidnapping or killing Tora or doing something vile with the woman I love. In every one of the dreams, I'm unable to save her. I've woken up screaming with her arms wrapped around me in comfort. She knows of my nightmares. I don’t hide anything from her. They don't happen every night but often enough where I dread going to sleep. Tora suggested I talk to someone. I promised her I would.
She stirs in my arms. "Miss me?" she asks groggily, as my hand rubs her belly. She doesn't have a bump yet from the baby, but I still love touching her and trying to somehow reach out to the life she's carrying inside of her.
"I always miss you when you're not by my side."
"You could have been in here with me."
"You know as well as I do that if I were, you wouldn't be getting any rest."
She turns her head to look at me over her shoulder. "There's nothing wrong with that."
"Blair called."
"How's she doing?" Tora's hand covers mine on her stomach as she rests her head back on the pillow.
"She wants you to edit a book for her."
Tora rolls over, surprise evident on her face. "What?"
"She wants you to—"
"I heard you but wanted to make sure I got what you said right. I'm going to edit one of her books? Holy fuck! Do you have any idea how big of an author she is?"
I shrug. "She's just B to me."
Tora rolls her eyes. "She's a big deal, Parker."
"Well, this isn't one of her romances. She wrote about herself and what happened to her."
"Get out! Good for her."
"You think it's a smart idea?" I ask. "What if people judge her for it?"
"She was a victim, Parker. There is nothing to judge."
"You know that, and I know that, but people can be cruel."
"This isn't her first time releasing a book. She's had to deal with bad reviews for years."
"I just don't want it to set her back."
Tora rubs her thumb down my forehead between my eyes, chasing away my worry lines. "She's going to be okay."
"I know. I'm still going to worry, though."
"And that's okay, but you have to let her forge her own path in the aftermath of what happened. If that means baring her soul to everyone in the world, then so be it. She needs to do whatever it takes to feel better."
I kiss the tip of Tora’s nose. "What would I do without you?"
"Pine for me for years and wonder about what you're missing out on by not having me in your life."
"Exactly." She doesn't realize how precisely she hit the nail on the head. I was that person. The one who hoped and wished one day the love of my life would come back to me. Never did I think my wish would come true. But it did.
Twenty-Five
Parker
A month has gone by. Time seems to be going at a rapid pace. One minute it feels like I just found out she’s pregnant, and the next she’s got a small bump where life grows within her. Every day I stare at her in awe, the love I have for her growing stronger than I ever thought possible.
"The house is empty," I murmur in Tora's ear, as the first light of sun begins to filter into the bedroom.
"Sleeping," she mutters.
"Not anymore."
I skate my hand up her bare hip, to the curve of her waist, and up to her supple breast. With a quick stroke of her nipple, Tora moans and pushes her ass into my already hard dick. We sleep naked. Always naked. This way, I can slip into her slick heat whenever the mood strikes us.
Moving my hand down to the juncture of her thighs, I dip a finger into her, finding her already wet. "So ready for me, sweetheart."
I slide another finger in, pumping them in and out of her a few times before moving them up to her clit to get her wet all over. My fingers glide over her, quickly working her up into a frenzy.
She's been lucky so far this pregnancy and so have I. No morning sickness, only exhaustion, and holy fuck, it's like someone flipped a switch and turned her sex drive from a ten to a fifty. She wants it all the time. Even when she's tired, she perks right up at any mention of us making love. And the new trend is her waking me in the middle of the night, grinding against my dick to make me hard, then riding me until we both come. There is zero objection from me. I've never been happier in my life and it's not just the sex. I have my Tora and she's pregnant. Brant is dead, and Blair is safe. I feel like I'm finally able to relax for the first time in years. I didn't realize how awful I felt
until everything became right with the world. It was very eye-opening.
With my chest pressed to her back, I lift her leg to rest on mine, opening her up for me. Taking my cock in my hand, I slip it against her from behind, not inside yet, only getting myself nice and ready for her. With a few pumps of my hand, I'm covered in her wetness. Lining myself up, I drive home.
I moan as her walls clench down on me. She reaches back to grip my hips and keep me pressed to her. Each languid thrust slowly stokes the fire between us until we're close to a mindless frenzy of need.
I roll Tora to her stomach, putting a pillow under her hips, and push her legs apart to reach her deeper. My arms keep my weight off of her as she lifts herself up further to get better contact. Her hands fist the sheets, my dick rubbing her just right.
She pushes her face into the sheets and screams out as her orgasm rocks her.
"No, don't muffle your cries, sweetheart. There's no one here anymore. Only us. I want to hear you scream," I tell her in between pants of breath.
She turns her head and lets out a string of words I've never heard her use before. Very dirty and so fucking sexy words. It's my undoing. I slam into her over and over until a chill races up my spine, and I come so fucking hard that my arms shake at the force of it.
I collapse to her side when I have nothing left, sweat beading on my forehead, heart racing with the speed of a thousand horses.
We spend a few moments catching our breaths, me peppering kisses from one of her shoulders to the other.
"I love you," she tells me.
"I love you, too."
I smack her ass before getting out of bed. "Do you want to go back to sleep or do something today?"
She turns to me, her eyes raking me from head to toe and back again. "Are you going to put some clothes on?"
"Only if we leave the house. Outside of that, I don't think so." I lift my chin. "I think we should be naked all the time."
"I don't know how good my ass would feel bare on the dining chairs.”
"I'll fold a blanket to put on the seat."
"And in the middle of winter when it's freezing?"
"That's what the fireplace is for."
She smiles. "You're really trying to sell me on being naked all the time, aren’t you?"
Where I Am Page 15
