“Thank God, because I can’t imagine living in a world where you didn’t exist.”
She has no idea what her words mean to me. I thought I’d lost her forever.
“I love you, Sierra Greene.”
She gently leans down to my face and lightly kisses my lips, and I wish so bad that I could pull her on top of me and take it further. Much, much further.
“I love you, too, Officer Harris.” I may be the first man to ever get a hard-on while lying in a hospital bed after getting shot.
She looks away. “I want to be with you,” she whispers. “I’m scared to death, but the thought of losing you tonight was unbearable. I’d much rather spend the time I can with you, than regret never giving us a chance.”
“You just made me the happiest fucking man alive.”
“I’ve missed you so much. I don’t want you to think that I just came here tonight because of what happened.”
I grab her hand again. “I don’t think that.”
“I went to the station today to see you.”
“You did?”
She pulls her hand away and fidgets with a loose string on her shirt.
“Yeah, Anthony told me you were working and that I should come by.”
“I owe him big time, don’t I?” I smirk up at her. “Shit. That’s how you found out about what happened to me?”
She nods sadly, so I grab her hand and bring it to my lips.
“I’m glad I was there when I found out though. I don’t think I could have driven myself. He was a pain in my ass and made me eat while we waited for you to come out of surgery.”
“Remind me to make him a groomsman in our wedding.”
The moisture comes back to her eyes, but this time I think they’re happy tears.
“You still want to marry me?” I can hear the emotion in her voice, and if I were standing, it would bring me to my knees.
I have to chuckle at her absurd question. “Damn straight, woman. You can’t get rid of me.”
“Dad!” I look up to see my daughter sprinting into the room. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her move so fast.
“Hey, Kenz.” I grab her hand as she reaches the bed.
Sierra stands and takes the chair next to me, and I can tell that she doesn’t want to leave me yet. Good, because I don’t want her to.
“What happened?” Kenz cries, and I don’t think I can handle any more tears tonight from either of my girls.
“I’m fine, really. I got nicked in the shoulder, but I’m going to be all right.”
“God, Dad.” She uses the sleeve of her shirt to wipe away her tears. “When Anthony called Gram, I thought I’d lost you.”
She collapses into the bed beside me, and I do my best to comfort her with my limited mobility.
“I’m not going anywhere, Kenz. Promise,” I whisper into her ear. I feel like shit for making her worry tonight. I’m the only parent she knows.
She hiccups. “Good, because we need you.” She turns toward Sierra and they smile at each other.
The doctor comes in and tells me that he wants to monitor me for the next day, but I should be able to go home tomorrow.
“I’ll leave you and your wife to be alone, but I’ll send in a nurse soon to check your vitals again.”
I smirk at Sierra, and she gives me a small, embarrassed smile from behind the doctor. God damn, I love that woman.
I love my job, but it almost took me away from everyone important to me tonight. I decide in this moment that I’m not waiting another minute for what I want. And what I want is that beautiful blonde sitting across the room. I’m going to make her my wife, and I’m going to be the luckiest fucking man alive.
42
Sierra
“I’m exhausted.” I plop down on the bed beside my man, and he chuckles as he pulls me into him.
“Too exhausted to give me a little TLC?” he whispers into my ear before lightly biting down on my lobe.
A soft moan escapes my lips without permission, the tingling between my legs already strong. I can’t get enough of him.
After his accident last month, he started physical therapy, and the doctor at the hospital also recommended counseling. I went with him to the few sessions he attended, but he’s doing better emotionally than ever expected. If I’m being honest, I think it screwed me up more than it did him.
As for his shoulder? He thankfully didn’t end up needing another surgery because the injury wasn’t as bad as they had originally thought. It still hurts him, of course, but he has, for the most part, gained back full movement of his arm.
“I’m suddenly not so tired.” I push on his chest, and he rolls to his back before I climb on top of him.
The first time we made love after his accident I was hesitant because I didn’t want to hurt him, but he assured me that he was fine. In fact, he used his big, strong, sexy body to assure me many, many times just how fine he was.
“What are you doing?” He wiggles his eyebrows at me as he runs his hands up and down my sides. His touch ignites my body and only increases the need I have for him.
I reach behind me and caress his hardness through his shorts, and he groans, and damn if he isn’t ready for me.
I slide off his body and pull his shorts down his hips, and next I yank at his boxers. His cock springs free, and I waste no time before I stroke it between both my hands. I release him so I can slip my shirt over my head, and a loud gasp slips from his sexy mouth.
“Fuck, me.” I knew he’d be excited to see that I’m not wearing a bra or panties.
I wink at him. “I plan on it.” I was never this brave before, but with Caden I’ve learned that life is too short to be boring. I intend to have all the fun I can.
“Put me in your mouth,” he croaks out as he rests his hands above his head, enjoying the show.
I do as I’m told and lick along the sides before putting him into my mouth. He’s very endowed, so I have a hard time fitting him completely in, but I take him as far as I can without gagging.
“God, yes.” He pushes my head down further on his shaft, encouraging me to keep going, but then the next instant he sits up and lifts me under the arms. “I can’t wait another second, beautiful. I need to be in your tight pussy right now.”
That’s fine by me. I straddle his hips, and his dick immediately finds my warmth. He feels so good.
He lifts himself further into me, and when he does, I nearly lose my mind. All train of thought is gone when I’m with this man. He caresses both my nipples, and if he keeps this ministration up, I’m not going to last long.
“Oh, God.” I squeeze my eyes shut.
“Look at me.”
I sit up before leaning down to kiss him. This kiss starts out tender but quickly becomes much more. Our tongues dance to the same rhythm of our bodies melding together. He releases my mouth and then runs his tongue along my neck. I bend down and bite one of his nipples, a move I know will have him coming undone any minute now.
Sure enough, he grabs my hips like his life depends on it and pumps into me faster, harder.
I sit back up so he’s seated even farther inside of me, gripping onto his chest for dear life.
“Fuck!” he grunts as he pumps one last time. My entire body convulses as the familiar sensation takes over. I swear every orgasm he gives me is better than the last.
Once I come down from my high, I lie on his chest while we both try to catch our breath.
“You’re so fucking gorgeous.” He strokes my now sweaty hair as he kisses my forehead.
I giggle. “Now I really am ready for bed.”
He smirks before he pulls me toward his mouth for a sweet kiss.
“Let me get up real quick, and then we’ll go to sleep.”
I roll off of him, and in the next minute he’s back in bed, a warm cloth between my legs.
“You’re wonderful.” I sigh in satisfaction.
He finishes cleaning me up and throws the rag into the dirty hamper before clim
bing back in bed with me. He gathers me into his arms.
“I’ll always take care of you. Always.”
I don’t think I can take any more of his sweet words.
“Oh!” He jumps out of bed. “I almost forgot.” He walks to my dresser and grabs his phone and I chuckle.
“What’s wrong with you?”
He pulls something up on his phone, pushing a few buttons before setting it back down.
“Here.” He hands me my own phone. “Part of your Christmas present is in your email.”
I raise my brows at him. “My gift was emailed to me? Christmas isn’t for a week.”
“I know, but you’ll need this early.”
I quickly pull my email up, having no clue what he could have possibly gotten me, but then I pause.
“Babe, you already bought me a house. What more do I possibly need?”
After the accident, we both decided that we want to start moving forward in our relationship. Sure, we’ve only known each other for six months, but with everything I went through with Miles and now Caden being shot, I of all people understand how short life can be. I didn’t want to take that for granted any longer. The only answer was to start the life we want together.
“Just open it already.” He bounces on his heels, acting like Jayce when he’s excited about getting a chocolate cupcake.
I cover my mouth with my hand. “We’re going to Carolina Beach?” I haven’t seen Grandma Rose since June. I guess it’s only been six months, but it’s been six months too long.
He nods. “Yeah. All five of us.” He falls back into the bed and wraps his arm around me. “I want to meet your family, and I thought there was no better time than Christmas to do it.” He kisses my cheek. I’m so touched that he would do this that I can’t find the words to say anything. “I found your grandmother’s number in your phone so I could call her to make sure it was okay with her.” He chuckles. “I’m really surprised I’m not deaf after that conversation.”
I laugh, knowing that Grandma Rose was most likely very thrilled about us coming to visit. I haven’t gotten to talk to her nearly enough since moving away, but I’m making a vow to change that. Afterall, I’m trying to remind myself that life is too short to not spend it with the ones you love.
43
Caden
We just arrived in Carolina Beach a few hours ago, and I’m pretty sure we’re all ready to pass out for the night. Well, maybe not Jayce. That kid is like the freaking Energizer Bunny and never slows down.
I’ll never forget the smile that lit up Sierra’s face as soon as she saw her grandmother. I knew right away that I had made the right choice by deciding to spend the holidays with her family. They were all she had growing up, and I decide that it’s important that I make sure she can come out here for as long as her grandmother is around. Plus, her two brothers live along the beach too, and I know she has missed them.
“You know,” Grandma Rose starts as she takes the seat beside me on the couch. The ugly thing is covered in teacups, but it totally says “sweet old woman.” “I told that girl when she moved away that she needed to find a nice young man.”
Her words make me chuckle, and I have to wonder if she realizes the age difference. Although, it has never bothered Sierra, so there’s no reason for me to worry about it.
“Is that right?” I smile at her. “I love her and those boys, and I promise I’m going to take care of them.”
She nods as she grabs my hand. “I have no doubt in my mind.” She pauses, and for a brief moment I see sadness on her face, but it’s gone as quickly as it comes. “When she lost Miles, I never thought she’d survive, but she proved us all wrong.”
“She’s the strongest person I’ve ever met.” And I mean it. I’ve never met anyone as amazing as my woman.
“Please tell me you’re not sharing any embarrassing stories with him,” Sierra interrupts us as she walks into the room, and it’s clear that she didn’t overhear us. Although, I think she’d be okay if she did. She’s come a long way in the last six months since I picked her and the boys up from the side of the road. As shitty of a night she was having, it was one of the best days of my life.
“I wouldn’t dare.” The short, gray-haired woman winks as she stands and then grabs Sierra by the arm. “You better hold on to this one.”
She walks away without letting her respond.
“I like your grandmother.” She falls onto the couch beside me, and I wrap my arm around her. I’ll never get tired of being near her.
“She seems to like you too.” She sighs. “She’s seriously the best and I don’t know how I could ever repay her for all she’s done for me. Especially for the five years me and the boys were here. I know she didn’t plan on us living with her for so long.”
I squeeze her into my side. “I don’t think she wants you to pay her back. She’s just glad that you’re doing so well now.”
“I have you to thank for that, Officer Harris.” She pulls me down to her mouth, not caring that her family is all around us.
When our kiss ends, I grab her face, rubbing my thumb along her cheek.
“No, beautiful. You did that all yourself. You’re incredible, you know that?”
“I love you.” She pulls me back down toward her as she wraps her arms around my neck, and I wish so bad that we had somewhere to stay tonight that was a little more private.
“I love you, too. More than you’ll ever know.”
“Mommy! Uncle Owie said we can open presents from him.” Jayce jumps up on his mother’s lap and snuggles into her. She squeezes him and kisses him on the cheek.
Damn, I can’t wait to get her pregnant with my child. Don’t get me wrong. I think of these boys as my own, but I want to see her body change. I want to go through it all with her.
We spend the next hour letting the boys and Sierra’s nieces and nephews open all their gifts.
“Hey.” Kenz takes the cushion on the other side of me and leans her head on my shoulder.
“What do you think of all these kids?” Sierra asks.
She chuckles. “There’s a lot of them, but they’re fun.”
She’ll be leaving in the fall to go to NAU to become a teacher. I couldn’t be prouder of her, but I’m not sure what I’m going to do without her. For so long it’s just been the two of us.
We clean up the mess of wrapping paper and toys and then gather the boys to get them ready for bed. Tomorrow is Christmas, and I’m sure they’ll be up before the sun because they’ll have even more presents to open from us and Sierra’s friends who are coming to visit. It’s nice to finally see this part of her life. She didn’t grow up with her parents, but the family she does have is important to her.
Her brothers invite us to a small bar along the beach once the boys are out. We’re exhausted, but I know she wants to spend time with them.
“Good to have you back, sis.” Her brother Clay wraps his arm around her and kisses her on the forehead as we walk into the bar.
“It’s good to be back. I’ve missed Owen so much.” She bats her eyes at him, and he rolls his. I love seeing her so carefree like this.
The six of us take our seats at a corner booth, and Clay and Owen’s wives drag Sierra out of her chair to go to the dance floor. At first, it’s a bit uncomfortable because I’ve never met them until today, but as I stare out at my girl, I can feel two sets of eyes on me.
I cough into my hand. “So, uh…” I stutter out as I turn back to them.
“We haven’t seen her like this in years,” Owen states as he looks out on the dance floor. “She was so happy-go-lucky like this before Miles died. I didn’t think we’d ever get her back.”
“You’re going to take care of her and those boys, right?” Clay cuts in. He seems to be the more serious of the two, but it’s apparent that they are both protective of their sister, and I’m glad she has them.
I nod as I take a swig from my beer. “Absolutely.”
We sit in silence as we watch
the three women dance, but the only one I can see is my blonde beauty. My breath nearly hitches as she sways her hips back and forth as some classic rock song plays over the speakers. I desperately want to go out there to join her, but I need to have a conversation with her brothers first.
“I know she’s been through hell and back, and it took some convincing on my part before she came around.” I shake my head. “I don’t expect her to ever be over Miles’s death, but I do want to see her happy.”
Owen slaps me on the back. “That’s all we ask.”
“Look. There’s something I wanted to talk to you two about.”
Clay glares at me from across the table, and I have a feeling that he’s going to be a tough nut to crack, but my girl is worth it.
44
Sierra
“Why do you keep looking at your phone? You got a hot date?” I wiggle my eyebrows up and down. The nervous look on his face doesn’t go unnoticed.
He shakes his head. “No, smartass.” He stands from the couch and reaches for my hand. “Want to go for a walk on the beach before everyone gets back?”
I let him pull me up. “That sounds wonderful.”
The boys just left with Grandma Rose to get a few things for our New Year’s Eve party tonight. We’re here for a few more days before going home. I’ve enjoyed seeing my family, but I’m looking forward to getting back to Phoenix. There’s nothing like sleeping in your own bed.
The sun is shining, but there’s still a chill in the air this afternoon, so I slip a sweatshirt over my head and grab a house key before we pull the door shut behind us.
We step off the porch, and I breathe in the crisp beach air. I’m glad I decided to go back to Phoenix, but there’s nothing like waking up to the ocean in your backyard.
Caden grabs my hand as we stroll along the sand. There are a few families out here enjoying the sunshine and little kids running up and down the shoreline chasing seagulls.
Reawakened: The Unexpected Series Page 19
