by Tiffani Lynn
“How far do you want to go, Shay? We can stop here if you want.”
It’s probably not fair, but I can’t help it when I press my pointer finger against her clit as I ask her. She can’t respond right away as I swirl my finger on the pulsing nub.
In the middle of trying to catch her breath she says, “Don’t you dare stop. I want all of you. I want to give it all to you.”
“Push those shorts down.”
Shay does as I ask and now she’s lying in front of me in nothing but a pair of light-pink satin panties that were crafted to make men stupid. A red halo of lush hair is spread out around her head. Between the feminine curves of her almost naked body, all that amazing hair and the look on her face, she could be painted into a masterpiece. Sexy, beautiful and breathtaking.
I climb off the bed, pull a condom out of my wallet, drop my boxers onto the floor and move back into position next to her, completely naked. Those steel-gray eyes of hers widen. “Is that… Is that going to fit?”
A small chuckle escapes. “Yeah, honey. It just may take a little patience.” Her throat bobs as she swallows hard. “You sure you’re ready for this? We have plenty of time.” The fear slips away as softness spreads over her features.
“I want it to be with you. I want it to be now.”
“Slip those pretty panties off.” Her eyes never leave mine as she does as instructed. I don’t give her a chance to get embarrassed; instead I rearrange so my face is between her thighs.
“Paxton,” she whispers, lifting her head to stare at me with wide eyes.
“Close your eyes and enjoy.” I don’t wait for her to respond or react. I run my fingers along her auburn curls and open her. Before she can protest I taste her. How can one woman be so perfect? The feel of her, the taste of her…amazing.
Licking and sucking and swirling, I work her until she’s crying out unintelligible words. Then I crawl up over her body, knowing she’s ready for this. I slip the condom on expertly. “Wrap your legs around my waist.”
“My legs feel like rubber; I don’t think I can.”
I chuckle a little and she lifts her legs and wraps them around my back, locking at the ankle. “This is probably going to hurt, but I will do my best to go easy. The pain will go away shortly, but if it’s too much just say so and I’ll stop.”
She nods and closes her eyes.
“Don’t close your eyes. I need to see you.”
When she opens them I smile at her, so ready for this. She lifts her hand and touches my cheek, pausing at the indentation. “That dimple. That sweet, sexy dimple. I love it.”
Unable to stop myself I lean down and take her mouth with mine. As I flex my hips, pushing at her entrance, I break the kiss to see her face. With each inch she takes, her eyes widen and I worry it’s too much, too soon.
“Want me to stop?”
“No, no, keep going,” she whispers.
I thrust hard one time to push past that barrier and then hold still. Her bottom lip quivers so I lower my mouth to hers and kiss her softly. My thighs shake as I fight to stay still. Eventually her body relaxes and I begin to move. Slowly, carefully. After several strokes her tension smoothes out and her body relaxes. Her hips begin to move naturally to meet mine. When her fingernails dig into my back I increase the rhythm and when I get close to losing it, I slip my thumb between us and find her clit. She’s so responsive—thank God—that it only takes a few seconds for her to clench up tight and let it all go. My hips power into her, my mind no longer controlling my body as nature takes over. I throw my head back and call out her name when I come. Her hand snakes out around my neck and she pulls me down to kiss me long and hard. Once I’m spent I roll away, peel off the condom, toss it in the trash, and move in next to her. This time though, I pull her onto me so she’s straddling my hips with her head lying upon my shoulder.
A year ago today I was covered in camo and paint, doing recon on a drug cartel in South America. Today I’m home, with Shay, building my future in a way I know it’s going to last. Tomorrow I will be seeing Mike and Hudson for a job with Sunset Security. Life doesn’t get any better than this.
Six months later…
The afternoon sun is setting off to the west allowing for the soft brush strokes of pink, blue, and purple that stretch across the sky. I’ve been sitting on the swing pulling fresh air into my lungs and attempting to relax. For the last week Paxton and I have been going through my parents home cleaning it out and dumping what I don’t want to keep. The rest will remain in the house until our house is finished over on Paxton’s property. The builder is about three quarters of the way through with the place so we have time. Pax lumbers up the stairs his eyes locked on mine the whole way and plops down next to me on the swing.
“When did you leave your parents house?” I can feel him watching me, waiting for my answer but I continue to stare straight ahead.
“Only about ten minutes. I needed a break.”
“Why didn’t you come get me?”
“I just needed a minute to process it. I found Morgan’s jewelry box.” When I glance over at him briefly his eyes are gentle as he waits for me to finish. “The cheap little plastic necklace with her initial on it was in there.” I swallow hard fighting the sob that’s working its way up my throat. “She wore that thing everywhere she went. Mama had to force her to take it off at night to sleep. It’s nothing but a dime store trinket but it’s priceless to me because it was hers. God, I miss her.” He wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me in closer but remains quiet. “Sometimes when I was out here alone I swear I could hear her voice calling me or begging to go to the creek. Did I tell you that’s how I ended up in the water that day you came home?”
“No, I just figured it was hot and you wanted to cool off. I need to find a way to thank her, he jokes. “Best visit to the creek ever.” I elbow him in the ribs lightly and he chuckles. We continue to swing back and forth in silence. He’s learned not to say anything when I get like this, he just holds me and lets me remember out loud. After a few minutes he speaks up. “Do you remember that time she caught us when we tried kissing?” His body shakes with silent laughter. “I’ve never seen you run as fast as you did chasing her that day. You were so afraid she’d tell your daddy that you were ready to kidnap her and hide her in the woods.”
I crack a smile. “Yeah, I had to bribe her with all my candy money for the next movie we went too. I’ll never forget her chocolate grin as she gloated in the seat next to me while she ate all the snacks.”
The sun is almost out of site entirely, darkening the property quite a bit. “Can we wait to bull doze that house, Pax? I thought I was ready, but I’m not. Now that I can go inside, I’m not ready to release the memories. I don’t mind cleaning it out, but…”
His lips brush the top of my head. “It can stay there as long as you want it too. We don’t ever have to tear either of the houses down. I thought that’s what you wanted so I went along with it.”
“I thought I did too, but I’m not ready.”
“Are you sure you’re going to want to move into the new house? We only have a couple more months.”
“Yeah, I’m ready for that. I think it will be good for us, besides, we will be able to make it ours together. Are you still planning to hang this swing up over there for me?”
“For us,” he corrects me, “and yes, I love sitting with you on this swing, always have.”
“Thanks for agreeing to the courthouse wedding. I know your mom wanted a big wedding, but I would have felt the loss of my family more if my side of a church were empty.” My chest aches a little as I think of think of it so I brush it aside and try to think of the marriage instead of the wedding.
“Whatever makes you happy, is fine with me. My mom understands, she’s just so excited for us she can’t contain herself sometimes. The party afterward at our new house will be enough for her.” Only a few more moments pass before he stands up and holds out his hand. “Come on, time to eat. We’re
done over there for the day.” I nod and take his hand following him inside.
We move around the kitchen together like we’ve been doing this for years as a team. The realization brings me comfort.
“Are you still okay fostering and maybe adopting older children?” he asks quietly as he sets our plates on the table.
“Of course. I told you that. It will be nice to bring this land back to life. Nothing does that like giggling children running through fields and splashing through creeks.”
“I still want at least one of our own, but I want to pay forward what was given to me. It changed my life.”
Maneuvering around the table I stop in front of him and lift up on my tip-toes to place a chaste kiss on his lips. “I’ll do anything to make you happy.” And I will, just as he’s done to make me happy.
Epilogue
Paxton 18 months later...
Shay and I stand hand in hand facing the judge. Our attorney is on one side of me and the social worker for the state is on the other side of Lincoln who is holding Shay’s hand. My family and our friends are in the rows behind us. We’ve just finished answering questions from the judge and it’s official. Our nine-year-old foster child Lincoln is now our son. Son. I say it slowly in my head. The tears roll down my face quietly as happiness fills some very dark places inside me, places I never talk about where fear and heartbreak used to reside.
Shay and I want a big family. We’ve been dreaming of filling our farm with life since we got together and it’s now happening. Not only do we have a son but a daughter on the way, due in three and a half weeks—but if you look at Shay you’ll think the baby is coming tomorrow. Her belly is so big and round I swear she will literally pop at any moment. We’re naming her after Shay’s little sister Morgan and we can’t wait to meet her.
Lincoln turns to Shay and whispers so loud I think everyone can still hear, “Is that it? I thought it would be different. More exciting or something.”
“That’s it,” I confirm. I’m not sure if he’s disappointed or what so I wait hoping he will reveal his feelings. It’s taken a long time to get him to come out of his shell. The life that he led until he came to our home was best described as horrific. Similar to mine, but worse. He spins to face our family and friends and pumps both fists twice by his hips. “Yippee, time to party!” he yells out and everyone including the social worker and the judge laugh. He knows what’s waiting for us back at the farm and he’s excited. Shay and I squish him in a family hug and I’m reminded for the millionth time why we’re doing this. It feels so good to give someone the love I know they want and deserve.
Once we leave the courthouse we head back out to the farm for a “Gottcha Day” celebration complete with a big blow up water slide, a bounce house and enough food to feed an army. Several kids from his class are coming to help us celebrate and according to him this is the first real party he’s ever had in his honor. Summer and Mike Wade are catering the event, in fact they wouldn’t take no for an answer. They know things have been tight for us since we started the adoption proceedings. It wouldn’t have been too bad if a long lost cousin didn’t show up trying to claim custody, dragging things out and running up our bill at the lawyers office. It was worth every penny though to see the look on Lincoln’s face once it was over, but it was still a lot of money. Shay has started working part time in the office at Sunset Security as a way to get into the workforce. Hudson suggested it right after we got married and I was surprised when she said yes. There have been a few hiccups, as there always are with new staff but the team is very understanding and doesn’t make a big deal of things. I’m certain with time that the kinks will get worked out and she will be really good at her job.
***
A few hours later we’re all outside watching as the kids slide down the giant inflatable waterslide and jump in the bounce house. Their squeals of delight fill the air as we all laugh at their antics. Stacey and Shay are off to the side a little bit soaking their feet in a blow up kiddie pool meant for babies and giggling about who knows what. Ever since those two met they’ve been joined at the hip when we all get together. Something between them clicked and they have become instant friends. To make it even better both women are pregnant—although stacey is only twenty six weeks while Shay is thirty seven. It’s been good that they have someone to commiserate with. They both get along with the other wives and seem to enjoy their company too, but the friendship that has formed between Stacey and Shay is special and I’m so grateful.
I want Shay to have all the things she’s been missing all these years. I can’t bring her parents back but I can help her find a life worth living. So far that’s been a successful quest.
Shay
Nitro and Remington, Stacey and Hudson’s dogs, race around the yard grunting as they chase each other and play. With little warning they leap into the baby pool that Stacey and I are soaking our feet in, splashing water all over us before resuming their run around the yard. “Boys!” Stacey scolds the two high spirited dogs with a tinge of laughter in her voice. The only other dog at the party, Scooter the roly poly Basset Hound, lounges in the grass next to Thomas’s chair enjoying the belly scratches from Thomas and Simone. He’s getting older and slower so he can’t keep up with the young dogs and doesn’t seem to care much about their rambunctious play.
“Mom! Look!” Lincoln yells from the top of the slide as glance up at him. He makes a funny face, drops to his belly and goes down the slide head first. When he climbs off the slide he comes running over. “Wasn’t that cool?” his triumphant grin is so endearing my heart can’t help but melt a little.
“Yeah that was, but I think you’re trying to give me a heart attack coming down that slide head first.”
“I’m being safe, Mom, geez.” He reaches for my hand to reassure me and squeezes. This kid is all boy but he has a very soft heart.
“I know you are, but moms are supposed to be nervous. It’s part of the job description.” Linc laughs and runs off to join the other kids again.
“I’m so glad everything worked out for you guys. He’s so lucky to have you,” Stacey comments quietly.
“Me too, but I think it’s the opposite. We’re the lucky ones. I’m just nervous that he’ll have a hard time adjusting when Morgan arrives.” I rub my giant round belly a little and think about her impending birth.
“It’s going to be okay. Linc will be the best big brother ever. I think he’s so happy to have a family and you guys are so good with him that it will be great.” The smile she flashes me is reassuring.
About that time Summer and Mike come out of the house with their little girl, Sarah, leading the way. Her little blonde curls are bouncing in the wind as she runs straight for the other kids with a huge grin on her face. I tense, worrying for a brief second that she will get hurt on that giant slide, but Mike has it handled.
“Hey Lincoln,” Mike calls. “Can you take Sarah down the slide carefully, please? She’s never been down one that tall.”
“Sure, Mr. Mike!” he replies and reaches out for Sarah’s hand so they can head for the stairs together.
As we watch the kids waiting for Linc and Sarah’s turn I ask Stacey, “Do you ever worry that things are too good to be true right now?”
She turns to face me and tilts her head a little her gaze intense. “Explain what you mean. I don’t want to assume anything.”
“Well, life is good right now. No, I take that back. It’s not just good. It’s great. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful home, a son and soon to be a daughter. I even have a job for the first time in my life and friends again. Everything I ever dreamed of. It all seems too good to be true. It feels like the bottom will drop out from under me at any minute.” I shake my head a little fighting the tears that threaten to spill over. She reaches over and grabs my hand and holds it tight.
“Oh Shay.” I can hear in her tone that she understands me. “Believe me, I get what you’re saying and I try not to think about it like that. Ther
e will be downs to go with our ups in life, but at least this time we have each other, great husbands and other good friends to help us get through. You’ll see. Don’t spend every day waiting for the other shoe to drop. Enjoy these amazing moments that life brings and commit them to memory, that way when the bad days come, you have them to help you get through.” I squeeze her hand and exhale. She’s right. With a good man, a loving family and real friends everything will be alright. I’m one of the lucky ones. I look across to the other side of the tent where Pax is talking to Hudson. When our eyes meet he winks at me and I smile back at him. My life is amazing and I’m going to do my best to enjoy it.
Also by Tiffani Lynn
Colorado Veterans Series:
1. Finding Purpose
2. Finding Heart
3. Finding Passion
4. Finding Life
5. Finding Hope
Florida Veterans Series:
1. Saving Summer
2. Saving Stacey
3. Saving Simone
3.5. Protecting Lucianna (also part of Susan Stoker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha World)
4. Saving Shay
Betrayal to Bliss Series
1. Strangers at Sunset
2. From Strangers to Lovers
Eden’s Odyssey Series
1. Finn’s Shot
2. Tangled with Tyler
MacGregor Family Novellas
1. Love, Lust & Life
2. Beauty, Bliss & A Bed of Roses
Stand Alone
Rescuing Reya (part of Elle James’s Brotherhood Protectors World)
** Find out more about Tiffani, her books and events she will be attending by visiting www.tiffanilynn.com. You can also contact her and sign up for her newsletter.
