by Keren Hughes
Caleigh stills for a moment and I just wait to see what she’ll do next.
Reaching down, she toys with her clit. My eyes zero in on even the smallest of movements. She writhes on the bed and I just continue to watch for a moment, mesmerised, unable to move.
“Brent …”
My eyes snap up to hers and I see the hunger in them.
“Please … I need you.”
I lower myself to the floor at the foot of the bed and reach up to pull Caleigh down so that her ass is on the edge of the bed.
That first taste of her is exquisite. It reminds me of how much I’ve been missing.
She gasps and arches her back as I slip one finger inside her. I use my tongue to tease her clit and Caleigh makes little mewling noises. She raises herself up on her elbows to watch what I’m doing, so I deliberately slow my movements.
I lick and suck, increasing the tempo to match the rhythm of my heartbeat. Unable to take it any longer, she falls back to the bed with a soft thud.
There’s part of me that wants to draw this out forever, but I’m far too impatient to be inside her, where I belong.
“Brent, I-I’m g-going to—”
She cries out, unable to finish her sentence as her climax takes over.
Unable to wait any longer, I stand and tell her to move her sweet ass up the bed, before crawling up onto the bed between her legs.
“Fuck, I love you,” I say as I look down at her perfect body.
She’s so hot it should be illegal. With her hair splayed out on the pillow, like a shiny pink halo, she’s the image of perfection. Beauty personified. I just want to absorb this moment, to remember how she looks, how she feels. I want her to be the woman I wake up next to for the rest of my life.
I brace my arms either side of her head and lean down to suck her nipple into my mouth. A moan escapes her as I lean over to do the same to the other.
Wrapping her arms around my neck, she brings me in for a kiss. It’s hot, it’s messy, but it’s perfect. She reaches between us and takes my cock in her soft hand, making me groan. She aligns me with her, and I take it slowly, relishing the feeling of her once more.
Caleigh wraps her legs around me, and I feel a sting as her heels dig into my ass. As I ease further into her, she moans and drags her fingernails down my back.
She tugs my hair back and kisses up the side of my neck, delicate little kisses along my jawline as I sink into her until I fill her. It really is the little things in life that make my heart swell.
I build a steady rhythm and Caleigh bucks her hips from the bed to meet me thrust for thrust. Leaning down, I kiss her. It’s white-hot and sears its way across my heart.
“Brent, stop.”
I still, and for a moment I’m confused, until I see her smile as she places her hands on my chest, pushing me sideways. She straddles my waist but wastes no time aligning the two of us and sliding down over me. Clenching her walls around me, she elicits a guttural growl from somewhere deep inside of me.
Gripping her hips, I hold on tight as she rocks against me. In all my life, I never knew sex could feel this good.
Sex has always been nothing more than that, just sex. But meeting Caleigh changed everything. Making love to her is the most euphoric experience. And I think at least part of that can be attributed to the feelings and emotions that go along with it. She isn’t some random hook-up, some groupie that’s only too willing to be used. Those chicks know what they’re signing themselves up for in order to have one night with one of us. But Caleigh? She’s different in every way. She owns my heart and soul.
Her breasts bounce, and her hair falls over them, so I sweep the strands back over her shoulders. I brush my thumbs across her nipples, making them pebble. She arches her back and reaches down to tease her clit with her middle finger as she keeps rocking back and forth.
“I … love … you … Brent,” she pants out.
Her head falls back, exposing her throat, so I trace the line of it with one hand, letting it slide to the swell of her breasts and down the valley between them.
Taking her hand in mine, I lean up and suck her finger into my mouth. Her head snaps up to watch what I’m doing. There’s something about tasting her on her own hand that really turns me on. And by the look in her eyes, it affects her the same way.
“You’re so beautiful.”
“And you’re incredible,” she replies as she leans down to kiss me. It’s a soft, sensual kiss. Her tongue dances gently with mine and it’s like my heart takes flight.
Caleigh places her hands on my chest and uses that as leverage to move herself up and down, agonisingly slowly. Her nails dig into me and I relish the sting. She ups her pace and I buck my hips to meet hers. Building a punishing rhythm, she moans loudly as she gets closer and closer to the orgasm she’s chasing.
Finally, she shouts out my name loud enough to wake the neighbours. I waste no time as I roll her over and chase my own climax. It doesn’t take long before I’m crying out her name.
As we relax, we lie next to each other in a tangle of limbs. My heart races faster than a galloping horse.
I breathe deeply and inhale the sweet scent of strawberries. I release a sigh and Caleigh looks up at me.
“Something wrong?” she asks quietly.
“No, baby, just the opposite.”
I pull her closer and close my eyes. This is as close to heaven as a man can get on earth.
Epilogue
Caleigh
It’s a beautiful day and Brent and Hardin are waiting for me to finish packing the hamper. We’re going for a picnic in the park with Rhiannon, Lewis and Luna.
“Hey, Mummy, don’t forget to pack the strawberries and cream,” Hardin says as he runs in from the back garden.
“I won’t, baby. I promise.”
He goes back to play football with Brent, and I hear triumphant yelling—he must have scored a goal.
These are the days I live for. After Brent and I got together properly, Hardin and I moved in with him—after Hardin got to know him better, that is. The house that I wanted is finally my home, but more than that, it’s our home. There’s so much joy here, so much love. I can feel it all around me, all the time.
Brent and Lewis became good friends, much to the happiness of both me and Rhiannon. Now the six of us go on days out and take the children to theme parks. We’ve even got a holiday booked for all of us. Of course, it had to be somewhere pet-friendly, seeing as though Brent bought Hardin a border terrier that he called Tramp. All we need now is another dog to call Lady.
It took a lot of convincing for me to allow him to get Tramp. I’ve always said no pets, but we fell in love with his picture on the shelter’s website and Brent wore me down until I finally caved.
“Are we nearly ready to go, boys?” I call from the back door.
“It’s three-all mummy. Can I just score one more goal?”
“Okay, baby, just the one, otherwise Auntie Rhi will be on the phone nagging me for being late.”
He tackles Brent for the ball and Brent trips, leaving the goal open. Hardin scores one last triumphant goal and squeals as he runs around, shouting that he’s the winner and Brent’s a loser.
I can’t help but giggle as Brent gets up and pretends to limp to the door.
“Oh, you think that’s funny, do you?” he asks as he picks me up and twirls me around.
I laugh louder until my phone rings and he has to put me down.
“See what you’ve done now?” I ask as I flash the screen at him, showing him Rhiannon’s smiling face.
“Hey, babe,” I answer.
“Where are you? We’re already on our way and I haven’t heard from you.”
“Sorry, Rhi, the boys were playing football and I couldn’t drag them away. We’ll be leaving in five minutes.”
“Okay, just hurry. I’m hungry.”
“Well, you are eating for two now.”
***
After a long drive, we pull up somewh
ere all too familiar. I thought we were going to the local park, but after driving past it, I questioned Brent about where we were heading. He wouldn’t give me any clue and now I know why.
The river looks beautiful in the daylight. It’s been too long since I’ve been here. Of course, I’ve visited my mum and dad, but we haven’t exactly had a picnic on the riverbank.
I see Luna running around chasing Lewis before he picks her up and spins her around. I can’t wait to meet the new baby. I know I’ll love him or her just as much as I do Luna.
“Hey, you finally made it then,” Rhi says as I place the hamper down before shaking the blanket out.
“Well, to be fair, I would have made sure we were ready sooner if I’d known we were going to drive for two hours.”
“At least you’re here now. Come on, sit down.”
Brent helps me lower to the ground. Being fair, my bump is so big that I can’t get up and down without help these days. I can’t wait until the baby’s here so I can move without looking and feeling like a penguin waddling around.
I unpack the hamper and Hardin comes to sit down beside Luna ready to eat. The two are as thick as thieves, and I can’t help but wonder whether our daughter and Rhiannon’s new baby will be as close.
“Hey, those strawberries are for after dinner,” I say as Brent swipes one from the punnet and bites into it.
“I can’t help it; strawberries are delicious. The scent, the taste, the juices …”
I feel myself blush as I take in the meaning of his words. I only ever use my strawberry shampoo now as he loves it so much. To be honest, I’d do just about anything for him.
***
Hardin and Luna are flying kites with Lewis and Brent while Rhi and I relax on the riverbank, soaking up the sun. It’s pure bliss.
“Mummy, come fly a kite with me,” Hardin says as he comes to stand next to me.
“Okay, baby.”
Brent comes up from behind and helps me to my feet. He takes my hand as we walk over to where the kite is resting. I take the string that Brent hands me, while Hardin takes the kite and walks away, ready to let go as soon as I’m ready.
“Ready, Hardin?” I call.
“Okay, Mummy.”
“Three … two … one.”
He lets go and the kite soars across the sky. I look up as something about the pattern catches my eye.
“Oh my god.”
It’s not a pattern after all. It says, “Marry Me?”
I turn to look at Brent and he’s down on one knee. All of a sudden, Rhiannon takes the string from my hands and reels the kite in.
“Caleigh Rae Flynn, this last year with you has been the best year of my entire life. I’ve learned a lot about myself, because you have taught me to open my heart. I’ve never loved anyone until I found you. Together, our wounded hearts began to heal. While there may still be scars, we live and love in spite of them—or maybe because of them.” He pauses to swallow as his eyes brim with unshed tears.
His hand is shaking as he holds the box aloft.
“Together we have everything we could ever want—except for one thing. There’s one thing I want more than anything; I want to make you my wife. Caleigh, would you do me the greatest honour you could ever do me and become my wife?”
I feel tears streaming down my cheeks, but I don’t care.
“Yes!” I squeal.
Brent takes the ring from the box and slips it onto my finger. I look at it for a moment and it’s absolutely breathtaking.
In an instant, I’m wrapped in Brent’s arms as his lips come crashing down over mine. His kiss is soft and sweet, just like him. My knees feel weak and my heart feels so light it could grow wings and fly away.
Mrs. Caleigh Rae Ryder. Why does that sound like the best thing I’ve ever heard?
“We have somewhere to be,” Brent says as he breaks the kiss.
“We do?”
He takes me by the hand, and we leave the hampers and kites behind as we walk up the dirt path to the main road. We walk down towards The Lock and I see a banner hanging outside that says Congratulations Caleigh and Brent.
As we walk inside, I look around and see all my family and friends gathered around. I’ve never felt so happy that I could burst … until now.
My mum and dad are wearing matching smiles, as are Ash, Evan, Julia, Deb and Damien. They all applaud as we walk around the room to greet everyone.
“Let’s see the ring,” Julia says as she hugs me.
Holding out my hand, I show her the solitaire cut diamond. It’s so big and clear and absolutely beautiful.
I still can’t get over it. I’m engaged. It may be the second time in my life, but you can be damn well sure it’s the last.
***
I said my story didn’t begin with once upon a time. That I didn’t meet Prince Charming, fall madly in love and live happily ever after.
Well, now you know that’s … well, it’s not a complete lie, because we had our hiccups along the way.
But one thing I know for sure—my story does come with a happily ever after.
The End
About the author
Keren is a bookworm whose bookshelves groan under the weight of her obsession, but she believes there’s always room for “one more book.” She lives in the UK with her son and when she isn’t reading or writing, she’s nurturing the reader and writer in him as he’s currently writing his own book. Keren loves to connect with her readers. You can reach out to her on social media. She loves to talk anything books, movies and TV. Her other obsessions include Disney, Marvel, and she’s a Potterhead for life.
Also by Keren Hughes
Safe
First of The Jagged Scars Duet series
In every way Elise is a survivor.
As a child, she was abused by the first man she trusted completely.
As a teenager, she was manipulated mentally and physically by a man, to the point that she could not see just how bad their relationship was. She ended up too scared to stay, but even more scared to leave.
Having suffered for years at the hands of men she trusted, she met Jensen. Finally, she felt that she had someone good in her life. Their relationship was all too brief, and when it ended she built a wall around her heart. How could she ever trust a man again?
Elise; a single, disabled mum. It was all too clear that men could not see past her disability. Forsaking the love of men, she concentrated on her son, Caleb. It was the one thing she knew she could do right. Her love for Caleb was beyond measure. He was her whole world. However, Elise’s best friend Sam had other ideas, and set her up on a blind date with an extremely hot paramedic.
With so much hurt in the past, she was not sure if she was strong enough to face rejection again. Could she truly open her heart again to another? Could Elise finally find her safe haven in his arms, or would he just add another scar to her soul?
Home
Second of The Jagged Scars Duet series
~Home isn’t a physical place, it’s the place where your heart beats.~
Drew Wright always said he had the “reverse Midas touch”; everything he touched turned to shit instead of gold.
As a child, he was beaten, neglected, and abused by drug addicted parents whose next fix was more important than having food in the cupboard. Plagued by flashbacks of a past that haunts him, he’s worked hard to become a paramedic and help others often caught in the grip of the same trauma he experienced.
After being set up on a blind date with the love of his life he thought he’d lost, it seemed his luck was turning and fate was giving him a second chance. Happily married with two children, he has everything he ever dreamed of.
But then one tragic moment throws his world into upheaval and lands Drew in the middle of a battle to hang on to the life he loves.
Can he separate the past from the present and save his future?
Or will the demons that have stalked him his whole life finally devour him?
S
ecret Santa
Being born and raised in the town of Snowflake has its perks for Aneurin Mackenzie, she’s seen it all; businesses booming and the town flourishing. Sadly, she’s also seen it torn to shreds by a previous mayor.
Then, in comes cocky, arrogant, filthy rich Preston Wolfric III with his “fresh ideas” to bring business back to this small town. He wants to turn Snowflake around, bringing it to the 21st century.
However, Nye will not let her town be changed without a fight.
He’s a big city alpha male, she’s a small town girl with no desire to change. She plans to run him out of town but what she doesn’t count on is that cocky jerk making his way under her skin, seeping into her veins.
She didn’t realise how devastatingly handsome he is. He didn’t realise what he needed was right in front of him.
What will happen when Preston and Nye’s worlds collide? Will there be sparks or will it become a fire that lays waste to everything they thought they knew?
Do opposites really attract?
Out of the Ashes
After the divorce from hell, Jenna Morgan swears off men. But could the town “bad boy” Nate, be the one to make her break that oath?
Freeing herself from the constraints of her ex, she decides to do the one thing she always wanted to but was never allowed; get a tattoo.
Nate Peterson is the town bad boy and owner of the Blank Canvas tattoo parlour. Walking into his shop could change her life forever.
At a speed-dating event, Jenna meets the business-savvy lawyer, Levi. Surely it couldn’t hurt to go on one date, with both men?
Conflicted by the choice, she sees and feels herself falling for the boy from the wrong side of the tracks.
After a couple of crazy months together, a tragedy tears them apart. Nate finds himself pushing everyone away, including Jenna.
Realising his momentous mistake, Nate wants to win her back. But can he earn her trust again? Did he destroy everything he wanted but never knew he needed?