“This?” I slid a finger inside.
“Yes.”
“And this?” My mouth landed on her mound and I sucked.
“Oh, yeah.”
“And what about this?” My tongue circled her clit and flicked it.
“Yeah.”
Then I pressed on her G-spot, and using my tongue, I massaged her clit.
“Oh, yeah.” She buried her hands in my hair and her moans drove me on. I lifted my eyes and noticed she’d thrown back her head and was no longer watching me. It wouldn’t be long. And it wasn’t. Her inner muscles clamped down on my finger and a series of contractions hit. I loved it when she climaxed. She arched into my mouth and ground herself against me.
When her orgasm died down, I pushed her back farther onto the bed, put her legs over my shoulders, and found her entrance with my cock. Then I slowly pushed inside, rocking in and out at an achingly slow pace because I didn’t want to come just yet. But it got to the point I couldn’t hold back any longer.
“I’m going to come,” I whispered. “Are you close?”
She barely spoke, only nodded that she was. And then it happened, this crazy climax. She stopped breathing as I watched. Her hand squeezed mine and maybe I stopped breathing too. I don’t know. It wasn’t like anything I’d ever experienced. Her orgasm lasted a very long time.
“Wow,” she said afterward.
“I think you just had a multiple orgasm.”
“It was really weird.”
I grinned. “Weird good or weird bad?”
“Weird good as in more like making love and not just sex.” Her palm cupped my cheek. “Besides, anything sexual with you is good.”
“I hope so.”
“Grey. You should know that by now.”
I kissed her. “Did I tell you how beautiful you are?”
“Yes. Did I thank you?”
“I don’t know. Your sexiness put me in a daze.” And it had.
She play punched me. “You’re crazy.”
I laughed along with her.
It registered then that I’d made love to my wife. My wife. The love of my life. It was hard to believe, yet it was real.
“What are you thinking? Your brow is furrowed.” She took a finger and rubbed my forehead.
“I just made love to my wife. And I love how that sounds.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“Close your eyes.” When they were closed, I reached into the nightstand and grabbed the box I’d put there earlier. Then I slipped on the other band I bought for her. “This is for the eternal love of the children we have and the ones we will have in the future.”
Her eyes popped opened and she blinked several times. “Oh, Grey. It’s beautiful. Thank you.” The kiss was even more perfect than the ring. “It looks gorgeous with the diamond and the other band.”
“I knew it would.”
“I have something for you too.” She got up and went to the bureau where she pulled out an envelope. Then she handed it to me as she got back in bed. “This is for you.”
I opened it up and grinned. “The test results.”
“Yes. But let me explain.”
It was my turn to interrupt her. “Before you say anything, I need to give you something.” I got out of bed and reached into the side pocket of my carry-on bag, where I’d stashed her journal. “This belongs to you. I didn’t read it all, if you’re wondering, but I did happen to see your last entry.”
Her furrowed brow told me she didn’t know what I was referring to. She flipped open her journal and I saw when it became clear. “You know?”
“Yeah, and I couldn’t be sorrier than I already am.”
“Every time I tried to tell you, you wouldn’t let me get the words out, or something would interrupt us. I just forgot when Aaron was in the hospital and I sent it in much later than I originally said I would. But you were so angry with me, I couldn’t explain it to you. You’d lost your trust in me and there wasn’t any point in telling you then. Anyway, you are Aaron’s biological father.”
I took my wife’s face between my hands and kissed her soundly on the lips. “You should probably kill me. We went through all that for nothing.”
“I disagree. It taught us a lot about each other. You learned not to be so self-centered and I learned my assumption about you being an ass was true.” She laughed. “But … you came around eventually.”
We laughed for a moment, but then I became serious. I slid my hands into her hair. “All the heartache. I am tremendously sorry. I never told you, but Susannah wasn’t a warm person, nothing like you are. All those years we were together, I thought we were fine. I asked Hudson not too long ago if he thought she was a pompous bitch. He did but never said a word to me about it. I was a fool. God knows what she did to me behind my back and I was determined not to be made a fool again. So, when I thought you did that, it struck below the belt. Betrayal is a difficult thing to bear, you know? But I was so closed off, I didn’t give you a chance.”
“It is difficult. Especially when it comes from the people you put the utmost trust in. But I promise you, Grey, I won’t ever betray you or your trust in me.”
“I know that.”
I grabbed her hand and said, “You are the solitary person I would trust with my life, with my children’s lives. You are the love of my life … the one who took my life from ashes to flames. I was nothing but a charred-up wreck of a man when I met you, but you put the fire back into my heart. You’re forever mine, Marin West.”
The End
Chapter Forty-One
Meanwhile…in Atlanta Georgia
Milly
“Why can’t you move to, oh I don’t know, Charleston, or even Charlotte? Why does it have to be New York?” Ellerie asked.
“Because I want a brand new start, complete with a new climate, and distance between us, no offense. I know if I move to Charleston or Charlotte, you or Mom will be visiting me every weekend to check up on me. Ells, I’m a grown woman, older than you, and capable of taking care of myself.”
“I know, but after everything...”
I held up my hand. “Stop. Please don’t bring his name up. I’m sick and tired of hearing how he destroyed my life, which is why I’m moving away.”
My sister instantly hugged me, which was fine because I loved her, but honestly, I wanted to move on. Literally and figuratively. “Don’t you see? It’s time for me to really pull up the bootstraps and do something just for me.”
“You know, you’re right. But Manhattan? Why not California where it’s warm. Winters can be brutal up there.”
“I’ve never experienced a white Christmas before. I think it’ll be really awesome. Just think, Fifth Avenue during the holidays.”
“Sis, you’re preaching. I’ve lived it, remember? That’s why I’m back down in the sunny south. Better buy some warm clothes. Just sayin’.”
I thought about that and suddenly my excitement notched up several levels. Winter clothes. Thick sweaters. Heavy coats. Rubbing my hands together, Ellerie gaped.
“What?” I asked.
“Trust me. You’ll be shivering before you know it.”
“Maybe, or maybe I’ll find myself a hottie to keep me warm on those freezing nights.”
My sister cackled. “That would be fantastic. And perk up your lonely vag…”
“Ells. Don’t say it.” I frowned.
“Okay, but you started it.”
“True. Can I ask a favor?”
“Sure.”
“Will you explain what a great idea this is to the parents? They’ve been driving me crazy—even worse than you. And now that you see my way of things, maybe you can persuade them to my way of thinking.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Then another thought popped into my head. “And one more thing. Tell them it would be advisable to call before they visit.”
She snapped her fingers. “Great idea. When are you thinking of moving?”
“As soon as I find a
job. I have four interviews next week.”
She gasped. “So soon?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I don’t know. For some reason, I thought maybe you’d wait a while.”
“I’d thought of that, to be honest, but when I put my feelers out for jobs, the four I’m interviewing for stood out and seem perfect for me, so I figured why not now?”
My sister stared pointedly at me.
“What now?” I asked.
“I want to be clear on something. You’re not running away, are you?”
“Of course I am. Why else would I be moving to a strange city to begin a new life, not knowing a single soul?”
To Be Continued in From Ice To Flames
For The Secret Epilogue of From Ashes To Flames Click Here
Thank you for reading From Ashes To Flames. I hope you loved Grey, Marin, Kinsley, and Aaron. I would greatly appreciate it if you would be so kind as to leave a review. From Ice To Flames (A West Brothers Novel #2) and From Smoke To Flames (A West Brothers Novel #3) are also available now.
The spin off series to The West Brothers, The West Sisters Novels—with One Indecent Night, One Shameless Night, and One Blissful Night—is now available.
From Ice To Flames
One Rule: No More Men.
Two years ago, Milly Fremont walked away from a marriage she thought would last forever, but all she got from it was Dick … and not the one between her stupid ex’s legs.
She’s referring to the one hundred sixty pound furry kind said ex dropped off on her doorstep.
Find out what happens when she learns her new next door neighbor is a hot single dad, a veterinarian, and Manhattan’s most eligible bachelor!
Laugh out loud funny!
To download your copy of From Ice To Flames Click Here
Also available in audio—> download here
From Smoke To Flames
To put it bluntly, Rose Wilson’s life sucks.
When she finally gets the courage to divorce her abusive husband, she never imagines his prick of an attorney could be so cold-hearted.
Find out what happens when Rose learns prick of an attorney is her new patient in the rehab center where she works!
Can Rose rise above her hatred—and lust—and maintain her professionalism to help him?
To download From Smoke To Flames, click here.
One Indecent Night (A West Sisters Novel #1)
Evan Thomas.
The name alone made me swoon. Imagine the chaos that sleeping with him created. Of all people, why him?
First, he's my cousin's best friend…the cousin who had threatened to murder us both if we ever hooked up.
He’s also the one I'd crushed on since I wore braces and pig tails.
What happens when Evan won’t give up on his pursuit of Sylvie! Laugh out loud hilarious.
One Click One Indecent Night here
One Shameless Night (A West Sisters Novel #2)
The line between love and hate has never been so explosive.
The first time I saw Alessandro, two things came to mind. Sexy and naked. You get the idea. Thanks to him, my flight from hell became the best one I’d ever been on. Turned out, the engaging, gorgeous passenger, was my new professor…and the ultimate jerk. Rude, prick, cocksucker, were a few choice names I’d love to call him. How was this offensive man the same human I’d met on the plane?
If you’re a fan of Single Dad Rom Com’s with big twists, you’ll love One Shameless Night.
One Click One Shameless Night here!
If you’re a fan of single dad romances, you might also be interested in For The Love of English.
One Blissful Night (A West Sisters Novel #3)
How much are you willing to trust a liar?
“Promise you won’t break my heart, Brax.”
He promised. I believed. Brax Kent was a liar.
He shattered every possible piece of me. Seven years later, who turns up to be my next door neighbor? And now he wants me back. With flowery words and sworn oaths full of apologies, he begs. Can this man who ruined me be trusted?The choice is mine. Cross the line in the sand, or stay in my safe zone.
Download One Blissful Night here
ACER (A Kent Brothers #1) A Spin Off from One Blissful Night
A Dark Romantic Suspense
She was the one wearing the badge but it wasn’t enough to protect him from his nightmare of evil.
Little did I know the job I’d taken would plunge me into a world filled with illegal acts and mob ties, or bring me face to face with the woman of my dreams. Isla Chambers was a vision wrapped in Kevlar wearing an FBI baseball cap. With the sexy Isla working by my side, I gladly offered my assistance as the FBI’s only tether in solving this crime. The risk seemed small … or so I thought. Not only did it expose Isla to danger, it also placed a huge target on my back.
Find out what happens to ACER in this dark romantic suspense with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Download ACER here
For The Love Of English
Single Dad, Beckley Bridges, is gorgeous.
No, really, he’s the hottest thing since the sun was created.
Honest to God, crack an egg on him and the thing will sizzle.
So what’s the problem?
He’s also a gigantic jerk.
I hate the bastard.
I try to avoid him at all costs.
But for some reason, everywhere I go he seems to show up.
Only the real issue is his daughter, English.
She’s an adorable quirky first-grader who’s the sweetest thing since iced tea.
And she’s one of my students but also the love of his life.
So I have to deal with him on a professional level.
It’s not easy.
On a scale of easy to hard, dealing with Beckley Bridges is like nails screeching across a blackboard.
But when English’s mother tries to gain custody after abandoning her on Beckley’s doorstep as an infant, he’ll do anything possible to keep her under his roof.
That’s how he ends up propositioning me.
And crazy as it sounds?
I find myself considering it.
To download For The Love of English, click here.
Also available in audio—> Download here
Acknowledgments
I start with the readers because you make it all happen. Without you, there wouldn’t be a book world. End. Of. Story. So THANK YOU with everything in my heart. I hope you loved Grey and Marnie! Grey was in bad shape but Marin had the fortitude to straighten him out. That’s what women do, right? Look out for Hudson’s story coming next—From Ice To Flames. I think you’ll love this one. Thanks again for taking a chance on me—I love you all.
Terri E. Laine—my book wifey—there aren’t enough words. Even though we act like an old married couple, I love you to the stars and back and you’re vanilla to my chocolate. A day without you is a day without the sun.
Ashley, Heather, and Kristie. Oh, man, you guys killed it. Grey was an ass and you helped make him a much better ass, if there is such a thing. I love you ladies and wouldn’t know what to do without your brutal honesty, your awesome critiquing, and your amazing help. THANK YOU!
Amy Jennings—you have brightened up my world and enhanced my travel life. With or without RARE, I love you to pieces. Italy, here we come!
Harloe Rae—thank you for all your help and I know my questions were enough to drive you crazy but your patience was greatly appreciated. I hope to meet you someday and share some adult beverages.
Also, a HUGE thank you to Sejla and Selma Ibrahimpasic my amazing tour guides who showed our group around Vienna. They were the ones who introduced us to the catacombs beneath St. Stephen’s cathedral, which was the inspiration for this story. And if you’re wondering, they are definitely creepy.
Ellie McLove and Petra Gleason—thank you ladies for your mad editing skills. You make a fabulous te
am and I totally appreciate you!
Letitia Hasser at Romantic Book Affairs for the amazing cover. Every time I send you a photo, I’m always giddy when I get the cover back. Your talent is beyond words.
To all the bloggers and reviewers who made it happen with this book—you guys rock! Thank you so much for all your help!
One last word—I am so thrilled to be a part of the romance world. This amazingly talented group of writers, who lift each other up and offer each other assistance, are such a blessing. I cannot express this enough. It is simply overwhelming to be a part of this great group of women. Thank you to everyone!
Other Books
For Other Books by A.M. Hargrove visit
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Adult Novels
The Kent Brothers Stand Alone Novels
ACER
RAIDEN (TBD)
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CRUZE (TBD)
The West Sisters Stand Alone Novels:
One Indecent Night
One Shameless Night
One Blissful Night
The West Brothers Stand Alone Novels:
From Ashes to Flames
From Ice to Flames
From Smoke to Flames
Stand Alones
Secret Nights
For The Love of English
For The Love of My Sexy Geek
I’ll Be Waiting
The Men of Crestview Stand Alone Novels:
A Special Obsession
Chasing Vivi
Craving Midnight
The Best of Forevers Page 31