by Rona Jameson
“I felt you clench around my dick,” he panted. “What you do to me.”
His hips pounded and within seconds, I was throwing my head back and arching into him while my core pulsated hard around his throbbing penis as I felt him release.
Rogan grunted above me and he finished coming, I tugged him into my arms. From the get-go I’d always enjoyed having his weight on me. It felt good having him pressing me into the bed. He shivered as I ran my fingernails along his spine and pinched his ass.
Groaning, he withdrew and rolled to his back. “I can go to work now with a smile on my face.”
I nudged into his side. “You always have a smile.”
“That’s because I have you in my life.” He moaned like an eighty-year-old man as he rolled to his side and climbed from the bed. I raised a brow and smirked. “You make me ache.”
I offered him a dirty laugh and glanced down his body. “I think you have time to get yourself back in this bed.”
“Don’t tempt me. I have a meeting this morning before my shift starts, and”—he leaned over and kissed me—“Poppy will be bouncing in here anytime soon.”
“I’ll just enjoy watching you get ready for work. I think you look sexy in your firefighter’s uniform.” He blushed at my words.
“Hold that thought.” He dived into the bathroom and then I heard the shower go on. He’d be quick. He always was unless I was in there with him.
I cuddled into Rogan’s pillow so happy I could cry. The past four years had been wonderful to us. First Rogan’s training and job with the San Diego Fire Department, and then last month his new job with the Newport Fire Department. He loved fire investigation, which is where he managed to gain employment here on Rhode Island. We are closer to home than we were out in San Diego, yet neither of us had visited together, and when we did go, we removed our wedding bands. It made me sad that we’d both been living our lives and yet our parents didn’t know that we were really together. We married three years ago in a beautiful ceremony on the beach of Maui. Our first real vacation as a couple had ended with us becoming man and wife.
We both suspected that our parents knew about us, considering we lived together and were never with anyone else. We’d just kept the words to ourselves, and I didn’t think they wanted to know the truth anyway. They visited once for a day and had seen Rogan’s room, and mine, but they also saw the guest room that we let them believe was mine. But after eight years of being with Rogan, it was time to tell them both the truth. It wouldn’t be easy but it needed to be out in the open. So when we took Poppy home to her parents, we’d speak to our own.
Poppy was a delightful four-year-old who seemed older than her years. She loved staying with us in Newport because she got to see the ocean, the harbor, and lovely stores—the bouncy four-year-olds favorite things. Leon had moved his family home to be closer to his mother, who wasn’t doing too well. But the past week had given Leon and Julia freedom to celebrate his new job at the sheriff’s department. Who knew Leon would have been a cop? I hadn’t seen that coming at all.
My eyes snapped to the bathroom as Rogan walked out in his tight black boxers. “Mmm.” His eyes met mine and he paused mid-step. “You get sexier with age.”
He dived on top of me on the bed and wrapped me in the quilt. “Says the woman who makes me ache from the sound of her voice.” He gave me a long and serious kiss, his eyes unmoving from mine. “Don’t worry about the weekend. Whether or not our parents accept us being together, nothing is going to tear us apart.” He dropped his forehead to mine. “I’ve booked us into the hotel in town so we can stay together. I have no intention of being separated from you anymore when we visit. We’ll respect our parents’ home, but that’s it. I’m through pretending. You’re my wife and I love you.” He kissed my nose.
I reached up and caressed the side of his face. “I love you. Please be safe out there today.”
“I love you more, and my reason for breathing is currently naked in our bed.” He groaned. “I also hear little feet heading this way.” He rolled from the bed and placed his back to the bedroom door just as Poppy came running in. Her little arms pumped at her sides as she flew onto the bed.
My arms wrapped around her and I hugged the second love of my life to me. Rogan came into my line of sight wearing his navy work pants and nothing else. It wasn’t my fault if my eyes narrowed as I admired the man I loved, the first love of my life. He wore a cocky grin on his handsome face because he knew exactly what I was thinking. He was hot. He had no shame either.
Rogan slipped his T-shirt over his head and tugged it down his flat stomach before he lifted his gaze and gave me a dazzling smile. He shook his head and tossed my rob onto the bed.
“Poppy, let’s go and get you some juice while Aunt Fallon gets dressed.”
Poppy was off the bed and into Rogan’s arms before I could blink or comment that he’d be late. He winked going out of the door. I wanted to roll over and go back to sleep but that wasn’t in the cards today. I’d promised Poppy a trip to the museum followed by lunch and ice cream. I knew she hadn’t forgotten about our plans. The child had a better memory than me.
It didn’t take me long to quickly shower and dress, and as I walked down the hallway in our apartment, I heard Poppy ask, “Why can’t I watch them from the window?”
“Because it’s not right to spy on people.”
“But that’s not fair. I’m not spying on people. I just want to spy on that boy and his puppy.”
Laughter burst from my lips.
“Just like your mother.”
“I was about to say, like her father.”
Rogan rolled his eyes and dashed over to me. “I really have to go.” He quickly kissed me. “I love you.” He kissed me again and then kissed Poppy on the top of her head. “I love you too, squirt.” He shot out the door.
“Aunt Fallon?” Poppy asked in a way that I knew something cheeky was about to pop out of her mouth.
“Yes, honey.”
“Can we surprise Uncle Rogan at work today? I’ve never seen a fire truck real close.”
I hadn’t expected that. “Well, Rogan has a meeting first. So why don’t we do what we had planned and if you still have energy left, then I’ll take you to his office. I’ll need to check with him first, though. We don’t want to turn up and him not be there.”
“He might be at a fire?”
“Yes.”
“Do you like him being a firefighter?”
“Hmm, well I much prefer the job he has now. He goes into buildings when the fire is out to investigate how they started.”
“That sounds cool. I want to do that when I grow up.”
“You do, huh? So you don’t want to be a cop like your daddy?”
She shook her head so hard her blond curls whipped around her face. “No. I don’t like guns. Daddy has to wear one for his job. Mommy said Daddy is good at his job and not to worry. I know Mommy worries.”
I was surprised that Julia hadn’t been able to hide her worry from Poppy. Then again, it would be a miracle to hide anything from such an inquisitive child.
“So you want to be a fire investigator, huh? I’m sure Uncle Rogan will absolutely love to tell your daddy.” I grinned behind my cup of coffee. Rogan would love that so much. He and his friends still acted like kids when they got together, and I knew Rogan, and there was no way he’d be able to stay quiet.
“Auntie Fallon, will you read me one of your books before we go out.” Poppy grinned.
It made my heart full to know she loved my books. It was because of her that I created them. I don’t do the illustrations because I have no talent with pencils, but I do write them. The series is called Poppy’s Adventures with Peanut and Butter. My goddaughter inspired them, and so did her puppies, which drove Leon up the wall. They loved his shoes.
“Which one should I read you?”
“Um…” She placed her elbows on the kitchen table and rested her chin in her hands while her brows drew togeth
er in a thinking frown.
She was so cute and made my heart beat just that bit quicker at my love for her. I had good days when it didn’t bother me that I could never have children, then there would be bad days when I craved to hold Rogan’s baby in my arms. Rogan understood and did everything to make me believe he was happy with how things were. He was convincing and I believed him. It didn’t make things easier on my own heart, though, especially when I watched Poppy.
“I still can’t decide.” She grinned. “We could read all of them.”
I chuckled and sipped my coffee. “I think we should read Poppy’s Adventures with Peanut and Butter into the Wilderness.”
“I don’t remember that one.”
I had a surprise for her. “Well, it isn’t published yet.”
Her eyes widened in surprise and she bounced in her chair. The next moment she ran into my arms and I wrapped her tightly in a hug. “It’s sitting on my desk and is wrapped in pretty pink paper with a large bow. Do you want to go and get it?”
She was out of my arms like lightning, and the phone started to ring throughout the apartment.
Growing up, my mother always said, “Things happen for a reason,” however, I would never be able to fathom the reasoning behind such a loss of life.
Rogan
I should have told Fallon about this morning. I’d let her believe I had to get to a meeting but the truth was, I’d been ordered to be in the town’s charity calendar. I hated it and really hadn’t wanted to do it, so my boss had put me on the spot. So here I was in my navy blue pants and T-shirt while the others here had no trouble taking their shirts off. Not me. If they wanted me in it, then they’d have to take me as I was. I’d go ballistic if Fallon did anything like this, which is why I hadn’t told her. With a bit of luck she wouldn’t find out. She would. I’d end up confessing. I had a problem with keeping my mouth shut were Fallon was concerned.
“Hey, Scott! Get your butt over here.” Seddon, also a fire investigator, tossed his shirt on his way over to me. “You didn’t get laid last night, huh?”
“What the fuck?”
“With the look on your face, I’d say maybe a month or two.”
“Not that it’s any of your business,” I said, my voice laced with anger, “I make love to my wife every day! I’m pissed because I have better things I could be doing instead of this.”
“Jeez, ease up. I’m sorry, okay? Truth is I’m nervous. I’ve never done anything like this before. My sister thought it would be a laugh, but then I met my girlfriend and I’m not laughing. Neither will she be when she sees it. Oh, and she will see it because she works out of the main office.”
My lips twitched. “If it helps, I haven’t told my wife either.” I sighed and watched as a big black SUV pulled into the garage. “I haven’t decided whether she’d tease the fuck out of me for being chosen, or be pissed.” I chuckled. “I think I’m more scared of the teasing than her being pissed.”
“How long have you been together?”
“Eight years.”
He blinked. “High school sweethearts?”
“Yeah, you could say that.”
“She’s a looker.” He nodded toward the SUV where the calendar crew exited.
I followed his gaze with my arms crossed in front of my chest. The woman looked familiar but I couldn’t place her. She looked around and met my gaze, and my heart dropped to my damn feet. Amber Sinclair—the girl I took to prom and dumped on poor Chase.
Well shit!
Amber greeted a few of the other firefighters and then slowly made her way over to where I stood with John Seddon.
“You know her?” he asked from the corner of his mouth.
“Unfortunately.”
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Rogan Scott.” Amber tilted her head and licked her lips. Her eyes trailed over me and made my skin crawl. I hid my grin when she spotted the wedding band on my finger.
“You’re married?”
“Three years.”
I had to keep my cool because the woman in front of me could blow everything out into the open. She knew Fallon and me, and she’d been angry for a long time after the debacle of prom. Of course she had a different memory of prom than I did. Prom had been the first time I’d truly made love to Fallon. The memory of that special night hadn’t left me.
“How do you two know each other?” Seddon asked, looking between us. I also hadn’t missed the others watching closely.
Men were worse than women for gossiping.
I winced as I thought about having to explain all of this to Fallon. I could only hope she’d see the humor in it all. She’d probably say it served me right for not telling her about the calendar in the first place.
“High school,” Amber said after a moment of silence. “He left me high and dry at prom.”
“Fuck, Amber!” I cursed, not expecting her to blurt something like that out. Why would she want people to know she was dumped at prom?
“Now, Rogan, you know it’s true.” She rolled her eyes and stared at Seddon. “Can you believe he left me, with his gay friend while he went off with his sister?” She smirked while I was about to knock her off the pedestal she sat on.
“Um…” Seddon stumbled over his words. “Knowing Scott, there was probably a good reason for him leaving a babe like you.”
Amber rolled her eyes and glanced back to my wedding band. “Anyone I know?”
Now was the time to put an end to this discussion with Amber. We all had other places to be, and I had no wish to “catch up” with the woman.
“Don’t you have a job to do?” I raised a brow.
“You’re not going to get rid of me that easily. We’ll get drinks later.” She turned her back and I clenched my fists.
“Amber,” I growled.
She paused and turned her head.
“No, we won’t. I’m married, and if I wasn’t, I still wouldn’t want to do drinks.”
Her blush worked up her neck to her face and I felt bad for being so vocal in front of the others. My only excuse was that I wasn’t about to allow her to walk all over me with her requests. I had no wish to see her again.
“Scott?” Captain Reine shouted, he found me amongst the bodies, and lowered his voice, “Your wife is here.” He looked behind him and said, “I think there’s something wrong.”
In the next moment, I caught sight of Fallon behind him and I turned cold. Tears ran down her face and from her ragged look I’d say they’d been falling for some time.
Hearing, “Fallon?” whispered by Amber, “She’s not his wife,” my feet started moving toward my woman.
Fallon gasped and ran straight into me, her arms went around my neck and she held on sobbing into my shoulder. I tightened my arms around her waist. A burning sensation hit behind my eyes and I fought to hold my tears back. I had no idea why she was so upset, but it had to be bad for her to show up like this.
“You need to tell me what’s wrong?” I begged. “Where’s Poppy?”
“With Marion.” Marion Sutcliffe was our neighbor who looked after her granddaughters during the day. Poppy knew and liked to paint pictures with the twin girls.
So nothing was wrong with Poppy. I wanted to give Fallon time to calm down and talk to me but frustration welled in my belly, and fear.
“She is his wife. I’ve met her a few times.” I clenched my jaw at Seddon arguing with Amber.
“She’s his sister, not his wife, you idiot. I’ve known them forever.”
Fucking hell!
Reaching up, I cupped Fallon’s face between my palms and held her gaze. “Tell me, please, Fallon. You’re killing me.”
“Leon and Julia, they’re gone.” Fallon broke down into fresh sobs as I heard her words but I couldn’t comprehend what she actually said. No way can they be gone. I only spoke to Leon last night.
“No, they’re not,” I whispered brokenly. “They can’t be.”
My body went numb as I held Fallon while she clung to me, how
ever the voice behind me wouldn’t shut the fuck up.
I snapped, and gently untangled myself from Fallon but kept her against me. “Amber,” I hissed, “shut the fuck up! Get over yourself. High school was seven years ago. So what if I dumped you with my gay friend at prom. You had nothing I ever wanted. As for Fallon, we are not related. She’s my wife!”
“What is going on in my station?” Captain Reine appeared.
Breathing heavily, I tried to control my own pain, but as tears burned in my eye sockets, I knew it was a battle I would lose. “Our best friends are…gone.” I couldn’t even say the word properly. “I don’t know how to tell their four-year-old daughter who is waiting for us back at the apartment with our neighbor.”
I turned to Fallon. “We need to get Poppy.”
Captain Reine offered, “I’ll drive you both. It isn’t up for discussion.”
He gave orders to the others and then I was huddled in the back of his SUV with a broken Fallon in my arms. I wasn’t just hurting on the inside because of Leon’s death. I was hurting because I couldn’t make it right for Fallon.
“I’ll contact your boss and let him know you’re taking personal time and why.” Captain Reine glanced at Fallon and back to me. “Amber?”
“Amber”—I sighed and rested my head back on the seat—“was a pain in my ass in high school. She was jealous of the time I spent with Fallon.” I met his gaze through the rearview mirror. “My father married Fallon’s mother. That’s the family relationship. We didn’t ask to fall in love with each other, but we did. Amber hated coming second.”
He nodded. “I understand.” He glanced away. “I understand more than you know.”
I frowned at his weird comment. He offered me a wry smile. “My wife is twenty-one years my junior. She’s only ever looked at me. I love her. Age, family, nothing kept us apart in the end, although I did try to do the right thing. Didn’t work. I only hurt us both.”
“Yeah, I did that when I was in college. I’ve hated myself for that.”