by Imogen Wells
“We found the guy that attacked you after an anonymous tip off, but when we got there, he was dead. I think Jasper killed him, but not before getting him to confess everything on tape first, and then he tipped us off so you could get closure and justice for Alex’s death,” Ray explains.
“Oh my god,” I sob, reminded just how many people were hurt by Marcus. As everyone continues to talk around me, I remember something that hasn’t been answered yet when Tempest is mentioned. Without thought I blurt out, “Hang on a second, why was Vanessa at Tempest?” Everyone stops talking and turns to look at Vanessa, who has gone a delightful shade of red. Oh shit.
“Err… Well, I was just—” She stops as the door opens and Cam steps back into the room, and all attention turns to Jamison. I mouth an apology to her, realising she was there for the same reason I used to go to clubs. She offers a shy, if somewhat embarrassed, smile in return.
Conversation moves to lighter topics, and I begin to relax, even though my head feels thick with everything I’ve learnt. After an hour or so, people start to leave, but before Rick leaves, I hear Seb asking about Travis.
“I may have accidentally shot him in the arse after he got lucky and clocked me in the jaw before trying to run away.” We both laugh at that. Seb a little more so due to the fact Rick got caught out.
As I say goodbye to my dad, he hands me a letter, and I immediately recognise the writing on the front as my mum’s.
“She wanted me to give this to you if anything ever happened to her.”
My eyes begin to well with tears, but I hold them back needing to ask a question. “Why did you go last night if you knew?”
My dad looks at me intently before he answers, “Marcus made it impossible for us not to, Jamie. He threatened to kill you if we didn’t come, and your mum refused to put you at risk. Unfortunately, my message to Rick didn’t reach him before you were already arriving.” Dad points to the letter in my hand. “I’m sure that will answer any other questions, but if it doesn’t, then you know where I am. I love you, baby girl. I’ll see you soon.”
Seb sees my dad out, and I catch the tail end of my dad telling Seb to take care of me as I enter the foyer. Seb closes the door, resting his head against it for a second before turning round, surprised to see me there.
“You okay?” he asks.
“Yeah, I’m good, but I think I might go and have a lie down, if that’s okay?”
“You don’t need to ask, Jamie. Mi casa, su casa,” he says in the most awful Spanish accent that makes me laugh. And I guess that was the point because he smiles too. He wraps his arms around me, and I reach up giving him a deep kiss I hope reflects everything I can’t say right now, and then I head upstairs.
I leave my mum’s letter on the bedside table unable to deal with it just now. I have no idea how I feel about everything I heard today, but Margaret was one hundred percent right about needing to hear the things we least want to.
Forty-Six
Seb
I check in on Jamie throughout the evening, but she’s sleeping soundly. I know she didn’t sleep well last night, so I leave her be. I notice the letter from her mum, unopened, on the bedside table, and I worry about what impact it will have on her when she finally opens it.
She might not admit it, but I know she’s quietly blaming herself, and I hope to god that whatever Louise has written will alleviate any guilt she has over what happened.
Crying wakes me in the night, and it takes me a second to realise it’s Jamie. I reach out to her, pulling her close and hold her until her sobs lessen and she falls quiet. I think she’s asleep, but then her voice breaks the silence.
“I love you.” I’m about to tell her I love her too, but she carries on. “I realised that I never got to tell her that before she— Anyway, I needed you to know, that’s all.”
“I know you do, and I love you, Firefly. Just like your mum knew too.” She spins in my arms, reaching out a hand and rubbing it over my scruff covered jaw.
“I hope so,” her voice breaks a little, but when she speaks again, it’s stronger. “Will you be with me when I read mum’s letter?”
“If that’s what you want, then consider it done,” I tell her, kissing the tip of her nose. When I go to pull away, she grabs my neck, pulling me back down and kissing me.
I let her have control because no matter how much I want her, she’s just lost her mum. When she breaks the kiss, I’m expecting her to turn back over and sleep, but she doesn’t. Instead, she sits up and removes my t-shirt she put on before falling asleep earlier.
Turning back to me, I watch as her eyes run down the length of my torso before she does the same with her hand, scraping her nails along my skin. She slips her hand beneath the waistband of my boxers, and as her hand brushes against my cock, I can’t help the groan that slips free.
Using both hands, she begins yanking at my boxers, and I raise my hips, letting her slip them down my legs and off. She straddles me and trails her hands up my legs, followed by her tongue, and her hot breath has goosebumps erupting all over me. My cock throbs the closer she gets, and when her tongue swipes out, licking all the way up my shaft, my fists clench the bed sheet.
She does it again, but this time when she reaches the top, she slides her mouth down over my cock, tightening her lips around me and flicking her tongue over the underside as she draws her lips back up.
“Fucking hell, Jamie,” I gasp, but I don’t have time for more words as she slides back down, the head of my cock hitting the back of her throat, and I grab the back of her head, holding her there while my cock pulses in her mouth. She lets out a growl that vibrates all the way along my shaft, and unable to take anymore and afraid I’ll blow my load, I pull her back up, and she lets me go with a pop.
Her lips curl back in a devilish grin as I look down at her, and with my hand still in her hair, she crawls up my body, licking a path of fire over my skin with her tongue. She nips my chin, my bottom lip, before taking my lips like a woman starved.
I reach a hand between us as Jamie raises her hips, and I run my cock up and down her slit, coating it in her juices before slipping inside her. Her heat wraps around me, squeezing my dick as she begins to ride me, and as her back arches, she grinds down on me, and I run my hands up her torso, skating over her taut abdomen to her breasts, cupping them and rolling her nipples between my forefingers and thumbs, causing her to groan.
“That’s it, Firefly, ride my cock,” I growl out as I begin to thrust up, bottoming out as I meet each of hers. “Ahh…fuck!”
“Oh…oh…I’m gonna come, Seb. Fuck,” she screams, and her walls clench tighter around me, pulsing as she climaxes. I flip us over, and with a tight grip on her ankles, I hold her legs up in the air as I pump in and out of her, chasing my own release.
My balls tighten, and as she falls over the edge for the second time, I come apart, exploding inside her and coating her walls in my cum. I release her legs and drop down over her, breathing heavily.
“Shit. I think you might be trying to kill me.”
Hands grab my face, lifting it up to look into forest green eyes that flash brightly with desire.
“I’d have to be crazy to kill you. I’m never giving you up because I fucking love you, Sebastian Roberts.”
My heart jumps at her words, and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing them. “That’s because I have a magic dick,” I joke, and she slaps my cheek lightly. “All joking aside, you’re it for me, Jamie. I never thought I’d fall in love, never thought I wanted to, but the weekend we met changed everything. And now, I’m so fucking in love with you it hurts. It’s a good hurt, Jamie. I love you with my every breath, every beat of my heart, and there isn’t anyone in this world that I would let take you from me.”
“Aww, who knew you were such a romantic,” she mocks.
“Hey, I’m pouring my heart out, with my dick still inside you, might I add, and you’re taking the piss. Maybe you need reminding again why you’ll never giv
e me up,” I say with a raised eyebrow and a small twist of my hips, and her eyes widen when she feels my dick growing again.
She captures my lips, biting and licking before pulling back. “Show me everything you got, Seb,” she challenges.
Epilogue
Jamie
Two weeks later
A week ago, I said goodbye to my oldest friend, and it hurt like hell.
Two days ago, I said goodbye to the most important, and inspirational woman in my life, my mum.
I thought I knew pain before, but I was wrong. A spear to the heart would have hurt less than seeing my mum’s coffin being carried into the church. Knowing I’ll never hear her laugh again, see her smile, or feel her arms comfort me in the way only a mother can, has ripped me wide open.
And now, here I stand, holding the last and final thing she will ever give to me. I’ve been so afraid to open it. Afraid of what it will say.
The weeks leading up to her death, were spent with me barely even speaking to her, and I have no way to tell her how sorry I am. How wrong I was about her, and how much I love her.
A few days after she died, Dad came to see me and explained that the affair had all been a lie. She never cheated on my dad. Marcus was blackmailing her in attempt to ruin him and steal my mum away from him. I felt so sick because I had accused her of doing what Josh did to me, when really, she was trying to protect us all.
Died protecting us.
Dropping down onto the bed, I look at my name written across the front in my mum’s beautiful handwriting, and I swear she’s here with me, urging me to open it and promising it will all be okay.
With one final deep breath, I turn it over, ripping it open and pausing for a second before pulling the paper inside free.
My dearest Jamie,
I’m afraid that if you’re reading this, then I’m no longer with you and have fulfilled the promise I made the day you were born. A promise to keep you safe no matter what and is one I believe every mother makes when they hold their baby for the very first time.
It is a promise you yourself will make when you and Seb have those many babies destined for you too.
Don’t screw your face up, Missy. It’s going to happen, trust me.
I laugh through my tears at the fact she knew exactly what face I would pull. I swipe at my wet cheeks before continuing.
He’s a keeper, Jamie. Make sure you hold onto him and love him with everything you’ve got because he deserves it just like you do.
I’m not going to lie and say I’m not sad I’ll never get to see you walk down the aisle or meet my grandchildren, but I would do it all again in a heartbeat.
But I do need you to promise me something, don’t blame yourself, Jamie, because none of this was your fault, and there’s nothing you could have done to change what happened. I know things were strained between us, but you must know that I was never cross with you, never hated you for being so angry with me, if anything, I love you even more for standing by your morals, for being exactly who your dad and I raised you to be. I couldn’t be prouder or love you anymore for being the beautiful, strong woman you’ve become, and I know you’ll continue to make us proud every day.
Don’t be sad, sweetie. I know I’m not there, but I’ll always be in your heart. I’ll be watching over you and your dad and loving you from above.
All my love
Mum XX
Dropping the letter to the bed, I hold my head in my hands and sob. I sob for my loss, and I sob in relief. I didn’t realise how much I needed to read those words. For the past two weeks, I’ve done nothing but worry that my mum died thinking her only daughter hated her, that I didn’t love her. But that’s not true, she knew. Slowly, as my sobs ebb away, someone drops down on the floor in front of me, gripping my wrists.
“Jamie, why didn’t you call me?” he whispers.
I sniff, trying to wipe my eyes while Seb still holds onto my wrists. When I raise my head, he’s on his knees in front of me. “I…I don’t know because…I’m stubborn,” I stutter out through hitched breaths, but smiling at him.
Seb shakes his head with a small smile kicking up the side of his mouth. “Ain’t going to argue with you about that.”
I twist my hands so that I’m mirroring his hold on my wrists. “Not if you know what’s good for you,” I say with smirk.
“I know what’s good for me, you riding my dick all night long,” he teases before leaning in and kissing me. Just as our lips meet the doorbell rings, and Seb groans as I break the kiss.
“Hold that thought,” I say on a laugh as we both get up. I head out of the door first, Seb trailing behind me, and I know he’s adjusting the erection he’s now sporting.
Rick is standing in the foyer as we reach the top of the stairs with a serious look on his face. Seb jogs past me, meeting him first with that one-armed hug men do that they think makes them look less girly, and I’m chuckling by the time I reach the bottom.
No doubt my eyes are puffy and swollen, but I don’t care because despite everything, I’m feeling happy.
“Hey, Rick,” I say, greeting him with a kiss to his cheek.
“Hey. I’m sorry to intrude so late, but I need to talk to you. Both of you.”
Seb leads him through to the lounge, and once we get settled, we both look at him expectantly. Rick sits on the edge on the sofa, elbows on knees and body tense, and I have a feeling whatever he’s about to say isn’t going to be good.
“Come on, man, what’s going on,” Seb says, urging him to tell us.
“Jamie,” he says turning to me first. “You remember I once asked you if you’d consider joining Triple R?” I look at Seb as his eyes narrow on Rick, and I sense this could be a loaded question, but I nod. “How would you feel about that?”
“Seriously?” I blurt excitedly. “In what capacity? I mean, I’d love to, but I’m not sure what you think I can do to help.”
“Rick,” Seb warns, and I turn to look at him. His nostrils begin to flare, and somehow, I don’t think it’s leftover lust from moments ago. No, he’s pissed.
“Just hear me out, Seb. I just got a call from industry mogul Tobias Harris who has requested our help in locating and retrieving his daughter, Charlotte Harris, or better known as Lottie, in the social media circuit.”
“What do you mean retrieving?”
“Yesterday morning, her and her bodyguard were kidnapped. I don’t have all the details yet, but you get the picture. So, I was hoping that you’d like to join us as a medic. You’ll be kept out of the field as much as possible.” Seb growls, but Rick continues, “But you’ll be able to offer medical support and act as a mediator. Someone that girls in Charlotte’s situation will hopefully be able to trust and relate to.”
I consider his words for a moment, but I already know my answer. My problem is that Seb won’t like it, but I’ve never allowed anyone to dictate what I do with my life, and I’m not about to start now.
“Yes,” I tell Rick firmly. Then turning to Seb, I say, “Hey,” I wait for him to look at me before continuing, “I understand why you don’t like this idea, but I want to help. I don’t need your permission to do this, but I’d really like it if you agree.”
“Fuck’s sake,” he curses, hanging his head. When he looks back up, I see the gold flecks that I love so much flashing in his eyes. “I would never tell you that you can’t do something, Jamie. If this is what you want, then let’s do it.” He smiles, it’s tight, and I know he’s not completely sold on the idea.
I hug him, and whisper in his ear, “I fucking love you, and I’m going to show how much just as soon as Rick leaves.”
I’ve never seen a man move so fast before. He tells Rick we’re in, to send him all the details, and then he ushers him out the door before Rick can even utter a word. As Seb closes the door on Rick, I hear him laughing as he walks away.
“Firefly, time for you to make good on your promise,” he says, stalking towards me.
“You’ll have to catc
h me first,” I say before spinning away up the stairs.
Thank you for reading!
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Acknowledgments
Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed Seb and Jamie’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
There are so many people to thank for making Reckless possible, but the biggest thank you must go to my amazing husband and children. Without their continuous faith and support none of this would be possible.
I need to say a special thank you to my Ride or Dies. You know who you are, and I’m thankful every day that you are in my life. Always there when I need a ridiculous question answered or the metaphorical ledge is too close.
Thank you to my fantastic Betas and Arc readers for taking the time to read. Your comments and advice are invaluable to me.
Special thanks to Wendy Saunders, who not only takes time out of her own busy schedule to format my books but is always at the end of the phone to offer advice, support and answer a barrage of questions.
Huge thanks to Lou at LJ Designs for another stunning cover and beautiful graphics. You truly are a special lady, and I can’t thank you enough for all that you do for me.
And lastly, but by no means least, thank you to all my readers, bloggers and bookstagrammers for your continued support.
About the Author
Imogen Wells is a dark romantic suspense author from the East of England, where she lives with her husband, three children and the family dog and cat.