“How can you even bear to hold me? I'm hideous. Why didn't you tell me my scars looked like this?”
“Because I love you, Sasha, and your scars don't bother me…I love them. They tell me where you've been, the hell you've been through, the sacrifices you made for our daughter, to keep her safe. Baby, you singlehandedly brought down the biggest threat to vampires the world has ever known. You are celebrated, revered, and the stragglers that are left worship you as one of the baddest witches to ever grace this earth. I look at it all and think, great, he's gone, but at what cost to you? I know I didn't always make the best decisions for you, and for us, and I wish I could take it all back, Sasha, and start over. God, I wish I could start over. I would’ve never left you with him. Never. I thought it was for the best. I was scared and confused; I just couldn't bear you turning out like him or me. But, instead of saving you, I put you in danger. I trusted all the wrong people. I fucked up, cupcake, and I'll never forgive myself.” He took a slow breath in and continued. “I want you to know I have plans, baby, I do. I’m going to open a battered women's shelter in Chicago as soon as we can go back. My name has been cleared of killing Billy; they found his body outside of the compound with Claudio. If the shelter goes well, I have plans to open more. I don't want the money anymore. I just want to give it all away. You inspired me, cupcake. Taking care of your mom, giving yourself away, sacrificing your dreams for the dreams of others. I want to give these women a fresh start in life. I want to give you a fresh start in life. I'm going to turn everything around, you'll see.” He pressed another kiss to her skin, the scar begging for his tongue to trace it. Before he could stop himself, his tongue glided out to trace the scar and she gasped.
“Jeremy, do you really mean all of that?” Her voice was breathy and soft.
“Baby, I do. I’ve never meant anything more.” He pulled her in tighter and kissed her neck again.
“Don't.”
“Why? I love you.”
“I'm ugly, Jeremy.”
“You've never been ugly, Sasha.” He pulled her in tighter to his body.
“There is nothing beautiful left of me!”
“You’re exquisite.”
“No, Jeremy.”
He gently shifted her so she faced him and he cupped her face delicately between his big palms. “Look at me. I love you. Show me the ugly under your beautiful, Sasha. Show me every piece of your soul that hurts. Give me a million reasons to never love you and I'll give you a million and one why I’ll never stop.” He touched his lips gently to her forehead and whispered through the emotion that clogged his throat, “Let me love you, cupcake. Please.”
“What if there's nothing but ugly left?” Her dark eyes met his and the agony he saw there was enough to gut him.
He leaned forward and kissed her mouth tenderly, the first kiss they'd shared in what seemed like a lifetime. He tasted their tears against his tongue and he put every ounce of love he ever had into his mouth caressing hers. As he pulled back, he whispered raggedly, “It's impossible, because when I look at you, all I see is the mother of my daughter – the woman I love – and she's the most beautiful woman I've ever known.”
She sobbed harder and he kissed each tear as it ran down her cheeks. Her arms came around his neck and he held on as she cried. “Jeremy?”
“Yes, cupcake?” His heart thundered in his chest.
“Would you please love me?” Her face pressed into the soft fabric of his shirt and he swallowed nervously.
“Baby, I don't know if we should.”
Her head came back, her eyes glassy and wild. “You said for me to show you my ugly. Then I will.” Her body moved awkwardly as she got up on her knees and grabbed the hem of her blood-speckled cotton nightgown. “Here’s every inch of it,” she whispered as she peeled it over her head. She stayed on her knees in the center of the bed, her chest heaving with emotion.
He reached a hand out slowly and traced his thumb over one of her skin grafts by her hip. The texture was rough and she bit her bottom lip and closed her eyes. “Look at me, cupcake,” he whispered gruffly. Her eyes opened and found his and she gasped at the raw emotion she saw there. “Let me love you.”
“Please,” she begged.
He pulled her into his arms and his mouth found hers. He kissed her until they both saw stars, his mouth pleading, loving, and treasuring hers. She lay half on top of him and it gave him access to her back. He took total advantage, gliding his palms over her tender skin, worshiping every inch of her with his fingertips. She gasped and shivered against him, her nipples tightening into taut buds. Slowly, he broke the kiss and whispered against her neck. “You've never been more beautiful to me than you are right now, Sasha. Never.”
She gasped in pleasure as he nibbled down her neck, rolled her to her back and came over her, peeling his shirt off. Her palms went to his skin and she cried at his beauty. “I don't deserve you.”
He caught her lush nipple in his mouth and suckled, gently, before whispering, “No, cupcake, it is I who doesn't deserve you.” He pressed slow kisses down her skin, laving and tasting each scar. “I'll never stop thanking everything that is good in the world for giving me you. I’m so very sorry for fucking it up so many times.”
She plucked at his belt loops on his worn denim jeans. “Please take these off and stop talking. I need you to make me feel again. Please.” He eased off the bed and undid the button before sliding the zipper down, his eyes never leaving hers. As he crawled back on the bed, she reached for him, her fingers gripping his broad shoulders. She opened her legs wide and he lay between them, his cock pressing against the delicate flesh of her thigh.
“Are you sure this is what you want, cupcake? I had full intentions of loving you for hours until you couldn't breathe.” He ran kisses up and down her neck and she quivered beneath him, her skin electric under his ministrations.
“Jeremy, please. Make me feel alive.” He moved slowly, sliding deep into her hot pussy. She hissed and arched her back off the bed, and he caught her nipple in his mouth. She tangled her fingers in his shaggy dark hair and held him to her breast. He ravaged her with his mouth, laving and sucking as he slowly moved deep inside her. She wrapped her legs around his hips and held on as he took her. He celebrated her body, stroking her to indescribable heights, before reaching between them and flicking his thumb against her clit. She exploded around him and he kissed her mouth, silencing her scream. He rolled to his back, pulling her with him. His hand tangled in her satiny hair and he pulled her mouth down to his as his other hand gripped her hip, guiding her.
Sasha tightened around him again, her thighs quivering in ecstasy, and he lost control, grabbing her hips with both hands before exploding deep inside her. She fell forward onto his chest and took a few shuddering breaths. “Jeremy…”
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Yeah, cupcake?”
“I love you.”
“No more than I love you.” He stroked her face and watched her lids slide shut. He pressed a kiss to her cheek and slid out of the bed before pulling a blanket over her. He got dressed quickly and cleaned up the bathroom, then went downstairs to check on Onyx. She was happily in her highchair, eating Cheerios and applesauce.
Helen looked up with a small smile. “Everything okay?”
He nodded. “It's gonna be. Baby steps, you know?”
Helen nodded. “You know, you really don't need me anymore. She's not on an IV and she's getting up and around. I'm just wasting your money.”
He leaned back against the tile counter and shrugged. “You’re good with Onyx.”
She spooned another bit of applesauce into the baby's mouth. “Yes, but I think it's time for the three of you to have a go at being a family on your own. You don't need me.”
He sighed and raked a hand through his hair. “All right. I'll send you off with a severance package and excellent references.”
She smiled and stood up from the wooden chair in front of Onyx before handing him the bowl of applesauce. “
Sounds good to me. I'm going to start packing my things.”
“What?” he whispered, panicked. “You can't go yet.”
Helen nodded as she walked through the house. “Sure I can, honey. You can handle this.”
He woodenly sat down and fed his daughter, who garbled and grinned around the mouthful of food, getting most of it on her bib. “Onyx, I believe we've been dumped. What do you think?”
She grinned and more applesauce dripped down her face. She still came to him in her dreams from time to time, but it was a lot less frequent now, and a part of him was glad she was able to just be a little girl. Helen came back through the house, her suitcase packed, a half hour later. Jeremy realized he'd sat there daydreaming and Onyx had dozed off, her tiny fist full of Cheerios.
Helen pressed a kiss to Onyx's dark curls and stood with a wide smile. “You're going to do fine, you know that, right?”
Jeremy nodded. “I think I finally got through to Sasha.”
Helen's cheeks burned. “All the more reason you three need to be alone.”
He flushed. “Oh God! I'm so sorry. I forgot…”
She laughed. “I’ve heard much worse. I’m just glad to see her showing emotion. Goodbye, Jeremy. Here’s my number, so you can contact me about the severance package. Best of luck to you.”
His mouth gaped as she simply left. Onyx woke up with a jump as the door closed and the soggy Cheerios hit him in the face. He leaned back in the chair and laughed, feeling as though the weight of the world was off his shoulders.
Six months later…
Sasha was back in her element, the kitchen of her restaurant, Onyx Parks. She’d come so far in the last six months, and she could last up to a few hours each night doing what she really loved, cooking. Business was booming and their lives had finally come full circle. Jeremy had surprised her with a house in the suburbs of Chicago and they made their lives there. She was happy and close to her mother and her sisters, all of whom were regular fixtures in their home.
Jeremy had sold off most of his companies, finally settling on opening up the battered women's shelter on the south side of the city, where he was completely hands-on, donating tons of time and money to helping women get out of bad situations. They’d turned a large old apartment complex into a full-service place, with therapists and a small clinic on-site. It was simply named, The Cupcake House: A Home for Battered Women.
It was his passion and he rejoiced in watching women from all walks of life succeed. Old friends told him he was crazy, giving away his time and money, but, for him, it was giving back to the universe, one that had so kindly given to him the two most beautiful spirits he could imagine.
They were happy with the way their lives were now. Marriage wasn't on the schedule; they just were glad to be together, and were as married as any other couple. They just didn't need a piece of paper to make it official.
Jeremy watched the love of his life ordering her kitchen around with ease and he smiled. Onyx was toddling through the dining room, charming people with her electric smile and beautiful eyes. He kept half an eye on her and ran over quickly before she snagged a customer's chocolate cake. “No way, Onyx, baby. No stealing cake!”
She grinned beautifully and her green eyes lit up. “Cake, daddy!”
“Let's get you some cake, beautiful.” He smiled at the customer. “I'm sorry. She likes cake!”
The older woman smiled. “It's all right, can you give my compliments to the chef on the menu? It's delicious.”
He nodded. “I will.” He cuddled his girl in his arms and tickled her neck with the stubble on his chin. She squealed and giggled.
He looked into the kitchen again and saw Sasha starting to wear out. Her hands were shaking and her eyes were tight. He caught David's eye, who gently nudged her away from the plate she was making. “Go get some rest, babe. It's time to stop.”
She sighed, but nodded, unbuttoning the top button of her chef's jacket and fanning her face. She looked up and saw Jeremy; her face lit up and her mouth tipped up at the good corner. Onyx spotted her and held her arms out, chanting, “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!”
Sasha came out of the kitchen and took her girl into her arms. Onyx touched her cheeks and puckered her mouth for a kiss. She obliged her daughter and kissed her with a loud smack.
“You ready to go home, cupcake?” Jeremy asked, tucking a stray curl behind her ear.
“Yeah, Jeremy, I am.”
“Cake?” Onyx clapped her pudgy hands happily and they both laughed as they walked out of the restaurant into the early dusk of evening. He led them to their car and they drove to the small house they called home. As he pulled up in front of the cozy bungalow, painted a ridiculous flamingo pink, he couldn't help but smile. He'd never forget Sasha demanding that color and him giving in. Their house was the only one on the block that shade but it made her happy, and he didn't care what anyone else thought.
Onyx had dozed off in the back seat, her thumb securely tucked between her full lips. Jeremy gently pulled her from her car seat and followed the love of his life up the sidewalk to the door. Sasha slipped her key into the lock and they stepped into to the warm interior.
He'd at least had a say in the design inside; it was filled with warm wood floors and comfortable and washable furniture. Sasha touched his arm and he paused, letting her brush her mouth over Onyx's forehead with a soft smile. “Are you putting her to bed?”
He nodded, gently touching Sasha's chin and bringing her close for a smoldering kiss. His eyes held the promise of their future as he took his daughter to her room and put her into her white crib. He looked at the pictures hung on her walls, pictures of a happy family, and smiled as he turned her music box on for the night. They'd missed out on so much time, but he'd do everything he could to make up for it the rest of his life. Moving quietly, he kissed his daughter again and slipped out of her room, closing the door behind him. Sasha was moving around in the bathroom, taking off her redolent clothing from the restaurant and starting the shower. A smile flitted across his face as he turned the knob of the bathroom door and slipped inside.
She was in the shower and his eyes devoured the glimpse of her form through the clear shower curtain. He watched hungrily as she soaped her hair, the floral essence he'd always associate with her tickling his nose. He stripped quickly, his cock standing at attention for her already. She'd always had that effect on him.
“Mind if I join you, cupcake?” he murmured, sliding the curtain back. She turned, her slick body making him groan in pleasure, and she smiled softly, her mouth forever only tipping up on one side.
“I'd love that.”
He stepped into the warm spray and caught her hips with his hands, bringing her in tight to him. His cock pressed between them, a promise of what he needed and wanted. His mouth found hers and he claimed her lips slowly and gently, letting her set the pace, as always. Their lovemaking had changed since the abuse, but as long as she was in control, she enjoyed herself. He couldn't care less if they never made love again. As long as he held her every night before he went to sleep and woke up with her in his arms every morning, he was content.
She surprised him when her long fingers wrapped around his shaft and slowly moved up and down the length. “Sasha?” he whispered tremulously, fighting for control.
“Yes, Jeremy?” Her hand released him and she stroked his biceps with a small smile. He wore a cupcake tattoo there, something she hadn't been crazy about when he got it, but she appreciated the gesture.
“I love you, cupcake.”
She kissed his neck slowly, the flicker of her tongue against his jugular more than he could take. “I love you more…more than you'll ever know.”
He stepped back quickly, grabbing a bar of soap. “May I?” he inquired softly, lathering the soap between his hands.
She bit her lip, but nodded. He slowly washed her, his hands skimming her puckered flesh, worshiping every inch of her skin. Her gasps of pleasure spurred him on as he stroked her breasts and
full ass. He pulled the shower head down and rinsed her slowly, watching the soap sluice off her beautiful body. She took the soap from him and washed him in return, her soft hands sliding over his taut muscles.
He groaned as she stroked him again. “Sweetheart, please.” Her mouth tipped up again, a ghost of a smile, and he caught her face in his palms. “Let me love you.”
“Always,” she whispered softly, her dark eyes filling with tears as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He hastily turned the water off and climbed out of the shower in one fluid motion, drying them both before pulling Sasha into his arms. He opened the bathroom door and carried her down the hall, laying her on their huge four poster bed. Her warm and willing body opened for him.
He crawled on the bed beside her and she slid her arm behind his neck. “Come here,” she whispered softly, and his heart thudded in his chest.
“Baby, don't you want to be on top?”
“No, I want you to make love to me, Jeremy. Make me feel alive.”
He groaned and eased up on all fours beside her, his hands sliding over her damp flesh. Her nipples tightened at his touch and he laved them with his tongue, whirling the flesh between his lips. She cried out softly and reached between them to stroke his cock again, dampening the head with the bead of his pre-cum. He kissed slowly down her quivering stomach and planted a kiss against her pussy, slipping his tongue into her and rejoicing in the cry of pleasure he evoked from her throat.
She wriggled under him and he caught her hips, delving his tongue between her folds and suckling her heated clit. Her hands grabbed at the damp sheets and then clawed at his shoulders, her breathy voice begging him not to stop. As he felt her thighs tighten, he withdrew his tongue and came between her thighs, sliding his cock deep inside her and rocking her to orgasm. She shuddered around him, digging her nails into his shoulders as she pulled him down for a kiss.
He held on as she milked his cock with her pleasure, delighting at the tempest Fate put in his arms. As she quieted sometime later in his arms, he kissed her forehead. She pushed him to his back and leaned over him.
Once Bitten, Twice Shy (Just a Little Taste Book 2) Page 15