Reclaimed

by Vicki Green

  Saige

  The weekend with Dax’s mom and sister was heavenly and just what I needed. Dax’s “taking care of me”, while appreciated, begins to get on my nerves. He’s sweet but really I’m more than capable of getting into his car by myself. I know he feels guilty for putting me in danger, and I know it would have killed him inside had I not lived. He means more to me now than he ever did. Now, I understand what he meant by having a vision and the overpowering need to find me. If I’d had the vision I did before knowing him, I would have done anything to find him as well. With the realization that I would have gladly died for him only strengthens my love for him.

  We came home to a house that once held a loving family. My dad’s bedroom remains untouched, but life goes on. I’ll be returning to work in a week, with short shifts to start. I feel ready to go back yet I still tire so easily. It’s frustrating.

  Another month has gone by and in that time, I’d made a big decision. It was hard but one that needed to happen. It was getting closer to Christmas, our first one together, and something snapped inside me. I needed to make a change so we could truly be together, not bound by our losses. We renovated Dad’s room, moving Dax’s bedroom furniture in there, painting the walls, and rearranging things. It made it feel more like ours. Cleaning out Bobby’s old room, which ended up being more like a storage area over time, we put Dad’s bedroom furniture in there, making it into a nice guest room. I’ve returned to regular twelve-hour shifts but I’m so tired afterwards I barely make it to our room, falling asleep in Dax’s arms quickly. I feel like I have no life and am beyond concerned. Brooke had moved home, not just two weeks ago, and is working in the ICU with me. She and Darby met and became fast friends. I swear, they are so much alike, I fear for the sanity of those around them sometimes.

  Another thing that has changed is sex – or lack thereof. It’s not Dax’s fault. He’s more than willing, to the point of severity. He doesn’t think I’ve noticed how hard he gets but doesn’t get the release that he needs, how he wants to be passionately aggressive, but then holds back, afraid he’ll hurt me. I want to punch him hard and then kiss the hell outta him, all at the same time. So tonight, I plan to change all that.

  I’d gone shopping with Brooke, and we got a mani/pedi, indulging myself. I had left a note for him to dress up, that we’re going out tonight. It’s been too long and technically, we’ve never really had an official date. He’d texted me, once he’d gotten home, and I could hear his chuckle through his words.

  Dax: We’re together all the time. Silly woman.

  So, as my feet were manicured and legs exfoliated, I replied, smiling.

  Me: It’s not the same. Even though you didn’t ask me out, I’m asking you. Will you go out with me on a date?

  I show his reply to Brooke and we both let out “awe’s” simultaneously.

  Dax: M’lady, I would follow you to the ends of the earth and beyond. ♥

  Sitting here with my toes and feet being tickled to death by a beautiful Asian woman, whom I nearly kicked – twice, I’m falling in love all over again. I went over to Brooke’s house to get ready, wanting to make a grand entrance. She’s living with her parents, which she says is a “hoot” but will be moving in with Darby in about a week. That should be interesting. Once ready, we put my plan in motion.

  Walking into our house, I find it quiet, the only sound coming from the shower in our bathroom. I arrived a little earlier than planned for our date, hoping to get everything set up. Smiling, I quickly take out my arsenal and get things placed exactly where I want them. As I work, I hear the soft sound of his voice, singing as he gets ready, sending chills throughout my body. Everything he does only reminds me how lucky I am, that fate or whatever magical powers that be, brought us together.

  By the time I’ve gotten everything ready, I wait in anxiousness, looking to make sure I’m satisfied with everything. My heart races and nerves build. I don’t know why, it’s not like this is the first time we’ve seen each other, or know every square inch of each other’s bodies. However, it is essentially our official first date. I’m being silly, I know, but I can’t stop the shaking of my hands. I look around a final time and when I look back up, he’s standing at the end of the hallway, his eyes wide yet darkened from their normal honey color to a dark brown, nearly black. I’d decided to recreate my vision, asking him to wear black slacks and a crisp white long sleeved shirt. His mouth is open as he scans my body. I’d found the perfect dress, black and form fitting and am wearing my long dangling diamond earrings, all that I’d envisioned before.

  “You look….” He doesn’t finish, filled with emotions, but there’s no need for I know how he feels by the way he’s looking at me with such lust, love, and reverence. He looks around the room, noticing the lit candles and flowers I’d laid out everywhere, the dim light and fragrant aroma changing the room into a den of seductiveness.

  He walks to me, more like glides, taking my hands in his. Warm. Soft. Sending shivers through me with the slightest touch. He’s more than handsome, my mysterious roughed bad-boy turned into a beautiful, magazine worthy man. I feel so underserving of this man’s love, so grateful that he found me, helped me to become strong and supported me when I needed it the most in my life. I reach up and cup his face, loving the feel of his light scruff, and the soft skin of his cheek. “It’s you,” I whisper, giving him a smile while tears of happiness streak down my face. He follows my gesture, cupping my face in his strong yet gentle hand.

  “It’s always been you,” he whispers back, love, and tenderness in his eyes.

  He looks over at the CD player that sits on the fireplace mantle, the soft sounds of music fills the air around us, the song “Sounds of Silence” that contains more than one meaning for me now, keeps my tears flowing readily. His arms move around me, pulling me closer to his sculpted body. We begin to sway, my heart beating faster as I look into his eyes. I move my hand slowly up his chest, his eyes closing as I unbutton his shirt. He rubs his nose against my cheek as I unfasten the last one, pulling his shirt open by the collar, just like in my vision. Wrapping my arm around him, I run my fingernails through his short hair, causing him to shiver.

  “I want you – need you, so badly,” I whisper as he kisses my throat.

  His mouth makes his way up to mine, leaving trails of light kisses and chills along the way. It only takes but a second when our needs become frantic, our tongues tasting each other’s, as our heads tilt back and forth and our hands move over each other’s bodies. Suddenly, he lifts me, the candles and music forgotten, and carries me to our bedroom. Our bedroom. He sets me down long enough to pull my dress over my head, finding me bare beneath. His mouth returns to mine, wanting, needy, as he pulls off his shirt. Lifting me again into his strong arms, he lays me on the bed, staring down my nakedness while he removes his pants. I smile when I see he’s commando, his cock already hardened. He strokes himself, once then twice, staring into my eyes. Wetness pools between my legs, aching for him to be inside me, filling me.

  “I need you,” I whisper.

  He walks to me, settling quickly between my spread legs. “I’ll always need you,” he whispers then his mouth captures mine as he pushes inside me. I gasp against his mouth, the feeling overwhelming. He begins to move, hitting me exactly where I need him, the place that causes spots to form, and what makes those tingles begin to flutter in my stomach. He’s too gentle, too caring, and I love him for that, but I need more. I need rough, uninhibited. My hips buck, matching his movements.

  Cupping his face, I arch my back as his hand kneads my breast, his fingers twisting the nipple, hard. “I….” My emotions are all over the place, my needs overbearing. “Please. Now’s not the time for gentleness. I need….” I grip his face harder, wrapping my legs around his slim waist and pushing against his firm bottom with my feet.

  He leans down, so close I can feel his breath against my skin, heating me more. “What do you need, my love? My Angel.”

  Moaning
, I push harder with my feet, my hips moving sporadically. “I need you. Harder. Faster. More….” I groan. I pull his mouth to mine. “I’m healed, Dax. I need rough. I need – you.”

  He kisses me hard, moving faster, harder, and I match his every move. Our bodies become one, covered in a light sweat, as we love each other fully, completely. My impending orgasm explodes throughout me as I dig my fingernails in the meat of his large biceps sure I’m drawing blood. My moan moves up my chest and throat, calling out his name in what I’m sure is the most intense orgasm I’ve ever felt. I watch his release through clouded eyes, his body trembling over mine, feeling his liquid spirt inside me in a rush. He looks like a Greek God, a statue of perfection.

  “Mia per sempre,” he moans loudly. Mine forever. “Mia Angela.” My Angel.

  He collapses beside me, his beautiful body still shuddering from his release. His arm wraps around my waist, his fingers moving up and down my side, sending continuing shivers in their wake. Turning my head, I smile, looking into his eyes. “I love you, so much. Thank you.”

  His brows lower in confusion. “For what, Angel?”

  Reaching over, I run the back of my hand down the light sheen of sweat on the side of his warm face. “For not being gentle. For not making me feel as if I’m broken any longer.”

  He leans up and kisses me, gently. Perfect and just what I need. We lay there for a long time, him running his hand over my body, down my stomach. Suddenly, he turns onto his side, resting his head on his hand and looking down at me, smiling. “I think we should get a puppy.” Wait! What?

  I laugh, loving his playfulness. “Where did that come from?”

  He smiles, showing those gorgeous straight white teeth as his brows raise. “What? I’ve always wanted a puppy.” He moves his arm around me, squeezing me tightly. “It’s something we can raise together and be ours.” Leaning over, he kisses me, gently at first then harder. When he pulls back, I feel his lips still tingling on mine.

  Reaching down, I take his hand and place it on my stomach, my brows raising high. “How about we raise a baby together and possibly get a puppy when he or she is a little older?”

  I’ve kept this secret for over a month, finding out it’s the reason for my extreme fatigue. I’d wanted to wait to tell him, wanting it to be the perfect setting. I’ve not shared this news with anyone else, knowing Brooke and Darby would spill, and wanting him to hear it first. I’ve been busting at the seams in anxiousness, wanting so badly to see the look on his face. The timing of our little one couldn’t be better as we start building our lives together.

  He leans up in surprise, his mouth open as he looks down at our hands over my stomach. “Really?” he whispers in awe. He moves his hand reverently over my tummy, and looks up at me with tears in his eyes. “A baby. Our baby.” His mouth comes crashing against mine, his fingers threading through my hair, tender, lovingly. Suddenly, he stops, looking down at me in concern. I knew this would happen. Expected it. I smile as I reach up and cup his face.

  “I won’t break and our baby is healthy, created by two strong people with love,” I whisper, running my thumb over his cheek.

  His mouth turns into a smile and I melt. “Who love each other with every fiber of their being, whose souls were meant to belong together as one. Sempre. Forever.”

  Once in my life, not so long ago, I found my world crumbling around me. It felt like the end of the world as I knew it. I lost my dad, the one person I had left, the one who loved me unconditionally, the one I thought I couldn’t live without. But the struggles I faced, watching him succumb to the dreaded illness of dementia, taught me that my love would never die when I lost him. That I could keep his memory alive, much like we always did for Mom and Bobby. It was one of the hardest things I’ve had to face in my young life but one that gave me determination to live life at its fullest.

  Then a savior came to me, finding out I’d come to him in a vision. He swept me off my feet, gave me strength when I needed it the most. He took care of me like a friend, a companion, and lover. He gave me what I needed most and will always need. His love. Now as we embark on our new life together, he gave me something else to cherish. Our baby.

  Life goes on, filled with heartache, determination, strength, and love. We will survive everything that’s thrown our way because we have each other and always will. Sempre. Forever.

  The End

  Or is it?

  Acknowledgements

  This is always one of the hardest things to write, always fearing I’ll leave someone out.

  Kathy – my amazing Editor. We’ve been together officially for three years and I couldn’t ask for a better Editor and friend. I’m so honored to have you in my life. Thank you for the many books you’ve edited, our wonderful chats, and the signing were finally able to meet in person. More to come! Love ya!

  Kari – I couldn’t possibly have the most beautiful and gorgeous covers for my books without your creative designs. I’m so glad I found you, almost three years ago, and that we connected so perfectly. Someday, I hope we’ll meet in person.

  Eric – my brother from another – something. It’s been my privilege having your pictures on the cover of Reclaimed as well as The Heartbreak with more in the future. You’ve become more than a friend, you’re family, like the brother I wished I always had. Thank you for that.

  Mari – my amazing formatter. Again, I think you for your wonderful creativity inside my books. I know we’ll be meeting soon, in person, and I can’t wait!

  My Street Team, Vicki’s Vixens – Thank you all for pre-reading for me, loving my stories, and promoting your hearts out for me. You’ll never know how much you all mean to me.

  My Readers – Thank you for reading Reclaimed. I hope this story has touched you in some way, given you a little hope, when you’ve felt there is none, and comforted you in any way. ♥

  Vicki’s Books

  Forever Series

  My Savior Forever

  Together Forever

  Soul-Mates Forever

  Razers Edge (sequel novella to Soul-Mates Forever)

  Stand Alone

  Finding My Way Home

  Touched Series

  Touched

  Forgiven

  Trusted

  Country Love Series

  Country Heaven

  A Taste Of Country

  Love Of Country

  Country Bliss (sequel novella to Country Heaven)

  Back to Country – Coming Soon!

  Beyond Love Series

  Sacrifice For Love

  Falling For Love

  Longing For Love

  Heartache Series

  The Loss

  The Regret

  The Heartbreak – Coming Soon!

  About the Author

  Best Selling Author of Romance and Romance Suspense, Vicki Green lives in Kansas with her husband and their two sons, as well as their three dogs that rule their house. She loves spending time with her family and furbabies.

  Look for more Romance books from Vicki as well as future projects such as Romantic Comedies.

  Website: http://www.vickigreenauthor.com/

  Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VickiGreenAuthor

  Twitter: @rileyks3

  Goodreads Author: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7112966.Vicki_Green

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  @vickigreenauthor