I moved toward her. “Just remember I’m with you. You don’t have to do anything alone, okay?”
“You’re mine, Jake.” She smiled. “I’m glad your name comes so easily to my tongue. I’ve always tried to think of you as Stryker so that I wouldn’t slip up. But you’re both, and you both belong to me.”
“Always.” I rested my forehead against hers. “Let’s go because I don’t want to be stuck here. I can’t drive.”
Her eyes widened. “I didn’t even think about that.” Our fingers intertwined. “We’ll have to sort that out, and soon.”
Evie
WHEN WE WALKED INTO the hospital, still hand-in-hand, my mother had pulled herself together and had taken charge of making sure my father was being taken care of properly. Part of that was after Carter had informed us that my father had made it to the hospital. He’d lost a lot of blood but he’d made it so far, and now he was in theatre.
My mother showed everyone what she was really made of before she crumpled and gave in to her tears. I think at first, when she was directing everyone around that Jake had been shocked. I’d smiled because he didn’t know the half of it.
It felt good to finally call Stryker by his real name of Jake. Stryker would never be forgotten but I hoped it was the past. I always wanted him to be known as Jake from now on. With my help he was going to get his life back, and his family.
But as I clutched his hand to me, I couldn’t remember being more scared while we waited for information on my father. Jake kept his arm around me and wouldn’t let me go anywhere without him. We’d had a discussion about the restroom, but everywhere else, I was glad that he was with me.
I loved him and for once I knew how it felt to have someone to lean on. Before I’d always been on the outside, even when I was a child growing up. I think I grew up too soon, and I do blame my father’s political career on that.
He was my father though and even though I was an awkward teenager, I loved him and my mother dearly.
Just like I knew deep down that Jake loved his father, Peter, who sat on his other side. With my help, they were going to get their family back, and that included me, who would be joining them as soon as possible. I wasn’t about to lose Jake for a second time.
Curled up in Jake, I noticed Millie watching me. Carter who hadn’t left her side held her tightly. I was glad that my best friend had found a good man as well. She’d been looking for a while for ‘the one’ even when she disagreed. The fact that he was with the FBI would make for entertaining dinner conversation with her family. I told her that was one dinner I planned on being present for.
“Evie,” Jake squeezed my waist.
I looked at him and then in the direction that he nodded.
A surgeon was walking down the hallway toward our family waiting room.
Jake helped me sit up and then tugged me to my feet as my mother gripped my hand. Blood rushed through my ears in panic at not being able to decide whether the surgeon held good or bad news.
“Mrs. Southwell.”
“Yes.” My mother’s voice broke as she answered.
“Please tell us how my father is,” I begged, unable to wait for the doctor to continue.
“He’s a very lucky man is how he is. I managed to retrieve the bullet and it missed most of the major organs.” He took my mother’s hand between the two of his. “He should make a full recovery.”
“But?” I knew that there was more by the way the man hesitated.
“I had to remove one of his kidneys.”
He paused again before he continued, “He still has a fully functional one as of right now, and providing he follows doctor’s orders, he should be back on the golf course in a few months.”
“Thank you.” My mother sagged back into her chair, and I wrapped myself around Jake.
“When can we see him?” my mother asked, hopefulness in her voice.
The surgeon looked sympathetic. “I can take you and your daughter back now, but only for a couple of minutes.”
Jake kissed me on the top of my head. “I’ll be waiting here for you.”
I buried my face into his chest and breathed him into my lungs. “I know, and that’s what’s keeping me going right now. Knowing that you’re here with me.” I kissed his chest and stepped away.
My mother held out her hand, which I gladly took.
Chapter 25 ~ Jake
WHEN EVIE WENT THROUGH the large double doors in the hospital with her mother, I sank back down into the chair I’d occupied since we arrived.
I was exhausted and felt like I hadn’t slept in days, which was probably close to the truth. I couldn’t leave her alone and, even now, I twitched to follow her. It was on that thought that I heard chuckling next to me.
“She’ll be back out here soon, son. They don’t like letting people past there. I’m guessing they’ve only been allowed because he’s a senator.”
“I didn’t realize I was so obvious.”
“You’re still my son.” My father cleared his throat. “I know you will have hated me all these years, but I hope you’ll visit me and let me show you everything. I can back up what I’ve told you with emails, photographs, and of course, the bank statements. Once the Feds have sorted the whole mess of Declan out, then we’ll get your name on to that account. It’s your money, Jake. Every cent is what I won because of you.” His voice broke.
I hesitated before putting my arm around his shoulders. “For years I told myself that I hated you.”
He nodded and his body shook with distress. “I deserved your hate.”
“But, I don’t hate you. Part of me wants to and feels that I should, but I can’t. Knowing the truth was hard to hear at first because I wanted to believe everything was a lie. But while I’ve been sitting here, waiting for news on Evie’s father, I realized that could have been you through there. Declan could have killed you ten years ago and I’d have never known the truth. You could have come with us today and been in there, with or instead, of Evie’s father. There are a lot of could have’s, and I’m so tired that I just want to move forward with Evie, and you.”
My father pulled away and wiped at his face with a handkerchief. I smiled at the memory. Even back then he’d use handkerchiefs as opposed to Kleenex.
“Thank God.” He let out a loud sigh.
I grinned. “So, when do I get to meet my stepmom?”
He paused and then started laughing. “Tomorrow, if you have time. She can’t wait to meet you.”
“I’m supposed to meet with Carter and some other agents to give an official statement of my version of events from back then, and now. But I’ll let you know.”
“Okay, I gave mine after you left the house this morning. An agent took me to the office and grilled me. I passed over all the evidence to them. I kept every bit of paper, so they have a lot to sort through. They don’t think any charges will be brought against me, but who knows.”
My heart dropped before it started its regular rhythm again. “I think they have too big a case on Declan to worry about you.”
“I hope so.” He straightened in the chair. “Evie’s back.”
My head whipped around and, as soon as I spotted her, I moved quickly into her space. “Everything okay?”
I wanted to wrap her up in my arms, but currently she held her mother who looked to have lost all color.
“The doctor said he probably won’t be awake until tomorrow morning so we’re going to go home.”
I swallowed because I had no idea where home was for me. I wanted it to be with Evie, but it was obvious that she couldn’t leave her mom alone right now.
“I’ll drop you guys off on our way to my place,” Carter offered.
Evie slipped her fingers into mine, tugging me closer. “You don’t mind staying at my parents’ house for a few days, do you? I don’t want to leave my mom alone.”
No words would come so I dipped my head and kissed her lips. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“Tha
t’s good.” Her gaze flickered to the side and then back on me. “Is everything okay with your father? You’ve both talked?”
“It will take time, but he’s still my father and the only family I have…apart from you. So we’ll work it out.”
“I like the family part.”
I grinned. “Thought you might.”
Evie
AFTER THE DAY I’D had, I’d practically fallen into bed the minute I’d showered. I’d made sure my mother was okay for the night before I’d done anything else but I was so thankful to be back in my room.
I had so much to say, to discuss with Jake about the future, but no words would come. I sensed that he had things to say to me as well, but we were both waiting for the other to start.
His arms held me in a snug embrace that made me realize he was afraid I’d disappear while he slept. No amount of reassurance would settle him and only time would show him that I’m not going anywhere.
I hadn’t missed the look on his face when he thought I was leaving him to go off with my mother. He’d hid it quickly, especially as I’d rushed to tell him what was going to happen.
In part, I was glad that he had nowhere else to go because that meant he’d be with me.
He’d be with you anyway.
Sighing, I turned in his arms, pressing against him. Jake grunted when his long, hard erection settled between my legs.
“You sleeping?”
“Not really,” he mumbled as his hand slid down my back to grasp a cheek. He flexed his hips and it was now my turn to moan when he breached my entrance with the head of his cock.
“Mmm…slow, Jake.”
He rolled me to my back and slid all the way inside. My back arched in pleasure while my legs tangled with his.
He caressed up my sides, sending tingles of pleasure through my blood. His hands slipped beneath my shoulders as he cupped each side of my head.
“I love you, Evangeline,” he whispered.
Jake rocked his hips, the sensation I felt from my core to my tightening nipples.
His forehead dropped to mine. “You saved me, Evie. But make no mistake about this, I’m loving you because you’re mine, and you’re in here.” He pressed his hand to his chest. “God, I love you.”
His lips sealed over mine and my mind went blank. All I could do was feel. Feel him moving inside me while my arousal coated his dick, causing him to move easily back and forth.
I arched my neck and gripped his head as he moved his lips slowly down my neck, collarbone, and finally he captured a tight nipple between his teeth.
He nibbled, sucked, and consumed me with his mouth and fingers, so it was no surprise that, seconds later, I was coming so hard on his shaft that Jake caught his breath, slammed to the hilt, and then growled through his own powerful release.
Once we’d both caught our breath, Jake stayed inside me, but rolled us to our sides. His arms held me tightly and I knew it would be my favorite place.
Eventually our heartbeats settled and before I drifted off to sleep, I placed a tender kiss to his lips, and told him, “I love you, too, Jake. So much that it hurts. But you’re not going to get rid of me because as soon as my father is out of the hospital you’re going to gain a wife.” I gave him a cheeky grin.
It took him a minute but a huge grin slit his face. “Not that I’m complaining, but isn’t the guy supposed to do the asking?”
“I heard you before but I wasn’t sure what page you were on with our future, so I figured I’d get the marriage out of the way.”
He grabbed my bottom and tried to get me closer to him. “We’re on the same page, and we’ll talk about everything in the morning. For now, I need to love you again.”
He rolled to his back while he settled me on him.
“Now ride me, woman.”
I threw my head back and laughed, which soon turned to moans of pleasure as he grabbed my hips and rocked me on him.
Needless to say I soon forgot how tired I was.
Epilogue ~ Jake ~ 3 years later
STRIDING OUT OF THE SURF, I shook the water from my long hair and moved toward the sun lounger that was in the shade.
My gorgeous wife of two and a half years lay cooling off. She was hot and uncomfortable with her seven-month pregnant belly. To her, she looked like a beached whale, but to me, she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.
Not a day went by that I didn’t tell her how much she meant to me, which was why I’d brought her away for a couple of weeks after talking to her OB. I’d wanted to surprise her with our first holiday. One that I paid for out of my own salary.
Who’d have thought that I’d have a knack with computers after spending the first twenty-four years of my life without one? It had certainly paid off with help from my dad and made me feel good that I could provide for my wife, and now, our child.
The first few days after Evie’s father had been shot had been difficult, more so because I was unable to drive Evie and her mom around. However, Carter had stepped in and made sure I had my license within a few weeks, and I’m sure he called in a favor to be able to have it so quickly.
With thanks to Patrick working with the Feds, they had a lot more information on Declan Fitzwilliam and his operation than they ever thought possible. Carter had mentioned that his boss thought it was his birthday with the haul they’d found. Needless to say, Declan wouldn’t be seeing the outside of a prison again, unless he got lucky. Very lucky.
Luckily for Patrick, his hands weren’t muddy like those of his father so with his inside help in bringing his father to justice, all he got was community service, and a husband in Oliver.
I tried not to think about the people who had been involved back then—other than my wife, and Millie and Carter—because I’d get too angry.
Pushing the past back to where it belonged, in the past, I approached Evie, and froze.
She’d taken her cover-up off and lay in a tiny red bikini. The triangles barely covered her breasts and the one between her legs was even smaller.
I swallowed, and tried to swallow again but my mouth was dry as hell.
It didn’t stop there, as I moved closer her chest rose and fell with her breathing and her legs scissored together.
“Mmm,” she mumbled.
She killed me.
My body reacted to her moans, going rock hard in my swim trunks, which did not have the room to accommodate a monster of an erection.
I looked around and the only other couple on the beach had a windbreaker up so they couldn’t be seen, or see us.
I turned my gaze back to my wife and cursed while my hand wrapped around my dick. “Fuck, Evie.”
Her eyes snapped open. “Oh God, Jake. Stoke the fire.” She dropped her legs to each side of the sun lounger, and arched up. “Please.” Her eyes fixed on what my hand was doing, her breathing more erratic.
One more glance around the beach, I thought, what the hell, and dropped my trunks as I kneeled between her spread thighs.
“Hurry.” Evie started to untie one side of her little panties so my hand went to the other.
Tugging the small triangle down, I ran my finger through her arousal, and felt my dick respond as I touched her bare pussy lips.
“Sit on me. You need to be comfortable.” I quickly sat and rearranged Evie so that she faced away from me, her legs spread over my thighs. I slowly brought her down and prayed for strength.
“God, I’m so close. Move.”
Reaching around, I slipped my hand inside her tiny bikini bra so that I could roll and tug on her nipples. My other hand went to her pussy, which I stroked while my hips rocked in time with hers.
“Oh God.”
My dick felt like it was being squeezed in a vice as she convulsed around me, panting. Seconds later, I followed her into orgasm, only to have her ripple around me for a second time. Her body finally went lax, satisfied.
She rose and the feel of my dick sliding out of her had me hard and throbbing, again.
Evie smiled, and straddling my thighs as she wrapped her arms around my neck while my dick pressed up against her belly.
“We need to go back to the room,” I whispered, raining kisses down her neck. I placed the longest kiss on the top of her swollen belly. Our child. Tears formed in my eyes at how happy Evie had made me by loving me and giving me a family that I’d always protect.
Kissing each bared nipple, I traveled back up to her sweet lips, placing a light kiss to them when she smiled.
“I want you inside me again. Here. On the beach.”
“Evie,” I groaned in warning. “Our room is less than a hundred yards away.”
She grinned, and rubbed the slit at the head of my dick.
I twitched and leaked with arousal and wouldn’t be able to walk until I’d been satisfied. My wife was a damn tease, and knew it as well.
I loved her so fucking much, and she was my whole world.
Evie ~ 4 months later
I’D WOKEN MISSING THE warmth of my husband’s arms holding me close, but when I opened my eyes, they filled with tears.
He sat in the corner of the room on the rocking chair with our two-month-old daughter, Reagan, cuddled against his chest.
She slept, but Jake didn’t. As he rocked, his gaze was solely focused on Reagan while he whispered words that I couldn’t hear to her.
My heart felt filled to bursting with the love that would overwhelm me at unexpected times, just like now.
Jake had been through so much, and he’d worked so hard to give us our own beautiful home, which had meant the world to him that he’d been able to do that.
We lived comfortably with thanks to my first and only published non-fiction book doing so well, about what happened over three years ago. Jake’s father had also transferred the money he’d saved for Jake over to him once everything had settled down. Jake hadn’t wanted to take it, but his father and Carter had persuaded him to in the end.
I smiled thinking about Carter. He was in a panic over Millie being close to her due date with their first child. The big, tough FBI guy was scared of childbirth. I shouldn’t find it amusing because Jake had been terrified, but he’d explained it was me being in pain that terrified him, and not the actual birth. That’s what I thought was wrong with Carter, and told Millie to try and get him to talk to her about it.
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