Conquer (Desired Affliction Book 2)

by C. A. Harms

  Smiling to myself, I searched for my phone and dialed his phone number. After two rings he picked up.

  “Hi, baby.” That deep husky voice of his was something I would never tire of.

  “Hi,” I said in return. “I just wanted to thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful.”

  I could picture his smile spread across his face. “You’re welcome. I should be home in about an hour. Then we can get ready for dinner; I made reservations at six.” I was dying to know where we were going.

  “Reservations where?”

  He laughed, “Nice try, Lex, but not happening. You’ll love it; that’s all I’m saying.”

  We talked for a little longer and I let him go so he could get home sooner.

  At that moment I put my seduction plan in motion. I went to the bedroom and slipped on a white lacy thong and the bra to match. After fluffing my hair and spraying on some perfume, I went into the living room and waited for Kole to get home.

  When I heard his truck pull up, I gave my hair one quick shake and sat in the chair directly facing the front door.

  I spread my legs just enough to tease him.

  When he opened the door and our eyes found one another’s, he smiled.

  “Well hello,” he said slyly. “Is it my birthday or yours?” he asked, dropping his gym bag next to the door and reaching to pull his shirt over his head. I watched him approach me before kneeling in front of the chair.

  “You like what you see?” I asked, already knowing the answer by seeing the lust in his eyes.

  He nodded his head as his eyes floated over my barely covered body. “You want to do all kinds of dirty things to me, don’t you?” He nodded his head in agreement once more.

  I rose up from the chair slowly, taunting him.

  His face was inches from the front of my panties and he looked forward, licking his lips. I slid past him and made my way down the hall, looking back to see him staring after me.

  I listened to him groan loudly before I heard movement behind me. He hooked me around the waist and pulled me back into him. “Are you teasing me, or do I get to fuck you?” he growled in my ear.

  I bit my lip and looked over my shoulder.

  “Tell me where we’re going for dinner and you can do whatever you want.”

  He bit my shoulder and groaned.

  I felt his hand slid into the front of my panties as his fingers continued to slip closer and closer toward my clit. When he connected my knees instantly felt weak. I slouched forward against the wall in front of me.

  “Somewhere near the beach. You’ll love it,” Kole whispered. “Let me surprise you.” He bit my ear lightly and sucked it into his mouth, flipping his tongue.

  I could feel him working my panties down with ease. They were quickly in a pool at my feet as Kole slipped his fingers inside of me, stroking me slowly with one hand and unzipping his pants with the other. My plan to seduce him backfired, but when his cock slipped into me from behind I no longer cared. He worked me over slowly as he ground his hips against me.

  “You have such a sweet body. You were made for me, baby,” he cooed. “Fucking hell, you feel so good.” I pushed back against him and he thrust his hardness into me so deep.

  I wanted to come so badly.

  I reached down and began stroking my clit as he fucked me from behind.

  “Damn, are you touching yourself?” he asked.

  I nodded and he reached around feeling for my hand. He found my fingers flipping against the ball of nerves. “That is so hot.”

  I began to tremble as the muscles in my stomach tightened. I felt the hotness spread through me as he came inside of me, causing me to explode around him as we stood breathless in the hallway outside our bedroom.

  When he pulled back he turned me around to face him. “You can’t seduce me, Lexi,” he said with a touch of arrogance. “Not when you already know how good I can make you feel.” He kissed me hard and whispered low, “That was just a taste of what the rest of our lives is going to be like. I plan on taking every opportunity I can to make you come over and over.”

  He kissed me before he walked to the bedroom for a shower, leaving me hungry for more.

  “Wow, he’s good,” I whispered to myself. I made a mental note to work on my seduction skills, because he was only improving on his.

  When Kole emerged from the shower, I was waiting fully dressed on our couch. “Wow, look at you. Are you in a hurry?” He was still wearing the same cocky grin he had when he left me in the hallway.

  “You said six; it’s five-forty,” I said with a shrug.

  He smiled and grabbed for my hand, pulling me toward the door.

  I knew he was up to something the way he was acting. He was antsy and playful. The smile never left his face once.

  It was adorable.

  He sang along with the radio and I laughed uncontrollably. He was a gorgeous man, but his looks did not make up for being tone deaf.

  When we pulled into the parking lot I turned to him confused. It wasn’t a restaurant; it looked more like a banquet hall of some sort.

  “You sneaky-ass shit!” I watch as he looked at me pretending to not have a clue. “Yeah, you can go ahead and pretend this is nothing. Later I’m so gonna torture you.”

  He leaned across the center console and kissed me softly. “Sounds hot…I can’t wait to be tortured.”

  I rolled my eyes at him and climbed out from the truck.

  I braced myself as I entered through the front doors because I already knew at any moment I was going to be surrounded by guests.

  “SURPRISE!”

  Even though I expected it, I still jumped at the sound.

  I laughed as everyone rushed forward wishing me “Happy Birthday” and hugging me close.

  Beth and Jack, Kole’s parents, approached and I cried. “Hi! I’m so glad you guys came.” Beth hugged me closely.

  When she released me she rubbed my stomach quickly and privately, catching me off guard. I looked up at her and she winked holding a big smile across her face.

  I immediately looked at Kole and he laughed, shrugging his shoulders. I couldn’t believe he told her already, but honestly I was not surprised.

  Megan took my hand and pulled me toward the group of girls near the DJ where we found Natalie and her roommate Rachel. Also mixed in the crowd was Maria from the café dancing with Stacy from my accounting class.

  I couldn’t believe he pulled this off.

  No one showed any signs of anything being planned and now here we all stood.

  “You all knew about this and no one slipped up. Especially you, Natalie,” I said, pointing at her. “You can never keep a secret.” She giggled, throwing her hands up into the air and continued dancing.

  Radley walked up to me and hugged me close.

  He whispered into my ear, “Happy birthday, mommy—I mean Lex,” before pulling away with a gleam in his eyes.

  I shook my head and laughed. I had a feeling by the end of the night everyone would know.

  After the alcohol started flowing and everyone was a little tipsy they broke out the karaoke screen and microphone.

  Megan and Radley sang “Happy Birthday” while everyone joined in. I laughed at the rock version of it they all created.

  It was the funniest thing I had ever witnessed.

  I was sitting on Kole’s lap and he was laughing at something Radley was saying when I noticed Megan over by the DJ. She motioned for Kole and he slid me off his lap.

  Once he stood he bent down and kissed me.

  “I’m up, baby,” he said, followed by an overly exaggerated wink.

  Did I mention Kole was a little drunk himself?

  I scrunched my brows in confusion. Radley joined him on stage and my stomach began twisting nervously. I couldn’t believe Kole was going to sing. He couldn’t carry a tune.

  Everyone watched both Radley and Kole hold microphones and laugh while waiting for the song to begin. It was comical.

  Ko
le’s eyes connected with mine and he winked. “I love you, baby,” he whispered into his microphone and I felt my cheeks heat.

  I blew him a kiss and smiled in return.

  Once the song began and the two big lugs started dancing, everyone laughed. Kole is not a big dancer, but seeing him wiggle around and move his hips was adorable.

  They both began shaking their asses toward the audience as the song began.

  Kole belted out the main verse, putting everything he had into it.

  Radley took over as Kole turned his back to us, shaking his ass. I had tears flowing down my cheeks, I was laughing so hard.

  Once the air guitar and trumpet effects started I heard Megan snort with laughter beside me. The both of them were laying it on thick.

  Kole slowly made his way toward me still singing the main line of the song. He stood in front of me wiggling his hips a little too sexually for the audience we had. Considering his parents were there it made me a little embarrassed. When I caught them out of the corner of my eye they were laughing along with everyone else, so I brushed aside my earlier concerns.

  I turned back to my sexy fiancé and reached into my small purse at my side. When I pulled the dollar out of my wallet and held it in the air, I heard loud whistling from around the room.

  He continued to wiggle his hips and watched my eyes as I tucked the dollar into his waist band. He shimmied and grinded on my leg causing me to throw my head back in laughter.

  Oh wow.

  What a show.

  Once the song ended Kole held the microphone off to the side, his demeanor changing almost instantly. After a few seconds the music changed to a soft tone.

  He finally spoke.

  “Lexi, I love you so much. Happy Birthday, beautiful.” He stopped for a second to clear his throat before continuing. “You deserve the world and I plan on spending my life giving it to you.” He kissed me softly and the “aw” sounds filled the room along with applause. He squeezed my hand firmly as he pulled me up from the chair and turned me alongside him to face everyone.

  At that moment I knew what he was planning. I started to stop him, but then relaxed against him. I wanted him to have this moment. Drunk or not, I wanted him to share his excitement.

  “I love the hell out of this girl. She is the love of my life and I can’t wait to marry her in a few short months. We just found out that my fiancée here is gonna have my baby too. So I wanted to share that special news with all of you. Thank you all for being here to share this day with us.”

  Kole took me in his arms and held me close. I felt his lips press against my neck as he kissed me and whispered that he loved me.

  I absolutely adored this guy and at that moment I wasn’t sure I could’ve been any happier. After everything I’d been through, I feared I’d never have this peace. Kole had given me so much over the last few years.

  He stood by me through the good and the bad.

  We struggled—especially in the beginning—but we made it, with the scars to prove it. Those scars made us who we were. I still fought the pain at times and the dreams on occasion, but much less frequently because he was by my side.

  Chapter 12

  Kole

  I was so nervous, hoping Lexi wouldn’t get mad at me for what I was about to present. I had a few more surprises for her tonight, and the closer they got the worse my stomach felt.

  I stood in the doorway watching her talk to her friends as they gushed over the news of her pregnancy. Talk of babies and showers flowed between them. Watching her smile was like a day of complete sunshine without a cloud in sight.

  When I looked at her, I couldn’t help feeling happy. Lexi was beautiful and kind. She had so much life in her. The darkness that followed her when we first met had slowly begun to fade. I knew she still had her fears, but she was one of the strongest people I knew.

  She was my rock, my heart.

  I took a deep breath and started walking toward her. Trying to maintain my nerves, but I felt my hands shake and my palms turn sweaty. Lexi looked up and our eyes met. She let her gaze fall to my hand and her smile faded slightly.

  I continued toward her and she started shaking her head no and backing away. Megan caught her arm and she turned to face her with her eyes wide. I was now standing directly in front of her as Megan spoke.

  “Lex, you can do this. You’ve been playing so much over the last couple of years.” Megan attempted to soothe her nerves. “You’re amazing and you have a beautiful voice.”

  She looked back to me and I lifted my hand to give her the guitar. “I wanna hear my girl sing.”

  Her eyes filled with tears and I knew she was feeling nervous so stepped closer. “Baby, I love you so much. You’re an amazing, beautiful woman and everyone in this room will be in complete awe of you the moment you start playing. It’s time you show ’em how amazing you are.”

  I placed my lips to hers gently and she trembled slightly. “I love you, baby. More than anything.”

  She took a deep breath, taking the guitar from me and approached the stage. Lexi took a seat on the stool and adjusted the microphone. She stared at her hands holding her guitar firmly as if giving herself a mental pep talk.

  After another deep calming breath she began.

  Once she started strumming the guitar, the room went silent and my heart raced. It was like a trance set in. Half the room had no idea my beautiful girl could play.

  As she began with the first verse I watched the mouths of a few people gape open. Some of the guests whispered to each other as they continued to watch.

  She played a lot of country songs; that’s what she loved. She’d opened up a lot about her dad over the last couple of years and I’d learned he was the one who taught her how to play. Her voice melted my heart as she sang out calmly, with no signs of nervousness. I fell in love with her more and more with each word. I watched her sing with her eyes closed, feeling the softness of her voice.

  Lexi’s head slightly swayed from side to side.

  I don’t think there was a person in the room who wasn’t star struck at that moment. I looked around the room watching all the guests’ reactions. My mom held onto my dad’s arm and the tears floated down her cheeks slowly.

  She got to hear Lexi sing once before by accident. We went home for Christmas and Lex sang for me when she thought my mom wasn’t home. She heard the entire thing and immediately melted the same way I did every time she sang.

  Megan and Radley watched without looking away once. They were two people, like me, who knew what this really meant. Lexi was finally singing again. She was playing for people and a little piece of the old Lexi had just reappeared.

  The old Lexi that had a passion for sharing her amazing talent with others was right in front of us. I hoped that she wouldn’t be upset with me about this. I knew she just needed a little push.

  My eyes caught sight of a woman I hadn’t noticed before standing near the doors. There was something very familiar about her side profile. I continued to watch closely, waiting to get a better glimpse.

  She held her hand over her mouth in a shocked expression, her eyes focused only on Lexi as if she were the only person in the room.

  As if she could feel my eyes on her, the woman looked away for just a moment, allowing me a better look and my heart jumped. I instantly felt sick. Lexi’s mother stood in plain sight. If Lexi looked up at that moment she would see her.

  I’d sent a letter two weeks ago to her mother, only I wasn’t sure if it reached her. The letter talked about what an amazing, beautiful daughter she had and how she was missing out on that beauty. I ended it by extending an invite to the birthday party.

  My mom had informed me she had also recently talked to Lexi’s mom and we thought maybe I could reunite them somehow.

  The song ended and I looked up to Lexi. Her eyes were scanning the room and when she connected with mine she smiled. Without another passing second, I walked up to her quickly as everyone began to clap loudly. I took her in
my arms and she cried into my shoulder.

  “Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you for loving me so much, Kole.” As if loving her was actually avoidable.

  I pulled her toward me, hoping she still felt the same after she faced the newest guest. I was instantly terrified that I had made a mistake. I pulled back and she looked up into my eyes as I forced a smile.

  Lexi’s eyes began to roam before I could say anything and I knew she had found her mother when a look of disappointment filled her eyes. The tears pooled and her nostrils began to flare. She looked back up to me and then immediately back to her mother.

  After Lexi blinked and the tears ran over she whispered with such hate. “What in the hell is she doing here?” she hissed. “Why is she here, Kole?”

  I swallowed hard and it burned with regret. “I invited her.”

  The look she gave me was full of hurt and I felt like my heart split in two. “Why would you do that? Tonight of all nights, I can’t believe you did this.” She pushed back from me and turned toward the doors that faced the beach.

  I started to go after her when Megan grabbed my arm. “Let her go, Kole. Just give her a minute, okay? She’s shocked.”

  My mom had made her way to Lauren. I knew my parents had sensed the tension when they locked eyes with me.

  My stomach was in knots and I’d sobered up almost instantly. The guests had slowly begun to mingle once again and I found my way to the doors and stood staring out as the waves crashed in, slowly washing up onto the beach.

  I couldn’t swallow past the burn in my throat. I had to go find her. My heart was breaking for her and I hated that I’d even sent that letter. What the hell was I fucking thinking, inviting her mom? After all this time, I should have talked to her first.

  I saw the shadows in a distance as I walked down the beach toward the girls. I could hear Lexi crying as I got closer and I felt the tears burning in my own eyes at the sound of her pain. She sobbed heavily as Megan tried to calm her.

  “Lexi…” I spoke into the darkness.

  I was just a few feet away from her now and I wanted to grab her and pull her into my arms. She turned to face me with a look of devastation.