by Chelle Bliss
She drew in two deep breaths, and I waited for the okay. “What?” She glared at me.
“I love you,” I blurted out and instantly lost all the air in my lungs.
“You what?” She moved her ear closer, not believing the words I’d muttered as much as I did.
“I. Love. You.”
“Ohmygod, ohmygod,” she repeated with wide eyes. “You do?”
“I do.” I laughed and grasped her face in my hands. “I love you, Georgia.”
She closed her eyes and rubbed her cheek against my hand. “Isn’t it too soon?” she asked with a soft, raspy voice.
I grazed her lips with my thumb, needing to feel their softness. “I didn’t know there were rules.”
Her eyes flew open. “There aren’t, but damn, I don’t want to be one of those clichéd couples.”
“We can be whatever we want. You need to know how I feel about you. I’ll protect you until my dying breath.” I leaned forward, kissing her gently. “Even though we’ve only known each other for a short time, I can’t imagine my life without you.”
“Did you kill him?” she asked and stared at me as our lips touched.
“No,” I told her and shook my head.
“Thank God,” she whispered and rested her forehead against mine. “I don’t think I could get over that, Frisco. Promise me that’s not who you are.”
“I’m not that man anymore, Georgia. That I promise you. But…” I paused, brushing my nose against hers. “If someone hurts you, I will hurt him.”
She searched my face, finally landing on my eyes. “Fair enough, but know that I can fight my own battles. Not everyone deserves a beating.”
“He did.”
“I’m not new to my daddy’s brand of justice. He’s been trying to protect me since I was a little girl. I don’t need another protector, Frisco. I need a partner.”
“So, are you saying you wanted to help me kick his ass?” I bit my lip to hold in my laughter.
She shoved my chest and laughed. “You’re an asshole.”
“But ya love me?” I grabbed her back and pulled her closer.
“I do.” She sighed. “For some odd reason, I do.”
“Just one thing, babe.”
“What?”
“Don’t call him ‘Daddy’.”
Her eyebrows shot up and the corner of her mouth curled. “Do you want me to call you ‘Daddy’?”
I nuzzled my face into her neck and smelled the richness of her skin. “No. Don’t ever use that word again.”
“Only if you promise to let me fight my own battles like a big girl.”
“I’ll try,” I spoke against her pulse, feeling it thumping under my lips.
“I’ll try too.” She scooted forward, still entangled in my legs, and kissed me. It was unlike any kiss we’d shared before. Our lips moved together, perfectly in sync, and conveyed every emotion I’d felt since the day I met her.
“Frisco,” she whispered after breaking the kiss.
“Yeah, baby?” I pulled her so close that no space was left between us.
“I’m happy you saved me.”
“I’ll always save you. You’re mine.”
Chapter 19
Set Straight
A loud knocking on her front door woke us.
“Stay here.” I moved her off my shoulder and rolled to the side of the bed. After I slid on a pair of shorts, I walked to the living room and peeked out the front window.
Her dad’s car sat in the driveway. Fuck.
I swallowed down the lump that had returned and become lodged in my throat before I opened the door.
“Frisco,” Mr. Phillips said with a tight jaw. “Did you do it?”
I stared him straight in the eyes. “It’s done.”
“He alive?”
“Yeah.”
“Good job, son.”
I swear, we had the oddest conversations. It was a back-and-forth, much like tennis but without the grunting. He barely moved; I didn’t dare show weakness as we bantered.
Son. Oh my God, he called me son.
A slow smile spread across my face. “He’s taken care of, sir.”
He ran his hands through his hair and glanced around her yard. “I can sleep a little better.”
“Sir, I think it was the only way it could go.”
He took a step forward. “I’ve never killed someone, but I’d do it for my family. Remember that, Frisco. There’s nothing more important to me in this world than them. I’d give my life if it meant they’d be safe.”
“I’d do the same, Mr. Phillips. I’d never let anything happen to Georgia. I took care of him. He won’t hurt anyone for a very long time, and hopefully, he’ll think twice before he has the chance to do it again.”
He nodded and placed his hand on my shoulder. “How’s my girl today?”
At least he didn’t say kid. “She’s good. Sleeping.”
“I didn’t like you, and I still reserve the right to hate you in the future, but for now I’ll leave you two in peace.”
“Thanks, sir. You’re growing on me too.” I laughed.
“As long as you make Georgia happy and will protect her with your life, I won’t have you whacked.”
“What?” I asked, thinking I’d heard him wrong, even though I knew I didn’t.
“Nothing. Tell Georgia hello and I’ll bring Rosie over tomorrow to see her. She’s worried about her, but she knows you’re taking care of her.”
I crossed my arms in front of me, wondering where he was going with this. “I am.”
He winked at me. “Just not too well, got me?”
“Loud and clear, sir.”
“Good.” He nodded. “Back to the grind.”
I nodded back and waited for him to make his way to his car. He stopped before opening the door, turning toward me and smiling. “I was wrong about you,” he said and tipped his head at me.
“Okay,” I mumbled, unable to stop my eyebrows from drawing together. I knew what he thought. He’d seen my tattoos, knew my line of work, and probably thought I had been a criminal.
“You’re honorable.”
“I am.”
“Keep that shit up,” he said before climbing into the car and slamming the door.
The man always had me on edge. I didn’t know if that feeling would ever go away, but I hoped eventually it would pass.
“Was that my dad?” Georgia asked and looked over my shoulder as I closed the front door.
“Yep.”
She eyed me with suspicion. “He hassle you?”
“No.” I rubbed the back of my neck and closed my eyes. “He’s just…”
“Scary?” She laughed.
I walked toward her and wrapped my arms around her, smelling my scent all over her. “Something like that.”
“He’s all bark and no bite,” she said, balancing on her crutches even though I held her.
“Sure,” I mumbled. That man could bite, and it could be deadly.
Every girl thought her father was the sweetest man in the entire world. That fact was true of Georgia, but it was a complete and utter lie. Any man who used to carry a weapon for work couldn’t be discounted.
“I want to shower, but this damn cast makes it so fucking hard. Can you help me?”
“You know what makes me hard?” I whispered with my mouth buried in her hair as I rubbed my already hard dick against her stomach.
“We’re going to get dirty before we get clean, aren’t we?”
“You bet that sweet little ass of yours.” I lifted her into my arms.
She dropped the crutches and they clattered to the floor before she wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me.
The cast was a problem. We’d have to make use of the counter before I wrapped her cast in plastic and helped her clean up.
I carried her to the bathroom and sat her on the granite counter, which earned me a yelp. “Jesus,” she mumbled, “that shit is cold.”
“I’ll warm you u
We spent the rest of the day making each other dirty and loving every minute of it.
Chapter 20
Worthy
Six Weeks Later
We walked into City and Suzy’s on time. Georgia had gotten a little frisky in the car; her newfound freedom of being cast-free had turned her into a tiger and had almost made us late.
The Gallos, the guys of ALFA PI, and our friends from the Neon Cowboy were there.
“We were getting worried about you,” Sunshine said, approaching Georgia with open arms and just about ignoring me. “You look…”
“Don’t say it,” Georgia warned her and laughed.
“Slut,” Sunshine said and wrapped her arms around Georgia’s neck. The ladies hugged each other and continued laughing.
“What are we celebrating?” Georgia asked when they finally let go of each other.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” Sunshine told her before giving me a wicked smile.
“Do you know what this is about?” Georgia glanced up at me.
“No. This is all them. I swear.”
She placed her hand on my chest and laughed. “’Cause if you were planning to pop the question in front of all these people, I’d have to kick you in the balls.”
I swallowed hard, and in a way, I felt sad that she even thought I would do it here in front of everyone. “No, babe. Tonight has nothing to do with us.”
“Good.” She adjusted my tie and tightened it. “’Cause there would be pain involved if you did.”
City had called a couple of days ago and invited us over for a barbecue. He said there would be friends and family and that we’d be celebrating, but he didn’t elaborate and I didn’t push.
Mrs. Gallo finally broke the silence. “Why don’t you just tell us already? The suspense is killing me.”
City and Sunshine glanced at each other and laughed.
“You tell them.”
“No, you tell them, sugar.”
“For fuck’s sake, one of you better start talking,” Izzy demanded.
City nodded at Suzy. She covered her face, slowly shaking it back and forth.
Mike stood behind his wife Mia with his hands clasped over her stomach. “Spill the damn secret.”
“We’re pregnant,” Sunshine said and bounced from foot to foot.
Mrs. Gallo leaned forward and looked like she might tip. “You are?”
“We are.” City pulled Sunshine against his side.
“With twins,” Sunshine added before she grimaced.
Mr. Gallo paled. “Twins?”
“Twins,” City repeated and kissed the top of Sunshine’s head.
“Oh my God. I couldn’t be more excited.” Mrs. Gallo practically vibrated in her chair.
“For fuck’s sake,” Bear complained and glanced toward the ceiling. “Haven’t you people heard of birth control?”
Tank slapped him on the back of the head. “Shut the fuck up.”
“Hit me again,” Bear challenged with a smirk.
“When are they due?” Max asked, rubbing her belly. She’d had a baby recently, but she was barely showing the aftereffects.
“In six months.”
Mrs. Gallo’s mouth fell open. “Six months?” she whispered.
City puffed out his chest. “Yep.”
“Do you know the sex?” Thomas asked.
Sunshine started to laugh. She covered her mouth, trying to hide her excitement. “We found out yesterday.”
Izzy put her head in her hands. “Oh God, no! It’s so unfair.”
“What is, babe?” James asked, wrapping his arm around his wife.
She pinched the bridge of her nose and frowned. “They’re having girls. I can tell. Why the hell do I have boys and they get girls?”
“Karma,” Anthony stated flatly. “We all got the shit end of the stick.”
City threw a sugar packet at Anthony, but he dodged it, letting it drop to the floor. “Speak for yourself, bro.”
Mrs. Gallo began to cry. “There are so many babies. I swear I’m the luckiest lady in the world.” Her lip trembled when she wiped away her tears. “I’m so blessed.”
“Congrats, son.”
“All this sweetness,” Georgia whispered in my ear. “It makes me long for the days when we have a family.”
“You want a family with me?”
We hadn’t talked a ton about marriage, but I already knew I’d be popping the question. I’d never loved anyone like I did her. My entire life, I’d searched for someone to be my equal and never thought it was possible. Until the day I met her.
Even though I tried to push her away, coming up with bullshit excuses, she was the one for me.
I’d pop the question, but it would be a surprise. I wanted it to be on my terms. I already had a ring waiting to slide on her finger at home, but I wouldn’t do it until the moment felt right.
“I want lots of babies,” she said, rubbing my cheek with her hand.
“Lots?” I swallowed hard, feeling my mouth go dry.
“Lots.” She giggled. “I want to sit around a table like this someday with our children.”
I looked around. She was right. Thinking this could be us with our kids someday made my body warm. Being an only child had left a sour taste in my mouth, and I’d do everything in my power not to do the same to my children.
“Anything you want, babe.”
“You two better hurry up and have boys. I want our kids to get married,” Sunshine blurted.
City laughed and gave me a sympathetic look. “Sugar, let’s not push things.”
She rubbed his belly, making giant circles with her hand. “Shush it.”
“Woman, don’t make me teach you a lesson,” he warned her with a smug grin.
“You know I love when you teach me things,” she said playfully.
“I love you,” I whispered in Georgia’s ear.
“Love you too,” she whispered back and settled in the crook of my arm.
I spent the rest of the barbecue thinking about our future and the perfect way to make her mine forever.
When we left, I knew where I wanted to take her. It had been forever since I’d watched the sun setting over the Gulf of Mexico, and I wanted to experience it with her.
She nestled between my legs on the sand and stroked my knee. “Frisco, I’ve been thinking.”
I had one hand wrapped around her belly and held her close. “What’s up?”
She peered up at me with a soft smile. “I’m ready?”
I glanced down, completely confused. “For?”
She didn’t mean that. No. It couldn’t be. We’d been together for almost two months and we rarely spoke about it. I knew when the moment was right she’d tell me, but there was no way I’d push it on her.
“I love you so much,” she said and bit her lip.
I touched her chin and pulled her lip free. “I love you too, Georgia.”
“I want you to make love to me.” A funny smile spread across her face like she was worried I’d say no.
I exhaled slowly and brushed my nose against hers. “I would love to make love to you, but only if you’re sure.”
She turned in my arms and rested her hands on my knees. “I am. After Brent, I couldn’t imagine having sex with anyone. I hated men for a while after him. At that point, it was easier to stay chaste than to open myself up to greater heartache. But then you came into my life.”
“It’s a big decision,” I told her before I grasped her face in my hands.
“I know.” Her eyes dipped down and she swallowed hard. “I know it’s a big decision. I’ve spent a long time thinking about it. I can think of no one more worthy than you.”
My grip increased and she melted into my touch. “Why me?”
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before speaking. “Do you love me?”
“Yes.” I smiled, more to myself because her eyes hadn’t opened yet.
“I love you, too.” She opened her eyes and stared into mine. “No one has ever treated me like you do. You saved my life not so long ago. I know you’d do anything in your power to protect me and would never hurt me.”
“I’d never let anything happen to you. I’d give my life to save yours.”
“That’s the thing. I know you love me. Not because you tell me so, but because of how you treat me. I see it in your eyes every day. I even saw it that night when you pulled me out of my car. You were petrified.”
“God,” I said before sucking in a breath. “I can’t even explain how I felt that night. I was terrified and I couldn’t do anything to stop it from happening or help, Georgia.”
“But you did,” she said and shook her head. “You pulled me from the car, comforted me, and stayed with me until I was well enough to take care of myself.”
“Anyone would do that.”
She shook her head vigorously. “No, they wouldn’t, but you did. I want you to be my first.”
I kissed her long and deep, conveying everything I felt—joy, elation, horniness, hunger, and more love than I’d ever felt in my life.
When I broke the kiss, I told her, “I’d be honored to be your first.”
“Tonight,” she said before turning back around and facing the ocean.
I didn’t say anything, just pulled her close against me and stared at the sun as it disappeared below the horizon. My entire body was buzzing. Excited about what the night held, in awe of the beauty of Mother Nature and just having my girl in my arms. I was on top of the world and had everything I ever wanted.
***
She scooted closer and rested her hand on my leg. “I know you’re nervous, but I really want this.”
Reaching out, I cradled her face in my hand. “I’m not nervous. I just want to make sure you’re sure about this. There’s no turning back.”
“I’m sure.” She climbed into my lap. “I want you.”
The hard-on in my pants agreed. I thanked the Gods that she no longer had the cast. I wouldn’t want to deal with working around it and worrying about hurting her the first time. There were too many variables before this moment that complicated everything.
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