Innocence

by Kristin Mayer

  I swallowed hard. Jaxson pressed on. “We’ll figure this out. I’ll protect you. Protect our family.” Panic kept setting in. “London, you have to promise me. I can’t lose you. Ty can’t lose you. We love you.” Jaxson sounded panicked. “I love you. Dammit, sweetheart, I love you. I can’t lose you.”

  The breath I held expelled from my body. Thoughts snapped into place. “I won’t leave. I promise. I love you both too much to leave.”

  Jaxson’s lips smashed against mine as he claimed my mouth. “I need to call the cops. Get this documented. And we need to tell our parent’s what’s going on.”

  Numbly, I responded, “I agree. Pam’s at her hair appointment, but I can make us breakfast. I’ll call Dad and tell him we need him to come back.”

  Arms became like a vise grip around me. “I won’t let anything happen to my family. I swear it.”

  I believed him, but at what cost?

  Dad and Levi came home as soon as I called. The only thing I said was that there was a threat similar to the one at home. When Dad went back to Guin, he would be able to fill Millie in as to what happened.

  After the cops came, we ate breakfast in Pam’s kitchen. Sydney was a lifesaver keeping Ty away from seeing what was going on. The last thing I wanted was for my life to taint his.

  Currently, Ty was feeding the sheep with Levi and were due back in about a half an hour. My nerves were raw, exposed.

  I sat nestled into Jaxson’s frame on the couch in the guesthouse as we alternated filling Dad on what Millie found when she visited. After we finished, Dad sat back. “Your mom and I always knew something else had happened. We kept searching for answers after you went to prison, but couldn’t find anything. She thought there was something wrong with the reports. But, shortly after she got sick, I wondered if we were causing you more harm by chasing what could have been figments of your mom’s imaginations. I’m so sorry we stopped looking.”

  I stood and Dad followed suit. “We didn’t know. This isn’t your fault, Dad. Yours or Mom’s. We’re all victims of this. Alec. His family. Me. My family. The list goes on.”

  Dad scrunched his brows as Jaxson stood. “How did they find you? This was the first you’d heard from them, right?”

  My spine stiffened. “Yesterday, on the phone, Jaxson said his full name to Charles.”

  “Fuck.” Jaxson’s head lolled back. “I did. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”

  Millie was right as I said, “Whoever this is has connections somewhere here. Yesterday, I heard Rachel in the background while Charles was talking to me. Her parents were there. They have the connections.”

  Squeezing me to him, Dad directed his attention to Jaxson. “We need to come up with a plan to keep London and Ty safe while we figure this out.”

  Dad released me and Jaxson intertwined his fingers with mine. “I think London should move in with me. I can up security at the house. Keep her and Ty safe at the same time.” I raised my eyebrow. “Ty will be fine. Staying in the guesthouse is not an option anymore. Hell, I’ll marry you right now if it keeps you safe, but I know you want a wedding.”

  Dad interjected. “London, I want you safe. I’d feel better with you at Jaxson’s.”

  Never in my wildest dreams did I think Dad would give his blessing to live with a man before marriage. Of course, in my last relationship, I’d been barely twenty and in college. I looked at Jaxson. “What about Ty and the example we’re setting? I can sleep in another room.”

  “He’s five. You’re already his mom in his eyes. I promise he’ll be fine.”

  Mom. The word was still sinking in and I’d had no time to process all of this. My life was on fast forward and not stopping. Maybe moving in with Jaxson, catching our breath, being a family would bring normalcy to our lives while we prepared for the wedding. “I’ll move in with you and Ty.”

  A huge grin spread across Jaxson’s and my face.

  Dad scowled. “Son, try not to look so damn happy. She’s still my little girl.”

  The smile instantly dropped from Jaxson’s face and I giggled. “Sorry, sir.”

  Dad said, “I think we need to tell your parents, Jaxson. Bring them up to speed. I understand why you guys didn’t say anything before, but they don’t need to be exposed either. I’m taking Ty out to feed the horses while you guys talk.”

  Dad left us and the clawing feeling returned. “Jaxson, what if they don’t want you involved in all this? What if they regret us being together? What if—”

  Silenced with a kiss, Jaxson brought me to him. “Family doesn’t bail when things get tough. I chose you as my wife. You’re part of this family. Understand?”

  “Yes.”

  Before we left to see his parents, Jaxson pressed me against the door. “Tonight, I’m going to savor you. You’re officially mine. Forever is about to start, sweetheart.”

  “Now that you’re getting the milk and cookies for free, will you be one of those guys who won’t agree on a wedding date?” There was a teasing tone to my voice.

  A breath away, he responded, “I meant what I said. As soon as you have the wedding you want planned, I’ll be at the end of the aisle. The sooner you’re my wife the better.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. Let’s talk to Mom and Dad. Then, we’ll tell Ty about you becoming our new roommate.”

  My palms sweated as Jaxson finished telling Pam and Levi everything. We sat in silence as the attention centered on Levi. I grew more anxious waiting to hear that I wasn’t good enough for Jaxson and Ty. He rubbed his chin. “I think there’s some changes we need to make to monitor who’s in and out of here.”

  Wringing my hands out, I said, “I’m so sorry about this. I didn’t mean to bring this on you.”

  Levi pinned me with a stare. “Do you love my son and grandson?”

  “With all my heart.” There was no doubt. I loved them. I would die for them.

  He nodded, satisfied. “Then, it’s what needs to be done. I’m not taking away their happiness because of some spineless bastard who feels threatened and robbed my soon-to-be-daughter four years of her life. London, you’re family now. That means you’re my daughter too.”

  Not being able to help it, I stood to hug Levi and Pam. “Thank you. I love you both.”

  Family was worth more than anything else in this world.

  ALL MY BAGS WERE IN Jaxson’s house after dinner. Dad and Levi were getting some of the security implemented. Jaxson would have to meet with the security company tomorrow, but it was important for him to be here as we spent the first night as a family in our house. Our house. It was crazy to think this was now my home. I looked around the place like I was seeing it for the first time. Two boys definitely lived here with the lack of warmth. The walls were bare and only the minimal furniture was present. No additional knickknacks.

  Surprisingly, I was calm about this part of my life. This felt right. However, knowing someone was still watching me, waiting for me to do something, had my nerves frayed.

  Jaxson was upstairs putting the last suitcase in the closet. Later I would unpack my stuff. Tonight I wanted to spend it as the three of us.

  Currently, Ty was at Pam’s getting something. A secret. For me.

  In the living room, I took in my new home. Dump trucks filled a toy bin next to the television. Of course, I’d been here countless times, but it felt different now. I was going to be permanently part of this.

  Warm arms came around my waist. “Welcome home, sweetheart.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  His breath tickled my ear. “I thought later this week, when things calm down, we could look at redoing the house. Something our style.”

  “Jaxson, I don’t want to waste your money. I’m not here to cause havoc on your and Ty’s lives.”

  My body spun around before I could process it. Jaxson’s firm body moved me against the wall, soliciting desire through me. “What’s mine is yours, London. All of it. Our house. Our money. Our son. Our decisions. You’re not cau
sing havoc on our lives. You’re the missing piece that sets it all right.”

  I closed my eyes and his lips brushed against mine. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I fall more in love with you every second of every day.”

  “Good. I’ll make sure that never changes.” His tongue mingled with mine and I moaned.

  Tires came up the front drive and Jaxson pulled away. “Later, sweetheart.”

  I kept my face serious. “Do you think I should stay in the guest room?”

  Fingers trailed down my stomach and dipped in my pants. “Do you want to stay in another room?”

  “It might . . .” I wasn’t able to finish my thought when his fingers touched my clit. “Jaxson . . . I want you.”

  “Good. You’ll get me in our room.”

  The door opened and his fingers retreated, leaving me wanting.

  “London! I have a surprise for you.” Ty yelled through the front door. Giving me a wink, Jaxson headed to the foyer to give me a second to collect myself.

  My word, was it bedtime yet? Taking a deep breath, I walked to where Ty called my name. I knelt down as Ty ran to me full steam ahead. “What do you have?”

  A big grin greeted me. “Grama and I made cookies to welcome you to your new house. I made a card.” I took the card proffered and saw a picture of Jaxson, me, and Ty in the middle drawn in crayons. The word My Family were written at the top.

  Emotions swelled within me. This was really happening.

  Holding it to my chest, I said, “I love it. I’m finding the most special place for this so I can see it all the time.”

  “Your’s and Dad’s bedroom. That’s where it should go. Then, when you wake up you’ll see it.”

  Well, that solved my worry about the bedroom situation. In Ty’s mind we were together and I belonged with his dad.

  “I think that’s the perfect place.” He gave me a kiss on the cheek when I agreed with him.

  Pam walked up and I stood. “Night, sweetheart. I’m going to let you guys get settled. Call if you need anything. How does breakfast sound in the morning before Ken takes off?”

  I responded, “Perfect.”

  The subtle lavender scent of Pam already became a comfort. My mom always smelled like roses. It was amazing how you connected yourself to smells. I missed Mom terribly. She would have loved Jaxson and Ty. I could only imagine how she would help me get settled in my new home and give me tidbits of advice. Mom always wanted a big family but was only able to have me. Now her family was growing. I took a deep breath and focused on everything I had.

  Jaxson gave his mom a hug. “Thanks, Mom. Breakfast sounds good. Security will be here at eight to rework the houses.”

  “Perfect. I’ll let Levi and Ken know.”

  We watched as Pam left the house. We were left alone. It was surreal. Okay, it was a lot more than surreal. Earlier, Pam offered for Ty to stay the night with her, but I thought our first night here as a family should include all of us. Jaxson agreed.

  “Hey, London?”

  Ty looked at me with his big green eyes. He was barely able to contain himself. “Yes, little man?”

  “Can we watch a movie as a family?”

  Jaxson picked Ty up over his shoulder as giggles emanated from him. “I think that sounds like a great idea. Which movie do you want?”

  “Shaun the Sheep! London, it’s so funny. He’s a naughty sheep.”

  “I can’t wait.” And I really couldn’t. We’d watched movies together over the last few months, but this was different. Blinking a few times, I willed the tears back.

  Sitting on the couch, I watched Jaxson move around as he inserted the DVD. My word he was hot. Those muscular thighs. The ass. I wanted him all to myself. A devilish smirk appeared when I was caught ogling.

  Jaxson sat on the couch and wrapped his arm around me as Ty climbed on my lap. A contented sigh left Jaxson’s lips and then a feather light kiss brushed the side of my head. “My life is complete with both of you in it.” Jaxson always knew what to say.

  I turned to stare into Jaxson’s eyes filled with love and warmth. The screen flickered to life, interrupting me echoing Jaxson’s. “Dad, can I sleep with you and London?”

  I held my breath. “We’ll do a campout this weekend. How does that sound, buddy?”

  “Yes!”

  Jaxson winked at me.

  The movie began and Ty snuggled between us, causing the subject to drop thank goodness. The feeling of us all together as one brought a joy I’d never experienced before. I loved it.

  As the opening credits ran across the screen, a yawn escaped from the nearly tuckered out Ty. Jaxson scooped Ty up. “Let’s go to bed, buddy.”

  Tiredly, Ty asked, “London isn’t leaving is she?”

  Piercing me with his eyes, Jaxson responded. “She’s not going anywhere. Ever.”

  Guilt assuaged me as I thought about my earlier selfish thoughts. “I promise, Ty. I’m not leaving you or your dad. You’re stuck with me.”

  Ty was insecure from knowing his mother left him even though he had no recollection of it. I gave him a kiss on the head. “We’re going to your Grama’s house for breakfast tomorrow before my dad has to go home.”

  “Okay.” Eyes shut as I followed Jaxson to the bedroom to lay him down. He rolled over with his hand tucked under his cheek. Children were a precious gift and I was blessed to have one as part of my life. Something I never thought would come to pass. Thoughts of Alec flickered through my mind. I would always remember him.

  The door quietly clicked shut and I threw my arms around Jaxson’s neck. “I promise I’ll never leave. I’ll never let Ty doubt my love for him or that he won’t have me in his life. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  Jaxson picked me up, carrying me to his room. “I know. It’s been a long day, sweetheart. I want to focus on us tonight. Just us.”

  “We’re engaged.”

  “We are.”

  “We’re living together.”

  “We are.”

  “We’re in love.”

  “We are.”

  His breath touched my face and my lower abdomen cinched with remembered desire. I wiggled my fingers, catching the sparkles from the ring. “I want a short engagement.”

  Slowly, Jaxson let me slide down his body. His rigid length pushed against me. “Whatever you wish. I want to make love to you as you wear my ring, future Mrs. McCole.”

  Tilting my head back, he tenderly kissed the base of my neck. “I like the sound of that.”

  Two weeks passed. No more threats were received. Dad spread the word around town I was happily engaged and planning a wedding. Security was definitely increased. There was a guard posted at the front gate who checked deliveries during the day. A few more did perimeter checks on a regular basis. Key cards were issued to all the employees for entrance to and from the barn. All visitors were logged. All houses had upgraded security systems.

  I felt safe. Or at least had the illusion of feeling safe.

  “Sweetheart, this is delicious.”

  My two men sat at the table devouring the cheese quiche I made. I loved cooking for them. Mom and I spent hours cooking together through my childhood. “I’m glad the recipe turned out and you guys like it.”

  “London, you’re the bestest cooker ever.” Ty pushed his plate back and held his stomach dramatically.

  I ruffled his hair that was getting longer and needed a trim as I sat to join them. “Thank you.” Since the engagement and explaining how the wedding happened, I noticed Ty still called me London which was fine. I would never pressure him to call me anything more.

  The doorbell rang and Jaxson stood. “That’ll be Grama. Grab your shoes, buddy. She’s going to take you to get a haircut.”

  A groan emitted.

  This morning Pam was watching Ty while I helped muck the stalls after my morning ride on Sparkles. Two of the employees called in sick, leaving the facility in a jam. But, I loved going to work with Jaxson. He was teachin
g me more about the therapy business. I felt like his true partner.

  Jaxson returned and finished the couple of last bites. “Are you ready to head to the barn?” Heading to the sink, Jaxson was preoccupied with his thoughts.

  Casually, I said, “So, I was thinking about a wedding date.”

  That stopped Jaxson in his tracks and he whipped around. Frequently, I was asked if I had any dates in mind. Until this morning, I was still trying to decide.

  “And when were you thinking, sweetheart?”

  “Let me preface this by saying, if you don’t think we can pull it off, we can wait.”

  He pulled me to my feet. “You’re killing me with anticipation.” I felt the heat of his hands wander to my ass.

  “Millie and Dad are planning on coming out together this next weekend. I don’t want the stress in planning a wedding. I’ve heard of too many drama stories. I want it simple and meaningful. I want to spend our first holidays in the house together as Mrs. McCole, not your fiancée.”

  “Are you absolutely sure this is what you want.” Jaxson searched my eyes.

  “As long as you do.”

  Lips mashed against mine. “I don’t care what we have to do to make this happen. All I want is you to be my wife.”

  “But what if—”

  He silenced me. “London, I mean it. All I want is for you to be my wife. What do you want?”

  “A beautiful dress and cake. For Millie and Dad to be there. Then whatever you want and whoever you want to invite.”

  Spinning me around, I squealed in Jaxson’s arms. “You’ve made me the happiest person in the world. Where do you want to get married?”

  Last week at lunch, Pam brought out the family albums of their weddings. There was a place special to the family. “At the chapel where your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents got married.”

  The spinning stopped. “Are you sure, sweetheart? If there’s some place—”

  I put my fingers to his lips. “I want it there. I want to be part of the tradition with you.”