by Alicia Rae
He gently cut me off, covering my lips with his index finger. “Now, that’s enough talking for one night.”
His eyes were suddenly keen and hot, and I felt my body instantly respond to him.
“I’m dying to make love to you,” he said.
My blood heated and sizzled within me as I reciprocated his thoughts. I dropped my hands between us and grabbed the hem of his shirt. I tugged it over his head in one motion. My desire to touch his bare chest overcame me as I set my hands on either side of his heart, and then I moved them up and down his rippled muscles. A gruff sound left his throat before he backed me up against the wall, colliding our bodies together. The hardness of him pressed firmly against my stomach.
His head moved from side to side. “I don’t think we’re going to make it to the bedroom.” He grinned wolfishly.
“Fine by me,” I replied, mirroring his expression as his hands removed my shirt.
He looked down, and his hands glided up and down my waist. “You look so fucking hot in lace,” he growled before bending forward to capture my mouth in a scorching kiss.
He dominated me with his lips, and we both stripped off one another’s clothes with rapid movements, never breaking our connection. Jason stepped closer, cupped my ass, and lifted me. I locked my ankles around his waist. My hands came to his nape, and I sank my fingers into his dark blond hair, reveling in the softness of it. With one hand still holding me, he shifted the other to rub his erection against my sex.
A throaty groan tore from the back of his throat as he leaned his forehead against mine. “Christ, Abbey. I haven’t even touched you yet, and you’re ready for me,” he said.
That was what he did to me. One look, one touch, one kiss—that was all it took for me to yearn for him.
Jason deliberately drove into me with a languid stroke, and then he paused. “When we’re together like this…it’s just you and me, baby,” he breathed against my skin. “No one will ever love you as much as I do.”
His confession sent the sensations inside of me rocketing. “Jason,” I rasped in agreement, needing him to satisfy the burning desire coursing through my core.
“I got you,” he said in a deep voice, grasping my ass again with both hands.
His hips fell into a rhythm, slow and steady, and then he picked up speed, pumping in and out of me. I clenched my arms around him, and I matched his fervor, feeling the muscles at the center of my abdomen pull and tighten, as I clenched around his length. Jason dragged his lips from my neck to my mouth. I kissed him hard as I shattered around him, my orgasm gripping and releasing him with every wave undulating outward from my center.
Jason moaned, coming inside me. His movements slowed, prolonging the delicious sensations he invoked in me. We parted, and he dropped his head against mine again.
“Love you, Abbey,” he said throatily, faintly shaking his head. “Nothing will ever change that.”
I tipped my head up to greet his lips just one more time, unable to restrain myself.
This man fills my soul. “I love you, too…” I breathed against his luscious lips. “More than anything.”
The left side of his mouth twitched into a slow boyish grin. “Come on, baby. It’s time for bed.”
I nodded, and he lowered me to my feet. He twined his fingers with mine, and we stepped over our clothes lying all over the floor. I inwardly grinned, reveling at the memory of him ravishing me just moments ago against my foyer wall.
By one o’clock on Sunday afternoon, my entire condo was cleaned spotless from wall-to-wall and ceiling-to-floor.
I was one of those people who cleaned when emotions were running high—whether I was happy or sad or mad. It was uncontrollable. And today, I was a bundle of nerves.
It had been four whole days since I’d last seen Pearl or heard her laughter. I missed her terribly, and I felt like a part of myself was missing, too.
My other concern was Diane. I had no idea if she’d changed her mind on our arrangement.
Then, I wondered if Pearl would even want to live with Jason and me.
Not knowing and feeling powerless was a heartrending process to endure.
Jason’s broad arms wrapped around me from behind. “Hey,” he said in a gentle tone, nuzzling me. “It’s going to be all right. Give it some time, okay?”
I needed his strength and support more than he could ever know. I pivoted in his hold, facing him. “I know. It’s just that it’s Sunday, and we always spend the weekends together. I miss her like crazy.”
“Me, too. This condo has been way too quiet the past few days.” Jason smiled fondly, caressing his hands up and down my back reassuringly. “But I’m sure Pearl will come around when she’s ready.”
My anxiety increased as more doubts surfaced. I frowned, pondering over the fact that I didn’t know how Pearl felt about this all. “What if our friendship wasn’t enough? Or she doesn’t want to live with us permanently?” I asked my thoughts out loud.
Jason lifted one hand to brush a stray lock of my hair behind my shoulder. “Don’t say that,” he chided softly. “Abbey, Pearl loves you just as much as you her. Anyone would be a fool not to see that.”
He’s right. My doubts were getting the best of me. “I hope so,” I murmured.
“I know so,” he countered before swooping down to kiss me once. Then, he stared around at our condo before glancing back at me. “Well, now that you’ve made this place sparkle, I thought I’d take you to the beach.”
I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of putting my toes in the sand. “Are we going to my favorite dock?” I asked hopefully.
Jason’s brows rose. “What other beach would I take you to?” he scoffed playfully with a smirk.
I loved his canny ability to lighten my mood. “Good point.” I winked but then frowned. “What if Pearl comes over while we’re out though?”
Jason looked to be contemplating his response while mirroring my expression. “She has your number now, right?”
“Yes.”
“We can leave a note on the door. Plus, it’s only right up the road, so we can always come back for her if she calls,” he replied thoughtfully.
“That’s true,” I responded. I knew if Pearl were coming over today, she would have been here already. “Okay, let’s get ready,” I added.
Jason and I walked into our room. We each changed into our swimming suits and then put on our clothes over them. Then, we packed a bag with towels and food. Jason was still finishing up in our bedroom as I ambled into the kitchen to write a note for Pearl to leave on the door, saying where we would be if she happened to stop over. Once done, I dug in my junk drawer for tape just as the doorbell rang.
Note forgotten, I eagerly headed for the door and pulled it open, hoping it was Pearl.
Diane was standing on the other side. My gaze lowered to see Pearl behind her. My heart plummeted at the thought of why Pearl would be hiding behind Diane. I forced my eyes back to Diane with a perplexed expression.
“Hi, Diane and Pearl,” I said kindly.
“Hi,” Pearl faintly murmured, still not stepping forward.
“Hello, Abbey,” Diane replied.
Her voice sounded like she was tired and stressed. The tone made my worry increase.
“May we come in?”
“Of course,” I replied, opening the door wider so that they could enter.
My attention darted to Pearl, but her eyes stayed focused in front of her. My heart clenched in my chest. I closed the door and spun around. Jason was standing at the junction of the living room and hallway with his questioning gaze on me. I offered him a weak smile while feeling vulnerable enough to crumble at any given moment. The unknown was pure torture.
Diane turned to face Jason. He lifted his hand to greet her as she spoke, “You must be Jason, I presume?”
“Yes. Nice to finally meet you,” he replied, outstretching his hand to shake hers.
She muttered an agreement to Jason and then glanced over at
me. “Is it okay if we sit?” she said, pointing to the couch.
“Sorry,” I muttered. I realized that in my worry, I’d forgotten my manners. My brain felt like it was disconnected from my body as if I were floating off in the clouds somewhere. “Yes, please have a seat,” I quickly added, gesturing her to the couch.
Pearl sat next to Diane. Jason came to my side and gently laid his hand on my back, guiding me toward the love seat to the right of the couch.
Once we were all seated, Jason took the lead. “So, Diane, how can we help you?” he asked in a friendly voice.
My eyes bounced between Diane and Pearl before settling on Diane.
Diane immediately directed her attention to me. “Abbey,” she drawled in her nails-on-a-chalkboard tone, making me inwardly cringe. “I’m here to inform you that I spoke with my uncle, Tom Berkley, who is a lawyer, and he said that since we both agree on you taking full custody of Pearl, the court process should proceed rather quickly. Have you contacted an attorney yet?”
I gawked over at her, reeling, and feeling terrible that Pearl had to listen to this. I took a deep breath, praying for patience with this woman. “Since we spoke on Friday afternoon, I assumed the law offices would be closed. I was planning to call first thing Monday morning.”
“Monday will work. I’d like to take care of this as quickly as possible. I’ve decided to move back to Oklahoma to be near my family again,” she responded matter-of-factly, crossing her arms. “And I will have Tom forward my bill to you as well.”
I didn’t even bat an eyelash at the word bill. I was still stuck on the part about moving.
“You made plans to move already?” I asked in astonishment.
“But you are staying here in Lake Tahoe until arrangements are final with Pearl, right?” Jason cut in. His voice sounded as though he was fighting for control.
“Yes,” she answered, “as long as we can resolve this custody predicament fast because I have accepted a job offer back home.”
“Don’t worry. There will be no delays on our end,” Jason said curtly to Diane.
My ears tuned out Diane and Jason as I zoned in on Pearl. She looked sad and lost.
I wasn’t sure if Pearl was sad because she had to live with me or because of Diane’s careless and apparent dismissal of her. The gut-wrenching thought tore at my heart. I yearned to reach out, hold her, and cover her ears from listening to this conversation. She didn’t need to hear any of it.
“Diane,” I cut in, rising to my feet, “could I please speak with Pearl for a minute?”
“No problem.” Diane waved her hand at me as I strode over to Pearl. “I’m late, and I need to get to work anyway.”
Ignoring Diane now, I knelt down at Pearl’s side. Her big emerald eyes that were normally so bright were pink, puffy, and gloomy.
It took everything I had to hold myself together and be strong—for her.
“Pearl, would you mind coming with me, so we can talk? Just the two of us?” I asked her in a gentle tone, wanting her to make the decision and not feel forced.
Something was bothering her. I needed to know that she was okay and that living with Jason and me was what she wanted. I wouldn’t force her hand.
“Yes,” she said as she twined her tiny fingers with mine and slid forward on the couch.
We both rose together. As Pearl and I walked toward the hallway, I saw Jason leading Diane to the front door. After we reached the spare room, Pearl hopped on the bed, and I took a seat next to her. I shifted my left leg to the side. Pearl mirrored my position, so we faced each other.
“Pearl, sweetie, are you okay?” I asked. I was at a loss for words while trying to gather my scattered thoughts.
Pearl’s bottom lip trembled, and she nodded her head up and down with succession. I knew I had to open up to Pearl first to show her that it was okay to tell me her feelings, no matter what she felt inside.
“Over the last six months I’ve known you, you and I have become very dear friends, huh?”
Pearl nodded again, and I could see her eyes brimming with tears.
I kept talking before I broke down myself, “When you aren’t here with me, I miss you terribly. I love spending time with you—watching movies together, listening to you tell me about your day at school, doing your homework together, or just having our girl time.” I set my hand on top of hers. “But somewhere along the way, things changed for me, Pearl. My friendship toward you turned into something deeper. It blossomed into love. I think of you as my family, and I want—”
I choked off as Pearl threw herself into my arms, hugging me. I gathered my arms around her and let my tears fall.
God, I love this little girl so, so much.
“I love you, Pearl,” I whispered against the top of her head, repeating what I felt inside. I realized I would never tire of saying that to her, so she would always know how I felt inside.
“I love you, too,” she murmured between sobs.
I drew back, so I could see her face. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Jason leaning against the doorframe, silently watching the two of us.
“But, sweetie, I need to know this is what you want in your heart and that you’ll be happy here. I don’t want you to feel like you’re being forced to live with me.”
“I know I’ll be happy here,” she said quickly. “I’ve always wanted to be here with you, and now, Jason, too, than over there with Diane. But I didn’t know if you wanted me or if you were only taking me because you had to, like Diane did,” she trailed off.
I bit back a frown at her thoughts, knowing I would never think such a thing. I was doing this because I loved her. I lifted one hand to gently cup her cheek. “Of course I want you, Pearl.” I shook my head. “I want nothing more than for the three of us to be a family—a family that you deserve.” I tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “You’re a beautiful young girl with so much life ahead of you, and I’m honored to be a part of it with you.”
Jason strode over to us. Pearl immediately looked over at him, and I heard her breath catch in her throat. He knelt on the floor in front of us with his eyes on Pearl. I glanced at Pearl and noticed she was nervously biting her lip.
“So, you’re going to be my family now, too?” she asked Jason shyly.
“Yes, Pearl,” Jason agreed affectionately.
My heart swelled at the emotions reflecting in his eyes as he spoke to her.
“I want nothing more than to be a part of your life, to take care of you and Abbey.” He released a soft smile. “If you’ll have me…”
Pearl leaped off the bed, and her arms found their way around Jason’s neck. She hugged him tightly. “I love you, Jason,” she whispered, still embraced in his arms.
Jason’s eyes lifted to mine, and I could barely see him through my thick tears. His own eyes were glistening with moisture.
“I love you, too, Pearl,” he said, dropping his head and tightening his hold on her. “You and Abbey are my world.”
Jason tilted his head up and locked eyes with me, and he extended his right arm outward. I lowered myself to the floor and joined their embrace. As the three of us held each other, I felt every piece of me overflowing with love and a sense of belonging. I thanked the heavens for giving me these two beautiful people.
I had been blessed with falling in love with not only the man of my dreams, but also with a beautiful young girl who captured my heart at the same time. My life suddenly felt like a full circle. It was complete and whole.
Three Weeks Later
With all of Pearl’s adoption legalities finalized at last, tonight would be her first official night of living with Jason and me.
Jason had taken Pearl out for lunch and a trip to the local library, so Gail and I could rock out cleaning every room inside the condo.
The two of us cleaned every corner from floor-to-ceiling, so everything would be perfect for Pearl’s arrival this evening. A shiny banner that read, Welcome Home, Pearl, was carefully hanging from the living room
ceiling. Pink and purple balloons were scattered throughout the condo. Catered food and cupcake trays covered nearly every inch of the kitchen counter.
Pleased with the outcome, I walked down the hallway to the old spare room that would now be Pearl’s bedroom. Leaning against the doorjamb, my gaze scanned over the new changes. All the walls had been painted a pastel pink. Jason and I had chosen a white bedroom set, including an armoire filled with princess dresses I’d ordered online. The matching bookshelf had storybooks of every Disney princess that I knew Pearl enjoyed to read.
My whole face glowed with happiness, trying to envision Pearl’s smile when she would see her new room for the first time. My eyes caught sight on a picture frame on her nightstand. I ambled over to pick up the frame, and I ran my fingers across the glass, smiling. The photograph was of Pearl, Jason, and me, all dog-piling on the couch before one of our regular Sunday movie nights during her visits. Happy tears spilled down my cheeks while thinking how much I looked forward to creating so many more memories with both of them.
I heard Gail’s footsteps followed by her voice from behind me. “All right, lady, every square foot of your home is sparkling!”
I blinked rapidly, hoping she hadn’t caught me crying, before I rotated to face her. She was smiling as she shook a bottle of Pledge in her hand.
“Thank you.” I kindly smiled over at her.
Her eyes were warm while she stopped alongside me. She glanced at the picture and then me. “Abbey, I’m so happy for you. I know how grueling the last two months were for you and Jason with Pearl’s adoption, but you made it. The three of you will always be together from this day forward.”
She shook her head, pondering briefly, as though gathering her words before she continued, “I’ll be honest. When you first told me you wanted to adopt Pearl, I thought it seemed like an unattainable goal. I was so worried for you. Thinking of the fight you’d have on your hands with Diane and the court system, you finding a happy ending seemed so far away.” She placed her hand on my shoulder and smiled at me affectionately. “But you reminded me that all good things, especially the people we love, are worth fighting for.”