Chaos

by Barbara Huffert

  “Flynn.” She hugged him tightly. “I came to the hospital that night. Brett called me and I had to see him. I didn’t know you were there and Shane didn’t tell me much about what happened. Later, I read the article and, I’m ashamed to admit this but, I thought you were the one who pulled the trigger.”

  “Did you think he was the one too?”

  “No. It said you died from gunshot wounds to your back. Shane would never do that. Not even after a guy shot him first.”

  “I should have run before we ever got there. It’s my fault he got clipped.”

  “Shane said you told him what they wanted you to do and asked him for help. If a different guy from that gang had been in the alley that night, he wouldn’t have bothered to speak. He just would have killed him. Flynn, I wish we could turn back time and neither of you had been hurt but I believe you being there saved him for me. If you had run and he had died I’m not sure I could have handled losing both of you. I felt like part of me died too the day I read about you. Miraculously, I got that back when I got you back. Neither of us blames you for Shane’s injury. Please don’t blame yourself either. I’m going to remember it as the event that brought us all together.”

  “But…” He was close to tears so Alyssa led him to a quiet spot away from the activity.

  Wrapping her arms around him, she whispered, “Sh, it’s okay now. It’s over and none of us is ever going back to those lives.” She held him as he cried like the scared little boy he was. “You are never going to be alone again. Neither of us is. We have that wonderful man who loves us and wants to take care of us. We just have to learn to let him. We need to trust him like he trusts us.”

  “But you don’t need anyone to take care of you.” Flynn swiped his face, staring at her.

  “Yes, I do. I’ve never admitted it before, not even to myself but I need that so much. I’ve spent my life, hiding behind my camera and my ‘I don’t give a damn about anyone’ attitude. I’m not sure I even knew it until Shane wormed his way past the wall I’d built around myself. I may not need exactly the same kind of attention that you do but I still need it. I need him to love me. I need him to put up with all my bullshit. I need to have him with me to show me where we can go together. I want to share this life that he made me realize I’d been hiding from. I don’t want to wake up alone anymore. I don’t want to even consider my life without him in it. And, I’m willing to bet that you don’t want to either.”

  “I guess not.”

  “We don’t have to go tomorrow,” she said suddenly.

  “What?”

  “We can just go home to our new house and take it from there. It can be just the three of us. We can start right away, learning about each other and how to do this family stuff.”

  “But what about Charlie? Don’t you want her?”

  “I do, Flynn but right now, I’m more concerned with you. When I told Shane about her, I didn’t know about you. I don’t want to risk taking anything away from you. She’ll be all right without us. We don’t have to go get her.”

  “But you said those people can’t take her back and she’s gonna be stuck in one of those homes.”

  “They’ll take care of her there. Some other family will take her in no time.”

  “When I first started calling, asking about you and he said he’d help me get out, I made him tell me about those places. He even went to see one, so he really knew.” Flynn looked at her steadily. “It sounded bad and if I’d ended up in that place, I would have taken off. I don’t think she should have to live there either.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to force her on you. I want you to think about it before you answer.”

  “So this is where you two got to.” Shane approached, very aware of the serious expressions on their faces. “I was afraid you’d both had second thoughts and run out on me.”

  “We were just having a little chat,” Alyssa supplied.

  “Mom wants to know if I mind if you get me a sister. She said we don’t have to and that I can keep you to myself if I want to.”

  Shane hid his surprise. He had been worried about the same thing. “She’s right, Flynn. You can have that if you want.”

  “Don’t you want her either?”

  “I didn’t say that and I doubt that Alyssa did either.” Shane crouched in front of him. “It would be great to have her with us, since I’m sure she’s even more precious than your mom described. It’s just that I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize our relationship. It’s still new and very fragile. You’re too important to me. I don’t want us to rush into something that might hurt you.”

  Flynn shifted his gaze between them. “I kinda liked the idea of a little sister. When my m— My other mom bailed and he hooked up with that woman, I was into it when they told me they were having a kid. When he shipped me off to his parents, I didn’t miss either of them but, sometimes, I wondered what the kid was like. Nobody ever told me what it was.”

  “Flynn.” Alyssa was crying now as she pulled him back to her.

  “Dad?” Flynn peeked at Shane.

  “I think she hates the way you were treated as much as I do.” Shane hoped he guessed the correct meaning to her tears.

  “Does this mean I get the fairy princess as my sister or not?”

  “Yes.” Alyssa laughed through her tears as Shane wrapped his arms around both of them.

  “Good.” Flynn squirmed. “Jeez, would ya stop slobbering on me already? I think I liked it better when you busted my ass all the time.”

  “Get used to it,” Shane teased. “One of the reasons I came to find you was because your grandmother wants a dance.”

  “Dad,” Flynn groaned.

  “Part of being a kid. Deal with it. And please watch what you say around her,” Shane reminded him, knowing his mother was only partly teasing when she corrected all of them.

  “Whatever.” Flynn rolled his eyes dramatically, accepting that he couldn’t get out of it and not dreading it nearly as much as he pretended.

  After everyone had their turn dancing with the bride, Shane reclaimed her. Holding her hand over his heart, he looked lovingly into her eyes. When he couldn’t resist any longer, he slowly lowered his head and captured her lips for a lingering kiss. Neither knew how much time had passed until Danny placed a hand on each of their backs.

  “Forgive the interruption, kids but the music stopped quite some time ago.”

  “Oh,” Shane commented as he ran his thumb along Alyssa’s lower lip.

  “Yes and I think the remaining staff might like to finish up and go home. Can I suggest you let us say good night and get out of here?”

  “Shane.” Alyssa’s mind started to function again. “Stop doing that!”

  “You don’t mean that.” He grinned. “But Dad’s right. We should go. I’m ready to make love to my wife.”

  “Shane!”

  Danny just laughed. “Frankly, Alyssa, I’m surprised he’s managed to wait this long. Then again, the way you were dancing could be considered foreplay.”

  “You’re as shameless as he is.”

  “Yep,” Danny admitted. “How else could I ever have kept that woman happy enough to put up with me all these years?” He nodded toward Rose. “Besides, I understand my son’s need to make that statement out loud and who better to make it to than his father? Come say your goodbyes and then go enjoy each other. And, Alyssa, I suspect you’ll find that making love to your husband is even more pleasurable than it was when he was merely your cousin’s brand new brother-in-law.” She gasped. “Don’t look so shocked. It was blatantly obvious what you two had been up to the day after Jordan’s wedding. I’m very happy that both of you had the sense to see that it was more than just sex.”

  “You could tell that then?” Shane was amazed.

  “Sure. You both had a look about you.” He shrugged. “I’m sure your parents will be pleased as well, Alyssa. Especially since I assured your father that my son wouldn’t let anything hurt you.” He la
ughed at their expressions again. “Would you please just get out of here now before a sentimental old man makes an even bigger fool of himself?”

  “Thank you, Danny.” Alyssa kissed his cheek. “Now I know where he gets it. Rose and I are both very lucky women. Kiley too.”

  * * * * *

  “McKade, what the hell are you doing?” Alyssa shrieked when he swept her off her feet and carried her through the doorway.

  “What do you think I’m doing,” he countered as she continued to laugh and struggle against him. “Shut up, Mrs. McKade and let me do this right. Nothing else about us has been anywhere close to traditional. Don’t you think maybe we should give it a try?”

  Alyssa went still. “Mrs. McKade. Wow.”

  “Yeah.” He looked into her eyes. “Sounds good, don’t you think? Or are you keeping Campini?” he asked somewhat tentatively.

  “Oh.” She looked uncertain. “Hm.” After a moment, she decided, “Campini for my photography stuff. McKade for my life.”

  Shane broke out in a huge grin. “I mention how much I love you lately?”

  “Nope.” She grinned back.

  “Well, I do.” He shifted her in his arms and kissed her.

  “Mm, you know this might work better if you put me down.”

  “Might but I don’t want to.” He sighed and, after another kiss, set her on her feet. “Make love with me, Pix.”

  “Yes,” she responded breathlessly, the expression on her face mirroring his.

  Shane felt as if someone had punched him in the gut. Just looking at this incredible woman made his heart hurt. The overwhelming feelings she inspired made it feel as if it might burst. Slowly, he reached out and caressed her cheek. As soon as he touched her, Alyssa sighed into the contact.

  He stepped closer, his hand cupping the back of her head as he lowered his for a gentle kiss. It was the sweetest they’d shared and it made them both shiver. Raising his head, he smiled. “Let me,” he said as piece by piece he stripped them out of their clothes. “You’re so beautiful.”

  “So are you,” Alyssa commented, looking over his body, appreciation showing clearly in her eyes.

  They both moved at the same time, coming together for another tender kiss. Their hands began to wander, touching and caressing every bit of each other. Soon, both were breathless.

  “Sit down, my Queen,” Shane whispered, urging her to the edge of the high, old-fashioned bed.

  Alyssa did as he asked, watching him intently as he kneeled at her feet. He parted her thighs and, for a moment, just looked at the treasure that was revealed. Ever so slowly, he shifted closer until he was a fraction of an inch from her flesh. He inhaled deeply, savoring the scent of her arousal. Glancing up at her face, he stuck out his tongue and tasted her.

  “Mm, so sweet.” His hands clasped her thighs, opening her further for his attention. He leaned in and licked between her lips fully, humming his enjoyment.

  “Oh God,” Alyssa gasped.

  “Sh. Let me.”

  She didn’t protest as he went back to licking her pussy. His tongue darted into her opening, then retreated to flick her clit. Over and over again, he alternated his attention.

  “Lie back,” he requested, moving her legs over his shoulders so he could get even closer.

  For an eternity, Shane feasted on Alyssa’s pussy, his tongue and mouth taking her higher and higher. When he added his fingers, sliding them in and out, back and forth, over and over, it was all she needed. She shattered, her orgasm sending her nerves spiraling with pleasure.

  When she calmed, Shane was still where he had been, gently lapping up her juices. “Shane,” she whispered, holding out her arms to him.

  Instantly Shane joined her on the bed. She moved to the middle and pulled him to her, kissing him, licking her wetness from his mouth.

  “I need you,” she said.

  “You have me,” he replied. Moving over her, he kissed her as he slid his cock home. Nothing had ever felt more right in his life. He was finally where he belonged, with the woman he would treasure all the days of his life.

  Steadily, Shane thrust his rigid cock into Alyssa’s pussy. All the while he whispered words of love, words he feared he’d never be welcome to say. Now, he wasn’t only welcomed he was encouraged with matching words of her own.

  Alyssa was writhing beneath him, urging him to move with her. Her back arched, pressing her firm breasts against his chest. Shane loved the feel of her surrounding his shaft, her soft skin against his body. He loved the little noises she made as her excitement escalated. Even more, he loved the way she held him tight when her pussy clenched around his cock. As soon as that happened he knew he wouldn’t be able to hold back. He would have to soar with her.

  Wanting just that, Shane shifted his hips, adjusting the angle of his cock so it brushed her sweet spot with every thrust. Alyssa wrapped herself around him and held on with both her arms and her legs. Although the sex between them had always been incredible this time was different. It was more. Perhaps being married to the woman he would love forever was the difference. He didn’t know and really, at the moment, it didn’t matter. She was the only thing that did. Alyssa and her pleasure. Shane kissed her just as she cried out, swallowing her orgasmic gasps as his cock erupted deep within her quivering sheath.

  Somehow he managed to shift to his side without crushing her, not easy since she was still wrapped thoroughly around him. He held her close and kissed her forehead.

  “What?” he asked a minute later when she started to laugh.

  “I’m sorry.” Alyssa giggled. “But I was just thinking about your dad.”

  “My dad?” Shane wondered, his mind still in a haze of passion. “You’re thinking about my dad now?”

  “No.” She laughed harder. “Not like that. What he said. About making love to my husband being better.”

  Shane’s laughter joined hers. “Oh yeah.”

  “He’s right you know. It really is.” With that, Alyssa twisted and kissed him soundly on the lips, making Shane the happiest man alive.

  Epilogue

  Kiley waited until her cousin, Alyssa, settled herself against her husband’s outstretched thigh. She had just arrived with the woman storm chaser that she spent the summer with. Everyone else including her in-laws and Sadie Brown and her niece, Andie were already gathered in Brett’s backyard for the birthday party he was hosting for his adopted nephew.

  After Alyssa introduced Chris to her, Kiley welcomed her. “It’s nice to finally meet you. As I understand it, I have you to thank for guiding Alyssa in the right direction.”

  “Kiles,” Alyssa flinched at the tone of her cousin’s voice.

  “I’m afraid I don’t quite understand what you mean,” Chris commented, sensing the instant tension around her.

  “Brian was just telling us how you and Alyssa spent all sorts of time, riding around alone, discussing her situation with Shane.”

  “Oh, well…”

  “Stop it, Kiles. Please?”

  “Once again, I’ve found more people who knew all about what was going on. You see, Chris, I didn’t have any inkling of the relationship between my cousin and my brother-in-law. I was still under the impression that they couldn’t stand each other and only called a truce to their personal war to placate me.”

  “Kiley,” Jordan tried to stop her, hoping to spare another outburst.

  “It’s okay, Jordan,” Shane interrupted, pulling Alyssa closer into his protective embrace. “Let her get it out. Maybe, this time, she’ll say enough to forgive us.”

  “You were saying?” Chris asked, when Kiley glared at the couple, still fuming.

  “Hmm, where should I begin?” Kiley asked sarcastically. “I know. Let me tell you about the day Brett invited us over for a little barbecue he was having in honor of Jordan’s birthday. I wondered why, since we had a joint celebration the week before on his birthday but I thought he was using it as an excuse to show off his new house. Perhaps I should have been sus
picious when my aunt and uncle showed up for a visit. They had been here for our wedding and it was a little odd, them coming back barely three months later, especially since their daughter wasn’t back from her assignment with you yet and sometimes, I’d go almost a whole year without seeing them.

  “Then there were Brett’s other guests. I certainly should have questioned it more when I was introduced to Sally and Dave and their children but I figured Brett was just trying to make them feel welcome. It seemed a little strange when they showed up and moved into a house in town that I hadn’t known Jordan and Brett even owned. I actually believed their whole, it’s a good investment to buy real estate line. I even accepted the explanation that they came here due to the things Alyssa had said about the town when they met her at that Fourth of July picnic. After all, how many times can you watch your home be demolished and pick up the pieces of your life, knowing it could be destroyed again as soon as you rebuild? And when the Millers, their former teachers, popped up, I thought Brett had bumped into them one of the times he went to visit Shane at his parents’ house over the summer and spontaneously invited them.

  “I did wonder where Shane was, since he wasn’t with my in-laws. He also hadn’t called to say he was coming to stay with us so it didn’t make sense for him to drive in separately. I was concerned that he wasn’t healing as well as he kept saying he was. He had resigned from the police force by then and was spending tremendous amounts of time with his parents. I was worried by the way he seemed to be avoiding Jordan all summer. I was also confused by the way Jordan kept shrugging it off. I didn’t understand why it didn’t bother him that Shane and Brett seemed to seek each other out without including Jordan. He kept insisting that everything was fine and they were just giving us privacy.

  “Well, there I was, probably sitting in this same spot when I looked up and saw Alyssa walking around the pool toward me. I was so happy to see her that I missed the rest of them. It took me a few minutes to notice that my husband was grinning like an idiot. When I finally turned to see what excited him so much I saw Shane, holding an angelic little girl in one arm with his hand resting on the shoulder of a very wary boy. It dawned on me that everyone else had stopped talking and were all watching me, holding their breath.