“I’m gonna love you so good,” she whispers, squeezing my neck.
“No more space.”
She grins at me as she lowers her lips to mine. “Not.” Kiss. “One.” Kiss. “Inch.”
“Bring it on,” I say, with steely conviction that overwhelms me.
Bring on the love. Bring on this life. Bring on the storms.
“Mean to Me” by Brett Eldredge
The Present
THE SMELL OF smoke and barbeque tickle my nose. The boys hover around the flat screen, yelling plays to Drew Brees and Sean Payton as if they’re actually listening. The girls and I curl up on the outdoor furniture, doing what we do best—relaxing and talking about the boys.
Cain’s rooftop patio is the perfect place for our evening get together for two reasons. First, Cain has it maxed out with the best outdoor kitchen and entertainment system he could find. And secondly, we couldn’t fit our friends inside the apartment with all the stacks of boxes littering the rooms. I may be moved in, but I’m far from unpacked.
“Congrats on the big move, Cece. I must say, the man wastes no time,” Sara says, with a tip of her beer.
I smile as I watch Cain from across the patio. He takes a pull off his beer, and I salivate watching his throat muscles contract, his Adam’s apple bob. Oh yeah, I’m obsessed. But it feels so good to be able to watch him openly. I plan on checking him out plenty and often.
“No, he doesn’t. But when it’s right, it’s right, ya know? I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
Audrey squeezes my thigh and gives me an affectionate smile. It’s amazing how quickly she and I fell back into our old relationship, no grudges or anger to speak of. No big explanations or apologies were needed between us. We love each other unconditionally and accept the mistakes between as just that—mistakes.
Cain and I have plans to meet her and Lucas at the pond this week. The improvement in Lucas is staggering. In a relatively short amount of time, he’s shown immeasurable growth and cooperation with his psychiatrist and therapists. There has even been talk about the possibility of a group home while attending the hospital’s day program as the next step in his treatment. I couldn’t be more proud of his progress. He amazes me every day.
“How’s the wedding planning coming, Sara? I have gobs of wedding magazines and planners that I used for our wedding, so I’d be happy to share,” Alex offers.
Sara’s eyes brighten. “Oh, you know what, there is something. Who catered your wedding? Every bite was like a little morsel of heaven.”
“Damn straight. That shit was tight … and so was my dress by the end of the night,” Marlo says with a laugh.
“I don’t remember the name right off hand, but I can get it from my parents. I forgot about this until just now, but it was kind of strange. Marlo, the chef actually asked about you. He knew you somehow, I guess, and must have noticed you at the reception.” Alex stands and brushes off her skirt, watching West from across the patio.
“And you can’t remember the name?” Marlo asks with a clipped tone and a frown.
Alex turns back to Marlo, distracted. “Huh? Oh, no, I’m not sure. I’ll ask my mom, though.”
Alex paces across the patio and stands between West’s bent legs. He runs a soft hand across her flat belly then peppers kisses over his path. She runs her fingers through his hair and smiles down at him lovingly.
It looks like Cain and me aren’t the only two who have an announcement to make. I smile to myself and keep my lips sealed. They’ll share their news in their own time.
“Celia Lemaire, come and sit that gorgeous ass on my lap so I can whisper dirty somethings in your ear,” Cain shouts across the patio with a wink.
“Ugh, all this coupledom is nauseating me. Seriously. Bring on the vodka,” Marlo quips with a hair flip and eye roll.
“Yeah, like that’ll ever happen,” Sara mumbles under her breath and shudders. “Marlo with a buzz is a terrifying thought.”
Marlo thinks on it for a moment then nods. “Yeah, you’re right. I better stick with my DDP.”
“I don’t get it. Why don’t you invite that dude Mike to these dinners? You’ve been seeing him for a while, right?” Cain asks.
“Uh, maybe because you shouldn’t invite one-night stands into your friend circle. It’s bad juju, man.” Marlo shakes her head and mashes her lips together.
“One-night stand? Did you just say one-night stand?” Cain asks incredulously. “Hey, Adam, man, back me up on this one. Have you ever had a one-night stand?”
Adam sighs and slumps his shoulders. “Why yes, Cain, I have. Thank you so much for mentioning it.” Adam turns to Sara and mouths, “I love you” as she purses her lips and gives him evil eyes.
“You’re welcome, my friend. Now, tell me, how long do your one-night stands last?” Cain raises his eyebrows and extends his hand in Adam’s direction.
“One night dude. That’s why it’s called a one-night stand.”
Cain slaps my thigh, and I jump. “Exactly my point! Marlo’s been having the same one-night stand for months. Sorry, Marlo, but if this guy’s been putting up with your ass for that long, he’s earned himself some barbeque.”
“Oh yeah? Well, I think you’ve earned yourself a kick to the balls, big man.” Marlo narrows her eyes, hip popped and fists clenched.
Movement on the stairwell catches my attention, and I watch Caroline step onto the patio, Lily and Gage running in behind her.
I hop off Cain’s lap and give him a quick kiss before meeting Caroline at the entryway. Once I’m gone, Cain covers his crotch with his hand, eyeing Marlo suspiciously. Smart move on his part.
Caroline greets me with a tight embrace. Tears prick the back of my eyes, and she gently rubs my back.
“There, there. Today’s a happy day, my dear,” she whispers in my ear.
“The happiest.”
“Indeed.” She pulls away and gives me a once-over. “Love agrees with you. You are simply radiant today.”
I blush at her compliment, and we both turn to watch our friends in their element. I may have lost my mom and Grams, but these people are my family, regardless of blood.
“If you would have asked me as little as a month ago if I would ever get to this point…”
“Never underestimate the power of determination … the force of relentless adoration. Look at him over there. He can’t keep his eyes off you.” Caroline chuckles as she watches Cain watch me. I can’t tear my eyes away from him either.
“I know the feeling,” I whisper with a smile playing on my lips.
Caroline swats my butt with a sting that makes me yelp. “Go, sweet girl. Go enjoy yourself.”
I reach in for another hug, and nuzzle my head into her neck.
“Thank you.”
“Your happiness is all the gratitude I need.”
She shoves me away too soon, and I take my place back on Cain’s lap. His arms wrap around me, and he kisses my shoulder, my collarbone, my neck, but then he stops. He turns his head to the side, and his eyebrows furrow.
“Tink, where’s your necklace? I’ve never seen you without it.”
I brush my finger across his forehead and down his nose before pressing my smiling lips to his.
“It’s downstairs in my jewelry box,” I say with a shrug. “I don’t think I need to wear it anymore.”
His face lights up with my admission, and he pulls me in even closer.
“Damn straight, Tink. Damn straight.”
An ominous hiss filters up from under the bed, jolting me awake. A defeated yelp follows, and the pounding of Biz’s paws across the bedroom floor causes Cain to stir, too. He snakes an arm around my waist and pumps his morning wood into my panty-covered ass before settling back to sleep. I’m sure it’s ladylike and appropriate to be offended by his caveman ways, but I’m not. I wouldn’t trade my Caveman Casanova for all the catnip in the world.
Now, Eddie’s a different story.
It’s been a few
weeks since the big move and everyone is settling into the new arrangement nicely … everyone, that is, except for my sweet kitty, Edna Catherine Lemaire. She’s a bit of a princess, and a rambunctious terrier named Mr. Biscuit is messing with her kingdom. It’s a wonder poor Biz hasn’t bled to death from Eddie’s frequent and brutal paw swipes.
“Let ‘em duke it out, Tink. In this house, our motto is ‘survival of the fittest.’ Biz can fight his own battles,” Cain grumbles into the crook of my neck.
“Last time I checked, your last name was Bennett, not Darwin. Poor Biz needs reinforcements. I’m beginning to think Eddie’s possessed. I foresee World War III in our future. Feline versus Canine: a fight to the death.”
I pull up again, only to be jerked back into bed. Cain rolls me in one swift motion and settles between my legs, my arms pinned on top of my head. I let out a contented sigh, his morning wood placing the perfect amount of pressure exactly where I need it. God, I love waking up to this man. I love falling asleep with him, too. Moving in with him was the best and easiest decision I’ve ever barely been allowed to make.
When it’s right, you just know it.
“I promise, darlin’. They’ll work it out. Give them some time. They’re just like their momma and daddy.”
I burst out laughing and roll my eyes. “Is that right?”
I have to admit hearing Cain refer to us as Momma and Daddy does funny things to my stomach ... my heart, too. I could get used to that.
“Oh yeah,” he says as he trails open-mouthed kisses down my neck. “You see, Biz tries to give Eddie all the attention, and she’s just not having it. Her feisty little ass pushes him away at every turn. Sound familiar?”
I jump when he nips my earlobe, and goose bumps erupt on my skin as his breath tickles my neck. “Vaguely,” I whisper.
“Uh huh. I thought so.” He releases my hands and my fingers thread through his blond curls. He tugs my tank top up to my neck and takes one of my nipples into his mouth. He releases it with a pop and grins at me. “Then she’ll give him an inch … just a tiny inch, though. He’ll feel like he’s the king of the world, but sadly, it’ll be short-lived. Eddie will swipe the rug out from under him, yet again.”
“She’s finicky that way,” I stutter as his fingers curl under the waistband of my panties and pull down … down … down.
“Yes, yes she is.” I’m not sure if he’s talking about Eddie or me, but I forget to care when he slides up my legs and places a luscious lick between my legs. “And that’s when Biz will decide he’s had enough. He doesn’t need Eddie anyway.”
He keeps talking, seemingly unaffected, while I lay here writhing … panting.
“He doesn’t need her?”
“At least that’s what he’s gonna tell himself while ignoring the hell out of her.”
He lines his body up with mine, his shaft sliding effortlessly between my legs. My wetness offers an exquisite amount of friction to his thrusts. He stops mid-slide when a blood-curdling yelp echoes through the apartment.
“I’d say they are definitely still in the pushing away phase,” I say with a giggle that dies away as the tip of his cock pushes at my entrance. “Eddie won’t like being ignored.”
“No, she won’t like it at all. She’ll miss Biz’s masculine prowess and animalistic sex appeal.”
“Uh huh. She’ll miss the hell out of him,” I say. It’s the best answer I can muster as he slowly, deliciously works his tip in and out of my body. The more I push my body forward, the more he backs away. I love it and hate it in equal measures. “Cain, I need you now. Please…”
“That’s what Eddie’s gonna say. Just you watch, Tink.”
He keeps teasing … taunting…
“Cain?”
“Yeah?”
I pull his face down to mine and narrow my clouded eyes at him. “If you don’t take me deep right this very second, I swear I’m joining Eddie’s army for World War III.”
“Well, we can’t have that, now can we?”
In one smooth motion, he drives in to the hilt, ending my sweet torture. His corded muscles remain still, tension rippling through his body. All the energy, adoration, and passion filters through his gorgeous green eyes as he gazes at me. His long lashes flutter as his forehead falls to mine.
“Thank you,” he whispers.
“For what?”
“For choosing to share your life with me.”
Happy tears threaten to fall as I press my lips to his.
“Thank you for making it worth living.”
With full hearts and overwhelming need, we both succumb to the exquisite storm within us.
With each book, writing acknowledgments gets more and more difficult. My list of gratitude grows and my ability to say goodbye to my characters becomes unbearable. Saying “thank you” marks the end of Storms Over Secrets, and I’m in no way ready to say goodbye. Cain and Celia weaved their way into my heart like no other characters have. The only thing keeping the tears at bay is that I have one more book to write in The Over Series. Although the book is complete, their story will continue, even if it’s in the background.
I owe thanks to so many people, and this list is in no way exhaustive. There is no way to thank everyone who has helped me on this journey, but I’ll certainly give it a shot. I’m emotional and a bit weepy, so please forgive me any inadvertent omissions.
A big thank you to my husband and my professor for understanding the endless hours spent sitting in front of the computer. Thank you for your patience and enduring the ever-present stench of coffee that follows me around. That’s the price I pay for being a coffee shop writer. A million thanks to my parents for the sleepovers, fishing trips, and swimming so the professor didn’t die of boredom while I penned Celia and Cain’s story.
To the best beta readers a girl could ask for, hands down. You pushed, you questioned, you challenged, and I can’t thank you enough for that. Roxie, the ultimate beta fairy, thank you for your attention to detail and perspective. You always see what I can’t, and I thank you for that. But most of all, I thank you for your friendship. Casey, this wouldn’t be near as much fun without you. Thank you for being my sounding board and telling me when I need to slow it down, sex it up, or start from scratch. I hope to be sitting with you thirty years from now, in our rocking chairs, sporting our romance novels with Fabio on the cover, and shooting the breeze. Kristy, here we go for round three! I can’t imagine what it would be like if I never sent that PM. I’m so grateful to have met you. Natasha, thank you for being the push I need. So many times, I wanted to procrastinate, and all I could think was “Natasha’s gonna kill me.” I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you were relentless. One person at a time, right?
To my wonderful editor, Madison Seidler, proofreader, Alexis Durbin, formatter, Julie Titus, and cover designer, Regina Wamba, I truly appreciate all of your time and dedication. Thank you, Daniela, for making such amazing graphics and bringing my story to life. You’ve all been wonderful resources, and I’m so happy I found such wonderful people to work with. Your professionalism and hard work help me breathe easy when I press publish, and I can’t put a price on that feeling.
To the fabulous Indie Chicks Rock girls—thank you for the advice, the encouragement, and the endless shenanigans. I truly appreciate your friendship and feel blessed to have such a great support system. Indie Chicks Rock!!
To all the amazing bloggers and book clubs who take the time to review and post, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kind words and efforts have meant the world to me. You all are the heart of this indie community, and I’m so appreciative of every post, review, and comment.
To my late night cheerleaders, thank you for the laughs and writing fuel. Laura, Tracey, Sanzana, Kristy, and so many more, nothing brings a smile to my face more than talking with you ladies. Your friendship means the world to me.
To the amazing ladies in my Jezebel group, thank you so much for your friendship, encouragement, and support. I lo
ve this group so much. We are sassy, sexy, highly inappropriate, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. This fun little group has become my safe place, and I thank you for that.
To all of the wonderful readers out there, I hope Celia and Cain grab you and don’t let go. That’s exactly what they did to me, and I hope you feel that when you read. Every message or comment I receive from a reader is the most amazing gift. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my stories—there is no greater compliment. I’ll keep writing as long as there’s someone listening.
J.A. DEROUEN RESIDES IN South Louisiana with her husband, son (aptly nicknamed “The Professor”), and her furry friend, Scout. She has earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and nursing. When she's not writing or inhaling romance novels by the stack, she works as a women's health nurse. She’s been an avid reader and daydreamer since childhood, and she's never stopped turning the page to get to the next happily ever after.
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Now Available:
Hope Over Fear (The Over Series #1)
Wings Over Poppies (The Over Series #2)
Coming in 2016 Marlo’s Story
Storms Over Secrets Page 29