by Shea Swain
It seemed that relationships were all kinds of emotional and his control of his abilities was clearly linked to his emotions, for now. He could imagine what the doctors would think if he began floating a foot off the floor, or sent an energy bolt out of his hands that blew the lights and equipment in the room. Or if they witnessed the eerie change of eye color that happened right before he did something otherworldly.
No…it was best he was out here where he was surrounded by people who understood his issues.
Brandon got to his feet. “I’m gonna get some coffee. You look as if you could use some water.” Ian nodded. His friend took drink orders from everyone before heading to the snack machines. Tanner passed a sleeping Mandy on Mama Morel’s lap and asked to go along. Brandon agreed.
This is my family, Ian thought with a smile. Now if only Aria and the baby—
That thought was cut short as Ian noticed a small cluster of individuals rushing to surround Mrs. Cole, who had seemed to appear out of nowhere. Ian shot to his feet, anticipation burning through his veins. He watched Mrs. Cole, who was surrounded by Richard and Aria’s aunts, who he’d met at few weeks ago, as they moved into the waiting room. Mrs. Cole’s eyes found him almost instantly.
“She’s perfect, Ian,” Mrs. Cole’s voice shook with emotion as tears streamed down her face. “They’re both doing fine.”
Ian let out the breath he’d been holding and he vaguely felt the pats on his back, the hugs, and the well wishes. He staggered forward, as joy and relief washed over him.
“Go see your family, son,” Mr. Cole said, gently nudging him foreword.
My family, Ian thought with pride as he walked down the hallway. The lights above him seemed to brighten as he came to room 129. A nurse was coming out as he reached out to push the door open.
“Congratulations, Mr. Howl,” the nurses sang in unison as they moved around each other.
Ian nodded, but kept his eyes on his beautiful new bride as she sat upright in the hospital bed holding the most important person in both of their lives from now on.
“Come in and meet your daughter, Noemi.” Aria smiled.
NOEMI ROLLED OVER ON HER back and raised her arm. Her little pudgy hands reached for the mobile that moved slowly above her. Ian looked at the black and white shapes that held her attention and wondered why the spinning toy fascinated her so much. She was only a couple months old, but he would swear that her huge, round, smoky eyes were focused on the mobile as if she could see more in it than just a toy.
“Aria,” Ian called out.
“Yeah,” Aria answered from their bedroom, just beyond a set of double doors that opened to Noemi’s nursery.
“I think you should come in here,” he said, trying to keep his voice even.
Something fell to the floor with a clang then Aria’s steps echoed as she ran through their room, coming into full view. She gasped and covered her mouth.
“What…how?” Aria stood in the doorway of the nursery, peering at what he also witnessed.
Ian knew how. His daughter carried his genes.
So far Aria hadn’t shown any negative or superhuman side effects from the injections she had received during her pregnancy. Neither she nor Noemi had shown any dependency for the drug after the birth either. Ian had assumed Noemi would have no abilities, and if she did at all, they would be muted and appear during puberty.
But as Noemi stared at the mobile that was bending toward her, it creaking due to the strain of her mental pull in a fight against the bolt that secured it, he realized that his daughter was indeed second generation with a mixture of all the Syn-serums imbedded in her DNA. Marroe concluded that Noemi would never need any injections and would most likely never suffer any of the side effects.
“Well, what do we do?” Aria finally asked, coming to stand beside him.
Movement to his left blurred by Ian as Kermit raced across the room, climbed up the side of the crib, unlatched one of the shapes off the mobile, and handed it to Noemi. The monkey had only been with them a month after Noemi’s arrival, since the natural passing of Dr. Marroe. Already, Kermit had cemented his place inside their family, watching over Noemi like a guardian and she seemed to like the little guy.
Noemi smiled. She took hold of the black and white circle Kermit handed her and tilted her head as if inspecting the pattern on it.
“Ian!” Aria smacked him on the shoulder.
He couldn’t contain his smile as he grabbed Aria to him by her waist.
“What do we do?” Her voice didn’t hold fear in its tone. He expected as much. His young wife wasn’t afraid of anything pertaining to those she loved.
“We love her, teach her, and support her,” Ian said, before kissing his beautiful wife.
Aria narrowed her eyes as she looked up at him. “That’s obvious, I meant—”
“Train her,” Kermit cut her off.
Both he and Aria looked around to see Kermit sitting, balanced on the footboard of the crib, his eyes alight with knowledge and a hint of mischief. “Yes, Kermit,” Ian laughed. “We will train her. And you can help.”
“Great.” Aria pouted. “I’m the only one who has to actually use good old-fashioned labor to get what I want.” She turned toward their room, taking two steps away from him.
“Don’t be angry, sweetness,” Ian said giggled, as Aria pulled out of his arms. “I’ll get you a maid.”
Aria picked up a teddy bear from a dresser and hurled it at his head. Ian ducked out of the way before it hit him then chuckled when she growled. Aria had once told him how she loved and hated his agile and graceful moves.
“Two maids,” he added with another laugh.
“As lovely as that sounds, we can’t risk exposing Kermit’s, yours…and now Noemi’s gifts. Besides, we don’t even have a home yet.”
That was the opening he needed. Ian followed her into their room and tackled her, both of them falling on their bed. “Kermit and I will help as much as we can then. And as for a home… I was thinking we could move to Clovis County, in a big, modern, country-style house close to Mama and Poppa Morel. I loved being there, and I know you did, too.”
“Really?” she asked with excitement.
“I’ve found the perfect plot of land. You, of course, will design our home,” he answered, “I even spoke to your father about taking over as Clovis County sheriff, since Sheriff Gaskins is thinking about retiring.”
Aria’s glowing smile turned into a frown, causing her nose to scrunch up. It made him smile bigger. Ian loved when she scrunched her nose up, it was so cute.
“What about HowlTech, Richard, your father, and your uncle?”
Ian shrugged, “It’s the twenty-first century. I can run HowlTech from anywhere. My father and brother can visit, and we’ll go see them as often as we can. As for Uncle Vincent, he’s not going anywhere. We’ll continue to visit him twice a month as a family like we do now or we can move him.” It went unsaid that Ian went to see his uncle at least twice a week and he knew that Aria knew. “Plus there will be visits for holidays and birthdays, and when I come in town for HowlTech business I’ll see them.”
“Yeah, please don’t remind me of birthdays. I swear if I see another of your father’s gifts for Noemi’s birth I am going to freak. I see where you get it. You spoil me, Mr. Howl.” She nipped his chin with her teeth.
“I love you, Mrs. Howl.”
“I love you more,” she sang before claiming his mouth with hers.
Ian couldn’t deny she loved him, but he was sure he loved her more. He’d known the moment she left him in Brandon’s apartment that he was never letting her go. But he would give her this victory because in truth, he’d won the grandest honor of all. He’d won Aria Howl’s love, created a new family, was able to reclaim his own family, and was finally living instead of simply existing.
Ian smiled because he had won, and he’d keep on winning.
To all the people who gave me a helping hand, encouraging words, and their time. I thank
you. To Sonserae Bell, Daniel, and Cianne, you three are my inspiration. Dan Patrick, you are my motivator, support team, and biggest fan. I don’t know where I would be without you and I don’t ever want to find out. My Beta readers, Darlene Carter, Shiree Henderson, and Tina Lassiter, you are invaluable and I can’t thank you all enough. Officer Kim Bey, you are my go to gal for all of my projects and an awesome Beta. I appreciate your input, opinions, and value our talks.
Pam Howard, you jumped right in and picked up all the pieces. You stepped up and helped me when I needed it the most. I can’t express how the kind words, encouragement, and no bull attitude, pushed me forward.
I will always be grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you much.
Edited by: Pam Howard and Chrystal Schleyer
Proofread by: Pam Howard and Kim Bey
Beta read by: Daniel Swain, Tina Lassiter, Darlene Carter, Kim Bey,
Cover By: Michele Johnson @BlueSkyDesigns.com
Story Development: Aided by Daniel Swain
Come…Taste a Sample
Reece was hot as Hell. A good guy with the right amount of bad boy mixed in. Yes. But to Lilly, Reece was just Reece. To see him as anything else was silly. That was until the day Reece had carried her to her room, lost his balance, and his fingers had slipped into her panties. For Lilly, it had awakened her dormant desires. She wanted more.
When Lilly was left in his care Reece had no intentions of breaking her trust. For Reece, the slipup had changed everything. Lilly had already been skating on the edge of his self control, wearing little to nothing around the house. One little touch and Reece couldn’t release unless he conjured an image of Lilly naked and beneath him. How in the hell was he going to resist little Lilly when he wanted inside her so badly.
Lascivious
By: Shea Swain
Lilly Miles barreled down the hallway at full speed, slowing only when she turned the corner that led to the kitchen. The ripped v-neck of her loose fitting half shirt hung low in the front, exposing one perfect mound of her firm breasts.
“Don’t press play yet,” she called as she grabbed the popcorn from the breakfast bar and the chilled bottle of water next to it. Her run became a fast walk when she entered the living room; she set the large metal bowl and bottled water on the table in front of the sofa, then flopped down next to Reece. He sighed but scooted over, giving her ample room on the sofa to sit comfortably. “I’m sorry,” she winced, “Brenda saw Heath with Cindy Middleton and she wanted to tell me.”
“I don’t like that boy, Lilly. He’s probably banging that chick,” Reece said as he pushed play on the remote.
Lilly ignored the space he offered her and sat Indian style so close to him that her long smooth leg rubbed up against his knee. “Heath and I aren’t exclusive Reece. He can bang who he wants. If you give him a chance,” she said scooting back on the sofa, “I’ll promise to never be late for movie night again.”
Reece settled back on the sofa. He was in a foul mood and it wasn’t about that little punk Heath, although the little bastard did grind his fucking gears. Reece’s problem was Lilly. She was an eighteen year old fucking wet dream walking and she didn’t have a clue because if she did she wouldn’t be parading around the house in those barely-there gym shorts. Shorts like those should be outlawed. If he had practiced law instead of becoming a cop those damn shorts would be first on his list of things to get rid of. The way they rode up her toned tanned thighs was going to be the death of him.
He’d asked her a hundred times to wear clothing more suitable around the house but, as usual, Lilly ignored him. If her parents hadn’t passed away when she was just thirteen years old maybe she would know better than to prance around like this.
Reece glanced over at his ward. Her long dark hair was pulled into a loose knot at the top of her head. Several shorter strands fell from the mass, making it look sort of messy yet sexy. Her youthful skin was surprisingly clear and soft as if puberty had no adverse effects on her. Her hazel eyes were a gift from her mother and so were her extra long dark lashes, full pouty lips, and her shapely body. Reece had never seen her breasts uncovered but he was certain that they were perfect.
“Fuck”, he thought as he shifted. Just before he looked away, Lilly smiled at him. God, her smile was going to be his undoing. Reece threw his head back and silently prayed, asking God to forgive his thoughts. What the hell was wrong with him? In his defense, he’d never imagined having Lilly under him but looking at her and cataloguing her attributes was dangerously close to a sin.
Reece reached forward and grabbed a handful of popcorn. He munched as he tried to focus on the movie and shut down his thoughts about Lilly. He made a mental note to talk with her about her clothing again.
After the movie was over Reece stretched his legs and tried to move his arms but Lilly’s head and upper body were resting on his side. She had fallen asleep. So much for movie night, he thought as he slowly slid from under her and stood.
For a few seconds Reece just watched her. Lilly was so beautiful, and the way she was laid out on the couch made her so tempting. His eyes moved over her lovely face, her lips, and down her neck. He tensed when he saw that her shirt had fallen open.
Reece had full view of one of Lilly’s perfectly round—what looked to be a B cup—breasts. Her dark nipple looked firm and the image of sucking it into his mouth flashed in his mind. He tried to shake the thought from his head.
Oh shit! Reece almost came undone when he looked away from her breasts to find her trimmed pubic hair and the smooth pink lips of her sprawled out pussy staring up at him. The shorts she wore were loose around her thighs, and with no panties on, Lilly’s sweetness was fully exposed. She was still sitting Indian style but her upper body had fallen over when he moved, causing the striking scene before him.
Shit, shit, shit…his cock was as hard as granite. “Shit,” he whispered. He was hard because Lilly’s perfect little pink pussy was winking at him. Reece turned away and paced the length of the sofa a few times. He couldn’t stop the thoughts that ran through his head. His cock flexed when the image of him on his knees, licking her cunt dry, popped into his head.
Fuck! Reece backed away nervously. His breathing grew ragged as he rubbed his wet palms over his thighs. This was stupid. “Just pick her up and put her in her bed like usual”, he told himself but didn’t move.
“Move asshole,” he whispered to himself, after turning around to see her pussy winking at him again. Reece sucked in his bottom lip and bit down hard enough to taste his own blood. God, he wanted to taste her. “You’re fucking sick,” he whispered to himself. “Fucking sick,” he said again. “Move!” he urged himself again. The sooner she was in her bed, the sooner he could get the images out of his head.
Reece bent over and place one arm under her upper back and other under her legs then lifted her up in his arms. Walking down the hall as fast as he could, he pushed open her bedroom door and hurried to her bed.
The grey and white room didn’t scream eighteen year old teenager. It kind of whispered it. There were no posters of shirtless teen boys or music stars. No brightly colored patterns or art work tacked to walls. Clean lines, framed art, and a neatly arranged closet greeted him as he entered and gently started to place her on the bed.
He froze as Lilly shifted in his arms when he attempted to lay her down. She rolled and he fumbled to catch her legs as her lower body hit the bed. And that’s when he felt it. Warm moisture covered his two fingers that had slipped between her thighs. Reece kept his hand and fingers perfectly still as he lowered her upper body onto the bed.
He kept his hand in place as he slowly dropped to his knees. Reece looked at his fingers that were in the folds of Lilly’s slick hot pussy. He didn’t want to remove them. He wanted to play, taste, and suck on her core until she screamed with delight but he told himself that it wasn’t right.
Yet when he attempted to pull his fingers free, Lilly moved. Reece stilled again, determined not to wake
her. No way was he going to get caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Her movement caused his fingers to slide over her little nub and she moaned. Reece’s cock throbbed and jerked so hard he felt it was going to burst.
She moved her hips again and more of her wetness coated his fingers. Reece wasn’t sure what made him do it but he slid his fingers slowly around her slit, crossing over her clit twice. His actions didn’t wake her but he couldn’t keep silent. Reece moaned softly and his cock jerked several more times. When he realized what he had done, he abruptly pulled his fingers free.
Damn.
Reece pulled the sheet that sat at the foot of the bed over her with his clean hand then hurried to his room. He closed his bedroom door and went straight to his bathroom. Instinctively, he went to the other bathroom door that led into the hallway and locked it. Reece went to the sink and turned on the hot water to wash his hands. He reached for the soap but stopped before he pressed the pump.
It dawned on Reece that he wasn’t breathing so he took a deep breath. He closed the toilet seat and sat down then scrubbed his hand over his face but froze again. Fuck…this was the hand that had been in Lilly’s sweet pussy. He could smell her innocence on them and she smelled so good he almost came in his shorts.
He moved his fingers under his nose and took a deep sniff. Her pussy smelled so good that his cock jumped repeatedly like a bird pecking at corn. Without thinking about what he was doing, Reece placed the two fingers on the tip of his tongue.
He moaned as he pulled his aching cock free of his shorts. While he kept his coated fingers on the tip of his tongue he let his hardness go long enough to pump some lotion that sat on the bathroom sink into his palm.
He smoothed the lotion over his cock and started jerking off. A guttural rumble rose from his chest and came out as a heady moan when he allowed his lips to close over his fragrant fingers. Reece pumped his hardness with more vigor. Her taste was blinding and his head spun as he savored it. Moaning over his fingers again, he savored her alluring smell that was under his nose and in his mouth…and he loved it.