Where The Pieces Fall : Lost Hearts (Lost Hearts Series Book 1)

by Blue Saffire

  I know my parents and their rules. They used them on all my siblings before me. I roll my eyes, but I take the clue. Caleb and I will not be sleeping in the same quarters on this trip, engaged or not.

  “See you in a bit,” I say to my mother, as I wrap my arms around her neck. “I love you.”

  “Is your mother the only one you love? I’ll be the one paying for the wedding after all. I think a hug will get you my black card,” My father says with a twinkle in his eyes.

  “Seriously, Dad,” I laugh, but hug him around the waist anyway.

  My dad and my brothers are all tall, over six feet. I get my short genes from my mom. I rest my cheek on my dad’s chest, happy to hear his heart still beating. My dad always has my back, I know this is going to be hard for him. Seeing his baby girl getting married is something he has always said would break his heart.

  There was a time I would’ve told him he had nothing to worry about. I now know that’s not to be true. I plan to marry Caleb and break the heart of my first love, my dad.

  Our bond is a tight one, which shows when he wraps his arms around me and holds me tight. I suddenly feel guilty that I didn’t share my great news with him first. I’ll have to make it up to him over the next few days.

  Yup, I’ll be the girl laughing at all her dad’s lame jokes, like their the funniest in the world. I’ll also be on the golf course at six a.m. having a heart to heart, because that’s our thing. Once again, my heart hurts.

  My daughters will never have this. Not because their father wouldn’t be able to give this to them, but because he’s too afraid to even try. I just know in my heart that Caleb would make an amazing father. I’ve watched him with Dakota’s little brother, Andy.

  I pull away from my dad and try to cover my somber thoughts. It doesn’t work with my dad. He looks me in my eyes and lifts a brow. My dad gives me that smile that says he’ll fix whatever it is.

  “We’ll have to hit the course tomorrow. So, get some rest,” my dad says. It’s his code for, you’re going to spill and I’m going to fix.

  “See you in the morning,” I say, as cheerfully as I can.

  Caleb grabs his bags and I walk him out to the guest house. He’s super quiet, but I can feel the anxious energy rolling off of him. Couple that with the weight of this trip on my shoulders. I feel exhausted already.

  “It’s late, I’m sure things will be better in the morning,” I say to Caleb, as we step into the spacious guest house.

  Mom went all out in this place. It has a beachy feel, with all of the large windows covered in soft blues and white billowy fabrics. The soft furniture, accented with the same blues, some white, and beige. This has always been one of my favorite places. My little oasis.

  “Your parents don’t like me,” Caleb says, dropping his bag by the door and going to flop on the couch. He drops his head in his hands. “I fucked this up. I should have come to your daddy first. I’ve been taught better. My Daddy said I should have met your family first.”

  “Your daddy is old school,” I sigh and walk over to him. “You see he assumed you’d met my family. This is not your fault Caleb.”

  I run a hand over his hair, causing him to look up at me. I can see the wheels turning. I just wait until he finds the words he’s looking for.

  “Are you ashamed of me, of us? Why didn’t you tell them we were dating at least? I know we got engaged quickly and have been running since.

  “I just don’t get it. My daddy thought that I’d met your family because I know as much about them. Why didn’t they know about me?

  “I understand you not getting a chance to tell them about the engagement. You’ve been with me almost every second of this rollercoaster ride,” he presses his lips. “Why didn’t they know about me?”

  My gut turns. I hadn’t meant to make him feel like I’m ashamed of him. In the beginning, I questioned me. I was ashamed of me. At first, I was ashamed for taking advantage of the situation. I know it sounds stupid, even to me, but it had crossed my mind.

  Then, the more I got to know Caleb, I started to feel ashamed of me, for ever having those initial thoughts. There’s so much more to Caleb and I almost missed out on that. I almost didn’t bother to give him a chance.

  “Am I shamed of us? Not ever. I’ve never been good at making friends in school. Forget having a boyfriend. I was so nerdy and shy. My parents did everything they could to try to push me out of my comfort zone. My siblings too.

  “I transferred schools because even with my sister and brother’s help, I just didn’t fit in. I was tired of them trying to force their friends on me and just feeling awkward. My sister helped get me this one date and it was a disaster.

  “I embarrassed myself, by following everyone’s advice, but my own. When we started dating, I didn’t know I would fall in love with you like this. I was sure I’d find a way to screw it up. Telling my family being just one way. Everyone would’ve had their own advice for what I should and shouldn’t do in a relationship.”

  I move Caleb’s arms from his knees, out of my way, so I can straddle his lap. Cupping his face in my hands, I wait until he gives me his eyes and his focus. I kiss him softly.

  “You and I need each other, not what everyone else thinks. I should’ve done things differently, but I wanted to keep you to myself. You and the friends I’ve made back at school, you’re all the first relationships I’ve made on my own, without feeling awkward or forced.”

  Caleb blinks at me. “So, you’re not second guessing us?”

  “No Babe, never. I love you, Caleb. I know this isn’t going to be easy, but we’ll figure it out. I still think the best thing would be for me to transfer to a school here,” I say.

  “No, no Nicole, I could be traded in a heartbeat. Then what, you’ll transfer to wherever I am then? No. You have one more year to go. You have friends now. My family’s in Texas, you’ll be in school with Dakota,” Caleb shakes his head and blows out a breath.

  I sigh. “Okay, fine. What about Paris? We might as well address that while we’re at it.”

  Caleb turns his head away from me, toward the wall of windows. His jaw flexes and his nostrils flare. I cup his chin and turn his face back towards me.

  “Why can’t you stay the summer with me. We’ll be married. We can do newlywed shit before you have to go back to school. You can come with me to my away games. Or you can fix up our apartment in Texas,” Caleb grunts.

  “We’ll be married?” I frown. “What apartment?”

  “Yeah, I want to get married soon. I’m getting us a place, well, I sort of have it already. It’s nicer than the one Cameron and I had. We sold that place and split the money. I got us a place,” Caleb whispers, as his eyes search my face.

  “Seriously,” I beam.

  “Yeah, did I do okay,” he asks, still searching my face.

  “Yes,” I squeal and throw my arms around his neck.

  “I’ll come home as much as I can. It’s a two bedroom, so if you get lonely Dakota can come over. Or we can get a dog—,” I place a finger over his lips.

  “Shh, it’s all going to be fine. My family’s going to love you. You and I are going to plan our wedding. And you my beautiful, strong man are going to go to the majors and take over,” I purr against his lips.

  Caleb captures my lips and kisses me senseless. I say senseless because before I know it, I’m pulling my t-shirt over my head and grinding into his lap. Caleb’s tight grip bites into my skin, as he holds me against him.

  Caleb breaks the kiss and looks down at my breasts, that are heaving in the confines of my bra. He reaches one hand up, removing my bra. My breasts bounce free, causing him to groan. He reaches for my right breast and dips his head to capture my nipple in his mouth.

  “Caleb,” I cry out, my head falling back.

  I wiggle some more in his lap, as his growing erection starts to push at my soaked folds through my panties. I ache for him. It’s not like we haven’t been fucking like bunnies since we’ve been engaged.


  Caleb has taken instable to a new level. We’ve had so much sex I can’t believe I can still take him, let alone want to take him. I can and I will, because I want him just as much.

  Caleb’s hands slip under my skirt and he tears my panties in half with both hands. He continues to rip the fabric until he pulls them from my body. His fingers find my wet core from behind and start to strum my wet lips.

  I rock my hips over his fingers, moaning as his thick digits slip inside me. Meanwhile, his lips are still latched to my breast, as his tongue flicks up and down over my nipple.

  “I need you,” I moan.

  I reach for his belt, loosening the huge buckle and tearing at the zipper of his jeans. When Caleb is free of his boxers and jeans, I reach for his length. He lifts his hips and pushes his pants down a little more. I pump his length a few more times, rubbing my thumb over his precum.

  When I can’t wait any longer, I lift to line him up with my entrance. Caleb’s hands grasp hands full of my ass, as he sucks harder. I go to sink down on him and he tightens his grip. My breast pops free from his mouth and he looks up at me.

  “Condom,” Caleb rasps.

  “No, I want to feel you. You’re going to be my husband,” I moan, as I sink down on him.

  Caleb’s head falls back as my body sucks him in. He feels so good. I moan, while seating myself to the root. I can’t sit still. I need more.

  I start to ride him, not worried about my parents’ rules, the world outside, where we will be in a few months, or all the what ifs in between. We’re all that matters right now. There is nothing else.

  “I love you so much, Babe,” I whimper.

  I reach for his t-shirt and pull it over his head. I like watching his muscled body work with mine. As his tanned skin comes into view, I lick my lips.

  I place both my hands on his shoulders for leverage and start to ride him harder. Caleb knows just how to push me over the edge. He brings his large palm to my breast cupping and lifting it to his lips. He sucks it into his mouth, all while looking me in the eyes with those blue-grey eyes.

  Right now, his eyes are dark with lust. More grey than anything else. I dig my fingers into his shoulders and my head falls back. Caleb groans and begins to thrust up into me, with each fall of my hips.

  I’m so wet for him. The sound of him sliding through my juices fills the room. Caleb release my nipple from his mouth and licks his way up to my collarbone. I shiver, feeling my climax approach.

  Caleb moves his lips to my ear. “Come for me, Darlin’. You feel so fucking good on my cock. Come for me.”

  “Ah, yes, yes,” I cry out and gush all over him.

  I expect him to chase his own release, but I startled from my sated bliss, when he flips me flat on my back on the couch. Caleb hooks both my legs over his shoulders, moving in until we are chest to chest. He’s so deep from this angle, I can feel my body building again.

  Caleb works his hips into me, his face hover inches from mine. His warm breath fans my face, allowing me to taste him, to breathe him in. I reach for my calves pulling my legs back to open for him more. Caleb anchors one hand to the edge of the couch cushion and digs his other hand in between the cushion and couch back.

  His muscles bulge in his arms, as he picks up the pace. He lifts some of his weight off of me, throwing his head back, still thrusting into my body. It is a beautiful sight.

  “Shit, Nicole,” Caleb grunts.

  I reach to push his damp hair from his face and tuck it behind his ear. Cupping his ears, I start to rock my hips into him from beneath. My eyes drop to the flexing muscles in his arms.

  “Fuck,” I whimper. “You’re so sexy, Babe.”

  “I don’t know how I’m going to go four days without being inside you,” Caleb grunts.

  “You’re out of your mind if you think I’m not going to be sneaking in here every chance I get,” I pant.

  Caleb chuckles and places his cheek to the center of my chest. His movements slow, they become thoughtful, more like each thrust is a sweet loving caress. Caleb lifts his head slightly to kiss the side of my breast.

  He looks up at me, leaning in, he takes my lips in a searing kiss. My toes curls as his tongue twirls with mine. His pace increases once again. I pull my legs back further. I can feel him swelling, we’re going over together this time.

  Caleb’s body shudders over mine, as he empties into me. I whimper out my own release. I shiver as Caleb runs his hands up and down my sides. His head is back on my chest, as he catches his breath.

  “Promise me we’ll have a small wedding. I don’t think I’m ready for more,” Caleb murmur. “Someday maybe I can handle it, but for now I just want you as my wife.”

  I close my eyes. Yet, another sacrifice I will have to make. My dreams of a big wedding crumble, as I nod my head and open my mouth to seal my dream’s fate.

  “Promise,” I pant.

  “I love you,” Caleb whispers.

  “Love you too, more than you know.”

  chapter Nineteen

  Meet the Family

  Caleb

  I’m hungry as hell, but I don’t want to move. After making love to Nicole last night, I just held her in my arms until she had to go back into the main house. My head has been a mess since.

  I don’t think her parents like me very much. I know they said their just upset with Nicole, but I don’t know them enough to know if that’s true. Her daddy is the most difficult to read, and her mom. She looks a little too closely, but says way less. She’s the one I fear.

  I’m deathly afraid that they’re going to come to the conclusion that their daughter is too good for me. That’s why I’m trying to buy myself some more time. My stomach growls in protest, and I groan. I’m not going to make it much longer.

  I swing my legs over the edge of the bed. I’ve been showered and dressed for an hour now. I’ve just been laying here, hoping Nicole will come check on me, so I can bury myself in her once again, before I have to face this.

  My stomach growls again as I shove my feet in a pair of boots. “Alright, alright,” I mutter to my aching belly.

  I trudge my way to the main house and enter through the sliding doors, Nicole and I exited through last night. The smell of bacon and something sweet hits me as soon as I step inside. I slide the door closed and shake my hands out at my sides.

  When I walk further inside, the kitchen comes into view along with Nicole’s mother. I chide myself mentally. I should’ve texted Nicole. I know she’s probably sleeping last night off. I didn’t want to disturb her, if I didn’t have to.

  I regret that decision now. It’s too late to turn and hightail out of here. Big brown eyes are staring back at me.

  Nicole’s mother is very pretty. She’s darker than Nicole and her eyes are slightly more oval and have a more Asian look about them. They’re also a darker brown. Where Nicole wears her hair in a sleek short cut, her mother’s hair is pin straight, falling down to her waist.

  I clear my throat. “Good morning, Ma’am,” I say, looking anywhere but at the big bright eyes looking back at me.

  “Good morning, Caleb. You can call me, Joy,” she says. “Come have something to eat.”

  “Thank you, Ma’am. Mrs. Joy,” I reply.

  I move to the island, where she places a plate and glass. I sit and huff, staring down at my plate. I grind my teeth, when I catch myself blinking down at the plate.

  “Is Nicole awake yet, Ma’am,” I murmur.

  Joy chuckles. “Yes, Caleb, but she has gone golfing with her father. They should be back soon.”

  I close my eyes and inhale. Shit, I should have texted Nicole. My leg is bouncing and my finger is tapping at the edge of the plate before me, but I can’t stop. If I do, I don’t know what I might do instead.

  “Caleb, look at me,” Mrs. Joy says. I lift my eyes. “Breathe, Honey.”

  She reaches into a draw and pulls out a stress ball, holding it out to me. I stare at the ball, reaching for it when I feel myself s
piraling. I look around the room for the best escape.

  “We’re going to be family, Honey. There’s no need to run from me. Has Nicole shared with you about her niece, Olivia?”

  I lick my lips and nod. I’m still weighing my options. I want to go and wait for Nicole to return. This isn’t how I wanted her family to learn about me.

  “My husband has spoken highly of you as a baseball player. Let’s pretend you’re playing now,” she says softly.

  My eyes snap to hers. I stare for a long time. She’s not judging me. She trying to help. I nod and squeeze the ball she placed in my hand.

  “Awesome,” she says when I stop the clicking in the back of my throat. I hadn’t realized I started that. “Now, let’s get some food on that plate, so you can feed that grumbling tummy. Would you like some bacon? I have eggs and waffles as well.”

  “Y-yes, Ma’am,” I pause and close my eyes briefly. “Mrs. Joy, I’d like all of the above.”

  With a grin, she brings over a platter at a time and fills my plate. I watch, as my mouth waters. I’m so hungry, I could eat this whole spread on my own.

  “There’s more where that came from so eat up. You can have as much as you like. Would you like orange juice or apple?”

  “Apple, Mrs. Joy, thank you, Ma’am,” I reply after swallowing the eggs and bacon, I’ve just torn into.

  She pours the juice in my glass before making herself a smaller plate of food. She sits on the stool next to me and starts to eat. I’m grateful for the silence.

  I haven’t released the stress ball. It’s going a long way, as my mind whirls. Nicole…I need Nicole…Mrs. Joy knows…I’ve just lost my shit in front of the mother of the woman I love…where are you Nicole…They’re not going to let her marry me.

  I fucked up…Mama was right, I can’t be a husband…too many clocks are ticking…I think Nicole wants babies…She going to give that up for me…I’m selfish…there’s a railroad somewhere around here…that the second train that’s gone by…I want more food...It’s loud in here…fan…refrigerator…the rail is not that close…music in the other room…Mrs. Joy chewing…the forks hitting the plates.