by E. L. Todd
RAY OF
HEART
(Ray Series #5)
E. L. TODD
This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious or used fictitiously. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher or author, except in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.
Fallen Publishing
Ray of Heart
Editing Services provided by Final-Edits.com
Copyright © 2017 by E. L. Todd All Rights Reserved
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Epilogue
Epilogue II
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Chapter One
Rae
“You take him.” I handed the leash to Zeke, sick of trying to make Safari behave himself. He was a full-grown, heavy German shepherd. Even though I was strong, he pulled me around like a rag doll. “He listens to other people far better than he listens to me...”
Zeke took the leash and chuckled. “You just have to keep a tight grip. Like this.” When Safari tried to run after a squirrel, Zeke yanked on the harness and kept him back. The leash was hooked around his chest—not his neck—so Safari was never hurt. “See?”
“Not a very peaceful walk, if you ask me.”
Zeke smiled and continued to walk beside me through the park. It was a sunny day in Seattle since the rain had finally passed. Our fight the other night seemed to be forgotten, and now we were spending all of our time being happy.
Sometimes, I thought about Ryker. And when I did, I felt terrible, but I knew I had made the right decision. Zeke was the man I was supposed to be with. He would be a great husband, father, and dog walker.
“How was work?” Zeke asked as we passed another couple on their power walk.
I told him about the new bacteria I was working with and how I intended to promote a landfill program that could diminish waste naturally. The nice thing about dating a doctor was he understood science just as well as I did. And he seemed genuinely interested.
“That’s cool.”
“Yeah. Jenny has helped me a lot. It’s nice having her around.”
“Could you imagine working in a lab alone all day?” He pulled Safari’s leash again when he tried to sniff a passing jogger. “With just the radio...you’d go crazy. I know I would. I like working with people. Makes the day a lot more interesting.”
“Yeah, definitely.”
“I’m thinking about taking on a partner,” he said. “Someone to share the office with.”
“Why?”
He shrugged. “Now that I’m getting older, I don’t want to work as much.”
I rolled my eyes. “Zeke, you’re thirty, not fifty.”
He chuckled. “My dad was always around as often as my mom. I had two parents all the time, not one. That’s how I want to be. I want to be around as a husband and a father.”
I smiled because it was nice hearing his honesty. For the past three months, we never talked about the future, but it was something I thought about. Now that our feelings were out in the open, we could talk about our lives down the road. “Well, I’m never gonna be a housewife, so I could use the help.”
“I figured,” he said with a laugh. “You aren’t the housewife type, which is perfectly fine.”
“Maybe Rex can be a nanny,” I joked.
“God, no,” Zeke said quickly. “They’ll be addicted to candy and porn.”
“Good point,” I said. “But hopefully, Kayden would make sure that didn’t happen.”
“Rex would sneak everything. I know him.”
We finished our walk through the park then jumped in Zeke’s Jeep. Safari sat in the backseat and stuck his head between us so he could see the open road. His tongue hung out and licked my cheek a few times.
After we got home, we showered, and I grabbed my bag. “I should get going. I haven’t done laundry at my apartment for a while.”
Zeke snatched the bag out of my hand and tossed it on the couch. “Stay with me.” His hands circled my waist, and he pressed his forehead to mine, smothering me with enough affection to manipulate me into doing whatever he wanted.
I melted at his touch, turning into a puddle on the ground. “Okay.” There wasn’t any fight within me because I was powerless when those strong arms wrapped around me. “I guess I could turn my underwear inside out...”
“Better yet, you could wear mine.” He kissed the corner of my mouth, taking a deep breath as he caressed my lips with his. “Or wear none at all...”
“I guess I could wear your briefs. But no way am I going commando in jeans all day at work.”
“Perfect.” He kissed me again and directed me to the couch. When the back of my knees hit the cushion, he guided me to my back and pulled off my running shorts, leaving my sneakers on. My panties were gone in a flash, and he was on top of me, his powerful chest pinning me down.
I pulled off his shorts, removing the boxers at the same time. His long cock popped out, hard and ready for me.
He shoved himself inside me quickly, wanting to be inside as soon as possible. With our shoes and shirts still on, we made love on the couch, rocking slowly together with our hands gripping one another. He looked into my eyes the entire time, the love and devotion written all over his face. “I love you.”
My fingers moved through his hair until I cupped the back of his neck. “I love you too...”
***
On Friday night, we went out to our favorite part of downtown Seattle. I got there first with the girls, finding a good table in the corner so we wouldn’t have to stand all night in our pumps.
“So Ryker finally came clean?” Jessie asked with a drink in her hand.
“Yeah,” I said. “And it was one of the saddest moments of my life.”
“That’s some heavy stuff,” Kayden said, her hair pulled back into a cute updo. “I wonder why he waited so long to tell you the truth.”
“I’m not sure,” I answered. “But when you’re emotionally disturbed, you do stupid things.” I understood Ryker because I went through a hard time after my mom committed suicide. I had done a lot of stupid stuff that I wished I could take back. Even though the behavior was destructive, I couldn’t stop myself. If only Ryker had opened up to me sooner, I could have helped him.
“I actually feel bad for him,” Jessie said. “I mean, I really hated the guy for a long time, but I can’t keep hating him.”
“Yeah,” Kayden said. “I feel the same way. When I saw him with that skank, I wanted to scratch his eyes out. I hated him so much for hurting you like that. And now, I just want him to feel better... Strange.”
“I think we’ve all had enough time to forgive Ryk
er for what he did.” It took three months for me to finally let go of the heartbreak he’d caused, but when I finally did, my mind and body felt better. “And we should forgive him. Holding grudges doesn’t help anyone.”
“Yeah,” Jessie said in agreement. “True.”
“So, Zeke was really pissed?” Kayden asked. “Rex made it sound like World War III had begun.”
“Yeah, I’ve never seen him so mad,” I explained. “As soon as he walked in the door, he started behaving like a huge asshole. But we talked it over, and he finally calmed down. Honestly, I understand where he’s coming from. He’s had to deal with Ryker a lot during this relationship. He’s entitled to be frustrated.”
“Yeah,” Kayden said. “I would be really jealous if Rex was still talking to an ex.”
“At least things are good with you guys now,” Jessie said. “And Ryker missed his chance for good. I guess that’s punishment enough for him.” She sipped her drink until it was empty, and then she glanced at the bar. “Hey, there’re those two dipshits.”
I spotted Zeke and Rex at the bar, talking while they waited for their drinks. “I’ll go say hi.” I hadn’t seen Zeke since I left for work that morning. I walked across the room in my short silver dress and matching heels, excited to see the expression on his face when he looked at me.
Rex spoke in an angry voice, his shoulders tense as he stared down Zeke. “Don’t do it. I’m serious.”
“I’ve made up my mind, alright?” Zeke argued. “Frankly, this is my relationship not yours.”
“You’re so fucking stupid, you know that?” Rex snapped back.
What did I just walk into? “Everything alright?”
Zeke turned around, and his eyes immediately went to my cleavage.
Rex smiled, but it was obviously forced. “I was just telling Zeke not to be an annoying piece of shit. You know, the usual.”
I knew that was a lie, but judging by how jumpy they both were, whatever they were talking about was none of my business. “I saw that tight ass in those jeans, and I had to come over here.” I moved into Zeke’s chest and kissed him hard on the mouth.
He smiled as he kissed me back, moving his palm to my ass before he gave it a squeeze. “You were staring at my ass, baby?”
“A lot more than just your ass.”
“Excuse me,” Rex said before he walked away. “I need to puke.” He disappeared with his drinks, retreating to the table where Jessie and Kayden were waiting.
“It’s so easy to get rid of Rex,” I said. “Works every time.”
“It’s bulletproof.” Zeke grabbed his beer and the drink he got for me. “Vodka cranberry?”
“You never forget.” I grabbed it by the stem and took a drink.
Zeke’s eyes went to my chest again, not bothering to be discreet about it. His eyes slowly roamed down my body, taking in the sight of the short dress and ridiculously tall heels. “Are you trying to torture me?”
“How am I torturing you?”
“Don’t play dumb with me.” He drank his beer, his eyes moving to my face. “You’re too smart for that.”
“No, torture wasn’t what I had in mind. There’s a bathroom, you know.”
“As much as I’d like to fuck you, I’m not doing it in a stall. Maybe in an alleyway. Maybe in the back of my Jeep. But not in a place where other guys can hear you come.”
The idea of him making me come made me want to ditch everyone and go home. I crossed my ankles automatically.
Zeke glanced down when he noticed. “Looks like I’m torturing you now.”
“Just a smidge.” I drank my vodka cranberry to mask the blush that moved into my cheeks.
He continued to stare at me with a scorching gaze, undressing me without removing a single article of clothing. I pictured him undoing the zipper down my back and yanking my panties off my legs. He would leave my heels on because he liked to see them next to his head when he fucked me into his mattress.
Zeke rubbed the back of his neck, growing more uncomfortable by the second. He wanted to cave and drive home.
I wanted to do the same thing.
But we couldn’t.
“It’s one of those times when I wish we didn’t have any friends.” He glanced at the table where everyone was sitting.
“Yeah, me too.”
“Or we could take a short intermission so we can fuck.”
“Yeah...” That sounded really nice.
He took a large gulp of his drink before he grabbed my hand. “Alright, let’s think of something else. Otherwise, I really will fuck you in the bathroom.”
“Works for me.”
He gave me a heated stare as he led me back to the table. “Don’t tempt me, baby.” He allowed me to slide into the booth first before he sat down. During our absence, Tobias had shown up. His arm was around Jessie’s shoulders, and he was whispering into her ear, his nose pressed against her hair. She smiled and moved closer to him, enjoying whatever he said. Rex had his arm around Kayden, and he no longer seemed grossed out by our display of affection.
I had a feeling we were all thinking the same thing.
Chapter Two
Rae
The second we were home, Zeke lifted me into his arms and carried me into the bedroom. I was tossed onto the mattress as he pulled his shirt and jeans off with lightning speed. His chiseled physique was revealed, looking powerful and drop-dead gorgeous. Those strong and sweaty muscles always got me off, even when he didn’t touch me. He reached for his boxers next and pulled them off, revealing the best part.
I bit my bottom lip.
“You like that, baby?” He leaned over the bed and held himself on top of me, his blue eyes looking dangerous.
My hands slid up his arms to his biceps, feeling the strength of his sexy body. “Yeah.”
“You like that cock?” he pressed.
“I love it.”
Zeke pressed his mouth to mine and gave me a kiss so hard it nearly bruised my mouth. His tongue danced with mine, and he felt me up, gripping my tit through my dress while his cock lay on my stomach.
My legs automatically wrapped around his waist, and I pulled him toward me, wanting to feel him stretch me for the hundredth time.
Zeke didn’t bother taking off my dress. His fingers found my panties and moved them to the side, allowing himself entry. He played with my clit as he kissed me, and the second he touched me, he was greeted by my wetness. “Always so wet.”
“Wet for you.”
He growled quietly against my mouth, his arousal increasing. He slipped two fingers inside me and passed through my slickness. His mouth continued to meld with mine, and he pleased me like he did it for a living.
The foreplay was good, but with Zeke, it was also torture. I always wanted to slide into home plate the second things heated up between us. Most women probably needed a few rounds to warm up, but with Zeke, I didn’t need that at all. “Fuck me, Zeke.”
He growled against my mouth, trapping my bottom lip with his teeth. He slowly pulled his fingers out of me before he sucked them off, his eyes locked with mine.
My nails dug into his wrist.
He grabbed the back of my thong and pulled it down my legs before he tossed it on the floor. Then he pulled me across the bed until my ass hung over the edge. He stood next to the mattress, his hips level with my entrance.
He dug his fingers inside me again, saturating the skin with my slickness. Then he rubbed it down his cock, lubricating himself with my own arousal.
“Stop making me wait.” I was begging at this point, feeling no shame for my desperation.
“You can have me whenever you want.” He leaned over and kissed me, his lips tasting like heaven. “You know that.” The head of his cock pressed against my opening, just as soaked as I was. When he brushed his lips past mine, the scruff from his chin rubbed against my skin. I’d become so used to the rough sensation that I looked forward to it every single embrace.
He widened my legs and tucked
my knees against my waist, spreading me as far as I could go. But he didn’t thrust into me, choosing to tease me instead.
I grabbed his hips and pulled him inside me, feeling every inch stretch me wide apart until I was moaning uncontrollably. It always hurt just a little bit, but the discomfort was nothing in comparison to the unbridled pleasure. “Oh god...Zeke.” I rolled my head and stared up at the ceiling, filled with his entire length inside me. I’d just had sex with him that morning, but it seemed like a lifetime ago.
“You’re the sexiest goddamn thing, you know that?” He straightened at the foot of the bed and pulled me farther into him, his cock nearly hitting my cervix. He rested inside me for a moment, enjoying how tight I was around his throbbing dick.
“I’m only sexy because I want to be fucked.”
“But you only want to be fucked by me.” He grabbed both of my tits and massaged them roughly, his thumb flicking across my nipples, causing pain and pleasure at the same time.
He slowly began to slide in and out, his cock hard like concrete. He moved through my tightness, the muscles of my core contracting with every thrust he made. He closed his hands behind my knees and kept them pinned to my sides, taking advantage of the angle to give me everything he had.
I was in heaven.
Pure heaven.
I rocked with the mattress as he moved inside me, and my fingers wrapped around his wrists just to have something to grab on to. I lay back and watched this gorgeous man fuck me good and slow, taking his time. “Zeke...”
He rocked into me harder, his ass muscles tightening with every thrust. I could see his reflection in the mirrors of the closet. His body was just as nice from behind as it was from the front.
Sweat trickled down his chest as he pounded into me harder, hitting my G-spot with every thrust.
“I’m gonna come...” I could feel it from my fingers to my toes. The explosion was slowly approaching, growing in intensity as it peaked. I closed my eyes as I was swept off into a supernatural experience, my entire body writhing.
He kissed me just before I slipped away. “I love you, baby.”
Those words ignited me in an explosive fire. Everything felt good, not just the area between my legs. My body wanted to weep from the pleasure, and my heart wanted to give out in joy. Zeke completed my life in a way no one else ever could, and that knowledge hit me out of nowhere like a speeding car in the dead of night. Zeke was my whole world, the man I was supposed to be with. The loss of my father and my mother didn’t weigh on me anymore. Whatever wounds I had, he’d fixed them. “I love you too...” I opened my eyes as the sensation faded away, the pure pleasure slowly wearing off. I kept my eyes on him, my hands digging into his forearms. “God, I love you.”