Whiskey & Honey

by Andrea Johnston

  Three weeks later …

  “I think that’s the last of the boxes,” I say, standing in the doorway of the one place I know I can always find Piper. Tracing the intricate design of the stained glass on the kitchen door of the farmhouse, she turns and smiles at me. The sun casts a beam of light right on Piper in the room and falls on her perfectly. The sight never ceases to take my breath away. She’s beautiful. And she’s mine.

  The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. Once we settled things with Ashton at Thanksgiving, we locked ourselves away for a few days before returning to work. I also managed to convince her that we could move into the main floor of the house and give up her apartment. It’ll be a little longer before we can move into the master bedroom, but we have a functioning bathroom and kitchen here so it’s no different than staying at her apartment.

  She finally relented and, after offering to put in a good word with the landlord to transfer the lease to Ashton, who passed, she put her notice in on her apartment. The last part of business with our relationship was disclosure at work. The principal offered congratulations but did warn us that all relationship turmoil was prohibited at work.

  True to my word, I found an old phonebook that Piper reads to me every night. She thinks I’m crazy but I wasn’t kidding when I said I could listen to her voice every day and never tire.

  I walk toward Piper and put my hands around her waist as she leans back into me.

  “I love this kitchen.”

  “I do, too. And I love you.”

  “I know; I love you, too, Ben.”

  If anyone had told me a month ago that I’d be living with Bentley Sullivan, I would have called for the straight jacket myself. To think I’m not only in love with the man of my dreams, literally, but living with him at his farmhouse, our farmhouse, is even more unbelievable.

  I’ve never been happier and am so grateful Ashton has a forgiving heart. I really messed up with my decision to keep things from her, and although it’s a little awkward sometimes, everyone is adjusting and we’re moving forward.

  Yesterday was chaotic and stressful. We were lucky enough to have moving day fall on the same day as the first snow of the season. Ben tried to convince me as we fell into bed exhausted that it was a positive thing. A sign of new beginnings and a clean slate.

  I’m slowly waking up when I realize what has actually stirred me awake. Ben’s hands are under my T-shirt and his mouth is feasting on my nipple. I sigh and my hands find the top of his head. Sex with Bentley Sullivan is nothing short of euphoric. Morning sex with Ben is my favorite way to start the day.

  “Morning,” he mumbles, never taking his mouth from me.

  “Hmmm,” I reply as the warmth takes over my body and my back arches.

  He pushes my shirt up farther and I help him by taking the hem and pulling it over my head. I lay back down as he positions himself between my legs. I feel exactly how awake all of him is this morning as my knees drop open and my foot rubs the back of his shin. His lips find my neck and the sounds filling the room add to the intensity building inside me.

  Each movement of his hips pushing more into me, the only barrier my panties, sends waves of pleasure through me. I reach for the sides of my panties and begin tugging them off; he helps. Before the flimsy piece of lace makes it off my leg, he thrusts into me. I’ll never tire of the feeling of Ben inside me. Filling me, each movement bringing me closer to the edge, each touch of his hand on my body sending shivers through my body. I’m reminded with each movement that we’re connected in a way that goes beyond physical.

  “Oh God, Ben.”

  I sigh as my orgasm takes over. He follows right after me. We lay like that for what feels like minutes before he lifts himself up and kisses me.

  “Morning, baby.”

  “I love morning,” I reply, to which he laughs.

  I begin to throw the covers back when Ben’s arm snakes around my waist.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I was going to use the restroom. I’ll be right back.”

  “Stay,” he says as he begins nuzzling my neck.

  I wiggle out from his arm and toss my T-shirt back on before heading for the restroom. I can tell from the amount of sunshine we’ve slept later than usual. Thankfully it’s winter break and we have a few weeks off.

  I return to bed, curling up beside Ben. As my hand snakes around his waist, I feel the waistband of his boxer briefs and smile. More sleep sounds great. I’m only in this position a second before my eyes close and I’m drifting to slumber. A dip of the bed jars me and I slightly open my eyes to see Ben reaching for something on the floor.

  “What are you doing?” I ask while watching his back muscles move as he leans down. I am a lucky girl.

  Without answering me he turns his attention toward me with a mischievous grin.

  “What are you up to, Mr. Sullivan?”

  “Funny you should ask, Miss Lawrence. Do you know what this week is?”

  “Christmas.”

  “Yes, but what else?”

  “Christmas Eve? I don’t know, Ben. I was just falling back to sleep.”

  “Don’t be crabby,” he replies, laying a kiss to my nose. “It is also the deadline I gave you to decide if we were going to make this relationship happen.”

  “Oh, it sure is. We’re ahead of schedule, that’s good,” I say, snuggling into my pillow and closing my eyes. Then I feel something next to my face and open my eyes. Ben’s up on his knees now, facing me, completely glorious in only his boxer briefs and a smile. I let out a groan.

  “Ogling me, baby?”

  “Hush, you like my ogling.”

  “I do. I left you a present, did you see?”

  I look over on my pillow and gasp. Sparkling in the sunlight is an exquisite diamond ring. My hand goes to my mouth and Ben grabs my hand and tugs me so I’m mimicking his stance in front of him. Taking the ring from my pillow, he holds it between two fingers as he looks me directly in the eyes. His expression is serious and the love I see in his eyes is overwhelming. Beyond my control, the tears begin to fall.

  “Piper, I tell you every single day how much I love you. How my life is complete and has meaning now that you’re in it. What I don’t tell you is that I never knew true happiness until I met you. Again. You are the single most amazing person I have ever known. Each day you tell me you love me back is a gift. A gift I will never take for granted. I want to live in this house with you. I want to build a family and have babies with you. I love you always. Will you marry me, Princess?”

  “Oh, Ben. I love you so much. You have been the man in my dreams my entire life and the moment you walked back into my life you made my dreams a reality. Cowboy, it would be my dream come true to call you my husband. Yes, I will marry you.”

  Ben sighs in relief, as if he expected my answer would be anything other than yes. With the ring placed on my finger, I gasp at its beauty. I look up into the eyes of the man who melts my heart and fulfills my every desire. I see forever and beyond in his eyes. I believe in true love because of this man. He is my happily ever after.

  The End.

  Thank you for taking the time to read Ben & Piper’s story. Inspiration hit me at a very strange time and by the opening lyrics of a simple country song. I knew from word one that this was a love story that I had to tell. What I didn’t expect was Laurel. While Laurel makes a small appearance, her story and presence are a turning point that I felt compelled to tell.

  Tackling a topic such as domestic violence is not something I take lightly. The fact that we have to talk about this topic hurts my soul to its very core. As adults in a modern society it shames me to know that women and men continue to be abused by the words and hands of those they love and share their life with.

  Please, if you or someone you know is being abused please contact The National Domestic Violence Hotline / www.thehotline.org / 1-800-799-7233.

  Andrea

  I am destined to forget someone in this section and
for that I apologize. I’m so sorry!

  First, none of this is possible without you, the reader. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking a chance on me and my books. I never expected this to be my life and I promise to never take it for granted. Thank you.

  They say it takes a village to care for a (book) baby. My village rocks!! I have the privilege to work with a talented and amazing team - my amazing editor Kristina Circelli of Red Road Editing, formatting genius Stacey Blake of Champagne Formats, the extremely talented Alyssa Garcia of Uplifting Designs, promotional powerhouse Erin Spencer of Southern Belle Promotions, and last but not least, my patient and encouraging assistant, Stacy Garcia. Ladies, thank you for taking this journey with me.

  Christine – I appreciate you every single day. Thank you for supporting me and keeping me grounded when I’m headed over the ledge!

  Alyssa & Stacy – Girls … I do not know that there are words for me to express my gratitude and appreciation for both of you. Each day with you in my life is a blessing. Thank you for loving Ben & Piper and encouraging me to tell their story.

  Amy & Kiersten - This is the hardest for me as words cannot express how very much I love you both. The day you clicked into my life (shout out to Facebook) it changed for the better. You make me laugh every day, thank you. #TeamBiper always

  Kacey and Jennifer thank you for your friendship, support and eagle eyes. You are incredible and I am grateful for each of you.

  Suzie - I cry as I type this because I am overwhelmed each time I realize you are in my life. You make me a better person and inspire me each day. Thank you for the endless laughs, love, and Bravo talks. You have a piece of my soul always, I love you.

  Heather – I will never believe that we went decades without each other in our lives. I am in awe of your talent and creativity. I value you more than I can express. I am honored to call you my friend. Thank you for sharing this crazy world with me. Xo

  Jeanne – Thank you for always answering my ridiculous questions and for supporting me. I adore and appreciate you.

  Andee – My unicorn! I am forever grateful for your friendship. I am convinced we are destined for great times together. With wine, of course.

  Sassy Romantics –Thank you ladies for being part of my journey. You rock my socks!

  To my boys - You will always be the lights of my life. You make me proud every day.

  Andrea Johnston spent her childhood with her nose in a book and a pen to paper. An avid people watcher, her mind is full of stories that yearn to be told. A fan of angsty romance with a happy ending, super sexy erotica and a good mystery, Andrea can always be found with her Kindle nearby fully charged.

  Andrea lives in Idaho with her family and two dogs. When she isn’t spending time with her partner in crime aka her husband, she can be found binge watching all things Bravo and enjoying a cocktail. Nothing makes her happier than the laughter of her children, a good book, her feet in the water, and cocktail in hand all at the same time.

  Connect with Andrea on Facebook, on Twitter, on Instagram at Andrea_Johnston15, or e-mail her at andreajohnstonauthor@gmail.com.

  Life Rewritten