You & Me (You & Me Series Book 1)

by Lisa Shelby

  “Well, I guess it’s my job to find a way to prove to you that I’m not going anywhere no matter what happens. Neither one of us are perfect, and we’re both going to make mistakes. As long as we’re both faithful and honest with each other, we aren’t going to be able to mess us up bad enough for me to walk away from you. I would ‘M’ word you tonight if I thought you were ready, but you aren’t and I’m okay with that. Please just remember that you can talk to me about anything. If something’s bothering you or you’re scared, don’t hide it from me. No secrets, no lies. Just truth between us . . . always. Let’s start with that. What do ya say?”

  She nods her head and says, “I love you, Georgia. Thanks for being so patient with me.”

  “Whatever you need, baby. You and me. We’re in this together.”

  My Love

  Emily

  “Merry Christmas Eve, baby,” Jonathan says as he sits across from me on the floor in front of the Christmas tree; the tree that the three of us decorated together. Jonathan and I are getting some alone time as Mick takes Ireland to afternoon holiday tea at the Heathman. He really is the best brother ever. Tea was his idea, and Ireland couldn’t have been more excited to get dressed up and have a date with her uncle.

  “Merry Christmas Eve, handsome,” I reply back playfully. “So what are we going to do with hours alone with just the two of us?” I ask as I lean forward and try to devour him with my lips.

  He kisses me back, but I can tell his whole heart isn’t into it. “What’s wrong, Georgia?”

  “Uh . . . nothing . . . nothing’s wrong, Em. I just wanted to give you one of your presents now while it’s just you and me.”

  “I thought we were doing presents in the morning with Ireland?”

  “We are, it’s just for this one . . . for this one I wanted it to be just us,” he says as he reaches up into the tree and pulls a thin foot long box out from its hiding place amongst the branches. “Here you go, baby.”

  I swear I see him shaking as he hands it to me. I take it out of his hands as quick as I can just to end his misery. He’s clearly on edge about this gift, and frankly I’m starting to feel edgy myself.

  “Open it,” he says impatiently.

  Under the ribbon in the center of the box is a card that says, ‘Gracie’ on it. I look up at him and give him a little smile, but his face remains serious. I open the little envelope and as I start to read the card Jonathan speaks the words aloud for me.

  “No regrets, Gracie. Live today like it’s your last and along the way kick some ass,” he leans in and whispers in my ear the next line written on the card. “I’ll love you always and forever and wherever I may be. Love, Your Georgia.”

  I love him so much, but I’m incredibly confused and he can tell by the look on my face.

  “Before you opened this, I wanted you to hear the words that you live by to remind you to live life to the fullest. I also wanted you to hear words that I live by so that you know that no matter what you say after you open this gift, I’m still here and I still love you. I’m not going anywhere, Em.”

  Now even more confused I just stare at the flat, thin, foot long box in my hand. It’s clearly not a ring box, and he isn’t down on one knee so I couldn’t be more confused.

  “Just open it,” he prompts me. He seems a bit more at ease, and there’s finally a smile on his gorgeous face.

  I wish I felt more at ease because I am scared to death.

  I untie the ribbon and slide the lid off the box. Thank God there isn’t any wrapping paper on it to draw this whole thing out any longer. Once the lid is off, I open the tissue paper inside and see a key and a pink dog leash. I’m not sure exactly what I am looking at, and I just keep staring at it not believing that he is asking what I think he is. He doesn’t give me too long to think about the items in the box when he hops up and holds a hand out to me. He helps me to my feet, but doesn’t let go of my hand.

  “Before you say anything, I have a few things to show you.”

  He guides me to the hallway that leads to his bedroom, but he stops in front of the office door next to it. He opens the door and I cannot believe the transformation in this room. It went from a dark, messy catch all to a soft, light, comfortable living space complete with a beautiful white desk, shelves and book cases.

  “I thought this would be a nice place for you to study and grade papers.”

  I walk into the middle of the room and cannot believe what I’m seeing. The shelves are partially filled with some of my favorite books, as well as framed pictures of Ireland, Jonathan and I. It finally hits me that he hasn’t really let me over here much the last two or three weeks.

  “Is this why you’ve kept me away lately? You were making me an office?”

  “Shhh . . . there’s more,” he says as he takes my hand and leads me across the hall to the spare bedroom aka his home gym.

  He opens the door, flips on the light and steps aside. “What do you think? Do you think she’ll like it?”

  If I thought the office was amazing, then I was mistaken because this room . . . this room is fit for a princess.

  “Oh my God! Jonathan! What have you done? Did you do all this yourself?” I practically screech as I turn and take in the dreamiest room that any little girl could ever hope for.

  “I did, but I got some advice from your mom, Cami, Alex and Gabby when it came to some of the decorations. But I did do it all myself.”

  I am so gobsmacked that I let the fact that all the girls knew about this go by. I can’t take my eyes off every little detail of this room. The walls are painted a light pale green and there are light pink accents everywhere. The bed in the center of the room is what little girl’s dreams are made of. It’s white and covered in pink, fluffy bedding with throw pillows galore. To top it all off it has sheer white netting that hangs down on the sides of the headboard and looks like it can be pulled around the bed. There are adorable white curtains and a little white sofa with a fluffy pink rug in front of it. He also remembered to include a bean bag chair similar to the one at Mick’s. There are so many other decorations and little details that I know I’m not taking it all in right now. There is just too much to look at.

  My vision starts to blur from the tears pooling in my eyes. He is asking me what I thought he was. I turn to him to answer him, but I am shushed by the shake of his head and the kiss he places on my lips.

  “One more room,” he says taking my hand yet again and opening the French doors to his bedroom.

  The changes to this room, are a bit more subtle, but still they make such a difference. The room is still masculine yet soft at the same time. He’s added throw pillows and blankets to the bed in feminine colors that blend perfectly with his beige bedding. On the wall above the fireplace is a large, framed, black and white picture of me and Ireland from our day at the zoo back in October. We aren’t looking at the camera, but at each other, and we both have the biggest smiles on our faces. At first glance I already know it’s my new favorite picture. On the dresser there is a framed picture of just me and one of Jonathan and I together in Savannah. To say I am overwhelmed with love would be an understatement.

  Still holding my hand, he guides me into the master bathroom where I see my favorite lotion on the counter.

  “Open the first drawer on your right.”

  I follow his instructions and inside are several of my favorite products, as well as hair ties like I use at home. For kicks, I open the next drawer down and find an assortment of sticky notes along with a blue and a black pen. I look at him like he is a crazy person and he just chuckles. “There’s more.”

  “How can there be more Jonathan? You’ve done so much.”

  “Almost done, baby,” he says with a subtle smile.

  I walk around the huge bathroom and notice that next to the shower there is a new, big, white, fuzzy robe hanging off of a brushed pewter dragonfly hook. Below the robe are matching slippers. The robe is hanging next to the shower. A shower that is already sup
plied with my shampoo, conditioner and body wash as well as a new pink loofa.

  I remember in this moment that I still have my key and my leash in my hand. “Is this my key? Are you asking me what I think you are?”

  “Well, if you think that I am asking you to make my house a home then yes, you would be right. That’s not just a key, Emily, I want this to be your home and Ireland’s too. I want this to be our home.”

  “And the leash?” I ask as I dangle it from my fingers. For some reason all of this has me feeling confident and loved. Surprisingly I’m calm and a bit horny. It doesn’t feel rushed, it just feels right.

  “Well, Frances just wanted you to know that she was on board, and that she wants you two to move in as well. She wanted both of us to have a leash, just in case,” he shrugs.

  “That was awfully sweet of Frances. Tell her thank you for her thoughtfulness,” I say with a bit of a Southern drawl. I’m feeling playful and confident after receiving my gifts.

  I can tell he’s waiting for the other shoe to drop; for me to protest and say it’s too soon.

  Just as I’m about to accept his proposal—that’s not a proposal—he rushes to speak before I get a chance.

  With his arms wrapped around my waist and my hands around his neck he says, “Gracie, I want all of you and I want it for a lifetime. I know you may not be ready for the that big final step, but I do want you . . . all of you. I want to wake up to your big messed up hair and that dreamy, sleepy smile you get when you say good morning to me. As far as your smiles go, baby, I want them all. I want your giggles and your snores,” I start to protest but he covers my mouth with his hand and continues. “because you do snore. Your high fives and your freckles. I want your past and your future, your fears and your dreams. I want to make you laugh until you cry, and I want to call you mine. Forever and always, baby. I will want all of you forever and always, and I would love it if you and Ireland would make my house a home. What do you say?”

  “Of course,” is all I say as I take his hand and lead him out of the room. “We’ll have to talk to Ireland first, but it’s a yes from me, Georgia.”

  “Do you think she’ll like her room?” he says sounding worried.

  “I’m sure she will, but we’ll worry about her room another time.”

  I step into the office and pull my dress over my head. Revealing his early Christmas gift, I stand in front of him in my red and white lingerie that leaves little to the imagination. “We’ll save the bed for later when we have more time. Right now I want to christen my new desk.”

  I barely get my last word out when his lips crash into mine, and he kisses me harder than he ever has before. While his lips bruise mine, and his tongue invades my mouth, his hands roam all over my body. When he reaches my ass, he finally pulls away, and turns me around to find the big red bow that is tied on the back to make me look like a present. A present that is all for him.

  “Good God, woman, you are perfect! I love you so much, and I can’t wait to make you happy every day for the rest of your life.”

  He stops talking and brings his lips to my ear. He takes a little nibble before he whispers, “You look so fucking hot, baby. I can’t wait to get you on top of this desk and inside of you. I am so fucking hard.”

  His words trigger a reaction in me that I can’t control as I turn around and practically rip his shirt off of him when I pull it over his head. The moment his shirt is gone, his lips are leaving a hot trail down my neck and to my chest. I’m tearing open his pants in an almost panic to get him naked. He suddenly lifts me by the hips and places me on top of the beautiful white desk. He leaves me on display and he takes a step back to take off the rest of his clothes when I hear him moan. It’s a moan that almost sounds like a growl, and I see why when I notice where his eyes are. I don’t have any panties on, and he is going to have easy access. I think he approves.

  “Fuck. You are killing me, Em.”

  He pulls me to the edge of the desk and drops to his knees. As soon as he hits the ground, he lifts his eyes to mine as puts two fingers inside of me and starts moving them, ever so slowly. Without taking his eyes off mine, he flicks his tongue over that spot that he knows will send me over the edge. I’m aching from the ecstasy that only he can make me feel. My back arches, and I moan loudly. I don’t know if it’s because of all of the emotions of the last fifteen minutes, or because it just feels that good, but I am already close. He keeps moving his fingers while he slowly tortures me with the bliss he creates with his tongue. He loves to build me up slowly so that he can watch me fall over the edge. He knows my body better than I do, and I can feel myself getting close to that edge as his fingers pick up speed and his tongue starts moving faster and stronger. His tongue stops for just a moment as he takes a small sharp bite of my bundle of nerves that are balancing on the brink. Then as soon as he does, his tongue is back working in circles while his fingers hit just the right spot.

  “That’s it . . . Oh God, Jonathan . . . that’s it . . .” I feel myself pulsing around his fingers as I yell. “Yes, baby. Right there! Oh shit . . . baby! I’m coming! Yes!”

  As soon as he feels me start to come down from my high, he does what he does best and enters me while I am still pulsing. He keeps my high going so that we can come together.

  “Em . . . you feel so good . . . love to feel you come all over me.”

  He pulls down on the cups of my bustier so that my breasts pop out over the top. They’re on full display, and this brings a small little smile to his face. He takes one in his hand while his tongue works its magic on my other hard as glass nipple. Then—because he believes in equal treatment—he switches hands and take the other nipple into his mouth all while still keeping his steady rhythm that has me right on that edge that I never quite left.

  He grabs my ass to bring my body closer to his, and he lifts me off the desk. A few steps later we fall down on the sofa on the other side of the room. Now he’s sitting with me straddling him. He’s using his hands on my ass to guide our rhythm. Our lips meet in a frenzied dance as my hands weave through his short dark hair, and I hold on for dear life as I feel myself building up again. He pulls his lips from mine, and I moan at the loss, but when he takes my nipple back in his mouth and reaches between us to use his thumb to help take me all the way again, I realize it’s a loss worth taking.

  “Jonathan . . . I’m gonna come again . . .”

  “Not yet, baby . . . just hold on another minute . . .” he huffs as I watch him get closer to falling.

  We’re both right there and moments later he yells, “Now, baby! Come with me!”

  His words are what I need to take me over, and when I go, he goes right along with me. The room is now quiet, except for our heavy breathing. I’m still sitting on top of him, and he is still inside me when he says, “I love you, Gracie.”

  I don’t want to move from this spot.

  I can feel all of the love, happiness and excitement radiating off of him in this moment. It’s clear he didn’t know if I would say yes to moving in. But I guess if you had asked me a couple of months ago if I would have answered with a yes . . . I might not have believed it either.

  “I love you, Georgia.”

  Forever

  Four Years Later . . .

  Sitting in bed taking the rare moment I have to read one of my favorite books for the umpteenth time, I hear one of my favorite sounds; the sound of my husband arriving home from work safe and sound. I hear the door from the garage open and close. Soon after, I hear the Velcro peel open as Jonathan takes his gear off and stores it in the hall closet, as well as putting his gun in the safe.

  One of the perks of being a K9 handler is that you get a take home car to transport the dog, and therefore he can get dressed and undressed at home and not the locker room at the police department. It may not be a lot, but it’s just that much more time at home with us each night.

  Best of all he has a partner. It makes me feel a little bit better knowing he has a partner
with him. Especially a cute, little buddy that will bite on command, and kick some ass when Jonathan needs him to.

  Olaf is a sweet boy when he’s not at work, but we still make sure that Ireland loves him from afar just to be safe. Jonathan let her name him when he was promoted to K9 Officer a couple years back. The second Frozen movie was still playing on a loop in the house, so Olaf it was.

  I hear him drop something heavy like, maybe a boot, and I freeze as I listen to see if Caroline or Matty wake up. They’re pretty good sleepers for nine month olds, but when one wakes up, they both wake up. A few silent moments pass and it seems we’re in the clear. Thank God. I look at the display on both of the video monitors, and they’re sound asleep, at least for the time being. Putting them each in their own rooms was a hard decision, but I think it’s helping them sleep through the night.

  Soon, Jonathan comes sauntering into the room in just his boxer briefs—having left his dirty uniform in the laundry room on his way down the hall—and he leaps onto the bed and lays his head in my lap. He looks up at me while I rub my hands through his hair.

  “How was your night, Georgia?”

  “Better now that I’m home. How was yours? Is Matthew feeling better?”

  “He seems to be. No fever, so I think he might just be teething.”

  “Was their big sister helpful tonight?”

  “She was. She rocked Caroline to sleep while I tried to calm Matty. I swear I don’t know what I’d do without her sometimes.”

  “I feel the same about you, baby,” he says as he takes one of my hands from his head, kisses it and then places it on his heart.

  We sit here in comfortable silence for quite some time before I follow his gaze to see that he’s staring at the picture above our dresser from our wedding day. It was one of the happiest days of my life. I can never look back on our wedding without thinking about his proposal. Even four years and two more kids later, I still get butterflies in my stomach whenever I think about it.