The Second Time Around

by Aliyah Burke

  “Let’s go,” Wild said, taking point. “We can call this in once we get away from here.”

  Derek didn’t say anything, just held her tight and adjusted his jacket—so protective, even more from the snow that had increased yet again. The trek through the woods took them longer and he could admit he was exhausted.

  He slid into the back, Avery still in his arms on his lap. She kept her face pressed tight to his neck, and the feel of her soft warm breath fanning across the skin content felt like nothing else would ever be able to. Told him she was here with him and alive.

  The sun was coming up as Wild drove into the garage on his property. Nobody moved until the garage door had been shut behind them. Holding Avery, he slid from the back and carried her inside the house. Cao was there to meet them, and when he released her so she could say hi to her dog he was jealous. He didn’t want to let go of her.

  “You either let me sew you up or take you to the hospital.” Wild held a first-aid kit. “Your decision, but you make it now.”

  “I’m not leaving her again, do it here.”

  Couple moments later and Wild was putting a needle to flesh as he stood there watching Avery cry and hug Cao. Beyond her, the broken window had been replaced and it looked like nothing had been destroyed.

  Avery glanced up at him as she sat on the floor, eyes still full of tears. Her chin wobbled and he took a step toward her, only to hiss in pain.

  “God dammit, hold still. I’m almost finished.”

  “Hurry the fuck up,” he muttered.

  “Done, I’m done.” Wild stood and got rid of bloodied rags, gave Derek a nod, moved to where he brushed his knuckles along Avery’s face and, with a pet to Cao, let himself out.

  “Avery.”

  She pushed up and walked over to them, standing just close enough to touch without actually allowing any physical contact.

  A few more tears ran over and streaked down her face. As before, he brushed them away with the pads of his thumbs.

  “I suppose this is where you tell me it’s too dangerous here and I have to go home?”

  Derek shook his head. “No, babe. This is where I tell you I don’t want to let you go. I want you in my life, but I’m not worth it. I’m not worth you. I can’t keep you safe, I let you get taken from my house.”

  She shook her head and placed her hand over his mouth. “Don’t you dare feel that way. You did keep me safe, I was the one who left the house.”

  Tears burned his own eyes. “It was my fault.”

  She moved her other hand up to touch his face even as her fingers moved away from his mouth to touch his chest.

  “Hold me.”

  Something he could, and would, totally get on board with.

  Chapter Seven

  Avery slowly released the breath she hadn’t even been aware of holding when he gave a slow nod. He kissed the inside of each palm before placing them at her sides and removing his oversized jacket from her diminutive frame. The gesture was so intimate and gentle it broke her heart. This man, she’d just seen kill without hesitation and now he was before her, looking unsure with tears in his eyes. She wanted to wrap tight against him and close her eyes, pretending the rest of the world didn’t exist, but she didn’t move, waiting for him to do so first.

  His blue eyes shimmered in the low light from the flickering flames and the tears. She ran her gaze over the tight black tee that lay balled up on the floor, having been removed to tend to his gunshot wound.

  He reached out and grasped the first of the closures for the body armor he’d put on her to keep her safe. The releasing of the snaps was the only sound aside from the fire crackling behind them. Derek lifted it free and dropped it to the floor. She never moved, his gaze locked on hers.

  Her feet were cold as the socks were still wet but she didn’t care. Not right now.

  He lowered his gaze and ran it over her entire body, heating her from the soles of her feet and up. Possessive. Haunted. Personal.

  No words were spoken as he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to his bedroom and into the master bath. She had her gaze waiting for his when he set her back on her feet. The pain and tortured look was still in his and she desperately wanted to take it away.

  Derek stepped away briefly and, behind her, the shower kicked on. Then he was back, standing there before her. He grasped the hem of her oversized shirt, but then again most things on her were oversized and lifted.

  As it settled on the cold tile floor, he reached around her and undid her bra, allowing it to fall as well. His intense gaze roved over her, personally. Intimately.

  He touched the waistband of her pants and hesitated. She never pulled her focus from him. This man, she trusted beyond everything and needed him to know that. Needed him to realize she didn’t blame him for any of this.

  Derek drew them down her legs, his fingertips skimming the outsides as the material moved. Infinitely gentle, he lifted up one leg, then the other, to get the pants out of the way. Then he pulled off her socks, leaving her only in a pair of light blue panties.

  She burned for more than a simple touch. It wasn’t enough and yet, somehow, it was more than enough. Steam had begun to fill the room, heating it and creating a different atmosphere. This wasn’t about getting a quick fuck and sating that sometimes primitive desire. No, this was so much more.

  He crouched before her and took hold of her underwear then moved it down, exposing the last bit of her body to his unwavering stare. Derek was just as gentle as he had been with her pants and getting them off of her ankles. Only this time, his breathing was a bit sharper.

  Remaining on his knees before her, he tipped his head back, holding her stare once more.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful, Avery.”

  She couldn’t find any words to respond. She wanted him to hold her. Wanted to experience his flesh against hers as he did. And more.

  “Let’s get you in the shower, then we’ll take a look at your injuries.”

  No, not what she wanted at all.

  With a seamless move, he rose and towered over her once more. Seconds later he was shoving down his black BDU’s, only to stop and bend to remove his boots first. Seconds later, he was as naked as she was.

  Holy shit. The man was, in her eyes, perfection. Hard all over, and she did mean all over. She couldn’t keep from staring at his cock as it rose from a thatch of black hair. Long. Thick.

  He cleared his throat and she snapped her gaze back up to his. Derek stepped closer to her and trailed one hand down her cheek before leading her to the shower.

  Another item that was magnificent. The glass shower was huge and they both fit easily.

  “Too hot?” His voice rasped as he asked her the question, his hands on her. She knew that was to move her out of the way if she answered in the affirmative.

  While it tingled because she had been so cold, the warmth was divine.

  “No. Perfect.”

  He didn’t speak as he washed her. So gentle it nearly took her to tears. Derek took extra care around the injuries and made sure not to aggravate them. During it all, he washed himself as well, and she had wanted to have the privilege, but her body was shutting down. Her limbs were heavier than they’d been in a long time.

  The adrenaline had worn off and she was crashing. Derek saw the change in her for he finished, rinsing them both off, and shut off the shower. Outside of the glass, he kept her on the thick rug and used a warm towel to skim along her body, soaking up the water from her skin.

  When he slid his robe on her, she closed her eyes and enjoyed his scent all around her, filling her nostrils. He put a towel around his waist and guided her to the sink where he had her sit.

  He stood close and she could touch him if she could just discover the energy to reach out and do so.

  “I know, babe. Just a few more minutes and you can sleep. I just need to finish up with your head injury.”

  The skin pulled and tugged as he did what he had to do. After he thre
w some things away in the gray trashcan, he swept her up in his arms, carried her back into the bedroom, and put her back where she belonged. In his bed. A protest rose to her lips only to be swallowed back when he joined her beneath the heavy blankets.

  A few moments later, the bed dipped once more and she opened her eyes to see Cao, circling at the foot of the bed before he, too, laid down.

  αβ

  Derek knew the second she woke but continued to lay there, silent. He’d not been awake much longer than she had and hadn’t wanted to even unwrap her from how she lay curled up against him.

  Only when she began to move away did he tighten his grip on her and keep her anchored to him.

  “What do you need?” Whatever it was, he would get it for her. Sure, he knew they had to address what he and his brothers had discovered about her family, but not right this minute.

  She shifted, her hair gliding over his shoulder. “Nothing. I’m perfect.”

  He agreed. Angling his head, he brushed his lips over her forehead. She leaned back so he could see into her eyes.

  “What happens now?” Her words were low and perhaps a bit frightened.

  “We rest and then we have to talk.”

  Her sigh said it all. “You know who did this? I recognized the guy in the cabin as one from Guatemala.” The tremor in her voice amped up the rage within him once more.

  “We know. My brothers have gone to confront them.”

  “Who was it?”

  He squeezed his eyes shut and mentally begged her to drop this.

  “Derek? Who was it?” Her short nails began to dig into his skin.

  “I don’t know for sure all the players, but one is your mother. We’re also looking into your father.” He cupped her face and refused to let her retreat. “Look at me, Avery.” A deaf man could have heard the plea in his tone.

  Those big, luminous eyes met his as he’d requested, full of unshed tears. “She did this?” Her voice wobbled.

  Damn it, I didn’t want to do this now. Derek kissed her. If it was to distract her, or show he was with her, he couldn’t be sure. And the moment she opened beneath him with a moan, it didn’t matter.

  She rubbed against him, her pussy against his thigh as their tongues twined around each other. He cupped her ass and held her tight to him.

  Then he swore and broke the kiss.

  “Please, Derek.”

  He wasn’t going to make her ask again. Never looking away from her face, he reached below the comforter and undid the tie of the robe, pushing it open. He skimmed his hand along her body, memorizing her curves.

  He reclaimed her mouth as he moved over her. This wasn’t the time for him to learn all her secrets, this was different. Not a hard fuck, but not a leisurely, spend all day in the bed time either.

  “Are you sure, Avery?”

  “Yes.” Her gaze flicked to his mouth and back up.

  Settling between her spread legs, he rose up enough to grasp his cock and line it up to her slit. He ached, he was so hard for her, but he ground his jaw and made sure to take it easy with her. Flexing his hips, he pushed into her, slowly.

  Fuck me!

  Hot. Tight. Her walls clenched down on his shaft as he entered her. A little at a time until he had filled her completely. He squeezed his eyes shut, praying he could do this without coming across like a youth during his first time with a girl, because, God damn it, that’s what this was like.

  He was so close already and he’d not moved since he pushed into her. He wasn’t sure he could yet.

  “Avery?”

  She pushed a hand through his hair until he opened his eyes. Her own overflowed with a hunger that had to rival his own.

  “Please,” she gasped.

  He took her hands in his and stretched them over her head, lacing their fingers together. In and out, he stroked in slow, steady motions. The little bit of his soul she’d not had prior now belonged to her as well.

  She flexed and shuddered around him as he continued moving at the same pace. Back and forth. Avery skimmed her hands along his scalp and dug them into his shoulders as she shifted beneath him, silently asking for more.

  He gave it to her.

  Time lost all meaning as they continued making love. She came with a soft gasp, coating him with her cream, and that did him in. Tightening his hold on her fingers, he thrust deep a few more times before releasing his seed within her.

  Heart thundering, he pressed his lips to hers once more, savoring their softness. Her nails skimmed the back of his neck.

  “Derek?”

  He cocked an eyebrow as he waited for her to continue.

  “What happens now?”

  “You sound like you think I’m going to throw you out of the bed, house, and my life.”

  She didn’t respond and that worried him. Pulling out of her, he readjusted so she lay mostly atop of him and he could have her pressed against his body.

  “Why do you think that?”

  “You said you didn’t deserve me and I think you want me to go.”

  “I want you with me for the rest of our days. I want to be able to chase you around the house in our walkers.” He ran his hand over her hair and gave it a slight tug. “I want to learn what makes you smile, laugh, and scream in pleasure.”

  “But?”

  God, his woman was intuitive.

  “But, I don’t want to force you into anything. I want you to be ready for a commitment like this.”

  “I’ve been committed to you since you saved me, Derek. Nothing is going to change that. Ever. Your memory helped me through the nightmares I had and still have. It was you, no therapist, not anyone else.” She traced around his recent injury. “I know I have to go face my parents, one or both of them for their hand in it, and I can do that. With you and Cao, I can do that. But I don’t want you to feel obligated to be with me.”

  “No obligation, babe. Just pure desire to.” He lifted her up a bit more so he could see her expression easier. “I want you. I was half in love with you when I first saw your picture. I’m even more in love with you now. I’m not a fool, I know there will be hard times because we’re both stubborn and human, but I’m willing to do this with you, Avery. I want to do this. Together.”

  His phone rang but he ignored it, keeping his focus on her.

  “Shouldn’t you get that?”

  “Probably.” He pushed some hair away from her face.

  “Then why aren’t you?”

  “Because we’re working on things. They can wait.”

  “Talk to them. Don’t stop being who you are because of me. I would hate that.” She yawned. “Besides, I should go let Cao out. I’ll be back.”

  She got out of bed and fixed the robe so it hid her from his gaze. He tracked her silently as she and the dog went to the door. She vanished only to pop back in as he reached for the phone. “Derek?”

  “Yeah, babe?”

  “I love you, too.”

  Then she was gone.

  Derek answered his phone and, as he spoke to Adam, he couldn’t help but smile. They may both be broken in their own ways but they had each other. And he wasn’t going to let her down again.

  The End

  I truly hope you enjoyed the D.A.R.K. Cover, Inc Series. I have another series that will be back out soon and the first in that series is A Little Taste of Home. This series is about four women who have become friends and their journeys to their happily ever afters.

  A woman with a checkered past finds love in the least expected of places

  Sanura “Mac” McKie is a restaurateur who’s trying to put her past behind her. Running her business is her focus and has made her a woman who’s unused to explaining her actions to others. Taking a delivery one morning changes everything.

  Gavin Rawlins is an architect looking to start his own company and get away from his current boss. Wealthy and used to getting what he wants, he is immediately enamored with the woman who stops by to deliver their lunch during a meeting. She’s
completely different from the women he usually meets who want access to his money, it isn’t an issue for her, at least not in the way he’s used to.

  His pursuit of her is hampered by an interfering mother, a few misunderstandings, and a past that keeps popping up to haunt her. When the smoke clears, will Gavin be able to keep the woman who’s become more to him than just his vision for the future? Can he get to trust in his love and prove he’s out for more than a little taste of home?

  About the Author

  Aliyah Burke is an avid reader and is never far from pen and paper (or the computer). She loves to hear from her readers and can be reached here. She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

  She is married to a career military man. They are owned by three Borzoi. She spends her days sharing time between work, writing, and dog training.

  I hope you enjoyed reading, The Second Time Around. If you could help others to find and enjoy this book as well, I would appreciate that act of kindness. You can do this by recommending it to your friends and/or reader’s groups. Also, by reviewing it to let others know you liked it—and why, even if it’s nothing more than a line or two. Every bit helps, makes all the difference and is absolutely appreciated.

  Thank you so much for your support!!

  If you would care to be kept abreast of Aliyah Burke’s news, release information and the occasional contest, please join her newsletter. If you join you can receive a free book.

  Additional Books by Aliyah Burke:

  Sensual Romance Publishing

  A Knight’s Vow

  Lion of Midnight

  His Purrfect Mate

  Holiday Surprise: Unwrapped

  If You Dare

  Raw Exposure

  Faith’s Tears

  Honest Deception

  A Little White Lie

  Code Name: Sleeper

  May You Always

  Under the Mask

  Emerald Myst

  Something Tangible