She heard the foil packet rip a couple of seconds before he positioned himself between her thighs. Fighting to keep her eyes open in the blissful aftermath of her release, she gave him a languorous smile. “Wow.”
He grinned, looking a bit cocky, but it was well deserved arrogance. “You’re sure about this, Zoe? Once I have you, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to let you go.”
She nodded.
“Really sure? Our family—”
“Positive,” she said. Grasping his erection, she guided it to her opening. She was slick with her arousal and release, and his generous shaft slipped into her with little resistance.
After a millisecond, he surrendered, surging balls-deep inside her as he collapsed atop her. In spite of his forearms supporting some of his weight, he was a pleasantly heavy solidness pinning her to the bed.
“Heaven.”
“No, Zoe.” She giggled.
“Same damn thing right now, baby.” He thrust in and out, moving slowly at first. As she met each movement, keeping pace with him, he gradually increased his speed. Zoe matched it as well, reveling in every inch of his flesh fused with hers. Surely he was the perfect match for her, fitting her in a way no other man ever had.
He was pounding into her as they neared the zenith, and she was straining back, enjoying every forceful thrust. Hale grew harder inside her as he stiffened suddenly. With a roar that might have been her name, he twitched in her channel. His release triggered her own, and Zoe tightened her thighs around his to hold him close against her, her sheath spasming with each pulse of pleasure rippling through her.
As his cock slowed, no longer convulsing, Hale settled more fully over her. His lips brushed her forehead. “I love you, Zoe.”
Her eyes blurred with tears, and she nodded. It was a love three years—or more—in the development, and if it hadn’t been for Andy’s interference, they could have been together the past one thousand ninety-five days. It was a bitter thought, but she tried to swallow it and force it from her thoughts, not wanting to taint this moment with anger or bitterness. “I love you too, Hale.”
He stiffened, his gaze flying to hers. “You do?”
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah. Of course.”
He grinned, that same cockiness from earlier leaking through. “I knew it.”
“Uh huh.” Zoe cuddled closer as Hale turned them onto their sides, facing each other. “Sure you did.”Silence settled between them for a bit, and she was almost asleep when he spoke again.
“It won’t be easy.”
“What’s that?” she murmured sleepily.
“Telling our folks.”
“Um hmm.” Zoe suppressed a yawn. “Don’t worry about it right now.”
“I can’t not worry, honey. It’s been on my mind for three years.” Worry leaked through his tone. “I don’t want you to go through the loneliness of having your family abandon you.”
She sighed softly, forcing her eyelids to open. “I won’t. I’ll have you, even if my mom reacts in a totally atypical way and excommunicates me from the Halston-Sanders clan. We’ll have to tell them eventually, but let’s just enjoy some time together alone first.”
He scowled. ‘You want to keep us a secret?”
“No, of course not.” She smoothed a finger over his wrinkled brow, brushing away the lines of tension. “I just want to spend a few days with you in our own little cocoon before we tell anyone. We lost three years because of your dad’s…because of interference, and I want a chance to make up for some of that lost time before we worry too much about their disapproval. Okay?”
He nodded, his gaze softening. “More than okay. Completely spectacular, Zoe.”
“You too, and I think you should remind me of that again.” She held up a hand as he started to shift her onto her back. “After a quick nap.”
Chapter Four
They spent three days wrapped up in their own worlds, even calling in sick to their jobs on Monday. The phone rang a few times, but they ignored the landlines and their cell phones by mutual unspoken agreement. There weren’t many words exchanged between them, but their bodies communicated artfully.
Late evening Monday night, they had crashed into bed earlier after a marathon of lovemaking, knowing they had to face work and the real world again the following morning. Zoe was snoozing against Hale’s chest when a sound woke her.
She looked up sleepily, recognizing the sound of the door swinging open. Her eyes widened with surprise, because her lover was right beside her. Who else would be entering his apartment?
An angry flash of jealousy assailed her as she prepared herself to face a woman from his past who had been granted the privilege of a key. As the light clicked on, she blinked in surprised recognition at the face in front of her. “Lola?”
“Whoa.” Her sister took in the scene before her and started laughing. “Holy shit, Zoe.”
Before she could respond, Monica came into sight behind her little sister. Monica clapped her hand over her mouth. Tears blurred her vision, and she slumped forward slightly. “Oh, thank goodness. When you didn’t answer your phone or emails, I was certain something dreadful had happened to you. The crime rate in New York City is so frighten—”
“I knew it,” said Andy from over her shoulder. He was glaring at her and his son, who was slowly waking up.
Zoe nudged Hale to hurry along the process, glad they were both covered with the sheet.
“What’s going on?” asked Hale, sounding sleepy.
“Company,” whispered Zoe.
Andy stalked closer. “I knew you were lying to me, Hale. You haven’t gotten over your degenerate urges, and now you’ve dragged your sister into this.”
Hale opened his mouth, but Zoe cut him off before he could defend himself. “I’m not his sister, Andy, and you aren’t my father. You’ve been a great stepdad, but you had no right to send Hale away three years ago, and you have no right to pry into our personal lives now.”
Andy’s mouth gaped open, and he looked a bit like a fish out of water as he struggled for breath. “Zoe Anne Halston, I have been a father to you for six years, and this is sick and wrong. It’s…it’s incest. That’s what it is. He’s forced you into a disgusting sin.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not biologically related to Hale, and he didn’t force me to do anything.” Her expression and tone softened when she looked briefly at Hale before finding her mother’s stunned gaze. “I love him, Mom. I have for years, and he loves me too. Andy cost us three years by interfering before, but we won’t put up with that now.”
“I’m trying to save you from making a horrible mistake,” bellowed Andy. “People will talk.”
“People can go to hell.” Hale put his arm around her shoulders, drawing her back against his torso.
Andy scoffed. “You say that now, but when people find out you’re fucking your sister, it will ruin your career. Her career. Your entire life will be tainted by this.”
“Or maybe you’re worried about your life and reputation,” said Hale mildly. “We’re going to stay here in the city, so it’s unlikely anyone will even know our parents are married. If they do, I don’t think many people will care. We’re both adults, and we’ve only been stepsiblings six years—three of those apart. We didn’t grow up together, and we aren’t related. It’s not a big deal.”
“It is—”
“No, it isn’t,” interrupted Monica in a tone that brooked no argument. She touched her husband’s arm. “Oh, honey, they love each other. You can see it just by looking at them, and not because they’re in bed together. Their eyes… Everything about Hale and Zoe tells me they love each other as much as I love you.” She stretched up on her tiptoe to kiss Andy’s cheek. “Don’t be so stubborn or so concerned about people talking. Worry about your son being happy with my daughter. That’s all that matters.”
Andy still looked disgruntled, but he nodded. He was sullen and probably not onboard with Monica’s viewpoint, but Zoe was happy for the
Under the covers, she found Hale’s hand and grasped it with her own. He squeezed in return, and they shared a look full of love they no longer had to deny or hide.
Epilogue
Hale had to swallow an unexpected lump of moisture at the first sight of his beautiful bride as she glided toward him on Andy’s arm. The white dress surrounded her like a cloud, and she looked so innocent that he wanted to ravish her right there on the altar.
Biting back a chuckle at the scandalized reactions that would provoke, he forced a serious expression. The last thing his family needed was more talk, but Monica had insisted on the wedding being in San Diego at the family church. Hale had been right in predicting a lot of people didn’t care he was marrying his stepsister. Unfortunately, Andy had also been right.
Those who supported or remained neutral were the younger generation, all around Hale and Zoe’s age. The detractors, gossipers, and outright rude comments had come from Andy’s generation. To his surprise, his dad had weathered the storm in their congregation and had even defended their relationship to some of the rudest people, including the deacon and his wife, who were noticeably absent from the ceremony.
The ultimate seal of his approval had come when he had accepted Zoe’s request to walk her down the aisle. As they reached Hale now, his father gave him a look full of love and warmth. As he tucked his bride’s hand onto his arm, Hale glanced over at his dad, who had taken up the spot as his best man, having a dual role in the wedding.
“Welcome, all,” said the minister, who had been supportive from the moment they approached him about officiating the wedding. “We are here to witness the joining of Hale Sanders and Zoe Halston in holy matrimony. Who gives away the bride?”
“We do,” said Andy and Monica, in unison, as she stepped forward for her role in the ceremony.
The minister nodded. “And who gives away the groom?”
“We do,” said Monica and Andy again.
Hale saw Zoe’s lips twitch and was glad they had chosen to add that step to the ceremony. Soon, the minister’s words filled the air, wafting through his mind and lulling him into an intimate haze. His eyes never wavered from hers as they spoke their vows with fervent intensity.
Finally, the minister said, “You may kiss the bride.”
Hale was surprised to find his hands shaking as he lifted the voluminous veil to fold over the back of her head. The tears in her eyes somehow blurred his own gaze, and he blinked to clear them. A trickle of moisture trailed down his cheek as he bent his head slightly to kiss his wife.
As always, her mouth was heavenly ambrosia that he wanted to savor. Somehow, Hale forced himself to keep the touch light and brief, knowing there would be plenty of time to explore each other later that night and on their honeymoon. After that, they would have years together. Now that they were married, no one could tear them apart.
He was relieved to have his dad and Monica’s support. After three years of isolation, it had been a balm to have family again, but as he took Zoe’s hand, and they turned to face the congregation for presentation as a married couple, he knew he wouldn’t hesitate to give up all that for Zoe.
He brought her hand to his mouth, brushing his lips over her fingers. Fortunately, he could have his wife and his family. “I love you, Zoe.”
Her lips softened. “I love you too, Hale.”
Breaking tradition, they kissed right then and there again. This time, Hale didn’t worry about keeping it brief for appearance’s sake. Instead, he tasted his wife the way he’d longed to, and she responded just as enthusiastically. When they finally parted, he made a point of not looking at the people in attendance. If there was disgust on any face, he didn’t want to see it. He refused to defend or justify their love to anyone else, and he wasn’t going to let some sour attitudes ruin the happiest day of his life.
###The End###
More Books By Stephanie Brother…
The Quarterback’s Secret Baby
It began with lust and ended with sin.
It started with innocence and ended with punishment. Carl and Michelle were brought up in a small town. Michelle was the priest's daughter, and Carl was the star quarterback. The more they were told that lechery was a sin, the more they were tempted to commit it.
The next generation made the same mistakes; another quarterback and his soulmate. Sacrifices were made, and they both lived to regret them. It ended with a revelation.
Two generations forced to face the secrets of the past.
Secrets that threaten the present.
Author's Note: The Quarterback's Baby and Love Child has been rewritten with extended chapters and has been renamed as The Quarterback's Secret Baby. It is over 70,000 words for your pleasure. If you like a book with a lot of drama, sex and turmoils then this is the book for you. This is the first five chapters of the full length book. It is free at all leading e-book stores.
Chapter One
Carl
I ended up in the place that I would go to whenever I needed to confess. Whenever things were not going my way: Wednesday afternoon’s confession box at St. Teresa’s church. No one at school knew that I did it. I knew I would never live it down if they found out that the star quarterback had to go to church to confess his sins, just because he’d lost a game.
My teammates would laugh.
Mock me.
My mom had brought me up to be a good Christian boy. I was seen as putting our small community on the map. I bent over backwards to make sure that I got a football scholarship to a good college. But, underneath it all, when I was on the field I was far from a Christian boy. To be honest, it was the complete opposite. I felt as if demons possessed my body as I made every touchdown. Going to church and confessing my sins was the only way to deal with this turmoil that I lived with.
“Forgive me father, for I have sinned,” I blurted out, as the weight of it was heavy on my mind. It was normally one of two priests. I hoped that it was Father Patrick, the younger priest who had joined our church. I didn’t want it to be Father Roger, the one whose daughter I thought about every night. She was the other reason that I was in the confession box.
“Confess your sins, son.”
I hated the fact that there was a curtain that stopped us from revealing our identities. It was a lie, a fake, to act as if neither of us knew who was on the other side. I had spoken to Father Roger enough times for him to recognize my voice. Stowe Peak was a small town, which meant that it was small enough for us to know each other in the parish.
“I have been having thoughts about a certain girl and…”
I waited as he cleared his throat. I wondered if he knew that the girl in question was his daughter. Mom had asked me if there was a reason for my bad performance on the field last week, and I’d lied and said no.
I knew the reason for my bad performance was because of Michelle, she had been watching our game. That was the first time that she had been in the stadium and I was distracted, I just couldn’t get my head in the game. Having her so near, but yet so far, made me think about the same way that I had every night when I jacked off. We had started to talk, I had started to pay her attention. I could tell that she liked it, her eyes automatically lit up whenever we spoke.
Whenever she entered the classroom I just couldn’t stop thinking of her as being the untouched fruit, the cherry that every boy wanted to pick. Sometimes, I wondered if it was her baby blue eyes, or the fact that over the summer she had gone from being a stick insect to a blooming flower. I’d never noticed her breasts before, but one of the guys said that was because she never had any. I hadn’t noticed how much Michelle had changed until now, and now I just couldn’t get her of my mind.
“Yes, son, continue.”
I didn’t want to continue. I started to think of ways to get out of the confession box. This was too damn close for comfort.
I wanted to say, ���Father Roger I want to stick it to your daughter so badly that she will be crying for mercy!’
I started to get hard at the idea of her waiting for me outside in her bra and panties. Then I would strip her down butt naked and we would fuck right there on the altar.
I had it bad, so damn bad, that I blurted out, “Sexual thoughts!”
I said it so loudly that I surprised myself. Once again, Father Roger cleared his throat. I had watched him do it during his services a few times and I knew he was as uncomfortable as I was about the topic. He did it the time Sandra Holt had accused her husband of cheating on her and had begged Father Roger to cleanse him in the middle of the service. He’d done the same thing that I assumed he was doing now. He’d cleared his throat and stroke his beard a few times. I wondered if that was him talking to God, if he was somehow transmitting a message through his beard. I shook my head at the idea of it all.
“Say ten Hail Mary’s every night before you sleep to prevent these thoughts and every morning when you wake.”
I sighed, the punishment was more or less the same every time.
“And Carl, maybe next time you have a game, make sure the person who is causing you to have such thoughts is not present.”
I kneeled with my mouth wide open.
He knew.
How did he know?
Mom?
I’d never tell her.
Michelle?
I hated the fact that he knew. It meant that he would either punish me or, even worse her.
“Yes, Father it won’t happen again,” I said as I left the box. I had a feeling that he wanted to talk to me as soon as I was outside, but I needed to cool down. The whole idea of not talking to Michelle again weighed heavily on my mind. The idea of not speaking to her was awful, when we had only just started to be friends.
Then again, if we were only friends, I needed to stop having dirty thoughts about her. But, I just couldn’t help myself. She was hot and a girl, it was only natural I kept telling myself.
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