by J. M. Dabney
She opened her mouth to respond, but the Greens were already leaving. The older couple were regulars at the diner. They'd almost tipped as much as Bret. She'd always wondered if they'd known. Even if it was a suspicion, they'd sensed it. It didn't change anything. They were just as affected by Murphy's actions. To know and suspect were two entirely different situations.
“You doing okay, Philly?” Bret leaned forward and rested his forearms on either side of her head. He placed the gentlest kisses all over her face.
“I want to go home to our bed.”
“You will in the morning. For now, I just want you to relax and get some rest. Can you do that for me, please?”
“Okay.”
“Then close your eyes. I love you, Philly.”
Did His Woman Get Sexier?
Bret eased back into bed after calling the school and telling them he'd be out until after the Christmas break. Philly was sprawled across their bed. Her long curls concealed her face, but she'd long ago kicked the covers from her body. His woman hated anything on her when she slept, and he'd had to learn to deal with a fan running all night no matter the temperature. He propped his head on his raised hand and used the tip of his index finger to draw a line down her center starting at the hollow of her collarbones.
Her puffy dark pink nipples turned puffier. Goosebumps flared in the wake of his touch.
He’d never been so afraid as when Clayton had called to say he'd seen Murphy creeping up to the back door of the house. Before he could say anything, the call had ended. He'd almost pulled into the driveway when the ambulance went screaming by with lights and sirens.
The worry of who was in the back of that vehicle killed him, Philly or his dad or even both. He'd followed, and he'd nearly lost his mind as they'd barred him from getting to Philly. Only immediate family was allowed without permission, and Philly wouldn't or couldn't vouch for him. That wouldn't happen again. He'd told her last night that they'd be married on New Year's Eve.
After being treated for a stab wound and a cut to his throat, Murphy had been taken to the Sheriff's station to be booked for assault and a probation violation.
The bruises, dark and ugly, on her pale skin had caused his rage to flare brighter. This was their home, and she should've felt safe—been safe there.
He mentally turned away from the darkening landscape of his thoughts and focused on the perfect, soft curve of her belly. The change was subtle, but it was there. But even if he had noticed it, he loved every curve and gentle roll. The beautiful velvet of the pale hairs on her legs. She was so confident in her body. The self-love she had for herself amazed him because she truly didn't care what people said or thought of her.
Nothing about his woman needed changing. She was absolute perfection to him.
“Why are you up?” As Philly groaned, she turned to her side and snuggled back to him.
Her skin was soft and warm. He'd become obsessed with sleeping beside her since she'd moved in. The middle of the night sessions where she woke up and attached herself to him. Any of those things were simple dreams over the past fourteen years. He'd felt like an idiot for not taking who he wanted. Having the family he'd always craved.
“Watching my beautiful woman sleep.” He nuzzled the side of Philly's neck.
“That isn't creepy at all.”
He chuckled as he carefully laid his hand on her upper stomach and strummed the hardness of her nipple. Philly moaned and arched as she always did under his loving, but today wasn't about sex. His baby girl needed some TLC.
“So you think your old man is creepy, huh?”
“Maybe, just a little bit.”
Without opening her eyes, Philly held up her hand to hold her thumb and index fingers a few inches apart.
He grunted as if Philly dealt him a powerful blow. He really did love Philly, and he wondered if she knew how much.
“How are all three of my girls?” He smoothed his palm over her stomach.
“Girls?”
“I've always wanted a daughter. I already have a son.”
He eased back as Philly rolled to her back and looked up at him. He swept her hair from her eyes and then traced the curves of her face with featherlight touches.
“You don't have to—”
“Philly, how many times do I have to tell you that this is my dream come true? You and Miles in our house, babies on the way, why would I even think of denying the things that make me happy and content?”
Philly's fingertips drew circles on the back of his bicep. She brought her gaze to his, and the expression there worried him.
“What's wrong?”
“We didn't plan this.”
“It's not like I wasn't hoping for it someday. I'm not getting any younger, Philly.”
“You're going to pull the I'm not getting any younger card?”
“What can I say, it works in my favor. I've loved you for longer than I want to admit to and all I'm ashamed of are all the years I kept it to myself. You should've been in this house with me. Miles' room should've always been down the hall. I kept my distance out of pride and a sense of wanting to do the right thing. Whether I publicly announced it or not, you were always mine. These babies and Miles are the greatest gifts you've ever given me. Besides, you loving me of course.”
“Who said I loved you? I might just love your dick. I mean, you can do some amazing things with it.”
“Now, now, Philly, I'm more than a piece of meat.”
“But what if I really like that meat?”
“This is like the lead up to a bad porno. Should I find some seventies porn music on my phone?”
She let out a loud laugh, and he fell more in love with her.
“Bret?”
“Yes, baby girl.” He brushed his mouth to hers. Bumped her nose with his as she followed in an attempt to take his mouth. He loved when she took the lead. Told him what she wanted and how she wanted it. There was no shame between them.
“I love you.”
She whispered the words so softly that he barely heard them.
“What was that?”
“I love you. Always have. I fell in love with the man who helped my son with his homework. Who coached his little league teams when he didn't have to. The man who saw a scared kid and didn't want her to leave school. You always fought for me even when I didn't know it.”
Emotion tightened his throat, she stared into his eyes and confessed everything he'd ever hoped. He'd known she loved him, but the longer she didn't say the words there was a sense of trepidation that she ever would.
“I was always in awe of you. How could I not fall in love with you? You're strong and smart, beautiful and the fact that you're mine humbles me every day.”
“You're a bit of a sappy man…you know that? I thought you were supposed to be all Alpha man.”
“What I feel for you won't be a secret. I won't pretend.”
Philly nodded, and he used his thumb to swipe away a tear at the corner of her eye.
“You're so beautiful, Philly.” He lifted and slipped between her lush, dimpled thighs.
He couldn't resist as he took her mouth and kissed her. Reveled in the score of her nails over his scalp and her pretty moans. With a simple touch, she wanted him as much as he did her. He teased Philly's tongue with his, then retreated as he moved down her body. He tenderly kneaded her breasts. He sucked and bit her plump nipples, one then the other. He whispered to her of the things he loved about her. He lingered at Philly's lower belly where he placed the softest kiss.
He couldn't wait until Philly started to show.
“Do you know what the best part of the babies are?”
“What?”
“I get to touch you. Feel them kick and move. I don't have to hold back like I did with Miles.”
“Are we going to talk about the kids? Because I gotta tell you. We gotta get all the sex in we can because you're cut off after they're born.”
He surged back up the bed to lie beside her and l
ifted her left leg over his. He barely touched her fuzzy pussy lips, and her legs fell open completely.
“Now, my baby girl loves her orgasms. I would never deny you those. You'll always be satisfied. Baby girl, you know what I want?”
“What?”
“Scream for me.”
And that's what he made her do with his fingers, tongue and then when he had her out of control, he took her in one smooth thrust. Her hair was stuck to her damp face, and her breathing broken and ragged as she kissed him. He loved on her until nothing existed except the two of them. He loved her slow and gentle. Wrung every cry from her as tenderly as he could.
There was no rush in their lovemaking, fucking could be had any time, but these were moments where they showed their love until she called out his name. Her body tightening and drawing every drop of his release…these were the moments he loved the most. He'd spend his life loving this woman.
He lay exhausted on top of her, and they shared gentle kisses.
“I love you,” Philly whispered the words as if they were the most sacred of promises.
“I love you too, Philly.”
Epilogue
Life Didn’t Get Much Better Than This
Five Years Later…
Misty and Max squealed as they ran around the yard, their grandfather smiling from his perch on the front steps of the main house. She couldn’t believe how much her life had changed in so short a time. Miles had graduated from college and moved home to work on the ranch for a bit until he decided what he wanted to do with his life.
She had all three of her babies at home. With the twins about to turn four, Misty was very much like Miles in temperament, while Max was a wild child. Max would rather be in the stable or on the back of a horse. She’d spend all her time with the ranch hands if they let her.
She rested her shoulder against one of the porches supports of her and Bret’s home. After the twins were born, she’d cut back her hours at the diner, but she hadn’t given up her job completely. When she wasn’t working as a server, she took care of all the office work on the ranch.
Bret was amazing with her and the girls. He had left his job to take over running the ranch when Clayton had finally admitted he couldn’t handle it on his own anymore.
The corners of her mouth pulled into a wide smile as she watched her husband ride into the yard. His motorcycle rumbling loudly and couldn’t get over how he became sexier every year. Bret’s dark blond hair was more silver over the last few years.
That definitely wasn’t the life she’d envisioned for herself but in no way could she complain. She lowered herself to the top step to observe her girls running around vying for their daddy’s attention. Bret never denied them anything, and she had to admit the girls were spoiled rotten, but not in a bad way. She caught movement from the corner of her eye and covered her smile with a hand as she watched Klein back Miles up against the barn.
That was a new development, and she wasn’t asking many questions. When her son wanted to tell her, then he would.
“Hi, Mama Philly.”
She pulled Luca close as he took the seat beside her. He’d come to live in the main house and take care of Clayton—to keep the man company.
“Hi, honey.”
She treated Luca just like she did Miles and the girls, and the shy boy she’d met when they’d dropped Miles off at college had come out of his shell. Although, he seemed to be naturally shy.
“I was wondering when they’d get their shit together.”
It was easy enough to figure out who he was talking about, but a hint of jealousy was clear in his voice. She’d always assumed that Luca had a crush on her son. They just hadn’t pushed their way past being friends.
“You okay with that?”
“Of course, I’m not stupid, and I heard him talk about Klein plenty over the years. I’m going to make dinner, y’all joining us?”
She knew he’d changed the subject, if nothing else, Luca wasn’t the subtle sort.
“For your cooking, of course.”
“See you in thirty minutes.”
The skinny kid got to his feet, and as he practically bounced across the yard, he claimed the girls as he went. Bret was making his way toward her, and she stood to greet him.
“Hey, baby girl,” Bret whispered as he tugged her off her feet and hugged her tightly to him.
“Hey, good ride?”
She leaned back to look at his handsome face and trace the slight wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. Then she stroked the curves of his mouth with her fingertips. She’d never thought she’d find someone she loved as much as Bret. Yeah, things weren’t always perfect. They had their fights, but even those times, as heated as they got, they always ended the argument with a joke and a good makeup session.
“Would’ve been better if you came with me.”
“Next time, I promise.”
“I know, and I don’t want you to do anything unsafe.”
“You always take such good care of me and the girls.”
“How are you and our boy doing today?” Bret asked as he palmed the curve of her belly, and he gave her the softest kiss. They hadn’t planned on more children. The girls were a handful, but seven months ago, she’d taken a test, and instead of hiding like she had with the twins, he’d been right there with her.
Her husband’s smile had been wider and brighter than even her own.
Bret always handled her gently, made her feel loved and wanted. She’d never once doubted Bret’s love for her. It was always there in his gaze and in the way he touched and treated her.
“We’re both good, I promise and I even took a nap.”
“Good girl. I love you, Philly.”
“I love you too.”
“How’d I get so lucky, tell me that?”
She’d lost count of the times he’d asked her that, and she answered as she always had.
“Oh no, Bret, I’m the lucky one, nothing could ever get better than this.”
THE END
About the Author
J.M. Dabney is a multi-genre author who writes mainly LGBT romance and fiction. She lives with a constant diverse cast of characters in her head. No matter their size, shape, race, etc. she lives for one purpose alone, and that’s to make sure she does them justice and give them the happily ever after they deserve. J.M. is dysfunction at its finest and she makes sure her characters are a beautiful kaleidoscope of crazy. There is nothing more she wants from telling her stories than to show that no matter the package the characters come in or the damage their pasts have done, that love is love. That normal is never normal and sometimes the so-called broken can still be amazing.
Also by J.M. Dabney
Sappho’s Kiss Series
When All Else Fails
More Than What They See
Dysfunction it its Finest Series
Club Revenge
Soul Collector Prophecy
Twirled World Ink Series
Berzerker
Trouble
Scary
Lucky
Brawlers Series
Crave
Psycho
Bull
Hunter
Executioners Series
Ghost
Joker
King
Sin & Saint
Trenton Security
Livingston
Little
Masiello Brothers
The Taming of Violet