Fight (Fate Series Book 1)

by Paige Hill

  “Tell me you’re okay and I haven’t completely ruined your life too.” I say in greeting, relieved to hear from her.

  “Did you really expect anything less than perfect from me?” she asks jokingly. “I really am okay. The grumpy ass caveman refuses to let me go home.” She lowers her voice to just above a whisper. “Not that he isn’t fucking fantastic to look at, because DAYUM. But seriously, I don’t know how much longer I can stay confined in the same space as him. I about to go all Fatal Attraction on his fine, cranky ass.”

  I can’t help but smile at her antics. She’s a nut—one you can’t help but love.

  “Sounds kind of hot if you ask me.”

  “Not when he refuses to talk to me unless he’s complaining. I’m not even joking. I can’t even tell if it’s personal or if he genuinely hates all women. But, I have to admit, he can be thoughtful when he wants to be. Not that it’s often or anything.”

  I can hear the eye roll in her words and I stifle a chuckle. I know it’s not personal, but I don’t feel like I have the right to share what little I know about him. It’s his story to tell. Changing the subject, I bring up the secondary reason I needed her.

  “So, Declan asked to take me on a date tonight. Here, at the beach house…” I trail off, completely drowned out by her squeal. I have to pull the phone away to salvage what is left of my eardrums.

  “I’m sorry but I am so excited for you!” Pausing momentarily, she lowers her voice to a serious tone. “I am beyond happy for you. I know this doesn’t mean relationship or anything, Lord knows no sane woman would jump into something so soon. But, this means you are already moving on. And Chicka, that is a miracle in itself. I am proud of you and you should be too. You are strong, you are a survivor.”

  Her words envelop me as tears begin to prick my eyes. I have never known this kind of loving support and to be honest, I am not comfortable accepting the compliment. I don’t know what to say so I choose to say nothing, allowing the silence to speak for me. Celeste is such a confident woman. She knows what she wants and has no problem reaching for it. Simply knowing she has confidence in me gives me a renewed strength and I begin to feel like things will be okay.

  But we all know the calm comes before the storm.

  “Now, what are you going to wear?”

  As I watch the boiling pot of pasta, lost in my own thoughts, I realize something monumental. I’m nervous. I don’t even remember being nervous before my first date. Most of the day, my brain struggled between Teagan and the cartel case. We’ve barely spoken to each other which has amped up the anticipation. My dick has been semi-hard all day making it very difficult to focus on work. I did manage to get some work done, however. One of the girls rescued from the shipping container was able to give us detailed information about where the shipment came from and where it was intended to go. While I should be elated that this information could break the case, images of the beaten, malnourished women make my stomach sour. What kind of sick fuck could do that? The memory of their faces pushes a blinding rage to the surface so strong I can almost feel the heat on my skin. Those women didn’t deserve any of that. And neither did Teagan.

  Tonight has to be special for her and I will do everything in my power to make sure that happens. So badly, I want to give her at least one night where she can relax and be in the moment. It’s difficult to keep her out of her own head and I know nothing good will come of that. Right now, her past threatens to destroy her future. But I will be dead and buried before I let that shit happen. She’s been fighting this battle alone for as long as she can remember. It’s about fucking time she has someone in her corner.

  Dumping the pasta into the colander to drain, I glance at the clock.

  Shit.

  Quickly putting the finishing touches together for Chicken Parmesan, I wipe my head and bolt toward the stairs to change.

  Tonight, she’s mine.

  I’ve played tonight repeatedly in my mind. Something inside is pushing me, telling me tonight is more important than I can understand. No matter how hard I try to figure out this puzzle, I see only her face. Her expressions. That mouth. All the things that make Teagan the person she is, and I love every one of them.

  I rub my sweaty palms against the opulent bedding beneath me as I lower my head and exhale some of the nervous pent-up energy. For the first time, I realize I might actually have feelings for Teagan. The thought has my lungs seizing breath for so many reasons. I’ve never cared enough for a woman to be this nervous. What’s more, she is still married to that asshole.

  Checking the time on my watch, I stand, smoothing the sleek material of my black trousers, and head downstairs to the kitchen. It’s game time.

  I’ve warmed the bread and plated everything by the time I hear the sound of her shoes as she makes her way downstairs. Looking up from the table, the sight that greets me is one that will forever be burned into my memory. Her perfect form enters the room and I am unable to form words as my tongue sticks to the roof of my suddenly dry mouth. Before me is the radiant woman that was waiting to surface. Her gorgeous auburn waves flow freely over one shoulder. She is wearing a form fitting wine-colored cocktail dress, detailed with lace. It’s the fucking sexiest thing I have ever seen. It hits her mid-thigh, giving me a prefect view of her smooth, creamy legs. My eyes make a slow perusal up her body until I reach her eyes. She gives me a nervous, self-depreciating smile and I feel the need to double over as if I were punched in the gut.

  Speak idiot. Speak!

  Once my brain has dibs on the blood supply, I lick my parched lips and try to speak.

  “Tea—I—Wow.” Jesus. I sound like a prepubescent teenager seeing boobs for the first time. Clearing my throat, I try again.

  “You’re beautiful.”

  “Um, thank you,” she mutters, tucking a strand of hair behind one ear, visibly trying to maintain eye contact. When she finally looks away, she takes in the meal I prepared.

  “Yo-you cooked for me?” Her eyes are wide in bewilderment and a smile breaks across her face. I stare for a moment, simply enjoying her reaction. Before either of us speaks again, an errant tear breaks free, leaving a glistening trail in its path. What the hell? Confusion takes hold, my chest constricting at the sight, fearing what I could have done to make her cry. Unable to watch any longer, I reach her in two long strides.

  “Sunshine, baby? Look at me. What’s wrong?” My mind is a cluster of panic and worry.

  “Everything,” she finally lets out and my stomach drops. Her gorgeous grey eyes search my face and it’s only then that I notice the affection in her expression. “No one has ever cooked for me before and now you’ve done it twice.”

  Her admission has my mind generating visions of future dinners, future breakfasts.

  Future.

  Jesus. Now I’m daydreaming like a fucking teenage girl. Get it together, O’Connor.

  “Well, there’s a first time for everything,” I promise her with a wink as I pull out a chair and gesture for her to sit before taking a seat adjacent to hers. “I hope you eat pasta.”

  “Anyone who doesn’t eat pasta hates themselves.”

  Her tone and face are so serious, and I stifle a laugh, choking on my water.

  “What?” she asks innocently. “It’s true.”

  Popping the cork on a bottle of wine, I pour us both a glass, desperately needing it to calm my anxious nerves. Teagan digs into her meal before I can finish pouring. Her eyes look ravenous and the erotic moan she releases as she savors her first bite reverberates through causing my balls to tighten. Fuck me. Shifting in my seat in a vain attempt to release the sudden pressure, I grab my wine glass and down it. The crisp liquid warms my belly almost immediately.

  “Declan, this is fucking fantastic.” She pauses between breaths to sip her wine. “From now on, you cook EVERY meal!” She laughs, pointing her finger at me.

  “Then I hope you like oatmeal and steak too because my culinary skills have boundaries,” I quip eliciting m
ore laughter and her smile reaches her eyes. Her laugh is infectious. The way it lights her up whole face… I didn’t know it was possible, but she is even more gorgeous when she smiles.

  That fucking pressure in my chest is back, squeezing so hard I can no longer ignore it.

  “We need to hurry and eat, or we are going to be late.” Her curious eyes meet mine, a cocky grin my only tell.

  “Where are we going? I thought we were staying here tonight?”

  I choose to remain quiet, letting her mind run with the possibilities. We finish our meal in silence, trading flirtatious glances at one another. How is PG-rated foreplay this fucking hot? I wanted the silence to feed her anticipation, not mine.

  “Thank you for making me feel special, Declan.” Her words are just that, a simple thank you. To me however, they hold more power than she could imagine. If something so simple can make her light up like a Christmas tree, I can’t wait to explore the possibilities.

  Her smile warms my skin, drawing me in like the gravitational pull of the sun.

  I just hope no one gets burned.

  Grabbing the wine, I take hold of her hand—the delicate softness contradictory to the strong woman I know her to be. Her body radiates hesitation, but she gives in to naked curiosity, walking hand in hand down the wooden path toward the beach. Just as we clear the line of trees obstructing her view, she halts suddenly. A faint gasp exits her lips as she brings her hand up to cover her mouth in awe. Twinkle lights drip from the pergola, casting a luminous glow upon her face. Unshed tears glisten in her eyes as she takes in the deck I’ve decorated as a makeshift dance floor. I leave her side only to turn on the soft music in the background. Taking her shaky hand once more, I guide her to the center of the space and wrap my arms around her small frame from behind. She fits perfectly under my chin, as if she were made just for me. Her sweet scent invades my senses and it’s intoxicating. I stare out into the moonlit water, contemplating how different things could have been. I’ve never been one to believe in mushy shit like fate, but it doesn’t feel like I found her by accident.

  Silent sobs pull me from my reverie. Worry mars the lines of my face and I find it difficult to inhale. Turning her to face me, she attempts to look away, hiding herself from me. Not happening, sweetheart. I curve my finger under her chin, forcing her to look at me. Her tear stained face threatens to be my undoing.

  “Talk to me.” My lips only a breath from hers. Her bottom lip quivers, begging me nibble it between my teeth. Her eyes drop to my chest as she works to calm her breathing.

  “I—uh.” She shakes her head, frustrated by her jumbled thoughts. “I don’t know what to say. This is all so beautiful. So perfect.” Her beautiful light grey eyes seem to stare through me.

  “I told you I wanted to do this right,” I say as she sighs, and I pull her head into my chest. “We had dinner and now we are going to dance.”

  The rhythmic sound of Come Away with Me by Nora Jones plays softly in the background. Moving my feet slowly to the beat, I lean in close to her ear. “And then, I’m going to make love to you.”

  An involuntary shiver rocks her body just slightly and she tightens her hold on me.

  “Promise?” she asks, not moving her head from my chest. A chuckle surfaces from deep in my gut. Looking up at the moon once more, I sway gently with the music, wondering if I’ve finally found happiness.

  In this moment, I am overwhelmed with a peace I’ve never known. It feels as though the beast on my back is hibernating for the first time in two decades.

  We stay like that for several songs, dancing like it’s our senior prom. I couldn’t care less; this moment is pure. Raw.

  “Declan?” she whispers faintly.

  “Yeah, Sunshine?”

  “Can we sit for a while? My feet are starting to ache.”

  With the intensity of the night, I forgot about the condition of her feet. I step back, taking in the sexiest fucking shoes I have ever seen. How in the hell has she been walking in them all night? Kneeling beneath her, I explore the expression on her face. Her skin glows in the shadows cast by the light, giving her an angelic look. Never losing sight of her eyes, I run a caressing hand down the back of her leg, starting at the thigh. Once I reach her ankle, I slip one shoe off before repeating the process with the other. As I stand, my hands take a slow perusal of her curves.

  Bending slightly to scoop her legs into my arms, I cradle her to my chest. A surprised yelp escapes her lips, but she nestles into me anyway. The remaining walk down the pier is short. I soak up every moment of her in my arms. The crisp ocean air collides with her scent and my knees nearly buckle.

  At the end of the pier is yet another surprise I have set up for Teagan. A large blanket is laid out on the sand, a basket of desserts rests to the right, along with a chilled bottle of wine. But that’s not what has her breath caught in her throat.

  The telescope.

  Briggs busted my balls over it but begrudgingly set it up for me. He’s a grumpy mother fucker but he’s never let me down.

  “How did you know?” she chokes. “Looking into the big dark sky and knowing our world is such a miniscule part of a vast universe… It’s humbling.”

  “I saw the tattoo on your back and took a wild guess.” I know my smile must look a bit boyish. Laying her down gently on the blanket, she settles in, folding her knees beneath her to look through the telescope.

  “It’s called the Hour Glass Nebula,” She says, still looking through the lens.

  “What is?” I’m a little confused by her statement. She is radiating excitement over something as simple as a telescope and I’m entranced.

  “My tattoo. It’s called the Hour Glass Nebula. They call the blue oval shape in the center The Eye of God.” She’s no longer looking through the telescope, instead she has her head thrown back, looking up into the night sky. Her hair cascades down her back as the moon reflects in her eyes.

  Beautiful.

  I pour us each a glass of wine and we settle in, her back to my front. This is where I want to be. If I could pause life in one moment, this would be it.

  “It’s so simple yet so complex. Full of things we can’t control. Things we don’t yet understand. Just imagine, its infinite mystery laid out before us. It’s stunning.” She lets out a sigh.

  “Yes, you are.” I whisper quietly into her ear. Taking her lobe between my lips, she moans, laying her head back to rest on my shoulder.

  I nibble and suck my way down the column of her neck. The sweet taste of her skin on my lips is all it takes to make my dick rock hard. I know she feels it against her lower back when she gasps softly and begins to rub herself against the increasingly tight bulge.

  Starting at her knees, I run my hand up her inner thigh. Her skin is creamy beneath my touch as she shivers slightly.

  “Are you cold?” My voice is gravelly, strained. She shakes her head no as she glances back at me. She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, giving her face a shy quality. Unable to resist any longer, I lean in, crushing my mouth to hers. I lick the seam of her lips, silently requesting entrance. She opens for me and I waste no time. She tastes like wine and spice and all things worthwhile in life. The kiss is passionate and wild. Had I been standing, it would have taken me to my knees. Tugging on the bottom of my lip, she sucks it lustfully.

  When my fingers reach the apex of her thighs, they are quivering with anticipation. Running a tentative finger over her panties, I find them already soaked.

  “Christ, Sunshine. You’re so ready for me.” I slip a finger under the delicate cloth covering her pussy. I swallow her moans as I run my finger through the slick folds, teasing the little bud. She squirms against me and fuck, I might blow in my pants like a fucking teenager. There is far too much fabric between us. Pulling my finger from her center, I move my hands further up, over her hips to her ribcage, bunching the fabric of her dress as I go. Finally slipping the dress over her head, I toss it haphazardly away from us.

  She rises
to her knees, turning to face me. The moonlight bouncing off the water creates a heavenly glow around her form. Her tits are bare—the only barrier now are the black satin panties I’m about to shred.

  It appears she has other ideas, however. I grasp her ass firmly in my palms as she begins to unbutton my shirt. I take a backseat for the show, knowing that giving her control is the ultimate gift. My hands itch to caress her sensitive skin, to give in to the urgency. Halfway down my shirt, her fingers dive in, exploring the firm ridges of my abs continuing up to my pecks. Her eyes are hooded with lust as she grips the bottom of my shirt and tugs. The force of her action has the remaining buttons scattering somewhere in the sand.

  I can’t hold back any longer. I need her. More than my next breath. Wrapping my arms around her, I pull her tits to my mouth, sucking fervently. Her nipples harden under my touch and Teagan mutters my name. The sound of my name on her lips awakens something primal in me. She threads her fingers into my hair, holding me to her. They flex and scratch, the sensation feeding my need.

  She lowers just enough to rub her palm against my length. I’m too worked up and I’m not done here. Taking her mouth again, desperate to taste her, our tongues dance, licking and sucking before I pull away.

  “Lie down.” She does as requested, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

  I toe off my shoes and make quick work of my remaining clothes until I am completely naked. My cock juts out at attention, bobbing with my movements. I soak in the sight of her, laid out on the beach, her hair fanned out beneath her, perfect tits on display.

  Gripping my cock in hand, I pump a couple of times unable to resist the pull of desire. She watches me intently, licking her lips as one hand slides under the veil of her panties.

  Fuuuuuck.

  A low growl emanates from deep in my chest. Lowering myself over her creamy curves, a thought occurs to me. My smile is predatory as I reach inside the basket next to us, pulling out a piece of chocolate strawberry cake.

  Without warning, I scoop my finger into the frosting and smear the decadence around her taunt nipples.