by J. L. Beck
***
Fox had brought in doctors who ran tests and checked all the bruises that covered nearly every part of my torso. I had a concussion that made it hard for me to see things, and remember things at the moment. The blood supply to my feet and hands had been cut off for so long that I had lost nearly all the feeling in them. The doctors said it would come back eventually but that for now, I should remain in bed.
I hated being here in this house more than anything so that made it even harder. The gynecologist had come in and done an, examine, revealing that the evil bastard hadn’t gone inside me. An ultrasound tech had been called in right away yesterday so that Fox and I could make sure that the baby was okay.
When the tech placed the Doppler on my belly and the image showed up on the screen all the sadness, anger, and pain that I had endured seemed to slip away. I was okay, as long as the baby was.
We were given a silver lining in it all because where we thought only one baby existed, two did. There were twins growing inside of me and that was the one thing that I needed to be able to move on from this all. I wouldn’t heal in one day or week, but I would in months, and when my babies were born I would be a new person, a better person.
“I’m so sorry Raven.” Fox cradled me against his chest; his gentle touch melted away the pain that radiated throughout my body. The doctor had cleared us for sex but Fox wasn’t ready yet, I could tell, and honestly neither was I. We hadn’t dealt with the elephant in the room yet, the fact he had shot and killed his father, and that his father had been poisoning their mother for years resulting in her death. Nothing could change the past, or bring her back but talking about it would help release some of the pain.
“We need to talk Fox.” My voice was still hoarse but getting better every day. My heart ached for the man I loved because he had to see me damaged but worst of all he had ended his father’s life because of it. I wasn’t sorry the man was dead and gone because he deserved it but I was sorry that Fox was now an orphan.
“There’s nothing to talk about lamb. I don’t feel guilty for doing what I did. Taking one look at you I knew he had to die. You can’t do what he did and get away with it. I don’t care who you’re.” Tears pricked at my eyes. I hated how dark, and distant he sounded.
“I don’t want you to hate me because of it. I don’t want it to come between us. I never wanted to leave Fox. Never.” Once the tears started falling they continued to come. It felt like the floodgates had opened and I was finally able to talk about everything that had taken place in that room.
“Hate is the furthest thing from my mind. Before you, I was lonely, dark, and being ordered around by a man that I thought was my father. A man that killed my mother, and tried to kill you and my unborn child and I realized any man that was actually a man wouldn’t do that. He deserved to die. I did it for you, my mother, and for Seth. He had done all the hard stuff over the years and I didn’t want this to sit on his conscious.” From the way Fox spoke it sounded like he was dealing with it all perfectly but a part of me felt the duty to reach out and let him know that I did care about his loss and that even though his father deserved to die that losing someone you once loved was hard nonetheless and that I understood that.
“Is Seth okay?” I hadn’t seen him around the mansion at all. Since the day I was rescued he disappeared.
“Truthfully lamb, I don’t know. He’s keeping to himself and I’ve learned that it’s easier to let him be then trying to get him to feel something that isn’t there. When he’s ready he will talk.” Fox smoothed his hand over my hair, making me feel more and more at home. My mother was doing okay, but I was still ready to get out of this place even if it meant Fox and I getting a place of our own.
“I know this is your home but I’m ready to get out of this place,” I whispered wondering if he would even hear me.
“I’ve already made arrangements for us to move into a new house, together.” His dark eyes met mine. He was still the man I had fallen for, but he was keeping that side of him at bay because he feared my reaction to it. Since the incident, he was softer, gentler, and though I loved this side of him I craved the dark man that could make my blood sing with pleasure.
“Someday soon I’m going to want the dark possessive man that bought me at the auction not too long ago back.” Surprise seemed to mar his features as if he hadn’t expected me to say that.
“He’s still here lamb, he’s just not going to be making an appearance for awhile. You need tender love, and support and I'm going to give that to you.” His fingers traced over the bruises on my cheek. I knew he was furious, and burning with hate because of the things his father had done, and I couldn’t blame him but I didn’t want it to eat away at him like Seth let his rage eat away at him.
“So long as the man that started it all doesn’t disappearance. I’m kind of partial to his kinky ways.” I smiled, really smiled, and it hurt to do it but it felt so good to let the happiness in.
It felt even better to know I was building an entire empire with the man that I loved, the man that I wasn’t supposed to fall for.
He had bought my virginity but never my heart because I had willingly given him that and now we had it all. There was no price you could put on our love.
“I love you Raven Miller and I will protect you till the end of time.” He tucked me in closer pulling the blankets up over us. The warmth of our bodies melted away all of the insecurities I had well being held hostage at his father’s hand.
Fox loved me, and that was something money could never buy.
Chapter Ten
Fox
-Eight Months Later-
It was impossibly hard watching the woman you loved give birth to your children. You wanted to take the pain away from them all while knowing that the end result of the pain was something magical. She withered in pain in the large birthing tub that I had bought so that we could easily have the kids at home.
Her midwife Georgia hovered over her urging her on and encouraging her to breathe through the pain while I barely hung on to the edge of my seat.
“FOX!” She screamed out between clenched teeth. I could feel the rage she had for me simply in her words, and without even having to look at her face.
“Yes, lamb?” I still called her lamb even months later. It was our thing, and occasionally she still called me Master but that was for the moments we shared in the bedroom together.
“I hate you.” Her voice turned from a scream to a growl, as she barred down to push. I stared into the water feeling like there was nothing that I could do to help her. I hated feeling so helpless.
“She doesn’t mean that Mr. Smith.” Georgia smiled as she stepped into the water to help deliver the babies.
“Oh, I do…” Raven nodded her head yes, beads of sweat dripping down her beautiful face. She looked tired, so tired.
I kept my mouth shut, giving her my hand to squeeze. Georgia slipped her hand beneath the water and checking to see if the head of twin number one was ready to come out I assumed. I had done my research looking at baby books left and right. Amazon had been my go to for the last six months.
“Okay Raven, it’s time. I’m going to need you to push with all your might.” Georgia’s voice was cool and calm, reminding me that I needed to stay cool and calm too. Raven squeezed her eyes shut, and interlaced her fingers with mine before putting everything she had into pushing our children out.
Spots formed in front of my eyes as I held onto the side of the tub. I was going to be a father, holy fuck. It was finally hitting me. I felt no guilt for taking my own father's life, not after seeing the things he had done to Raven. She was my everything and hurting her was like hurting me and I was certain that he knew that.
“You still with us Mr. Smith?” Georgia questioned, her hand coming to rest on my shoulder. It was her gentle touch that pulled me back to the present.
“Of course, I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” I smiled, placing a kiss on my wife’s sweaty forehead. She
had endured so much in the last year and now she was giving me the most precious gift that life could give.
“Dear Lord it burns…” Raven screamed, her voice piercing my eardrums. I clung to her hand watching as Georgia slipped on a pair of gloves and helped ease baby number one out. Tears streamed down both mine and Raven’s face as we watched our first born son come into view, tiny little body still thinking he was in the womb. His eyes were closed, and as Georgia plucked him out of the bloody water she placed him on the chest, working fast to get his sister out.
“I’m going to need one big push from you Raven,” Georgia ordered and Raven listened pushing with all her might, forcing all the air to leave her lungs. My son was still sitting on her chest, his umbilical cord still attached.
“I’m going to need to cut the cord Raven, everything is okay.” There was no panic in Georgia’s voice but I myself felt panic. As soon as the cord was cut, Lucas starting screaming, a joyous feeling pumping throughout my body.
I watched closely as Georgia pulled Layla from the water, placing her directly next to her brother. They were beautiful and all because of the woman who had breathed life into them.
Georgia grabbed a blue bulb and sucked the water, snot, and whatever else was in their noses and mouths out and as she did so they both screamed. Layla screaming louder than her older brother.
“They’re perfect,” I whispered into Raven’s ear as she cradled them her beautiful brown eyes meeting mine. Tears lingered in them and I knew why. She felt like she owed me something for this moment, but she had no idea that it was I who owed her. I owed her my life, my entire world.
“They’re and they belong to us, Fox. They’re ours.” I was overtaken with emotion right then and there; my heart was so full of joy. Everything else in the world could fall to pieces as long as I had Raven, Lucas, and Layla.
I choked back the tears and enjoyed this moment with my wife and children knowing I could never get this day back.
***
“Here.” Seth shoved a cigar into my hand as I walked out into the living room to let everyone know that the babies had been born without even a hiccup. Raven’s mother was doing much better and nearly back to being herself. She smiled as soon as she saw me.
“Go on in Raven will be so excited to see you,” I announced. As Raven’s mother walked into the room closing the door behind her she left Seth and me alone. Seth still wasn’t managing well with everything that had happened.
“Thank you,” I said, placing the cigar on the living room table.
“Yeah…” Seth was awkward about happy moments not knowing how to act.
“The babies are both happy and healthy.” I shoved my hands into the front pockets of my jeans.
“Good. Good.” He nodded, running a hand through his hair.
“What’s going on? You seem a bit… I don’t know…”
“I’m leaving town. I wanted to wait until the twins were born before I went but I have to get out of here. I have to find myself again. I’m to caught up in this life, in this darkness, and what I want and need I can’t find here.”
I bit the inside of my cheek. My brother leaving hurt but having him here and not being himself hurt me more. I knew Raven and I were doing fine on our own but we worried about Seth more and more as the months passed. This would be a good thing.
“Okay while, did you want to see the babies first…?” I asked hoping he would say yes. When his face fell I knew he wouldn’t say yes.
“I’m leaving now. I love you guys but I got to go.” Seth sighed. I stepped forward wrapping him up in a hug. We still hadn’t resolved our issues about him watching Raven but I knew he was doing it out of love, and for me.
“I love you brother,” I whispered as he pulled away, nodding his head. Right as he got to the door and turned I swear I had seen a tear slipping down his cheek.
“Fox…” My wife’s sweet voice met my ears pulling me back to my gleeful world. The past nine months had been a whirlwind but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
“Coming little lamb…” I responded smiling because I finally had it all.
The End….
For Now…
Be on the look out for Seth’s book
Taken by the Billionaire…
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Lumberjack Love
J.L. Beck
Copyright © 2017 by J.L. Beck
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Meet J.L. Beck
J.L. Beck is a stay at home to two little minions and happily married to her high school sweet heart. When she's not writing steamy hot as sin books, you can find her with a glass of wine, and book of choice in hand. She believes all love stories should have a happy ever after, but knows that real life sometimes occurs so for her readers if she can give her books a HEA then she's happy.
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Chapter One
Jackson
Sweat trickled down my back as I lifted the axe one last time landing a clean cut against the log. It was August and the summer heat was refusing to let up even though Fall, was right on our heels.
I admired the stockpile of wood I had gathered myself and wiped at the sweat along my brow with the back of my arm. Living country wasn’t easy. We didn’t have cell phones or TV and we most definitely didn’t have the hustle and bustle of the city.
It was mainly quiet except for a passer buyer every now and then.
Placing my axe under the shaded tree I grabbed my water jug twisting the cap off and bring it to my lips all in one fluid motion. The cool water had just touched the tip of my tongue when I heard the crunch of feet against gravel. The noise was coming straight towards me and even though the footfalls couldn’t have belonged to anyone who weighed then one hundred and twenty pounds I was alert and ready.
I twisted around my blood pumping as my eyes landed on the person who was making all the commotion. In all the years I had lived out here by myself never had I seen someone as beautiful as the woman that was running directly towards me. Her hair reminded me of the sun, and her eyes burned a whole through me.
“I need your help.” She panted, out of breath. I could see the panic in her eyes and knew that whatever it was that was going on was serious. Still I didn’t get into other’s business and I most definitely didn’t allow anyone to bring their business to me. I didn’t care for drama.
“No can do sweetheart. I ain’t in the business of helping anyone.” I drawled, my cock growing harder and harder with every second I had to continue to stare at her. She was a tiny thing, short with a little bit of curve to her. She would be perfect bent over my…
; “My piece of shit ex-boyfriend left on the side of the road about a mile down. I just need a ride into town or maybe a phone to use.” Her voice cracked and with it so did my hard ass exterior.
“I’m sorry to hear that but ain’t got no phone, and I don’t plan on making a trip into town any time soon.” I smiled, or at least tried too. The woman continued forward until she was standing underneath the shaded tree, and almost flush with my chest. I could smell her sweet perfume and knew that if I let her stay here with me that I was going to be in for a whole lot more than I bargained.
“Sir…” She batted her long eyelashes. I could see the dark blue swirls in her eyes and wanted to tell her how beautiful they were but stopped myself knowing damn well this was the last thing I needed.
“Sorry darlin’” I scratched at the back of my head, wondering what the hell I was supposed to be do with her and how I was going to get her to leave without having to drag her back out into the woods.
“I won’t take no for an answer. If you don’t have a phone, or a way into town I could really use a place to stay for a bit.” Oh fuck. My face deadpanned. She had to be me kidding me right. This was a joke? Fate didn’t send no beautiful temptress out here for me. Not unless she would bring with her, her own trouble.
“I don’t want or need any trouble around here. I’m not a nice man. I’m ornery, rough and most day’s I don’t even like being around myself.” I started but could tell from the look on her face there was no telling her no. She really wasn’t going to take no for an answer, and strangely I admired that about her.
“My ex doesn’t care about me, example me being here now so no trouble will follow me. As for you being ornery, and rough, well you don’t seem like either of those things.” She smiled, and I’ll be damned if my entire day didn’t get that much brighter. How could one little tiny woman come jogging down your dirt driveway and make things seem so much better?