My new extended family, I tell myself.
Scratch that. My family.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Erasing Scars
“Thank God they are all gone,” Ezra says, plopping down on the bed next to me. His arms hold me tight to his body, and he nuzzles his face into my neck.
I sigh happily. It does feel good to be alone with him now after his family left. Azriel even decided to give us space for the night. I feel Ezra’s hand raise my shirt slowly, his fingers trailing lightly over my belly.
“I can’t believe this,” he whispers, turning to look at me with a smile on his soft lips.
“I know. Me neither,” I whisper. His family was happy and so was he, but I’m still worried this is too soon in our relationship. I have issues I still haven’t gotten completely over yet, but I feel better now that they know. I feel almost free. It’s like the last seven years I’ve been in prison—my private hell—but once I met Ezra I was me again.
“I love you, Lanee,” Ezra says, kissing me lightly on the lips, his fingers still on my belly.
“I love you too.” I bite my lip, staring into his beautiful icy eyes. I do love him. I want this to work because it feels like we are meant to be. But there is a small speck of doubt in my head. I believe him when he says nothing is going on with Roxy, but I don’t want him to feel trapped by me. I want him to want this as much as I do.
“What is it, baby?” His voice is low and he stills his hand.
“I’m scared,” I blurt out.
“I’m scared too,” he admits.
“About the baby?”
“That and other things,” he says, his gaze moving down my body. I tense, and I’m afraid of those other things. “Not about you, baby. I love you. I love you so fucking much. I just… I guess I’m shocked this happened. I was playing with fire with you.”
I swallow nervously. “How so?”
“Well, we never once used a condom. I never even asked if you were on birth control. I’m always safe. I swear to God, Lanee. I am.” His eyes are sad, and I cup his cheeks with both my hands. “I don’t feel trapped by the baby. I’m happy as hell, but I don’t want you to feel like you’re stuck with me. I’m your first since that night. It kills me that you were raped. I hate men who think they can take whatever they want without consequences,” Ezra tells me wholeheartedly.
“I don’t feel stuck, Ezra. In fact, I worry that you will feel that way.”
“Never.” He sits up, pulling me into his lap, my legs straddling him. “I never feel stuck with you.”
“I was on birth control, Ezra. I take it every day, but even then it can fail. I never thought I would be that one percent that failed. I’m sorry. I didn’t think about it either. When I’m with you I feel nothing but you. I’m consumed by you. I breathe you. I’m taken over, and all I want is to feel your touch.” I rest my head against his forehead, our breath mingling. “I love you, Ezra. I’m scared that this is too fast, and it is in a way, but I’m glad I met you. I really meant it when I said you make me feel stronger. I do feel better with you. I could never touch or be touched without cringing. It was part of the reason I pushed my dad away in the end. I started being repulsed by all touch. My parents fought so much, and it broke my heart even more. Back then I only had Claudia, but that was what I needed. Now that I have you in my life I never want to let you go. I want to be with you always.”
Ezra smiles, and my heart melts. He cups my jaw in his hands. “I want to marry you.”
“I…” I feel tears burning behind my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. I’ve cried so much in the past few hours. I shift on his lap and pull away from his touch. “I would like that too.”
He frowns, watching me carefully, his mouth tilted down on the side. “I know it’s not romantic like this, but I love you. I want this more than anything. I want you and the baby. Even if you weren’t pregnant I was planning on asking you.”
“W-what?”
Ezra leans over, shifting, digging into a drawer next to the bed. He brings his arm back, a small black box in his big hand. He clears his throat and looks at me nervously. “I, um… I bought this the other day when I was out with Levi. My plan was to bombard you if you still refused to take my calls. I was going to show up at the apartment or your work. Whatever it took to win you back I was going to do. I hated being apart from you. It was the worst two weeks of my life. I was grouchy and short-tempered. There was no way I was going to let my past keep you away from me. I know I fucked up, but I wanted you to know I am different now. I am in this with my whole heart. I’m a confident man, Lanee. I was going to have you back.”
I stifle a laugh at how unsure he is acting right now. I think that was part of the reason I was drawn to him. He oozed sex appeal but he was also confident and strong. I loved that about him. I also loved how he made me feel so desired.
I arch a brow at him, watching as he opens the small box. My mouth gapes as I stare at the beautiful princess-cut diamond surrounded by smaller ones set in a silver band. “I want to be with you for the rest of my life. Marry me, Lanee?”
I can’t believe how beautiful the ring is. I look up at his icy-blue eyes and smile through tears, crying, “Yes!” over and over. I throw my arms around his neck and crush my lips to his. It is the most romantic thing in the world to me.
“I love you so much, Lanee,” he whispers against my lips, laying me down on the bed, his body hovering above me. He trails kisses along my jaw down to my neck, nipping and licking, sending my heart into overdrive at the sensations.
“I love you too.”
I stifle a moan when his lips reach my collarbone, causing my body heat to rise with want. I feel his hands push my shirt up and soon he is taking it off of me, my bra following, and now I’m half naked under him. I grip the hem of his shirt, and he quickly takes it off, and then throws it to the floor. I bite my lip softly, taking in his hard muscles and tattoos, loving that all of this man is mine. I run my hands over his chest, my nails raking against his nipples, and he shudders under my touch.
“Mmmm…” he moans, a smile creeping across his beautiful lips.
His eyes open, and I see the love and desire there. This is real. He loves me wholeheartedly, and I couldn’t be happier. I love that I make him feel like this. He lowers his face to mine again, his erection grinding against me. His tongue pushes into my mouth, and I get lost in him, his hands going to my sensitive breasts, stroking me until I’m writhing with pleasure, my panties becoming soaked.
When he sucks a nipple into his mouth, my back bows at the sensation, ecstasy coursing through my body like white-hot lightning. He licks and sucks one breast while his other hand plumps the other. He grinds against me harder, and I can’t help the way I cry out for more. He moves down my body, pulling my shorts and panties down in one swoop, exposing me to him. Normally I would be shy with him looking so intently at me, but that is in the past. With Ezra I feel like the most beautiful creature in the world. He makes me feel needed and desired. His eyes are hooded as he runs his big hands along my thighs, stopping on the scar that is faded but a reminder of what I went through.
“I’m going to spend the rest of my life erasing this scar, baby. I know it’s a constant memory, but we’re going to make new ones. I’m gonna make you so happy that you won’t remember the bad,” he says, running his finger over the scar in small circles.
“You already do make it better,” I say, my voice coming out breathy and soft.
Ezra gives me his trademark smile, and my heart melts all over. He hovers above me, his lips claiming mine and then slowly working down my body again. His lips trail along my hip bone and then are on my pussy, his thumbs exposing my clit to him. He brings his mouth to the little bundle of nerves, moving his tongue in delicious strokes.
“Oh, God,” I moan loudly, grabbing at his hair. I hear him grunt, but I can’t let go as he grips my hips, burying his face between my thighs, his tongue swirling around my clit, sending delicious j
olts of pleasure shooting through my body. My back arches as the orgasm gets closer to exploding, and he holds onto me until I’m coming on his mouth.
Ezra licks his lips, sitting up, sliding down his pants and boxers. “I love your taste, babe. I could do that again, but I need you. I need to be inside you.”
“I need you too,” I say breathlessly.
He undresses and climbs on top of me, rubbing his cock against the seam of my pussy, soaking himself in my juices, and then slipping inside me. He exhales slowly once he is in to the hilt, neither one of us moving as his gaze burns into mine with passion. “I love you, baby. I love being inside you like this. I love the way you feel.”
My face should be red from what he is saying, but I don’t feel anything but love from him. I have overcome some obstacles since meeting him, and I love who I am becoming. I love that I’m stronger than before. I am healing with him. And I do feel incredible with him.
“Ezra,” I sigh when he pulls out slowly then plunges back in. I grab his neck and pull his face down to mine, our tongues moving together like his hips, deep and passionate. I can feel the orgasm building so quick so soon after I already had one, my hands going to his back to hold onto him.
“Oh yeah,” he groans, his cock getting harder, if that is possible. “Oh fuck…it’s so good, but I’m going to come fast. It’s been awhile.”
My legs are tight around his lean hips as he starts thrusting harder and faster. “Please…please…so, so close,” I cry out. He shifts his hips and I explode like lightning, his own release following soon after mine. He collapses on top of me, most of his weight supported by his arms so he isn’t crushing me, and both of us gasp for air.
Holy hotness! That was the most intense orgasm ever. My body is coming down from the high, and all I feel is the exhaustion finally consuming me after today. Once I can breathe normally I snuggle into his chest, not caring that the two of us are saturated with sweat from our lovemaking.
Ezra pulls out of me slowly, both of us sighing, and pulls me into his arms. He kisses my head gently, whispering how much he loves me. My heart is soaring to the sky with his words, but I can only nod as sleep takes me over.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Turn of Events
True to their word, Ezra’s family did help out with mom’s funeral, attending it with me a few days later and being there for me. It felt good to have Ezra’s family there. I cried at the funeral, and when they laid Mom’s casket into the ground it broke my heart. Even if Mom and I were estranged for years, she was still my mom. She had been my only living relative, and now she was truly gone.
Micca even found Daryl Kasten, Mom’s lawyer who gave me the papers in the hospital. Micca spent hours looking over the will that I was given, making sure everything was in order. He took over like a big brother would do. He was a saint, describing the money I was receiving from Mom’s life insurance, and letting me know that the whole funeral was paid for.
The other boys helped too. They were just there for me, making sure I wasn’t lonely when Ezra had to go to work. Apparently, my fiancé was a control freak about my safety and refused to let me go to the club unless they were with me. It was like having my own private bodyguards.
It might have upset me at first, having them act so macho and larger than life, but they really were like giant teddy bears to me. It warmed my heart to the core knowing I had not only Claudia and Ezra but the whole Lanphear family looking out for me.
I loved them all very much.
They were family now. I couldn’t be happier that I had gained so much in such a short time. I missed my mom like I did Dad, but I wasn’t going to hang onto the past anymore. I had so much going for me now. I had a wedding to plan with Claudia and Marta before I showed too much. Ezra really wanted to get married before the baby came, and I wanted that too.
I was the luckiest girl alive to have him.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Epilogue
Nine months later…
“Where is that beautiful grandbaby at?” Marta asks, stepping in the room flanked by all her sons. Her eyes sparkle when she sees Ezra and me sitting on the hospital bed together, our little girl, Zoe, tucked neatly in her blanket.
“Hey, Mom,” Ezra says getting up, picking the baby up gently.
Everyone stands around him as they take in our baby, her tiny features, pink soft skin, and wonderful scent. They ooh and ahh over her when Marta carefully holds her, standing protectively around their mother, and I swear all of them stare down in pride at the little girl.
“She is so beautiful,” Caleb says happily, his face beaming with pride at us.
“Just like her momma,” Ezra tells him, and I blush. He puts his arm around me, and I melt into him, happy that our baby is finally here and healthy.
“You two did real good,” Marta coos, her eyes glued to Zoe.
I smile at her. “She is wonderful.”
“Do we get to hold her?” Levi pipes up.
“Let your momma hold him,” Caleb scolds his son with a smile.
“Yes, sir.” Levi walks over to the bed and sits by me. “Mom is gonna hog her all the time,” he whispers to me, and I giggle.
“Boy,” Caleb growls.
“He’s right, Caleb. I’m going to spoil this baby rotten… Well, unless any another of my boys wants to make me a grandma so I can share the love,” Marta says, grinning, eyeing each and every man in the room.
Isaac shifts on his feet and bows his head, but Issiah blurts out a response right away. “No way, Ma! I’m happy with the life I have.”
Marta chuckles lightly, stirring the baby from her sleep. “Oh…she is awake.”
I laugh softly as I watch a room full of men turn to mush when they look at the new addition to the family. It is funny to see how proud of their niece they are, and she was only born four hours ago. I’m sure Marta isn’t the only one who will be spoiling Zoe the minute we get home. She has five uncles who look like they could move the moon for her if she wanted.
Our daughter is going to be loved by so many people. She has her uncles, grandparents, and of course Claudia, who has taken the role of aunt. I couldn’t be any happier than I am right now.
I also can’t help remembering how almost a year ago it would have been crazy for me to be in a room filled with so many men and not panic. So much has happened in ten months. Mostly good, but not always. I may have lost my own family to deaths, but I gained Ezra’s in return.
Ah…Ezra… The man drives me crazy with love. There hasn’t been a day that has passed he hasn’t showered me with affection, consuming me thoroughly with passion, and showing me how wonderful life can really be. He takes me higher each day, proving how much he needs me.
I am so in love with my husband. I never thought I would be here surrounded by so much happiness and devotion, but here I am. I have a daughter and a wonderful husband. I’ve overcome most of my fears of being touched. Even big crowds don’t bother me anymore. I am thankful every day that I met Ezra. He showed me there was more to life than what I had seen, healing me from the scars that I had on my heart and soul.
Zoe starts fussing, and Marta gently hands her back to me. The minute Marta announces the baby is hungry and needing to be fed, four out five men offer to help, eliciting a growl from Ezra and a giggle from me.
“What?” Levi asks, puzzled.
“You’re not feeding my daughter. Zoe is being breastfed,” Ezra says, frowning at his brothers.
Levi is the only one who doesn’t seem to be getting the breastfeeding part, because he still asks to feed Zoe. He pouts when Ezra scolds him, trying to explain the privacy needed when breastfeeding. Apparently living with all men has earned Levi a sheltered life at the knowledge of women and babies. “But I want to be first to feed the baby. I’m the last son. Doesn’t that count?”
“Levi, you don’t understand. Lanee is putting her on her boob,” Azriel says, clapping him on the back.
Levi’s face turns red on
ce he hears this news and then he shrugs. “Well, I’ve already seen her naked,” he says casually, earning a loud growl from Ezra again.
All sets of eyes turn to me, and I laugh. “He walked in on Ezra and me in the shower,” I tell them quickly.
They laugh softly and then Marta is shooing them out, promising to give Ezra and me some privacy for a bit. The boys all hug me tightly, congratulating us, and giving their brother a high five. They leave, and soon it is just the three of us again.
I feed Zoe with Ezra looking on curiously, his icy blues flashing with love toward me when I catch him looking. He leans forward and kisses my lips whispering, “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I really do.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Caroline Peterka lives in South Dakota with her husband, three girls, and five cats. (Yes, five, two of them were rescued as strays). She enjoys hanging outside in the nice weather. She can also be found sitting on the deck writing. Her passionate nature towards people led her to work in the Healthcare field, and she loves talking to others. Though, she has a fulltime job, she writes as much as she can, and spends lots of time with her family.
She enjoys writing love stories, and everything do to with romance. She’s been writing since she was ten years old. Most of her stories were from the point of view of a young girl, and she’s working to bring them to new light.
Caroline is the author of several novels, Unloved, Unloved 2, His Heartbeat, Twin Heartbeats, Deep Issues, and Darker Issues. Her books can be found on amazon.com. If you loved this book, please leave a review.
Taken By Ezra Page 17