Black Truth (A Twisted Fate Series Book 2)

by Kristin Mayer

  He took a step back.

  He looked at me as if he wouldn’t survive without me. I felt wanton. His hand came out and unsnapped the front snap of my bra releasing my breasts, heavy with desire. The bra slid down my arms and landed on the floor. I was completely naked except for my ring signifying I was his.

  Another step closer brought us back together. Our breaths mingled as he lowered his head, but kept enough distance to drive me mad. “Do you feel it, Willow?”

  “Always.”

  His thumb and index finger rolled my nipple, creating the most delicious friction. I jerked at the increased sensation. “You’re sensitive and I can see your breasts are changing.”

  “Everything is more intense. Please, Gabe. Please.” At this point, the begging in my voice was a necessity and what decorum I had left went out the window. “I’m ready.”

  “You’re almost ready, but not quite.” The scruff of his face brushed against my jawline while strategically placed kisses peppered down my neck.

  I closed my eyes, trying to regain some of my senses before I lost control. The feeling of Gabe vanished and I opened my eyes.

  He stood two steps back and removed his shirt. The pulse in his neck beat wildly. The reins of control were slipping. Next, he toed off his shoes and unbuttoned his jeans. Going commando allowed him to spring free as he released the zipper. It throbbed with as much desire as I felt.

  In the hotel room, sun trickling in from the balcony while we basked in each other only heightened the sensual desire.

  As he removed his jeans, my pulse beckoned to be touched and I slid my hand down my abdomen. Almost to my goal, a little gasp left my lips and the last of Gabe’s control diminished. The hunger in his eyes came alive as he scooped me up.

  I wrapped my legs around his waist and felt the tip of his cock seeking entrance as our mouths collided. Teeth clashed against each other as our tongues intertwined. We moved in a zigzag pattern trying to get to the bed. I pressed down and moaned when I felt him barely enter me.

  “Oh fuck, Willow. You feel so good. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”

  I arched my back and his mouth came to my nipple. The biting sensation caused another louder moan to break free from me as our bodies found the bed. His dick pressed a little further in and I grabbed onto his arms, urging him to take me. Claim me. Make me one with him.

  “I should prime you more.”

  The thought of him withdrawing gave me physical pain. “No, no you shouldn’t. I’m ready. Oh, Gabe, I can’t wait any longer.”

  He pushed in a little further and we both gasped. The veins in his neck popped out.

  I urged, “More! Please, Gabe!”

  My feet dug into his ass, and in one solid movement he thrust inside me, filling me, and deliciously stretched me.

  “Best fucking feeling in the world. You okay?”

  “Yes, oh yes. Don’t stop. We’ll go slower next time.”

  Pulling out, Gabe paused only briefly before surging back inside.

  “Yes!”

  Our mouths found each other as our bodies synced and became one. Our fevered movements brought a sheen of sweat to coat our bodies as we climbed higher. The world faded away. More thrusting and we were calling out incoherently.

  With one twist of his hips, I fell apart as euphoria capsized over me. Gabe stilled as the look of pure bliss covered his face as he found his release in me.

  He rolled onto his back and brought me with him and, leaving us still connected while he remained almost hard inside me. “Hell, that was worth the wait, but I never want to go that long without you again, sweetheart.”

  “Me, either.”

  Lying in bed, our legs intertwined, I basked in the glow of our lovemaking still reeling from the intensity of my earlier orgasm. I looked at my ring glimmering on my finger.

  “Why didn’t Dad say anything when I wasn’t wearing mom’s ring?”

  “Alex told him it was getting sized and he wanted to surprise you. That was when I think your dad started investigating on his own. I couldn’t tell you this last night or it would ruin my proposal. But there’s nothing else I’m hiding from you.”

  There were still unanswered questions that concerned Dad. “I wonder why he never told Trent.”

  Gabe shifted beside me. “I don’t know. Neither does Trent. I think he’s taking that part pretty hard.”

  I made a mental note to talk to Trent at some point. More peace settled over the room before I said, “I want to get married soon.”

  The hand trailing up my back stopped. “How soon?”

  Did he want to wait? I doubted it. If I said today, Gabe probably would have someone here within the hour. I thought about our wedding and what I wanted. The bells and whistles of something fancy disinterested me. All I wanted was to move forward from the past and start our bright future together.

  “Before we go home. I want to get married where you proposed to me.” I settled my chin on his chest. Gabe’s smile turned radiant and my suspicion was confirmed. He wanted this as much as I did.

  “I’d love that. We’ll start planning it tomorrow. Today, is about you and me and nothing else.”

  Our bodies shifted as Gabe entered me with an exquisite torture. “There’s no place I’d rather be than inside you.”

  My back arched off the bed as he pushed all the way in. “I feel complete when you’re mine.”

  And for the second time, Gabe and I found that place we only had with each other.

  Three days later

  Soon the whole family would descend upon us. Francesca and Marie wanted to help plan the wedding. They had been ecstatic when I handed over everything but the venue—the place Dad proposed to Mom and Gabe proposed to me. But when I told them they had only one week, things kicked into high gear. I hardly heard from them. Even my dress was a surprise, but I trusted them and knew it would be perfect.

  Gabe was in the bedroom, finishing his shower. I stepped onto the back porch and found Trent staring out over the hills. For the last few days he’d been unusually quiet. I sensed he was avoiding me.

  Hearing me, Trent glanced my way. “I’ll leave you to the view, Willow. I have some work to handle.”

  I reached out and touched his hand. “I actually wanted to talk to you.”

  His jaw stiffened, but he remained quiet.

  “You can’t blame yourself for Dad not saying anything. He trusted you, Trent. He told me so in the letter he wrote me.”

  The hurt flashed across Trent’s face as his mask temporarily slipped. I pressed on. “Dad had his reason why he didn’t say anything about the ring. For the last few days I’ve been trying to work through it. But in the end, all I can focus on is he loved me and had my best interest at heart.”

  It seemed like I penetrated his armor a little.

  “But, Willow, I would have dropped everything to help your dad.”

  Grabbing his hand, I said, “I know and Dad knew, too.” With my other hand, I pulled out Dad’s letter. I’d had Carson send it to me. It was the same letter Trent gave me in a sealed envelope the day we met. “Read this. It’s what Dad thought of you. He trusted you, Trent. Give yourself today and then start to heal tomorrow. You have a family now. Don’t hold onto the past. Neither Dad nor your sister would want it.”

  His brows scrunched and I added, “We’re your family. You’re stuck with us.”

  Without warning, Trent engulfed me in a hug. “I’ll always be here for you. I promise. You’re stuck with me, too.”

  I hugged him back. After a few moments, he released me. “I think I’m going to go for a walk.”

  “I suggest the spot over there on top of the hill. It was Dad’s favorite.”

  Giving me a small smile, he took off across the yard toward the hill with the letter in hand.

  I watched his retreating figure, hoping he got the peace he deserved.

  “You’re an amazing woman.”

  I startled at Gabe’s voice. “You scared me. How long were you there?�
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  “Long enough.” Gabe’s hair was still damp from the shower. He wrapped his arms around me. “Everyone will be here in two hours. I just got word from the pilot.” A long contented breath left him.

  “In four days I’m going to be your wife. I like the sound of it.”

  “Me, too. You’ll be Mrs. Thompson.”

  In his arms, I turned to face him and looped my arms around his neck. “I can’t wait.”

  Six months pregnant

  I stood from my adjustable chair and stretched, finishing the last bit of writing on the wall. As a surprise, I had waited to start painting the room until after Francesca finished decorating it. As the godmother, I wanted this to be my gift to the baby. Something to remember me by forever.

  I took a Twizzler from the bag as I took it all in. Hopefully, they’d like it. The babies moved and I savored the moment. Each time I felt them was an indescribable experience with my ever-growing belly.

  So far, things were progressing perfectly. The babies and I were both healthy, which I was beyond thankful for.

  Making it full-term was my next goal.

  I cleaned the brushes before heading downstairs. The cheers from the front room brought me up short. Carson and Gabe goaded each other on who was going to win. Not so long ago, I wondered if I would ever have moments like this.

  A month ago Rosie had been convicted to a mental hospital. The trial had escalated at an unprecedented rate. As they took her away, she screamed for Carson to save her. She was truly disturbed.

  Our friends and Mitchell had been shocked. I truly believed Mitchell had feelings for her. Heartbreaking. It is now Marissa’s life’s mission to set him up with someone. Last month, I had been a bridesmaid at Marissa’s wedding, pregnant belly and all. It had been a beautiful church wedding in New York City.

  “Touchdown, Patriots!”

  Hearing their dad yell, the babies kicked.

  “Motherfucker!” Carson cursed.

  A giggle escaped Francesca. I stayed tucked behind the corner as I took the moment in and leaned against the wall.

  My wedding ring caught my attention. Gabe and I had married in Italy a week after we were engaged in the same place Dad proposed to Mom. It had been a small affair.

  “You may kiss the bride.”

  Gabe’s eyes locked on to mine underneath the gazebo. Gardenias hung from the latticework. “I promise I will forever watch over you and our twins. Love you until my dying breath. You have given me the world, Mrs. Thompson.”

  “Forever, Mr. Thompson.”

  His lips descended on mine as applauses from our friends surrounded us. The wedding was intimate with only Nonno, Carson, Francesca, Bennett, Marie, Trent, Mildred, and Chris in attendance. They were my family and now Gabe’s.

  As we stepped apart, Gabe whispered in my ear. “And now we have the honeymoon.”

  “Yes, we do.” Though I had no idea where we were going.

  An odd silence grew over the crowd as our family stared at us. Carson and Francesca looked everywhere but at us.

  I checked my dress. “What’s wrong?”

  Nonno looked between us. “Did you say twins?”

  Most everyone now knew I was pregnant, but we hadn’t disclosed that we were having twins. The plan was to announce it at the reception.

  I laughed. We were the worst at slipping. However, it was time. “Yes, Gabe and I found out we’re having twins. We were going to announce it at the reception.”

  With his hands in the air, Nonno rushed forward. “Oh, this does my ole Italian heart good. I have a long list of names I suggested to your mom I’ll share with you. They’re strong Italian names.”

  Another giggle escaped. “I can’t wait, Nonno. But, we are keeping it a surprise.”

  “Sei proprio come tua madre,” he muttered in Italian. And that’s when I realized it. I was just like my mother. Through Mom’s pregnancy they had gone back and forth about Italian names.

  The congratulations continued as Trent approached. “I’m happy life led you here. Treasure it always.”

  I sensed the longing in his voice to have what Gabe and I had. The heartbreakingly sad tale of Trent would one day find a happy ending. “Someday you’ll find your soul mate.”

  “Maybe, we’ll see.”

  The wedding had been perfect. Francesca followed suit a month later marrying on the rooftop of the Whitmore Hotel in Florence at sunset. Simply stunning. They kissed as the bells of the Deumo tolled.

  Finally, Carson and I had our happily ever afters.

  Trent remained close, but he traveled all over the place with his security team, keeping busy. We still had a small security detail with Andre and a couple of other men Gabe knew that Trent now employed. Still, the longing in his voice to one day have love when we spoke at my wedding stayed with me with. Once or twice I tried to broach the subject, but he delicately sidestepped it. I would be forever thankful to Trent, and he would always be like a brother to me.

  Because of Alex, I had him in my life. It was the silver lining in the situation, which helped me heal. About two months ago, we had gotten the message from De Luca that Alex and Harley had been dealt with. Their bodies were found on the side of the road… burned. A message had been scrawled on the sidewalk.

  They were dead. And I was glad they were out of our lives.

  “Yes, take that! Eagles score for the tie!”

  “It’s only a temporary problem before we kick your ass.”

  My phone vibrated with a text from Gabe.

  Gabe: Are you doing okay?

  Me: Yes, I’ll be there in a few minutes.

  Gabe: Tell the babies I miss them.

  Me: They miss you, too. They love hearing you speak.

  Gabe: Hurry. I want to feel them kick. Oh and look at the picture Apple Blossom sent.

  A picture appeared of Alex Junior. He held a paintbrush and had a smile to his face. Though his father was gone and Candy had left with a new boyfriend to California after Harley turned up dead, Alex Junior thrived.

  The first time we met he looked at Gabe and said, “You’re not my dad. Who are you?”

  We had been worried about confusing Alex Junior, but he had seen the truth all along. Now, we visited him regularly and loved him with our entire hearts. I texted Gabe back.

  Me: Such a sweet little boy.

  Gabe: I know. Can’t wait to see him this weekend.

  Me: Me, either.

  Gabe: Time’s up. I’m missing the babies too much.

  I stepped out into the hallway as Gabe stood. The radiant smile took my breath away as he walked to me.

  “Hey, sweetheart. Did you finish?”

  “I did.”

  His hand found my stomach as they excitedly moved about.

  “They love you.”

  For a second he remained silent before swallowing hard. “It’s unbelievable the bond I feel with them.”

  The fact that I had the ability to give Gabe this gift of unconditional love warmed me beyond reproach. After his terrible upbringing, I made sure to shower him with as much love as possible.

  For a month, no one found the body of his mother. No one had cared. Two kids out joyriding happened upon her. No words described the depth of emotion I felt for what happened. None.

  This was a time for happy thoughts. The past was in the past where the darkness belonged. Only the light and our future remained out front.

  Francesca, now in her seventh month, sat on the couch with a bowl of popcorn sitting on her belly. About a week ago her father reached out to her to begin mending the bridges. Abruptly she sat up, sending the popcorn flying.

  She looked our way. “Are you done?”

  “I just finished.”

  For the past month, it had driven her crazy not allowing her to go into the room while I painted. I spent a few hours here most mornings, working on the mural that turned into more than I ever dreamed. Luckily, they bought a house right after they married that was ten minutes from ours. They still
had the beach house, but wanted to keep it as a weekend getaway. It was wonderful having them so close. Francesca and I were already working out playdate schedules and mommy time.

  The pregnancy waddle commenced as Francesca hurried through the main level of the house with Carson right behind her. Throughout the month I had received bribes such as chocolate-covered cherries flown over from Europe, a masseuse who came to my house for a week for massages, and more to let them see the room early. I refused to break but took the bribes in good fun.

  Francesca opened the bedroom door and disappeared into the room, but I remained in the hallway. I loved allowing people to take it in without feeling the pressure. Art was meant to be experienced freely.

  “Willow?” I walked to the door as she stuck her head in the hallway. “Get in here.”

  I walked in the room and saw Carson on the opposite side reading the story from the beginning. Each wall was a progression of scenes that told the story of lion whose name was Myles, which also happened to be the name of their son they were having.

  The story incorporated the furniture and moved around the room as Myles the Lion rode airplanes, climbed trees, read books, and much more. Even Gabe was quiet as he took in the room, engrossed in the story.

  Carson finished first. “I… this is amazing. There are no words.”

  “You like it?”

  He hugged me. “I don’t have words to express what this means to me.”

  Francesca’s hand hovered over the lion as he took a swim in the pond. Looking my way tears spilled from her eyes. “I have no words, either. This is amazing. Our child is so blessed.”

  “Thank you. Gabe and I got Myles a gift in the chair.”

  The taupe chair had a stuffed animal sewn to match the lion on the walls. “Mildred helped me make Myles’s the stuffed lion. Open the box.”

  The lion paper tore easily as Francesca opened it and gasped, covering her mouth. “I keep thinking I’m going to wake up from this dream.”